I got all excited when I saw that the Nintendo Switch system software had jumped from 2.3.0 all the way to 3.0.0. That’s often the signifier of some major changes, so what does it do? Well in this case, it’s lots of more minor tweaks and improvements, though all of them are more than welcome.
The most eye-catching is the new Joy-Con finding feature, that lets you remotely turn on and vibrate a Joy-Con in the hopes of letting you find it again. Speaking of finding things, you have a new way to find old friends as your 3DS and Wii U friends list can now be used to give you friend suggestions, though it still doesn’t make up for the friend system’s inadequacies. You’ll also now be notified when friends come online, though that’s something you can turn off.
As Nintendo try to take a little slice of the esports market with the likes of Splatoon 2 out next month, you can now play with a direct USB connection with a Pro Controller, cutting out any latency or connectivity issues. A new function to update controllers has also appeared, which could add to or improve upon their features. Did you know, for example, that the home button has an LED that could light up?
Finally, a huge boon to those struggling with an unruly docked Switch, as Nintendo have targeted the HDMI issue where a docked and sleeping Switch would trigger an input change.
There’s a few more notable changes, so here’s full list of changes from Nintendo:
Improvements Included in Version 3.0.0
Added the following system functionality
- Register a channel to receive News for specific games
- To register, head to News > Find Channels
- Add friends from your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists
- To add friends, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Friend Suggestions
- Receive notifications when your Friends go online
- To turn this ON/OFF, head to System Settings > Notifications > Friend Notifications
- Find paired controllers within communication range by activating the vibration feature
- To search, head to Controllers > Find Controllers
- Change the user icon order on the Home Menu
- To change order, head to System Settings > Users > Change Order
- Select from 6 new Splatoon 2 characters for user icon
- To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
- Change the system volume from the Quick Settings
- To access Quick Settings, hold down the HOME Button
- Lower the maximum volume for headphone or speakers connected to the audio jack
- To lower the max headphone volume, head to System Settings > System > Lower Max Headphone Volume
* This settings will be ON when Parental Controls are enabled- Change display colors to Invert Colors or Grayscale
- To use this feature, head to System Settings > System > Change Display Colors
- Connect a USB keyboard to the dock to type whenever the keyboard is on the screen
- Use the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller via wired communication by connecting the USB charging cable
- To enable, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Pro Controller Wired Communication
* The NFC touchpoint on the Pro Controller will be disabled while the controller is using wired communication.- Update connected controllers
- To update, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers
- Added a feature that suggests deletion of software data if there is insufficient space when downloading other software
- To use this feature, head to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive
* User save data is not deletedGeneral system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience, including:
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Resolved an issue that caused game software updates to fail and prevented the software from starting
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Improvements to prevent unintended HDMI input change with certain TVs while the console is docked in Sleep Mode
Source: Nintendo
Youles
I had that TV input thingy with my LG TV (thought it was a Samsung only issue), apparently not. Happened a lot at the start but doesn’t seem to happen now, I’d get a little box pop up on my TV saying “Switch” (my custom labelled input 3) and was a bit annoying tbf. Glad it’s fixed!
Silly question, but can the Dock power supply be plugged directly into the Switch to charge/play it? Rather than buying a £30 power adapter, I may buy a second dock which includes a power adapter (for a bit more money) if that’s the case.
ron_mcphatty
How are you finding your Switch Youles? I’m getting keen now I’ve gone off VR, but I’m put off by the short battery life and wondering if it’s work waiting a year or so for a hardware revision. Long and short, on the fence :)
Youles
Shamefully haven’t used it much to be honest, although I really like it. It’s very much a secondary console for me – I will probably only buy first party titles.
I am just hoping to own all the Zelda titles on one handheld console! :)
That’s the only thing that lets it down to be honest – old titles on the store. Ninty could be making a fortunate as owners wait for new Switch games to be released.
It’s also a good console for when I stay away with my kids or for occupying them whilst travelling, one half of a Joy-Con each and sharing the screen.
ron_mcphatty
Yeah secondary makes sense, although a lot of TSAers have said they’ve been hooked since theirs arrived. Good to hear your kids enjoy it, mine aren’t 2 yet but I’d love to be able to sit down with them to a bit of multiplayer action, little hands clutching little controllers learning all about little Italian plumbers and their unlikely athleticism! Two and a half hours a day is probably enough :)
Youles
To be honest there’s nothing to hook me yet, no more than the software available on PS4. I have only played a few hours of Zelda so that could change as I play it more.
My other games or Mario Kart and Bomberman. Both are good in short bursts, but I mainly bought them for the kids so we can all play together.
The hardware is great though, and the batter life seems ok to me so far! :)