My Favourite Design, the Nintendo Switch
- Rachel Koo
- Apr 7, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 9, 2020
As someone who loves games, the Nintendo Switch is my favourite design. It is a relatively new video game console that has only been out since 2017 (Nintendo, 2017) and has rapidly become one of the top consoles, already having surpassed Xbox One sales, which has been out since 2013 (D’Angelo, 2020). I believe that the massive success of the Switch is due to the innovative design.
Nintendo’s target audience is anyone, whether they are casual gamers, professional gamers, children, families, or just consumers who want to have fun (Bhasin, 2019). Nintendo keeps this in mind and turns over a new leaf in gaming consoles by creating both a handheld and home console (connected to the tv).
All the games that I was interested in were only playable on home consoles or home computers. However, with the Nintendo Switch, I can play great games such as Legend of Zelda, Minecraft, and much more in the comfort of my bed, a social event, or in a 2-hour long bus ride to university.
Another one of Nintendo Switch’s innovative design points is the controllers. The Switch comes with two detachable joy-cons (controllers) connected to the sides of the screen, which can use while playing in handheld mode or take them out to play multiplayer with friends and family using the nifty kickstand on the back of the device or the TV. Also, using multiple controllers, it is possible to have up to 8 people playing depending on the game. This feature is perfect during long travels with family and friends or as bonding time at home. For solo gamers, the console comes with an adapter where the joy-cons can be inserted and used like controllers seen in Play Stations and Xbox consoles so that they can comfortably game. (de Looper, 2020)
It is evident that the Nintendo Switch went through a significant amount of design processes judging by its innovative design and thought put into every aspect of it. It is a console with a good design where anyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience in games, can have fun using it. Shinya Takahashi (managing executive officer in Nintendo) states, “For us to create surprising things, we also look at older technologies to see if we can leverage them in new ways. New technologies tend to be a bit too advanced – we try to find ways to make technology more approachable.” (Stuart and MacDonalds, 2018)
You can see the Nintendo Switch in action through this trailer:
References:
Nintendo Co. LTD. (2017, March). Corporate Information, Company History. Nintendo JP
William D’Angelo (2020, January 10). Switch vs PS4 vs Xbox One Global Lifetime Sales – December 2019. VGChartz
Hitesh Bhasin (2019, May 29). Marketing Strategy of Nintendo – Nintendo Marketing Strategy. Marketing 91.
Christian de Looper (2020, Jan 24). Why the Nintendo Switch is still the most innovative game console – nearly three years after its release. Business Insider.
Keith Stuart and Keza MacDonalds (2018, April 25). Inside Nintendo’s secretive creative process. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/apr/25/nintendo-interview-secret-innovation-lab-ideas-working
All images courtesy of Unsplash
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