The Nintendo Switch was the Japanese manufacturer's answer to the shameful failure of the Wii U, and from its launch to the present day, the handheld console has managed to captivate the public with its simple approach and the game library containing some of the most iconic franchises. and the most beloved characters in the history of gaming. And today, after months of speculation and rumors, I managed to get my hands on the new version of the console, Nintendo Switch OLED and I consider it the step before which the portable device needed to remain relevant to the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox X | S series.
Even if at first glance it doesn't seem to bring a lot of significant improvements, Nintendo Switch OLED doesn't just do that, but it manages to fix small things that wouldn't have bothered me on the old console if I hadn't seen them implemented here. So, I come up with ideas, and to see them flush it out, it's really fun.
What's new in Nintendo Switch OLED?
Nintendo has not kept the information about the new version of the console under lock and key and we have known since August what the changes will be. And I want to start with the elephant in the room, which is the OLED screen. Where Switch gives you a decent LCD screen for a portable console, the launch of next-gen models from Sony and Microsoft has a little forced the hand of the Japanese from Nintendo. So I got an upgrade to a screen with OLED technology, with a slightly larger diagonal and much more vivid colors than before.
First of all, I'm going to tell you about size because it's an important issue. Although the screen has a larger diagonal, this resulted in cutting edges. This way, the Nintendo Switch OLED is identical to the standard model and you will have no difficulty using any kind of accessories. And this size upgrade really makes its presence felt, although at first glance it seems small. But when it comes to the size of the text, the graphical interface in games, and other elements that are harder to see on a small screen, many gamers will appreciate the change.
The good news about the screen doesn't stop there. At first I thought it seemed to me, but after consulting Carol and Ovidiu who confirmed my suspicions, I noticed another change. Although the hardware inside is not changed, the screen moves more smoothly, resulting in a feeling of improved performance. And on a portable console with quite limited power, such a change is only good.
Okay, so so far we have a bigger and smoother screen. But another noticeable difference is the color, the way the images are displayed. The screen on the Nintendo Switch OLED offers more vivid images, stronger colors and respects the old LCD when it comes to shades of black. Games like Asphalt 9, Animal Crossing or Super Mario Odyssey are even more eye-candy than before, and when such games make up the majority of the library on the console, we can say that it is another change for the better. And even if the resolution is still 1280 × 720, only the improvements made by the screen make the new console worth our attention and our money.
I know many of you are waiting to talk about hardware. There have been no rumors about a 4K Switch in vain on the internet. Well, yes, and Nintendo explained that quite clearly. So the console remains as strong (or weak) as ever. The only change is the storage capacity has been doubled from 32GB to 64GB. A welcome upgrade, but at the same time not so important as most of you already have an SD card for even more space.
A more solid construction and a more beautiful look
Nintendo Switch OLED not only addresses the screen on the previous console, but also solves small inconsistencies of the case. First of all, it feels heavier and a little more solid. One-on-one comparison of the two consoles was vital in this case, as I was able to hold both of them in my hands and analyze them closely. So let's take a look at what's changed.
First of all, the case is more solid and the console feels better coagulated. It's not like the normal switch isn't good quality, but when you get a free upgrade you can't complain. And one thing has disappeared that bothered me a little in the standard version: the joy-cones no longer feel as if they are ready to fall or could be broken from the console, giving them the feeling of using the Lite version. Looks like they're in one piece, and that's great.
Another interesting feature of the Nintendo Switch OLED is the support for the tabletop mode. Previously, the console was supported by a plastic foot similar to the one we see on the phone cases. The new version offers more security, and now you don't just have a small foot that you can accidentally break. Instead, you can directly adjust an element of the case to attach it to the table. And just like the plastic foot, this cover plays a dual role as it hides the microSD slot.
With the change of support for the tabletop mode, it was necessary to relocate the speakers. These have been moved a little lower to accommodate the flap. From what I understand the audio part has received some upgrade, but I didn't hear any changes during the tests and I still think that Nintendo Switch gives you the bare essentials on the audio side and nothing more. He's not a good performer in this category, but you don't need more. And if you want superior audio quality, the headphone jack stays the same.
What has changed on the top of the console are the buttons. Here we have a small change, but for me it is quite significant. Why do I say that? Because I have some hand shovels and the little buttons on the normal switch were pretty hard to press. This time the Power button is bigger and the volume buttons are longer, so they feel like a phone and it will be easier for you to adjust the volume.
Last but not least is the color palette. I never liked the combination of red and blue on the Nintendo Switch and it seems to make the console look kitschy, so I always preferred the gray version. But Nintendo Switch OLED has introduced perhaps the most handsome variant to date, with an immaculate white combined with black. It's a simple but effective solution, and it makes me think of the PlayStation 5 in a good way. Yes Yes i know. It will get dirty over time and any traces of dead skin on the hand will show after a few traces of use, but this is a small problem that you can solve with soap and water, or some alcohol with which to clean once. console time. That is, if it is not logical that a handheld device that you hold in your hand all day should be cleaned regularly.
Docking and battery life
Even though the Nintendo Switch OLED is a portable console, one of the features that made it very attractive to gamers was the dock that comes with it. It not only acts as a charger, but also makes the connection between the console and a FullHD gaming screen. And the dock of the OLED model is slightly changed compared to the old one. First of all, the design is a bit finer with a slightly smaller logo and the back cover changed. It is no longer a flap, but a removable lid.
Inside we have the biggest change. Where the old dock offered an HDMI, a Type-C for charging and another normal USB for external HDDs or whatever, the new dock gives up USB for a LAN port. This way you can connect an internet cable for higher download speeds and a more stable connection.
And if I've been talking about the charger, I think it's fair to say that I'm also connected to the battery. It remained unchanged, but life expectancy increased. The OLED screen is slightly more efficient than the old LCD, so you will gain a few tens of minutes of gameplay. Nintendo claims that the battery lasts between 4.5 and 9 hours of gaming on a single charge. As in the previous version, it seems to me a really good lifespan considering that it is a game console.
Switch OLED extends Nintendo's dominance in the handheld market
To summarize everything I've talked about so far, the Nintendo Switch OLED is not necessarily an upgrade, it's a refresh of the original recipe that comes to solve old problems, small design flaws and offers two improvements in the form of screen and storage that not only were needed, but also come at a super good price. And the new edition of the console is priced at 1,999.99 RON, which is 400 RON more than a normal Switch.
This will make it a no-brainer for someone who doesn't have a Switch yet and wants to buy one, but at the same time it will be a difficult choice for a normal console user. Even if the new OLED screen is gorgeous and I wouldn't go back to the old one, I don't know if it's worth the effort to sell your current console and make up the difference in money until the new model. And the rest of the changes? If so far, the nearly 90 million customers have been able to live well with the normal version, most will do so from now on.
I think the people who will make the switch are either those who are extremely passionate about hardware, or collectors, or those who are eager for the new screen. Otherwise, the young and uninitiated player-base in technology will either not notice a change or will not take it into account.
TagsNintendo Switch OLED