After a lot of waiting we finally know a lot more about the Nintendo Switch.  The home console you can take on the go will launch around the world on March 3rd and it will feature The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (although not much else) when it launches.

We had a chance to get our hands on it today and we've written up our impressions below.  If you have any questions please do ask in the comments section or on our forum, although be aware that the setup was constrained so we couldn't pick up the base unit, put it through its paces etc.

We've also posted seperate impressions for the software titles we played.

Jonathan

Like many I set my alarm for 3:55am on Friday the 13th of January. Like many I watched Nintendo’s Switch reveal conference with excitement about what the future would hold for the big N. And, like many, about an hour later I felt a sense of disappointment, confusion, and almost no clearer than at 3:55am of Nintendo’s direction.

However there is nothing like walking into a huge theatre space like the Hammersmith Apollo that is bursting with Nintendo mascots, games and, of course, its brand new console, to get you back in the mood to enjoy the latest bit of gaming technology. So although I am writing this on the journey home from said event, I’m trying not to let today cloud an honest assessment of the Nintendo Switch, either good or bad.

First thing’s first. Some one in Nintendo’s marketing team needs a stern talking to about the approach they are taking with this console. I have to say this; it should be being billed as a handheld that can also be a home console, not the other way around. If this was being considered predominantly as a handheld then, my word, it would be considered a huge leap and Nintendo back on song. After all, handheld gaming is what Nintendo do best; say what you will about the Wii U but the 3DS has utterly embarrassed the PlayStation Vita and held up remarkably well against the mobile generation.

The console undocked from the television port has a nice, premium feel to it. With some metal bars around it for security reasons it was difficult to judge the exact weight, but an educated guess tells me it will be the perfect weight in the palm of your hands.

The screen is crisp and Splatoon 2, the only game I got to look at directly on it compared to the TV looked lovely on it. The game ran smoothly and was perfectly in-sync with what was happening on the TVs around it. With the Joy-Cons attached to the side it really feels like a perfect on-the-go gaming system that is incredibly powerful to boot.

With the kickstand…kicked and the Joy-Cons removed, Snipperclips, Cut it out, together! was put to good use on just the small screen and really emphasised the portability of this new console. If more games take advantage of the removable Joy-Cons, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, then gaming on the go will never be the same again.

And yet…this is a home console so we are told. Treating it like one, well, it feels like more of a premium Wii U if truth be told. The analogue sticks are clickable on the Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller, however the L/R Triggers are not (leaving many wondering about GameCube Virtual Console possibilities).  The ZL/ZR shoulder buttons had a slight click to them.  They weren't GameCube-like, but there is something there and we'll have to wait for Nintendo to confirm if they are analogue. Some of the buttons felt a bit tricky to get to grips with, however on that front I will put it down to new controller and game systems rather than a serious issue. I’m sure I would learn to send Link in any which I wanted and with any weapon I chose in the blink of an eye after a few more hours on Breath of the Wild.

The Pro Controller was snug in the hands and easily the best option for playing at home on the big screen, which is annoying considering it will be an extra cost for you to have one. However, from my short experience if you are gaming at home it will be well worth the price to ensure you have the best possible experience with the Switch.

I’ve always been sold on the concept of Switch as ever since Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on Wii U and 3DS I’ve been yearning for an opportunity to take my gaming on the go, bring it home and carry on on the TV right where I stopped on the train (albeit with a slightly less clunky way of doing it). So for me the idea of the Switch is exactly what I want. However at this moment the reality is I feel like I’ve just watched a season finale of Lost; incredible build up, the promise of lots of questions answered…and some are, but in the aftermath more have been created, I’m feeling slightly confused and I need more clarification on a few things before I can tell you whether it was good or not.

Right now we need more information about the UI, about how the online system works, what entertainment options will be available (I got excited seeing ‘TV mode’ flash up on screen before it meant docking the pad as opposed to streaming live TV) and just what is available on launch before £280 seems any where near a solid asking price. If we have another drip feed of Virtual Console titles, another half baked eShop start and limited software on launch, then it might be a rocky beginning to the Switch’s life which Nintendo will have an uphill struggle to come back from.

Ashley

Unlike Jonathan and many others I didn't wake up for the 4am presentation (my sleeping pattern is bad enough as it is) but woke up at 6 to half-watch it while doing some news before heading off to play.  As Jonathan mentions above, we got some answers but are left with more questions.  It is reminiscent of the aftermath of the original teaser video, although at least then they confirmed when we'd know more.  If Nintendo said "we'll do a Nintendo Direct each week showcasing different aspects" that would be fine and I do fully expect to find out this information, but at the moment things are still unclear.

