How do you use your Switch?

[Mogri]

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[MCBanjoMike]

I use my Switch docked, or when traveling. Since traveling hasn't been a thing for the last 8 months, it pretty much hasn't come off the dock since March. But every one in a while I get the urge to play a game in bed, and then I'm pretty happy that I have the option.

 

[Regulus]

For me, it depends on the game. I played Animal Crossing exclusively in handheld mode, but played Smash Ultimate almost exclusively docked. Three Houses I played primarily docked, but it was not uncommon for me to switch to handheld mode to keep playing in bed (when I should have been sleeping).

 

[Falselogic]

I usually use it in handheld mode. But I do sit right next to the big TV with the dock next to it. It doesn't make any sense.

 

[Cyrael]

I find the undocked switch to be unbearably uncomfortable to play on, let alone the drifting issues. I'll play something low key and simple handheld like Picross, but for any stretch of gaming past a simple puzzle I go docked + pro controller.

 

[John]

All of the above? When I was traveling for work, it was handheld obvs. At home I would play docked. My kids prefer handheld, and my daughter's got a Lite so that's the only option. My wife will play on the TV, but will also pull handheld when we're watching TV that doesn't need full attention.

 

[Adrenaline]

Michael Pachter being stupid is a universal constant

 

[StriderDL]

When I was commuting via bus it was probably 50/50.

 

[Kazin]

I find the undocked switch to be unbearably uncomfortable to play on, let alone the drifting issues. I'll play something low key and simple handheld like Picross, but for any stretch of gaming past a simple puzzle I go docked + pro controller.

This. I only use the Switch undocked when my wife wants to use the TV. My pro controller doesn't drift - the joycon that came with my brand new at the time system does incessantly. When I've called Nintendo about it they want me to like, turn off other devices in my living room, which isn't happening lol. I should probably just mail the thing in.

And yeah. It's not a comfortable system to play on. The buttons and grips are too small, and lengthy gaming sessions on it handheld leave me very uncomfortable.

 

[Mogri]

This. I only use the Switch undocked when my wife wants to use the TV. My pro controller doesn't drift - the joycon that came with my brand new at the time system does incessantly. When I've called Nintendo about it they want me to like, turn off other devices in my living room, which isn't happening lol. I should probably just mail the thing in.

You should definitely mail it in! It's actually free!

 

[Becksworth]

I usually play undocked for single player, docked for local multiplayer, though haven’t had many friends over recently given pandemic and everything.

 

[Kazin]

You should definitely mail it in! It's actually free!

Yeah. I've called Nintendo about it once before, and they told me to reset the controller and turn off other devices in the room that send out wireless signals of any kind, which ain't happening lol. I just haven't gotten the motivation to do it, since I primarily play with a pro controller docked anyway.

 

[Bongo]

Depends on the game, really.

 

[MCBanjoMike]

I need to send my left joycon in for repairs, but if I do that then I won't be able to play Ring Fit for 2 weeks.

 

[Lokii]

I only use handheld with Jess wants to watch reruns of Sherlock or Psyche on the TV (which is every evening)

 

[MJG]

I usually use it in handheld mode. But I do sit right next to the big TV with the dock next to it. It doesn't make any sense.

Exactly the same. For me, it's just the convenience of handheld held mode that wins out. It takes about one second to start or stop playing at any time in handheld, but with the TV, the same actions take about a minute. Sounds trivial, but I apparently value that more than whatever benefits playing on the TV that's ten feet away would offer.

 

[WildcatJF]

Depends on the game. Like Regulus said, I play Animal Crossing handheld, but for some games like Smash, Fire Emblem, Splatoon 2, XCOM 2, etc., I prefer docked. A big factor is if the Gamecube controller cooperates or not lol. It's nice to have the option to do either!

 

[Violentvixen]

I play Ringfit docked and just about everything else handheld. I spend too much time sitting up/standing at work, so lying down to play is extremely preferable.

Also we have two Switches and one TV so time on that is limited. If I use the TV it's usually for Xbox One stuff.

 

[conchobhar]

Usually handheld. It does depend on the game (I played all of Daemon X Machina docked, while Picross S is much more convenient handheld), but all things being equal, I prefer to play in handheld mode.

 

[Patrick]

My Switch is a handheld system. The only time I dock it is when I play multiplayer Smash Bros.

 

[Nich]

I prefer playing it docked, but I will sometimes play handheld in bed late at night.

 

[ghosttaster]

Docked only. Call me unadventurous... Please. It's my name.

 

[RT-55J]

I play handheld when I'm too lazy to play docked. I still consider myself a mainly-docked-Switch-player, though I've noticed that I've been lazier more often since I've moved into my new place where the TV is in a more awkward position.

When I do play handheld, it's almost never on the go. I'm either at my desk, on the couch, or in bed.

 

[Octopus Prime]

Usually docked, but sometimes I ain’t home, or else I want to use the tv for watching an exciting blockbuster from this new golden age of cinema.

But also handheld mode isn’t ideal for some games as either they put a powerful hunger on the battery or else the Joycons aren’t suitable for the gameplay compared to the Pro Controller.

The Switch is a land of many varied people

 

[Cait]

I've never hooked my dock up to anything.

 

[Sarge]

I tend to play docked. The few times I play in portable mode, I'm struck how it just never feels quite right to me. It's not bad, but it's not good, either. And the times I travel, I don't actually like to take the system with me - it feels almost too premium to bring along. My last trip, I actually brought my DS Lite instead, and used the GBA slot for Boktai.

I think also that I like the idea of more performance, so docked is the answer... but I do know there are games that actually run better in portable mode because they cut out some effects or drop the resolution a bit.

 

[Troa11]

I play docked often enough. But I got a variety of comfy places to lounge in my home and the TV doesn't point at all of them.

 

[Gaer]

I need an option of:

Equally docked and held over the bed with one of those phone arm things while using a controller. And sometimes handheld.

Pictured: phone arm thing

 

[Issun]

Depends on the game. Like Regulus said, I play Animal Crossing handheld, but for some games like Smash, Fire Emblem, Splatoon 2, XCOM 2, etc., I prefer docked. A big factor is if the Gamecube controller cooperates or not lol. It's nice to have the option to do either!

Yeah, this. Celeste or AC are fine either way, but you gotta play Xenoblade on the big screen.

 

[Wolf]

My Switch has hardly ever been out of its dock. It's easier to sit comfortably when I don't have to worry about keeping a screen in ideal position. And even the onscreen imagery doesn't change a bit, some games just... don't feel right in portable mode, like Breath of the Wild. I like having the option of playing it docked, but 99.5 percent of its time has been in the dock.

Actually, I'm thinking of getting another dock to hook up to my PC monitor so I can play it while I'm sitting there also.