The Nintendo Switch was a much-needed win for the company. Nintendo's last console, the Wii U, only sold 13.5 million systems, making it Nintendo's worst-selling console to date. Fortunately, after a few tumultuous years, the Switch was launched in 2017 to rave reviews.

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However, the console hasn't been without its critics. While being innovative and incredibly impressive, the system is also considered out-of-date and underpowered. And with rumors of a new "Switch Pro" getting louder and louder by the day, there are things gamers want in the new console while still appreciating what the Switch has done masterfully.

Needs Improvement: Less Old Games

Pikmin 3, Mario Kart 8 and Donkey Kong Wii U covers

The Switch's library is loaded with ports of old games. In fact, many of the "must-play" titles for the Switch are just Wii U ports, like Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, Pikmin 3D Deluxe, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Bayonetta 2, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, and more.

And beyond that, the game library, in general, is also loaded with older games like Borderlands, BioShock, Flashback, Metro, Skyrim, Dark Souls, and many more. The next Nintendo system will really need to focus on new, Nintendo-exclusive content, not just games from almost a decade ago.

Why It's Awesome: The Cartridges

The tiny Zelda cartridge for Nintendo Switch

Because of the Switch's small size, they returned to cartridges (the first major console to do so in over 20 years). But the modern-day Switch cartridge, which can run massive games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is even smaller than the old Game Boy cartridges, proving that innovation can do wonderful things.

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This is also awesome because taking your favorite game to your friend's house is now as easy as slipping a tiny cartridge into your pocket. They're easily the most travel-friendly games ever made.

Needs Improvement: Lack of Memory

A Nintendo Switch with Joy-Cons

The Switch has surprisingly sparse memory capabilities. The standard Switch comes with just 32GB of memory...which is less than most cell phones these days. Even worse is that some of that space is used for the system software, giving players even less memory.

This is a horrible decision since tons of games are cheaper on the Nintendo e-store than as physical copies, not to mention that the e-store has many titles that simply don't have physical releases. Any serious Switch player will need to buy an SD card to handle their game library. Nintendo's next console will need to have more built-in memory in order to stay competitive.

Why it's Awesome: Portability and Versatility

Someone holding The Switch in handheld mode

The defining characteristic of the Switch is the fact that it's both a portable gaming device, as well as a docked home gaming console. Switching between the two modes is seamless, easy, and makes for a phenomenal gaming experience. Some games are perfect for short commutes to work using the handheld mode, and others play better when docked.

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The Switch allows you to play and enjoy both. Despite the Switch's flaws, it's absolutely mindboggling that an entire gaming system has been constructed into something smaller than an iPad.

Needs Improvement: Can't Handle Lots of Games

Borderlands 3 won't be coming to Switch

While innovative, the Switch's small size has really impeded its ability to function well as a gaming device. For example, while the first three Borderlands games were released on Switch in 2020, it was announced that Borderlands 3 won't be coming to the console. The Switch's shortcomings are also noticeable for certain games that were ported to the system...even though they clearly shouldn't have been. Example: ARK: Survival Evolved.

On Metacritic, ARK holds a Metascore of 70% for PC, while only holding a score of 29% for the Switch. The console simply can't handle a game of that size, nor is it able to render the graphic fidelity that the PlayStation and Xbox can. Nintendo's next console will need to handle large games and have better graphical abilities.

Why It's Awesome: Break-Apart Controllers

The Switch's Joy-Cons

While the Switch might be a bad system for first-person shooters and large, open-world environments, the console excels in party games...which isn't surprising, as Nintendo has always specialized in such games. Mario Party, Super Smash Bros., and Mario Kart are some of Nintendo's bestselling titles, and all of these center around playing with friends.

To help foster the lost art of couch co-op, the Switch even has break-apart controllers that can then serve as two controllers, allowing you to play competitively or co-op with your friends. It's a perfect example of where the Switch uses innovation to capitalize on its strengths.

Needs Improvement: Joy-Con Drift

The Switch has a controller issue with its Joy-Cons

Nintendo's break-apart controllers are also, sadly, breakable controllers. Joy-Con drift is a notorious issue that plagues Switch players around the globe. Joy-Con drift is a prevalent issue within the controllers (both the Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller) that causes the console to think a joystick is moving even if the player isn't touching it.

Nintendo's next console will absolutely need to fix this issue. Not only does drifting taint the reputation of Nintendo, but it's costing players money and ruining their gaming experiences.

Why It's Awesome: It's Uniquely Nintendo

Nintendo has a history of creating odd gaming consoles

Throughout the years, Nintendo has built a brand of being unique - from using mini disks in the GameCube, to making family-friendly shooting games by swapping the guns for paint in Splatoon to the revolutionary motion controls of the Wii - Nintendo has become known for doing things a little differently.

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The versatility of the Switch is very much on-brand for the company and continues its mission to shake up the world of gaming. Plus, it's what the fans have come to expect. Nintendo's quirky differences are what makes the company so lovable..even if they do sometimes fall flat.

Needs Improvement: Needs Online Chat

Mario Kart 8 for Nintendo Switch

Online gaming trickled into the market throughout the '90s, but it was in 1998, when the Sega Dreamcast put a modem inside the console, that the true power of online gaming was revealed. Since then, it's only gotten more and more popular. In fact, some of today's biggest games are online arena shooters like Fortnite and Apex Legends - both of which require communication between teammates.

Sadly, the Switch isn't making online gaming easy. Many games are greatly enhanced through communicating with your team, or even just your friend that you're playing co-op with. The Switch's weird, confusing, and mostly lacking online chat features really dampen online gaming. The next console will need to streamline online voice chat, otherwise, gamers will begin choosing other systems.

Why It's Awesome: For Its Price and Size, It's Incredible

The Nintendo Switch in dock mode

Despite the shortcomings of the Switch, it can't be denied that the device is a marvel of innovation. Add to that the fact that the Switch is way cheaper than both its PlayStation and Xbox counterparts (except for the new digital-only Xbox Series S) and it's easy to see why the Switch has sold almost 80 million devices, becoming the 11th most-bought console ever.

Furthermore, for the casual gamer, the performance differences between the Switch and other consoles will most likely be unnoticeable. And most hardcore gamers already know to avoid Nintendo devices, as they've never been designed as heavy-use powerhouse systems. Instead, Nintendo believes in family-based gaming, friendly competitions, and good old-fashioned fun.

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