On March 3rd, Nintendo released their newest video game console, the Nintendo Switch. A handheld/console hybrid, the official Nintendo Website states that the system launched with a few notable titles- such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild- and has since released new titles- including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The system is currently priced at $299.99 at GameStop for the standard edition, which comes with the console, a charger, 2 JoyCon controllers, a JoyCon Comfort Grip, and a TV dock. I personally purchased the system on March 28th, meaning I have owned the system for 42 days.

The portability option is easily one of the best aspects of the system. The system allows you to either play with it “docked” to the TV, or as a handheld gaming system to take on the go. Andrew Deegan, a user of the system, comments on this by stating that he “mostly used it when on a flight during spring break. I’ve occasionally played it while riding the subway. It’s been really nice to take it on the go. I wish the battery life was longer (for the long flight), but for normal use I had no problem with the battery.” While he is satisfied with the portability option, there is an issue currently with battery life, only lasting approximately 5 hours with continuous use, when not using sleep mode.

Easily one of the greatest games on the system currently is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game is a fantastic open world adventure in the Legend of Zelda series of games. The game is fantastic, and Deegan describes the game as “an incredibly rich and immersive experience.” I can attest to this, as I have personally totalled over 200 hours of playtime in my primary save file for the game.

In conclusion, the Nintendo Switch is a worthwhile purchase. For it’s price point, the sheer convenience and quality of the games make the system a must own for any Nintendo fan. When asked about whether he would recommend the system, Deegan suggests to purchase the system “if that person likes video games. And if they have enjoyed games on past Nintendo systems, they will love this one. It will be even better once they release more games.” More titles, including Splattoon 2, Arms, and Super Mario Odyssey are slated to be released over the course of 2017, according to the official Nintendo website, which will make the system even more of a worthwhile purchase.