Nintendo Switch games are the perfect way to unwind and get lost in another world. They’re also fun to play with friends and family.
One of the best Nintendo Switch games is Celeste, a pixelated ultra-tight 2D platformer that’s a joy to play. Avoid spikes, pits and spooky spectres as you progress through screen after screen of precise jumps and dashes.
No Physical Cartridges
As for resale, physical games are easier to sell or trade in at places like GameStop. You can also temporarily swap a physical game with a friend without having to worry about losing it.
While Nintendo’s digital games will place some files on the Switch internal storage, like updates and save data, the bulk of the game remains on the cartridge. This means you won’t have to worry about conserving space or uninstalling games in order to make room for new ones.
However, digital games can take up more storage than expected, especially with free multiplayer DLC for certain games. Luckily, you can expand the Switch’s storage with microSD cards, but that’s an additional expense. Also, digital games can be more expensive than their physical counterparts as there is no cost to making them or shipping them to stores. That being said, sales regularly happen on the eShop so you can get some games for cheap.
Pre-Loaded Digital Downloads
The best thing about digital downloads is you can start playing as soon as they’re done downloading. There’s no need to wait for the mail or drive out to your local game store (provided they have the game in stock).
Most Switch games can be downloaded within a few minutes, though large titles like Breath of the Wild can take a few hours to download. If you have a slow internet connection or low storage space, consider investing in one of the best microSD cards for Nintendo Switch to prevent running out of room.
Another benefit of digital is you can redownload your games if you delete them from the system. The only downside is you won’t be able to sell your games on Amazon or eBay like you can with physical cartridges. You also won’t be able to get a refund for a game that you download, since it is tied to your account.
Streaming to Your TV
Nintendo Switch games offer a unique experience that brings together mobile playability with the convenience of streaming to your TV. Simply dock the handheld unit in its included dock and then plug one end of an HDMI cable into the device and the other to your TV. Then, find your TV’s I/O panel and select the HDMI input setting that corresponds with the port you connected the cable to.
In addition to the games, you can also stream movies and television shows. The eShop includes an aggregated collection of some movie apps, but many more are available through third-party services such as Netflix and Hulu.
If you want to show off your gameplay skills, the Switch is capable of livestreaming to Youtube as well. To do so, you’ll need a computer with an internet connection and streaming software programs such as OBS Studio or XSplit. Once the program is set up, you’ll be able to connect your Switch and begin broadcasting!
Portable
It’s hard to deny the appeal of a portable console that lets you play games anywhere. Nintendo’s 3DS is a good example, but the Switch takes things to a new level. Unlike the PlayStation Vita, Nintendo’s last handheld, the Switch is powerful enough to run home console-quality games in its docked form and has a decent touchscreen that plays a lot of mobile-style indie games well.
This is a system that was designed to appeal to a wide range of people. It has multiplayer fun in the form of 1-2 Switch and Arms, which are sure to find their audience, but also the sort of solo gaming that you can do on the go with Breath of the Wild. It has a full library of classic Nintendo games, as well as some exciting indies like Celeste. Plus it has a version of Super Smash Bros that can be played with friends locally on Joy-Con controllers.
