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[ZombiePlatypus]

Were you buying it more as a handheld or a console, and how has your actual hands-on experience stacked up to your preconceived notions in your head regarding its "default" mode/form-factor for you as a user?

I went in viewing it as a purely set in the middle hybrid that I'd mostly utilize as a console. While I do play it hooked up to a TV, I find myself playing it lounging in bed or on the couch as a handheld far more than I anticipated.

Haven't really played it outdoors or on the go very much at all. Mostly cause of the lack of a competent case that offers full protection without nerfing joycon attach/detach and docking functionalities + dealing with the sun's glares on a gaming screen. But, I've ended up taking the whole thing to friends' homes more than I thought I would. It takes me back to when I used to take memory cards with me when I'd visit buddies.

It's definitely changed up the way I consume my games a bit. What about you guys ?

 

[redcrayon]

Bought to use as a handheld. Still haven't taken the dock out of the box, tried the joypads in the grip or even detached them from the main unit yet. I'll try tabletop mode soon.

 

[grimmiq]

I bought it to use as a home console, the dock is still wrapped up. That being said, it hasn't left my house, it's pretty much exclusively been me playing in bed. I only have BoTW for it, I think I'll try the dock when Odyssey comes out next week.

 

[weekev]

I thought I would play mainly on the TV but Im probably at about 50/50 with on the TV and handheld mode. Its just so comfy and convenient to take it with you. Especially when you really get into a game. Stardew Valley is dangerously addictive.

 

[Ninja Dom]

Play it mostly handheld at the moment. At launch, playing Zelda, I was almost exclusively docked. But these days it’s mostly handheld. I haven’t even played Golf Story docked yet and I’ve done about 5 hours of that.

 

[kraspkibble]

bought it to use it as it was designed to be used...

i switch between handheld/docked based on how i wanna play. if i just wanna lie in bed and relax then i'll dock it. if i'm going out and just can't get enough of a game then i'll take it with me and play in handheld. sometimes i will play it in tabletop mode while sitting at my desk waiting for my PC to do something.

it just doesn't feel right to me to play it exclusively in docked or handheld. of course you can if you want but i don't get it personally.

 

[meppi]

.

 

[Sigismundo]

I expected to use it as a handheld 99% of the time and am using it as a handheld 99% of the time.

 

[Teppic]

Yes. Handheld. Unless the game is local multi or has motion controls.

 

[Duchess O'Death]

Only playing it docked. No interest in portability. I wish Nintendo made a traditional console instead.

 

[Ravelle]

Yeah.

I use it both as home console, docked when I'm in lounge mode and have it laying around on my desk whenever I'm watching a show, stream or whatever to play some Stardew or Steamworld.

The fact that I can bring it to a friend and just dock it in his dock without having to bring a heavy console over and hooking all the cables every time is fantastic, just dock it and you're good.

 

[Fbh]

I got it to use it as a hybrid.

My idea was to play during launch break at work (since we take turns for our lunch break we allways eat alone) and then use it as a more traditional home console at home.

That's how I've ended up using it for the most part.
But I've been giving handheld mode more use than I expected. I thought that when at home I would be playing on the TV 90% of the time but I've found myself frequently playing on the bed in handheld mode

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

Both? It’s about right really. I don’t usually have time or the TV to myself to play it docked, but I’m firing up some BOTW this morning on the big screen.

Still hasn’t worn off, the novelty of literally playing what I was on the tv on my sofa instantaneously.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

Nope, I'm almost the exact opposite of what I expected.

Prior to buying it I assumed I'd use handheld mode far more often than TV. On actually owning one though, it's far too large to use that way comfortably, and on top of that, I like gyro controls which isn't great if you're also moving the screen.

 

[Fettbacke]

I wanted to use the Switch as it was advertised: a Hybrid Console.

Never used it in Tabletop Mode and rarely as Handheld. Playing in docked mode is the way to play for me.

 

[Renekun]

It depends on the games very much:

Zelda BotW: Console
Snipperclips: Console (because of the coop factor)
Minecraft: tend to play it in Handheld mode
Splatoon 2: I prefer it on my TV although it feels just right in handheld mode as well. It just needs to be with both joycons being attached to the console or completely idenpendent.
Steamworld Dig 2: Handheld or tabletop
Stardew Valley: Handheld or tabletop (while watching TV)


I expected that. In my opinion there are still HH games and console games.

 

[vaderise]

Currently I don't have a TV in my college dorm room , i'm using it in handheld mode all the time.
When i get to my home, i mainly use it docked when i'm not layed down on my bed.
This concept is a godsend

 

[Bookman]

Played Zelda, waiting on Mario. As much as I expected I guess.

Edit: o yea, played a lot more in handheld mode then I though. Had a few business trips.

 

[Nitty_Grimes]

My Switch is still in its box untouched.

 

[shenmue mugen]

No. I want to take it to my work but I simply cannot do that. That's because Nintendo still won't support saving your game data through the cloud and considering I live in Rio de Janeiro the chances that someone steals my precious Switch is very high.

 

[GiantBreadbug]

I didn’t have many expectations about where I’d play it before I bought it.

But I play it everywhere. On the train, in the park, on trips, on the TV, in bed (handheld and TV), and more. I take it with me anywhere when I know I’ll have time to play. And it’s amazing.

Example: Next week I’ll be visiting a friend in Miyagi for a birthday, but I’ll still be playing Odyssey (train/alone time). I’d be stuck waiting to play the game otherwise. I’m getting a lot of use from the portability of this device.

 

[Charlouie Jonesman]

I wouldn't carry that thing around with me outside of my home, too valuable, basically, during weekends I have it docked and during the week I usually use it as a handheld because I'd rather just play while lying in bed after work.

