You know I’m a massive gamer, right? Always have been, since the days of my Dragon 32 and BBC Micro, I’ve loved computer games. For the last few years I have been an Xbox fan boy, but always had a soft spot for the PlayStation. they are both beautiful machines. Nintendo hasn’t figured in my life too much recently. Saying that, I just bought a second hand GameCube to be stored at work for when I finish my show ‘prep’ early and there’s nothing on the telly. Mario Kart and SSX Tricky shall be filling a void before I talk to people on the radio. I had a Wii, I liked the Wii but I don’t think I was in love with it. And because of that, I was a little suspicious of the Switch when it was first announced. In fact, when asked if I was going to get one, I’d reply with a ‘Nah, I don’t think it’s for me’. But knowing it was out, knowing that people were in their homes playing a new console…I felt very left out. So, I bit the bullet and bought one.
I wasn’t expecting much but even still, I was more than a little giddy with excitement when I got it out of the box. It’s tiny but absolutely beautiful. It looks stunning and feels sumptuous to hold. Switching it on for the first time I felt a little flutter, it may have been the controllers twitching into life, but I like to think it was my heart, excited to be connecting with a Nintendo machine for the first time in ages.
Look, let me jump to the chase. I love it. Aesthetically it is VERY pleasing. The controls are a joy to finger and the screen is magnificent. Of course, you can plug it into your telly as well, and the colours flood the room. At the moment I’ve only got one game, the 1-2 Switch that comes with it, so I can’t speak too much about other games (Zelda is downloading as we speak) and again, I really didn’t think the demo game would be any cop. In fact a few people had told me it was rubbish. Well, maybe they weren’t in the right frame of mind, or perhaps they didn’t have 5 and 7 year olds boys giggling with delight. It isn’t going to set the world on fire, but guess what? 1-2 is FUN. Actual, stupid, silly, laugh out loud, shout as your partner falls on their backside, FUN. And isn’t that really the essence of a good game? We allowed them to become too serious, too intellectual, too…well…dull. But 1-2 is ridiculous and that’s why it works. Today I have been milking a cow, rocking a baby to sleep and having an eating contest. My fave round though has to be Telephone. You sit and wait for a phone to ring. That’s it. Wonderful. My boys seemed to enjoy Air Guitar the most and now end the round with a huge ‘Thank you fans!’
Today Nintendo Switch has lifted my spirits more than any video game has for a long time. I have spent a good few hours laughing at its childishness and loving it. This is just the tip of the iceberg, I know, and I can’t wait to see what else this little bundle of fun can do.
Hey, I’ve written for games mags, presented TV shows on games and also done online work for Nintendo. If anyone wants to hire me for any of these things again, please drop me an email at iain@iainlee.com Many thanks.
I only have Zelda so far, but have played 1 2 Switch, Mario Kart 8 and Snipperclips at a demo event, and they’re all good fun.
Zelda is the jewel in the crown (at the moment) – it’s vast and rich and everything a modern Zelda game should be. I’m holding off for a few more releases before I make my second purchase, but Nintendo are onto a winner with the Switch.