Typically on Friday’s I post “Quick Shots”, but this week nothing quick and interesting really happened. So, instead, I thought I might share my recent conundrum with the Nintendo Switch.

The only Nintendo console I have ever owned was the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). My kids have had various GameBoys and DS’s, but that’s about it. I always preferred the PC or a console like the Xbox360 because both ran the games I wanted to play. However, last year when the Switch, was announced, my interest was piqued. Despite the mild ribbing from several game journalists over the Switch’s Yuppie-centered advertising, the idea of having a console that easily switched from television to handheld sounded interesting. Additionally, revisiting Zelda, Mario and other Nintendo IPs was appealing. Since the launch, the same journalists who scoffed at the unit have pretty much done an 180 and are not only praising the Switch, but are often commenting that it is their gaming system of choice and would love to play “X” game on it. All this, as well as praise from people I know who personally own the system, has really moved the Switch up on my want list.

If you follow gaming news at all or are looking for a Switch yourself, you probably know that the unit is in short supply and hard to find. This is nothing new for Nintendo. They seem to have mastered the art of raising demand while under-producing the product. Cases in point, the Wii and, more recently, the NES Classic Edition. This is not to say that one can’t find a Nintendo Switch. There are several third-parties who have them available at a significant markup. But I have no intention of paying a markup. The unit was advertised at $299 and that’s what I’m willing to pay. Weeks and months went by and the Switch continued to be sold out. It was getting to the point that I began to wonder if I should just buy it the minute I saw it at the suggested MSRP.

This week that temptation was put to the test. Several retail outlets in my area received shipments and had available units. I immediately got excited and began to scope out the most convenient store near me. However, several things were holding me back.

1. Time. I already have things going on in my life that limits my gaming time, and that was before I started this blog. If I got a Switch, how long would it be before I could actually play with it and how much time with it would I actually have.
2. Cost. I admit, $299 is very reasonable and I can handle that cost. However, that is not the end of it. A single game typically costs in the $60 range. Once that is added in I am pushing the limits of what I feel I can spend on a whim. (Technically, the base price is already pushing that limit.) Additionally, while not necessary, I would really like to add a pro-controller. That’s another $70.
3. I already have a large game collection as is. Between Steam, Origin, Xbox and other sources, I already have more games than I can ever play. Furthermore, it’s rare that I spend more than $10 on a game. In fact, it’s more like a dollar or two if you average out all the sales, bundles and free games I’ve taken advantage of. At $60 a pop, I can’t see me building up that big a Switch collection anytime soon. Would the unit just end up sitting on the shelf, unused?

As I contemplated making the purchase, I watched as each retailer sold out of their stock. In the end, I think I’ve decided to pass this time. I’m pretty sure that eventually, I will buy a Switch for the portability and library exclusives that aren’t available on any other platform. But for right now, I’ll be fine. Of course, I say that while still keeping an eye on the local store inventories.