Nintendo Switch

If you're looking for a decent battery for USB charging, this is a pretty sweet deal:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F8IRIN0/

It actively charges the Switch, even while playing Breath of the Wild. This is the best battery/charging pack thing I've ever owned.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
For cases I had initially picked up the Nintendo Breath of the Wild Switch case. After getting the special edition, I also have the case from that too. I prefer the special edition case as it is encased in a rubberized plastic while the Zelda one is just "cloth" material with some inner plastic hardened parts.
 
atom said:
I just ordered a used 32gb Wii U instead. Can still get Zelda, and the thing comes with Mario Kart and Nintendoland as well. With the game will total $280. No joycon issues, no scratching issues, just stuck with 720p. Let's hope it's not busted when it arrives.
Click to expand...

wii u is a fun console. Now get bayonetta 2 and xenoblades
 
Wrench said:
Anyone try using USB Ethernet adapters? Curious as to which ones work.
Click to expand...

I did. I have a Rocketfish one that worked and showed up as a wired connection. The catch is that the download speeds were showing up as being slower than wireless. Could just be the Nintendo network, though. I ended up just unplugging it. It was designed as a Wii/WiiU device, so that probably isn't helping.

I went to my local Best Buy to check for cases and they literally have none. Nada. They have a boatload of car chargers, JoyCons, and $30(!!!) AC adapters, but no cases.
Amazon has some that look good, but very few have room for an AC adapter, which seems borderline necessary IMO. The ones that do have a little extra space are larger briefcase-type cases.
The ButterFox cases on Amazon look close to what I want, but I'll just need a larger AC adapter pocket somewhere.
Anyone tried one of these? https://www.amazon.com/Charging-Nintendo-Lifetime-warranty-High-rate-Premium-Devices/dp/B06X9NJSMN/
It's 1/2 price and is multi-purpose.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Derangel said:
So someone on Youtube already fixed the Joycon sync issue:

Click to expand...



Not good for Nintendo since this video proves it's a hardware issue. I have a feeling they're going to have to hand out a bunch of updated, replacement left joycons in the coming weeks. I can't even use mine from my couch, and I'm only about 7-8 ft away with direct LOS to the Switch. I ended up getting a pro controller, but the Joycon issue is unacceptable.
 
Xaeos said:
Issue number 2 - Apparently, people are noticing scratches on their Switch, including on the screen, when it comes to placing it into the Dock! Its really asinine it should scratch so easily! Some suggest using some of the "softest" including packaging material (the cushy opaque stuff) to cover the screen and perhaps back of your Switch while plugging it into the Dock, at least until you have a screen protector! Some thought this may cause possible heat issues, but there's no proof of it now, but just keep checking it out. Edit: Some discussions on the issue and people using mini furniture pads to cushion the dock - reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/5xgs2r/protect_your_switch_my_solution/ .
Click to expand...

This is one of the first things I noticed about the dock when I opened it. I immediately went to Home Depot, bought a microfiber rag, cut it into 6cm x 1cm strips and superglued them to the guide rails on the inside.

There are quite a few odd design decisions I've noticed over the last 72 hours:

  • There is no charging LED indicator - meaning you need to undock/power on the console to see if it's fully charged.
  • the screen is plastic - a screen protector is absolutely mandatory. Mine is in the mail and I'm babying my Switch until then.
  • The charger on the bottom. Le sigh. It's not that bad but quite annoying when I want to use the kickstand while charging.
  • The dock is incredibly light. When they become more widely available, I'm going to buy another dock and adhere it to a shelf next to my receiver. It's just way too easy to knock over.

All that being said, I'm really enjoying the console. The only games worth $ at this point are Zelda and Shovel Knight. Zelda is amazing, imo. I can't say enough good things about it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SoFGR
like this
Domingo said:
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Something compact but can still hold at least 1 set of L/R controls and an AC adapter. I don't see a ton of options yet, so I'm going to wait a few weeks. At my local stores they don't have much of anything at the moment. Amazon is showing a few items that look promising, but they aren't in stock yet.
Click to expand...
Yeah, seems like an accessory heavy console. I'll need a case, another adapter, and probably a screen protector. I can't believe this thing has a plastic screen.
 
