Second Opinion #27: Nintendo Switch Review

Second Opinion Reviews

Ian is joined by Geoff Schumacher, who has had his Switch for about five months. There's a lot to unpack here, from specs to controllers to the games themselves. So settle in and enjoy!

Hardware

00:01:05 | Switch Specs

• Technical Specs – Nintendo Switch Official Site – System hardware, console specs

00:01:59 | Storage & File Management

• Storage space
  • Only 32 GB of storage space.
  • From what I remember, when asked about this, Reggie Fils-Aime (CEO of Nintendo of America) noted that they wanted to keep the price <= $300, and having that 32GB of storage space was needed for that.
  • Can handle microSD card slots of up to 2TB though, and that’s where the software needed to run the game will live.
• How game software and safe files are stored:
  • Game cartridge (doesn’t matter if you have microSD card or not)
    • Software to run game is on cartridge.
    • Save files are on the Switch.
  • Digital copy of game & no microSD card
    • Software to run game is on Switch
    • Save files are on Switch
  • Digital copy of game & microSD card
    • Software to run game is on microSD card (as long as there’s room)
    • Save files are on Switch
• CANNOT BACK UP OR TRANSFER GAME SAVE FILES
  • Seriously, what the fuck?
  • Nintendo Technicians can supposedly transfer from one switch to another.
  • Micro SD card is formatted for just your switch
  • As a gamer: frustrating
  • As a Nintendo fan: disappointing
  • If you could back up/transfer your save files, I’d probably buy games like Yooka Laylee and Sonic Mania on the Switch.

00:15:01 | Battery Life

• According to Nintendo, ~2.5-6 hours.
  • Thanks for the vague answer guys!
• So intensive games, like BotW, would be much closer to the 2.5.
• BotW is ‘supposed’ to get about 3.5
• I cannot remember how much BotW playing time I got from single charge of the switch.
• From what I remember, it took ~2 hours to go from empty to full on the dock while not playing on it. Nintendo claims ~3 though. It was a while ago that I tried this though.
• Comparing to that of the DS:
  • “A common complaint was the 3DS’s battery life; Engadget reported to get 3 hours of battery life from the system, while IGN reported 2 to 4.5 hours of play.”
  • Nintendo 3DS – Wikipedia
  • Nintendo 3DS review

00:19:03 | Kickstand

• Flimsy as all hell.
• Feel like I’m going to break it everytime I use it.
• Should have had the entire back plate as one large kickstand.
• Not many people are saying this, but I have heard a couple of reviews praising Nintendo for the kickstand’s placement over the microSD slot.
  • Bro, chill. They literally could have placed it ANYWHERE.
  • Anywhere not over the microSD slot would have been dumb.

00:21:06 | Bluetooth

• Can’t connect a wireless headset to it.
  • But it has bluetooth. Seriously, look at the specs. It has bluetooth because the JoyCons wirelessly connect to the switch via Bluetooth.
• There are third-party controllers that connect via bluetooth

00:23:55 | Speakers/Microphone

• Speakers get very loud, despite being on the back.
• Is there a microphone?

00:26:02 | HD Rumble

• HD Rumble is Geoff’s most underrated feature about the Switch.
  • 1-2 Switch demoes it really well
  • Geoff thinks it can be a great ‘little thing’ that could improve many games, so he hopes more developers will utilize it nicely.

00:29:48 | Resolution

• 720p when not docked.
• 1080p when docked.
• Plenty of people weren’t super happy about resolution at announcement. In my personal, biased opinion, people seriously need to chill when it comes to screen resolution in gaming.
  • Makes me think of Yahtzee’s review of The Order 1886, when he complains about pointless, but very detailed room.

00:31:23 | Networking

• Up to 8 switches can connect wirelessly
  • Nintendo’s bringing back the LAN party!

