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Digital Foundry Nintendo Switch review/analysis

Why is holding a joycon behind your back some test for reviewing the hardware?

Nobody plays like that.

One of the biggest selling points about the JoyCon is the fact that you can play with them separated. While I don't expect people to play with their hands constantly behind their backs, if the signal gets easily disrupted then it can be a problem for those who might be sitting in more relaxed/comforted positions that don't have a clear line to the system.
 
By the tone of the video the joy-con issue is overblown, not to say it isn't a problem but they don't make it out to be so bad.
 
Battery probably won't get any better, unless there's some miraculous jump in battery tech, but at the very least the joycons should be replaceable.

I'm early adopting and this doesn't sound too bad to me, but I was planning on sticking to handheld mode or using a pro controller anyways. Battery is about what I had expected, even if I'm not really stoked about it.

e: that being said the joycon issue is a bit ridiculous considering they're advertising them as being used by separate people as separate controllers, with videos showing people enveloping the things with their hands.
 
The Joy-Con problem doesn't sound nearly as game breaking as some seem to imply. Jason Schrier did seem to have great difficulty with it though so I wonder if there is some other unknown variable.
 
They didn't mention any online functionality or microphone capabilities or even if Bluetooth headphones work. Is online disabled pre-release?
It needs the day one patch. It was supposed to be out for reviewers by now, but has been seemingly held back (maybe to address the joycon issue?).
 
"The IPS panel oozes quality". Aw yiss, that's what I like to hear

yeah, shame the OP is missing all the good bits

And despite all the technology packed into it, it still feels comfortable in the hand, weighing just 297g in tablet mode - 40g less than a 3DS XL. That rises to 400g with controllers attached, but still, it never feels fatiguing for long play sessions.

In practice, how do games hold up on the Switch's 6.2-inch screen? Initial impressions are glowing, and you can expect the best quality LCD panel Nintendo has produced in a handheld so far. The display oozes quality, giving a vibrant, clear image that fits the console's high launch price. Contrast levels are excellent out of the box - a league away from the dull, low contrast TN panel used on the Wii U. Colour accuracy also carries its content well, featuring only a very slight blue push when compared with a calibrated MacBook Pro panel.
 
While I almost never take my portables out the house so battery life is rarely a real issue, that low of a play time even with a power bank is still a concern to me.
 
While I almost never take my portables out the house so battery life is rarely a real issue, that low of a play time even with a power bank is still a concern to me.

Close to 7 hours of uninterrupted gameplay with a powerbank is a concern?

Edit Oh wow, powerbanks are much cheaper than I expected them to be. The one shown in the video looks very sleek too
 
I appreciate the work DF does, but should people really be reviewing hardware before the day one firmware update?
 
Why is holding a joycon behind your back some test for reviewing the hardware?

Nobody plays like that.

It's an easy to replicate interference test. It actually could be worse since some people put all their av components in a closed cabinet or closet to reduce the clutter.
 
Close to 7 hours of uninterrupted gameplay with a powerbank is a concern?

why would anyone want to have a powerbank constantly tho?

He's saying the issues with connectivity isn't an issue if you're aware of it (and work with the swtich to avoid issues) but this sounds ridiculous.

version 2.0 sounds like the version to get if nintendo can't fix this with software/firmware

I appreciate the work DF does, but should people really be reviewing hardware before the day one firmware update?


you're assuming the patch can fix this. Nintendo can always announce that the firmware can fix things so there's peace of mind for consumers; like how Sony/Guerilla have announced their Day1 patch for HZD.
 
will wait for a handheld only sku with a better battery in two years then.

Unless they make the system bigger to accommodate an even larger battery than it already has, I'm not sure how much better they can make the battery usage. Nintendo is running up against the laws of physics here.
 
I appreciate the work DF does, but should people really be reviewing hardware before the day one firmware update?

Maybe Nintendo should have picked a different embargo date or had the firmware update ready for the date they chose? It's not like the media all conspired to review it before it was ready.
 
It says right before the "behind your back" line that it can also happen when holding the controller and covering most of it (or its sensitive part, I guess), which, honestly I can see happening as they are not exactly very big.

As someone who has a it preordered and doesn't have small hands, I find it worrying and I honestly don't get the downplaying of the issue.
 
Why is holding a joycon behind your back some test for reviewing the hardware?

Nobody plays like that.

lol, I was actually going to make a thread asking if anyone else does this.

I play games like RPG's at times with the controller behind my back.
 
