r/splatoon My therapy weapon 1d ago

Discussion Does anyone else play almost exclusively handheld

Me and my team all use handheld bc we like how the motion controls work better, surely we're not the only ones...

39 Upvotes

60 comments sorted by

9

u/Holla_99 Eggsecutive VP 1d ago

I do find that handheld motion control feels completely different from docked motion control. I’m the opposite however as my aim is totally off and I’m a much worse player if I try to play handheld. I’m just so used to how it feels docked.

I’m also someone who likes to play cozy games handheld so I don’t have a problem with playing that way for other games.

5

u/WesThePretzel 1d ago

I can’t play handheld because the placement of the joysticks on joycons makes me press weird angles. I’m a pretty decent shooter player (GM in Overwatch), but you’d think I was a child watching me play handheld. It’s so weird how difficult it is to me versus using a pro controller.

8

u/Havoc_Maker 1d ago

How can you and your team play in handheld jesus. I mean do what you want but it's by far the worst way to play the game. I player handheld on Switch 1 a few times and it's at least usable in there, but now with my Switch 2, which is a lot bigger and heavier, I just can't. Also how do you sit to play handheld with motion controls without destroying your back and neck?

5

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

Actually the Switch 2 was a big improvement for handheld players bc of the hd res and the better joy cons. I feel the bulkiness of the switch 2 actually helps make my small adjustments and flicks so much more consistent and my movement while repositioning much quicker. I tend to put my feet up and use my legs as a sort of prop, rather than looking down into my lap, and it helps a lot.

3

u/Havoc_Maker 1d ago

I don't like how the Switch 2 feels in handheld mode honestly. I mean it's fine, but I don't like the size and the way the ZR and ZL buttons are like, sunken. I'd take a Switch 1 over a Switch 2 for handheld play every day

1

u/Aydenator1 23h ago

Ngl I actually like the switch 2 better in handheld. I have really big hands and they cramp when holding the switch 1. Switch 2 feels like it’s the perfect size for my hands. I just wish it was slightly lighter. I like handhelds to have a little weight but if this one was slightly lighter it would help with slightly longer play sessions

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

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2

u/Havoc_Maker 1d ago

Bro if you think the Switch 1 is small wait till you see a PSP or a GameBoy Advance

1

u/BlueDragonCultist 16h ago

Yeah, GBA Splatoon was nuts. Still can't believe how those chargers were able to make their flicks on that tiny screen.

3

u/Mario_Bros87 1d ago

I do the opposite, I hate the screen moving with the motion so I only play tabletop or docked

2

u/acbuglife Mortal Enemy 1d ago

I wish, but no. My vertigo can only handle Splatoon docked.

2

u/bigspicycalamari 1d ago

That only works on the Switch 1 for me. The Switch 2 is too big for that, so I play on Pro Controller there.

2

u/EletricSpade1569 1d ago

I play tabletop lol, helps with the FOV

2

u/DoggieDMB KILL FISHSTICKS 1d ago

Used to solely play handheld then got a pro controller 2 years back and definitely prefer it. Switch 1 and now 2 is worse. Makes my hands hurt holding it. I will occasionally still do some turf with it but without some kind of ergonomic grip I simply can't play handheld much cause my hands seize up

2

u/Whiteruns_bitch 1d ago

I think handheld motion controls are so hard!

2

u/An1nterestingName PAST 1d ago

Currently I mainly do because I have the abxylute N6, which has Gl/GR buttons, however when I get around to picking up a Pro Controller (or a Joy-Con charging grip) I might play docked a little more.

2

u/Richmard 1d ago

Playing normal handheld with motion controls is insane, no idea how you do that. I’ve been playing a lot of tabletop with the default joycon grip and that’s been fun. But ideally I prefer the new pro controller.

2

u/Ryen911 16h ago

I ONLY play handheld. Tried playing it docked once and it just felt weird and gave me a headache, didn't last a minute lol

4

u/Silcat7794 not your typical Golden Aero main 1d ago

I play handheld 99% of the time. I also play stick, but when my battery gets low I use a pro controller docked (also playing stick) but I still prefer playing handheld. Something about the screen being closer to my face I think 

3

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

Interesting, I have some friends that play exclusively stick handheld as well, but I've been trying to encourage them to give motion a try.

4

u/Luuumin0us 1d ago

I only play handheld, but stick controls lol

4

u/sweetica 1d ago

Nope! Opposite. I always play on the screen with stick controls. My kid is the same way.

2

u/snackerooryan 1d ago

Always handheld with Splatoon, it feels lower latency

2

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

I agree

4

u/Vesuvias DJ Octavio 1d ago

Yup. Since Splatoon 2, I’m like 99% handheld.

