Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy‑Con - HAC-001(-01)

I bought the Switch a few months ago and now that I’ve spent some time with it (more than I’d like to admit ^_^) I wanted to leave a review. The Switch has many pros over other consoles, it’s main pro being that it’s a portable console with games that previously are only found on PC or console. I am a PC gamer and my PC is an absolute beast with an 8700K & 2080 Ti BUT the reason I bought a Switch is because oftentimes I am out and about and can’t bring my big honkin’ PC with me. Obviously I prefer my PC but it’s nice to be able to play games like Witcher 3 and then when I have to go somewhere in the car or something I can seamlessly “Switch” to the Switch and continue my game. There are some absolutely AMAZING games on the Switch: Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Witcher 3, Splatoon, Super Smash Ultimate, etc., which are worth buying the Switch. This is especially true for people with kids as most of Nintendo’s big hits are kid friendly. You may not want your very young children to play violent games like Call of Duty or Battlefield 5 but they can definitely play a similar kind of game with Splatoon 2 only instead of shooting bullets to kill people they’re splattering paint all over each other. However the Switch also has its cons. Let’s start with Nintendo’s “E-Shop”. The E-shop sells games that are WAY overpriced. They charge $59.99 USD for games that have been out for years. The fact is you can buy physical copies of these games for less on Amazon AND you have the benefit of being able to resell the game later if you want too. Not so with digital games. Then there is the price. Yes the Switch is $299 which is cheaper than Microsoft and Sony’s consoles but when you factor in the cost of necessities that are almost required for optimal play (Pro Controller, SD card, Screen Protector) the cost adds up quickly. All in all though I do recommend the Nintendo Switch. It’s a great console for anyone who just wants to have a good time and it’s especially great for families or people with young kids who want to play games with them without worrying about violence, drug use, sexual situations, etc., that are in a lot of other games. 5/5 Stars

