Age of the Geek

Time For A Switch
     At long last, Nintendo has released their newest system, the Nintendo Switch.
     So far their launch seems to be going fairly smooth. A handful of units are having issues, but that's not uncommon for early adopters.
     At the very least, unlike many high demand Nintendo products, this time Nintendo seems to have shipped enough systems that anybody that wants one can get one.
     Myself included, which, thinking back, I believe is only the second time in my life that I've bought a system on launch day. The first being the Sega Dreamcast on Sept. 9, 1999.
     Having spent a considerable chunk of my weekend playing "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," I've been pretty satisfied with my experience so far. Which is not to say it doesn't have its pros and cons.
     On one hand, as has been typical for Nintendo for the last few generations, the Nintendo Switch is lacking in graphical power compared to its counterparts. Don't expect the photo-realistic visuals you might find on the PlayStation 4. Games like "Final Fantasy XV," which itself taxes Sony's console to its limits, simply won't be possible on the Switch.
     As somebody that still regularly plays games from the 90s, or even modern games meant to look like games from the 90s, this isn't a huge issue for me. Nintendo games still look good, particularly since they lean towards a stylized aesthetic that's less demanding on their hardware.
     That said, there is more to hardware than visuals. "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," in spite of being designed for the even less powerful Wii-U, struggles to maintain 30 frames per second. As a PC gamer, where the standard is 60 frames per second, the fact that a last-generation Nintendo game can't maintain a stable framerate is not encouraging.
     Of course I'm judging the Switch as a home console when the reality is that it is actually a console/portable hybrid. As a console, the Switch may be underpowered, but as a handheld it is a stunning achievement. The ability to take the system anywhere gives it unique appeal. While the Switch's portability may not be conductive to long Zelda sessions, I am looking forward to getting in a couple games of "Mario Kart" or "Splatoon" when I have some downtime on the go.
     All this gaming does come at a cost though, and while the Switch is technically cheaper than its competitors, they make up for it with some high priced accessories. Buying a second pair of Joy-Con controllers will cost you $80 while the more traditional Pro Controller runs $70. That's quite a bit more than controllers run for the PS4 or Xbox One.
     If you intend to use Nintendo's eShop to buy digital games you'll also want to invest in a microSD card to supplement the Switch's paltry 32 GB hard drive. Getting a decent sized microSD will add another $40 or $50 to the system. And that's without getting into the extra AC adaptors, charging units, and carrying cases.
     But while the Switch may have some expensive accessories, that's not without good reason. What the Switch lacks in raw graphical power, it makes up for with new technology. Nintendo is still dedicated to motion controls and that tech is incorporated in their controllers, along with an NFC reader, and more advanced rumble functionality. The modular nature of the Switch also leaves itself open for augmented reality and VR games in the future.
     Which will be great if developers decide to actually put games on the system. Nintendo's struggle with attracting third party support is no secret and although this may be their most "traditional" console since the Nintendo GameCube, it's hard to imagine that the Switch will propel Nintendo back to its former spot as an industry leader.
     Instead, Nintendo appears to be quite comfortable remaining in their position as the "secondary console" developer. Nintendo systems are the systems you get to supplement your Xbox, PlayStation, or PC. The meat and potatoes of the gaming industry will stay on those systems. Nintendo is the industry's dessert cart.
     Travis Fischer is a news writer for Mid-America Publishing and wants to have his gaming cake and eat it too.