Is the Nintendo Switch worth it in 2022?

Date:
Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Description:
Is the Nintendo Switch worth it five years after its initial launch? Find out all about the Switchs pros and cons right here.

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Is the Nintendo Switch worth it in 2022? Nintendos portable powerhouse was a huge success when it launched back in March 2017, making it the companys fastest selling home console to date, but that was five years ago a whole other generation of consoles has been released since then.

The Switchs remarkably strong year-one line-up cemented its early appeal. Launch titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , alongside early hits like Super Mario Odyssey , Splatoon 2, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe allowed Nintendo to avoid the dreaded software drought that plagued the Wii U, and
led to the Switch outselling its predecessor just ten months after launch.

In the years since Nintendo has continued adding incredible games to the console though, the Switch's age is starting to show, with the handhelds
tech struggling with large open worlds, like those in Pokmon Legends Arceus .

There have been console revisions, such as the Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED , which have kept sales of the system strong, though havent significantly increased the power of the machine. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service (and its premium Expansion Pack tier) has only improved in recent years, now offering a cloud-based selection of NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive titles which are updated on a semi-regular basis.

While the Switch seems like an essential purchase for handheld gaming, there are notable drawbacks that make it lag behind home consoles like the PS5 , Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S . If youve yet to buy Nintendos current-gen console, and are seriously considering it, read on to find out if the
Nintendo Switch is worth it in 2022. Nintendo Switch is widely available (Image credit: Nintendo)

At launch, all three models of Nintendo Switch initially struggled with availability. It was incredibly common for the Switch to completely sell out across both online and high street retailers.

Thankfully, Nintendo Switch stock has normalized in recent years, and the console hasnt been as badly affected by the ongoing component shortages as, say, the PS5. Right now the base Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED consoles and some of the branded special editions are all readily available at retailers like Amazon. Nintendo Switch consoles - an overview of each model

The standard Nintendo Switch model is the one that launched back in 2017, and of the three models currently available. It arguably provides the sweet spot in terms of price and specs, as the base Switch model can be played in docked mode with a TV with a resolution cap of 1080p, or on the go in portable mode, which caps at a lower 720p resolution.

The Nintendo Switch, unfortunately, doesnt support 4K resolution . That means that without upscaling, playing in docked mode on one of the best 4K TVs may result in a blurrier image than youd like. As such, wed recommend a 1080p display as the optimal way to enjoy Switch games when playing in docked mode.

That being said, the upcoming Nintendo Switch Sports is strongly rumored to
be implementing AMDs open-source FidelityFX Super Resolution . This algorithmic tech can upscale lower resolutions up to a crisp 4K image without impacting game performance. Nintendo may plan to use FidelityFX for future games, too, which could be fantastic for upcoming titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 , Breath of the Wild 2 , and Metroid Prime 4 . Recent official screenshots of Nintendo Switch Sports show off an upscaled 4K resolution. (Image credit: Nintendo)

If you want your Switch to be a strictly portable system, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a good option. Its cheaper than the base model and is slightly smaller, but do keep in mind that, unlike the base model, the Lites Joy-Con controllers arent detachable, and the console cant be played on the TV.

Finally, theres the premium Nintendo Switch OLED, which offers the best image quality of all three models thanks to the units crisp 720p OLED panel . Its another fantastic choice if youre planning to go portable mostly. However,
its a bit pricier than the base Switch model and playing in docked mode
offers no tangible benefits. If you want to play your games with a more vivid color profile while youre on the go, though, the Nintendo Switch OLED is the way to go.

The Nintendo Switch OLED has other perks. It has 64GB of internal storage, double that of the base model. Thats still not much in the grand scheme of things, and youll want to invest in an extra microSD card for more storage, especially if you plan on downloading and playing a lot of games.

The Switch OLED also features an improved kickstand on the back of the console. Its now much wider and sturdier than the one found on the base
Switch model, making the OLED ideal for portable play. Nintendo Switch Online (Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch Online is the Switchs online subscription service, which debuted shortly after the console launched. The paid service became a requirement to access online multiplayer in 2018, and also gave access to cloud saves and a selection of NES and SNES titles via dedicated apps.

The paltry offering wasnt received well, and didnt seem to address the core issue that was Nintendos infamously spotty connection quality. Disconnects were common, and the service was well behind the online infrastructure found with PS5, Xbox, and PC.

The service has arguably come on leaps and bounds since then, with Nintendo steadily improving its online connection quality. A premium tier, Expansion Pack, was also added in 2021, which lets players play N64 and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive titles, as well as access to DLC packs such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise and Mario Kart 8 Deluxes Booster Course Pass .

You certainly get more bang for the buck with Nintendo Switch Online now than you did a few years ago. Its still by no means perfect - and the Expansion Pack tier will be too expensive for some - but the service continues to improve year-on-year, consistently adding value to the package. Is the Nintendo Switch worth it? (Image credit: Shutterstock/Vantage_DS)

Owing to its extensive game library and continued first-party support, the Nintendo Switch is still a worthwhile purchase in 2022. And you dont run the risk of buying a console that Nintendo is about to imminently replace, as the company confirmed the Switch is just halfway through its lifecycle , with the succeeding Nintendo Switch 2 (or Nintendo Switch Pro) a good few years away.

Despite shortcomings like the relatively low storage space, lack of 4K support, and imperfect online infrastructure, the Nintendo Switch still
shines as a fantastic portable hybrid thats loaded with excellent exclusive games, worthwhile subscription benefits, and an impressively affordable
price.

While we do wish Nintendo would launch a model with updated specs, were still very impressed with the consoles longevity and high-quality library of games. With that in mind, we believe theres never been a better time to purchase a Nintendo Switch, no matter which of the available models suits your fancy.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/is-the-nintendo-switch-worth-it-in-2022/


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