To the people that play the Switch the majority in handheld mode, ergonomically speaking...how?

[TitanicFall]

Like seriously, how are you getting by? Every time I undock this system and try to use it in handheld mode, I feel like I'm Dr. Strange and just had several hand surgeries. I just can't do it. Nothing feels right. It's too thin for a comfortable grip, the analog stick feels too high up the joycon, the dpad(or directional buttons) are too low down the joycon, the L/R buttons are too small, the A, B, X, and Y buttons are downright tiny. The only tolerable holding position is when I'm sitting up right and my arms are laying on something to support them like a table, or resting on my legs. I can't play this thing while laying in bed. I get frustrated and stop after 15 minutes. My last hope is one of these:

 

[lobdale]

I mean I just hold it like I've held every other handheld video game device since the Game Boy and it works fine

 

[stan_marsh]

I just hold it and it's fine?

 

[cabelhigh]

I don't know what to say, none of these are a problem for me. I play my switch 99.99% of the time in handheld mode while laying in bed, and the only thing that hurts is my neck, but that's only because of an old neck injury.

 

[Xita]

I just... play it? Most of the time I play it just fine in bed too.

Could be lighter but it's a solid handheld.

 

[Cyanity]

Small hands. The switch is a dream console for us :P

 

[Mbolibombo]

If it's not working for you, try a grip of sort.

Satisfye or Skull & co for instance

 

[MP!]

lay on my back in bed and hold it like a normal human

 

[Crayon]

I find it pretty uncomfortable after an hour at most. Sometimes right away. If I have to occupy myself with it for very long, I'll put it on the little kickstand and take the controllers off.

 

[Vampirolol]

I never had a problem with ANY handheld device, except maybe with the Game Boy Micro, so I really don't know what to say.

 

[TeraDax]

I actually have no problem holding it and I play it mostly handheld.

 

[Deleted member 8791]

Switch is the first handheld in decades I've not had to buy a seperate grip to hold comfortably. I have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Deleted member 11008]

It's not that bad. It's better than any 3DS XL model actually.

 

[Rimkrak]

I play it most in the subway on my communes to work. It's not the most confortable handheld to hold for a prolonged amount of time, but it's fine.

My only issue is that for me, My Friend Pedro is unplayable in handheld mode without a pro controller, which is very frustrating as it is a perfect commute game.

 

[JCH!]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're in the minority here.

 

[Foot]

Those controllers you posted look pretty neat!

 

[Yerffej]

It's shitty design for normal sized hands. I got a case that makes it feel like regular controllers on the side. Much better now.

 

[Noppie]

I first put powder on my hand, stretch my fingers, spray down my Switch woth am adhesive and proceed to hold it while supporting it with a special cushion.

 

[TitanicFall]

Switch is the first handheld in decades I've not had to buy a seperate grip to hold comfortably. I have no idea what you're talking about.

Click to shrink...

My launch Vita was better than this.

 

[VanWinkle]

Everyone's hands are different. It isn't very uncomfortable for me. It's not COMFORTABLE, mind you, but it's usually totally fine.

 

[sleepnaught]

Have no issues with it. Feels fine.

 

[@TheFriendlyBro]

I use my hands and most of the time it works.

 

[CesareNorrez]

My fingers are stretched out flat to the back of the device. I don't grip the device really, it lays in my hands.

 

[Owlet]

I've actually never once played mine in docked.

I don't even have a TV to hook it up to.

I don't really have an issue with the joycons.

 

[Deleted member 2145]

 

[Deleted member 8791]

My launch Vita was better than this.

Click to shrink...

Ergonomics is obviously not an absolute science as the small sample of this thread already shows.

 

[Hucast]

I played 3ds and vita and both were alot worse to hold. Switch I can hold a lot more comfortably unless the type of game requires to hold it uncomfortably

 

[OhMyZach]

I have a Skull and Co. Grip and I have massive hands. Super comfortable. And my hands are the size of tables. Dining room tables.

