Why I Might Actually Want the Nintendo Switch

Fathoms77
Why I Might Actually Want the Nintendo Switch

I tend to write more serious or even philosophical myTakes, with the occasional controversial one thrown in for good measure (and strategic reasons, of course). ;)

However, I figure I'd lighten things up for the weekend; get away from the election crap (it's lose-lose, people, and that's all there is to it), all this talk about MGTOW and the endless battle between men and women, etc. And really, you can't get much lighter than good ol' Nintendo.

If you didn't know, the legendary video game manufacturer officially revealed their new console this past week. Previously known only as the "Nintendo NX," the Switch is an all-in-one gaming device that is supposed to cover just about every aspect of modern gaming, from traditional console playing on a TV to multiplayer, on-the-go entertainment in a variety of different forms. Here's the debut trailer if you haven't seen it:

Now, a little background about me: While I don't play games as often these days - I'd sacrifice my games before I'd let anyone touch my library (yeah, books), for example - I still try to stay up-to-date on the industry. After all, I covered it for over a decade and as a journalist and critic, I have pretty strong ties to interactive entertainment. For the record, I have zero interest in virtual reality for a bunch of reasons I won't get into here.

For the sake of this breezy little myTake, let's get down to brass tacks:

I haven't owned a Nintendo console since the SNES in the mid-'90s. Why? Well, I grew up, for one thing. Sony and Microsoft simply started making games for adults, and also pulled well ahead of Nintendo in the technical department, so if I wanted the best games available, designed for a more mature demographic, I really had to stick with PlayStation and PC (though I did own Xbox and Xbox 360). On top of which, I've loathed the controllers Nintendo have produced dating back to the N64, and the deplorable lack of top-tier AAA titles when compared to the competition was just unacceptable, in my estimation. You can't put out one or two great first-party games a year - oh look, another Mario and Zelda - and expect that to carry you in this insanely competitive market. Oh, and the Wii and Wii U were just...jokes. For real gamers, I mean. ;)

Why I Might Actually Want the Nintendo Switch

But anyway, those are the reasons why I've avoided Nintendo. And I'm not saying it's a definite I'll get the Switch, but I like what I'm seeing. I don't really care much about the portable aspect, though it'd be covered if I ever wanted it for that reason, and the simple flexibility of the unit is appealing. Plus, the types of software they'll have are basically polar opposites to what I normally play and I'd like to have that variety. As I've long since opted not to deal with Xbox One this generation, it'd be good to have a complement to the PS4. I like diversity in my entertainment, provided it's of a certain quality. I still don't expect to see the level of Uncharted from Nintendo but that's okay; I don't really need it from them. I just need something different.

The only caveats are price and launch software. This thing isn't worth more than $300 so it better not cost more than that. Furthermore, the aforementioned lack of software has been Nintendo's biggest flaw over the years; massive amounts of shovelware doesn't do anything for me (or anyone, really). IF the launch lineup is impressive and IF I need two hands to count the games I want on the Switch scheduled to arrive in the year after it launches, I think I'll want it. As there's zero chance it'll be more powerful than the competition, I wouldn't play third-party multiplatform titles on it; I just want the first-party exclusive stuff. And that better come at a decent clip.

So anyway, that's where I stand now. Thoughts on the Switch? :)

Why I Might Actually Want the Nintendo Switch
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