This review is targeted at newcomers so for veterans of Nintendo products, not much new information here! As for everyone else looking at this gaming system wondering if its right for them, I'll do my best to explain what this model in particular brings to the table. In my particular case a: "Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy‑Con - HAC-001(-01)" Introduction to the system/What is a Nintendo Switch?: The Nintendo Switch is a "hybrid system". Lets break it down to its core do understand what people mean by "hybrid system", lets start with what is basically a gaming tablet with a plastic screen and a multi-touch-touchscreen. This is the "Switch itself" so to speak. For a "console", it is EXTREMELY thin in comparison to a PS4 or Xbox One for example. This also means it takes significantly less energy to run. The internal cooling fan is also significantly quieter than either of the prior two other consoles mentioned. That multi-touch-touchscreen allows for certain mobile games like Muse Dash, VOEZ, Deemo, and many others to be ported to the Switch without compromising their touch screen gimmicks from their mobile phone counterparts. Despite this, many of them do have support for button controls. Many Switch games gives you options on how you want to play and this is a running theme with the Switch. Now for the controllers which are "hybrid controllers" in a way. For those of you who used the Nintendo Wii, these "Joy Cons" share and improved upon the motion controls from the Wii days, except in addition to the motion controls, Nintendo also made the actual button layout resemble a regular controller like the button layout found on a Xbox One controller for example. Not that weird button layout on the Wii for example. This means both the Wii crowd can assimilate into this new generation of Nintendo, along side the core gamers who would prefer a more "traditional" controller button set up. Normally a player would use both Joy Cons together as a pair, whether that be attached to the Switch Tablet itself to be played on the go like a 3DS (be it much longer than a 3DS), at home and connected to a plastic grip that gives you those controller "thighs" to make it easier to hold and to make it feel more like a more traditional controller even more. You can even use the Joy Cons without them being attached to anything like the Wiimote and Numchuck, but without that annoying wire in between your controllers. This "detached" controller style option with the Joy Cons allows you to play in positions otherwise impossible with a more "static" controller. For example, you can play with one arm behind your head while the other arm is resting on your stomach as you play from your bed or couch. These Joy Cons also have two buttons on the plastic rails that connect them to the Switch Tablet piece. These buttons are functional and you can actually use just a single Joy Con per player in certain supported games. Key word "supported games". This is where the main issue with the Nintendo Switch lies, Nintendo laid the foundation for developers to have the best tools at their deposal but not all of them use them. Some developers have games that cost less overall on the Switch than their original releases on other systems, or from mobile with mobile's atrocious micro-transactions , meanwhile there's other developers that neither have the full game on the physical game cartridges while having the audacity to be more expensive on the Switch. But again, its ALL developer based. Research the game developers in question to see if you're getting the best value for buying their ports (or original) releases on the Nintendo Switch. Oh right, this gaming system uses cartridges. Don't worry, they're not those huge ones from the Nintendo 64 days! They're more Nintendo 3DS sized if anything. If the developer you choose did it properly, a entire game can fit on these cartridges. This means you can play those properly done physical releases immediately without any additional downloads. But again, developer based. Some of them DO only "partially" have the game on the Switch Cartridge(s). Do your research. Now to talk about the Dock that connects the Switch Tablet to a TV. If you open up the back side of the Dock, there should be two slits near the bottom of the Dock. The Switch Tablet has two air vents that when "docked" should be right up against those vents. Please try not to block off those vents so the Switch Tablet as a easier time cooling itself off while you (and others) play in "TV Mode". The Switch Tablet also has a air-vent on the top. So keep that area of the Switch Tablet clear as well. This particular model of the Nintendo Switch, model number "HAC-001(-01)", is different from day one Nintendo Switch systems in the sense that Switches with the model number "HAC-001(-01)" have better battery life. For example, day one Switches would run really graphically/resource intensive games for about 2 hours 30 minutes (or 2.5 hours) minimum. Whereas this new "HAC-001(-01)" numbered Switch(es) can run those games for up to 4.5 hours minimum in "handheld mode". The way these "new Switches" accomplish this is by having a more efficient component in the inside of the Tablet piece. This also means these new Switches are more energy efficient and less prone to overheating than the day one models. So this is even helpful for people who would use this gaming system for TV use. If you don't have a Switch yet, I recommend this model for its versatility. You never know when you'll change your mind on "how" you want to play. I used to use it mostly in TV mode but eventually started using it more and more while outside in general. For example, on the bus, while waiting for something to start whether it be a class, jury duty, meeting, you name it. The Nintendo Switch will make that wait all the less painful. Waiting to be called or dismissed for jury duty especially. Oh, I almost forgot! You CAN use power banks with the Nintendo Switch! The minimum power requirements for a power bank to work with a Nintendo Switch is 5 Volts, and 2.4 Amps. The cable you use to plug the Switch Tablet with a power bank can be found bundled with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or the Nintendo Switch Charging Grip. Both of those products come with the USB cable required to use a Nintendo Switch with a power bank. So even if you manage to drain this new Switch's battery life on a long trip, bring a battery bank and you can extend its battery life even further. But again, this mostly won't be needed unless you're on a air ride for over 7 hours or so. Anything less than that, if you're smart about it, you can get away with just the Switch's battery life. Speaking of battery life, the Joy Cons each have a estimated battery life of 20 hours each. Let me repeat that, 20 hours. That brings its competition's controllers to shame! So if you keep your Joy Cons charged overnight (they charge when connected to the Switch Tablet while the Tablet is charging in either the Dock or via battery bank), they ain't going to die unless you deliberately go out of your way not to charge them at least once a week. When their batteries are completely dead, both the Switch Tablet and one pair of Joy Cons takes about 3 hours to fully charge everything. So if you're able to, put the Switch Tablet with the pair of Joy Cons connected to it, and leave the three of them in the Dock overnight to keep everything nice and charged for tomorrows challenges. Get creative, once you get used to the options the Nintendo Switch offers, going to anything else, you'll realize that you'd taken for granted with the Nintendo Switch! In my particular case, using the two Joy Cons in each hand unconnected. I can't do that with a keyboard and mouse! So get your Joy Cons, get them in a position that works for you, get cozy on your couch, bed, etc. and have some fun with your game(s) of choice! Just keep in mind it is a GAMING SYSTEM FIRST, and the "entertainment media center" SECOND. So as of January 15th, 2020 don't expect things like Netflix to be on this machine. If you treat it as a DEDICATED gaming system, you're in for one hell of a ride! Just don't forget your screen protector since the Switch Tablet's screen is made of plastic! If you don't want to go through all of them, get this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XDWBPMZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It should serve most peoples' needs. Its durable, cheap, anti-glare, self heals from minor scratches, etc. Its the most value for the price I've found from searching through all of what Amazon has as far as Switch Tablet screen protectors go. As far as the "system itself" goes, this is pretty much all of the information that you'd need. Everything else is developer centered, game wise. Do your research, and think very carefully which developers will give you the best bang for your buck!

I got this Gray version of the Nintendo Switch after a few months of hunting for retail price $299. There's a couple of websites out there that will notify you of in-stock. I happened to be able to grab it off of Amazon, but GameStop, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, etc, also have them as well. With it being in stock is rare, so you just have to look and be patient! Plan a few months ahead for birthday / xmas gifts so you have time to wait for a retail priced stock is in. Enough about the INSANE price gouging.... I am very pleased with the Switch and am very happy with it. I have played on it for a week so far and everything is working fine and dandy, as it should. One gripe is that the storage capacity is small so only a few games can be played at a time, but with a micro SD card, possibilities are endless. I ordered one of those, and expect it soon so I can expand my downloaded game collection. I've enjoyed the Switch so much I'm getting some additional joycons and a grip and a charging station. I'm going to continue looking for accessories. Maybe a case I also had to get a TV adapter because my old TV only has one HDMI port, so I had to RCA to HDMI it up in order to not unplug and replug my Roku every time I want a bigger screen. How that goes is yet to be determined. I'm still figuring out how the dock station works (TV debacle), but for the most part - no complaints! I haven't played it with more than one person yet, but I'm positive that runs smoothly as well!

