It’s been a week or so since the Nintendo Switch came out, so we thought we’d ask our readers how they were getting on with the venerable Japanese game company’s hybrid console.



Reaction was largely positive, save for a few niggles about battery life, launch title availability and JoyCon responsiveness. Below, we share a few of our readers’ takes.



‘Nintendo have been clear about the Switch from the start’

The Wii U failed because of a lack of clarity and communication from Nintendo about what it was actually meant to do. They have been clear about the Switch from the start – it’s a home console you can pick up and play on the go. And it just works! The jump from TV to handheld screen (and vice versa) is almost instantaneous.



I got Zelda at launch and it’s been an absolute delight to play. If Nintendo can continue to foster well designed, unique ‘Nindie’ games and tempt a few big third party companies back they will have a smash hit. Of course, just their own library of high quality games will keep diehard fans happy.



The only gripe I have with the system is the lack of a bundled game to showcase the hardware. 1-2-Switch is not worth the price to buy separately and won’t tempt many people to give the system a chance.

Amy, 29, lab technician, Manchester

A still image from the Nintendo Switch Super Bowl 51 commercial. Photograph: AP

‘The Switch was created by elves riding unicorns’

In the lead up to the Switch’s release I managed to transition from “it’s too expensive / there’s no games / I don’t want it anyway” to “I need it in my life immediately” within the space of a week.



Nothing notable took place to cause this change of heart, but that’s Nintendo’s charm – everything they do has a magic to it. Playstations are devised in boardrooms, while the Switch was created by elves riding unicorns in some far off magical kingdom. That’s what I told my wife anyway.



It’s a lovely bit of kit, it feels well made and the user interface is intuitive. It’s the best possible way to play the new Zelda game, which no amount of hyperbole does justice. The only problem is what I’m going to do when I’ve finished Breath of the Wild as there really isn’t anything else coming up except a re-release of The Best Mario Kart Game Of All Time. I’m trying not to think that far ahead.

Edward King, 36, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

‘Breath of the Wild is Nintendo’s saviour’



While the console itself seems neat enough, with seamless transitions from handheld to docked, it is Breath of the Wild that’s surely going to be Nintendo’s saviour. It is the perfect lesson in game design done right.



Link retrains as a lumberjack. Photograph: Nintendo

They have checked every box with loving care, and created the most well rounded, well thought out gaming experience I’ve played in years. Perhaps ever. I’m yet to experience multiplayer games on the console – and it’ll be a while, given how much I shelled out for the console plus BotW – but the vast landscape yet to be discovered in Zelda will keep me going for a good long time yet.

Nick, Masters Student, 30, Edinburgh

‘I find it more satisfying to play as a handheld

I’m absolutely in love with Zelda Breath of Wild. The game has matched my high expectations; it’s totally immersive and a fantastically designed open world that even if it didn’t create waves of nostalgic feelings makes paying the admittedly steep retail price totally worthwhile. From a technical perspective I’ve been impressed with what it can do as a handheld device and I haven’t had any of the technical issues others have had. I find it much more satisfying to play it in handheld mode.



I’m not even a Nintendo fan boy, I usually stick to my PS4 and games like Destiny and Witcher 3 but I’ve been really impressed so far. My big worry is that as I’m not really in to Mario Kart and other family games, in a few months it’ll be collecting dust. But hey: Skyrim is coming.

James, 30, London



‘My stay-at-home PS4 seems antiquated’



Although it’s noticeably less powerful than the PS4, the art style used in the new Zelda game is such that it looks amazing, whether playing in TV or handheld mode, and I’m sure Nintendo will get every last bit of juice out of it with future releases.



Switching between the two modes is seamless, and my stay-at-home PS4 seems antiquated when compared with the ‘play anywhere’ capabilities of the Switch.

I’m glad that Nintendo will now be able to focus their games development efforts on one console rather than two, and I’m excited about the potential return of Metroid, Star Fox, No More Heroes and other classic franchises soon, in addition to some new ones. Until then, I’ll continue to enjoy forgetting that I’m a grown up every time I turn on my Switch.

Ivor, 31, student, London

