Should You Buy the Nintendo Switch? - Article
by Taneli Palola , posted on 10 March 2017 / 14,418 Views
As everyone here likely already knows, Nintendo just released its newest video game console, the Nintendo Switch. In addition, all signs point to it having had a very successful launch, helped in no small part by what looks undeniably to be one of the best launch titles of all time - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, there is a fairly significant question mark still hanging over the console. Should you actually go out and buy the Nintendo Switch right now? The answer, for me at least, is no.
However, some context for that statement is perhaps required. First of all, I am in no way saying that the Nintendo Switch is a bad system. Quite the opposite, actually. I believe that it has the potential to become an extremely successful system that could fix many of the mistakes Nintendo made with the WiiU. And yet I still wouldn't consider purchasing a Nintendo Switch at this point in time. Let's talk a little about why.
Software Drought
This one is quite an obvious issue. Right now, the Switch is pretty much a glorified Zelda machine that happens to also have a few other games available for it. However great Zelda is, and both critic reviews and fan reception suggest it's one of the best video games of all time, one game alone is not enough for most people to justify purchasing a brand new system. The rest of the launch line-up consists of titles that are either decent at best, or re-releases of older titles that are already available on other platforms.
In order for the Switch to truly become an attractive system for consumers outside of Nintendo's dedicated fan base then it really needs to play host to a lot more high quality titles over the coming months. Games like 1-2- Switch and Super Bomberman R, which launched alongside Breath of the Wild, really don't make the grade either. 1-2-Switch is a party game that really should have been a pack-in title but which now just feels forgotten and indeed forgettable, while Super Bomberman R is simply Bomberman with a new coat of paint. There's nothing wrong with this, but they're really just filler rather than launch titles that make a compelling argument for purchasing a new console.
The good news is that the medium term future looks promising, both from Nintendo itself as well as third parties. Of course we had the usual showroom line-up of third party developers coming forward to announce that they're ostensibly making games for the console, and this first wave of third party titles will be important, but we should keep in mind that the Wii U had a similar list of developers who had signed up to make games for the console, but most of them gave half-hearted support in the end at best. The promise of games to be released sometime in the next 12 months should thus be treated with a note of caution - it's not a convincing reason for buying the platform right now, but rather for waiting and seeing how the future pans out in reality.
Hardware Issues
The Switch has been reported as having some unfortunate hardware problems. Most notably, many users have encountered connectivity problems with the Joy-con controllers. The screen on the console can also apparently get scratched by the dock if it's placed within it too carelessly, and various other reports have surfaced over the last few days.
Although none of these issues are particularly serious by themselves, they are telltale signs of a rushed release, and things that can easily be avoided by simply waiting a while for Nintendo to fix them, either through software updates or actual hardware revisions.
Missing Features
This is another complaint that's popped up - that the Switch currently lacks certain features. Nintendo has generally lagged behind its competition when it comes to online features for its platforms and, thus far at least, the Switch doesn't do much to change that perception. Nintendo is working on bringing services such as Netflix to the console, but as things stand they're not there. The Virtual Console isn't even available yet, for example, although that should change in the near future.
Nintendo made it clear early on that many of the features announced for the Switch would not be available at launch, and that's fair enough, but it further supports the case for holding off on a purchase, which has become something of a recurring theme I fear.
The Waiting Game
Here's the thing though. None of the issues I've talked about here are specific to the Switch. Practically every single new console released within the last 20 years can be said to have had problems with one or more of these issues to at least some extent. Lack of games on new consoles is nothing new, hardware issues have plagued numerous consoles during their first year on the market (perhaps most famously with the Xbox 360), and many consoles these days are released without key features that were revealed in the pre-launch period.
In fact, as far as I can remember, there has almost never been a console that I would have recommended within its first year of availability. I'd have to go back to at least the mid-90s and the N64 for that, and even then I would probably have urged caution as well. Even the PlayStation 4, which is generally regarded as being the best platform currently on the market thanks to its extensive software library, had a weak first year in terms of software.
So, is the Nintendo Switch worth purchasing? Sure, in a few months, maybe a year's time. It has a massive amount of potential, but right now, at this very moment, I'd argue that it's just not worth the asking price for what it currently offers. Once more great games have released, the issues with the hardware been fixed, and many of its promised features implemented, the Switch could very well become one of the best and most varied platforms on the market.
Ultimately, if you want a Nintendo Switch and you're patient enough to wait a few months, then I'd recommend doing so until the holiday season. There will probably be some nice deals and bundles available by then, and you'll probably be able to grab more than just one great game for it as well. In the meantime there are more than enough great games available for the other systems to fill the gap while you wait, including Breath of the Wild on the WiiU.
