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[Celcius]

Docked, Handheld, or Tabletop mode?

I'm just curious how most people are primarily using their Switch these days. Personally I got an OLED model at release and have never docked my Switch.

 

[Punished Miku]

Split. Docked a lot but take it to bed frequently and on all trips.

 

[Robb]

60% docked
35% handheld
5% tabletop

 

[Captain Toad]

No door stop option?

Simmer down, kids. I love my Switch.

 

[nikos]

OLED, handheld except for the occasional local multiplayer game.

 

[Kataploom]

100% docked. It's too uncomfortable for using undocked to me, I've been thinking on getting a Lite for some play in bed

 

[Labadal]

I only play on the big screen.

 

[existensmaximum]

Mostly docked but I actually used it handheld on a train ride recently for the first time. It was cool and made the time pass quickly but the joycons are such a step down from the pro controller it's not even funny. If the the sticks and buttons weren't so small, flimsy and low-quality I might use it more handheld.

From time to time I use it tabletop which I hadn't expected, but with the pro controller and headphones it's an amazing way to play when my girlfriend is asleep.

 

[Sojiro]

Primarily docked, it's probably like a 70/30 split. I did recently play a good bit of TotK in handheld. I play a lot of Splatoon and Monster hunter and I will only play those on the TV with a pro controller.

 

[kiphalfton]

100% shelved / not being used.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Depends on the game. Some games I will play entirely docked. Others I'll play handheld.

 

[jdforge]

Docked with Pro.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

All kinds of ways depending, but the most comfortable way is docked. It is really nice I can just pick it up and set it up on a table, or in bed, or wherever though.

 

[Paltheos]

Wow. Allot of docked votes, more than I expected.

I use mine exclusively in handheld because I enjoy the convenience and picture size is not important to me.

 

[Bridges]

When it first came out, I was taking it on trips, using tabletop mode to play Mario Kart with strangers, really getting the most out of each of the play options.

Once the novelty of that wore off it never left the dock again.

 

[R6Rider]

Docked mostly.

Very rarely will play it on the couch or in bed.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Usually docked, but there are a bunch of games that just feel better played handheld.

Metroid Dread
FF Pixel Remasters
Picross
Shovel Knight
Anything on the NES/SNES/GB/GBA apps

 

[Crayon]

Mines lost a lost of portable utility since the shitty joycon rails started failing. Makes it unplayable. I got a pro controller clip but that makes packing the thing that much more cumbersome. It stays docked.

Even when it's working right, it one of those couch portables and not as good as the small emulator devices or even vintage portables for actual travel.

 

[Codes 208]

Handheld when im traveling (or have a movie on)
Docked when playing with friends

 

[Soodanim]

100% docked. It's too uncomfortable for using undocked to me, I've been thinking on getting a Lite for some play in bed

Is the Lite supposed to be any better comfort-wise?

 

[Fredrik]

85% docked. Used to be 100% but so many in the family are playing TOTK now that I have to play handheld occasionally.
But I bought the OLED TOTK edition so I kinda like it handheld now, the controllers suck but the screen is sublime.

 

[HUELEN10]

For me, it’s like 95 percent docked, 5 percent tabletop. I refuse to use it as a handheld as it’s lacking severely in the ergonomics department.

But perhaps maybe I’ve outgrown this kind of gaming, and this kind of hobby.

It’s been fun.

 

[GymWolf]

Only docked.

 

[Superkewl]

docked with a pro controller. don't think I have ever even touched the joycons

 

[Kataploom]

Is the Lite supposed to be any better comfort-wise?

It is, my wife has one. I wouldn't play it much tho since portable is not my thing tho, but it doesn't help that Switch is so heavy and uncomfy, the Lite is definitely way better in that sense.

 

[TLZ]

Ducked.

 

[Joramun]

Docked most of the time.

 

[John Marston]

Docked most of the time.

Yes. Except when working from home when I sometimes sneak in some Mariokart or TOTK in handheld.

Shhhh don't rat me out

 

[PanzerCute]

Almost never play it docked, IQ is too shit.

 

[lame gag1990]

Docked. Because since getting a Steam Deck, I never play the thing.

 

[reektann]

Since getting a grip for it I play it handheld a lot more but it’s depending on the game as those joycon sticks are not great.

 

[baphomet]

If I play it, which is basically never, it's handheld only.

Switch looks like complete shit blown up on a TV.

 

[supernova8]

For those saying they rarely play in handheld mode because of the horrible ergonomics, I'd highly recommend buying the Hori Switch Pad Compact (or Switch Pad Fit here in Japan) if you often play outside the house, or the Switch Pad Pro if you have larger hands AND you never go outside with it. Also if you want an earphone jack (who doesn't?), get the Switch Pad Pro with the attachment since it cannot be bought separately so you may as well just get it and then decide whether you want to use it or not after the fact.

I went with the Switch Pad Compact because the Pro felt a bit too large for my tiny hands.

 

[Quasicat]

Usually docked at home, unless the kids are using the TV. When the school year starts back up, I use it in tabletop mode during my conference period and the hour after school that I need to be there.

 

[Tams]

For those saying they rarely play in handheld mode because of the horrible ergonomics, I'd highly recommend buying the Hori Switch Pad Compact (or Switch Pad Fit here in Japan) if you often play outside the house, or the Switch Pad Pro if you have larger hands AND you never go outside with it. Also if you want an earphone jack (who doesn't?), get the Switch Pad Pro with the attachment since it cannot be bought separately so you may as well just get it and then decide whether you want to use it or not after the fact.

I went with the Switch Pad Compact because the Pro felt a bit too large for my tiny hands.

Unfortunately, they don't have gyros in them.

 

[Mr Branding]

100% handheld

 

[Kenpachii]

100% handheld

 

[Banjo64]

Oled, 100% handheld. Don’t even have the dock connected to a HDMI.

Got a Skull & Co Neogrip as using it raw left me with severe hand cramping after 30 mins.

Nintendo’s GOAT console IMO and that’s high praise.

 

[Woopah]

60% docked
35% handheld
5% tabletop

Pretty much this, tabletop on a train or plane is really useful.

 

[drganon]

Docked. Never use the joycons either, just the pro controller.

 

[Little Mac]

Always docked with a pro controller.

 

[Laieon]

Handheld 99% of the time. I've had a switch since launch and I think I've used it docked less than a handful of times.

 

[REDRZA MWS]

Poll results make me sad. Nintendo should have a version of a semi powerful home console.

 

[casablanca]

95% handheld.

 

[nightmare-slain]

i don't know? whatever way suits me at the time. that's what's great about it.

 

[Tams]

100% handheld these days.

Until about a year or so ago, it was more 80% docked, 20% handheld, but that's just not convenient for me anymore.

Such a temporal mixture is probably not good Nintendo imagined it would be used, but hey, the form factor allows for it

I want to use tabletop mode, but the display is just too small. I do only have the launch version (so nonsensically shitty kickstand (but hey, they did make it child-resistant)), but a small increase wouldn't be enough for me. In still glad it's there though.

 

[Onironauta]

I have a Switch Lite and I'm happy with the lack of docking feature

 

[StereoVsn]

Personally it's mostly handheld, like 90% if the time.
Kids split their Switch time between docked and handheld depending on situation.

 

[Vandole]

Historically the answer is docked. Currently, the answer is not at all. I don't know what it is about the switch, but I've never really cared for it. I think being a Wii u only owner for an extended period of time killed all of my interest in Nintendo franchises. For the past year

 

[JangoRain]

I’m split quite a bit, but also depends on the game. Some games just feel better to play in handheld