Nintendo Switch Has 8 Advantages Over PlayStation And Xbox
The Nintendo Switch is the third-highest selling console of all time. This can be somewhat difficult to fathom for those who don't own a Switch. From the outside, the system appears to be riddled with disadvantages, like aging tech. When comparing the system to the far more powerful Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 consoles, the Switch seems to have much less going for it. However, the Nintendo Switch has not only managed to persevere through the years since its release, but thrive. With Nintendo's next console finally on the way, it's a good time look at what the long-lasting hybrid console really gets right about gaming.
The Nintendo Switch actually possesses a number of advantages that set it apart from any other gaming console on the market. While other have companies fought to have the most powerful system, the Nintendo Switch managed to carve out its own separate niche, one largely independent of the traditional console wars. For any player looking to step out of the realm of Sony and Microsoft and buy a Nintendo Switch, here are some advantages that Nintendo's console has over both PlayStation and Xbox.
The Nintendo Switch has a large variety of exclusives
One of the main things that makes or breaks a console is the quality of its exclusive game library, beating out the strength of its hardware or various gimmicks. While each system has its fair share of exclusive titles, Nintendo seems to have the most in this generation. The company has traditionally been stingy when it comes to porting its franchises to other systems, meaning almost every Nintendo property requires a Nintendo system in order to play. If you're looking for the latest "Legend of Zelda" or "Metroid" title, a Nintendo console is a must-have.
This is especially true for the Nintendo Switch, which holds a treasure trove of classic Nintendo titles. Exclusive games like "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "Super Mario Odyssey" have called the Switch home from the early days of the console. Even more recently, the Switch has received amazing exclusives like "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" and the gem that is "Princess Peach: Showtime!" Meanwhile, one of the most common slams against the PS5 is the fact that it has relatively fewer games that have been made specifically for that console. While some may view the hording of exclusives as a bad thing, it continues to be a reality of the industry. Though it would be great to enjoy many of these games on PC or other consoles, for now, the Nintendo Switch is the go-to system for Nintendo's first-party finest.
Nintendo Switch Online is well worth the cost
In the modern age of gaming, just about every gaming platform is paired with its own internet-based subscription service that allows players to access things like online multiplayer and various social services. In the past, Nintendo offered free online services for any player to access. However, with the launch of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo decided to follow in the footsteps of Microsoft and PlayStation and offer its own online subscription, Nintendo Switch Online. Thankfully, Nintendo Switch Online offers a great bang for your buck and a wide variety of rewards. In fact, the value of this subscription outshines competitors in both cost and content.
Nintendo Switch Online offers two different tiers for the service. The basic plan only costs $20 a year and unlocks a wide variety of classic Nintendo games from the NES, SNES, and Game Boy, on top of access to online gaming. Compared to the $10 a month cost of PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass Core, the cost of Nintendo Switch Online is nothing compared to the competition. For $50 a year, gamers can have access to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which allows fans to play even more classic games from the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis libraries, as well as unlocks DLC for select titles such as "Mario Kart."
Games the whole family can enjoy
Nintendo has always found itself targeting a different audience from its competitors. While many games for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S are technically impressive, many of their larger releases tend to favor more mature audiences. Massive games like "God of War" or "Starfield," while impressive in their own right, don't quite appeal to much younger gamers. The Nintendo Switch however, focuses on creating a player experience better suited for all members of the family, all while still providing impressive titles that traditional gamers can enjoy.
Looking at the Switch's library, titles from the "Mario" and "Kirby" series are great games to share with younger audiences, while still providing a challenge for even the most stalwart of platformer fans. Looking at "Super Mario Wonder" specifically, the game was designed to feel natural to pick up, with simple controls that even a child could understand. While a game like "God of War" may be difficult for a child to learn, "Super Mario Wonder" shouldn't be a problem at all. Additionally, some of the later challenges of "Wonder" provide a great chance for veteran gamers in the family to show off their skills. Many of Nintendo's other games work with a similar principle in mind. When it comes to Nintendo Switch games, more often than not, you'll find an experience the entire family can enjoy.
The Switch is more cost-effective
Gaming can be an expensive hobby, and consoles are becoming pricier than ever. The PS5 and Xbox Series X will set gamers back between $400-500, and that's not even counting the cost of games. PC gaming is no different, with a high-end rig potentially costing upwards of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, Nintendo has remained as one of the more cost-effective options in the gaming industry, providing the Nintendo Switch as an easy alternative for the gamer with a budget.
A baseline Nintendo Switch is only going to cost $300. This includes a pair of Joy-Cons and a dock, not to mention a whole laundry list of surprising extra features packed in the Nintendo Switch. If this is still too much, the Nintendo Switch Lite is only $200. This cheaper alternative can play any game the normal Switch can, albeit at the expense of being purely portable. If players aren't satisfied with either of these options and are looking for something a bit fancier, the Nintendo Switch OLED is a hybrid console with a bigger screen at a price point of $350. In the end, even the most expensive option for the Nintendo Switch is cheaper than either the PS5 or Series X. Despite having less power than other consoles on the market, the lower cost and amazing game library make the Nintendo Switch an unbelievable deal.
