Really tempted to get a switch / switch lite.
Bit older these days, I bought a PS4 Pro a while back and barely used it — was put off by the added complexity vs PS2 (yeah I am an old geezer, I’m sure the PS4 wasn’t that hard to set up correctly).
How is the switch? All I want to do is plug in and play without any game updates / firmware updates / login screens etc
And somebody please talk me out of the Switch Lite, I know I shouldn’t compromise and lose dock in feature / replaceable joysticks but I’m so tempted by the smaller size!
Any modern system has game and firmware updates. They're smaller than on PS4 since the games are smaller, but they're there. And Nintendo does firmware updates a lot (often when releasing new first party titles) since Nvidia screwed up on the Tegra X1 and left a huge security hole in it that leaves Switches manufactured in the first year and a half they were on the market open to custom firmware.
A few reasons to go Switch over Switch Lite:
1. Super Mario Odyssey is much better docked using split joycons (one in each hand) to take advantage of the motion controls. It's a really good game handheld too, but the motion controls and HD Rumble are really well executed in the game and need split joycon use I think.
2. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 takes some pretty enormous hits to resolution played handheld. In handheld mode it teeters between looking like a great Gamecube game to a poor PS3 game graphically.
3. Zelda BOTW really should be played docked sometimes for the grand views. While Switch is pretty far from a graphical powerhouse, art style always trumps raw horsepower IMO and BOTW's art is just stunning on the bigscreen even though it's only running 720p.
I don't mean to crap on the handheld though. Zelda BOTW absolutely should be played handheld too, it really works both ways. It's the kind of game you can get lost in for hours docked or just explore quickly for 15 minutes handheld during your lunch break or taking the dog out to run around the yard. And the vast majority of Switch games are amazing handheld (I'd guess I play my Switch 60/40 handheld vs docked).
Now 2.5 years in Switch has a really strong library. I already think it's Nintendo's best console since SNES. Though you saying you barely touched your PS4 sends warning bells off as to whether you'd be into Switch, as PS4 has IMO the best library of any console since PS2 (nothing is ever touching the quality of the PS2's library). I'm an old man gamer too and I find PS4 to be absolutely loaded with top notch games. Especially great single player exclusive content while I have been very turned off by AAA games focusing now so much on multiplayer and microtransactions. For single player gaming I think both Switch and PS4 are essential.
Switch Lite is a great product, but I look at it as the kids' Switch since it's cheaper, supposedly more durable, and since they won't take up your TV using it. Regular Switch is the adult Switch IMO, the one for when you don't have to ask permission to put it on the bigscreen. And it's really great as a handheld too. A little bigger than Switch Lite and feels a little less solidly built in hand than say the 3DS, Vita, PSP, DS, or Gameboy, but no problem for an adult who knows how to take care of his stuff. A carrying case is essential for full Switch though.