It’s been around six years since we’ve first seen this ultra portable gaming console hit the market all the way back in 2017. Since then, plenty of games both large and small have flooded the console, making it a timeless classic for some. There are plenty of things to consider if you’re thinking of buying this console over its competitors. Is the Nintendo Switch better than the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles? Is it cheaper? Does it have better games? Are there any alternatives or better options? Here in our review of the Nintendo Switch in 2023 we’ll aim to answer the question, is it the best portable console?
Table of Contents
Overview of the Nintendo Switch
Firstly, if you’re uninformed about the Nintendo Switch, here’s a little overview of the console itself. The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid gaming console that can be used as a home console as well as a portable gaming device. The console comes with a 6.2-inch touchscreen display that can be detached from the dock and used as a handheld device. The console is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor and comes with 32GB of internal storage which is quite abysmal. Fortunately it can be expanded using a microSD card or other microSD variants up to a whopping 2TB or memory.
The console comes with two detachable Joy-Con controllers that can be used separately for two-player games or attached to the console for handheld gaming. The console also supports online gaming and comes with a dedicated online service called Nintendo Switch Online.
The Nintendo Switch is a unique console that can be used in three different modes: handheld, tabletop, and docked. The console itself is a tablet-like device that has a 6.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, but this can depend on the variant you own. The Joy-Con controllers attach to the sides of the console and can be removed for multiplayer gaming. When docked, the console can output up to 1080p resolution to your TV. The console also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to connect to other devices.
Design and Build Quality
The Switch has a unique design and specs that sets it apart from other gaming consoles in the market. The console is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. The Joy-Con controllers are also well-designed and offer a comfortable grip for extended gaming sessions.
The build quality of the console is also impressive, with the console feeling sturdy and well-built. However, the plastic used for the console and Joy-Con controllers can be prone to scratches and scuffs over time.
There are two additional variants of the Nintendo Switch that have some differences to the original. Firstly, the Switch Lite is a lighter and smaller version of the same console. Quality feels similar to the original with one massive caveat of the Switch Lite, other than the 0.7 inch smaller screen (5.5 inches in total) the joy-cons are attached to the console and inseparable. If they stop working for any reason, replacing them is going to be far more difficult. The benefit is that the Nintendo Switch Lite costs less, and its smaller stature makes it a great investment if you intent to give the console to your kids.
Finally, the OLED model of the Switch OLED is the more premium version of the original Nintendo Switch. It offers two times the internal memory (which is still very weak at 64GB) and a 0.8 inches larger screen (7.0 inch OLED screen). It does feel slightly more premium than the original, and it has better audio and a better screen, but the biggest disappointment is that it still doesn’t have a full HD screen. Its TV streaming is still 1080p, which is fine given the power of the console itself.
Performance and Gaming Experience
When it comes to performance, the Switch delivers a smooth and seamless gaming experience. The console can handle most games without any lag or stuttering, and the graphics look crisp and detailed on the console’s screen, unlike the TV screen. Listen, if you’re buying a Nintendo Switch for the graphics, you should look elsewhere. The Nintendo Switch will not give you the best graphics in the World, but the graphics are good enough for modern gaming.
The gaming experience on the console is also top-notch, with the Joy-Con controllers offering precise controls for most games and the additional gamepad options working and feeling great. The console’s touchscreen display is also responsive and works well for games that support touch controls.
Game Library
By far, one of the Switch’s biggest strengths is its game library. The list of games you can find and enjoy on the Switch is endless, literally. Nintendo has ownership of so many amazing franchises and the indie companies flock to have a game on the incredible console. The console has an extensive collection of games, including popular titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
The robust indie game library is extensive, with several critically acclaimed indie games like Stardew Valley, Hollow Knight, and Celeste available on the platform. Here is a list of some amazing games available on the Switch right now:
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Splatoon 2
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Pokemon Sword and Shield
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Octopath Traveler
- Stardew Valley
- Celeste
- Hollow Knight
- Luigi’s Mansion 3
- Paper Mario: The Origami King
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe
There are also some pretty good workout games reminiscent of the Wii such as:
- Ring Fit Adventure
- Fitness Boxing
- Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm & Exercise
- Just Dance 2022/2023
- ARMS
Battery Life
The battery life of the Switch is decent, with the console lasting around 4 to 5 hours on a single charge when used for gaming. However, the battery life can vary depending on the game being played, with more demanding games draining the battery faster. It theoretically goes up to 9 hours, but unfortunately, that’s when you’re doing more menial tasks like watching videos.
When you hook it up to the Dock, you can play as much as you want as it endlessly charges, making it quite convenient. Having the ability to instantly switch from playing a game on your TV to playing it on the road is insane and a lot of fun.
To avoid the concern of an empty battery, we suggest you use a portable charger or even Switch add-ons that extend the battery life like an attachable battery case. This will ensure gaming for hours and perhaps even a day, depending on the battery extender you purchase.
