Can I use my Nintendo Switch in 20 years from now?

I am trying to choose between buying a Nintendo Switch or a Nintendo DS.

This may not be the perfect community to ask - but I can’t think of any better place.

The reason for my question: I don’t want to own obsolete hardware in 10 years. Lately most games seem to depend on a “phone home” feature, which is not really an issue for my pc because it is always connected, but a console is something I want to play always and everywhere.

I already did some searching and found that games can be played offline fine (most of them, some exceptions are there like Multiplayer and Mortal Kombat), but:

  • There is something like the paid Nintendo Online Account. I am not planning on having a paid account. How much of the system depends on the account?
  • Can I have progression in a game (let’s say: one of the Zelda franchise) and will my Wife and Kids all have their own progression, without having to pay for X accounts?
  • People who own a Switch, let’s take this to extremes, do you feel like in 20 years from now you can still do the same things on your hardware as you can do now? (No multiplayer is fine)

Also, feel free to rant about “paying is not owning”, the state of the gaming industry is horrible.

edit: Thank you all for the comments! I don’t post a lot, so it was kinda overwhelming :)

For clarity:

  • I meant I want to “buy for life” (not really “life”, but, if the hardware survives you can play on pre-internet consoles forever - you can even buy more games if you can find them)
  • I want to buy a physical copy of the games, not download them

I’ve decided to go with the Nintendo DS for now (I have a DSi - this week I bought a couple of games, 2nd hand). Reasons:

  • I already had it
  • Joycons on switch. Multiple people mentioned having problems with them. I don’t count on being able to buy them new in 10 years, meaning they will have to last.

Again: thank you all for the useful input!

graymess,

You have plenty of answers already, but one thing I want to point out that might not have been mentioned yet: The DS line of handhelds are unique hardware; the Switch is not.

By that I mean there is a vast library of games developed over ~15 years that were designed for the dual screen layout. Don’t listen to what anyone tells you about emulation; those games are much, much better when played on actual Nintendo hardware, not because they run poorly on emulators, but because your phone, monitors, Steam Deck, and TV are one horizontal screen. Every alternative layout I’ve seen for emulating DS games is an awkward compromise to fit two screens on one. It sucks, it doesn’t look good, and you’ll have to change the layout on a per game basis because one size absolutely does not fit all.

Now look at the Switch. It’s a standard 16:9 720p touch screen. Everything that can and will ever be built powerful enough to emulate a Switch will display those games in the way they were intended to be presented. When Switch emulation is perfect (and it’s most of the way there) there is no compromise. You can already play Switch games on other handheld devices at higher resolutions and frame rates than the Switch itself can handle and it’s an objectively better experience.

I only offer this perspective because you’re talking about a very long term view of device ownership. We are now well past the period of game development on two screens as it existed on the DS line of handhelds. I highly doubt that phase of game design is ever coming back. And like it or not, many of those games are best experienced on the original hardware they were designed for and that will probably still be the case 20 years from now. On the other hand, we already have a plethora of alternative hardware options for games made for the Nintendo Switch and those numbers will grow considerably between now and 2044.

ObsidianZed,

not because they run poorly on emulators, but because your phone, monitors, Steam Deck, and TV are one horizontal screen.

Me looking at my half unfolded Galaxy Fold 5.

Say what you will about the foldables, but I enjoy my versatility.

graymess,

I would absolutely love a foldable handheld like that with some actual buttons. Sadly, I think those times are behind us, even with new folding screen technology. Maybe one day if haptic tech gets good enough to mimic physical buttons.

ObsidianZed,

I invested in a usb-c game pad for my emulators.

CorrodedCranium, (edited )
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

Well said the only thing I’d add is the 3DS line can play original DS games just fine. I would go that route rather than purchase something like a DS Lite with a flashcart.

It can also emulate up to PSX relatively well and I believe there’s a somewhat decent homebrew scene. Not to the Vita’s level but I think there’s a decent amount of homebrew applications and custom themes.

zarenki,

I never liked to play DS games on 3DS because of the blurry screen: DS games run at a 256x192 resolution while the 3DS screens stretch that out to 320x240. Non integer factor scaling at such low resolutions is incredibly noticeable.

DSi (and XL) similarly can be softmodded with nothing but an SD card, though using a DS Lite instead with a flashcart can enable GBA-Slot features in certain DS games including Pokemon.

MomoTimeToDie,

I don’t remember the buttons to hold, but when you boot a ds game on 3ds, and hold the right buttons, it boots pixel-perfect on a smaller segment of the 3ds screen such that it’s the same exact resolution as a ds screen

graymess,

The “new” 3DS especially is an improvement on the original when it comes to emulation. And yeah, just last week someone ported Moonlight for it, which works surprisingly well for a device that only has a 2.4GHz WiFi card.

gravitywell,

I’ve owned my switch since 2017 and Ive never used Nintendo’s online services, I think they’re actually DNS blocked or if I forgot to DNS block them then my console might be banned but it makes no difference to me, I get an error it can’t connect to Nintendo when I start some games but other than having to click past that it’s smooth sailing.

