Nintendo Switch

[Skygrasper550]

Jim Sterling really lays into it on his YouTube channel, apparently you'll get an ancient .ROM file a month for subscribing which Nintendo then revoke at the end of the month.

I don't want that. I could care less about classic Nintendo and SEGA games. I want brand new stuff and features that are as hassle-free as possible. Aside from the paid online service, seriously that stupid app needs to go, and it needs to go NOW.

 

[I6sexus]

If you're backed by the current factual state, you might want to consider that NES is the 5th best selling Nintendo console, and will be 6th within months or even weeks since 3DS is just about to pass it. DS, Gameboy, GBA, and Wii have all sold more and were released (of course) after the NES. It would also be reasonable to think the 3DS could surpass the PSP by the end of its life. Nintendo is by no means in a bad state. Financially, they are in a good place. People that call themselves realists either don't like something or are pessimistic about almost everything

Nes Snes N64 GC wii Wiiu are Nintys consoles. Typically people differentiate between the home consoles and the portable systems GB DC 3ds psp.

Their finances are ok, but they lost quite a bit of it since the money printing days of Wii/Ds. I just don't want to see then go the way of Sega or Atari, that be a real shame.

I don't want that. I could care less about classic Nintendo and SEGA games. I want brand new stuff and features that are as hassle-free as possible. Aside from the paid online service, seriously that stupid app needs to go, and it needs to go NOW.

Ninty is quirky like that. They love doing stuff that makes no sense to anyone but them selves.

 

[TRGTspecialist]

However, the paltry 32GB internal hard drive is bugging me. Yeah sure, that will definitely expand as time goes on, but I'm pretty sure it can be bigger at launch. Keep in mind that since it's internal, said 32GB hard drive would also have to contain the Switch's OS and other related software. This would use up roughly around 7-10GB of the space, which could leave you with just 21GB (maybe less) of free space right out of the box. That doesn't seem like a lot, especially since we don't know how much space a Switch game in general would take up.

Breath of the Wild alone will take up 13.4GB, although I guess it would be at the extreme end of storage hogging. But certainly as it stands it doesn't look like it's worth downloading the games over buying the physical carts.

I recently upgraded my PS4 hard drive to a 2TB one for £65 - but I only paid £200 for the console to begin with. I definitely wouldn't buy a Switch for £280, then a quadruple-sized SD card for £40, as the article suggests you could.

My biggest pet peeve would have to be the online service IN GENERAL. First, it's a paid subscription. Some people, especially fans might argue that "Nintendo is moving along with the times" and such, but you have to remember that Nintendo claims the Switch will not be sold at a loss. If they really are confident on profiting from it right from the start and then onward, why the need for a paid online service? Heck, at the launch of Playstation 3, Sony sold the system at a massive loss. The price tag was a whopping US$600 and it was still a loss for them. Yet the online features of the system were 100% free. Sure, production costs have gone down drastically over the years, but damn. I can understand the PS4's paid subscription because Sony claimed the PS4 will also be sold at a loss on launch. Oh, and what about the Vita? Great handheld, powerful console, and its online services are, you guessed it, free of charge!

I totally understand the frustration with the online service although I'd caution with a few things:

- I don't think we know the subscription price yet. Maybe I'm being too optimistic but I'd say it's no guarantee it'll be the same as Xbox Live/PSPlus.

- On their online page it notes that a subscription is required to play online in most games, not all. This probably doesn't mean much (only token stuff could be free I guess), but you never know.

- Of course what Nintendo offer with the service could change over time - particularly if not many people purchase it when it goes live, which certainly seems possible at this stage given the backlash!

"A free, limited version of this app will be available for download in summer 2017."

The line is ambiguous in that it says the app will be launching in the summer, but the paid-online service - which the app is supposedly for - won't launch until fall. "Limited" could just mean that some features simply can't be used yet, rather than you'll have to pay for a "full" version of the app.

On another note though, it is a bit odd that none of the subcription features will be ready for the console's launch...........I know they've delayed Switch's release once already, but I do wonder why they decided not to go for a holiday season launch instead. It's the more attractive time of the year sales wise, all online features would be ready, price could have possibly been a bit lower and the launch lineup would have been great.......... *shrug*

 

[Benny44]

@TRGTspecialist I agree with everything you're saying. Some things MS and Sony said and/or implied at launch were quickly changed once they gauged the public's reaction. This could be Nintendo's strategy. Not talking in specifics could help that strategy...or it could just be Nintendo being Nintendo. I don't like the idea of the subscription, but the wait and see attitude is probably the best approach. Hard to judge something we don't know everything about yet. By launch, we should know.

 

[Jump_Ace]

Anyone surprised at the low(er) specs hasn't been paying attention to what Nintendo has been doing since the GC. Not surprised in the least bit, especially considering its size. I'll pass on the swtich for now, I can play Zelda on my WiiU (plus any 'other' games *cough cough*) and a Mario Kart 8 remake doesn't blow my skirt up either.


Jerome

 

[Tired Tyres]

I'll buy one when Pokémon Star arrives and not before. Then again I'm looking at the switch from a 3DS owner perspective. I'm liking what I see.

 

[Brend]

I'll buy one when Pokémon Star arrives and not before. Then again I'm looking at the switch from a 3DS owner perspective. I'm liking what I see.

Stars could really break the mould I think...E3 reveal hopefully!

 

[LeMansAid]

Huh ????

