Is the Switch's operating system a joke?

So one missing feature (which the vast majority of people will never use) makes the entire operating system a joke?

But sure, Nintendo might as well add a save management feature. That shouldn't be too hard.

certainly a legit complaint and something that concerns me too. there really should be a backup option. consoles break. flash memory fails. they really do need a backup option.

but i wouldnt bash the whole OS for that. overall i think the OS is great. really fast, stays out of the way, no flashy nonsense or BS. initially when i saw it i thought "is that it?" but the more i use it the more i like it. its a huge improvement over the wiiu and 3DS.

the only things i want to see really (and in fairness this is more of an application than OS issue) is a web browser and the usual streaming apps (netflix and co).

The vast majority of gamers don't use backup saves? LOLWUT.

Bit of an oversight.

I guess Nintendo are scared people will modify the save files to bypass the need for the toys they sell that come with unlocks. **** the customer we want the money as usual.

@Planeforger: I hope this is sarcasm. Cloud Saving is one of the big reasons I subscribed to PS Plus.

I find Switch's OS to be clean, no-nonsense, efficient, and unobtrusive. Lacking in features sure, but I suspect Nintendo will remedy this in due time.

Can't you save a game straight on the cart? And then put a SD card in to do another save?

I like the Switch's OS. It's clean. It's fast. It's cute.

But it misses things like that, yeah. That's just Nintendo, which is a shame.

It's a good operating system in terms of usability. As a portable device, it's great that you can jump to and from games really quickly. Definitely a super fast OS BUT it's missing glaring and obvious features like save back-ups.

Who the hell is saying its great? are you for f*cking real?

I mean, get off the fanboy goggles...

it barely does s*it.

My first Switch bricked and I lost my Zelda saves with around 150h of play... So for the first time I bought dlc for a game and I won't play it... It's not the OS that sucks is Nintendo that has a way of making the most stupid decisions.

It doesn't feel like an os at all. It boots extremely fast. It is what a console os should be like--focus on game first and console options second.

It's actually a pretty good OS, it's fast and lightweight, and you can enter your game within seconds, plus it scales up incredibly well across different screen sizes and input paradigms.

That said, it is a bit barebones, and save management is one of the major deficiencies they need to address. Hopefully it is done soon- we know they already have cloud save backup coming as an update some time in the future, I just hope it is soon.

As long as it is not bloated like some past versions of Microsoft Windows, I really do not mind the Switch's operating system.

I am quite surprised on how fast the Switch's OS operates after experiencing how slow the Wii U is.

It's in its infancy. It's not a joke because it's extremely stable and gets the job done. It's also really quick at booting up, so no complaints here. I'm pretty sure Nintendo will make it even better in good time.

It moves quickly and has a smooth interface. But it is still lacking many features that should have been added by now. It's been seven months since release.

I think it’s great. It’s lightweight and Easy to navigate. Yes it’s not fully featured like the other two but it’s functional.

exactly. it is not even an OS. it is so fast and simple it feels like what old consoles would be like if made in modern times. it's great.

The os is ridiculously barebones. Multiplayer and social options are severely limited, and no save backups.

At least it's smooth i guess

@Juub1990: No, I was serious.

The only time I've used cloud saving on my PS4 is when I was playing a Final Fantasy game that shared saves with the Vita.

Other than that...I play a game until I finish it or abandon it. I don't care about my saves after that point. I'd bet most people are the same. I've certainly never heard anyone talking about cloud saves on consoles.

I only imagine that it's useful when you're worried that your PS4 is about to die - because why else would you bother with it?

200+ hours of Zelda BOTW. That's real dedication.

everything about nintendo is a joke

Of course it is a joke. Everything about the Switch is a joke. I only own it for the Nintendo exclusives. The moment there is a decent emulator on PC for it, I will sell it. I regret not waiting for the CEMU version of BotTW at 4K/60fps. I played through the whole game on my Switch when it came out. :(

The operating system is fantastic. Everything works fast and as it should. Multitasks fantastically and there isn't the slightest slow down while a game is being downloaded - while you play another.