You can still have multiple users/profiles/saves without needing to link Nintendo accounts at all.

I think most of what I do with it now I could still do in 20 years although if I’m being totally honest one thing I use a lot is moonlight to remote stream games off my desktop and Im sure you could use it with current Gen PCs to stream but I’m guessing the between wifi and video codec standerds changing over time i dont think moonligbt will still work in 2044…but thats probably a bit outside the scope of your question.

An easier way to put it, the switch is currently probably the best modern console for piracy and that should tell you a lot about how little it depends on any kind of (not already cracked) authentication

LemmyExpert,

Get a Switch, get it right now, also get this tool. The answer currently is yes, as long as the hardware still works & the battery doesn’t explode, and a switch combined with the MIG tool will give you a robust local library of games. Get your rig + MIG & never connect that switch to the internet ever again.

Nintendo is notoriously litigious & overly protective of all things Nintendo. The MIG Switch cartridge looks AMAZING but obviously Nintendo fucking hates it & they will probably try to issue a patch that nerfs it and/or kills your Switch in the future.

Blackmist,

If it’s like my other consoles from 20 years ago, It’ll be sealed in a box in the attic while you emulate it without a thought.

ashinadash,
@ashinadash@hexbear.net avatar

You can already emulate it with ease, lol. There are multiple Switch emulators, even

Outtatime,
@Outtatime@sh.itjust.works avatar

People thought the same thing in 1985. The NES still works.

SorteKanin,
@SorteKanin@feddit.dk avatar

For future reference, consider !buyitforlife

cinnamonTea,

Since the problem of the joycons breaking down has come up a few times, I just want to mention that you can easily couple 8bit-do controllers, or presumably any others, and play with those instead. That’s likely to mean they’ll be available for a while. Not sure that you can do anything about a DS’s buttons breaking

axo,

My switch died after about 4 years. A capacitor burned, tried to replace it, but still nothing happens… dont know if Ill get it to work again

buckykat,

If you’re gonna buy a switch look for a used one old enough to be software hackable and pirate all your games

Auzy,

Unless it has gotten better, the joy cons on these things always fail. That’s 1 reason I never got one

Even if the games run, the joy cons will likely not last long before drifting

vox,
@vox@sopuli.xyz avatar

tbf i think dualshock 4 controllers die about as fast as joycons. but also joycons cost 70$ while you can get a new dualshock 4 for 25

Auzy,

For me, the Joycons feel really cheap. I don’t have a switch though.

Also, was unimpressed by the way Nintendo treated Wii U and wii customers (I had both)

Underwaterbob,

I’ve been using a pair of dual shock 4s for something like seven years now without any drift. I had to buy new stick tops because I wore them out.

OTOH, the dual sense I bought started drifting so badly, it was unusable after a year.

vox,
@vox@sopuli.xyz avatar

my last dualshock 4 lasted like 3 years before starting to show first signs of drift

Kolanaki,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

Assuming it is kept in working order, you’d be able to do everything you can do with it now, with the assumption the online services stay up. If they go down, you would lose your non-physical games and the ability to play online.

Your progression and everything is saved on the unit itself, and the hardware used likely will last for a long, long time if kept properly.

Almost nothing other than games you’ve bought on the store and online functionality in games is tied to your Switch account. And in 20 years time, who knows if that service will still be online.

WarmApplePieShrek,

The hardware (joy-cons) breaks itself in months.

Kolanaki,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

Ok yeah. You got me there. The joysticks absolutely suck. The console will probably still work, but your left and right sticks are gonna be forever moving in opposite directions

graymess,

Gulikit makes solid hall effect sensor analogue stick replacements for joycons. Had mine for months with no issues and, if it’s to be believed, should last for the long term.

nintendiator,

People who own a Switch, let’s take this to extremes, do you feel like in 20 years from now you can still do the same things on your hardware as you can do now? (No multiplayer is fine)

No chance.

Not only it is unlikely that the hardware will last that long, the supplies for hardmodding it likely won’t either, and in 20 years there won’t be enough of a community interest to support hardmodding services unless some sort of master keys are leaked. And without hardmodding, the only Switches that you can install whatever you want on are very ld ones that were released with firmware 3.x or something, which are also less capable hardware and lower quality joycons.

Heck, if I had to bet on 5 years more instead of 20, I’d flat out sell my Switch and buy a Steam Deck 2.0 as soon as they release.

wowwoweowza,

I’m using a thirteen year old XBOX 360 — love it. Have all physical media. It’s fun. 7 more years until 20 so I guess I’ll keep you posted.

nintendiator,

But is it jailbroken?

