Haigh Family: Dad & Daughter Put Nintendo Switch To The Test

Last week the Nintendo Switch was revealed to families with a selection of games to accompany it, via a broadcast live from Japan. This week there are special hands-on events all over the world and my daughter and I were lucky enough to be invited along to the London preview.

We travelled to the Apollo in London to try the system out for the first time. The event hosted over 70 Switch consoles showing off 16 different experiences from the impressive Zelda Breath of the Wild down to the quirky 1, 2, Switch. Each game showed off the Switch in a different way.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe demonstrated how 8 different consoles can link together wirelessly. Also by using an extra set of Joy-Con controllers 4 people can race using just one Switch console split screen style either on the TV or using the Switches own amazingly clear screen.

[caption id="attachment_4948" align="alignnone" width="300"] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[/caption]

Switching between the TV and the Switch is a amazingly easy as just pulling it out of the dock allows you to play on the go.

1,2, Switch was a very different experience - a strangely compelling collection of mini games that really bring out the competitive side in your family. From doing a quick draw, cracking a safe or milking a cow it really does have to be tried to be believed how fun this is.

Each of the mini games uses the Joy-Con controllers in an imaginative and unusual way. And boy do they hold a lot of tech in those little controllers that fit perfectly into your hand, with each button or feature working just right. The HD rumble is really impressive and makes it feel like balls are running about inside it!

[caption id="attachment_4954" align="alignnone" width="300"] Nintendo Switch[/caption]

Each game needed little explanation, you didn't even need to watch the screen to play it's all about looking your opponent in the eye! This is the most fun you will have playing a simple game and both Pippa and I laughed so much trying to bluff each other to try to win.

With such a great selection of games from Sonic Mania, Splatoon 2, Just Dance & the unusual SnipperClips to play it shows that the Nintendo Switch has an extremely varied launch line up. But I think our favourite of the whole event was the new Arms.

[caption id="attachment_4950" align="alignnone" width="300"] Splatoon 2[/caption]

It's an interesting boxing style game using the motion controls of those amazing joy-con controllers, with the addition of some clever button and hand combinations you can pull off some great combo moves. It may sound complicated but on only the 2nd fight you found your were managing some impressive moves, making this an extremely fun and physical game to play!

[caption id="attachment_4959" align="alignnone" width="300"] Nintendo Switch[/caption]

The Switch is a neat piece of kit allowing for home console gaming and portable tablet gaming all in one, with some amazing potential for multiplayer gaming with that Nintendo style of fun and as a parent you are also able to use a free parental app from your phone to put restrictions on the amount the Switch can be played even if you are not there! Allowing you a huge amount of control on how your offspring spend their time.

With a price tag of £279 or $299 and accessories looking equally hefty the Switch isn't super cheap, but it's a console that both my daughter and I feel is well worth the price tag.

Following on from the Wii era where everyone has the ability to join in and play no matter their ability but now the Switch has the ability to keep the hard core gamers happy too. And with the amazing opportunity for diverse multiplayer gaming with just one or many consoles it's well worth it!