So this old gal(age 61) has been a gamer since Pong became a home console. Actually before that because arcades…Atari, Nintendo, Sega, Wii, PlayStation etc. I can’t name all the systems and handhelds I’ve owned but Nintendo has always been my fave I’m still a gamer. I got the Switch 1 a few months after it came out. I still play it. Loved your article! Have you found your reflexes a little bit slower as you age? Ugh! I realized it when Fortnite came out and I could no longer keep up with my nephews!!! They always wanted to play with me because they always kicked my butt! Made me sad but I still love to play and keep up on all the new games. 😊
Thanks for your reply, Robin! So cool that you've seen how gaming has advanced over the years from the beginning. I missed the wild west Atari years, but got a taste of the 80s computer scene with the Commodore 64. And then the NES was my first console.
Yes my reflexes are not what they used to be. I see this when I play games like Donkey Kong Country. Timing on certain levels can really throw me. But I still manage to keep up ok on most games thus far.
Lol at your Fortnite story. My nephew is 12 and his gaming skills are unbelievable. The new generations are too good!
Very much mirrors my own thoughts on the console: I expected a power increase and a larger feel but virtually everything has a more premium appeal. I think I mentioned it in my own review but it always felt like the Switch was handheld first and home console second but this has changed with the Switch 2
Will be interested to read your thoughts on MK World, I wouldn't say I've soured on the game but the online experience has become a bit too frustraging for me to play, with the item balance and that stupid update that removes the Random course selection giving an extra lap
I agree, Switch 2 feels more conducive to home play than Switch 1. I can't imagine taking it on a plane without having a beefy case for it.
Haven't heard about the item balance thing for MK World, but did hear about the update. I think I came to online play too late for me to care about the latter, though. I don't know what I'm missing!
Wow, our Nintendo histories are damn near identical. It helps we are just about the same age. I was there on launch day for Wii, as well! And I am just not much of a handheld player at all. Another great piece. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got Yakuza 0 to finish!
Thanks Paul! Love running into another millennial with shared gaming history/taste. Also, strangely enough, Yakuza 0 is on my list of games to play, either on Switch 2 or PS4.
I got a Switch 2 Camera on Day 1 and I have yet to even try it out. My kids have also not turned it on. So it's actually possible that we never use that device for the life of the Switch 2. But maybe once more of my kid's friends start getting Switch 2 consoles, it will get used. I got a Switch 2 in preparation for future games I will be playing on it, so I haven't had much play time as of yet. However, like you said, it does feel like a quality device and makes the Switch feel like a prototype or a kid's toy. They need to start announcing/releasing games for this thing though. Right now the offerings are pretty thin.
I'll be very curious to see how many parents buy this thing for their kids for Christmas. I'm sure many kids want one. I'm not so sure that parents are willing to shell out $500+ for them.
Then again, the Switch 1 is pretty old. Perhaps it's time!
If/when you do start to use the camera, let me know if you like it!
I never really got much out of the portability of the original Switch. I like to keep my handheld game devices separate from my home ones and preferably cheaper in case I lose the device. I’d be in the market for an inexpensive home-only console that would play all of Nintendo’s latest and maybe with a performance bump over the portable hardware.
I can't imagine Nintendo will ever separate handheld from home console ever again, but that would be wild to see. Like you, I would definitely be the demographic who would prefer a less expensive home-only Nintendo console.
For as many people are splurging on the Switch 2 now, I think many are taking a "wait and see" approach. I totally get that. Plus the Switch has so many games, most of us haven't given its library a full, fair shake yet.
I think the attach rate for new games will be pretty high at first. Time will tell, because they really haven't announced many games with upcoming release dates. Lots of nebulous "2025" and "2026" being tossed about. Hopefully there's a Direct soon.
As for MP QoL, I really doubt that's going to make a huge impact with Switch 2, given how abysmal the first Switch's online play was. Then again, people are expecting better performance here given the system's beefier specs.
Personally, MK World online play has been flawless for me.
