What You Need to Know Before Buying a Nintendo Switch
After a lackluster reception for the Wii U, Nintendo took a risk and launched the Switch, a console that’s able to work both as a handheld device and connect to your TV. It was an instant sensation, and it remains one of the best-selling home consoles ever. But if you’re thinking about picking up a Switch of your own, there are some things to keep in mind before you do.
There are three different models of Switch to choose from: The regular, the Pro and the OLED. They’re all roughly the same size and have the same basic features, although the OLED has a bit of an edge in terms of its display. They all come with a TV dock, which is where you connect the main console. On either side are Joy-Con, which can be detached from the console and used as individual controllers. There’s also a USB Type-C port for power, an HDMI port to connect to your television and a USB Type-A port to charge the controllers as you play (you can plug in a wired controller or use an external bluetooth controller).
The biggest difference between the Switch and its rivals is that the console is able to switch between handheld and TV mode. The way it does this is by connecting to an HDMI cable that runs from the TV dock to your TV. The other end of the cable goes into an empty HDMI port on your TV, and you can then attach the Switch to it and slide its Joy-Con off so it becomes a handheld.
While the Switch is a very different type of console than its competitors, it doesn’t have all the benefits of a next-gen game system. For example, it can’t play any games on disc or cartridge that were released for the previous generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles. The Switch relies on a modified Nvidia Tegra X1 platform, which is an ARM-based mobile device processor that doesn’t have as much computing power as the chips in Sony and Microsoft’s consoles.
Still, the Nintendo Switch has its share of third-party releases that are worth playing. For instance, Splatoon 2 is a vibrant shooter that’s even better on the Switch thanks to its new Salmon Run mode, which gives players and up to three of their friends the chance to dual-wield pistols and fire a barrage of ink at enemies. It’s a great multiplayer experience that’s available only on the Switch, and it was one of our top picks for best Switch games. And if you’re a subscriber to Nintendo Switch Online, you can earn unique skins for your Splatoon character and other fun bonuses. It’s a fun way to spend your free time in-game. But if you’re looking for the latest big-budget AAA game, the Switch won’t be able to compete with Sony and Microsoft’s systems, which are more powerful than the Switch. Nintendo Switch