Found a 2nd special edition. Opted not to get it to let a true fan get it. They also had a switch but decided against that too. Poor couple walked in during freezing rain hoping to score one (had game no switch, and luck on their side after hitting several stores.) I think the whole resell thing is a kick in the face to gamers who are fans TBH.
 
I am contemplating returning my unopened Switch to Target. The plastic screen on the thing is going to be what puts me over the edge. The screens on my Wii U and 2DS systems are all scratched up from kids.
 
To be fair, the 2DS and Wii U had resistive touch screens that utilized built-in styluses.
 
Last edited:
bpizzle1 said:
Not good for Nintendo since this video proves it's a hardware issue. I have a feeling they're going to have to hand out a bunch of updated, replacement left joycons in the coming weeks. I can't even use mine from my couch, and I'm only about 7-8 ft away with direct LOS to the Switch. I ended up getting a pro controller, but the Joycon issue is unacceptable.
Click to expand...
They wont do a recall or replacement unless it really gets out of hand.
 
vegeta535 said:
They wont do a recall or replacement unless it really gets out of hand.
Click to expand...

Thought at this point it would be pretty stupid of them to keep manufacturing those shitty left JoyCons... The part should be relatively easy to revise and fix. Worse case scenario they can cut the trace and use the solder for a new antenna lead. Then people can contact Nintendo support to send in their left JoyCons for a new model.

Overall the hardware looks rushed. Left JoyCon issue, near useless too-light dock (without even a pad for the screen), terrible kick stand, and shit tons of exposed screws that you basically never see in a modern tablet.
 
Last edited:
vegeta535 said:
They wont do a recall or replacement unless it really gets out of hand.
Click to expand...

It's not like it's an isolated issue. There are reports of it everywhere online, and you can be assured that those are just a small percentage of the number of people that have experienced the issue. Like I said, I can't even get mine to work reliably from 7-8 feet away with a direct line of sight to the Switch. That is completely unacceptable for a wireless controller.
 
Ocellaris said:
Thought at this point it would be pretty stupid of them to keep manufacturing those shitty left JoyCons... The part should be relatively easy to revise and fix. Worse case scenario they can cut the trace and use the solder for a new antenna lead. Then people can contact Nintendo support to send in their left JoyCons for a new model.

Overall the hardware looks rushed. Left JoyCon issue, near useless too-light dock (without even a pad for the screen), terrible kick stand, and shit tons of exposed screws that you basically never see in a modern tablet.
Click to expand...
They will probably replace if people call and complain with a revised joycon but they wont officially acknowledge the problem. They been very Apple like in recent times. Yea they did rush this out. I have been reading lots of people having all types of issues with their switch. They screwed the pooch on this release. Nvidia probably sold Nintendo all the dud Tegra GPU they had lying around lol. I am glad I passed on buying one when I saw it at the store.
 
Last edited:
bpizzle1 said:
It's not like it's an isolated issue. There are reports of it everywhere online, and you can be assured that those are just a small percentage of the number of people that have experienced the issue. Like I said, I can't even get mine to work reliably from 7-8 feet away with a direct line of sight to the Switch. That is completely unacceptable for a wireless controller.
Click to expand...

Nintendo will replace your left Joycon if you call them. People who call are getting overnighted replacements.

I don't know why people are assuming Nintendo won't do anything when you haven't even called Nintendo about the problem.
 
Mchart said:
Nintendo will replace your left Joycon if you call them. People who call are getting overnighted replacements.

I don't know why people are assuming Nintendo won't do anything when you haven't even called Nintendo about the problem.
Click to expand...

That's all fine and dandy until you realize that the new joycon thst they send you will likely still have the same issue since it is a hardware related issue.
 
bpizzle1 said:
That's all fine and dandy until you realize that the new joycon thst they send you will likely still have the same issue since it is a hardware related issue.
Click to expand...

Except not all the Joycons have the issue. I've personally used 6 Switches from different retailors at different friend's houses and they all don't have the issue. So the chances are you will get one without the defect, and even if you do get another with a defect you just ask for another.
 
Mchart said:
Except not all the Joycons have the issue. I've personally used 6 Switches from different retailors at different friend's houses and they all don't have the issue. So the chances are you will get one without the defect, and even if you do get another with a defect you just ask for another.
Click to expand...

Yea I tested mine through two walls and 40 ft away. I could still hear link whistle and run around.
 
