Nintendo NX / Switch Discussion

[Robert Maxwell]

Poor battery life is probably a given. Can't say I blame Nintendo for that--it's just the state of the technology.

Available info suggests the hardware will be roughly on par with the Xbox 360 and PS3. Maybe a little bit better. Still, last-gen graphics is pretty much the norm for a portable, so that doesn't surprise me. I'm a little concerned by the fact that it's actively cooled. Fans are potentially loud (though I'm sure Nintendo will try to keep the volume down), but moving parts obviously suck up battery life and if it needs active cooling, there's at the least the potential for the thing to get hot, which is not something you want out of a device you're holding.

Otherwise, I think there's quite a bit of potential here. Personally, I'd likely just end up using it in portable mode. I don't have an HD TV in my living room, and the one in my bedroom is attached to my PC, so if I'm gonna play games on a big screen they'll be PC.

I'll be surprised if it's $200. Entry price at $250-ish sounds reasonable, but for a decent bundle with all the stuff you'd really want, you're probably looking at $300-350. The Wii U launched in $300 and $350 versions, so that's probably a good point of comparison.

Library will make or break this for me. If it has Skyrim, then I'm sold. But apparently that's not confirmed. I'll wait and see what else is lined up for launch and the ensuing months. This would probably be a birthday present to myself.

 

[SPCTRE]

roughly on par with the Xbox 360 and PS3

nah, it's more like it's "struggling to reach Xbox One power", so you'll see an improvement vis-a-vis Wii U.

agreed on likely price point, 250 for the basic SKU is a possibility. 200 would be shocking (and a first for Nintendo - traditionally they don't like the business model of losing on hardware to grow installed base).

350 would be a sensible price point for a premium SKU if they're doing one (e.g. including the pro controller).

 

[SPCTRE]

If it has Skyrim, then I'm sold.

well, you're sold then

Skyrim on Switch will happen, it's just a question of the specifics (re: tech, i.e. Special Edition/Remaster benefits, and re: release date). Which is why they're not ready to confirm specifics yet.

 

[Reverend]

Library will make or break this for me. If it has Skyrim, then I'm sold. But apparently that's not confirmed. I'll wait and see what else is lined up for launch and the ensuing months. This would probably be a birthday present to myself.

Personally I think the library will make or break this console. If they allow backwards compatibility with the previous Gen though their digital download service, thus enabling customers to play games they already own then they might have in instant seller on their hands.
If they get greedy however and insist on charging for the same titles again, then they may end up shooting themselves in the foot.

It looks about the size of an iPad Mini, and I see those in a lot of places.

Actually I'd say it's a bit narrower but quit a bit thicker and therefore heavier. Still, it's an either/or proposition no? Not many people who already own a smartphone and a tablet aren't likely going to want to lug around a third bulky device, not unless it can adequately replace the functionality of one or both and I just don't see that happening. Thus, their market penetration is going to be limited.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

nah, it's more like it's "struggling to reach Xbox One power", so you'll see an improvement vis-a-vis Wii U.

"A bit shy of the Xbone" is pretty damn good, especially for something portable. At least, I think it is.

well, you're sold then

Skyrim on Switch will happen, it's just a question of the specifics (re: tech, i.e. Special Edition/Remaster benefits, and re: release date). Which is why they're not ready to confirm specifics yet.

I'm certainly crossing my fingers for it but I've yet to see official confirmation.

 

[Jax]

If the Switch lacks too much of the XB1/PS4 power then 3rd party developers are not likely to port inferior versions of their games to the switch. Nintendo needs more than 1st party titles and won't get many if any exclusive 3rd party ones.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

If the Switch lacks too much of the XB1/PS4 power then 3rd party developers are not likely to port inferior versions of their games to the switch. Nintendo needs more than 1st party titles and won't get many if any exclusive 3rd party ones.

They'll get a lot of indie games, like all the consoles do now (including the handheld ones). I'll grant that that's not much of a selling point, though!

 

[Tribble puncher]

Couple of links for those following the system that have some interesting info:

Article about some unusual patents filed for the switch (possibly fake but interesting none the less):

http://www.polygon.com/2016/10/24/13379434/nintendo-switch-secret-projector

Interview with an actor in the nintendo switch commercial, who claims to have held a functioning unit: (actually, it looks like this video was removed, sorry!)

I'm excited for this console, I've already started saving up $450 for my "switch" allowance in march, I may preorder in feb. But I want to see more information first. Honestly, if the library is good, and they don't use proprietary memory....(Nintendo, if your reading this, MICRO S.D. CARDS!) or at least, but not as desirable, have the memory directly in the unit like Apple Products, if you're really scared of pirates (Yaaaargh). Proprietary memory is what killed the PS Vita and drove third parties away. I feel like Nintendo is really building this thing around a on the go console experience that can still actually be a console, like an above poster said, If I can play the FULL SKYRIM on the freaking go??!? SHUT. UP. AND TAKE MY MONEY! If it lasts 2-3 Hours on a charge I'm fine with that, just please allow it to be charged when in portable mode, and work with bluetooth headphones, that too.

From what I've seen of the Hardware, I'm not worried about it, Nintendo has always made quality Hardware, I don't see the controllers breaking. In fact, I think they look pretty cool, and the "clicking" them onto the sides of the tablet, I must say, as a frigidity person, looks highly satisfying. As long as it's built to game, and not around a werd gimmick (see article above) This will be a day one purchase for me as long as I find out it's got some good games coming. I only own a few DS/3DS games, and my 2DS works perfectly fine, so I'm not bent out of shape over that.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Nintendo's pretty good about using commodity memory cards, and they encrypt the data so they don't worry much about piracy.

