Nintendo Switch vs. Wii U – Specs, Price, Games and More
Nintendo has offered many kinds of consoles for gamers to enjoy but when it comes to the latest portable game systems – Wii U and Switch – it’s believed the Nintendo Switch surpasses the Wii U by a great margin.
The Wii U was first released in 2012, and disappointing sales of the device has resulted in the company discontinuing it. The Switch was released in 2017 and still costs $300 over a year later.
How do Wii U users feel about it? Should they pay the dough and get the Nintendo Switch? What are the specs of each device, and is it worth getting the Nintendo Switch for your household?
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Contents
A Look At The Specs Of Both The Nintendo Switch and Wii U
| Switch | Wii U |
|---|---|
| $299.99 | $299.99 |
| March 3, 2017 | November 18, 2012 |
| Octa-core (4×ARM Cortex-A57 & 4×ARM Cortex-A53) @ 1.020 GHz | 1.24 GHz Tri-Core IBM PowerPC "Espresso" |
| 4 GB LPDDR4 | 2 GB DDR3 |
Individual Convenience
While the Wii U can be played without the use of a TV, it’s still not as portable as the Switch, which can also be played on a TV. How so? It still needs to be near the main console. The Switch, on the other hand, is very portable.
Battery Capacity
Many people are concerned with the battery capacity of their portable gaming devices. The Switch has a 4,310mAh battery that can last nearly six hours. The Wii U has a small battery capacity at 1,500mAh and can last up to five hours.
Dimensions
When it comes to the dimensions of both, the Switch is 102mm x239mm x 14mm, which is much smaller than the Wii U’s 135mm x 259mm and 23mm.
Storage
The Switch comes with a 32GB internal storage while the Wii U has an 8GB and 32GB option. Both can be expanded with the Switch allowing up to 2TB microSDs and the Wii U containing an SD slot.
TV and Display Resolution
Both the Switch and Wii U have a 6.2-inch screen, but the Switch has a 50 percent higher pixel density than the Wii U (1280 x 720, 237 ppi vs. 854 x 480, 150ppi).
Controllers
The Switch has two detachable controllers, but the Wii U does not.
Game Format
The Wii U uses discs to play its game where the Switch uses cartridges that are closely related to the 3Ds games.
Backward Compatibility
One of the people’s biggest concerns is the ability to play old games on new consoles and portable devices. This is where the Wii U thrives. It can play old Wii games. The Switch has no backward compatibility at this time.
Virtual Console and VR Support
In time, the Switch will have support to Nintendo’s Virtual Console, but the Wii U will never have this option.
Both gaming models do not offer VR support.
With all it has to offer, the Switch is one of the best portable gaming devices on the market, outdoing even the company’s own Wii U.
How Much Does the Nintendo Switch Cost?
The Nintendo Switch costs $299. This price includes the Nintendo Switch console and Nintendo Switch dock in black, and left and right Joy‑Con controllers.
Watch how you can play Nintendo Switch together anytime, anywhere below.