Best place to find a screen protector?

Anybody making an adult looking case yet?
 
Supposedly the tempered glass screen protector (Amazon is out of stock right now) is the way to go if you buy one. I still don't see any cases that look to be worth a damn for what I want, though.
 
I just want some basic protection, but seeing as how i'm an adult. Pulling out a bright blue zelda case from my pricey leather messenger bag would look pretty stupid.
 
Verge said:
I just want some basic protection, but seeing as how i'm an adult. Pulling out a bright blue zelda case from my pricey leather messenger bag would look pretty stupid.
Click to expand...

By that logic, about as stupid as pulling out a video game in general. Why not just accept that it is what it is, and play it in public? C'mon. EMBRACE THE NERD.
 
My brother has a black one with just the switch logo in the bottom corner on it from gamestop. That might suit your needs.
 
Is there any way to not scratch it in the dock while I wait for the glass screen protector to come in stock?
Do I really need to buy pantyhose to cover the screen while it's docked?
 
Verge said:
Best place to find a screen protector?

Anybody making an adult looking case yet?
Click to expand...

There are some basic, simple cases already available. There's a very basic one that just says "Nintendo Switch" on it from PDP, a nicer one from Hori, and as well as an upcoming one from RDS that is similar (maybe better made?). If I can't get ahold of the brownish Special Edition Zelda case, (which basically looks like some sort of abstract art to anyone not aware of its significance), I'll probably just get one of these for the time being.
 
Last edited:
jaguax said:
Is there any way to not scratch it in the dock while I wait for the glass screen protector to come in stock?
Do I really need to buy pantyhose to cover the screen while it's docked?
Click to expand...

Be careful. I haven't scratched mine yet, but those stupid rubber pads have lready left residue that I can't easily remove.
 
Very surprising to see these types of problems - Nintendo has always been the 1 manufacturer with rock solid consoles at launch (or anytime after).

(some NSFW language)
 


Geez, if the Switch can't handle that, Skyrim will kill it :(
 
I think that's the problem with the Switch.
As a package, it's a nice looking package. I think it's priced about $100 more than it should be, however. (Agreeing with AngryJoe.) If it was $199, I'd buy one without hesitation just for what it could possibly do.
As it is, you have a $299 console with no pack-in game, better performance as a portable (but not really good performance either way, portable or docked), and already way behind the curve on power.
I think the Switch is a console that didn't necessarily need to be made, but Nintendo wanted to take a shot because let's face it, at this point, if they're going to succeed in home consoles any more, taking a shot is their only chance.
They won't up the fidelity to the nth degree to compete that way, and they're still 2 console generations behind on online presence and maturity at this point. "Shot" is all they have left.
Given Nintendo's history with "outside the box" thinking, I don't know...I just don't believe that the Switch will end up being a Wii 2.0 here (in terms of success).

The Wii had Wii Sports; that was a system seller. When you have a game that appeals to people who don't buy game consoles, but they buy yours, that's definitely lightning in a bottle. The WiiU didn't have this, and the Switch doesn't either. Even if 1-2-Switch was a pack-in game, that's not going to sell units to the "I don't buy game console" crowd.

What I wouldn't give for a beast Nintendo console for $299 that can keep up with at least the Ps4/Xbone but runs Nintendo games and has the online presence to boot. Nintendo is just so far behind the 8 ball on nearly everything.
 
Azureth said:
Geez, if the Switch can't handle that, Skyrim will kill it :(
Click to expand...

I'd say it's more a Koei Tecmo problem than a Switch problem... they develop the 'warriors' spin-off games and are known for lazy ports. If Bethsoft puts in the effort, I'm sure Skyrim will be fine.
 
zero2dash said:
I think that's the problem with the Switch.
As a package, it's a nice looking package. I think it's priced about $100 more than it should be, however. (Agreeing with AngryJoe.) If it was $199, I'd buy one without hesitation just for what it could possibly do.
As it is, you have a $299 console with no pack-in game, better performance as a portable (but not really good performance either way, portable or docked), and already way behind the curve on power.
I think the Switch is a console that didn't necessarily need to be made, but Nintendo wanted to take a shot because let's face it, at this point, if they're going to succeed in home consoles any more, taking a shot is their only chance.
They won't up the fidelity to the nth degree to compete that way, and they're still 2 console generations behind on online presence and maturity at this point. "Shot" is all they have left.
Given Nintendo's history with "outside the box" thinking, I don't know...I just don't believe that the Switch will end up being a Wii 2.0 here (in terms of success).