Local multiplayer thrives with the Nintendo Switch
In recent years, single-player experiences have been the name of the game when it comes to Xbox and PlayStation, with games like "God of War," "Marvel's Spider-Man," and "Starfield" defining their respective consoles. However, many yearn for the age when couch co-op was more prevalent and readily available, as in the heyday of 4-player "Mario Kart 64" sessions. Co-op wonders like "It Takes Two" are few and far between on Xbox and PS5. Luckily for these nostalgic individuals, couch multiplayer is not only alive and well, but thriving on Nintendo Switch.
For one thing, the "Mario Kart" franchise is as strong as ever, thanks to "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" and its DLC providing a massive number of new tracks. The Switch is also home to multiple "Mario Party" entries, its infuriatingly addictive board-game-style gameplay keeping alive the tradition of ruining friendships. "Super Smash Bros Ultimate" shows that a party fighting game can keep both hardcore gamers and novice players interested at the same time.
These are just a few examples of the Switch's massive local multiplayer library, though some other strong examples include "Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics," "Nintendo Switch Sports," and "1-2-Switch." Although each of these lack the hard-hitting depth of story that the aforementioned single-player titles might have, the memories made from blasting friends with a Blue Shell or smacking them with the Home-Run Bat are just as valuable. While many of these tiles can be played online, the best way to enjoy them is in person.
Hybrid gaming has plenty of advantages
One of the main disadvantages of both the Xbox Series X|S and the PlayStation 5 is a lack of mobility. Being both large and expensive, even trying to move the console around the house can feel like a risky endeavor. Plus, the systems are always tethered to a monitor one way or another, so more often than not, the consoles are fated to sit in a single room. However, the Nintendo Switch solved many of these issues by going the hybrid route. It can be used as both a stationary home console and a portable system. When players want to take their Nintendo gaming on the go, they can simply grab the console from its dock and take it wherever they need.
The portable nature of the base model Switch is one of its strongest features. The fact that the games typically aren't scaled down for the system still stands as a revelation in the industry. Before, systems like the Nintendo 3DS couldn't even come close to matching the power of a home console, with many ports on the platform being majorly adjusted to fit the portable console's limitations. With the Nintendo Switch, that is a worry of the past.
Plenty of weird Nintendo-style peripherals
One thing that has always made Nintendo stand out in the gaming industry is the company's willingness to create strange new accessories. For example, the portable nature of the Nintendo Switch itself was an inventive risk that worked out well in the long run. Even back in the day, wild swings like R.O.B the Robot and the complete failure of the Virtual Boy reminded fans that Nintendo truly is still a toy company at heart. To this day, the company continues to make odd peripherals that Sony and Microsoft might never dream of creating. While these gimmicky accessories aren't always the most impactful inventions in the industry, they can still provide fans with a one-of-a-kind experience.
In true Nintendo fashion, the Nintendo Switch has offered some strange features you won't see on any other console on the market. For example, shortly after the Switch's release, Nintendo showed off Nintendo Labo, kits that allow players to build gaming peripherals out of cardboard. These could used in tandem with the Switch for small mini-game experiences. Labo sets allowed players to convert the Switch and its Joy-Cons into a remote control vehicle, piano, or even a robotic suit. While the games were a bit shallow, fans still had a lot of fun putting together the Labo kits.
Other great examples of unique Switch experiences include "Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit," a remote-controlled ARG that lets players turn their own homes into a "Mario Kart" course, and a fishing rod accessory that allowed players to properly enjoy fishing sim games.
Casual gaming at its peak
More often than not, PlayStation and Xbox are both lacking in casual gaming experiences. The heavy hitters on both consoles are typically extremely time-consuming affairs that require tons of focus to beat. Something like "Elden Ring" alone will take 60+ hours to beat. Not every gamer can devote this amount of time or energy into their hobby; many are just looking for a casual and relaxing game that they can enjoy after a hard day's work. Luckily for these kinds of gamers, Nintendo has them covered.
Of course, that's not to say that the Switch doesn't have long games — looking at you, "Tears of the Kingdom" — but the console's library is typically more geared towards casual gamers. Starting off, the Nintendo Switch is home to some of the best simulation games on the market. This includes "Animal Crossing: New Horizons," which requires very low commitment per day and provides players with a laundry list of relaxing household tasks to complete. The Switch also has some of the best puzzle games on the market, with titles like "Picross" and "Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker" allowing players to pop in and out of head-scratching brain-teasers. Finally, who can mention casual gaming without bringing up "Kirby?" The Nintendo Switch is the exclusive home to many "Kirby" titles, including the newer "Kirby and the Forgotten Land" and classic "Kirby" entries through the Nintendo Switch Online Service.
While the system is definitely lacking in the kinds of epic, graphic-intensive gaming experiences common to Xbox and PlayStation, the Nintendo Switch wasily has the best casual gaming line-up of any system out there.