The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s successor to the Wii U, a home console with some great ideas and games that fell flat in execution. But the Switch has more in common with the iPad, or the slew of Android devices that have captured mainstream attention. Nintendo’s own handheld devices, the Nintendo DS and 3DS had their share of the spotlight, but they never had the mainstream reach of the Nintendo Wii which released in 2006

As you probably know by now, Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console. You can use it with an HDTV (no component or composite connections here, only HDMI), and as a handheld. On the go you have a generous 6.2-inch display that shows off games in 720p with a Joy-Con — the bundled controllers for the Switch – on either side. Drop the Switch into a dock, and it becomes your usual home console.

In the box you get two Joy-Cons with a grip that lets you use them as one single controller when they’re not connected to the console; two Joy-Con caps that let you strap a Joy-Con to your wrist when playing motion controlled titles like 1-2 Switch; the Switch Dock; HDMI cable; a USB Type-C power adapter; and the ‘tablet’ which houses the guts that power the entire experience. It’s worth mentioning that there are no bundles for the Nintendo Switch, well officially at least. If you were expecting a game along with the Switch, you’ll be paying extra, much unlike the Wii or the Wii U which had Wii Sports and Nintendo Land respectively.

Using the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, the LCD panel is bright with fairly accurate colours, and the Joy-Cons are a treat to use, whether attached to the tablet or not. While some have reported that the Joy-Cons are prone to going out of sync or losing connection to the device, we didn’t face this problem at all, despite trying them at various ranges across five days. The kickstand at the back, which covers the memory card slot, is the sole flimsy component from an otherwise sturdy device.

Pros:

• Sturdy build quality
• Region-free store
• Easy to use interface
• Seamless switch between portable and home console use

Cons:

• Screen is easy to scratch
• Can’t pause downloads

How to reset a Nintendo Switch

It’s hard to imagine, but there may come a time when you decide that you are going to have to part ways with your beloved Nintendo Switch, maybe just because you’re considering switching between a Switch and Switch Lite. Whatever the reason may be, when that time comes, ensuring that all your data is wiped from the system is imperative. You want to make sure that your Switch is as fresh as the day it was unboxed and all your personal data is removed, so others can’t access it. The following outlines how to reset your Nintendo Switch to protect yourself.

Soft reset

1. Press the small circular power button on top of the Switch console, and hold it down until the system powers off. This should take about ten to fifteen seconds.

2. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again.

3. The Switch should display the Nintendo logo, and then turn on again within a few moments.On the other hand, if you want to wipe all your data off the Switch, you might want to complete a factory reset. This is a good idea if you want to sell it, or donate it.

Factory reset

In order to do a full and proper factory reset of your Nintendo Switch, you are going to have to make sure that you are connected to a WiFi network. If you are not connected to a WiFi network, then your Switch will continue to be registered as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo account. If you need a reminder about how to connect to a network.

1. Launch the System Settings page from the toolbar under your games and apps. Its icon is a gray gear.

2. In System Settings menu, scroll to the bottom of the left menu and select “System.”

3. In the System menu, scroll all the way down to the words “Formatting Options” and select them.

4. Now scroll down to “Initialize Console” and select it.

5. On the next screen, click “Next” to confirm your choice and reset the console.

It’ll take a few moments for the console to wipe all your data.