Styles of Play

00:36:03 | Controller Configurations

• JoyCon Controllers
  • JoyCon Grip
    • Putting the two in the JoyCon grip works just fine. It is different though.
    • The buttons are smaller, and the layout is different from your “standard” controller.
    • Someone with large hands might not have a fun time with this.
  • “Double fisting” (one JoyCon in each hand)
    • I personally like to use one in each hand, as opposed to using the JoyCon grip or the pro controller.
    • I honestly don’t know if anybody else does this.
    • It honestly does create some quirks while playing games like BotW.
      • I have personally chosen to adjust to this, and it works.
    • For games like BotW, I think it’s actually recommended by Nintendo that you use the grip if not in handheld mode.
      • I think if you take them off in game, a little prompt comes up.
    • It works, but even if you have ‘average’ size hands, you’ll need to adjust how you hold them.
      • Instead of having pointer finger over bumper and middle finger over trigger, use just point finger for both bumper and trigger.
    • Someone with large hands probably won’t have a fun time with this.
  • Using each JoyCon individually as a controller:
    • A little awkward at first, since ‘off centered’/’asymmetrical’, but they work.

00:50:41 | Cost of Peripherals

• Joycons expensive if you want to buy more.
  • $80 for a pair.
  • $50 for a single JoyCon.
• Pro Controller
  • Overpriced at $70
  • It your standard, regular, “normal” controller.
• Do Wii U pro controllers work on it? No, according to Nintendo Support Forums.
  Wii U Pro Controller on Switch | Nintendo Support Forums

00:55:44 | Resolved Issues

JoyCon Connectivity

• At launch, there were some connectivity issues with left JoyCon.
  • That was fixed in a patch in the first two weeks after release.

Frame Rate in BotW

• At launch, there were some frame rate issues with BotW in situations with a lot going on on the screen.
  • Also fixed in a patch in the first two weeks after release.

00:57:17 | Nintendo’s Online Services

Online Service

• Nintendo Switch Online – Nintendo Switch Official site – Online gaming, multiplayer, voice chat
• Nintendo’s first attempt at this kind of stuff.
  • Still not a lot known about Nintendo is going to implement this.
• Supposedly will feature “free game of the month”.
  • Only available for that particular month. What to keep it? Then you have to buy it.
  • By comparison, Xbox Live Gold subscription outright gives you the game for free.
• At moment, only online multiplayer games are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Arms, and Splatoon 2.
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a port from WiiU, and they just left the online aspects of that game as was.
  • Arms doesn’t use mobile app, but has different/interesting implementation for lobby and setting up matches.
• How do you add friends?
• Do you have a public profile?

Mobile App

• Splatoon 2 is the first and only game that uses this
• I don’t do the online multiplayer bit, but people don’t seem to like it.

01:05:41 | Game Selection

• Previous issue with WiiU was the lack of good games…and the lack of games in general.
  • Take a look at the online store for the Switch:
    • Switch Games – Nintendo Game Store
    • Wide range of games for a wide range of prices.
    • See full list here:
      • Game Guide – Nintendo Game Store
  • Nindy games
    • Nintendo Switch Nindies Showcase Announced – IGN
• Related to previous point, WiiU also had a lack of 3rd party developers
  • When switch was announced, many 3rd party developers hopped on board, some big names included like EA and Bethesda.
  • Full list here:
    • Nintendo Switch Will Have Full Third Party Support
• Mobile games are being ported to the Switch
  5 Nintendo Switch Games You Can’t Play on Your TV – Up At Noon Live! – YouTube

01:12:30 | Speculation Corner

VR on the Switch?

• VR on the switch?
  • Matpat on Game Theory went farther to suggest AR on Switch
    • Via Matpat, Nintendo did file for a patent on a headset that appears to be made for the switch.
    • Game Theory: Nintendo’s SECRET PLAN for the SWITCH! – YouTube
  • VR onf Switch buzz seems to be kicking up lately (see recent SwitchForce video)
    • Somebody apparently found code for a ‘VR mode’
    • Switch VR Uncovered and Voice Chat Built In?! – YouTube

Implication for the DS

• Is this the beginning of the end of the DS?
  • [Puts on tin foil hat] Dead man walking! Illuminati confirmed!

Attributions

• Free Music Archive: Beat Doctor – Organic (electric edit)

This episode of Second Opinion has a Fringe episode. You should really listen to The Fringe #441: SO #27 — Switchwich!

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