The Nintendo Switch has become the fastest-selling home console in U.S. history. Despite not having the graphical horsepower or some of the major games that PS4, Xbox One, and PC boast, the Switch has proven a major success. The flexibility of taking it wherever you want (on top of some great exclusives) is a major plus that no doubt motivated many people to get one for themselves.
PREVIOUSLY: Why Nintendo Failed To Hit Its Switch Sales Targets
If you’re still enjoying your Switch or are thinking about getting one, you may be interested to know about these 10 things that it can do that an Xbox One and PS4 can’t. Just more reasons to hop on board the Nintendo train.
PORTABLE
The biggest selling point of the Switch is that it’s a home console that you can take with you. Take AAA Nintendo games and third-party juggernauts on a handheld device. This does sacrifice a bit in the graphic department, but the joy of having games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros Ultimate has proven a smart decision in the long run.
This portability means that you can take your adventure with you easily. It makes the Switch great for vacations and great for sharing with friends. It combines the best things about all their systems into one.
INSTANTLY LOAD PHYSICAL GAMES
While there are many third-party Switch games that require a download before playing, that isn’t the case with the first-party content and the majority of other games as well. With PS4 and Xbox One games, players are required to sit through a download so the game can load faster and lead to a “smoother experience.”
With the Nintendo Switch, you insert the cartridge, and the game pops up instantly. All you have to do is select it and you’re good to go. Even if you have to download extra content, it won’t take as long, considering that Switch games don’t get anywhere near the levels of big PS4 and Xbox One titles.
SCAN AMIIBO/NFC
While it might not be a selling-point of the Switch, all those Amiibo you collected during the days of the Wii U are still compatible with the Switch. NFC readers are built into the right Joy-Cons as well as the Pro Controllers. This allows you to get some bonus content in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and even Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
As is the case with most Amiibo functionality, it doesn’t seem to stretch beyond tiny bonuses. Other consoles don’t have NFC technology built right into the system from day one, but the practicality of said feature is up for debate.
MOTION CONTROLS
While Dualshock 4 controllers do have a gyroscope built into them, the technology in the Joy-Cons and Pro Controller seems more advanced and well-realized. Nintendo is still making games that make great use of motion technology, like Splatoon 2 and ARMS. The technology is to a point where it can simulate more accurate movement.
To get the same results on other consoles, it requires an added purchase, whether it be the PlayStation Move or the Kinect, two ideas that didn’t take off like their companies wanted them to. Motion aiming is often cited as the superior way to play shooters on console.
EASILY EXPAND STORAGE
All three systems have a way for players to expand storage, but it’s often a more complicated and clunky process. It’s possible to replace the storage internally in the system, but it can be a tricky and complex process for most. External storage is also an option, but there’s no way to properly place an external hard drive next to a console without it looking out of place.
The Switch, on the other hand, is compatible with micro SD cards. All you need to do is buy one with the storage you want, plug it in underneath the kickstand, and you have extra storage with no issues.
MULTIPLAYER OUT OF THE BOX
While some PS4 and Xbox One games support multiplayer, you’ll have to go out and purchase another expensive controller to make it happen. With the Nintendo Switch, no purchase is necessary. The Joy-Cons can function together or independently, allowing for native local multiplayer out of the gate.
While using single Joy-Cons for games like ARMS or Super Smash Bros Ultimate is not recommended, it’s a clever way to get more people playing titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Party. It’s all in all a convenient function to have if you have friends that want to jump in on the action.
FIND LOST CONTROLLERS
Game controllers are expensive, so losing one can be a serious problem. The PS4 doesn’t include a way to help you find your lost controller, and the Xbox One does but only if you have a Kinect. The Switch has that software built into the system and can be accessed without using controllers, as the console is a touch screen.
You can access the function and find any controller that is paired to your console, and it will trigger the rumble built into the controllers. The Switch controllers have massive battery lives as well, so you likely won’t have to worry about the controller being totally dead.
LOCAL WIRELESS PLAY
There are ways to get multiple PS4s or Xbox Ones in a room and get a proper network setup to play with your friends, but it can be a lengthy and complicated process. The Switch includes the technology in the Nintendo 3DS and DS, allowing for local wireless play among nearby consoles.
This makes connecting for certain games a breeze. If you have friends that all want to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe together, you can just meet up at a local coffee shop and put together a room with up to eight different Switch consoles at a time. What’s even more impressive is the games still support multiplayer on a single system during local wireless.
EIGHT PLAYERS
Many big PS4 and Xbox One games are primarily concerned with online multiplayer, so the most players you’ll be able to fit on a console at a time is the standard four. However, Nintendo wanted to keep their massive multiplayer record going with the Switch.
The console now easily supports eight players, which can work with a variety of games. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings back its 8-player Smash from the previous entries in a much more well-designed mode. Third-party games like Super Bomberman R utilize the feature as well on top of numerous indie games. The chaos gets real.
MODULAR PLAY STYLES
With the PS4 and Xbox One, there is only one way to play. You plug in the console and sit in front of the TV to enjoy your games. This is another area where the Switch does something a bit different by offering several different ways to play.
You can play on the couch in front of the TV, but you can click the Joy-Cons to the system and play in handheld mode. You can also use the Switch’s kickstand to set it up on a table and hook up a few controllers around it in Tabletop Mode. You can play with wired controllers and even hook up a Gamecube adapter.
