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1-2-Switch (Switch) Hands-on Preview

by Daan Koopman - March 2, 2017, 6:04 am EST
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In which I just had a big smirk on my face for about two hours.

At a recent event in Amsterdam, I got to play through the final version of 1-2-Switch. The 28 minigames try to showcase the best things that the Joy-Con controllers can do. You will be doing wacky motions like milking cows, playing a round of baseball and following the rhytmic movements of a gorilla. Variety is the spice of life in 1-2-Switch, which I do really appreciate. I just don't know yet how long the fun will last.

The interesting part of 1-2-Switch is the experience of playing it. Most of my session was spent playing with a single person. We faced each other in every game and laughed our way through the proceedings. Even the minigames we didn’t enjoy were different. Personally I was a big fan of Sneaky Dice. We would roll, feel what the other rolled with the HD Rumble and lie our way to victory. The other player was done after a couple of rounds, but I was totally up for another three. On the flipside, I wasn't really into Sword Fight. My reaction time in that game didn't feel up to snuff, but the other guy made it a hoot.

The length of the games is a little mixed. Minigames like the Quick Draw and Ball Count are over before you know it, while others try to keep your interest for a while longer. With most of them, I did enjoy what they had on offer. The Telephone one is short, but really plays with your expectations a lot. The emphasis was on sound as you need to pick up the Joy-Con when hearing the correct ringtone. There are a number of tones that try to fake you out and makes focus really important. The Boxing minigame is another great example of this as you will need to mimic the instructor's suggestions. If you are planning to play this at a big party, I would suggest investing in a quality speaker system. It is important that you hear what you are doing at all times. The actual in-game videos help, but the sound is the key to these games.

Other minigames feel more actiony in nature. Soda sees you shaking a bubbly bottle and passing it along to the next player. As you are doing this, everything in the Joy-Con will shake harder by the minute. You will need to know when to fold and open the bottle before it explodes. Plate Spin is another deep game that you sees you not only spinning a plate, but also trying to get the other player out of balance. It has an immediate Johann Sebastian Joust vibe to it that I couldn't quite shake off. I don't exactly have a problem with that as I enjoy a good round of JS Joust.

Where the problem lies for me is the replay value. I am not sure how much I want to go back to this game and keep trying these same minigames. They are trying to keep it interesting by throwing Team Battle in the mix. It is a board game where you form teams and move around the board based on your skill at handling babies That aspect of it becomes quite competitive and you are never sure what you are getting. With more modes like that, I think that 1-2-Switch could have been more of a winner. That being said, I smiled while playing the game, which is worth something in my book.

I will need a little more time to assess 1-2-Switch. While I do really enjoy what it is offering me, I want to ensure that it has staying power. During Nintendo Switch's launch weekend, I will try to take the system with me to a party and see how my family reacts to it. I am certain that they will like it, but the lasting power is the important factor here. Once I am at that stage, you can look forward to a full review here on Nintendo World Report!

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Game Profile

1-2-Switch Box Art

Genre Party/Parlor
Developer Nintendo
Players1 - 2

Worldwide Releases

na: 1-2-Switch
Release Mar 03, 2017
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone 10+
jpn: 1-2-Switch
Release Mar 03, 2017
PublisherNintendo
RatingAll Ages
eu: 1-2-Switch
Release Mar 03, 2017
PublisherNintendo
Rating7+
aus: 1-2-Switch
Release Mar 03, 2017
PublisherNintendo

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