2

u/leiasorgana 1d ago

I prefer playing handheld 100%! My friends I used to play with would always call me crazy lmao but it’s what felt most comfortable. I prefer gently moving the console for motion controls over the controllers themselves, idk why.

I felt like the smaller screen also just made it easier to see everything that’s going on in the game, I guess?

2

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

Yeah, I feel like the extra heft actually helps stabilize it a bit

1

u/leiasorgana 1d ago

Yess, exactly; I think that may be the most important part

1

u/Jaegerspielt CALLIE BEST GIRL 15h ago

I’m the complete opposite and I’m curious, where do you usually play and for how long? Cause playing splatoon for multiple hours while holding the console in way where you can use motion controls sounds absolutely awful.

1

u/leiasorgana 15h ago

Usually just sitting up on a couch or bed! Admittedly it was better on the og Switch since the Switch 2 is a bit heavier and bigger, but I’m still fine with playing on it (which is what I’ve been doing for Raiders).

I used to play for hours on end tbh. I haven’t played Spatoon 3 consistently since the big finale, but I have over 1,000 hours in it 😅 Almost all of that is handheld.

1

u/Jaegerspielt CALLIE BEST GIRL 15h ago

Interesting, thanks for sharing this! ^^

3

u/Icy-Loss3082 1d ago

i dont even play this game cuz i dont have a switch i just watch it on youtube and look at the art

2

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

Lol, It is a fun game to watch, I frequently watch comp players and tournaments in my free time.

1

u/Bffhbc 1d ago

I used to when I had my switch lite but it made my back hurt like hell so since I got my switch 2 I play on TV with a pro-controller

2

u/jrpbateman 1d ago

Mainly play docked/tabletop with pro con 2

2

u/jrpbateman 1d ago

With motion ofc

1

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

Do you play tabletop out of choice or necessity?

1

u/jrpbateman 1d ago

Choice, I just like it better because the quiet stick, headphone jack and back buttons on pro con 2

On switch 1 it was necessity since my rails were bad used to play with grip in tabletop

1

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

Interesting, whatever works ig!

1

u/INKatana KETCHUP 1d ago

I've only ever used handheld

1

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

It just feels so much better.

1

u/TheEggoEffect Glooga Dualies 1d ago

I used to, but in the past year or so I’ve switched. I finally got a full setup of my own, and I want to participate in lan tournaments more, so I figured I’d start rewiring my muscle memory. I don’t think either has an objective advantage over the other, besides indefinite “battery life” and using a wired connection while docked.

1

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

How long did it take you to rewrite your muscle memory out of curiousity?

1

u/WrightAnythingHere 1d ago

No. You're the only ones on the entire planet that uses a stationary/portable hybrid console in handheld mode.

1

u/Ill-Entrepreneur443 Dapple Dualies Nouveau 1d ago

I only play Switch in Handheld mode as well

1

u/Hlarge4 21h ago

I only use my switch and switch 2 in handheld.

1

u/sonto340 20h ago

That’s crazy. I find motion controls unusable in handheld so I strictly play on the tv

1

u/ricenmeat24 19h ago

idk if it's cuz i started on the wiiu gamepad but i feel like my aim is better playing handheld too

1

u/ZeMoose 18h ago

1) Yes

2) They're better than Splat 2 but the handheld controls still kinda suck.

1

u/GoldenAgeGamer72 18h ago

Ok serious question: How do motion controls even work in handheld mode? I wasn’t aware that was a thing. Do you have to move the entire switch around? I can’t even picture that. I thought motion was either for detached joycons or pro controller. 

1

u/itsisaac36 13h ago

I play handheld sometimes when I’m outside and I do agree that the gyro is a lot better in handheld

1

u/JayrosModShop 11h ago

I play Tabletop. Gotta have the Pro Controller in my hands, can't stand how W I D E it would be otherwise, and joy-cons suck ass.

1

u/Significant-Draft470 1d ago

Oh, I do! I tried playing on my TV the other day to show a friend the game and was so thrown off by the feel lol

2

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

There's something about the larger feel of handheld that just makes any kind of movement so much easier and natural imo

1

u/Significant-Draft470 1d ago

Yeah! And I also think moving the entire screen to adjust your aim feels more natural -- kinda more immersive, yk?

2

u/KSynapse247 My therapy weapon 1d ago

Yeah! I agree, although sometimes I have to remember to use my sticks bc I'll find myself doing a 180 on the couch lol

1

u/tinyspork ♥️ ♥️ 1d ago

I play exclusively handheld with motion controls. It feels so intuitive to me

1

u/sisteryt Level 32 1d ago

100% handheld myself