Xbox VS Nintendo Switch

Modern-day gaming consoles have drastically changed the competition that PlayStation had to tackle with the introduction of Xbox and Nintendo Switch. 

Nintendo Switch is an all-in-one gaming console, and it can allow gameplay in any setting. The Xbox X Series was introduced in the same year back in 2017, so it also has its perks.

Without a doubt, these two are the primary options for gamers who don’t want a PlayStation console. But which one of these two is better? Let’s find out all you have to know about it.  Keep reading till the end of this post for the winner.

What’s Xbox?

The Xbox is Microsoft’s very own creation which has a wide range of games. The X Series is one of the most recent editions of this console, and you can also play 4K games, and some games can even run at 8K resolution. 

Xbox is highly regarded for its high frame rate that Microsoft has been able to manage with the introduction of AMD RNA2 GPU. Furthermore, this console can make use of AMD Zen2 CPU as it allows the console to function smoothly. 

Another mega advantage that Xbox has over Nintendo is that it features a cheaper online store. You will have access to many exclusive games at a relatively cheaper rate in comparison to Nintendo. Moreover, you will have access to a Game Pass, which allows you to access some of the classics by Xbox from the past. 

The console comes with a wireless controller, and it runs on AA batteries. You might notice that the console has a pretty steep price, but you will get an exceptional gaming experience that delivers maximum value for money in the long run. 

With 1TB of internal memory, Nintendo is a better choice. But with the options that you have to explore, it can fill up fairly quickly.

What’s Nintendo Switch?

This Japanese gaming console has been widely popular because many people have been associated with it in the past. Its 2017 release was geared toward providing a hybrid gaming experience. 

This gaming console can enable you to play your favorite games while using it as your traditional gamepad console. Or you can play it with remote controls. 

It comes with the NVIDIA Tegra processing chip, and when docked, you can play the games at 1080p resolution with a higher frame rate. As you can see, this is much lower than what Xbox has to offer. 

In this mode, your gamepad becomes your controller. If you want to play with another individual, you can switch to the remote mode for better motion control. Hence, the name of this console is “Switch”.

But there is a slight inconvenience here too. This remote mode works on Infrared radiation. And users have reported some instances where undesired monton control detections were initiated by the controller. So. controlling your game in this remote mode is slightly on the difficult side. 

Another issue with this console is that it needs a microSD card to increase its storage space. And this microSD card is not included in your purchase. So you will have to deal with an additional expense here. 

This console has a battery life of around 4 to 6 hours based on the game you are running. Moreover, its LCD screen features a durable plastic screen, so the screen is safe against any cracking. However, it is still prone to scratching. 

Xbox vs. Nintendo Switch — Primary Differences

  • Nintendo Switch is more versatile when you look at it as a console. You can play your games in three different modes, and it’s more durable than Xbox consoles. 
  • With Xbox consoles, you can play games at higher resolutions and higher frame rates. On the other hand, Nintendo Switch can’t do that due to its inferior processor. 
  • Xbox comes with an internal memory of 1TB, and you also have an option to insert an SD card into it. Nintendo Switch, however, only has 32GB of internal memory, and you will need a microSD card to run more games. 
  • Nintendo Switch is cheaper compared to the Xbox console.
  • Xbox’s online store has an extensive range of games, and you can either go for discs or for their Subscription Pass to play games online. On the other hand, Nintendo also has its own store, but prices are pretty high. 

Comparison Table — Xbox vs. Nintendo Switch

AttributesXbox Nintendo Switch
Supported display resolutionYou can play your games in 4K and even 8K resolutionYou have the option of playing at 720p or 1080p resolution (when docked)
Backward compatibilityIt can play games from previous Xbox consolesIt doesn’t come with this feature
PriceHigh pricesLow prices
Game optionsYou will have to insert a disc and then start installing games on your consoleYou can go for downloadable games as well as game cartridges 
Graphics processorIt features AMD Xen 2 GPU featuring 52 compute units and 12 teraflops It has NVIDIA Tegra as its core processing unit

The Bottom Line

Judging by the above in-depth comparison, we can say that it is not very easy to pick a definite winner here. Nintendo Switch comes with a hybrid gaming experience, and it is a slightly cheaper option. 

This console does compromise on the display resolution, and there have been some problems reported with the motion controls in the remote mode. Its gaming library is also very limited.  

On the other hand, Xbox is a cumbersome console, and it will need a designated play area in your home. This console is also more expensive. But it does deliver value for money when it comes to the quality of the gaming experience. 

You have the option of playing games in 4K and 8K resolutions, and you get access to a large library of games that are available at a pretty affordable rate. 

We highly recommend Xbox for the ultimate gaming experience. Nintendo Switch is a better option if you are not a hardcore gamer.