I expect battery life to be improved by third parities making battery packs that fit snuggly on the switch. Like the newer iPhone cases that contain batteries.

The thing that concerns me the most is the lack of Bluetooth headphones. I really hope the phone app help in this area.....
 
Maybe Nintendo should have picked a different embargo date or had the firmware update ready for the date they chose? It's not like the media all conspired to review it before it was ready.

I mean, true, but no one says you have to rush a review out for clicks instead of checking things post firmware. We literally don't know what can get better/worse with the firmware update.
 
Sounds pretty bad. I doubt I'll have many issues, since I sit close to the TV. But needing essentially a line of sight really diminished the appeal of holding the two joy cons in whatever free form posture you'd like.
 
From what I got, seems like a good handheld not so great from console perspective. This is rough because I'm mainly interested in gaming at home anyways. I've jointly purchased one with my brother, but not sure how I feel about it. Gonna be a pain in the ass cause he's going to take it everywhere.

I also just took in how expensive it is with some additional accessories.
 
2hrs 37 mins on a charge. That's abysmal.

Takes more than 3hrs to fully charge again. That's funny.

The result? Expect just over three hours of use with while playing intensive titles, on either low or 50 per cent brightness, with volume set halfway, and WiFi enabled. Incidentally, this is the same time it takes for the console to perform a full recharge.

read
 
Reviewers: [Mostly positive impressions giving praise to many aspects of the hardware while also rationally discussing potential concerns]
Neogaf: "woof, sounds pretty bad lol, good luck suckers who buy this piece of crap"
 
Maybe I missed it, by did they test charging with a regular usb battery and not usb-c to usb-c? I have a very thin, unobtrusive battery that I occasionally use with my GPD Win. Seems it'd be great for the Switch but no usb-c output.
 
whats the deal with people here?

we have know for weeks or even a month that the battery lasts from 2.5 hours to five depending on the software.

what do people expected when we hear directly from nintenod the battery capacity?
 

I've read it. It means if you want to play longer you have to make concessions/ sacrifices so don't expect to play at full brightness if you want to play longer. I personally would want to play at 100 brightness like all the time. Like I'm sure most people would. A console that is marketing itself as a mobile platform, doesn't seem like you can go mobile for too long without charging it again.
 
Who plays at low or 50% brightness?

Most people, as that's the default brightness level. Most people don't touch their defaults.

I've read it. It means if you want to play longer you have to make concessions/ sacrifices so don't expect to play at full brightness if you want to play longer. I personally would want to play at 100 brightness like all the time. Like I'm sure most people would. A console that is marketing itself as a mobile platform, doesn't seem like you can go mobile for too long without charging it again.

Citation needed.
 
I've read it. It means if you want to play longer you have to make concessions/ sacrifices so don't expect to play at full brightness if you want to play longer. I personally would want to play at 100 brightness like all the time. Like I'm sure most people would. A console that is marketing itself as a mobile platform, doesn't seem like you can go mobile for too long without charging it again.

Do you also use your phone/tablet at max brightness at all times?
 
That is great but wasn't there a review stating the screen is difficult to see outside? It's fine if you never want to play on the go.

They say it's very usable outside, that it ramps the brightness high enough to be able to use it in broad daylight in this very review.
 
However, there is an issue if either controller is too heavily obstructed, and the left-side controller definitely appears to have a weaker connection than its sibling. Each Joy-Con loses signal once covered completely with your hands, or put behind your back. Even at two metres, the left Joy-Con's connection starts to break up when held obstructed, leaving a choppier circular movement on the calibration screen. Keeping it in that position, that progresses to a more erratic signal at three metres, and practically no connection at six metres. But pointing the control forward again, it works again immediately.

I'm not sure I really understand. What does it mean to "cover it completely" with your hands in this sense? Is that the normal way you would hold the left JC in non-grip mode?
 
Why are all these tests done with wifi on? If I'm using its portable mode for a long stretch of time, I'm probably without wifi.
 
whats the deal with people here?

we have know for weeks or even a month that the battery lasts from 2.5 hours to five depending on the software.

what do people expected when we hear directly from nintenod the battery capacity?

Generally companies love to fluff up numbers, then we get the real story from someone else. So, I can see where people might think that. This has really never been a thing with Nintendo though. They have always given accurate information on their hardware when asked, even to the point on being conservative on some things.

I'm still not sure why people are blowing the battery thing out of proportion though. The numbers aren't that far off from how long a 3DS lasts in an intense game with 3D on. To even get close to that with the Switch is quite a feat IMO.
 
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