The Nintendo Switch is finally upon us and the new system has already sold extremely well. Having been lucky enough to get one on launch day, I have spent the last week putting the handheld-console hybrid through its paces and I now have a good idea of what the system is like. It is certainly versatile as promised, but there are still a few issues at this point.

Upon taking the Switch out of the box, it is striking just how small the system is. On its own, the tablet-like system is smaller than an iPad Mini. Specifically, it is about as big as an iPhone 7 Plus, or iPhone 8 Plus. Once the two Joy-Cons are attached, it is comparable in size to the Wii U Gamepad, but much thinner. As a result, the system does not use discs for its games like Nintendo’s past systems since the Gamecube. Instead, the Switch uses cartridges referred to as game cards like those on the DS and 3DS, but the Switch’s cards are even smaller than those used by the Playstation Vita.

As for how it works, the Switch can be played in handheld mode with the Joy-Cons attached to the sides, tabletop mode with the Switch propped up with a built-in kickstand and the Joy-Cons detached in the player’s hands, or in TV mode by placing the Switch in the included dock connected to the TV through a HDMI cable. It lives up to its promise by allowing players to play console-sized games on the go and they look great on the Switch’s screen. In TV mode, on the other hand, it is clear that the Switch is not as powerful as the Playstation 4 or the Xbox One. The games are displayed in 720p on the Switch’s screen but are upped to 900p on the TV. While the weaker specs are disappointing, I have always believed that graphics are not what make a system, the games do. In additon, the system also has a pitiful 32 gb of onboard storage capacity, but it can be expanded with a micro SD card, which is easy enough to find. However, save data can only be saved to the system and cannot be copied or moved to the micro SD card, but Nintendo has hinted that this will be fixed in a future update.

As for the controls, the system comes with a pair of controllers called Joy-Cons, one left and one right. They can be attached to the system for handheld mode or separated for tabletop or TV mode. In the latter two modes, they can be held one in each hand or placed in the included Joy-Con grip to hold them like a standard controller. The grip is actually comfortable to hold, although the placement of the analog sticks are somewhat awkward, particularly pressing the minus button on the left Joy-Con, where it is easy to move the analog stick by mistake. The Switch can support up to eight Joy-Cons, four left and four right.

The right Joy-Con has the R and ZR buttons, the Home button, an NFC reader for use with amiibo, and an IR motion camera that can recognize different shapes and hand signs. The left Joy-Con has the L and ZL buttons along with a capture button that allows players to take screenshots that can also be shared via Facebook and Twitter, with plans to allow players to record gameplay clips in the future. Each one also has four face buttons (A, B, X and Y on the right, four directional buttons on the left), a clickable analog stick and SL and SR buttons on the side. These buttons are used for games in which you just use one Joy-Con. Each one also has an accelerometer and a gyroscope for motion controls and HD rumble. The latter allows for variable sensations, such as individual balls rolling around in a box.

You can hold each Joy-Con on its side for multiplayer games. However, these games make it clear how small the Joy-Cons are. They can be rather uncomfortable held this way, especially given how small the SL and SR buttons are. This is fixed using the wrist straps, which are attached to plastic strips which slide onto the Joy-Cons like they were being attached to the Switch itself or the Grip. Said strip also has raised SL and SR buttons, making them easier to press and makes the individual Joy-Cons more comfortable to hold. Unfortunately, the wrist straps do not side as smoothly as the console and the grip. It made me worried I would break something removing them. Finally, there have been reports of the left Joy-Con randomly desynching, but I personally never experienced it.

In terms of battery life, the Switch lasts from two to six hours in handheld or tabletop mode on one charge, with it varying based on how big the game is. “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” runs the battery from 100 percent to zero in about two and a half hours on average. It can be charged by placing it in the dock or by plugging it in directly via USB-C. The Joy-Cons do not use their own battery life when attached to the Switch but detached they each last about 20 hours on one charge. The main way to do so is to attach them to the Switch while the system is docked or plugged in, or with the separately sold charging grip. Instead of having a battery pack inside the grip, it requires the grip to be plugged in instead. It works as another grip, but is not as convenient to charge. Fortunately, there is an officially licensed charger available that can charge up to four Joy-Cons at once.

For those who want a more traditional controller, the Switch Pro Controller is also available. It is set up similarly to an Xbox controller, with the analog sticks not symmetrical. The controller also as a traditional D-pad instead of four directional buttons. A good comparison would be that the left Joy-Con’s directional buttons are like the Nintendo 64’s C-Buttons, while the Pro Controller has a normal D-Pad. While this better than the Joy-Cons, especially for fighting games, the Joy-Cons in the grip get the job done and are comfortable enough that it is not necessary to immediately invest in a Pro Controller.

The online capabilities are good enough, with setup being simple and the connection is reliable. Downloads from the eShop are quick and online matchmaking is quick. There is even an airplane mode that can be used in TV mode as well, offering an easy way to disconnect from the internet when it is not needed, which saves battery, allows for some privacy and keeps players from hogging the internet connection. When docked, the switch can use a wired connection with USB to ethernet adapter.

The online offerings have not been completely implemented, with it being limited to the eShop and online play. While the latter is free for now, Nintendo will transition to a paid subscription like Playstation Plus and Xbox Live. This will include paid online play, free monthly trial periods of Virtual Console games, online lobbies and voice chat through a smartphone app and special deals. This will not be implemented until Fall 2017, but those who do not pay for a subscription will still be able to access the eShop and the screenshot sharing. However, video streaming services are nowhere to be found. While not a deal breaker, it is still a disappointing omission for those who want them. Fortunately, Nintendo is in talks to bring them to Switch in the future. But considering that the Wii U had access to Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video from the start, it beg the question as to why they are not on the Switch now. Beyond online, multiplayer is also possible locally with up to eight players on one system or each with their own system, depending on the game in question.

Finally, the games library at launch is a bit sparse. The obvious highlight is “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” which is also available on the Wii U for those who were unable to claim a Switch right away. The Switch also has “1-2-Switch” (to show off the Joy-Cons)  “Super Bomberman R” (which does not seem to be worth the $50 asking price), “Just Dance 2017” and “Skylanders Imaginators” These five games are the extent of what is available at retail. The eShop has more games available but they are mostly ones that are available on other systems. This is just the tip of the beginning though as there are many more games on the way such as “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” “Sonic Mania,” “Fire Emblem Warriors,” “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” “FIFA 18,” “Super Mario Oddyssey” and more.

Overall, the Switch makes a great first impression but there are a several features that gamers now take for granted that are missing at this time. Once these feature have been added, the Switch will be able to reach its full potential and potentially restore Nintendo’s relevancy in the industry.