I want that dpad and other hard switch decisions

[jcmbangor]

Not owning any switch and AC being the only game I play I have been going back and forth on deciding between buying a full switch or a switch lite for months. I thought my decision was made for me with the announcement of the special edition AC Switch and I have one on pre-order. But the more I read and research the two systems and think about my personal use, Im thinking I may get the lite instead. Here's my reasons:

Pros switch lite: (some opinions of individual user reviews)

It has a dpad
I only play handheld and solo
Its lighter
It's smaller
Feels sturdier, more solid
Buttons feel more like dsxl consoles
Cheaper(extra money for some accessories)
Can attach extra joycons if wanted


Pros regular switch:

The AC special edition is cool (but so are some of the decals Ive seen)
Longer battery life
Bigger screen
Separate joycons in case of drift repair

So, as cool as the new special edition looks, I think I am almost convinced the lite is the right system for me . I plan on keeping my pre-order for the moment till we get closer to launch just in case. Any opinions?

 

[dizzy bone]

Sounds like Switch Lite is the one for you then! I actually think my play style suits Switch Lite a lot more than the original, which is the one I have. Ever since getting the Switch I've only played it in handheld mode and never docked because I prefer it that way. I do enjoy the slighter larger screen though and I'm already used to the weight and the "clunkiness" of it in handheld so that doesn't bother me. My only worry with the Switch Lite is the possible future drifting issue. I would be more convinced to get a Switch Lite if it had an ACNH special edition version.

 

[Dewy]

I have a regular switch and decorated it with a decal. There are so many decal options that it’s almost not worth it to get a special edition switch in my opinion. Some of the decals look great and aren’t too expensive!

I mostly play my Switch handheld, although I have occasionally docked it. I think it will be cool to see animal crossing (any game, really) on the big screen at least once. Not sure that I’ll play much that way though. I probably would have gotten a Switch lite if I knew that was an option, but I like the freedom to use a bigger screen if I ever want to.

Since you only play handheld, I recommend a switch lite. The regular switch get a little uncomfortable in the hands after playing for awhile, as it’s not very ergonomic. The switch lite is made solely for handheld play so it’s comfortable to hold for hours.

 

[Xara]

sounds like the switch lite will be a good fit for you!

i’m personally getting the switch lite since i’m only interested in handheld play lol

 

[jcmbangor]

I have a regular switch and decorated it with a decal. There are so many decal options that it’s almost not worth it to get a special edition switch in my opinion. Some of the decals look great

Heres some neat little decals on etsy

 

[Pansy]

i was also at a crossroads of whether i wanted the lite or regular switch and was leaning more towards the lite, but i ended up getting a regular one for christmas and i feel like i made the right choice. when making my choice i never thought about the drifting issue, but now that i know more about it im definitely happy with the regular. i thought i would never play it in docked mode; i love having things close to my face such as with my phone and the 3ds but honestly ive had the most fun when in docked mode. it even has a lil kickstand on the back so you can still play with the little screen but on a table or something.

even though ive said my piece it sounds like you'd prefer the lite more. id see about going to stores that might stock both and seeing if you can try them out then make your decision. good luck with your choice, and i hope you pick what's right for you.

 

[Nougat]

If you're not going to dock it and play on a TV screen, then you might as well just get a Lite indeed. I was doubting for the longest time as well and went into a store last weekend to check out the Switch Lite in person (as I had never seen one before or held it in my hands) and I immediately noticed the screen is smaller so that's something to think about too. The Lite also does not have the rumble feature, although apparently when the feature is used in games it is compensated by visually rumbling or adding text. The Lite did lay comfortably in my hands though (maybe more comfortable than a full Switch because it's also lighter and as you say it has a full D-pad), so if I wouldn't be so set on playing on a bigger screen I would probably have gotten the Lite.

 

[jcmbangor]

Thanks for the responses people. I have pretty much decided to go with the lite. Since I've used reading glasses comfortably with the 3dsxl screen for years, I know the screen size wont be an issue. Battery life is fine too as I have two good power banks. If I have a drift issue down the line, I will deal with it then. No use getting anxiety ridden over one of my most relaxing activities before I even get started. To counter all the news and rumors about console shortages I will keep my special edition pre-order in place till I can purchase my lite end of February.