The Wii had Wii Sports; that was a system seller. When you have a game that appeals to people who don't buy game consoles, but they buy yours, that's definitely lightning in a bottle. The WiiU didn't have this, and the Switch doesn't either. Even if 1-2-Switch was a pack-in game, that's not going to sell units to the "I don't buy game console" crowd.

What I wouldn't give for a beast Nintendo console for $299 that can keep up with at least the Ps4/Xbone but runs Nintendo games and has the online presence to boot. Nintendo is just so far behind the 8 ball on nearly everything.
Click to expand...

This is a main reason that I think Nintendo should focus on the Switch as a portable console. Its hardware is more akin to that, as opposed to a home console. Its basically an Nvidia Shield tablet (or something similar).. However, when those tablets have larger screens, the newer ones have better hardware (Come on... Maxwell based instead of Pascal based...its hard to justify the cost in and of itself. However, if we think of it as a $199 tablet with pack in controllers and a dock, that's not necessarily so bad.

I always said that the Switch would have made a fantastic Android based tablet, with the ability to (even sideloading) run Android apps PLUS the "core" games. Now we know that sadly SwitchOS is not Android / Linux based, but it is based on FreeBSD (kernel, anyway) which isn't necessarily horrible as it may make porting easier. I'm sure eventually there will be an Android-On-Switch project, but that will basically require dual booting. However, the real thing that Nintendo could have done even if they were once again foolish enough to stick to a proprietary OS (even one that's "closer" to non-proprietary ones) is to give players apps from day 1. This would increase the value significantly. Imagine if they had a fully tricked out (hell, f Nintendo skinned) Kodi, e-reader apps, Netflix, Spotify etc... apps available on the eShop, or installed from the start? Basically, give people a reason to think of it as a "$199 mobile tablet with good controllers and a dock for large screen play/media usage" instead of an "underpowered home console".

I've long said that I'd be happy for Nintendo to get out of the console game enttirely and instead make peripherals and games , their strong suits, for PC (and maybe other consoles, like Sega has done). However they can't keep lagging behind, focusing on gimmicks, jacking the price obscenely high (especially for controllers) and the stock low (ltheir "toy company" heritage) and expect it to work out in the long run. The Switch has a killer app with Breath of the Wild and that's fantastic...but lets see where they go from here. They have so many low cost ways to expand the value of the Switch for current and potential owners by treating it like a mobile tablet, but they seem to have tunnel vision which is really frustrating.
 
Xaeos, I agree with pretty much every point you make, but let me expand on your idea of Nintendo bowing out - they won't, because their portables keep them afloat. They could bomb horrendously on home console (and - really, they have before, many times now), but the portables keep them afloat. Sega didn't have this, unfortunately, which is why they had to do it.

The problem they have now with that is I think that well is starting to dry up also. From what I'm told by friends who live in Japan, pretty much everyone (at one point) on buses and trains had Gameboys or DS's...but a lot of those people have replaced those with smartphones. I'm sure that trend will continue (and it probably has already, because let's face it, it's 2017 - who doesn't have a smartphone at this point other than kids who are too young to have a phone, or people who are too old to use them).
Nintendo, unfortunately, I think likes to play it safe where they shouldn't, and also play it risky where they shouldn't. It's almost like they do everything backwards, because they (up until the last 5 years or so) have always come out smelling like a rose. I think that's changing, but I don't think they realize it - or they don't want to admit it to themselves, and they're just gonna ride this thing out and hope that things change (even though the writing on the wall is that it won't).

