Two Months In, I’ve Barely Taken My Nintendo Switch Off The Dock

The big concept behind the Nintendo Switch is that it can be enjoyed both on the TV, and in handheld mode. Instead, the Switch largely operates like any other console system in my household, and I like it that way.

Oh, I’ve tried to take the Switch with me. I’ve braved the dangers of on-the-road scratches, I’ve propped the console up on its tiny stand, Joy-Con in each hand. The idea of taking Zelda anywhere with me is nice, but I don’t like the actual experience of playing the Switch on-the-go.

For one, the Switch is slightly too big and slightly too heavy to comfortably lug around without some hand strain. More importantly, though, I just don’t dig the tiny buttons and sticks. The tiny Joy-Con make me feel like I’m playing with a toy, not a slick console. I also don’t enjoy the disconnect that comes with holding Joy-Con separately, nor do I want to carry around a Joy-Con grip to fix that issue. Too much gear, too much hassle. I realize I may be in the minority here. It all comes down to personal preference, and most Switch owners I’ve talked to seem to have no problem with the quibbles I’ve mentioned.

What I do love, however, is playing my Switch with the Pro Controller. Everything about the Pro Controller feels right, from the weight of it in my hands, to the stick tension, to the feel of the buttons being pressed down. It’s become one of my favorite controllers ever. The Pro Controller is so good, it has spoiled me. I can’t go back. I’m eschewing the Joy-Con whenever I can in favor of playing on the TV, even if the promise of a hybrid “switch” console dies with that decision.

At this point, it’s par for the course when it comes to Nintendo consoles: I didn’t care for the dual screens on the Wii U, I hated motion controllers on the Wii. I still loved the associated Nintendo games, but it’s never because of the console gimmick. At least in this case, it’s nice to have the option of taking Switch games with me if I ever want it. It’s possible that one day, a Switch game hooks me so bad that I’ll want to take it everywhere with me, regardless of slight comfort. Until then, I’m happy to keep my Switch perpetually docked.

What about you?