Nintendo Switch

A Nintendo Switch with red and blue Joy-cons

The Nintendo Switch, often referred to as the Switch, is a video game created and sold by Japanese video game company Nintendo. It consists of a rectangular touch screen device with two controllers connected to the shorter ends of the tablet. These controllers have sensitive motion tracking and detailed vibrations in addition to the buttons and joysticks that allow users to control the system.

The console's key feature upon release was the three ways to utilize the Switch since its Joy-con controllers are wireless and can be disconnected from the screen to change how one plays. Since its release in March 2017, Nintendo has sold 132.46 million Nintendo Switch hardware units . The Nintendo eShop can be utilized to purchase digital editions of games; physical Nintendo Switch games are on small chips inserted into the top of the system. The Nintendo Switch cannot play disks or cards from old Nintendo systems, but some games from older systems, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System, are available to play on the Nintendo Switch with the purchase of a Nintendo Switch Online membership. This membership also allows its buyer to play online multiplayer games with others not close by.

Systems

There are currently three models of Nintendo Switch available for purchase. The original Nintendo Switch, released in March 2017, boasted portability and multiple modes of gameplay upon its release. Since then, countless special editions of the Nintendo Switch have been released, often bundled with popular games.

A turquoise Nintendo Switch Lite, which is one tablet rather than having disconnectable Joy-cons

In 2019, Nintendo announced the Nintendo Switch Lite, which offered affordability in exchange for functionality. The system itself is smaller than the original Nintendo Switch, and the system does not have detachable Joy-cons, and cannot be connected to a television, instead functioning only as a handheld controller. This limits the Switch Lite to playing games that are compatible with handheld mode.

The OLED Nintendo Switch was released in October of 2021 to offer a system with a higher resolution screen, alongside a higher internal storage capacity.

Methods of Use

The Nintendo Switch and the OLED Nintendo Switch have three methods of use that allow players different ways to interact with games: handheld mode, tabletop mode, and TV mode

In handheld mode, the Joy-cons remain connected to the screen of the Switch to act as one complete gaming tablet. The touch screen can be utilized in this mode.

In tabletop mode, the Joy-con controllers are slid off of the screen. A kickstand located on the back of the screen can be used to prop the screen up on a surface, allowing one or more people to play on the screen with the disconnected controllers. This mode allows the Switch to be transported and played as if it were a home console in any location.

A Nintendo Switch screen placing in a docking station, with grey Joy-cons connected to a grip for comfort

In TV mode, the Nintendo Switch screen is placed into a docking station connected to television by an HDMI cable. This allows video and audio output to the television. Similarly to tabletop mode, the Joy-con controllers can be disconnected from the screen and utilized as controllers.

Controllers

Nintendo Switch Joy-cons offer flexible ways to game. One person can play games with two Joy-cons by holding one in each of their hands. Joy-cons have different button positions based on whether it is a Joy-con that connects to the left side of the screen or the right side of the screen. Many games can be played with one Joy-con held sideways with both hands, allowing a second player to utilize the other Joy-con in the same way to play multiplayer games.

Two Joy-con controllers come with the Switch upon purchase, and additional Joy-cons can be purchased. A Joy-con grip is also provided upon the initial purpose so that Joy-cons can be separated from the screen but connected into one controller.

Joy-cons come in a variety of colors, though the most commonly seen Joy-cons are grey, red, or blue. Major Nintendo game releases often are released alongside special edition Joy-con colors, or Nintendo Switch bundles that include the game as well, such as the Animal Crossing: New Horizons system

Nintendo has faced controversy for a consistent issues with their Joy-cons. Known as "Joy-con drift," this issue refers to the joystick on one or both of the controllers registering input, even if the player is not touching the controller. This can be caused by dust in the interior of the controller or parts inside the controller that wear down after continuous use. Nintendo offers free repairs or replacements for controllers experiencing Joy-con drift, but can still occur in new controllers after using them often.