Llevo un tiempo usando este Nintendo Switch Gray y ha superado mis expectativas. Es muy fácil de configurar, la pantalla tiene muy buena calidad y los controles Joy-Con responden perfectamente. Me encanta que puedo jugar tanto en el televisor como en modo portátil, lo que lo hace muy práctico para llevar de viaje o usar en casa. La batería ofrece una buena duración y la consola funciona de manera fluida. El color gris le da un aspecto elegante y combina con todo. Es una excelente opción tanto para adultos como para niños, con una gran variedad de juegos para todos los gustos. En general, estoy muy satisfecho con la compra y lo recomendaría a cualquiera que esté buscando una consola versátil, divertida y de muy buena calidad.

In terms of raw horsepower (CPU, graphics, whatever) the Nintendo Switch is far behind the current generation of consoles like the XBox One. But, the Switch is a unique device. As a handheld, it is quite powerful (the latest iteration nearly doubles the handheld's battery life, addressing the Switch's greatest weakness). This allows you to play the same game on your TV and keep playing it as you take it out with you --- a unique ability. Most importantly, there is a staggering array of software available for it. Software is what makes or breaks a console, no matter how good it is. For example the Zelda game "Breath of the Wild" is a visual stunner with a huge open world. And this is the first portable system that has the full version of Skyrim available for it (the reason I bought it --- a high quality port of Skyrim with the 3 add-on packs). Nintendo has also done high quality ports of other gems from older consoles such as "Mario Kart 8" as well as a lot of new titles such as "Super Smash Brothers Ultimate" or "Luigi's Mansion 3". In addition,their digital store has a lot of quality indie games such as Stardew Valley. Also, if you purchase the Nintendo Switch Online membership ($20/year) Nintendo also gives you a large selection of NES and SNES classic games. The membership is worthwhile for that alone. Basically, because Nintendo is ONLY selling the Switch as a current console (the 3DS is on its way out), all of their best software goes to the one console. And that gives developers strong incentives to bring their best titles over as well. If you want a wide variety of games, the Switch is a good choice. If you want THE best console graphics or performance, obviously the Switch isn't for you.

This is my review of the 'V2' (2019) version of the Nintendo Switch (model #HAC-001(-01)). So a little background, I was a enthusiastic PC gamer in college who built my own PCs for the purpose and am now - due to the demands of adulthood - someone who only plays the occasional game. My last handheld Nintendo console was the black and white Game Boy Pocket in the early 90's, so I've been away from the platform ---- a while. I bought the Switch purely because I learned they had ported Skyrim to it, and as a huge fan of the Elder Scrolls genre I was hoping to devote some of my train commute to questing around Tamriel. In this sense, the Switch does not disappoint. I am not a graphics connoisseur, but - compared to the PC version - Skryim plays really well on the Switch. No perceptible lag, colors are crisp. Yes, it's missing the expansions and yes, the text can be a little small, but that's a fair trade-off for the portability this platform brings. So far, I only own 2 games - Skyrim and MarioKart 8 (another throwback to my college dorm days on the N64), and I love playing both on the Switch, MaroKart is obviously the newer game and so the graphics and gameplay are much better but I'm a still a sucker for Skyrim (at least until the next ES is released, hopefully in my lifetime). Anyway, all this to say the Nintendo Switch is a great console for busy adults who want to reminisce about the fun they had 10, 20, or even 30 years ago. The Switch doesn't take itself too seriously (which I love) but that means it might not be the right choice for people concerned with the perfect graphic or gameplay experience - there are dedicated consoles that do this much better. What the Switch does is make gaming on the go effortless, fun for the average busy person and something you can really enjoy with your whole family - which I think was Nintendo's real goal here all along.

Works great. Having a lot of fun with this product. Would buy it again.

Worked as expected. No parts missing and all operational. Next day delivery was a pleasant surprise. Will update review in 30 days.

Works perfectly

Family friendly console perfect for the younger older age groups. great haves east to get into reasonable price point. (it’s a console be fair) good graphics plug n play ease of set up. very happy

Superb product at a awesome price and I'm glad I waited for this deal, the switch is a mustvhave product if you like video game consoles. Good seller, the box was in good condition and the switch and all of its components were in really good condition. Will buy from this seller again....thanks

Indico o Switch para quem gosta de jogos, em geral, que busca a variedade e novidades nessa área, pois o Switch é basicamente a casa dos índies, e sabemos que eles são os inovadores na indústria dos jogos. Quer testar uma mecânica nova, quer ter uma história profunda? Basta jogar índies. E convenhamos com os valores absurdos dos jogos da casa o mais recomendado é comprar um deles e o restante em índies, pelo menos no primeiro momento. Ele é muitos bom para todas as idade e principalmente para você que não tem muito tempo em casa para curtir seus jogos, com a portabilidade você vai se divertir.

This is amazing theres nothing wrong with it but if u wanna connect to a pc u have to buy like a hdmi connector idk but def recommend