Is Switch Already the Portable GOAT Platform?

I'd reduce the bezels but I'd halt at a smaller size. I think the joycons are small enough as they are.

I don't really consider the Switch to be "portable" in the traditional sense of the word. It's too big to realistically take everywhere, especially when its crap battery life almost necessitates bringing a chunky USB power bank along with it. I see it more as something to use on the couch while the tv is occupied.

Dphex said:

80% ports and stuff from yesteryear and indies

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I mean the Vita didn't even get ports, but I was in no way critical of it becoming an indie haven. It turned out to be a fantastic place for them to live and was in no way a lesser offering despite these titles existing elsewhere, such as on PC.

It's not really a fair fight. It's like asking if a semi is a better truck than a pickup, when they do fundamentally different things.

That being said I've gotten more out of my portable time with the Switch than any other Nintendo portable, so I would say yes, even though they don't really make sense to compare

For me it's Nintendo's best console, period.

I think the answer is complicated somewhat if you talk about it exclusively as a portable. It's absolutely the best for me, because even in handheld mode it never leaves the house, so the size of the system and screen is fine.

For a variety of reasons it's not as easy to shove in a pocket or throw in a bag to play out and about, so I can see why the answer might be less simple for those that do.

Yes as it was said plenty, size, bad ergonomics and lack of original / exclusive games are big weaknesses, but at the same time it's the portable with the most varied library in history, with games that were never possible in that form before.

I prefer my portable systems to actually be portable, so no.

Yes, if only for the fact that it's the only portable with console quality games that you can actually play on a T.V.!

In 2019 it probably will be for me. Just give me all these sweet RPG on top of nice indies/third/N titles...
It's becoming exactly what I wanted it to become.

DS still has it beat, but the Switch is quickly encroaching its throne.

And IMO the opinions of non-handheld users who held their nose up at prior portable systems until Switch don't count.

Not for me the game library doesn't excite me must have played it for all of 10 hours out the dock also its too uncomfortable to hold and has the battery life of a game gear .

Right now I would say no. But damn with everything we know that is coming it's almost there.

In terms of games I think the DS. But the switch is getting some love that's for sure. Still can not talk about confort anf how is designed because I don't own one because I don't play on the go anymore.

It's too big so it rarely leaves the house
I enjoy the games though

The switch probably has the most appealing library of the portable consoles, but it's not really "portable" in the sense a PSP or GBA is. Honestly, I use the undocked mode mainly so my partner can watch the TV while I play, as opposed to taking it out and about. In that sense, I suppose how great it is comes down mainly to how important the portability aspect is to you.

That being said, pretty much all of the portable consoles are great - the DS and 3DS were both obviously wildly successful, and the PSP and Vita both offer some really good niche titles, even if they didn't hit the same highs as their Nintendo cousins. Even if you do think the switch is the best, I'd still argue all the others are strong competition.

I played doom for the first time on Switch and I am sure as hell NOT going to get the sequel on that system with degraded visuals. Some of y'all on some next level fandom on this thread. Yes I would prefer to play some of these ports on Switch but in the end of the day you can play breath of the wild, Mario Kart 8, Diablo 3, etc on other systems.

Until switch gets more exclusives; Nintendo's other handhelds are still king.

Switch easily has the best library already and it's not even close. And for those complaining about ports, the 3DS and GBA have loads of ports as well, same is true for the Vita.

I don't own a Switch yet, but it has a pretty good library already. It'll only get better.

I think for it to be really GOAT portable for me, it would need the following games: Metal Gear series, DOA series, Super Mario 3D World, Advance Wars series, Metroid Prime trilogy, Tomb Raider series, Castlevania series, and Resident Evil series. I'm missing a few.

Mr.Deadshot said:

Most of the games you are naming are ports. And yes, even Breath of the Wild is a port in my eyes.

"Better" is highly subjective. You don't even know how the new Smash Bros game will turn out. The same goes for Animal Crossing. What 2D Mario are you talking about? 3DS has many classics (Virtual Console), plus New Super 1+2 and Mario Maker. 3DS has Ocarina of Time, Majoras Mask and a Link Between Worlds plus the NDS Zeldas - I know a lot of people who prefer these to Breath of the Wild (I actually don't).

The 3DS has an abundance of new and original games. The library is better in quality and quantity IMO. Especially when it comes down to JRPG. Your statement regarding JRPGs is especially ridiculous. There are so many JRPGs on the (3)DS. The Switch will take years to even come close. Some old ass ports (Final Fantasy) and a downgraded version of Dragon Quest XI won't change that.

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Cmon son, you can't complain about the abundance of ports on the Switch and then list stuff like Ocarina, Majoras mask, virtual console and Mario maker as stand out titles of the 3DSs library. At least try to apply the same logic when comparing the two.

Uh... for me yes, plus more. It is already my favourite video game platform of all time ^_^

Yes.

