XeruVell said:
Hi everyone,
I’m posting because I’ve been a passionate gamer for many years and, for the first time, I’m seriously considering switching platforms.
Throughout the years, PlayStation and Xbox have always been my main platforms. I started with PS1 and PS2, then moved on to Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4, and eventually the current generation with Xbox Series and PS5.
This generation, however, after what I personally consider to have been a rather short-sighted approach from Microsoft, I decided to sell my Xbox Series console and stick with PS5.
Lately, though, I’ve also become increasingly disappointed with some of Sony’s decisions and the direction of PlayStation. At the same time, my life has changed quite a bit: I recently became a father for the first time, so I naturally have much less time to dedicate to gaming.
For the first time, this has made me seriously consider switching to Nintendo — specifically, making the full jump to Switch 2.
And this is where my main concern comes in.
I’ve always read that Nintendo sells so well partly because, for many gamers, it is a console that you own alongside a PlayStation, Xbox or PC. You play Nintendo’s first-party games on Nintendo, while everything else is played on your main platform.
But that wouldn’t really work for me.
I don’t have the time or the financial means to maintain two consoles at the same time. If I made the switch, I would sell my PS5 as well, meaning that Switch 2 would become my only gaming platform.
So my main question is:
Is it actually possible to use Nintendo as your one and only gaming platform without constantly feeling like you’re missing out on too much of the gaming landscape?
A bit about my gaming preferences, which might help put my question into context.
### Games/genres I enjoy:
* Action
* Adventure
* RPGs
* Platformers
* Shooters
### Genres I generally don't enjoy:
* Sports games — honestly, I really don't like them
* Racing/driving games — although I can enjoy some arcade-style racing games
So I’m not particularly interested in sports titles, realistic racing simulators, etc. I’m much more interested in single-player experiences, action/adventure games, RPGs, platformers and shooters.
My main concerns about making the switch are:
* How significant is the lack of some major third-party games on Nintendo?
* How noticeable are the hardware/performance limitations compared with PS5?
* Does Nintendo actually offer enough variety in terms of genres, or is it still fair to say that the platform is heavily focused on platformers and its traditional first-party franchises?
* If I completely gave up PlayStation, would I end up missing a significant number of games that I would normally play on PS5?
* Given that I now have much less time to play, could Nintendo actually be a better fit for me than PlayStation?
* Most importantly, can Switch 2 genuinely work as a complete, standalone platform, or is it still primarily a console that makes the most sense alongside a PS5/Xbox/PC?
I’m not looking for people to simply tell me “buy a Switch 2”. I’d really like to hear from people who actually use Nintendo as their main or only gaming platform.
I’ve been a PlayStation/Xbox gamer for most of my life, so moving entirely to Nintendo would be quite a big change for me.
So, if you were in my position and could only afford one console, would you choose Switch 2 as your only gaming platform?
I’d especially love to hear from people who made a similar transition from PlayStation/Xbox to Nintendo.
What do you miss the most from PlayStation/Xbox? And what have you found on Nintendo that made you stop missing those platforms?
Thanks in advance! |
Welcome to VGChartz!
This is a really thoughtful question. Here's my take, as someone who plays mostly on Switch 2, but who also plays on PS5 and, to an increasingly small degree, Xbox Series.
How significant is the lack of some major third-party games on Nintendo? If you need the high-profile, big-budget western AAA third-party games, then Switch 2 is not ideal. However, Switch 2 is now getting many more Japanese AAA third-party games (those from Capcom, Square Enix, From Software, etc.). To me, these are far more essential. Your mileage may vary.
How noticeable are the hardware/performance limitations compared with PS5? Noticeable, but not insurmountable. Take Resident Evil Requiem, for example. On PS5, it delivers a locked 60 fps and upscaled 4K resolution. On Switch 2, it delivers an unlocked frame rate (which can hit 60 but can also hover around 40-50) and upscaled 1080p resolution.
Does Nintendo actually offer enough variety in terms of genres, or is it still fair to say that the platform is heavily focused on platformers and its traditional first-party franchises? Nintendo's first-party output is the most diverse in the industry. I don't think that can be argued. In 15 months, the Switch 2 has hosted a 3D platformer, a kart racer, a racing/fighting hybrid, a rail shooter, a third-person looter shooter, a hack-and-slash musou game, a sandbox life sim, a tennis game, and a 2D puzzle-platformer. Coming up this year: a sports party game, a turn-based tactics game, and an action-adventure.
If I completely gave up PlayStation, would I end up missing a significant number of games that I would normally play on PS5? You would miss out on some big western third-party releases. You would miss out on third-party PS5 exclusives, although those seem to be dwindling. You would certainly miss out on Sony's first-party games, although, in my mind, these are less important than ever.
Given that I now have much less time to play, could Nintendo actually be a better fit for me than PlayStation? I don't know if time is really a factor. I think it's smart to scale down to a single platform if you have less free time (or money), but, honestly, you can find 6 or 7 amazing games per year on any console.
Most importantly, can Switch 2 genuinely work as a complete, standalone platform, or is it still primarily a console that makes the most sense alongside a PS5/Xbox/PC? I've never thought of the Switch 2 as a "secondary" console. I never thought of the Switch that way either. If I could only have a single system moving forward, it would be Switch 2. I consider Nintendo the best developer in the industry. I consider Capcom the second best developer, and all its games are now slated for Switch 2. I'm really into Japanese "AA" developers like Nihon Falcom, Atlus, Vanillaware, Marvelous, Spike Chunsoft; and most of their titles arrive on Switch 2. And I think the indie space is where some of the best, most creative work is being done. And Switch 2, like Switch, is an indie machine.
Good luck with whatever you decide! And congratulations on becoming a dad :)
