Making the Switch

It had been a 6 month wait and a couple of months back, we put in our order. Last night, we got the call. Our Nintendo Switch had arrived.

We walked to the store to pick it up and the boys had been trying it out last night. We were surprised at how small the unit it. Definitely one which you could carry around with your anywhere. It also came with a dock - to connect to the TV - and a hand controller where you could attach the “Joy-Con” those small bits with controller buttons which you slide at the side of the tablet.

The unit came with a couple of games, Zelda and Switch 1-2. No other games were available as yet. Idlan was looking forward to Splatoon 2. That may be coming in a couple of months time. Zelda looked gorgeous though. The fact that you could just take the tablet out from the dock and continue playing seamlessly was something new.

Too early to give a verdict but with the list of games to be launch, this system was going to be a winner! Sleepless weekends ....

The Wii U needs Fixing

Our Wii U must have been almost 4 years old. It had held up well, despite also having the PS$, the boys were still keen on them. The latest addition was Starfox, to add to the ever popular Splatoon.

But the charger for the handheld controller had stopped working the day before I left for Singapore and Idlan had been nagging me all day on my return. We finally got the replacement from a shop in Plaza Damas. We were lucky since there were not many places left which carry those items anymore. Wii U was almost at the end of its life cycle and the titles were now slow coming.

Well done Infinity Games at Plaza Damas. A real life saver!

The Boys were Packing

So, the boys would be going to Lumut and Pangkor with Puan Anita and their Grand Ma tomorrow. Dad had to work - in fact I had a couple of on calls this week. They are on school holidays this week but I couldn't get time off as I was traveling a couple of weeks back and also next weekend to Penang. It looked like I would be traveling to Penang either alone or with my parents as Anita was a bit concerned that we would not be able to get a proper room for the family in Penang with the election campaigning which sure to be hitting up by next week.

The boys were helping their Mum do the packing earlier but Idlan got a bit distracted when he couldn't find his Nintendo handheld. He left it at the back of the car when Anita and I went out to fetch something from the shops. When we got back, we saw this notice at the entrance. Obviously he took this from his brother although he didn't use the new board I bought for Irfan from Kyoto to write on.

And another thing, he wanted to be a bit clever. But ended with a notice none of us could understand. Come again Idlan?

Wii U

Over the years, the only game console we had in our household was the Nintendo Wii. We had PSP and iPads of course, but we were talking consoles here. We never bothered with PlayStation, but we loved our Wii. When I was in the US, the Wii U was released, but I want sure if the games and consoles were compatible in Malaysia. So, I gave it a pass.

But when I found a unit being sold during our trip to Plaza Damas, I just couldn't say no. We went straight to buy it.

It wasn't a local unit, so, it needed a step down voltage unit. I was pretty sure it was a North America set from the voltage setting, but it worked fine. The Wii U was definitely an upgrade from the Wii. The graphic was better, the games were more sophisticated. It can still play the original Wii games and some of the peripherals were still compatible.

The console also came with a small handheld display unit called the Gamepad. It connects seamlessly with the console via Bluetooth, and it required a separate charger. So, I had to get a couple of step down transformers to play the game.

I bought the black 32GB unit, which came with a game called Nintendoland, which showcases what the Wii U can offer in terms of gameplay. I also bought a couple of extra games for the boys.

After playing for a couple of times, the unit appeared more responsive, but I just wished that we had a bigger TV. The one we used for games was an old CRT TV. It was good enough, but not HD! The sound was also pretty basic from our setup. I was sure we were yet to explore then full potential of the Wii U. At this time, the games were still limited.

But from what I explored so far, it certainly retained the same charm as the original Wii. If you loved the Wii as a casual gamer like us, I was sure you would love the Wii U. Adventure time!!!!!

Treat for Irfan

So, the school to was ending for the boys, and from this coming weekend, they would be off for six weeks. SIX weeks! I was sure to grow more grey hair by then. They have also finished their exams and we would be heading for Fraser's Hill after my clinic this Saturday for three nights. A nice lazing little trip. Would be bringing my in-laws as well.

Asking Idlan which colour he prefersAll packed up

For the last six months, Irfan was asking me for a Nintendo. Since he did very ll in the recent exams, he got his treat. So, off. Went yesterday afternoon to Plaza Damas - our usual dealer - for his Nintendo. So, he went home happy, and last night, he actually slept with it. At least we know that he would be quiet all the way up the hill .....