I'm going to be so happy to get a Switch this Winter.

GPD Win 2 is a thing. So... No.

The size on the Switch is a little too large for constantly taking on the go. I usually pack a GBA Micro or Vita for extended work trips and either work out pretty well.

Even though I may have some of the third party games on other platforms (PS/PC), I'm willing to double dip due to the portable aspect.

Cant wait to get my own Switch soon but mainly for the Nintendo 1st party titles.

It doesn't have Goat Simulator, and so it is not the GOAT platform.

Yep. I can't imagine how boring my commute would be without it

Yes. It beats all comers, so far.

I need bumbags (read fanny packs) to be socially acceptable again, and get one thats big enough to hold it.

Great system but cant whip it out quite like the ds line could

Way behind 3DS, getting a bunch of several years old PC titles doesn't move the dial much.

Yes it is. The Switch has brought Nintendo out of the handheld Ghetto.
...

In hindsight, that's fucking racist. Fuck you Sony.

No, hell I don't even use it as a portable ever. Thing is way too big with joycons attached.

I prefer Master of the Universe.

Helllll no, not even close. The GBA DS and PSP were so much better to me, but it's still "early" so the Switch might sneak into that top 3 when all is said and done.

I don't even use it as a portable.

Its too big. Sure its portable, but it is too inconvenient. Its like having your Ipad Pro on the bus when your phone would do.
So without even looking at libraries, it is a no from me.

The 3DS library (along with DS backwards compatibility) is still better to me.

I stand by the original Game Boy for games (I think the GBA is also in the conversation). On the hardware end, I think the Vita has the best form factor. That being said, the Switch is a great system. Unlike the 3DS, which will always be held back by its awful, awful screen, the Switch will be able to compete with its excellent predecessors.

RROCKMAN said:

Yup. Only reason I still use my vita when I leave the house is because I'd rather it get stolen than my switch.

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What if someone breaks into your house when you are not there?
Bye bye switch.

It doesn't have Spelunky yet, so no.

For real though, I wouldn't say it's there yet, but it could definitely be (and by some distance) by the end of its lifespan if Nintendo keep it up.

I feel comfortable calling it that right now and we arent even close to done with it yet

This system exists in this great timeline where it has this balance of power and features that allow it to get such a huge collection of past and present games available

Accessibility to games and its history has never been better among console and PCs in this era and thats pretty amazing to me

Game on bros!

Hardware / features: hell yes. Game library: lol no.

Definitely. 18 months into the 3DS lifespan I was regretting my purchase. I was happy with the library a couple years later though.

18 months into the Switch era and I already own a ton of games and don't have enough time to buy and enjoy others I want. Plus Civilization VI coming will make finding time for other games even more problematic.

The Switch has become my primary gaming system. The last time a Nintendo console was my main focus was Super Nintendo as a kid.

It's stacked so much compared to the competition it's not even funny. And it has a long way to go yet with some titles still missing...

Psp remains my favorite handheld ever. I like the build quality better, the dpad better. The library is a matter of taste but Psp hacked is the best way to enjoy retrogaming on the go. Switch might get there some day but the dpad design and positioning is off to me.

I love my switch but I think it can be better. I hope they release an handheld only bersion that is better designed.

I just played 2 hours of Cities Skylines on my bed! And it's the complete, fully featured experience with incredibly intuitive controls!
If that isn't transformative I don't know what is!

I think so, OP.

Last night I scrolled all the way to the right to open up the list of all the software on my Switch, and I realized that if I didn't buy a single game in 2019, on any platform, my Switch backlog is packed with enough quality games to keep me happy and engaged the entire year.

It's incredible the amount of quality AAA and indie games that live on this thing right now, and with everything we're looking forward to in the months ahead and 2019, I think it's safe to say that the Switch has become the ultimate handheld in my eyes.

I've owned every major handheld system since the GB. I still have them all. I still have my GB, Game Gear, GBA, DS Lite, PSP, 3DS, and Vita. I understand the *sentiment* behind some of the "lol no" posts in this thread, I really do, but I think some of yall are just refusing to take off your nostalgia goggles.

If you put me on a 14-hour plane ride on Monday (which I'm actually about to have to endure), I'm going to take my Switch, not my DS. And that goes for a 15-minute commute as well.

Already? No. It will undoubtedly be by the end of its life cycle though.

Content-wise, a 3DS can play way too many games for the Switch to compare to, and it is more accessibly portable as something that can slip into my pocket. The dual screen aspect is also very fantastic to have for a portable game system. 3DS is the king imo.

To me, it's more like the Switch is (well let's maybe give it till the end of 2019?) the best console ever, bolstered by the fact that it has a seamless portable component.

Vilix said:

No. The GOAT handheld will always be smartphones.

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Gachas of all time? (Because MTX)