 

[jiojiop]

I feel like the drifting issue is a bit overhyped in the media. Every single piece of news about the Switch always seems to have "drfiting issues" in the title, even if it's unrelated. It's bad journalism because it amplifies an issue into an perpetual anxiety word association with "Switch".

The best things you can do to prevent any issues with your joysticks is to:
(1) try to keep your Switch in a case or otherwise covered and protected from dust
(2) have clean hands when you use your Switch
(3) keep the receipt just in case

 

[MKInfinite]

The problem with the drift is not so much of abuse outside of normally using the console or even dust, it's just that even with normal play and being careful you might still get drift. The joysticks are just that badly designed. The mechanisms literally wear themselves out.

My OG Switch Left Joycon started drifting after months of use, so I had to get the stick replaced (no warranty because I bought it from someone else, but I'm not expecting the warranty to be useful in mexico anyways). Easy replacement and the stick was as good as new. Now fast forward to November of last year when I bought a Lite and I haven't used my normal switch in months, in January I wanted to check something on the OG Switch, and the Right Joycon started exhibiting drift problems, even tho I'm not even using the things.

So yes, literally only normally using your switch raises the probability of your sticks going crazy.
THAT SAID, just as with every piece of hardware ever manufactured, some may exhibit problems day one, and other none at all.

STILL, following jiojiop's advice is what generally makes any kind of hardware survive for years.

Also, I have a lite, so far (from practically abusing the poor left stick due to making curry in pokemon), my stick was acting kinda strange, but no issues with drift thankfully(I bought replacement sticks just in case, and dissasembling the lite is kinda easy, and replacing the left stick is also easy, so I see no problems on opening up my switch just in case drift happens. BUT THIS IS JUST ME, do not do it if you have the option of having it repaired by nintendo)

TLDR: Joycon drift is an issue after prolonged use, you may or may not have it after months of use. Take care of your stuff properly and you will be less likely to encounter problems. The lite is a nice console.

 

[Bluebellie]

I?m also torn.
I?m waiting to go to Walmart or GameStop to try and hold them. I think my decision would be based on mostly how it feels on my hands.


I have a question though for everyone. I have never owned a switch so it might be a dumb question.
I noticed a lot of people mention that they prefer the lite because they are solo players.

Mostly , I play solo, but I do like to dream suite and trade around for items in other towns. In the lite, there?s still the option for multiplayer for those options right? I?m confused about this.

 

[dizzy bone]

Also, I have a lite, so far (from practically abusing the poor left stick due to making curry in pokemon), my stick was acting kinda strange, but no issues with drift thankfully(I bought replacement sticks just in case, and dissasembling the lite is kinda easy, and replacing the left stick is also easy, so I see no problems on opening up my switch just in case drift happens. BUT THIS IS JUST ME, do not do it if you have the option of having it repaired by nintendo)

This made me laugh because I actually had the same issue when playing Pok?mon. My left stick started acting funny to the point that I couldn?t spin properly when trying to evolve my milcery. In the end I had to get my pro controller out just to do a damn twirl. Things like this worries me about getting a lite possibly further down the line. I?m pretty careful with keeping my console clean and free of dust but ?regular? use of the stick in general can cause it to act up which is super disappointing.

 

[jcmbangor]

I’m also torn.
I’m waiting to go to Walmart or GameStop to try and hold them. I think my decision would be based on mostly how it feels on my hands.


I have a question though for everyone. I have never owned a switch so it might be a dumb question.
I noticed a lot of people mention that they prefer the lite because they are solo players.

Mostly , I play solo, but I do like to dream suite and trade around for items in other towns. In the lite, there’s still the option for multiplayer for those options right? I’m confused about this.

I have only held the lite and my reaction was that I really liked how it fit my hands and that the build quality is excellent with a solid feel. In large part this is probably because there are no attached joycons...its just a solid panel. But, I am sure that regular Switch owners can shed more light than I, as I have not examined one. Going to the store for a side by side demo sounds like the perfect idea. For me, I wanted it to feel close to the feel of my familiar and comfortable 3DSXL and to me it does.

As far as playing solo...I meant that I do not play any games in front of the tv with other players sitting on the couch...New Leaf on the dsxl cut the cord for me.

