Gamers logo

Gaming, Dad Style

Nintendo Switch Between the Feeds

By Shaun DowdallPublished 6 years ago 2 min read
Like

I've always enjoyed gaming—maybe a little too much, at times—but at the beginning of this year, I found out I was going to be a father. Putting aside all the emotions that come with that, I set out to find ways to make my habit a little easier to keep up, even with a newborn around.

Now, normally I sit in my games room, hunched over my gaming PC, but that is something that doesn't really suit the situation. Granted, I still get the time to load up the PC, but what I've found suits me now is the Nintendo Switch.

At first, I was a little bit disappointed with the purchase I made in March. It was an impulse buy. A Switch had been in stock at a local store at a time when they were almost impossible to find, and I'd spent weeks leading up to the launch of Nintendo's latest console persuading myself to buy one, then talking myself out of it. It was there, right in front of me, so I bought it.

For the next few months, my latest console spent its time gathering dust. There were very few games available, and despite impressing me with titles such as Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, I just didn't pick the thing up. The lack of titles, apart from the sea of indies, just didn’t do much for me.

Fast forward a few months, and things are a little different.

My son arrived just over four weeks ago, and now it is my gaming PC that is gathering dust. There are more titles available for the Nintendo Switch, but more importantly, it is so easy to just suspend my gaming whenever Logan needs me.

The Switch's form factor makes it perfect for pick-up-and-go gaming. So many times, Logan has been laid out on my chest while I lay pinned beneath a monster that threatens to cry at any moment. Slowly, I grab my Switch, and resume my last session on Fire Emblem Warriors.

After a short—or sometimes long—session, Logan will wake up and need something. The perfect thing about the Switch is that you just hit the power button and it immediately pauses and suspends everything. When you want to return to gaming, you can pick up exactly where you left off. It's the perfect solution for me. No waiting for save points or fighting to get to the next level; just hit one button, and back to Dad duties for me.

Sure, other consoles offer similar features, but there’s been more than a few times where I’m laid down with Logan on me, and my Switch held high above. Trying to get into position to see the TV, or even get in the same room as my TV, just isn’t practical. Thankfully, I’ve not dropped the Switch yet; but I’m sure at some point in the near future I’m going to take a screen to the face!

The future seems bright for my Switch, and for my life as a gamer and father. Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch is really easy to turn into a multiplayer powerhouse, so once Logan is a little more coordinated, I’m sure he’ll be joining me on my gaming adventures.

Granted, there are a lot of other reasons why the Nintendo Switch is a worthwhile purchase, but for me, its biggest strength has been a surprising one. Gaming and parenting just got a whole lot more harmonious! Now, all I need to do is make the rest of my technology collection as child- and parent-friendly. Wish me luck.

nintendo
Like

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.