Eh, the pack-in joycons are not great, but the first party Pro Controller is as good or better than any of the other standard console controllers. And as you mentioned, plenty of good 3rd party controller options including stuff like the Hori split pads for portable play.Steven wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2024 10:13 amIt's hardly bizarre if you think about it; it has garbage first party controllers, horrendously poor ergonomics when used in handheld mode without third party controllers, no analog shoulder buttons for racing games or whatever, the USB ports in the dock are so crappy that they add lag, the eshop is the worst modern digital game store by far, Switch games are usually (but not always) inherently more laggy than the PS4 versions, some ACA games have missing features on Switch that are there on PS4, no Battle Garegga, no Mahou Daisakusen, no Ketsui, no Dangun Feveron, multiplatform games almost always are worst on Switch whether due to worse graphics, worse performance, longer loading times, worse controllers, or a combination of several of these problems, the system itself depends on the presence of a battery that will eventually go bad and have to be replaced or the system can't be used, which might be a problem in 20~30 years, depending on how long the batteries last, and probably some other shit that I forgot.
I love my Switch Lite(s) too, great form factor and WAY more comfortable than a full sized Switch. I view the Lite as the successor to Nintendo/Sony portables - it's the modern Vita/PSP/GBA/DS. Sometimes that's not necessarily conducive to playing stuff like Tate mode STGs since it makes for too small of a playfield, but for most other games that's actually my preferred way to play.
My friend, have you USED the Playstation Store? I agree with you that the eshop isn't great, but I'd take it over THAT. Steam and even GOG really are in another league compared to the shitty modern console stores though (which I'd probably rank Xbox > Switch > PS4/PS5)
Some additional pros for Switch:
* It's the only modern mainstream console that even offers physical media without requiring an installation on the console. PS4/PS5/Xbox discs are glorified copy protection keys that won't work without calling an authentication server, and you need to install many GBs to disc. I like that my Switch carts will be playable for decades, with at least the original version that shipped on cart. Still an issue that some games are digital only, and many have patches (including day 1 patches, yay modern gaming) - but I like not having to rely on an online store that might not exist a decade from now.
* Regarding battery issues or old hardware - as others mentioned, there's surely going to be a way to get a battery mod or repair in the future. But even ignoring that, the Switch successor is looking highly likely to be backward compatible with carts, so at the very least I can buy a brand new late model Switch 2 in 2030 and not even have to worry much about replacing parts for another decade or so. By the time I really can't easily access a working machine on which to play my Switch carts, I will be dead and will no longer care.
Hell, I can play decades-old original software right now on modern hardware like FGPA clone systems, or via emulation. I'm playing my original GBC/GBA/PCE games on my Analogue Pocket, or I could easily buy something like a beautiful modded GBA with a better screen than the original and USB-C charging right now. I can play my original PCE cards and CDs on an Analogue Duo, etc. I'd already rather use my original PS1/PS2 and Saturn discs on modern emulation than on the original hardware, thanks to stuff like save states, faster loading, graphical filters, translation patches or hacks. And of course, if using original media isn't a requirement for you, plenty of ways to play emulated games from old systems. Just last night I was using my docked Analogue Pocket to play Bare Knuckle III with English translation patch (original JPN version gameplay, without the changes made in the official localized SOR3), on my TV with a Retrobit Saturn pad that I bought new a couple weeks ago. For a 30 year old game. I'm confident I will also have good ways to play Switch games in 2050 too.
Definitely going to be a YMMV matter, but for a lot of the games I like, Switch versions are either system exclusive, better, or at least not significantly worse (and coming with the option to play on TV, or portable - which I do tend to prefer):Steven wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2024 1:12 pmThe Switch also has a handful of games that are better on Switch than any other system. Of the ones that I know about, 100% of them are visual novels, although some of the phone -> Switch rhythm games are probably also better on Switch than on phones because lol phones.
- You're right about visual novels
- For a lot of indie/lower budget games, Switch versions are either console exclusive or don't have significantly worse performance than other consoles. These do tend to also be on PC though, so fair enough if you want to say a Steam Deck or similar covers those just fine.
- I like a lot of the "retro" releases (for example, the Sega Ages series, Tengo Project remakes, etc.), or lower spec RPGs (like Square Enix putting out a ton of stuff - FF pixel remasters, SaGa and Mana games, etc.) where Switch versions aren't significantly hampered by the tech
- I do like a lot of Nintendo first party games
I tend not to care too much about modern AAA releases, but for the handful per year I do care about (say, FFVII Rebirth) I just play those on PS5.
IDK, Switch is basically my favorite console/portable ever, even as someone who's usually more into more niche/non-mainstream stuff (rest of my top 5 are like... Saturn, Neo Geo, PS2, maybe Genesis/MD)
Unfaltering nose-to-turret aggression required to not die spectacularly in avalanches of flak. Stage of HELLHARMONY ♫ did not disappoint! 7.5hz shot equipped for zako, it becomes apparent how sharply they balanced the air and ground firepower. You can snipe flying enemies at comfy distance, but comfort will be the absolute death of you, versus heaving treaded might of BOLSHEVIK STEEL. 
Apotheosis Xeviousesque, a Tank Busting for the ages.
