Nintendo Switch: The name of the hybrid gaming console developed by Nintendo

Hariom Thakur

11 Jun, 2023

The Nintendo Switch was released globally in early March and early sales reports indicate that it will be one of Nintendo's biggest game consoles. Definitely one of the most successful.

One reason for this is that Nintendo made a machine friendlier for family use than its last effort, the Wii U, and current rivals. The Nintendo Switch has the motion gaming aspects of the Nintendo Wii, but also some features that appeal to kids and adults,Young and old must be sure, a lot can be found out of it. safely as well.

It also differs from other consoles in size and style, coming in the form of a tablet device that can be used around the house or when out and about. And when docked to an included base station, it can even be played on a big screen TV. The most family-centric, however, lies in its controllers.

It's new Joy-Con controller can be attached to the side of a tablet to turn it into a bonafide handheld device, or incorporated into a "Grip" to create a traditional gamepad when playing at home. They can be used individually in the style of Wii Remotes or as mini gamepads on their own.

For families, this works especially well as different ages can play the console in different ways. Younger players will be keen on the handheld configuration with the Joy-Cons glued to the side of the tablet, while older kids will likely find the Joy-Con Grip a more comfortable way to play. Lastly, parents will appreciate being able to play two-player games on the Switch without having to buy more controllers using separate Joy-Cons.

The Joy-Cons are quite small to look at but in the hand, our test family all found them comfortable. There's an offset to the sticks that takes a little getting used to, but an hour or so into playing Zelda and we still weren't noticing.

The Joy-Cons also have other tricks up their sleeves. They offer very high fidelity of rumble feedback—so much so that one game challenges you to count virtual marbles by tilting and feeling the rumble. It's hard to explain (or visualize) but it works really well. They also include a Kinect-style camera that can "see" figures in front of it.

The Joy-Cons no longer have speakers like the Wii Remote which is a shame. We loved the added immersion in the sounds your hand made but suspected there was only so much technology Nintendo could fit into the tiny controllers.

While these may sound like fantastical novels, it's features like these that point to the revolutionary nature of the Switch. While there's plenty for families to get excited about at launch, it's the inventive ways Nintendo and other developers use the format and controls that will be of most interest to a family audience.

How is the gaming experience?

The 1-2 switch is the case in point here. It is a launch game largely played without a screen. Each player holds one of the Joy-Cons and takes on various challenges - milking cows, feeding and so on. Play it once and it'll put a smile on your face, but spend longer with the game and there's a surprising amount of depth here. In fact, as a family, we've played 1-2 Switch just as much as Zelda — which is really saying something

How long is the Nintendo Switch battery life?

Another big driver for families is how long the instrument will last when played on the go. Of course, this will vary depending on the game you're playing but as a baseline, you should expect to play Zelda for a few hours before needing to recharge.
It's easy to think that it's not really that tall compared to other devices. However, as you can see in this ongoing test of the Switch against iPads, PlayStation Vitas, and other 3DS handhelds, it's actually pretty good on its own.
A nice touch is you no longer need batteries for the controllers. Unlike the Wii Remote, the Joy-Cons include built-in batteries. Better still, the controls charge by attaching to the main tablet. This should mean that they should be charged and ready to go when you need them.
The Joy-Cons provide plenty of play time - around 20 hours by our RSI measure. The one downside to super-long play sessions is that the Joy-Con Grip doesn't include a USB port for charging in the pack. This requires you to purchase the Joy-Con Charging Grip.
Another nice touch is that you can charge the device with any battery pack using a USB Type-C cable. For families who want to use the Switch on long car trips or train journeys across the country, it's a neat solution.

nintendo switch family games

Of course, a huge aspect of any new console is the games. While the Switch isn't loaded at launch, what it does have is of high quality. For many, The Legend: Breath of the Wild will be all they need. It's a hugely impressive open world RPG that players of all ages can enjoy (given the PEGI 12+ rating).
It offers classic Zelda dungeon puzzles along with refreshingly open combat and exploration. Families can enjoy playing together and solving puzzles, taking food and craft potions and food. Older players and parents may also like to play it in the evening after the kids are in bed.
We mentioned 1-2 Switch above and it really is excellent fun for families. The new Bomberman R game looks excellent too. But it's games like Arms' novel use of Joy-Con motion controls, or Splatoon 2 that will make the biggest splash with family audiences upon their arrival in the summertime. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become popular too.
Nintendo recently announced a wide array of indie games coming to the system as well, which is excellent news. Of these, it managed to snag the next Steamworld Dig game that could be a system seller in its own right.
The only chink in armor here is getting the latest version of the game on the system. A family only needs one console for the Switch to be viable, it has to be the latest version of Minecraft, Terraria, and FIFA. And while they are on the cards, they are not yet available.
It's also worth noting that unlike previous Nintendo consoles, the Switch doesn't offer backward compatibility. It's a shame for those with a Wii U or a large library of Wii games (and Wii Remote controllers), but what's costing Nintendo is pushing the technology. A Virtual Console will be offered on the device in the future but that means you'll have to buy the classic Wii family favorites again.

nintendo switch parental controls

If families have any suspicions that the switch is aimed at them, at best a glance at the classroom parental controls will be enough to convince them. Unlike other consoles where you have to dig through menus to figure out what your family can and can't do? The Switch offers a handy app for parents.
On the console, you can set some basic restrictions and behaviors but it's on the app where things get really innovative. Here you can specify the number of days the kids can play before asking for an extension. Parents can also get reports on which games have been most popular in the household, helping them understand their kids' playing habits.
While these features may seem superfluous to parents without kids, the Switch is a game changer. Now mom or dad doesn't have to play the bad guy, come in and turn off the console. Instead, families can agree together how long is appropriate and then conciliate the decision with the police.
The result is a lot less stress for parents. It should also mean that mums and dads are more involved with family gaming and are more likely to join in and play.

nintendo switch cost

The Switch is the exciting new technology on the block and priced at £280, it's not the cheapest way for families to get gaming, but it does offer good value. In terms of the games on offer, the way you can play and the future-proofness of the Switch is a system families can't ignore.
While a game packaged in a box would have been nice, the only place to play Mario Kart (available April 2019), Splatoon, Zelda and the like can't be overlooked given how appealing they are to families.
One Achilles heel we hope Nintendo fixes in a future update is the ability to stream video via Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Video. Many families use their gaming machine to do this and will be surprised that the Switch doesn't support any of them yet.
Being able to purchase a system should not be underestimated in terms of value to both the console and the console itself. This clever multiple use approach of the Switch provides great value for families who previously had to buy two more products to get the same thing.
It's also worth noting that you can play two-player family games with the Switch without having to buy an additional controller. For Xbox and PlayStation, you need to spend another £60 before being able to play together.

Should you buy the Nintendo Switch?

On balance, the Switch is a very exciting proposition for families. Not only does it have a great line-up of exclusive games, but new controllers and modes of play will excite gamers of all ages.
It offers innovative ways to play and does so with a streamlined approach that is both well thought through and excellently delivered. Add this on top of parental controls and it's likely to be in high demand by mums, dads and their kids.