Stately Switch Games

Bit OT but this is a question to Switch owners:

How do you use the Switch, portable or hooked up to your TV? And how comfortable are you with the 2 modes?

Reason being, rumors have it that Nintendo works on a redesigned Switch for handheld use only, so basically a downgrade in “features” to double down on the portability. Back in the old days, they did a similar thing with the 2DS, a 3DS without the definitive 3DS feature of 3D. While I haven’t bought it (Form factor was ugly back then). I might as well had - since I NEVER use the 3D function. So I can understand the mindset behind a Switch lite.
I am deliberating to finally get a switch but my current financial situation, as well as Cupboard space around my screen, is quite limited.

I am STILL using my iPad a LOT for gaming/reading/streaming TV etc. and still like and use my 3DS, DS and PSP pretty much. When I boot up my WiiU I use it in nearly exclusively in handheld mode, so I am not all to adverse of losing the big screen functionality in a Switch 2.0 if it has other advantages/ is cheaper.

However, I prefer gaming on my Consoles in front of a BIIIG screen if I have the option, despite a humongous steam library on my PC.

As I am torn between both options would I miss out much if I lose the TV option? Is there a definitive advantage of playing on the TV aside from having a blown up picture?

3 Likes

I have never used the Switch in handheld mode, except to log into the store, as it’s easier to touch the password.

Otherwise, we treat this as a console for the TV for family use. And we only use it for multiplayer.

2 Likes

I play both ways; probaby 65/35 handheld vs docked. Docked is nice if I want to lay in bed and play; handheld is good when the kids are floating around and I’m playing something not for young eyes, or if the wife is in bed too and doesn’t want to be disturbed. I like both modes, tbh, and don’t know that I’d be thrilled with just one.

Also, handheld is limited to 720p but when you dock it’s 1080p, if that matters to you.

3 Likes

I am single and not all too much into couch coop or MP aside from the occasional Brawlhalla match with my brother when he comes to visit. So this is not much of an deciding factor fo me.

Still playing on my PS2 and PS3 quite frequently (as well as the SNES mini) so nope, resolution or graphic fidelity isn’t an issue at all with me.

1 Like

I’ve always maintained a pretty good home theater and have always preferred to play console games, as opposed to handheld or PC, when possible. As for the Switch itself, Zelda and Mario were simply joys on the large TV. However, I am also a 1 television household and have a wife and two young kids. The Switch has been a godsend because now sharing the TV isn’t an issue since I can simply grab the Switch and play in handheld if I want. I’d prefer to play docked, but probably play handheld more, to answer your question.

2 Likes

I’ve actually never hooked it up to the TV, I keep intending to but I end up playing it handheld all the time. One reason I intend to hook it up to the TV is to experience the @Neumannium thrill of:

It is resolved, I will hook my Switch up to my TV this weekend. :sunglasses:

3 Likes

I stand by that. Now, I just need to find my Switch (which is still missing…)

2 Likes

My split is about 80/20 in favor of portable mode. I would not buy one without docking though; even if I only sometimes use it, having the option was a major selling point.

3 Likes

Pretty close to 50/50 for me. Handheld is very important, but so is the docked mode. If they made one that was strictly handheld, I would not be purchasing it.

2 Likes

100% docked, though I only play kart and ssbu with the kids

1 Like

I play the large majority of my Switch time on the TV, but my kids prefer handheld for anything single-player. They play very few PS4 games, whereas I play many, so, in my house, there’s rarely competition for the TV but there often is for the Switch.

I’ve been hearing rumors about a revamped version, and had been expecting that I might get it. Handheld-only would be quite a disappointment, though; I’m not sure what they could add which would make me okay with that vs. just another regular Switch. Local multiplayer is so much better on a TV.

2 Likes

Launches today. My inner child is screaming with glee. The first TJ&E was one of my absolute favourite games on Genesis.

I wouldn’t get the point of a Switch that’s handheld only. Isn’t that effectively taking away the point of the console? The ability to play games in either mode is the main selling point, IMO.

5 Likes

Agreed. As a pure portable it lacks good battery life and being an actually portable size. Plus it is expensive as heck. As a console it lacks power and capacity. But as both? Peerless.

3 Likes

FWIW, I did try the demo, the graphics and “construction craft” style are amazing! There was also an easy mode, which I’m always pleased to see. It’s a bit too sugary for me at the moment, it is adorable and a real work of art. I suspect it won’t lure any of the Hollow Knight folks away from their hardcore platformer, but would be great for younger folks, or those with limited platformer skills, like myself.

I would like to try a demo of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, with the Funky Kong option for an easier platformer mode, but didn’t see a demo for it. I did try the demo for Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, which is also pretty cute, from the demo seemed to be a not too difficult puzzler, which didn’t jump ahead of games already in my backlog for 2019. Plus, I’m still looking at Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Steamworld Quest, and Luigi’s Mansion 3 being released for Switch this year … :thinking:

1 Like

Among those with a Switch who get motion sick in first-person games, how does Zelda play for you?

Aside from the upcoming Fire Emblem game, I’m actually having a hard time finding a lot that I’d be excited about playing on the system, tbh. I can’t do first-person, I don’t much like platformers, and Zelda appears as though it could trigger my pathetic motion sickness genetic failing.

I didn’t have a problem with it (I only played for a couple hours though). It’s third person, which helps. I didn’t play it on a big screen, either, and I think the smaller screen helps prevent some of the motion sickness.

1 Like

@biffpow, no issues whatsoever in BotW either docked (65” tv) or handheld over ~150 hours so far, and I can hurl with the best (worst?) of them in quite a few FPS type games on different platforms.

1 Like

Having pretty bad Motion Sickness (I had problems with half life, the last of us, portal just to name a few), but never with BotW.

2 Likes

Oh man, Portal 2 gave me some wicked vertigo once. I was trying to nail a puzzle, falling over and over, and suddenly something came unspooled in my brain. I felt dizzy and nauseous for about 9 hours before it randomly clicked and went away. Never had vertigo before or since.

I also nearly passed out doing VR at a Dave and Buster’s as a teenager. Apparently I have some sporadic but significant issues.