Nintendo has fixed the issue with the Switch OLED

Nintendo has fixed the issue with the Switch OLED

The Nintendo Switch may have launched back in 2017, but that hasn’t stopped it from still being one of the most popular consoles on the market to this day thanks to its fantastic versatility and a wide array of games.

The Nintendo Switch features a massive games library, including recent exclusives such as Nintendo Switch Sports, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Bayonetta 3 and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 on the horizon.

Nintendo also uses its Switch Online service, to provide subscribers with access to classic games from the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Mega Drive, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.

Two Switch variations have arrived since its launch, with the Switch Lite and Switch OLED. The former is more affordable but forgoes the ability to connect to a TV, with the latter boasting an OLED screen for a higher price.
It’s clear that Nintendo has done a lot to keep the Nintendo Switch alluring to gamers six years after its initial release, but we thought it was high time to revisit the console and see how it stacks up to the latest options on the market.

Design
No Ethernet port on the dock
Kickstand is too flimsy and narrow to be reliably used
Size and shape is easy to pick up and use, even for smaller children
Bluetooth is now supported
The Nintendo Switch is a small gaming tablet, with thick bezels and a plastic base. When slotting the Joy-Cons controllers onto either side of the Switch, I think it feels good to use and hold, and is more than sturdy enough to handle any tumbles or falls to the floor, making it more accessible for smaller children.

I do think children may have a better time reaching all the buttons with the Nintendo Switch Lite thanks to its smaller size, but I don’t think the standard Switch is too large to be used by younger kids, or people with smaller hands.

The kickstand is very narrow and flimsy, and I’ve struggled to use it on the go. While it can stand up on a steady table when positioned correctly, I found that it constantly falls over while being used on a train or any surface that isn’t completely still, which limits its use case.

Nintendo has fixed the issue with the Switch OLED if this is a big concern for you, with the stand widened to support the entire rear of the portable console.

It’s also worth pointing out that since the USB-C charging port on the Switch is located at the bottom of the device, you cannot charge it while it’s standing up. An SD card can be slotted into the bottom of the Switch underneath the kickstand, allowing you to expand the storage easily if you find yourself running out of space for new game installs.

Nintendo also updated the Switch in 2021 to have Bluetooth support. I have used the Switch with both Bluetooth earbuds as well as wired headsets via the 3.5mm audio jack and found the audio quality and performance to be consistent in both cases, which makes it a lot easier for people to game on the go without losing out on audio.

The Switch can be placed easily into the bundled dock where it connects to your TV and charges via a USB-C port. It has sockets for the USB-C power adaptor and an HDMI cable alongside three USB-A ports – two on the side, and one behind the flap at the back.