Nintendo easily has some of the most brilliant minds in-house...but I think the fanboys and the media gives them this false feeling of security, and the reality of it is, no one (especially in video games) should feel "safe". The Switch will sell out, there will be shortages, just like there are shortages for the NES Mini, just like there were with the Wii, just like there were with the Wii U. Artificial shortage creates demand, keeps Nintendo in the news longer, keeps people wanting more longer. People can say "why would they do that, they're limiting the amount of money they get by doing that and actually hurting themselves", uhh no they're not. Make a killing for a month or two and fizzle out, or sustain long revenue for several years all the while you're slowly churning out a game or two here or there worth buying your system for...gee which would I pick if I was in their shoes? :ROFLMAO:

Oh well, enough soothsaying from me for today. :D
 
Sega and Nintendo catered towards different crowds though, and this makes a huge difference at Nintendo's survival and Sega's fall from grace. Nintendo has always been child oriented. The great thing about children, they don't care as much if a game is a rehash or doesn't have the best technology. To them, it's new and shiny. (Just look at how awful Saturday Morning Cartoons are.) Sega though went after the teenager and young adult crowd, which helped them grow significantly during the Genesis years, but when Sony started competing, it was game over for them. And as you mentioned, everyone is going towards mobiles. It's somewhat frightening at just how many young children have smart phones now. And when you need to take them on long trips, you can just give them your phone to keep them occupied, if they don't have their own.

I'll fully admit though, I am a bit jealous, as portable video game systems nor smartphones were available when I was really young, and I absolutely hated travelling.
 
Azureth said:


Geez, if the Switch can't handle that, Skyrim will kill it :(
Click to expand...


He PS4 uses 140w when gaming. Youd need to carry around a 30 pound car battery to make it portable. They aren't really comparing apples to apples.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Youn
like this
zero2dash said:
Xaeos, I agree with pretty much every point you make, but let me expand on your idea of Nintendo bowing out - they won't, because their portables keep them afloat. They could bomb horrendously on home console (and - really, they have before, many times now), but the portables keep them afloat. Sega didn't have this, unfortunately, which is why they had to do it.

The problem they have now with that is I think that well is starting to dry up also. From what I'm told by friends who live in Japan, pretty much everyone (at one point) on buses and trains had Gameboys or DS's...but a lot of those people have replaced those with smartphones. I'm sure that trend will continue (and it probably has already, because let's face it, it's 2017 - who doesn't have a smartphone at this point other than kids who are too young to have a phone, or people who are too old to use them).
Nintendo, unfortunately, I think likes to play it safe where they shouldn't, and also play it risky where they shouldn't. It's almost like they do everything backwards, because they (up until the last 5 years or so) have always come out smelling like a rose. I think that's changing, but I don't think they realize it - or they don't want to admit it to themselves, and they're just gonna ride this thing out and hope that things change (even though the writing on the wall is that it won't).

Nintendo easily has some of the most brilliant minds in-house...but I think the fanboys and the media gives them this false feeling of security, and the reality of it is, no one (especially in video games) should feel "safe". The Switch will sell out, there will be shortages, just like there are shortages for the NES Mini, just like there were with the Wii, just like there were with the Wii U. Artificial shortage creates demand, keeps Nintendo in the news longer, keeps people wanting more longer. People can say "why would they do that, they're limiting the amount of money they get by doing that and actually hurting themselves", uhh no they're not. Make a killing for a month or two and fizzle out, or sustain long revenue for several years all the while you're slowly churning out a game or two here or there worth buying your system for...gee which would I pick if I was in their shoes? :ROFLMAO:

Oh well, enough soothsaying from me for today. :D
Click to expand...

I definitely agree with the fact that Nintendo is banking on the nostalgia, I think we can all agree on that. Their efforts would be best served by just making excellent games and not trying to reinvent the wheel every few years, it just doesn't make any sense, they have to see that.

On the note you had about friends in Japan (as someone who is all about Japan, and travels there way too frequently for work and leisure), the handheld video game market is strong, for sure, but the commuter mindset these days is definitely moving towards cell phones. You can turn in any direction on a train or bus and see people playing a quick game of something or other. At least we see that there, but over here in the states I'm seeing it few and far between, but that could just be the Boston area, it's a small sample.
 
I'm actually not convinced that kids really dig Nintendo that much. From what I've seen it's usually 1980's parents buying Nintendo items for their kids. The kids would literally play with anything you gave them, but because daddy grew up with Super Mario 3 and doesn't want the kids playing Grand Theft Auto, Nintendo is the answer. I've witnessed this exact thing with at least 3 of my friends. It's anecdotal, but I see it all the time on FB, too. Back when the retro NES hit, it was a bunch of adults wanting their kids to see the games they grew up with. The kids would be just as happy playing whatever is on their iPhone or iPad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top