Which Nintendo Switch to buy?

Nintendo Switch

The first model was released on March 3, 2017. Technically, it is a small tablet with slots on both sides to which two small controllers, called "Joy-Con", are attached.

When detached, Joy-Con can be used separately from each other, getting two half-controllers for co-op play, or both halves can be used together. In this case, you get a full set of controls.

When Joy-Con are attached to the Nintendo Switch, they work through miniature connectors hidden in their slots. At the same time, Joy-Con will automatically charge from the console. When Joy-Con are detached, they work via Bluetooth wireless connection. Thus, up to eight Joy-Con or other compatible wireless controllers can be connected to one Nintendo Switch.

Below is a table with the characteristics of Joy-Con. These parameters are the same for all Joy-Con of any year of release.

The standard Nintendo Switch package also includes a special holder "Joy-Con Grip", which allows you to connect two Joy-Con into one. This creates a semblance of a standard controller for more comfortable gaming.

However, the standard Joy-Con Grip holder cannot charge the connected Joy-Con. To charge Joy-Con, they must be connected to the Nintendo Switch console, or you can purchase an "improved" holder "Joy-Con Charging Grip".

Another important accessory included in the standard Nintendo Switch package is the dock. With it, the Nintendo Switch can connect to a TV and function as a regular stationary console.

When connected to the dock, the Nintendo Switch not only gets the ports needed for playing on the TV, but also additional power. Thanks to this, its video processor was able to increase the clock speed from 307 MHz to 768 MHz, which significantly increased performance.

Now let's look at the Nintendo Switch console itself. As mentioned earlier, it is just a small tablet, but it is the heart of the entire system.

The first model of the Nintendo Switch is designated "HAC-001". It is based on the ARM microprocessor Nvidia Tegra X1 model 2015 (T210) on a 20 nm process. The built-in IPS display has a diagonal of 6.2 inches and a resolution of 1280x720.

The battery life of the original Nintendo Switch ranges from 2.5 to 6 hours. The exact operating time depends on the game being played, screen brightness, and the use of wireless communication. For example, for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the approximate operating time is 3 hours.

As of 2023, the only advantage of the first model is the ability to soft-mod without soldering. Because of this, its price on the secondary market is often higher than that of other models. However, it is worth keeping in mind that only Nintendo Switch consoles released before August 2018 can be hacked in this way. In all other respects, the first model either loses to its successors or has no advantages. And first of all, it loses in terms of battery life, but we will talk about this further.

Nintendo Switch (Rev.2)

In August 2019, the Nintendo Switch with updated hardware was released, which we will call "Switch Rev.2" for convenience. Externally, it is exactly the same as the first version, it can only be identified by the model number "HAC-001(-01)" and the serial number starting with the letters "XK".

The changes affected only the central processor of the console. If the first model had a Nvidia Tegra X1 (T210) processor on a 20 nm process, the Switch Rev.2 is based on a new version of this chip, Nvidia Tegra X1 (T214) on a 16 nm process, also known as "Mariko".

The new processor significantly reduced the power consumption of the console, allowing the Switch Rev.2 to run continuously on a single charge for 4.5 - 9 hours with the same battery. To be more specific, taking The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as an example, you can play it on the Switch Rev.2 for 5.5 hours. This is almost twice as long as the first model. In all other respects, the Switch Rev.2 is no different from its predecessor.

Currently, the Nintendo Switch Rev.2 occupies the position of the standard base model. It can do everything that is required from this platform and at the same time costs quite democratic money. It can be recommended to everyone who is just starting their acquaintance with this platform, as well as to those who primarily need the ability to play at home on the TV and do not want to spend money on the flagship model.

Nintendo Switch Lite

The Switch Rev.2 was just a hardware update of the original model, but almost simultaneously with it, on September 20, 2019, a completely new model called "Nintendo Switch Lite" was released. It was a fully portable version of the hybrid console, similar in format to the classic GBA.

