Sometimes You Can Just Tell When a Product is a Winner: The Nintendo Switch

Nintendo has finally got it right with its latest console, the Switch, after the disaster that was the Wii U. Many, including myself, were encouraging the company to follow in the footsteps of one-time rival Sega and abandon its struggling hardware business to focus on taking its world-class software talents to other platforms like the iPhone. It took several years, but Nintendo eventually came to grips with the fact that iOS and Android are platforms where the company needs to make its presence felt if for nothing else, and to expose the millions of users on those platforms to the Nintendo name in its popular IPs.

The Switch launched worldwide less than six months ago as the follow-up to the lackluster Wii U. Make no mistake, Nintendo simply had to get it right this time, with no margin for serious mistakes. The console needed great games, and let's be honest, Nintendo has always had a strong track record in this area when it comes to first-party content. Despite its efforts, the post-Iphone world where a smartphone can basically do anything still poses a challenge, but Nintendo knew it needed to create hardware that was practical, versatile, and modern because of its software prowess.

The Switch didn't need to be the most powerful console, but it did need to have standout features that make it hands down better than gaming on an iPhone or an iPad. The Switch delivers in this regard, starting with its super versatility. It's a bonafide portable gaming console and a home console all in one, and instead of being mediocre at either aspect, the Switch is really good at being both. You can play games on the go, just like you would with any other portable console, or plug it into your TV and experience the best of Nintendo's entertainment system.

One of the key features that sets the Switch apart from its competitors is its multiplayer capabilities. Every Switch console comes with two detachable Joy-Con controllers, which make it instantly ready to accommodate multiplayer gaming in any setting. Whether you're playing with friends at home or competing online, the Switch has got you covered. But that's not all - you can also use the Switch as a television of sorts on its own by detaching the JoyCons and using the built-in kickstand. The screen is an IPS display, which provides great color accuracy and contrast, making it perfect for watching movies or playing games.

Online play has always been a challenge for Nintendo, but with the Switch, the company has made significant strides in this area as well. Although progress is still being made, the good news is that the Nintendo Switch Online service is scheduled to launch in 2018, which promises to bring some semblance of an improved online plan on the horizon.

Of course, no console would be complete without great hardware. The Switch delivers here, with a build quality that's truly excellent despite a few minor flaws like the flimsy kickstand and easily scratched screen. One notable improvement over its predecessor is the touchscreen - after years of using resistive touchscreens, Nintendo finally learned to include capacitive technology in the Switch. This means there's no shortage of input methods, including physical controls, touchscreen controls, and motion controls.

One feature that flies under the radar but makes a big difference in the gaming experience is instant resumability. Learning from iOS, the Switch allows you to pick up where you left off instantly, even if your device has been asleep for hours. This is thanks to advanced hardware that can quickly detect when you've picked up the controller and resume gameplay seamlessly.

Gaming on the Switch doesn't take a lot of mental overhead - despite its versatility and impressive features, it simply works. And it's because Nintendo has finally gotten its hardware right that gaming on the Switch makes playing games on an iPhone or iPad till second-rate. The console may not be the most powerful, but its unique blend of portability and home entertainment capabilities make it a joy to use.

So, if you're a gamer or a longtime Nintendo fan, then yes, the Switch is definitely worthy of your consideration. With great hardware that sets it apart from other consoles, impressive features like instant resumability, and a focus on delivering top-notch gaming experiences, there's never been a better time to join the Switch party. Let us know what you think in the comments!

