Nintendo Switch Vs OLED, Now Vs Later

Ahyao17 on 07/09/2021 - 16:39

Looking to buy a Nintendo switch this year.
It will be for my son who is 8. Most likely he will be playing on a monitor or TV for less eye-strain.

Most website are recommending the switch OLED saying US$50 isn't much and be worth it if you never owned one. But it is around $100 difference here (cheapes is amazon at round 440 and preorder is 539), my wife kind of sees it as a deal breaker.

Would it be better just to but the original switch if there is another price dip in the near future? or is there a chance that the OLED will have a drop in price soon after release since it is so underwhelming? I guess if the price difference is around Aus$50 then we'll be happy to get the OLED…

(but we are not going to wait forever, probably will want to buy before Xmas holidays).

what are your thoughts,

Gaming Game Console Nintendo

Comments

  • colossus on 07/09/2021 - 16:47
    +8

    The OLED has a slightly larger screen also.

    If you've not had one before, you may find handheld mode may appeal to you or your son, especially during car trips.

    Who knows what your use cases will be, once you're hooked on Breath of the Wild? :-D

    If you're thinking of this a Christmas present, I recommend waiting for Black Friday.

    • azngamer on 08/09/2021 - 22:58

      Counter argument, same resolution and hence lower pixel density.

      I would say wait for reviews if your son can wait given Nintendo QC. I've owned a switch since launch and it looks like the OLED is a superior model despite the price difference.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 07/09/2021 - 16:52
    +1

    Keep an eye on OzBargain as even though it is unlikely the Switch is going to go down in price on release, there will always be opportunities for price reductions via eBay codes or general retail discounts such as the recent Klarna promo the new switch was effectively $449.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/643872

  • Dean29 on 07/09/2021 - 17:31
    +7

    If it is for an 8yo i don't think they will notice the difference

  • Chrisdh on 07/09/2021 - 17:38
    +4

    What Dean said and just get one off FB marketplace with games incl for cheap

  • Kangal on 07/09/2021 - 18:52
    -5

    I'm going to say the unpopular opinion, and I don't suggest you do it.
    But you can get a Steam Deck. Then you can play Switch games on it. Will cost more upfront, but it will retain its value far longer. And give you loads of freedom. Again, this is a clunky solution, and not suitable for a child who's under 18.

    Steam Deck allows you to play:
    Cloud Streamed Games, Windows Games, Indie Games, Linux Games, Android Games, Flash/Web Games.

    And emulate these:
    Switch, WiiU, PS3, X360,
    Xbox, Wii, Gamecube, new 2DSXL,
    PS2, old 3DS, PSP, Dreamcast,
    DS, N64, PS1, Saturn,
    GBA, SNES, Sega Genesis, C64, GBC, NES, Atari.
    (in a distant future, maybe PS Vita too. But less hope for PS4/XB1 exclusives)

    • the frost on 07/09/2021 - 19:07
      +1

      The Steam Deck is still a massive unknown. We don't know how it will work in the real world, there are of course no reviews, and this is Valve's first time doing hardware of this kind. You say it will retain its value far longer? Not if there are hardware issues like a lot of first generation devices.

      The Switch is four years old now, which means there are already heaps of quality games, and it's a given that Nintendo's hardware is of top quality.

      Since the question is being asked now, before the Steam Deck comes out, I don't think it's worth it to bet on the Steam Deck being what you need. And as you say, it's a clunky solution, not for minors. I am going to be following the Steam Deck news with interest, though.

    • QuickdraW on 07/09/2021 - 19:13
      +2

      Nintendo is the only company to make successfull handhelds while Valve has several failed hardware experiments now, know which horse I would be backing.

