tell gr switch handheld console

Tell GR | Do you play your Nintendo Switch in Handheld or TV mode?

The Nintendo Switch Lite has been announced, with it being a handheld-only model of the console that completely eradicates its TV mode. This is big news for those who wanted a cheaper, more portable version of the system and didn’t care about hooking it up to the big screen. But just how many people play in Handheld mode compared to TV mode?

We’ve shared our thoughts below, and be sure to leave your responses in the comments section.


Here’s what we think…

Paul Tamburro, executive editor: “Almost exclusively handheld mode. Occasionally, I’ll pop it in the dock to play multiplayer or for when I just want to look at my games on a larger screen, but I mostly like to take my Switch around with me.”

Jason Faulkner, senior editor: “I play almost exclusively with the Switch docked. It seems like most of the better games for the console are created with using the dock in mind, and I have trouble seeing titles like Breath of the Wild on the internal screen. I sometimes play in bed before I go to sleep if there’s a game I’m particularly into, but for the most part, I treat it just like any other console.”

Mack Ashworth, lead editor: “I mostly play with my Nintendo Switch in the handheld mode, though I do sometimes go docked for lengthy Breath of the Wild sessions, or when I require the competitive edge of the Pro controller and a bigger screen for Fortnite or Splatoon 2. For the most part, though, it’s in handheld for short breaks between work, or for a half an hour play before bed. It’s the perfect companion for a long journey, too, providing you bring along a battery bank!”

Michael Leri, features editor: “I play neither because I do not have a Switch. But if I did (and if Nintendo would announce a damn Pro version), I’d mostly play it undocked. My setup only allows one console under the TV at a time and switching cables is a burden, so I’d mainly just play it while lying as horizontally as possible. But that said, I do not want the Lite. I want the option to be able to play it however I want.”

Now tell us what you think!

Leave your responses in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to jump in and agree with/fervently debate your responses!

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