Ageing
Some people are predicting that it won’t be long before Nintendo cuts the plug and moves on to the next generation of consoles. This should make you uneasy when thinking about buying a Nintendo Switch, but it’s not so bad. The Switch is far more successful than the Wii U, so you can expect it to keep running well into the release of the next generation of consoles but the fact is that companies do cut off the online support during the next generation.
The console itself ages well when used, it doesn’t overheat or have problems down the line, unless you’re using the Nintendo Switch Lite, you can always replace the controllers if they break. The bigger problem with its ageing is its graphical capabilities. They’re far from spectacular, even compared to the last gen of Sony and Xbox. Playing graphically demanding games such as The Witcher 3 and Doom is not as much fun due to how fuzzy it looks. Nonetheless, you can play them on the go, which is still quite amazing. The Nintendo Switch will never have the graphics of a PC or Xbox, but that is not its contest, so don’t buy it for such a reason.
Price and Value for Money
The Switch is priced at $299, which is on the higher side for a portable gaming console. However, considering the console’s unique design and extensive game library, the price is justified. The console also offers excellent value for money, with several features like the ability to use it as a home console, online gaming support, and a robust game library.
Let’s be frank about it, if you’re really on a budget, buying a console that’s over 6 years old would be easiest done using eBay and the like. Buying a used Nintendo Switch isn’t such a risky move since they’re quite decent at ageing with use. When it comes to the budget, the main issue with the Nintendo Switch isn’t obtaining the console itself, it’s everything else.
Even though its been over half a decade, buying accessories and games for the Switch can be quite expensive if you’re not buying them at a discount, so we suggest you watch for them and buy only when it’s a good deal. You can also buy used games, which isn’t a bad idea, but those also don’t sell for much of a discount, unfortunately.
Still, the price and value is very good when compared to some other choices such as the PlayStation 5 or the Nintendo 3DS, making it a no-brainer if you want the best of both world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Nintendo Switch Worth Buying In 2023?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch is still worth buying in 2023, especially if you want a versatile gaming console that can be used as a home console or a portable device. You can also buy it used for a very good price, making it a great deal. The only problem is the question of how long the online services will last, but Nintendo Switch has one of the best libraries of video games on any console ever.
Can You Play Online Games On The Nintendo Switch?
Yes, you can play online games on the Nintendo Switch since it does support online gaming with it’s Nintendo Switch Online service. The only question is for how long will it last given the consoles age. Since they’re still releasing newer variants of the console, it’s safe to say that the console is going to last a while longer.
How Long Does The Battery Of The Nintendo Switch Last?
The battery of the Nintendo Switch lasts around 4 to 5 hours when you’re gaming on a lower brightness, 3 hours on higher brightness. It can last up to 9 hours with light use such as videos, but what you’ll use it for is gaming, and if you’re taking it somewhere, make sure to have a charger ready as 4 hours usually isn’t enough.
Can I Expand The Storage On The Nintendo Switch?
Yes, you can expand the storage on the Nintendo Switch by using a microSD card. The device supports microSD (up to 2GB), microSDHC (up to 32GB) and the microSDXC (up to 2TB). If you want the best longevity, we suggest a microSDXC. Luckily, they’re not as expensive as you’d expect, making them an easy upgrade for your Nintendo Switch.
Can I Use The Joy-Con Controllers Separately For Two-Player Games?
Yes, you can use the Joy-Con controllers separately for two-player games or attach them to the console for handheld gaming. This is great on-the-go when you’re playing somewhere where there’s no access to a TV but it’s also great there, as you can always choose to share the Joy-Con controller. The only times it doesn’t work is when you’re playing a game that requires a full gamepad.
Is Nintendo Switch Better Than PS Vita?
Yes, Nintendo Switch is better than the PS Vita because it has better games and more of them, more functionality and features and is graphically superior due to better features. There is no category where the PS Vita beats the Nintendo Switch except in portability, and even there, the victory is sort of small (get it?). If you’re going to buy something in 2023, go with the Nintendo Switch.
Is Switch Better Than PS5?
The Switch is better than the PS5 in some categories such as great unique games that are only available on it and portability, while the PlayStation 5 wins with its graphical prowess. If you’re a person focused on games that are more single player and beautiful or if you’re a person that plays a lot of FIFA and 2K, than the PlayStation with its greater graphics would be best for you. If you want amazing IPs, portability and don’t fret about graphics, the Nintendo Switch is better for you in 2023.
Conclusion
Given that our review of the Nintendo Switch in 2023 is mostly positive, is it the best portable console? Of course, there are no better choices on-the-go than the Nintendo Switch even today. Even compared to its current home console rivals, the Nintendo Switch brings something unique to the table that the PlayStation and Xbox do not. One thing we’d tell you is to watch for some great deals when it comes to games and accessories, as they can cost a pretty penny. Till next time!