Quick Thoughts - Nintendo Switch

Published: March 7, 2017 5:27 PM /

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Nintendo_Switch_Quickthoughts

After the tumultuous lifespan of the Wii U, the follow up to Wii, the greatest bowling simulator of all time, Japanese videogame juggernaut Nintendo released its new unique hybrid portable home console dubbed, Switch. Alongside the more in-depth discussion video between me and Andrew Stretch, I asked some of the few lucky editors who managed to preorder their system back in January their thoughts on Nintendo's new hardware.  This is not our official review of the system itself, but more or less a first impression of the system, its launch lineup, and what we hope to see over the horizon.

https://youtu.be/siG6Ith1EzI

 

Alex Santa Maria

1. What was your first impression of the console itself?

The Switch is a solid piece of hardware, and the main features of seamless docking and running Zelda in a handheld never fail to impress.

2. What is the biggest disappointment thus far?

The joycons are tiny, and their lopsided design just doesn’t lend itself to balanced multiplayer gaming. Also, having to identify buttons by location rather than name because of the multiple possible controller configurations isn’t an ideal situation.

3. What are you most excited for in the near future for the Switch? (games, features, rooftop parties)

Indie Games on the go. The Switch has the potential to be a second life for the great ideas of the PS Vita, and Nintendo makes better first party games than Sony, so it’s a win-win.

4. What's your avatar?

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Nick Maillet

1. What was your first impression of the console itself?

The system is super light and felt a little cheaply made, but after dropping it within the first hour of owning the Switch, I'm really glad Nintendo didn’t ship the thing with a glass screen.

2. What is the biggest disappointment thus far?

The kickstand is a bit too flimsy for what Nintendo expects us to use this system for and friend codes are quite possibly the most unintuitive way to connect with your friends ever.

3. What are you most excited for in the near future for the Switch? (games, features, rooftop parties)

Besides the underground basketball tournaments and nonstop rooftop parties ill be attending with this thing? I'm really excited for this year's indie lineup. Wonderboy blew me away at PSX and Stardew Valley is definitely something that I cant wait to play on the go.

4. What's your avatar?

It's that blue hedgehog guy that totally isn’t Sonic.

Andrew Stretch

1. What was your first impression of the console itself?

I thought it was a lot lighter and felt smaller than expected. The screen is extremely clear when playing in handheld mode.

2. What is the biggest disappointment thus far?

The kickstand is perfectly angled if you're only a small bit above the table you're placing it on, and coffee tables or lower places aren't usable in tabletop mode.

3. What are you most excited for in the near future for the Switch? (games, features, rooftop parties)

I'm excited to see the kinds of party games that will be added for breaking out with friends over.

4. What's your avatar?

Breath of the Wild Link

Robert Grosso

1. What was your first impression of the console itself?

First impression is pretty solid. The controllers work surprisingly well despite their small size, the motion controls are accurate and responsive, and the portability is pretty good. The size of the console is perfect for portable gaming; it's basically using a tablet with mini remotes, a very modern move by Nintendo that is not as confusing as the Wii U was at launch. Presentation-wise it's very solid, which is expected from Nintendo as they always do put quality in their systems.

2. What is the biggest disappointment thus far?

The biggest problem is the disk space and the lack of online features. Everyone has noted these issues already; 32 GB is pretty shallow without a microSD card and the inability to place save game data on the SD card is cumbersome, although not surprising. The biggest issue, however, is the online features are bare bones compared to other consoles, which will be a major point of contention for a while now. If there is one failing to lay on Nintendo it is online issues; it's too closed circuit and this will alienate a lot more of the hardcore crowd in the long run.

3. What are you most excited for in the near future for the Switch? (games, features, rooftop parties

Games-wise, Mario and Xenoblade are high priorities for me, but for the Switch I want to see the full potential of the system unlocked. Nintendo needs to update their online features, utilize more apps for mobile gaming, and focus on courting third parties to develop quality titles on the system. The launch was a big success and a start to that, and I am optimistic that Nintendo can continue to pick up steam with a steady stream of good titles, console updates, and ultimately good support to keep the system going for the next six or so years.

4. What's your avatar?

The Master Sword and Shield. My friend Code is SW-5007-7291-3434

James Galizio

1. What was your first impression of the console itself?

It feels good in your hands, and the joy-cons feel much more solid than I expected. Buttons are VERY nice.

2. What is the biggest disappointment thus far?

Friends list literally does nothing right now.

3. What are you most excited for in the near future for the Switch? (games, features, rooftop parties)

I'm hoping for an eventual Monster Hunter, and I'm very excited to see what else Nintendo manages to release for this thing as well. Zelda is a fantastic start, and it's great to see a system live up to the idea of "console quality games on the go" that Sony attempted with the Vita half a decade ago.

4. What's your avatar?

Samus.

Connor Foss

1. What was your first impression of the console itself?

I was cautiously excited and impulse bought a Switch instead of waiting like I'd planned. Initial impressions are mostly positive! I like that the Switch from handheld to TV is really as seamless as they make it seem in advertisements.

2. What is the biggest disappointment thus far?

I wish the online lag was improved.

3. What are you most excited for in the near future for the Switch? (games, features, rooftop parties)

I'm looking forward to the heavy hitting games coming from Nintendo, namely Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, Fire Emblem Warriors, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 this year.

4. What's your avatar?

My icon is the Hylian Shield and Master Sword!

Christian Mincks

1. What was your first impression of the console itself?

When I first held it in my hands in portable mode, I had the distinct impression that I was holding a long, flat egg of some sort, ready to hatch a disfigured, wailing Baby Mario, and I still haven't been able to shake that feeling. Other than that, I rather enjoyed playing it.

2. What is the biggest disappointment thus far?

Like most people, the lack of games is the biggest drawback for me right now. Blaster Master Zero can't come soon enough.

3. What are you most excited for in the near future for the Switch? (games, features, rooftop parties)

I'm super excited for the amount of JRPGs coming to the system. I only really started getting into the genre within the past year, so it was pretty timely when the Switch event back in January showed off a crap-ton of them forthcoming.

4. What's your avatar?

Blathers, duh. I'm not some kind of despicable heathen.

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Did we miss anything? What are your answers to these four questions?  Post your friend codes below and ill follow you!

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


Nick Maillet TechRaptor
| Former Lead Video Editor

When im not playing games Im working on TV shows as a colorist. You can find me on twitter posting pictures of my rabbit and other useless junk.