TIPS IMPROVING THE SOUND OF GAMING ON NINTENDO SWITCH

The Nintendo Switch made both Sony and Microsoft realize they were wrong by not taking the console market seriously. The game console called Switch first launched in 2017 has created a fever, changing somewhat the face of the entire console market. Powerful hardware, sophisticated design, convenient, versatile controller, neat, massive game store. Nintendo Switch fans seem to have been pleased with all but one minor inconvenience in terms of the audio connection.

The original Nintendo Switch originally only had a 3.5mm audio port, and users could only plug in wired headphones/speakers to the Switch to increase the sound for the game experience.

SWITCH AND THE ROAD TO BLUETOOTH SOUND
Recounting the rather difficult road of “amplifying the sound” before when playing games on Nintendo Switch, you will understand the heartache of the insiders. Any size will swing, but the inconvenience is always present. Which is to use the Bluetooth Adapter and then limit it to certain headsets (like the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, for example). Then use other companies’ dongles to plug in just hoping to connect to a Bluetooth speaker to listen to games for fun. All of those things are still ok, but in the long run, it’s not good at all.

To use Bluetooth headphones/speakers with the Switch, in the past it had to be through an Adapter or a Dongle

From the beginning, the Switch does not have the ability to connect audio via Bluetooth, but only has a 3.5mm jack. That means users only have two options for enhancing the Switch’s sound: One is to use wired speakers/headphones compatible with the Switch’s built-in 3.5mm jack. The second is a Bluetooth connection through an adapter or dongle manufactured by a third party. If you use it at home, it’s okay, but carrying it on the road, in accordance with the “follow everywhere” criteria Nintendo aimed at at first, it will be a bit annoying. It can be said that this is a shortcoming with the trend of wireless game experience among players.

Nintendo Switch’s wireless controller experience is quite imperfect and clunky because of the lack of Bluetooth audio support.

Until last September (2021), Nintendo has officially released a new software update for the Switch so that its national handheld game consoles can now connect directly to Bluetooth audio without the need for Bluetooth audio. through any bridging tool. This software update applies to both Switch and Switch Lite.

Following this update, the Bluetooth Audio Assist feature in Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite has allowed users to enhance the sound when playing games on Switch with both wireless headphones or Bluetooth speakers. And can save up to 10 devices for quick pairing on the device, but each connection can only be up to 2 wireless controllers and 1 Bluetooth audio device. Micro Bluetooth is currently not supported. This is still a weakness with games that require players to have a dialogue with each other.

SO FINALLY, HOW MUCH WAYS TO IMPROVE THE SOUND OF GAMING ON NINTENDO SWITCH?
Putting the old and the new together, over a 4-year journey, now, we can enhance the sound to experience the game more happily when playing on Nintendo Switch in two ways:

• Use 3.5mm audio port speakers/headphones to attach to the Switch
• Use the new Bluetooth audio feature on the Switch to connect wirelessly to one and only one Bluetooth audio device (Bluetooth headset or Bluetooth Speaker).

Either way, you’ll get a more immersive sound than the Switch’s hardware built-in audio feature.