 

[Deleted member 40102]

I play 100% of the time on handheld I just don't feel lile plugging my switch whatsoever. Tho I agree that it has HUGE problems and grip isn't one them rather the d-pad on handheld is probably worst D-pad on a controller I have ever tried. When you play shooter with or anything that requires aim then I will be having one of the most frustrating time while playing.

Dpad on handheld truly the worst and words con't describe.

 

[Xavi]

I find it uncomfortable and heavy but I still use it in handheld mode from time to time.

 

[RockmanBN]

I use my own hands no problem?

 

[lord_of_flood]

I use the Satisfye grip. I can only hold it without the grip if I'm playing something like Three Houses where I don't need to use the right stick often/at all. I also plan on getting those Hori Joy-Cons, mostly because I'd like to have better thumb sticks.

 

[LuisGarcia]

I just play it. Odd topic.

 

[Rosebud]

I just use it normally... but my hands hurt after some time

 

[Admiral Woofington]

My problem isn't even that the controller is bad to use because I'm not playing anything requiring the most precise controller use for competitive reasons.

My problem is that I got big boy hands. And those little joycons are for people with baby hands. So if I play for a long time my hands cramp up like a motherfucker. Fire emblem was the worst cause I wanna play for long sessions but my hand would stay in claw shape later

 

[I Wanna Be The Guy]

It's no Vita that's for sure. But it's fine.

 

[Deleted member 12129]

I have the same concerns as you, OP. It's a bit uncomfortable for longer sessions. I ordered one of these a few weeks ago, still hasn't been delivered yet but hopefully soon. Looks like it should help.

https://skullnco.com/collections/switch-gripcase/products/gripcase-only

 

[Skittzo]

As long as I have something to lean my elbows on (like an arm chair, desk, bed) it's perfectly fine for me. I'm not really sure I understand the issues some people have with it.

 

[Chasing]

I understand where OP is coming from. I play it docked most of the time but when i do play it in handheld I usually rest it on a table or on my bed the same way I do for my ipad. Or otherwise do what you do to find something to support my arms. The thing is just way too heavy and uncomfortable to hold for any long stretch.

 

[blacktout]

I haven't had any serious problems with it, but I have noticed that if I play it while lying on the couch I will sometimes get a radiating pain that runs up and down my left arm after extended play. I think maybe I'm gripping it too tightly or it has something to do with the way my arms is bent while playing.

 

[Deleted member 11370]

I don't. I bought a grip that, while good, doesn't make the Switch smaller, which is my main problem with the Switch. Hopefully the Lite will solve that!

Click to shrink...

This is really, really nice.

 

[Chakoo]

I deal with it but very much am looking forward to getting a lite asap. I just don't find it comfortable for long stretches.

 

[Buckle]

You're not alone, OP.

Its very cumbersome to hold.

 

[Deleted member 176]

buy a stand to play on. it's really bad for people with bigger hands

 

[Deleted member 7883]

the only problem I have with playing the switch in handheld is that I can't use the joycon directional buttons (or the hori dpad) comfortably, due to the placing of them underneath the left analog stick. I'd love to see a grip/case made for the grip combo that makes it easier. As it stands I feel i have to contort my arms awkardly so one juts out more than the other just so I could rest my thumb on the dpad.

 

[Lukar]

I can't stand using the Switch without any kind of grip.

This is the grip I use. (Or at least I think it is. Looks like they may have slightly redesigned it since I got mine) It's a little heavy, but super comfortable, and easier on my hands than just playing the system on its own. The thumbpads it comes with kind of suck though.

 

[EdgeXL]

I play my Switch in handheld mode by holding the left side in my left hand. The right side is held in mynright hand. I use my thumbs to manage the analog sticks and buttons.

 

[Mosaica]

I mean, I guess my pinkies go numb sometimes, but that's probably just me holding it wrong or something.

 

[Deleted member 2145]

This is really, really nice

Click to shrink...

it basically makes it like the Wii U gamepad where if you use your index fingers for the shoulder buttons and triggers then your middle fingers rest comfortably on the ridge. it's a huge upgrade for the handheld ergonomics

 

[¡ B 0 0 P !]

Just fine. It helps I'm skinny and don't have fat fingers.