Released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch is one of Nintendo's most successful consoles thus far. It sets itself apart through its hybrid form, allowing players to game on the go. The small device packs a mighty punch, and there is a lot that can be learned from the Switch and its trailblazing ways. It demonstrates that graphics aren't the only way to draw gamers, and that big risks can lead to big rewards.
With games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom ahead, the console has a bright future. While rumors of a successor have been swirling around for a while, the console hardly needs one yet when it still has an expansive library of games and steady sales. Hence, even though it's not the newest console on the market, and it faces more direct competition from the Steam Deck, the Switch still makes for a good purchase.
The Nintendo Switch Proves That Graphics Aren't Everything
Since its humble beginnings, gaming has come a long way in a relatively short time, and in a single lifetime, gamers have witnessed mind-blowing advancements. From simple polyphonic beeps, gamers now enjoy immersive 3D audio, and the loading screens that plagued past games have been nearly entirely eliminated. The most obvious advancements can be seen in terms of graphics, which edge closer to photorealism with every passing year. Technology has allowed for features such as ray-tracing and motion capture to be used, allowing developers and artists to craft increasingly realistic worlds.
Though it is an expensive, resource-intensive process to deliver cutting-edge graphics, many AAA developers consider the investment to be worth it, as good visuals easily draw gamers to a title. The bestselling games and the games most showered with awards and critical acclaim are typically titles that push the boundaries visually, and this includes titles such as God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Last of Us Part 2.
With every new gaming generation, gamers eagerly wait to see what eye candy will be released, though the excessive focus on visuals may not be the most important factor to consider when attempting to draw gamers. Furthermore, the reliance on graphics to wow gamers may not be a reliable strategy, as developers have begun to see diminishing returns in terms of what every new gaming generation enables.
Nintendo appears to have gone a different route, and the results have been shockingly positive. Though there are plenty of good-looking Nintendo Switch games, the graphical quality pales in comparison to current-generation consoles, and even last-generation consoles such as the PS4 and Xbox One. This, surprisingly, has not slowed down the sale of the Nintendo Switch or its many games, demonstrating that graphics are not the be-all-end-all when it comes to crafting gaming experiences.
Instead of focusing on photorealistic graphics, Nintendo's first-party games attempt to provide top-quality gaming experiences and flawless gameplay. Games such as Breath of the Wild aren't nearly as good-looking as other open-world games like Horizon Forbidden West, but it manages to be consistently named as one of the best titles in its genre thanks to its near-perfect gameplay and genius use of the open-world format. Instead of relying on realistic visuals, which the Switch's hardware is incapable of, games opt for a striking art style that can be just as powerful.
The Hybrid Console Demonstrates That Risks Can Be Rewarding
For many gamers, the gaming world is one associated with recreation and memorable childhood experiences. However, behind the characters that gamers have fallen in love with and the stories that have moved many, there is a capitalistic, money-making machine interested in little more than profits. Consequently, gamers often find that gaming studios and companies seldom take daring risks or exercise innovative creative flair, opting instead to tread the mainstream road of tried-and-tested ideas that are unlikely to result in monetary losses.
The gaming industry cannot be admonished too much for this, as there are countless cases of experiments that go awry. Though the PS Vita was, in many ways, ahead of its time, it failed to find its footing and was quickly abandoned by Sony. Similarly, though Microsoft made a sincere attempt to popularize the Xbox Kinect, it failed to gain significant traction. Despite these failures, it is still worthwhile to venture into the unknown, as it can potentially lead to monumental success, as the Nintendo Switch has demonstrated.
Unlike its competitors, the Switch is a hybrid console capable of being played portably or being hooked up to a television. Nintendo had toyed with a similar idea with the Wii U, which featured a GamePad that games could be played directly off. The Wii U never really took off, in part because the company failed to succinctly convey what the console does, though Nintendo learned from its mistakes with the Switch.
For the Switch to achieve its hybrid form, a few sacrifices had to be made. It is underpowered compared to its competitors, and it can be played portably for only a few hours. However, judging by the sales the console has enjoyed, it is easy to argue that these sacrifices have been worth it. As of June 2022, it has sold over 111 million units, already surpassing the lifetime sales of many of its predecessors, including the Wii and the Nintendo 3DS. It has also outpaced the PS4 and Xbox One in terms of sales, putting it on track to become one of the bestselling consoles of all time.
With only around five years under its belt, the Switch still has plenty of time and space to grow and reach new historic milestones. There are many big games for gamers on the platform to look forward to, including Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Although the Switch bucked many common gaming trends, the console has ensured that Nintendo has remained a formidable force in the industry.