So this old gal(age 61) has been a gamer since Pong became a home console. Actually before that because arcades…Atari, Nintendo, Sega, Wii, PlayStation etc. I can’t name all the systems and handhelds I’ve owned but Nintendo has always been my fave I’m still a gamer. I got the Switch 1 a few months after it came out. I still play it. Loved your article! Have you found your reflexes a little bit slower as you age? Ugh! I realized it when Fortnite came out and I could no longer keep up with my nephews!!! They always wanted to play with me because they always kicked my butt! Made me sad but I still love to play and keep up on all the new games. 😊
Thanks for your reply, Robin! So cool that you've seen how gaming has advanced over the years from the beginning. I missed the wild west Atari years, but got a taste of the 80s computer scene with the Commodore 64. And then the NES was my first console.
Yes my reflexes are not what they used to be. I see this when I play games like Donkey Kong Country. Timing on certain levels can really throw me. But I still manage to keep up ok on most games thus far.
Lol at your Fortnite story. My nephew is 12 and his gaming skills are unbelievable. The new generations are too good!
Very much mirrors my own thoughts on the console: I expected a power increase and a larger feel but virtually everything has a more premium appeal. I think I mentioned it in my own review but it always felt like the Switch was handheld first and home console second but this has changed with the Switch 2
Will be interested to read your thoughts on MK World, I wouldn't say I've soured on the game but the online experience has become a bit too frustraging for me to play, with the item balance and that stupid update that removes the Random course selection giving an extra lap
I agree, Switch 2 feels more conducive to home play than Switch 1. I can't imagine taking it on a plane without having a beefy case for it.
Haven't heard about the item balance thing for MK World, but did hear about the update. I think I came to online play too late for me to care about the latter, though. I don't know what I'm missing!
Wow, our Nintendo histories are damn near identical. It helps we are just about the same age. I was there on launch day for Wii, as well! And I am just not much of a handheld player at all. Another great piece. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got Yakuza 0 to finish!
Thanks Paul! Love running into another millennial with shared gaming history/taste. Also, strangely enough, Yakuza 0 is on my list of games to play, either on Switch 2 or PS4.
I got a Switch 2 Camera on Day 1 and I have yet to even try it out. My kids have also not turned it on. So it's actually possible that we never use that device for the life of the Switch 2. But maybe once more of my kid's friends start getting Switch 2 consoles, it will get used. I got a Switch 2 in preparation for future games I will be playing on it, so I haven't had much play time as of yet. However, like you said, it does feel like a quality device and makes the Switch feel like a prototype or a kid's toy. They need to start announcing/releasing games for this thing though. Right now the offerings are pretty thin.
I'll be very curious to see how many parents buy this thing for their kids for Christmas. I'm sure many kids want one. I'm not so sure that parents are willing to shell out $500+ for them.
Then again, the Switch 1 is pretty old. Perhaps it's time!
If/when you do start to use the camera, let me know if you like it!
I never really got much out of the portability of the original Switch. I like to keep my handheld game devices separate from my home ones and preferably cheaper in case I lose the device. I’d be in the market for an inexpensive home-only console that would play all of Nintendo’s latest and maybe with a performance bump over the portable hardware.
I can't imagine Nintendo will ever separate handheld from home console ever again, but that would be wild to see. Like you, I would definitely be the demographic who would prefer a less expensive home-only Nintendo console.
I know we're supposed to be talking about the Switch 2 here, but that transparent 14" CRT TV is super cool.
It is. I miss when TVs had personality
For as many people are splurging on the Switch 2 now, I think many are taking a "wait and see" approach. I totally get that. Plus the Switch has so many games, most of us haven't given its library a full, fair shake yet.
I think the attach rate for new games will be pretty high at first. Time will tell, because they really haven't announced many games with upcoming release dates. Lots of nebulous "2025" and "2026" being tossed about. Hopefully there's a Direct soon.
As for MP QoL, I really doubt that's going to make a huge impact with Switch 2, given how abysmal the first Switch's online play was. Then again, people are expecting better performance here given the system's beefier specs.
Personally, MK World online play has been flawless for me.