It's great, except you can't backup your save files. I've personally had to do that never with a console ever, but sucks for those who've lost their save files.

Pff, 350 myself. Going towards my last guardian on Master Mode. ?

Some of us have multiple systems...

I've never had a console "die", but it does happen. Indeed that is a strong reason to keep things backed up on the cloud. But even without a system actually dying, having cloud saves is a huge convenience without having to worry about doing a full "system transfer" (as I've had to do when upgrading to different 3DS models). I assume the Switch is the same way, where all you can do is a 1:1 system transfer?

I use it to access the same save file on multiple systems without hassle. I have a PS4 at my house, and a PS4 at my families house... and I can access the same save file regardless of where I'm playing. It's also nice to know those save backups are there even if I upgrade to a new PS4. I'd say for just about every system that was my "main" gaming platform, I owned multiples of that system... and that's already the case with PS4. The only time i had to deal with the "system transfer" nonsense was on the 3DS. On old school systems the save data was in the cartridge and would work on ANY system. With PS1/PS2 the memory cards would work in any PS2 system. What Nintendo is doing in recent gens makes no sense at all.

it also lacks online matchmaking with friends lol

@soul_starter: ?

I can play with friends just fine in my Switch games

My Toaster has a better OS than the switch.

@charizard1605: online FIFA with friends? oh ok, you must be living in a parallel dimension

@soul_starter: if the feature is available in all other games on the system but one, logic dictates the deficiency is with that game, not the system.

switch os is clean and simple i just think it needs more software like a web browser and netflix ect.

@2Chalupas: Fair enough, although you just named several situations that don't really apply to the Switch.

Cloud saving makes sense for people who have multiple PS4s in different locations, but the Switch is portable, so you can just take your saves with you. The Switch also does great couch co-op or wireless play, so bringing your saves to your friends' places is also very simple.

As for upgrading devices...that isn't an issue at the moment, and I'm sure Nintendo will come up with something if required (like they did with the 3DS).

By the time cloud saving is relevant to the Switch, I suspect Nintendo will come up with a patch that includes it.

Oh Burn, well said

It is very fast, simple and clean. I'd take the Switchs OS over every OS the xOne so far had with their total mess. Sure it lacks some really basic functionality. But what it does, it does great. Also it never crashed for me which is huge considering how many time my Ps4s crashed

I said it was a joke, but I think it's just lacking is all. Maybe I should have picked I dunno.

It just feels... off. Not that I care really since the most I see any of the OS stuff is the seconds before I play a game. I do like how fast it is due to how bare bones everything is though. Of course it may not be bare bones but have actual care in its programming, but I'll go for the latter for the most part.

Knock knock...

Who's there?

Switch OS...

Bwahahahaahahahahah!

They're working on it, because they know people like me will be convinced to buy a few of these throughout the generation by releasing Switches with moar powaaaaar, and limited editions and such- but they won't be able to unless they figure moving profiles over to new consoles. They will. I guarantee it. I've already bought two, one for me one for the wife. They can double that over the Switch's life cycle easily. Triple is easy. Quadruple possibly. But not 'till they figure moving saves from console to console, and they know it. Assuredly.

It has its pros and cons, I wouldnt call it a joke, but it is nowhere near as good as the OS I am used to.

"Is the Switch system a joke?"

Yup, the wise buyers money is on Mighty X1X and they'll just stick with Wii U and it's games library and BOTW if they can handle the weapons breaking every ten minutes. :P

Like many others are saying, the os is fine. It's just missing a ton of features and it's taking them way too long.

The OS for the system itself is not bad. It's minimal and gets the job done. The engineering decisions made for the hardware itself leave one wondering how it passed and QC standards however.

Still has some good games though

Losing saves happen. Hell. I lost all my original Metro Last Light saves when Steam borked itself. I was so pissed I didn't play the game for almost three years.