Nintendo’s latest incarnation, the Switch Lite is aimed at people who want to switch to a new console that can’t switch (between modes). I was slightly confused, too.
When it was first released in 2017, everyone was talking about the Nintendo Switch. As far as I knew, it was the first of its kind to double up as both a handheld and sit-in-front-of-the-TV gaming experience. That was two years ago. In the digi-sphere, that’s a pretty damn long time to be out of the game. I’d watched reviews about it and even enjoyed my favourite ASMR-tists (people who whisper and tap on things into expensive microphones) review the console with excitement. Listening to Nick [The ASMR Nerd] talk about his purchase got me excited about the device. However, at around that time Hayley and I had bought our electric car, and although it wasn’t an expensive one, we were paying it off quickly and every month we had $660 less to spend on consumer products. We have our priorities, people.
Cue my YouTube feed enticing me once more.
The Nintendo Switch Lite in Turquoise.
I’m not exactly sure which channel was promoting/discussing it, but this month’s (September, 2019) release of the all new and all great Nintendo Switch Lite got me thinking about Nintendo all over again. The Lite was cheaper and looked very cool. I was shown three different colours – a dazzling yellow, an irradiated-looking Teal and a boring as hell grey. I was instantly attracted to the Teal (Nintendo call it Turquoise, probably because it sounds a bit like Blastoise).
The design of Nintendo’s latest incarnation of the Switch also took me back to my younger days of gaming. My first ever handheld was a SEGA Game Gear. The Switch Lite and the Game Gear share enough layout similarities for it to pique my interest. The Game Gear came in one colour – boring grey. But, I am certain that if it were to have been released in a non-achromatic variation, I would have begged my parents for that colour.
I didn’t play Crash Bandicoot when it was released on the PlayStation back in 1996.
But Hayley did. After I searched for what titles were available on the console, I stumbled upon Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (the original Crash trilogy). It was released in mid-2018 for the Switch and is getting plenty of love from all kinds of nostalgic gamers. When I told her that Crash Bandicoot was a thing again, she was keen. Hayley is not a gamer at all (neither am I, to be honest), so for her to show some interest, I decided to bring up the Switch. My next question was,
“How do you want to play it? TV or portable?"
She couldn’t have made it clearer that she loved the idea of playing it on the TV again. Der. After all, she grew up gaming on a PlayStation, not a PSP. So, despite my love for the very beautiful turquoise Switch Lite, we were destined to own a Switch (OG).
This morning Hayley left for Sydney. And I got to work.
While she was away, I wanted to get everything ready so that Hayley could relive her Crash Bandicoot moments from the PlayStation. Having looked online, I could see that Target was having a sale on their Switches. Just my luck! I noticed that all of my local stores were either out of stock or low. I made the call and had the last neon Switch (because who actually wants boring grey.. blurgh) set aside for me. It didn't matter anyway because there weren't any boring grey ones left. Bonus luck! However, before I went to the counter I thought I’d just peruse their games. They were pretty light-on but I noticed immediately that there were clearance stickers on a few games. At that stage I had done some research and decided to buy the majority of the titles I was interested in from seconds stores at a discount. I had done the same with both my Nintendo 2DS console and the games I got for it (most memorably, Mario Kart 7). I have had the game and console for years and playing it casually throughout that period, I haven’t once had a problem.
The games maketh the console.
Aside from Crash, I really had my heart set on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3. Wouldn’t you know it, there was one copy of Ultimate Alliance of which was selling everywhere else for $69. This lone copy was just $45! I couldn’t believe my peepers! I grabbed it immediately and went to the entertainment counter to finalise my purchase.
Was it too good to be true?
On my way out of the store, I prepared myself for the customary bag and receipt check well before getting to the exit. I noticed something peculiar on my receipt. I was charged $69 for the game! God damn it! I took a breath and stayed calm. I really hate department stores and shopping in general, so having to repeat a transaction isn’t my idea of fun. I explained to the clerk that the box was marked down. She found it and apologised for the error, refunded me the difference and I went on my way.
Yippee!
Waiting to unbox.
It’s now 6:30pm. Hours have passed as my Switch sits patiently in my office waiting for its unboxing birth. Alas, there were no copies of Crash that I could find in-store (I only looked in Target and Big W) so I thought Hayley wouldn’t be playing her childhood favourite game tomorrow. That is, until I realised that another retailer may have it. The JB Hi-Fi website says they’re low on stock, but it’s worth a shot tomorrow morning. Thankfully, the $30 price tag is both small and identical to Amazon’s.
The worst case scenario is that I’ll have to wait for delivery.
A budget is your friend and enabler (the good kind).
It seems off topic, but using a budget enabled this apparently impulse-ish purchase. Two years ago, I didn't see the Switch, know I wanted it and began saving for it. I did, however, like the idea of saving for those types of things in the future.
I have a few categories in my budget that I set aside as little as $50 a month for things like computing components, a new ipad/tablet, comic books, toys, travel etc. All the things that are fairly trivial and aren't necessary for a good life. I've proven I can live without them while at the same time proving that I can live on the same amount of money as if I had bought them. I decided how much to budget as can you. If you are having financial difficulty, you need a budget. If you aren't on tough street, you also need a budget. After all, who likes wasting money?
There is so much satisfaction knowing how much money you'll have in your savings in ten years or when you can go on your next holiday.
A few parting words on the experience.
A couple of years ago, I wrote an article documenting my Samsung Galaxy S8 purchase. I urge you to read it as it was an upgrade from my iPhone 4S. Yes, you read that correctly.
When buying both of these items I felt pretty guilty. I’m not what you would call a typical consumer. I hold on to things and try to really look after them. While I’m sure some of you also do this yourselves, I think it’s very uncommon. This article (as well as the one about the Samsung S8) serves mostly to remind myself of the process and the why I bought these things to begin with. The iPhone had more or less reached the end of its life and the Switch will hopefully enable Hayley and I to spend more quality time with each over a mutually enjoyable experience.
Will I be WOWED by my next gaming console ten years from now? I certainly hope so.
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Nick.
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