 

[Amaris]

Yeah, my next console will probably be Nintendo. Xbox One has solid FPS, racing, and fighting games, but I'm attracted to bright, cheerful games. When I had my PS2, they had a bunch of great RPGs, silly casual games, and stuff that really appealed to me. I then switched to Xbox 360 because by that time, the library was enormous, and the budget games were usually the ones I wanted anyway. Having an Xbox One is hard on someone who doesn't have a lot of money, as I don't really buy new games (for me, $60 is an insane number for games. YMMV). The games I did have through Xbox Live Gold are no good now, since I no longer have a sub, and they won't play on my system, and since Sony does the same thing with Playstation... I guess what it is, is that I prefer a gaming console for games. No Netflix, no media center in general, no need to dig through menus, or install GB of game files so you can end up playing the game a few times.

Yeah, I know, it's my problem, and I'm aware of that. The gaming community seems to be fine with these kinds of things. Still, there's something to be said about popping a disc (or cart) into the slot and just playing a game with a minimum of fuss. I realize technology has changed to where we can't really do that anymore, but it's a nice thought for me.

In short, I have no idea where I'm going with any of this.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Looks like Ninty plans all launch units to include the dock. They might unbundle 'em later but the initial strategy is to get everybody on-board with the dual nature of the platform.

 

[Kelthaz]

Nintendo Switch Presentation - January 12th.

It's nice to have a set date to look forward to.

 

[eastman23]

Looks like Ninty plans all launch units to include the dock. They might unbundle 'em later but the initial strategy is to get everybody on-board with the dual nature of the platform.

Yeah, they're trying to position it as a home console that you can take with you. So more a replacement for the Wii U (not so successful) instead of the 3DS (decently successful). But it will take over the 3DS market too.

On top of the presentation announcement that Kelthaz posted above, Nintendo is forecasting to ship 2 million units by the end of March 2017. So that could be over anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks. In comparison, the Wii U sold just over 3 million over 44 days between it's launch on November 18, 2012 and the end of December that year. (Although shipping to stores is not equal to selling through to the customer, so not exactly equivalent.)

And like most of Nintendo's hardware, it will not be sold at a loss, but they are paying attention to what people are expecting price-wise.

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2016/10/...r-consoles-to-ship-in-launch-month-than-wii-u

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Now if some older games could be ported...... I'd love to do Bioshock Infinite or all the Saints Row games on this.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I could see Bioshock happening. I'd be a lot more surprised to see Saints Row--just not as popular, and too edgy for Nintendo.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I could see Bioshock happening. I'd be a lot more surprised to see Saints Row--just not as popular, and too edgy for Nintendo.

Probably but yeah I'd buy it if it had games like Bioshock on it. I don't like all the Nintendo IPs, except for Donkey Kong

 

[SPCTRE]

Looks like Ninty plans all launch units to include the dock. They might unbundle 'em later but the initial strategy is to get everybody on-board with the dual nature of the platform.

Unsurprising as the hybrid functionality is their USP, same reason they wouldn't initially do a non-portable variant.

If they're going with their most recent SKU archetypes (Basic/Premium), they will differ on system storage and/or similar features. Maybe also color, for those who care about that. Personally, I'd like a Premium SKU to include a more beefy battery, but that's unlikely to happen.

 

[eastman23]

Nintendo's pretty good about using commodity memory cards, and they encrypt the data so they don't worry much about piracy.

Pretty much confirmed - microSD (same as New 3DS) up to 128 GB officially. That's not necessarily the limit though, as Nintendo says the 3DS only supports up to 32 GB cards, but there are plenty of people that run fine with 64 or more.
http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/10/report-nintendo-switch-to-support-micro-sd-up-to-128gb/

Also, no external hard drive support on the dock. Which kinda makes sense given the whole "pick up the Switch from the dock and leave the house" thing they're going for. Wouldn't work as well if you have to wait for something to copy from the hard drive to the Switch before pulling it from the dock.
http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...itch-dock-doesnt-support-external-usb-drives/

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Pretty much confirmed - microSD (same as New 3DS) up to 128 GB officially. That's not necessarily the limit though, as Nintendo says the 3DS only supports up to 32 GB cards, but there are plenty of people that run fine with 64 or more.
http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/10/report-nintendo-switch-to-support-micro-sd-up-to-128gb/

Also, no external hard drive support on the dock. Which kinda makes sense given the whole "pick up the Switch from the dock and leave the house" thing they're going for. Wouldn't work as well if you have to wait for something to copy from the hard drive to the Switch before pulling it from the dock.
http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...itch-dock-doesnt-support-external-usb-drives/

It does make me wonder what the USB ports on it are for, then. Clearly you can't use them when the console is out of the dock, so is it just for games that have special peripherals, and such peripherals and USB-only and thus can only work in dock mode and thus defeat the whole purpose of a mobile console?

I dunno, I'm just wondering what the USB ports are for if it's not a way to hook up a hard drive or something!

 

[Aldo]

I'm betting they'll allow us to hook up the Gamecube adapters so players can use their preferred method to play Smash Bros. (I know we're getting a port of the WiiU game, but I'm hoping we get a brand new Smash too).

This article suggests we'll be getting lots of accessories (or add-ons) for the system. No idea what that all entails at this point, but I see people already bitching about it saying a "handheld" doesn't need so much extra stuff:

Kimishima suggested that the Switch is part of a bigger ecosystem. "It may be appropriate to call them accessories. Or it might be better to call them add-on hardware. It’s probably more correct to call them accessories. You can assume that there will be a wider array."

I can kind of see where they are coming from I suppose. I have a friend who also has a WiiU and he hated that there were so many controller options. He said it was hard to get a group of friends together when controllers were so expensive. Personally I liked that the WiiU had so many options, but I could see why other people did not.