First of all, the size of the console was significantly reduced. The Switch Lite is approximately 22% smaller and 30% lighter than the regular Nintendo Switch. The Joy-Con were removed from the package, now the controls are one piece with the console. The dock for connecting to the TV was also removed. At the same time, all the hardware responsible for transmitting video via USB was removed from the console, so connecting to a TV is impossible in principle.

Naturally, in terms of hardware, the Switch Lite is similar to the Switch Rev.2 and is built on exactly the same processor. The ability to connect Joy-Con and controllers via Bluetooth has been preserved, as well as all sensors except the IR camera and light sensor.

Another significant change was the removal of vibration. At the same time, games that used vibration as an important gameplay indicator received an update. Now, instead of vibration, the image on the screen shakes slightly on the Switch Lite. However, not all games received such an update.

Due to the significant reduction in the size of the case, the battery capacity was also reduced. Therefore, despite the new energy-efficient processor and smaller screen, the battery life is from 3 to 7 hours or about 4 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

These features have defined the Nintendo Switch Lite as a classic portable console. Therefore, it can primarily be recommended to those who are interested in a portable gaming experience. Also, thanks to its low price, it is a good option for those who are not sure about the purchase and just want to try Nintendo games. But it is always worth remembering that you will never get the full experience from the Switch Lite.

Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo already had a portable budget model and a basic model of the Nintendo Switch. For the completeness of the lineup, only a flagship model was missing, and on October 8, 2021, it appeared. Meet the "Nintendo Switch OLED".

As you might guess, the main feature of the flagship Switch was the new OLED screen. In addition to all the advantages of the new technology for Nintendo, it also had an increased diagonal of 7 inches. At the same time, thanks to the almost unchanged size of the console itself, the bezels around the screen were significantly reduced.

It is worth noting that Nintendo used one of the highest quality screens at the time of its release. First of all, it has higher responsiveness, even better than the IPS displays of previous models. Also, the new screen is made using RGB technology, which provides noticeably better image quality compared to the more common PenTile screens.

In terms of hardware, the Switch OLED was exactly the same as the Switch Rev.2, so there was no talk of increasing performance. However, the internal memory of the console was increased from 32 to 64 GB. The built-in audio system was also updated, making the sound louder and clearer.

In the Nintendo Switch OLED, the dock was also worked on. Its design was slightly changed and the back cover was made completely removable, making it easier to connect cables. But the most important change was the removal of the rear USB port and its replacement with an LAN port. This allows you to connect the Switch to a wired network without the need to purchase an additional adapter.

At the same time, both the regular Nintendo Switch and the Switch OLED are compatible with docks of any model. Therefore, you do not have to worry about connecting two docks if you have more than one Switch or, for example, if you come to visit someone and there is a dock from another model, your Switch will still work with it.

Additionally, the Switch OLED has been improved in terms of ergonomics. Now the rear folding leg, under which the memory card slot is hidden, has become the full width of the console, making the console much more stable. Moreover, the leg itself is made of metal and has the ability to adjust the angle of inclination. Thus, Nintendo has taken into account and corrected many complaints about the old leg.

In conclusion, we can say that the Switch OLED is the choice for those who want everything at once. Technically, this is the best version for any usage scenario, correcting almost all the shortcomings that users of previous models complained about. However, this is also the most expensive Switch model.

Epilogue

In this article, we have analyzed all the currently released versions of the Nintendo Switch and their differences, as well as given advice on which version is suitable for whom. If you still haven't decided, then answer the questions below and choose your Switch based on this.

Do I want to play in portable mode or on the TV?

If portable is preferred, then you should pay attention to the Switch Lite due to its compact size, or the OLED due to its improved screen.

Am I ready to put up with some of the shortcomings of the first models?

If the improvements made in the OLED are not critical for you, then feel free to take the Switch Rev.2 or Lite

How much am I willing to spend?

In the end, this will always be the main determining factor, right? :)

Personally, having all the above consoles, I chose the Nintendo Switch OLED. Because I believe that the improvements it offers are worth the money.

Happy gaming!