More Articles
TL;DR like any other consoles, there's issues. You're better off getting it around the time Odyssey comes to ensure a good amount of games
Pretty much yeah. None of the Switch's problems are unique to it, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to get it right now. It's not necessarily a bad idea to buy it now, as long as one is ready to wait a while for new releases.
This comment could replace the article, IMO...
I'm flattered fragile. However, I don't want my simple explanation to make people ignore the well-written article. I simple enjoy writing summaries in case people want the general idea presented at the end
Overall, I agree with this. It's best just to wait for more games down the line.
I just bought Legend of Zelda: BotW on WiiU, therefore I can now wait till holidays for Nintendo to entice me to get a Switch.
That's your damn opinion. I had 0 issue with the hardware and it's a fantastic and quick console overall. Snipperclips is a solid and very fun eShop game, as well as the Shovel Knight games. It's not a glorified Zelda machine, and that is quite hyperbole for a writer to say that. If you are patient enough, like any gamer should be, you will be able to play fantastic titles throughout the year.
Agree with all of this. From what I can see, the vast majority of Switch owners are happy with their purchase. I was surprised at the 'glorified Zelda machine' comment coming from a writer.
Agree with all of this. From what I can see, the vast majority of Switch owners are happy with their purchase. I was surprised at the 'glorified Zelda machine' comment coming from a writer.
We've seen a software drought with the Wii U, but with Switch we get Zelda, Mario Kart, Splatoon, Xenoblade and Mario Odyssey within 10 months. That's enough for me and too much for a late 2017 purchase.
One person's opinion and that's fine. I got the Switch day one because of Zelda and the promise of other great games to come, and I don't regret it one bit - i really love this system. Don't miss missing features that I wont use, and not one hardware problem so far. I was thinking of waiting but i really wanted to play Zelda on the Switch rather than Wii U and then thought its better to be able to play the other games as they come out, rather than have to buy them all at once later. Also will buy plenty of indies in between, games that a lot of people seem to like to ignore. So i don't quite consider it a 'glorified Zelda machine'.
While that is nice and all, indies don't sell consoles in large mass. Obviously we disagree, but at it's current state, it is a glorified Zelda machine, specially since it doesn't have many of the basic features that consoles have now (which is normal, they come in as Nintendo works out the deals)
True about indies but i think at this point the quality and quatity of indies shouldn't be ignored and they should be part of the selling point instead of 'Zelda and that's it' that everybody says. Gamers need to change their thought that AAA or nothing. Just my opinion.
Everyone will have a different opinion-mine is that it is worth it because it already has great games, has more coming steadily this year. Basic features like netflix and web browser mean nothing to me because i use my tv and phone for those, and not gaming systems including my PS4 and 3ds. Dont need them.
Being a gloryfied Zelda machine isn't the worst of things that can happen to a new console at launch though. Especially when said Zelda is a good, big and time consuming as it is. I don't recall any other console in recent history having such a must-have launch game.
The Ps4 mostly sold on the merit of Microsoft epicly shooting themselves in the foot and consumer goodwill (wich, to be fair takes a lot of work to build up as well.) It looked pretty barren until Bloodborne arrived, imo.
Just wait until the holiday season, where there will be more games, hopefully a bundle for $299, all the issues are sorted out (bugs, glitches, OS crashing, games not loading, dock scratching screen, etc...), and discounts galore for games and accessories.
And if it ends up like the 3DS there could even be a price drop.
Waiters are winners with this system. It has potential but nintendo needs to prove its worth it by adding software- and games and also redesigning that dock with some soft padding to prevent scratching
I agree, the system is not ready yet. Let the die hard Nintendo fans struggle through these first hard times. When the rain comes, we get into the party.
Yes or No would do.
It's so interesting to watch the media try desperately to paint the Switch in a negative light and have it not matter what-so-ever.
The quick answer is: No. Not right now.
The long answer:
If you have a Wii U: No
If you cannot wait until Christmas to play Zelda: Yes
If it makes sense to buy Switch just for Zelda: No
I think you should! If you want one. Because it's great. And that's what you hear from most everyone who bought it.
If you don't want one, don't.
The Holiday season will be pretty damn good for the Switch and killer bundles are guaranteed. Even with BotW being as fantastic as it is, for anybody with a tight/adjusted budget, it's just not the move yet.
Switch will be great buy around holiday season.
Not now. The NS is useless for me until Xmas 2018.
The 1st year is poor. Especially if you have the WiiU, mario is the only real new big game .
Im waiting to see what the unannounced Pokemon game turns out to be. If it is indeed the rumours Stars follow on to Sun and Moon, its pretty much a guarentee that Ill get the Switch.
Agreed!!!
