The Nintendo Switch is centered on one big idea, which is to have a portable console that blurs the lines between playing at home and on the go. For sure, the Switch has its shortcomings as many innovative products do in the beginning, but these are forgivable given the portability and versatility it offers to gamers.

The very idea of picking off "Zelda" while on a trip from where you left off at home is what makes the Switch a great gaming console to suit varying needs and situations.Nintendo has always gambled with one big idea and the Switch is brimming with potential if the Japanese can further improve on its hardware flaws and software issues.The console is due to arrive on March 3, but the Japanese have already sent out samples of the console and some launch games for reviewers. However, just a few days ahead of launch, the software is not yet up and running with the Switch unable to access the e-shop or connect with other Switches.

As previously asserted, the Nintendo Switch does not have an extensive list of playable games and there is still a great room for doubt among the experts if it would pick up game developers' support in the long run. For sure, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" has been receiving great reviews with all the superlatives used to describe it and for a good many, this might be enticing enough to buy the Switch at launch according to a CNET review. There is also the 1-2 Switch, which is a collection of mini-games aimed for family gatherings and endless hours of fun but this could easily lose its novelty as the weeks go by. Other notable titles like "Splatoon 2," "Super Mario Odyssey," and "Mario Kart 8" will not be out for some time.

The Nintendo Switch also has a few hardware flaws as enumerated in the Kotaku review from simple issues like a flimsy kickstand to a more serious flaw like tracking issues on the Joy-Con Controllers. The latter has been attributed to body parts issues as shown in the GameXplain video below where the controllers lose the link when blocked from the view of the console. Other hardware issues include a short HDMI cable, lack of headphone output and Bluetooth headset support, no HDMI output on the tablet, Joy-Con grip does not charge controllers and battery drains even when docked. Though these issues may be irksome to many, these can be easily remedied by Nintendo.

In short, the Nintendo Switch has its shortcomings but these are all minor and forgivable given the innovation they bring to the gaming world. It hits the nail on portability as a home-and-on-the-go console or on its "Swiss Army Knife versatility" as described by Kotaku's Kirk Hamilton which are its distinguishing feature that makes it stand out from the iPad, 3DS and Wii U. However, the final verdict is still to wait before pre-ordering until all the kinks are ironed out and more games may come pre-bundled more likely for the holidays. Moreover, Switch fans may need to shell out not just $300 for the base console package but at minimum $500 for other necessary accessories like a microSD card, carrying case, the USB-C adapter, and of course "Zelda."

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Tags Nintendo Switch, Legend of zelda breath of the wild, Splatoon 2