Hardware Does it technically work without the joycons?

[Ryccardo]

Half stupid question, but since people asked this for WiiU without gamepads, figured it would be fair game...

I fully expect most games wouldn't but again, not owning one, I could be surprised...

What about an external monitor? That's one of the most blatant weird design decisions of the WiiU - and that one luckily wasn't followed by most games [I care about]

 

[TheCyberQuake]

You can play almost every game without the joycon. Only certain ones will exclusively use joycon like 1 2 switch.
As for the external monitor I don't quite understand what you are talking about

 

[Ryccardo]

As for the external monitor I don't quite understand what you are talking about

On the WiiU the first step of the initial setup is to connect the gamepad to the console... by typing a code that, while fixed for your own console, is only visible on the external display - so you must have a TV or equivalent connected even though you won't need it after for most games

 

[smileyhead]

Docking the Switch isn't a crucial step of the Initial Setup. You can skip it.

 

[JacksonS]

You never need a monitor. You may need Joy-Con if a game doesn't support the Pro controller, but most do.

 

[TheCyberQuake]

On the WiiU the first step of the initial setup is to connect the gamepad to the console... by typing a code that, while fixed for your own console, is only visible on the external display - so you must have a TV or equivalent connected even though you won't need it after for most games

You never need a tv/monitor. You can use the switch without ever plugging into the dock if you choose so.

 

[Beerus]

you can also use ps3,ps4,360,wii and gc controllers on the switch

 

[Deleted User]

you can also use ps3,ps4,360,wii and gc controllers on the switch

i just tried all of those but the gamecube controller and... uhh... no they don't

 

[Beerus]

i just tried all of those but the gamecube controller and... uhh... no they don't

u need an adaptor and for gc u need the gc to wii u adaptor

 

[Deleted User]

u need an adaptor and for gc u need the gc to wii u adaptor

adaptor doesn't really count, if you use an adapter that would be universal for any system

 

[TheCyberQuake]

you can also use ps3,ps4,360,wii and gc controllers on the switch

Not without an adapter.

 

[g00s3y]

On the WiiU the first step of the initial setup is to connect the gamepad to the console... by typing a code that, while fixed for your own console, is only visible on the external display - so you must have a TV or equivalent connected even though you won't need it after for most games

Because the Wii u is a home console, and needs a display just like every other home console. You can't take the Wii u gamepad more than ~30ft away from the console or it doesn't work anymore.

The switch is a hybrid console. Both home & portable. Hence the display being integrated with the console.

 

[APartOfMe]

Because the Wii u is a home console, and needs a display just like every other home console. You can't take the Wii u gamepad more than ~30ft away from the console or it doesn't work anymore.

The switch is a hybrid console. Both home & portable. Hence the display being integrated with the console.

30 feet?! i couldn't get more than 10 feet away before it dropped the connection

 

[Xzi]

adaptor doesn't really count, if you use an adapter that would be universal for any system

The adapter is meant for use with WiiU and PC, and works with Switch post-3.0.0 update. I doubt it would allow you to use Gamecube controllers on XB1 or PS4.

 

[Deleted User]

The adapter is meant for use with WiiU and PC, and works with Switch post-3.0.0 update. I doubt it would allow you to use Gamecube controllers on XB1 or PS4.

adapters in general, not just the specific gamecube adapter, in which case would apparently be a ps3/ps4/x360/x1 adapter to whatever

 

[Xzi]

adapters in general, not just the specific gamecube adapter, in which case would apparently be a ps3/ps4/x360/x1 adapter to whatever

Sure, but is there an XB1 controller to PS4 adapter? PC has always had the highest compatibility and consoles have pretty much always been locked down as possible. Switch is the first one I've seen that made it easy to use a bunch of controllers other than its own.

 

[Deleted User]

Sure, but is there an XB1 controller to PS4 adapter? PC has always had the highest compatibility and consoles have pretty much always been locked down as possible. Switch is the first one I've seen that made it easy to use a bunch of controllers other than its own.

unless you count something as the nvidia shield as a console, then yeah i guess

 

[guily6669]

Sure, but is there an XB1 controller to PS4 adapter? PC has always had the highest compatibility and consoles have pretty much always been locked down as possible. Switch is the first one I've seen that made it easy to use a bunch of controllers other than its own.

Cronusmax let you have most controllers for PS4, Xone and other consoles...

They even emulated the G25 into a G29 with fully working force feedback and new custom button functions.

 

[duffmmann]

I mean i have 10 games on the Switch and the joycons aren't required for a single one. They add features and/or immersion to games like Mario Odyssey and ARMS but even still they aren't required.

The only 2 games i know of so far that need joycons are 1,2 Switch (for obvious reasons) and World of Goo which uses an individual Joycon similar to how the Wii used a Wiimote in the same game (a point and click kind of way). I imagine Just Dance makes use of them in an obvious way as well, but if the Switch Just Dance titles are like most that came before it, then you still have the option to use your smartphone to track your movements instead, which again makes the joycons not a necessary controller for the game.

In other words, to answer your question, no they aren't necessary on the Switch, with a few exceptions, though these are almost always for specific motion controls, ie: more casual games.