Switch- before and now

[Mummelmann]

I don't own one, but I've spent quite some time at work playing it (one of the kids there has one, I've had at least a good 15-20 hours on it), mostly Zelda and Mario Kart, but also games like Shovel Knight and Snipperclips. The games are mostly really good (MK8 Deluxe is the best MK since MK64 imo), but I find the joy-con controller(s) absolutely atrocious, especially when divided in two for multiplayer, it's just way too small and forces your fingers into awkward positions, shoulder buttons and analogue stick feel too "shallow" and lack feedback, main buttons are so close together, after 15-20 minutes of play, my fingers cramp up.
Then again, I haven't really enjoyed a base controller on any console since the DS3 and Xbox 360 controller, so this is nothing spectacular.

The Switch is really, really quick when it comes to shutting down or starting/resuming games and it doesn't force you to sit through 1-2 minutes of intro logos and other bullshit, UI is clean but quite bland for now. Apps and features are quite lacking and even if the console is brand new, proper youtube and netflix support should have been there day one, especially with its tablet form factor, this would have scored major points with many consumers and gamers and is a wasted opportunity.

For now, it looks, plays and behaves like a new console in most ways and it's neither worse nor better than any other console in their first months, in my opinion. And since I don't actually own one, it's hard to be specific or dive into details, some features might be a lot better and some might be worse, hard to say. As for the handheld aspect; this still holds zero value for me since I never enjoyed handheld gaming and the joy-con's seem even worse when attached to the sides, I would go absolutely mad playing it that way for any period or time, short or long.

If I'm getting one myself, I would need a different controller, a lot more software and some more proper features. A solid retro/BC shop would also sell easily to me since I'm a sucker for retro gaming and only the PC has a bigger potential library of greatest hits than Nintendo, this is such an understated feature to emphasize for them with this device, especially given the apparent demographic they're aiming for! Get to work!
Overall, I can see myself buying a Switch in the future, but I never, ever buy consoles within their first 12 months or so, and this is no exception, prices would need to come down heavily as well, the console itself and especially controllers are crazy expensive here (425 dollars for the base unit alone and 105 dollars for one Pro controller, a pair of joy-con's cost about 125 dollars and the cost of added storage that I'm sure to need make this whole deal absurdly steep for what I get right now).