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ensometimes you can just tell when a product is a winner and Nintendo has a winner on its hands with a switch after the disaster that was that Wii U many including myself were encouraging Nintendo to follow in the footsteps of one-time rival Sega by abandoning that struggling hardware business and taking its world-class software talents to other platforms like the iPhone it took several years but Nintendo did eventually come to grips with the fact that iOS and Android are platforms where the company needs to make its presence felt if for nothing else and to expose the millions of users on those platforms to the Nintendo name in its popular IPs thereafter in launched Super Mario run and other titles but that didn't signify an overall shift in strategy into the switch which launched worldwide less than six months ago being the follow-up to the lackluster with you make no mistake Nintendo simply had to get it right this time there was no margin for serious mistakes first it needed great games and let's be honest this has never been an issue with Nintendo when it comes to first party content the Wii U had great games for crying out loud yet that effort is still viewed as a major disappointment by pretty much everyone perhaps more importantly the post iPhone world where a smartphone can basically do anything Nintendo needed Hardware that was practical versatile and modern because of its software prowess the switch didn't need to be the most powerful console but it definitely needed to be practical versatile and have standout features features that make it hands down better than gaming on an iPhone or an iPad for instance and that's where the switch gets it right for starters it's super versatile it's a bonafide portable gaming console and a home console in one and instead of being mediocre at one or the other the switch is really good at being both a portable console and a home console for your big-screen television secondly it needed to provide a great multiplayer experience and it does thanks to the detachable joy con controllers every switch console it's instantly ready to accommodate multiplayer gaming because there are two controllers in the box and then there's local wireless ad Hall play when multiple switch consoles are in the same vicinity you can also use the switch is 6.2 inch IPS display as a television of sorts on its own by detaching the Joye cons and using the built-in kickstand as flimsy as it may be lastly there's online play and although Nintendo's progress with online continues to be a thorn in the company's side the games are so fun that it's able to overcome how ridiculously antiquated its online strategy still is the good news is that its Nintendo switch online service is scheduled to launch in 2018 so at least there is some resemblance of an improved online plan on the horizon and then there's the excellent hardware outside of a flimsy kickstand and easily scratched screen the build quality of the hardware is really good even with those detachable joy' cons and after the debacle that was that we use resistive touchscreen Nintendo finally learned and included a capacitive touchscreen this time around that means that there's no shortage of input methods including physical controls touchscreen controls and motion controls and one last thing that I think flies well under the radar instantly resumable games learning from iOS the switch allows gamers to pick up and resume content right where they left off the device can be asleep for hours and you can instantly resume a gameplay session in just a few seconds that makes a big difference Nintendo has always had world-class software but in times past its Hardware tended to detract from the games instead of simply getting out of the way or even enhancing them with the switch this is no longer an issue in fact gaming on the switch makes playing games on an iPhone or an iPad till second-rate because they tendo's Hardware finally comes close to the high bar set by its software therefore a gaming on the switch doesn't take a lot of mental overhead in other words outside of the lackluster online strategy in most cases gaming on the switch just works yes it is the software that makes Nintendo consoles special I get that but for the first time in a long time the hardware lives up to its into the bargain as well Nintendo can continue to dabble around with Android and iOS titles but it's safe to say that it doesn't need mobile devices like the iPhone to survive or even a thrive so I'll put it like this if you're a gamer or if you're a longtime Nintendo fan then yes the switch is definitely worthy of your consideration let me know what you think in the comments this is Jeff with nine-to-five max yousometimes you can just tell when a product is a winner and Nintendo has a winner on its hands with a switch after the disaster that was that Wii U many including myself were encouraging Nintendo to follow in the footsteps of one-time rival Sega by abandoning that struggling hardware business and taking its world-class software talents to other platforms like the iPhone it took several years but Nintendo did eventually come to grips with the fact that iOS and Android are platforms where the company needs to make its presence felt if for nothing else and to expose the millions of users on those platforms to the Nintendo name in its popular IPs thereafter in launched Super Mario run and other titles but that didn't signify an overall shift in strategy into the switch which launched worldwide less than six months ago being the follow-up to the lackluster with you make no mistake Nintendo simply had to get it right this time there was no margin for serious mistakes first it needed great games and let's be honest this has never been an issue with Nintendo when it comes to first party content the Wii U had great games for crying out loud yet that effort is still viewed as a major disappointment by pretty much everyone perhaps more importantly the post iPhone world where a smartphone can basically do anything Nintendo needed Hardware that was practical versatile and modern because of its software prowess the switch didn't need to be the most powerful console but it definitely needed to be practical versatile and have standout features features that make it hands down better than gaming on an iPhone or an iPad for instance and that's where the switch gets it right for starters it's super versatile it's a bonafide portable gaming console and a home console in one and instead of being mediocre at one or the other the switch is really good at being both a portable console and a home console for your big-screen television secondly it needed to provide a great multiplayer experience and it does thanks to the detachable joy con controllers every switch console it's instantly ready to accommodate multiplayer gaming because there are two controllers in the box and then there's local wireless ad Hall play when multiple switch consoles are in the same vicinity you can also use the switch is 6.2 inch IPS display as a television of sorts on its own by detaching the Joye cons and using the built-in kickstand as flimsy as it may be lastly there's online play and although Nintendo's progress with online continues to be a thorn in the company's side the games are so fun that it's able to overcome how ridiculously antiquated its online strategy still is the good news is that its Nintendo switch online service is scheduled to launch in 2018 so at least there is some resemblance of an improved online plan on the horizon and then there's the excellent hardware outside of a flimsy kickstand and easily scratched screen the build quality of the hardware is really good even with those detachable joy' cons and after the debacle that was that we use resistive touchscreen Nintendo finally learned and included a capacitive touchscreen this time around that means that there's no shortage of input methods including physical controls touchscreen controls and motion controls and one last thing that I think flies well under the radar instantly resumable games learning from iOS the switch allows gamers to pick up and resume content right where they left off the device can be asleep for hours and you can instantly resume a gameplay session in just a few seconds that makes a big difference Nintendo has always had world-class software but in times past its Hardware tended to detract from the games instead of simply getting out of the way or even enhancing them with the switch this is no longer an issue in fact gaming on the switch makes playing games on an iPhone or an iPad till second-rate because they tendo's Hardware finally comes close to the high bar set by its software therefore a gaming on the switch doesn't take a lot of mental overhead in other words outside of the lackluster online strategy in most cases gaming on the switch just works yes it is the software that makes Nintendo consoles special I get that but for the first time in a long time the hardware lives up to its into the bargain as well Nintendo can continue to dabble around with Android and iOS titles but it's safe to say that it doesn't need mobile devices like the iPhone to survive or even a thrive so I'll put it like this if you're a gamer or if you're a longtime Nintendo fan then yes the switch is definitely worthy of your consideration let me know what you think in the comments this is Jeff with nine-to-five max you\n"