Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch, has been available for 4 years already, and yet it feels like they are just getting started. The Switch has quickly become one of the best selling game consoles of all time, already surpassing the sales of the 3DS, and nearing the lifetime sales of the Wii. If this is not enough to convince you, here are 21 reasons why you need to buy a Nintendo Switch in 2021.
Convenience
- The Best Handheld Console
The Switch has three modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld Mode, and the Switch’s portability makes it a great option for commuters and travellers. You can play multiplayer games on the go as well, and you can easily bring your Switch to a friend’s house, work, or school. Aside from this, some Switch titles are arguably better in handheld mode anyways.
- Lite and Regular Models (Affordable)
Nintendo gives consumers options by providing a docked Switch model and the more affordable Lite model, for gamers who just need something on the go. The Lite model has access to most Switch titles, but take note that the Lite model does not have Joy-Cons, which means you cannot play games that require them. A budget friendly model is great because it means you can play the best games on the market for as little as $200, which beats every other major console company’s price.
- Cartridges
The Switch uses game cartridges, and cartridges have a couple of advantages. First, you don’t necessarily have to worry about scratching them up. They are arguably more durable than CD’s, and much easier to clean. Second, they are easy to store. Switch cartridges and their physical cases are small. This allows for ease of storage on the go or in the game room.
- Accessory Options
The Nintendo Switch has a wide variety of accessories/additions/add-ons from both Nintendo and from 3rd party companies. These include:
- Case options for games, protection, and carrying.
- Protective options for handheld mode and your screen.
- Memory cards
- Power banks
- Grip accessories
- Kickstands.
These accessories can be a great addition to your gaming experience, and other consoles don’t offer the same options as the Switch.
- Family Friendly
Nintendo has always strived to make their consoles all inclusive of family and friends (Mario Kart anyone?). The exclusive sports titles and platformers are almost always perfect for multiplayer fun, and their single player games such as Zelda or Kirby blend enough charm and difficulty for any individual to play and enjoy. Nintendo works to make sure their games and characters appeal to nearly everyone, and characters such as Mario and Link are well known because of this.
Games
- Nintendo Exclusive Titles
Mario, Zelda, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles, Splatoon, and Pokemon are just a few examples of the 50+ amazing games and series that are exclusive to the Nintendo Switch! Some of the Best Nintendo games of all time are on the Nintendo Switch, and they are going to continue to pump out even more.
- Classic Games on the Virtual Console
Not only do you get modern exclusives on the Nintendo Switch, but you also have access to dozens of the classics. These classic games are sure to spark an inner sense of nostalgia and take you back to your childhood, and they allow for modern gamers to experience and play the games that influenced the current generation of video games.
- Couch Co-Op
Nintendo recognizes the excellence of a multiplayer couch experience with friends and family, and they have made sure to put it in lots of their games. With the Switch you can play multiplayer games in the genres of party, sports, racing, simulation, arcade, platforming, puzzle, and even more. The Joy-Cons make couch co-op accessible from the start, and allow for you to play multiplayer on the go. All of this makes the Switch an ultimate multiplayer console.
- Wii U Ports
Did you not have the Wii U? No worries, many Nintendo fans are in the same boat. Fortunately, Nintendo has ported a majority of the great Wii U exclusives to the Switch. This includes Super Mario 3D World, New Super Mario Bros U, Pikmin 3, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Tokyo Mirage Sessions, Donkey Kong country: Tropical Freeze, and even Mario Kart 8! The Switch is worth it for these ported titles alone, and more are yet to come.
- Indie Games Galore!
The Nintendo Switch has been the greatest supporter of Indie Game developers since the long-lost Ouya console. Microsoft has been kind enough to allow Nintendo to sell some of their originally exclusive titles as well. This includes Limbo, Cuphead, Super Meat Boy, and the Ori games. On top of this, nothing beats playing Indie titles on the go.
- The Switch Game Library Overall
The Switch library contains an abundance of Exclusives, Indie Titles, Ports, Retro Games, Third-Party Games, and Couch Multiplayer Games. This is just a glimpse into the vast Switch Library. The Switch is also one of the best consoles for physical collectors, because of the large number of companies that do limited releases for games that are normally digitally exclusive.
Features
- Quick Home Screen and Startup
The Nintendo Switch home screen is easily accessible by a simple home screen button, which can be accessed at nearly anytime. Because of this, it’s very easy to stop a game at almost any time, even without saving. Starting up the Switch also takes a very short time, so you can dive right into your favorite games in a matter of seconds!
- Sleep Mode
The Switch’s Sleep Mode allows for you to pause a game and turn off your console with ease. This makes it very easy to play games during your small pockets of time in the day. Sleep Mode is also very accessible, as you can access the sleep mode by simply pushing the power button.
- Screenshot Button
Sure, it’s nothing huge, but taking a screenshot of a game can help you remember what you were doing, or allow you to save something memorable. On top of this, you can edit your screenshots on the Switch and send them to your friends. Lots of Switch users take advantage of their screenshots by turning them into hilarious memes.
- No Region Lock
Region-locked video games are exclusive to game console models made for specific regions, for those who did not know. Region-locked game consoles are the bane of a collector’s existence. Luckily, the Nintendo Switch has no region lock, which essentially means that it is native to earth as a whole. No matter what Switch Console you have, you can play games from any region. This adds a huge list of extra games to the Switch’s overall library.
Online
- Inexpensive Online Service
Nintendo’s online service only costs $20 a year! This allows for online multiplayer, exclusive Nintendo deals, and access to 100+ games from the NES and SNES. You could buy a Switch for this feature alone, and you’d get to play some of your favorite classic games on the big screen or on the go! Demos and trailers are a nice addition as well, which is just another way that Nintendo is catering to their customers.
- Great Online Deals
Nintendo and other developers regularly have sales on Nintendo’s eShop. This means that you can buy high quality titles no matter what your budget is. Some of the best titles on there are less than $10, and even if your budget is zero, there are free games offered as well! An added nicety, Nintendo allows you to access the eShop without buying a subscription to their online service, so you don’t have to worry about that.
- Cross Platform
You needn’t worry if your friends play Fortnite on their Xbox One or PS4, because the Switch is Cross Platform! You can play dozens of online games with PC Gamers, Xbox Users, Playstation users, and even mobile gamers! You do need to buy Nintendo’s online membership to access cross platform features, though. And don’t forget that some cross platform games function differently or better on other consoles.
Controllers
- Joy-Cons
Joy-Cons are ergonomic, practical, and simple, and the wide variety of Joy-Con styles allow for you to somewhat customize the look of your Switch. Their size allows for easy storage and makes them a blast to use and collect! You can use the Joy-Cons by themselves, or you can buy a controller grip to use them as a full-size controller.
- Nintnendo’s Controller Variety
Nintendo has gone all out on the Switch when it comes to controllers. Their Pro Controller is world class, and they have remade the NES and SNES controllers for the Switch as well. Aside from their own brand, Nintendo features the third-party PowerA controllers as well. PowerA controllers often feature designs that highlight popular Nintendo Series such as Animal Crossing and Mario.
- Third Party Galore
Third-Party controllers are hugely popular on the Nintendo Switch. PowerA offers a wireless Gamecube controller, 8Bitdo offers an awesome SNES-style controller for retro gamers, and the Horipad is an inexpensive, wired option. These are just a few of the third-party controllers on the Nintendo Switch, but there are dozens more.
Conclusion
Nintendo’s Switch has something to offer for everyone. The games, controllers, console design, portability, and accessory options all make the Switch stand out from the competition, and it demands one of the lowest price tags on the market. Are you going to buy the Switch this year?