That aside, the console itself is very nice.  It looks and feels great and very modern, particularly compared to their last few consoles.  Gone is the Wii U GamePad's chunk, having been replaced by a slick-looking console and controller (if you ignore the weird multi-coloured Joy-Cons attached to the end).  The only game that allowed you to try the docking was every other The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild station and we were at one that used the Joy-Con Grip, but from what we could see it seemed as seamless as you would hope.  The whole console itself was small and unobtrusive, sitting beneath the TV not drawing much attention to itself.  

While playing Splatoon 2 I got to try the controller itself and there was a bit of weight to it, but it was locked to a metal grip which probably added a fair bit of its own weight.  It is easy to hold and comfortable, although the GamePad was for short periods but some people found it uncomfortable after several hours.  Perhaps this one will be the same, but only time will tell.  However, for short bursts it is great and the screen looked great and certainly less washed out than the GamePad did.

The Joy-Con Grip is an odd shape for a controller, being primarily square, so it may take some getting used to.  The Pro Controller feels very nice and very much in the style of what has become a standard home console controller, albeit with a transparent middle bit.  The buttons work and feel the same as the Joy-Cons, although the hefty price tag £64.99 might put some people off but it is worth it if you're going to be doing a lot of gaming at home.

The Joy-Cons themselves are an impressive bit of tech.  They're detachable, although we didn't get the opportunity to try and detach them from the screen to see how they 'click', they work independently and have motion controls, NFC and a new kind of rumble all built in.  They're also £42.99 each so that tech does not come cheap!  They are quite small and some people with larger hands may find them uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.  They could easily be covered by clenching your fist around it, as was required for the sword-fight mini-game in 1-2 Switch.

The button layout allows for versatility in how you hold and use them.  The games we played featured them being used vertically, horizontally and also with the face-buttons facing inwards.  They can of course be detached and used as their own controllers with the screen, meaning anyone that has the Switch already has access to certain 2-player games (including 1-2 Switch, Arms, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Snipperclips - Cut it out, together! to name a few).

During the presentation Nintendo gave a chunk of time to discuss the new rumble technology available in the Joy-Cons, which is more precise and sophisticated than the standard we're used to.  They gave the example of being able to feel how many ice cubes are in a glass and a similar concept was shown in one of the 1-2 Switch minigames.  Ball Count, which the event assistant seemed reticent to call it, has you tilt the Joy-Con in your hand and guess how many balls are rolling around in your hand.  It's an interesting showcase for the technology, but I can't help but question how many uses this could have.  Hopefully developers will be more creative than me!

One thing that stood out to me, mostly for not standing out at all, were the Plus, Minus, Capture and Home buttons.  They were really nondescript and blend in with the controller.  I have no real impressions as to whether I think this is good or not, but it is certainly something that caught my attention.

Sadly we didn't get a look at the OS or how the console generally operates as everything was a demo and it is certainly an area I'm interested in, but we'll have to wait to find out.  I never particularly liked the Wii U one (all the various elements were not aligned and it bugged me) and from what we have seen it is much more contemporary.  I did notice in 1-2 Switch there would occasionally be a ticked circle to confirm you are ready (i.e. have pressed the button to start) and the look very much reminded me of Google's Material Design with its flat colour and slight use of shadow.

Overall I feel the console and its controllers are really nice and could provide a fantastic new way to eradicate the gap between home and portable consoles, but at what cost?  Literally.  The console around the world is more than some expected (but also less than many expected) but unlike the Wii and Wii U, it does not come with a game.  Furthermore, the software ranges in price but The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's £59.99 price feels like we're back in the N64's heyday. The various controllers are also quite expensive and we know Nintendo will be charging for their online service later in the year, but at this stage we don't know what the price will be or what it includes (other than a free NES or SNES game each month).

The launch line-up is neither Nintendo's finest nor worst, but if you're not into Zelda you're a bit stuck for some time. 1-2 Switch is fun, but may not stand the test of time and is the only multiplayer title at launch from Nintendo.  Snipperclips - Cut it out, together! is more fun to play than say and is coming out later in March, but it probably won't have much mass appeal.

With only five games at launch and a rumoured limited stock (some retailers have already sold out) I can't help but feel that March 3rd is a 'soft launch', with the real focus being on Christmas.  We'll have had E3 and several Nintendo Directs to showcase a stronger software lineup, but at present it could go either way.  Nintendo has got a fantastic piece of tech in their hands, but marketing it as a home console against cheaper and graphically superior alternatives may be difficult unless they really make the USP clear and desirable.  

The Nintendo Switch will be another great console for Nintendo games, there is no doubt about it.  It feels, looks and plays fantastically.  Hopefully it can be much more than this though.

 If you have any questions or comments feel free to ask in the comments section below.