Cubed3 Goes Hands-On with Nintendo Switch

By Adam Riley 15.01.2017 5

Nintendo returns to the console scene with a new concept that's intended to sit alongside the Nintendo 3DS and seemingly act as a successor to the Wii U. Nintendo UK invited Cubed3 for a hands-on session this week to become familiar with the setup, potential controller applications, and try out the latest games. How is the new console shaping up then?

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Jorge Ba-oh, Founder & Editor

Fortunately, with the Nintendo Switch, the concept seems more refined, coherent and focused. The console is primarily designed to be played at home, either on the TV by sliding the Switch into the dock or whilst roaming the world untethered as a handheld.

The first thing that's immediately apparent is just how small the hardware is in the flesh, compared to videos and lifestyle shots. Think of the Nintendo Switch as, perhaps, a Samsung Galaxy Note or an oversized phone with teeny Wii Remote controllers bolted onto the sides. That very thought may weigh up to be a fairly chunky beast, conceptually, but the Switch - with Joy-Con controllers attached - is slim, lightweight and fits nicely into your palms.

The 720p screen is bright, with deep colours and plenty of detail on the display - far beyond the 3DS and Wii U GamePad. Games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2 maintain their high presentation values undocked, with Mario's racing action in particular boasting impressive visuals and consistent performance. Being able to present console level graphics whilst on a train or lazing about on the beach boasts plenty of potential, but time will tell whether the screen can accommodate real-life scenarios.

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As for the Joy-Con themselves, they are also smaller than they appear initially - with buttons, especially the upper shoulder triggers being a little fiddly in nature. Each comes with a set of four face buttons, shoulder triggers and an analogue stick for good measure. The benefit of this does mean that, for most applications, there would be immediate two-player support at its very basic level. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was a prime example of this; with the tablet sitting on a table, two Joy-Con and two players can race away to their heart's content. Nintendo has also thrown in motion controls and new HD rumble for good measure. Applications like 1-2-Switch, and ARMS highlight the improvements over Wii and Wii U titles fairly well, feeling more precise and an extension of your hands.

Unlike the Wii U GamePad, the feel of the setup seems to lean more toward Nintendo's portables in nature. The setup, including without the tablet screen, is comfortable, yet again would need a fair bit more hands-on to get a true feel of how the console would shape up for those overnight sessions for those using a Pro controller, in other words, out the box.

Adam Riley, Operations Director

Just as the Wii could be seen by many as being the GameCube repackaged with various peripherals bundled together in a smarter shell, Nintendo Switch appears to be the Wii U concept tidied up and re-marketed. Sure, Nintendo is trying to sell it as an amalgamation of all its past systems (bar Virtual Boy and Nintendo 3DS, it seems, given the lack of anything 3D related), but at heart this is a Wii U done the way the Wii U should have been done in the first place. True portability and home console gaming in one, without any hassle, without much in the way of sacrifice when it comes to visual quality and game experiences.

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For all intents and purposes it succeeds. The initial hype, despite being dampened somewhat following a confusion Press Conference on Thursday morning, was certainly justified. All forms of play were sampled at the Nintendo Switch Premiere, and nothing disappointed. Maybe some felt the Joy-Con were a little too small, but personally, being a big-handed chap, they fit snugly in the palm so that the two trigger buttons atop each Joy-Con and the side buttons, which also act as shoulder buttons if holding in the horizontal position, are always within easy reach of spare fingers. Increased dexterity might be required to get used to the feel, at first, but after trying out the numerous experiences on offer, nothing was awkward. Joy-Con separated, one in each hand, or attached to the Switch screen, or even clamped onto the regular controller setup, they are indeed a total joy to use. Throw in fantastic gyroscopic movement and perfect IR features, and they are untouchable.

The console itself packs a punch, although its full power was not conveyed through the Wii U port-ups of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, or even Splatoon 2. These are clearly squeezed out to hit the first year, or launch day in the case of Zelda, and whilst they may receive a bit of extra polish before final release it is clear that the Wii U is beating in their hearts. What was pleasing to see, though, was unexpected Third Party efforts, with Frozenbyte bringing Has-Been Heroes and NIS having Disgaea 5 Complete on show - not exactly graphical powerhouses, but games that some might not thought would hit Wii U for one reason or another, but are now making the switch.

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The line-up on show was indeed quite varied, with SEGA's Sonic Mania, Konami's Super Bomberman R, and Capcom's Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Warriors scratching that retro itch, Shin'en Multimedia wowing with the epic update to its already impressive FAST Racing Neo, in the form of the F-Zero replacement, FAST RMX, and Activision jumping in on the NFC features front by updating its highly rated Skylanders Imaginators and bringing an all-new create-a-character function. There is a lot to be excited about, despite the lack of some of the long-rumoured games being there.

On the big screen, in portable mode, or huddled around the smaller screen propped up by its stand, Nintendo Switch was highly enjoyable in all forms. This is the best of Wii and Wii U combined, and is bound to be a big hit with the masses.

You can check out more photos from the Nintendo Switch Premiere event over on Cubed3's Facebook page.

Overall, the Nintendo Switch offers a whole lot of promise, going off Cubed3's hands-on sessions. It offers a full console setup but with the flexibility to literally pick it up and go. There have been questions regarding the system's long-term potential, with raised eyebrows over cost, the initial software line-up, and the introduction of paid online services, but for now, taking it at face value following the Nintendo Switch Premiere, as an amalgamation of home and portable it is definitely a package with a lot of promise. Cubed3 is ready to make the Switch. Are you?

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I'm curious as to what demos were about that used the IR, which I understand is more a depth sensor then a tracker.
Watching the video 1-2 switch used it for "detecting if your mouth is open or closed", I wondered if there was anything else?

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They seriously need to get a d-pad left-JoyCon on the market if they expect people to play Street Fighter 2 without the Pro controller, because I sure as hell ain't going near it with the control stick or those dirty face buttons emulating directional buttons. Also heard reports that confirm the left JoyCon is not viable for SF2 or basically any fighting game. I cannot play fighters without a proper d-pad.

Darkflame said:
I'm curious as to what demos were about that used the IR, which I understand is more a depth sensor then a tracker.
Watching the video 1-2 switch used it for "detecting if your mouth is open or closed", I wondered if there was anything else?

Well, the Quick Draw picked up the angle the gun was shot at, and the samurai sword mini-game was accurate...but those could just be more gyroscope related, I suppose. The system did realise if the controller was being pointed in the wrong direction or being held incorrectly.
Azuardo said:
They seriously need to get a d-pad left-JoyCon on the market if they expect people to play Street Fighter 2 without the Pro controller, because I sure as hell ain't going near it with the control stick or those dirty face buttons emulating directional buttons. Also heard reports that confirm the left JoyCon is not viable for SF2 or basically any fighting game. I cannot play fighters without a proper d-pad.

I think that's why the officially licensed HORI stuff is on the way, to ease the issue. Saying that, though, you make a good point since when in portable mode how are things going to work? Hmm...

Adam Riley [ Director :: Cubed3 ]

UNITE714: Weekly Prayers | Bible Verses

I can't wait to play Fast RMX, never got a chance to play Fast Racing Neo on the Wii U. Until an F-Zero Switch appears, looks great. Smilie 

 

Tom Barry [ Reviewer - Editor - Resident Sim-Racer @ Cubed3.com ] 

I am so hyped for this. I can't wait for this to release.  Excellent review by the way, I will definitely be buying this. I am ready to make the switch.

( Edited 21.01.2017 22:25 by Adam Riley )

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