Is getting a Nintendo Switch worth it for just one game?
I've always justified my purchase before making it, specifically for items I want and don't need. If I'm going to splurge on something, I need to convince myself of the following first:
Will I use the product more than once?
Will I use the product longer than a day, week, or month?
Can I use the product for multiple purposes or in multiple ways?
Is the product worth the cost for what/how I'll use it?
Will I need to purchase another product to effectively use the one product?
Do I feel like I deserve to splurge on the product?
Yet, I've been reading about the recent increase (and supply shortage) of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite sales in the US. Some articles suggest that these sale spikes followed last week's release of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.
I was intrigued to learn more and wondered: is buying a Nintendo Switch worth the cost for the additional purchase of simply one game?
DISCLAIMER: This post is not sponsored. It's based on what I've recently learned and my thoughts about the Nintendo Switch and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. In other words, this is an opinion post.
What Got Me Wondering About Nintendo Switch?
I watch a lot of YouTube videos while I'm writing, crafting, cooking, or gaming. I watch a variety of videos about Disney, RC crawlers, arts and crafts, dogs, and gaming.
Last week I searched for game play videos of Two Point Hospital's Off the Grid DLC. The DLC was supposed to be released the week prior (if I recalled that correctly) but was pushed to last Wednesday. While I saw game play videos of the DLC prior to its actual release, I hoped to see new videos and learn some tips since I got it.
However, I saw that a lot of the gamers I regularly watched were also playing the new Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. It's because of these gamers I learned about Two Point Hospital and Planet Zoo, two simulation games I enjoy playing. Intrigued, I decided to watch these videos to learn more about Animal Crossing.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a Simulation Game I'm Interested In
Before long I realized it was a simulation game. I love simulation games! The Sims series are my favorite by far. I like games that offer goals and rewards but can be played however I want to play at any given time. I like games that offer long-term, continuous game play.
Animal Crossing appeared to offer the features I like in simulation games, but it also seemed to offer one additional feature some simulations don't offer: an incentive to daily game play. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appeared to me that a player earns some sort of reward and unlock a feature for playing a little each day.
The only games I ever paid attention to daily for a period of time were a keychain Nano pet I owned as a teen (and still have in a drawer) and Anki's Cozmo a few years back when I challenged myself to earn sparks (digital rewards) daily through the app every day for 6 months.
My friend sent a few screenshots of her game play of Animal Crossing: New Horizons to myself and another friend. Then one day she sent a text about how she sold weed to buy and craft DIY projects. The text made me laugh, and I just wanted to learn more about the game.
Did you know the Animal Crossing series is 19 years old? I haven't even heard of the game before last week. Yet after learning more about it, I felt like I knew enough to convince myself that I wanted the latest installment of the game.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is only available through the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite. I wondered, if I played the game regularly, would this one game justify a purchase of a new Nintendo device system?
Researching the Switch
Intrigued, I decided to research the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite. It's my understanding that the Nintendo Switch Lite lacks features that the Nintendo Switch offers. Supposedly the Switch Lite has no dock, cannot hook up or stream to a TV screen, is smaller in size, has a slightly shorter battery life, doesn't support Bluetooth, and doesn't support all Nintendo Switch games.
The Nintendo Switch Lite does support the new Animal Crossing game, which is currently the game I'm interested in. I thought that was enough for me. I liked the thought of putting the device into a small case and taking it with me when I'm out and about.
There are times when I drive my Dad to one of his VA appointments in another city about 90 miles away. It would be nice to have the Nintendo Switch Lite to keep me occupied while I'm waiting the hour or two for Dad's appointments to end (he usually has a couple scheduled in a day).
I started to wonder if the price was worth it.
Learning About the Switch Shortage (and Animal Crossing's Potential Role in This)
I learned that the original retail price of the Nintendo Switch is about $300 USD, while the Nintendo Switch Lite is about $200 USD. I'm receiving a small tax refund eventually and thought maybe it'd be OK to splurge on a Nintendo Switch Lite and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Maybe.
I still had to convince myself I deserved a new 'toy' and that the purchases I'd make were worth it. Curious, I went online to see where I could buy a Switch Lite device, if I chose to buy one, and whether anyone offered a sale price. I disregarded bundles in my search.
Yet I saw many "not in stock" and "currently unavailable" listings for online and local retailers. For the listings that had the device in stock, the prices were higher than the original retail price. Some businesses were selling the Nintendo Switch Lite for almost the same $300 USD price tag as its counterpart. There were other listings that sold the Lite for more money.
