The Value of a Nintendo Switch in College
By Donal Buckley
Like many people my age, I grew up with a Wii. Games like Mario Kart, Wii Sports, and Super Smash Bros. built my childhood. Even today, I continue to play modern counterparts of those games on the Switch, so much so that it was the first thing I threw into my suitcase before freshman year. I can’t go anywhere without my Switch — vacations and quick trips home aren’t complete without it. So, I definitely wasn’t going to forget it for my four years at USC.
But what I value most about bringing a Nintendo Switch to college isn’t that I can play it in my free time after grinding out homework. In fact, I rarely play it alone. The joy I get from playing Switch games is with my friends.
Personally, I’m a bit of a Mario geek, so the games I find most entertaining to play with friends are Mario Kart and Mario Party. The thing about these games in particular, though, is that anyone can learn to play them. With relatively simple premises — place first in a race, collect all the stars, etc. — and controls, I find their accessibility super appealing. Thus, making for a great game night, even if someone’s never played before.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love to try new restaurants, go out to parties, and explore new areas of LA with friends. But going somewhere takes a lot out of the day. Sometimes, as busy college students, we don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to an evening out: thus, the effortless appeal of video games. In freshman and sophomore year, I lived in university housing, which happened to be around many of my friends. Asking my roommates to play a quick round of Mario Party or texting my friend down the hall to come play Mario Kart made for a simple, quick, and enjoyable evening.
What’s also great about playing Switch is that you can choose how long you want to go on for. If you’re looking for something quick to fill time before going to the movies, for example, put on a quick round of Mario Kart. Not every ounce of free time you have has to be spent doing homework or applying to internships. And if it’s fun for you, then I don’t see how it’s not productive. Regardless, maybe a long night of video games is something you’re looking for. I’ve had lots of fun playing two or three rounds of Mario Party in a single night, and if you know the game, you know how long each round takes. But personally, my favorite way to play is after a party. Sometimes, my friends and I just need to go home and watch Princess Peach and Daisy duke it out on Rainbow Road.
Having a Switch offers a lot of versatility that other activities might not. Sometimes, an activity requires certain conditions — like going to the beach when it’s warm — or a certain time — like how you wouldn’t have dinner with someone at 11am — and it can be frustrating when the wrong conditions are set for something you’re looking forward to. And while I wouldn’t be getting up at 9am to play Switch, the option is still there. There’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to when and what you do with a Switch.
Regardless, I’m not saying to ignore all other options of having fun. Still make time to go out and get some fresh air. But having a Switch, or really any other gaming console, can offer the easy, relaxing social experience you need (unless, of course, someone steals your star).
Overall, I’ve found that bringing my Switch to school has been such a positive experience. I love playing it and I’m sure I’ve forced my friends into loving Mario Kart too. In all seriousness, it offers such an easy activity to bond with close friends or make new ones too. If you have one, don’t take it for granted. If not, no worries — I’m sure you can find someone who does! I’m always down to beat someone in a race.