    • FireRunner on 07/09/2021 - 20:51
      +1

      Pretty sure you need a hackable Switch to dump the necessary files to get the Switch emulator to work. Also we have no idea on how well it would run on the Deck.
      Almost certain PS3 and Xbox360 emulation wouldn't be pleasant on it.
      Another issue is we have no idea when (or if) we'll see Steam Decks available for purchase in Australia

      • Kangal on 07/09/2021 - 23:24

        A few years ago, and I would've agreed with you. However the Cemu, RCPS3, Yuzu, and Ryijinx have come a long way. For instance, you used to need a HEDT 6900k for PS3, now you can achieve it on a mainstream i5 USFF. I think we will see some people attempt what I stated above, so there will be some more optimisations coming on top. I will give you the point, that anything above Wii emulation, and you're going to burn through that battery fast.

        Not sure about the dumping part. If there was an SD card reader for the Switch Cartridges, people would be using their PCs for that task instead.

        Some people from Australia have already bought the Steam Deck, but using an overseas service. There's going to be a huge shortage of them for a while, much worse than the PS5/XSX shortage I reckon. So it actually makes sense to get it while you can, if you can. I personally haven't bought it, I'm tempted, just sticking to living frugally during these covid times.

  • Ahyao17 on 08/09/2021 - 14:57
    +2

    Thanks for the comments.

    I think it will be hard to get a steam deck. The boy will be using some gift cards he has saved up to get the switch. And my wife probably won't let me muck around setting up the steam deck (if you have time to do that you have time to do "list infinite number of house chores that doesn't really need to be done right now")

    Probably best to watch Ozbargain for deals I guess and be open to both. If the price difference is around $50 I think the new one will be worth it, simply because the ethernet and slightly higher capacity.

    Some of his friends has Switch and they can play together easily.

    • Faro on 08/09/2021 - 17:16
      +2

      Steam Deck was a weird personal interest solution anyway.

      Kids don't want that. Kids want what their friends have. Get a Switch. He'll enjoy it. Problem solved. No need to over-complicate things.

    • Kangal on 08/09/2021 - 22:47
      +2

      Agreed.
      Just try to get something cheap. Not because you're a bad parent or anything, it's just that the Switch is getting replaced.

      How do I know? Because it is obsolete. In a nutshell, it is 2014 technology that was sold in 2017, against established consoles who are more powerful. It has suffered poorly its lifecycle for having very few third-party titles compared to traditional consoles. In spite of that, it is a success mostly due to nostalgia, exclusives, and some hype/gimmicks.

      Now with the new-gen consoles of PS5/XSX, it's going to be overlooked by every major developer. As impressive as RDR2 is, there's so much potential in the new-gen consoles, that those future games are going to be impossible to port to the PS4, let alone the WiiU/Switch. Nintendo will eventually be forced to release a new console soon (2022 ?) just to stay relevant. I have a feeling Nintendo will keep the Switch around for a while, as a low-end "handheld only" console, while they introduce their new (Xbox Series S level?) midrange "TV only" console. But take that with a grain of salt.

      So you might find your kids (and their friends) screaming up and down to throw away their Nintendo Switch for the next thing… sooner rather than later.

      • Kraise on 09/09/2021 - 13:37
        +1

        To piggy back off this, I would even consider the Switch Lite.

        An 8 year old boy is most likely going to use it as a handheld +95% of the time.
        The docking station is quite redundant and maybe the joycon controllers too since your son's friends have their own unit.
        It's also considerably cheaper so there's less heart break when your son damages it by knocking, dropping or spilling a drink.

        • Ahyao17 on 09/09/2021 - 16:10

          Thanks for the suggestion

          We have talked about this with him. One of his friends has a mini so he knows both. He is happy having a switch rather than mini at this stage.

          I think we will try to get him to run it on his computer monitor or the TV. Easier on his eyes and neck and also easier to control his playing time.

  • musali259 on 09/09/2021 - 14:51
    +1

    OLED will be worth it

  • musali259 on 09/09/2021 - 15:00
    +1

    but an 8 year old would not be able to tell any difference.

    • Ahyao17 on 09/09/2021 - 16:11

      At this stage I think it is really the ethernet dock and bigger storage which will affect us in some way.
      The origin is looking more logical now, unless there comes a big discount on the new OLEd one.

      • Heaps for Cheaps on 15/09/2021 - 09:54

        I wonder if it is PoE powered…hmm, I'll research that

        …Did some research, no it isn't..what a shame :(

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