Perfect 10s
The Nintendo Switch's first year
Now, before anyone overreacts I should
explain that this perfect 10 is being awarded from the viewpoint of Nintendo.
From a consumer's point of view, the score for the Switch's first 12 months is
more open to debate. For Nintendo, this is a nailed on 10.
And who would've thought it?
After the initial reveal sent gamers into
meltdown, the cheers that greeted the brilliance of the concept in October 2016
were replaced by jeers at the price of it all in January 2017. A £300 handheld,
£70 Joy-Cons, £60 games. I admit, I was one of a number who cancelled their
pre-order when the pricing was announced - maybe wait until Mario Kart, I said
to myself.
By the time Mario Kart was released in
April, Switches were in short supply. Following its release on 3rd March 2017
two things became abundantly clear: firstly, Nintendo were ultra cautious in
their production of the Switch following the Wii U's commercial failure and
secondly, the Switch was no Wii U.
Demand far outstripped supply. Breath of
the Wild was immediately hailed as a new pinnacle in gaming, a rare moment of
perfection that drove the market into a frenzy. The frenzy was further fuelled
by the promise of what was to come - a new Mario, a reworked Mario Kart and
Splatoon 2 all within seven months.
Nintendo were holding very little back it
seemed.
I purchased my own Switch (neon red/blue,
thank you) on the release of Mario Kart. A number of things struck me straight
out of the box. I was amazed to find that the Switch was tiny, much smaller
than I had expected. As the fresh silicon smell drifted from the air vent, I
was impressed by the speed of the thing. With no bloatware to slow the Switch
down, it flies through its menus and boots games rapidly.
On playing Mario Kart for the first time,
whizzing around rollercoaster tracks like Big Blue (is F-Zero Switch on the
horizon?), I found myself unable to believe that a handheld was this capable.
Docking and undocking at light speed confirmed for me that Nintendo's concept
was not only spot on for today's busy home, but it was also perfectly timed to
technological progress. Technology had now caught up with the vision that many
suspect drove the development of the Wii U and its gamepad.
So on I went, driving around the looping
courses of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, my only Switch game until Splatoon 2 released.
Mario Kart was soon usurped as I fell into the miniature culture wars of the
Splatfest. A bizarre, hipsterish, hyper cool world populated by Squid. From the
mechanics to the music, Splatoon 2 was refreshing in every way.
It is worth noting that both of these games were essentially available on Wii U (as was Breath of the Wild), but the harmony of the Switch's technology and concept meant that this was the only place worth playing these games now. Many like me, who had missed the Wii U, were now falling back in love with Nintendo.
It is worth noting that both of these games were essentially available on Wii U (as was Breath of the Wild), but the harmony of the Switch's technology and concept meant that this was the only place worth playing these games now. Many like me, who had missed the Wii U, were now falling back in love with Nintendo.
Falling in love with Nintendo is an easy
thing to do and the Switch has helped me remember that. The Mii creator is
charming and intuitive. The ability to pose your character in ridiculous
positions made both my girlfriend and I laugh out loud. The noise that greets
you as you click into the Mii section from the main menu, the whistled call and
response. Simple things that Nintendo do so well.
I spent a lot of time with Mario Odyssey
and still do. I have also since picked up Breath of the Wild and have enjoyed
it in a way that I have never enjoyed a game before. The sense of freedom and
exploration is unparalleled in my experience.
There are problems, no doubt. The online
service, as it stands, is simply not a service for which people should be asked
to pay. The servers of Splatoon are often frustrating and can be unreliable.
The infrastructure still seems threadbare. Having to use a phone app to party
chat is a great misstep for a console that otherwise seems to hit every beat.
Time will tell whether Nintendo can improve upon this.
Those problems are why, I believe, the
Switch's first year score for a gamer is debatable, and it is being debated
right now on forums around the world. I am sure you have your own opinion.
For Nintendo though, there is no doubt that
with 15 million Switches in the wild and with a number of multi million selling
games, the Switch's first year is a perfect 10.
The Nintendo Switch's first year: 10 (for Nintendo)
Keep it docked. Or not. It's your choice. Keep it OMG.
Keep it docked. Or not. It's your choice. Keep it OMG.
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