Learning to use the Nintendo Switch as a Newbie, Older Individual – what didn’t I like?

Hey all! I mentioned that I recently got a Nintendo Switch, but I must tell you the things I disliked about getting started with the hardware. First of all, it’s been a fairly long time since I engaged in using a gaming system so when I purchased it, I was blessedly unaware of the difference in the three models. I went with the OLED model because the sales man told me it was “what he wished he would have waited for to come out.” So let’s break down the models out there:

• OLED – This is your most expensive model. The screen is touch screen and is the largest available. It can be used, on your TV via docking, handheld, or in ‘tabletop’ mode. It also has more storage than the others.
• ORIGINAL – This is Original gaming system for the Nintendo Switch. It has a slightly smaller touchscreen. Can also be used on your TV via docking, handheld, or in ‘tabletop’ mode. It’s also a little less expensive, and has half the storage available on it.
• LITE – The Nintendo Switch Lite is your affordable, handheld only option. The controllers do not detach from the gaming system as it does in the others. They are fixed in place. It has the same storage as the ORIGINAL, but a slightly smaller battery life.

So now that I know about the different models out there, I am SO grateful to the salesman for guiding me towards the OLED. I would have wanted it (provided I could afford it), because it does seem like the best system out there.

Once I got the OLED version home, I (obviously) immediately opened it up. I was struck by the fact that I could find little to no instructions with it. It was somewhat intuitive as far as figuring out what was the handheld counsel and what was the docking system and joy con controllers. However, I didn’t have a clue what the clips for the controllers were at first (although – i figured it out) and I was pleasantly surprised to discover the way the joy con controllers clipped into a ‘larger’ handheld joystick. I love that, because I mostly play on my TV and by myself, so it is super helpful and just plain easier to use.

I did get caught up trying to open the back of the docking station as nothing told me where it opened, and considering it was an expensive piece, I didn’t want to just go ripping it off in case I broke something. In the end, that is exactly what I had to do to remove the back cover of the dock so that I could insert the plugs in the correct places.

Now this is where I think Nintendo forgets that adults sometimes play games too, because the buttons for the switch are tiny, and seem to be meant for tiny fingers, tiny ‘good’ eyes. For me, I have to fuss around a little to turn it on, and adjust the volume. Forget about seeing if actually tells me what the buttons are for, I couldn’t read it on the machine even with my glasses. So I figured it out through trial and error, always a good option in the end.

Okay, I know I am showing my age, but hey, not everyone who uses the switch is a child, and when my great nephews came over to show me how to play Mario Kart, we separated the joy cons, so we could play two player…and wow, did the buttons ever seem small for my big fingers. Especially when you turn the remote sideways to use it, and have to use the top keys for anything – which in Mario Kart you do. I felt a little heavy handed on the remote, but I was still able to play.

Aside from these few criticisms of the Nintendo Switch, I am ultimately very happy with my purchase, and plan on playing Animal Crossing until my hearts content.