 

[jiojiop]

It's an interesting combination of mechanical and software issues. I think some have opened it up and found it worn out, some have found debris ? fixed their issues with compressed air and electronic contact cleaner, and some really nothing. I would never have thought that software itself can contribute to controller issues, but a few of my PS4 controllers exhibited stick drift when playing Prey while others were fine. Thing is, none of my controllers had any problems with other games. The cause in Prey's case was the devs setting the Dead Zone too small:

The dead zone specifies how responsive your controls are when moving the viewpoint and, with it, the crosshairs. A larger dead zone eliminates unwanted movements that occur if the controls are too sensitive to your input. This means that your aim won't be spoiled if you accidentally move your mouse or analog stick slightly once you have acquired your target. Larger dead zones also prevent the problem of ghosting (also called wandering or drifting) that can occur when analog sticks start to wear out. Because the right analog stick is used so much in first-person shooters, the wear and tear can cause the stick to not center correctly. With a small dead zone, this causes the camera to spin around without your input.

So the question is, say you do find signs of wear when you open it up or it has a higher failure rate than other controllers ? is that really the smoking gun? Is it that the joysticks are inherently poorly designed and worse quality? Or is the way that Nintendo designed the system and the software a contributing factor in magnifying the effect of typical wear-and-tear found on all joysticks? Perhaps a bit of column A, a bit of column B.

Best bet is prevention (keep it clean and debris-free). Then, if you end up having a problem, troubleshooting (compressed air and contact cleaner). Only if that doesn't work do you need to start worrying about mechanical failure and sending it in to Nintendo (or replacing parts).

 

[MKInfinite]

This made me laugh because I actually had the same issue when playing Pok?mon. My left stick started acting funny to the point that I couldn?t spin properly when trying to evolve my milcery. In the end I had to get my pro controller out just to do a damn twirl. Things like this worries me about getting a lite possibly further down the line. I?m pretty careful with keeping my console clean and free of dust but ?regular? use of the stick in general can cause it to act up which is super disappointing.

I got contact cleaner just to see if the stick would stop acting funny and it did, so if you can get contact cleaner for your stick, do it. Thankfully, only pokemon exhibits funky shenanigans with the stick and everything else works great. So hopefully your stick is the same case as mine.

Also, even with the drift issue, I gave it no second thoughts and got myself my Lite because I actually liked the concept A LOT. I mostly played on portable with my OG Switch, so switching (pun intended) to a Lite was no problem, the drift doesn't bother me so much as it's just a mild annoyance at Nintendo being dumb

 

[Neechan]

The drift issues come from the control stick wearing down the circuit board that is inside the stick, which is why contact cleaner works for a bit, only for the issue to come back. (Hence why replacing the stick works)

Nintendo needs to change how the stick is made by making it from a different material that doesn’t scuff as easily.


Back to the topic at hand, it see that you want the lite version better, I’d go with what suits your play style better

 

[Antonio]

https://www.gamestop.com/video-games/switch/accessories/controllers/products/nintendo-switch-d-pad-joy-con-l-super-mario/174969.html?utm_source=sdi&utm_medium=feeds&utm_campaign=LIA&utm_kxconfid=t9vz73bvj&gclid=CjwKCAiAvonyBRB7EiwAadauqf-6n298DNQfbg6QBHGnufoVsQMO8gLGckXPf2TU5PERQOQ_xuhFCxoCEQoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


Game stop has Joycons with a dpad

 

[John Wick]

You can get d pad joy cons separately though, right?

That's what I want.
I've never owned a switch and wonder just how clunky they are in handheld, which is all I'd ever use.

 

[jcmbangor]

You can get d pad joy cons separately though, right?

That's what I want.
I've never owned a switch and wonder just how clunky they are in handheld, which is all I'd ever use.

same here...There is nothing like being able to actually examine and hold or demo both systems in person. Not everyone has the ability to make that happen. How controls and the device itself will "feel" is going to vary greatly for every individual.
For me, it was worth spending an hour or so reading through the many reviews of the Lite on Amazon. It is all personal opinions, but many of those reviewers have experience with the full size switch and include comparison observations in their reviews. A good number address the differences in feel between the systems.

 

[Peeps]

For anyone concerned about comfort for the Lite or Regular, the Satisfye grip is a game changer. I have something like this for my 2DS, and immediately bought one for my regular Switch. There's a bundle with a case too.

https://www.satisfye.com/products/switchgrip-lite