I figured the current coronavirus pandemic caused a halt or reduction in production of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite devices. After more online research, it seemed that's exactly what's led to the current shortage of Switch and Switch Lite devices. In fact, on February 17, 2020, Forbes posted about how Nintendo Switch Shortages Could Hit US/Europe. This wasn't a surprise to me.
What did surprise me were other online articles suggesting the recent increase in Nintendo Switch sales were due to the release and popularity of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Due to current events where everyone is encouraged or required to stay at home, many people have more time to play video games when they want to. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is advertised by some as a virtual escape from reality. This is fitting for the many players that want a positive, relaxing, and carefree experience during an uncertain and unpleasant time in the world.
Yesterday, CNN posted an article on how Animal Crossing is letting people live out their wildest fantasy: Normalcy. I can imagine how people are able to do that through this game. It seems to offer a pleasant social community during a time of social distancing and self-isolation for many people in the world.
My Thoughts
In short, this game seems to be helping players by providing an escape to an island that is peaceful to its core. It also offers a level of control that is missing from everyone's lives right now. Many people get bored easily, and the game is a good time filler while they're waiting for their lives to return to "normalcy."
The game couldn't have been released at a better time. Personally, I like that the game offers goals, rewards, and an incentive to play daily. The game would allow me to play how I want to play at any given time.
Returning to the question I asked earlier: is buying a Nintendo Switch worth the cost for the additional purchase of simply one game? I think yes, if you believe that it would make you happy, it's what you really want, the game would have replay value for you, and you can afford it.
As for me:
Will I use the product more than once? Yes, I believe so.
Will I use the product longer than a day, week, or month? Yes, because I'd challenge myself to play a little every day for at least 6 months. I like making myself long-term challenges that justify my unnecessary purchases.
Can I use the product for multiple purposes or in multiple ways? Yes. The game would allow me to do what I want. For example, if I just want to fish in-game and nothing else in one sitting, then I could do just that. Owning the Switch Lite would encourage me to look at multiple Nintendo games to see if there's another title I may want to purchase in the future.
Is the product worth the cost for what/how I'll use it? Yes. Most base games appear to range anywhere between $40-60 USD. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is at the top of that range, and I think it's worth it since it consists of features that I'm interested in.
Will I need to purchase another product to effectively use the one product? Yes, because I needed a Nintendo Switch to play the game. That would be an additional $200-300 USD for the device system.
Do I feel like I deserve to splurge on the product? No, but I never believe I deserve any of the blessings I have. (Although I'm always grateful for the good I have and receive in life.)
Because I really want the game, and I know I'll play the game more than one time, I think the purchase of a Nintendo Switch Lite and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game is worth the purchase. I'm a gamer, so I believe any game I really want is worth buying.
This may not be the case for others, especially for anyone who recently lost their jobs, received a pay reduction, or are forced to take unpaid leave. This may also require a little more thought and research by anyone who doesn't normally game or doesn't normally play this type of game.
The goal for me now is to wait for my tax refund to arrive. Considering the effects that the coronavirus had on businesses, governments, and other entities, I don't expect to receive my refund for some time. I can wait. I'm fortunate to have other games and hobbies to keep me occupied.
A Recent "Switch" in My Life
Yesterday I drove my Dad to Target to get some necessary items we couldn't find at Wal-Mart, our normal go-to store. The parking lot was relatively empty, so I thought social distancing would be easy for him. I stayed in the car with the dogs, as I always do, because the dogs enjoy a car ride and I despise shopping.
Eventually, Dad came out and placed his purchases in the trunk of my car. On the drive back home, he proceeded to tell me about how he was curious to see why there were a group of people waiting in a general area of the store.
Several Target customers were waiting for an employee to bring out the last 5 boxes of Nintendo Switch Lite from the back of the store. Dad said they discussed how they needed it to play none other than the newly released Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.
Some customers decided to wander the store while waiting for the employee. Dad said the employee came out with exactly 5 boxes, and Dad bought one. Dad knew I've been watching game play videos of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
So, now I'm the new owner of a Nintendo Switch Lite sold at the original retail price of about $200 USD.
Dumb fact: the cover image for this blog is of my Switch Lite. You may be able to see a few strands of Shadow's dog hair on the device. That's life with a dog.
What's Next?
I'm quite sure it'll be some time until I receive my tax refund, but I'll be buying Animal Crossing: New Horizons now that I've been gifted a Nintendo Switch Lite. I'm curious to play the game for myself and see if it lives up to all the hype. I know I'll enjoy the game, but will it become a fad for me?
Until I get the game, I'm thinking about customizing my Nintendo Switch Lite. Would that be a post that interests you? Login and Sign up to share your thoughts about the Nintendo Switch shortage or the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Also let me know if you'd like to see how I customize my Switch Lite. I'd like to hear from you!
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam