1-2-Switch

1-2-Switch (2017) is a series of party games that use the Switch Joy-Con controllers in imaginative and unusual ways. Although it looks like a novelty, the focus on physical motion and activity rather than just what's on the screen makes this surprisingly engaging.

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Play in most of the minigames is usually multiplayer and involves holding the Joy-Con controllers to mimic a real-life activity. From wild-west duels, and cow-milking competitions to copycat dance-offs this is about quick reactions and careful motions. More than that, it's about being a bit silly and laughing together.

There are 28 different minigames, most of which involve two players, who each use one of the Joy-Con controllers and are often encouraged to look at each other rather than the screen during gameplay.

Stand-out games in the collection are the cow milking challenge, where you motion the controller in an up-and-down direction to draw milk from the cow's udders. Then there is the virtual eating game that uses the camera in the end of the Joy-Con controller (yes, there's one in there) to get one player to make chomping motions with their mouth to eat lots of different food. There's a game that uses the precise vibration feedback of the controller to get you to "feel" how many balls are trapped inside as you tilt it from left to right.

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Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked 1-2-Switch 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 12 weeks ago.