Round Up: Here are the first “Hands” Impressions of the Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo surprised everyone earlier this week when announced a whole new system – the main selling point is the new 7 ”OLED screen. While it has been confirmed there are no updates to CPU or RAM, What it includes is a wider kickstand, improved audio, a sleek new dock and a wired LAN port.
A number of outlets have already had the good fortune to go “hand in hand” with the system, so we’ve rounded up some of the highlights of each of these first impressions.
IGN loved the screen and compared the vividness to when the Game Boy Advance was updated, GameSpot said the new OLED screen won’t necessarily miss shooting if you already have a “solid” TV, and The Verge said the improvements are “focused” on the hand mode and how this mode feels now less of a compromise.
IGN – Tom Marks, Deputy Audit Editor:
The strength of the new display (unsurprisingly) becomes even more evident when turned on, shining immediately bright and clear from virtually any tested viewing angle. Honestly, it’s not an exaggeration to compare its vibration to when the Game Boy Advance SP had an updated model with a much brighter screen, making the original Switch look noticeably darker when compared directly. Its colors are even richer, and I’m not kidding when I say that the grassy fields of Breath of the Wild looked almost greenishly cartoonishly seen side by side.
The next most exciting feature of the OLED Model (a bit surprisingly) is actually its improved horsepower. It’s no secret that the base model’s offset horse is fragile and unreliable, but I didn’t expect this version to provide such a resonant answer to the problems of its predecessor. Not only does it extend to the bottom of the Switch, its hinges offer a satisfactory amount of resistance so you can easily lean on almost any angle and be confident that it will stay that way. It’s incredibly robust, with the same matte tactile finish as the bottom of the Switch Lite. If it weren’t for the fact that the charging port was still blocked while I was standing, I’d say the need for a third-party stand is now almost dead.
GameSpot – Alessandro Fillari, publisher and producer:
While people who regularly play in anchored modes with solid-state TVs won’t be blown away by the visuals of the OLED model, this still makes the handset mode look better than it ever has. Honestly it made me interested to see how my other favorite games, like Bayonetta 2 or Smash Bros.. Ultimately, they will look on the new display.
… The key areas where the OLED Switch sees improvements are focused on the portable experience. While the handheld mode is convenient, it also offers less perfect conditions for experiencing certain games compared to playing docking. While I often prefer to play Switch games in handheld mode, there are times when I play games in TV mode, which allows me to have a better sense of the visuals and performance of a game. Unfortunately, the significant improvement here being the OLED screen means that the main advantage of the new model will be lost when playing in anchored mode.
The Verge – Dieter Bohn, Executive Editor:
So the Nintendo Switch OLED model justifies its existence, but justifies one update? For most people, the responsible answer is no. The improvements here aren’t going to unlock new gameplay experiences or abilities, they just make the current experiences a little more beautiful.
However, I don’t think I am responsible. I knew going into that it was “just” a Switch with a bigger, brighter screen. I am after playing it that the hand mode feels much less compromised than it is today.
So there you go, some initial impressions – of course, you can read all about them on their respective websites. What do you think of the OLED Switch at this stage? Speaking for the most part, do you feel the need to upgrade? Do you think that could be a great place to start for a new Nintendo fan? As always, leave your thoughts in the comments below.
