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The Nintendo Switch is one of the newest products offered by the esteemed gaming corporation. But with production shortages causing higher prices and greater difficulty in finding the widely acclaimed platform, is it worth the trouble?

Nintendo advertised the Switch as being a product that will “change the way we play.” The console features two detachable controllers called Joy-Cons. The Joy-Cons can be used together for single player or separately for multiplayer games.

On the back of the Switch is a small kickstand that when extended allows for the device be used in a tabletop mode. This allows for it to act as how a TV would for a larger platform in granting more people the ability to see and interact with what’s on the screen.

However, Nintendo has not ruled out the option of connecting to a larger screen. Through the use of the dual-purposed charger and docking station, the Switch can be broadcast onto a separate screen for a more inclusive and immersive experience. Upon finding the console shoved away toward the back of the shelf at a Super Target, I was filled with excitement to try it out. Along with the Switch, I purchased Zelda: Breathe of the Wild – a game being aggressively pushed by Nintendo and a new game called Arms.

The adaptability of the console made enjoying both it and the new games notably convenient during my summer work and travel. Being able to quickly pull the console off of the dock and slip-on the two controllers in seconds made it so I rarely went anywhere without it.

The audio and graphics quality on the Switch far exceeded my expectations. While playing Breath of the Wild, it was easy to feel fully submersed in the game. Many consoles after prolonged periods of play end up causing my eyes to feel fatigued. With the Switch, even when the display was on its brightest settings, it did not cause any strain to my eyes.

I found during prolonged-play that the lightweight of the Switch is somewhat deceiving. Due to the weight being distributed to make the console thinner and more easily tucked away for transport, the weight can become a bit bothersome when used for handheld play from the weight being forced onto the gamer’s wrist. When a table or steady surface is available, this problem can be somewhat addressed through detaching the Joy-Cons and setting it up on its kickstand.