 

[Adam_Roman]

I play mainly in handheld mode, as expected. I almost only play docked when I'm at my girlfriend's house.

 

[HomespunFur]

I guess so. I mostly use it docked but still use it a fair amount undocked. I mostly use it undocked if I am in bed or something, the only game I never play undocked is Splatoon since I much prefer a pro controller for that game.

 

[Renekton]

My original intention was handheld all the way but the ergonomics were so unfriendly (YMMV) that I switched back to TV and tabletop.

 

[Mediking]

Handheld is best.

Played docked like... once. Lol

 

[BassForever]

Planned to play 60:40 handheld to dock, play like 90:10 handheld to dock

 

[retardedrockstar]

Got it to play portable. Playing it mostly portable.

 

[GamePlay Johnny]

I was sold on the concept from the initial reveal. I knew it would be great to have a flexible device that allows me to play wherever I want and I knew I would want to use it both docked and portable.

The thing I didn't predict was how often I would use it in handheld mode in the house. I play a short session in bed a couple of times a week and I play in the living room when me and my wife hang out and she's watching TV. I also didn't predict I would use the separate joycons in weird setups in handheld mode.

 

[Dyle]

75% docked, 25% handheld, bringing my Switch to my overnight shifts 2 days a week. I kind of wish I played more handheld, but I don't really have more time to outside of work.

 

[dickroach]

I'll play Runner 3 handheld, everything else is going on the screen tho

 

[Cepheus]

Not at all. I never expected to use it in handheld or tabletop mode and now I play Garou on the train and multiplayer Mario Kart in restaurants

 

[Yam's]

Haven't even tried it as a handheld yet. I don't see this changing with Mario and Xeno 2. I'm happy to know I could use it as a handheld but I enjoy the type of games I have on it more on a big screen.

 

[Cerbero]

70% handheld and 30% docked mostly, i found that it also depends on what i'm playing, Zelda basically had an even split while Golf Story never saw the dock, also pokken is vastly handheld mode for me

 

[dickroach]

vastly handheld

sounds like a 2018 Square Enix rpg

 

[Robiin]

I expected to play it as a console, turns out my girlfriend hogs the tv a lot so I'm thankful for, and use it mostly as, a handheld.

 

[Wiped89]

Mostly I expected to be docked and I am docked a lot, but I play in handheld more than I expected to. It's convenient to take it up to bed or round to someone's house if I'm staying over somewhere.

I think once the novelty of handheld mode wears off I'll be docked 70% of the time.

Until Pokemon comes out on it. Then I'll be handheld a lot.

 

[kromeo]

It will completely depend on the game I'm playing, Zelda was mostly docked, Disgaea 5 I've only played handheld, Xenoblade 2 I'll play docked

 

[J_ToSaveTheDay]

Bought it honestly to use it in both modes. I obviously can't predict whether or not that'll be even, but it's just too convenient to be a Nintendo fan and be able to take their traditionally home console experiences with me on the go now. I am authorized to play during downtime at my job, and being able to play Breath of the Wild around the clock was an unmatched exercise in obsession for me when the Switch launched. Several of my coworkers got Switches as well, and we'd end up playing some Mario Kart over the summer thanks to the portability.

But I also dock it and play it on my monitor at home on my days off. I love it, it's probably my absolute favorite thing to happen in all of gaming this year, and I think it's been a tremendous year all around.

 

[Omikaru]

I actually expected to play my Switch in handheld more more than I do. I took it with me on a two week trip to Malaysia, which was nice to have on long journeys, but otherwise I mostly keep it in the dock.

That said, it's nice to have the option to take it on the go. There have been a few moments where I've played it in bed or on the go, and it's great to have that functionality.

 

[c1d]

Play it heaps more as a handheld than I ever thought I would

 

[ZAMtendo]

Since launch I've probably used it as a handheld between 5-10 times. I primarily play on tv with the Pro Controller. Surprised how most play handheld!

 

[jariw]

Differently than I initially though.

Bought it as a replacement for our Wii U at launch, mainly to play Zelda in docked mode. I didn't expect to use handheld mode more than perhaps on trips.

Since then, the gaming habits have changed quite a lot. Portable when playing in other rooms in the house. Tabletop and portable in the garden and on trips. And so on. Some games (like Thumper) have only been played portably. Some other games (like Mario+Rabbids) have only been played docked on TV.

At the Switch launch, I was planning to get Xenoblade 2, because it seems like a perfect long game to play. Now, I much rather get 5 good indie games for the same price instead. For me, Switch has replaced Steam to a much larger extent than I thought it would. (The only Steam game that I've bought since the Switch launch is Cuphead.)

 

[Quasar]

Yeah. Dock is still in the box.

 

[ITSMILNER]

I honestly thought I would play it predominantly in TV mode and would hardly ever touch handheld mode.....how wrong I was! Most of my Switch gaming has been in handheld mode

 

[Cerbero]

sounds like a 2018 Square Enix rpg

i'm not a native english speaker

 

[gossi]

I use it only on the train to and from work every day. It’s made the train journeys pass instantly.

 

[mhayes86]

I got it for both. I use it mostly docked, but handheld gets it's fair share of use while laying in bed or when the TV is in use.

 

[GoneRestorff]

My brother plays in his bathtub since he has controllers to waste.
Has there ever been a waterproof console? Or controller?

I use it in ways I didn't expect - specifically almost exclusively handheld and I've started playing indie games. Prefer it over the ps4, feels "next gen" somehow while being graphically inferior.

 

[playingwithfire]

I thought I’d mostly be playing handheld with some docked mode here and there depending on the game. Turns out I don’t use docked mode at all. I play handheld mode in bed exclusively.