That, for me, is pretty much half or 3/4ths of the point of “can I keep the same things” with the Switch. The console (any console, really) is useless for me if it comes without aftermarket / altermarket value.

wowwoweowza,

It’s not jailbroken. I can still pick up games for it at garage sales. I haven’t run into problems — but I mostly play racing games — obviously not online but it’s still fun. RDR still runs. Working as usual.

CorrodedCranium,
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

Have you replaced the thermal paste? I just did mine

wowwoweowza,

I’m not a huge gamer. 30 hours per year max. I get to longing some immersion so I do four hours and I’m free of the longing for months. I think this might be why I haven’t needed any maintenance.

My kids are still on an XBOX ONE but they too have pretty much grown out of excessive gaming.

Who knows how long these will last when the use falls to minimum.

Kolanaki,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

Not only it is unlikely that the hardware will last that long

Electronic hardware can last for a very long time unless it’s mistreated. I still have a working Pong unit that’s all original parts. Also an NES and SNES and the only thing wrong with those is the SNES turned yellow over time.

nintendiator,

For some weird marketing and CEO reason, electronics anytime after the Game Boy Advance don’t last more than 10~15 years, and spread themselves out like spaghetti if the transport clerk in charge haphazardly trips over your suitcase. From washing machines to vidya consoles, if you want it good it has to he old. Nintendo is no exception, the Switch is not anywhere as durable as the Game Boy Color, battery lifetime notwithstanding.

CorrodedCranium,
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

Not only it is unlikely that the hardware will last that long, the supplies for hardmodding it likely won’t either, and in 20 years there won’t be enough of a community interest to support hardmodding services unless some sort of master keys are leaked. And without hardmodding, the only Switches that you can install whatever you want on are very ld ones that were released with firmware 3.x or something, which are also less capable hardware and lower quality joycons.

Do you think that will be very relevant if we get things like the MIG Switch? I feel like there will still be a decent dedicated community for the Switch for a while. It is a Nintendo product with decent emulation/homebrew potential.

nintendiator,

I don’t know enough of it to opinionate but I see at least two big issues (for me thinking about usefulness for that time period):

  • it’s hardware, meaning it’s far more pricey and international access far more restricted (they do point out for example they don’t sell to end users).
  • in theory it only runs Switch carts (or, technically, Switch installable packages). if so meaning they only supplement a previously jailbroken Switch’s setup (eg.: pegascape, atmosphere, emulators, …), not replace it.
CorrodedCranium,
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

it’s hardware, meaning it’s far more pricey and international access far more restricted (they do point out for example they don’t sell to end users).

I am hoping it’s one of those things we see replicated and sold across different sites for cheap. Kind of like how the MX4SIO was originally only sold in a few places by people like Helders Game Tech and now you can pick them up on Ali Express for dirt cheap pretty much wherever you are.

in theory it only runs Switch carts (or, technically, Switch installable packages). if so meaning they only supplement a previously jailbroken Switch’s setup (eg.: pegascape, atmosphere, emulators, …), not replace it.

Kind of like HEN for Playstation systems?

Moonrise2473,

There are games like “Control” that are guaranteed to be dead in 5 years max as they’re glorified remote play solutions. The game is playing on someone else’s computer and streamed to the switch. So the bill for that computer is paid by new sales like a Ponzi scheme. No more sales = the dev turns off their servers = no more playing

ErwinLottemann,

control is streamed? for switch or in general?

CorrodedCranium,
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

It was news to me as well. Here is a Verge article talking about it but it says the following

In order to play the game, you’ll need a Nintendo Account to access cloud service and “a persistent high-speed internet connection to play the game.” (It includes similar technology to Stadia and Luna, but Control’s cloud game will be handled by Ubitus.) Any interruption in the connection will cause it to disconnect in minutes. In order to buy the game, players will be required to use a launcher application to test that their connection can handle its requirements for five minutes. It will also require buying an Access Pass, priced at $39.99.

I really hope it doesn’t go the same way as other game streaming services but I wouldn’t be surprised.

WarmSoda,

Nintendo online will go away at some point just like every other online serve they’ve had.

CorrodedCranium,
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

This isn’t Nintendo Online this is a third party service I’m worried about caving within a year or two.

I don’t expect it to last indefinitely I’m just hoping it lasts longer than things like Stadia.

kumatomic,

Even with the best care I wouldn’t expect it to last 20 years. The switch is nowhere near a well built machine as the DS was. The controllers will be lucky to last a year. They used arbitration to avoid a lawsuit over how crappy the switch is knowingly built. We’ve been through three since their inception. That being said they’re still a lot of fun. They are trying to integrate the sub more, but it’s still avoidable on some games. If you buy one get a hard case or at least a somewhat solid case to help support the console with the controllers connected if you decide to play it that way. The way that they’re connected with what destroyed them faster for us because you put too much pressure on the controllers and their connection when holding it. Using a case like this for reinforce the controllers and make them last much longer in my experience.

kratoz29,

I’d get both, I have both 🙂

Strangely enough, I only play online with the DS, since long before having the Switch and even today lol.

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