PS3 launch price 500/600
360 launch price 400/300 (and the core 300 was a really awful buy)
Wii launch price 250 (and included a game)

Wii was the waggle fad and did wonders, a crazy single anomaly in all the console generations of all the manufacturers.
I'm condemning Switch based on history. Ninty consoles have been declining since the original Nes, Wii broke the pattern while wiiu went right back to its decades old downward trajectory.

Out of the last 4 Ninty consoles 3 did sub 33 million Life time sales/shipments.

History is on my side, even on the handheld side. 3ds has yet to even hit even Half the sales of its predecessor and its doubtful it will since Switch is seen as its successor. Much to do with the arrival of phones and tablets as decent/legit gaming devises. It killed sony's handheld, PSP manages a massive 82 million, its successor the Vita a pathetic 14m.
Their consoles in historic lows, their handhelds in historic lows. And its competing with one of the fastest selling console ever (PS4) and facing mobile/tablet competition.

I'm a cold uncaring realist, backed by current factual state of nintendo and the industry as a hole.

Like I said, I'm no expert, so I looked it up. Maybe I found a price comparison from after the first 360 price drop. You seem very excited though, and quite getting your jollies by sinking in the boot - so I'll happily trust your numbers in the face of that sort of dedication.

 

[Techy]

Differences between the Wii U and Switch version of Zelda BOTW, by Nintendo

• Both launch on the same day, March 3.
• Both have a frame rate of 30fps.
• Both versions of the game offer the same content.
• On a TV, the Nintendo Switch version of the game renders in 900p while the Wii U version renders in 720p.
• The Nintendo Switch version has higher-quality environmental sounds. As a result, the sound of steps, water, grass, etc. are more realistic and enhance the game’s Open-Air feel.
• The physical copy of the Wii U version will require 3GB of available memory on the Wii U system or an external drive.
• Some icons, such as onscreen buttons, differ between the two versions.
• A Special Edition and Master Edition of the Wii U version are not available.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01...ch-wii-u-versions-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild

Hafta say, I find the last bullet a bit anticlimactic.

 

[Brend]

Differences between the Wii U and Switch version of Zelda BOTW, by Nintendo



http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01...ch-wii-u-versions-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild

Hafta say, I find the last bullet a bit anticlimactic.

I've never been a Zelda guy but the trailer for Breath of The Wild is the best trailer I've seen in a long time. It looks like a perfect swansong for the Wii U whilst being a good champion for the Switch.

 

[Sanji Himura]

Breath of the Wild alone will take up 13.4GB, although I guess it would be at the extreme end of storage hogging. But certainly as it stands it doesn't look like it's worth downloading the games over buying the physical carts.

Assumes facts not in evidence. It is a certainty that Nintendo will recommend that you put a microSDXC card into the Switch before digital downloads are going to be a thing. The recognised standard on said format is anywhere from 128GB to 2TB. So before anyone gets their panties in a bunch over the storage space of digital downloads, consider that.

 

[Skygrasper550]

Breath of the Wild alone will take up 13.4GB, although I guess it would be at the extreme end of storage hogging. But certainly as it stands it doesn't look like it's worth downloading the games over buying the physical carts.

christ... would be nice if the Switch had at least 64GB internal memory (128 is awesome, 256 is too optimistic), but damn. Huge game, plus I think you can also stuff music and videos/movies inside the Switch as well. So space for games really won't be that much without an SD card.

I recently upgraded my PS4 hard drive to a 2TB one for £65 - but I only paid £200 for the console to begin with. I definitely wouldn't buy a Switch for £280, then a quadruple-sized SD card for £40, as the article suggests you could.

yeah, no thanks at the moment. I won't mind the extra cost for a memory card as long as the console is much cheaper (I used to own a Vita and had a couple of games in there).

I totally understand the frustration with the online service although I'd caution with a few things:

- I don't think we know the subscription price yet. Maybe I'm being too optimistic but I'd say it's no guarantee it'll be the same as Xbox Live/PSPlus.

it needs to be much cheaper compared to XBL or PS+. I am not willing to pay more than $20 (fine, let's make it $30) for a yearly subscription, especially since Nintendo claims they will profit from the Switch units at launch.

- On their online page it notes that a subscription is required to play online in most games, not all. This probably doesn't mean much (only token stuff could be free I guess), but you never know.

"not all" could mean 99% of games. it's the same thing with the PS4; there are games out there that don't need PS+ to play online, but those are few and far in between.

- Of course what Nintendo offer with the service could change over time - particularly if not many people purchase it when it goes live, which certainly seems possible at this stage given the backlash!

yeah, from what I've seen I think everyone is not happy about the subscription.

The line is ambiguous in that it says the app will be launching in the summer, but the paid-online service - which the app is supposedly for - won't launch until fall. "Limited" could just mean that some features simply can't be used yet, rather than you'll have to pay for a "full" version of the app.

That's the thing, it's ambiguous. It's not clear. I agree with certain people who reacted over on Youtube, Nintendo lacked specifics during their presentation. With regards to their app, they made it seem like the app is the only way to invite friends and have chat parties. They made it seem like the app is a necessity, unlike Playstation's PSN app which is neat but remains a side feature.

On another note though, it is a bit odd that none of the subcription features will be ready for the console's launch...........I know they've delayed Switch's release once already, but I do wonder why they decided not to go for a holiday season launch instead. It's the more attractive time of the year sales wise, all online features would be ready, price could have possibly been a bit lower and the launch lineup would have been great.......... *shrug*

yeah the launch lineup is another one of my complaints. Zelda is excellent but no signs of 3rd party. I think people can let that slide, but a considerable amount of 3rd party stuff has to be ready before the holiday season.

 

[Com Fox]

I think the Switch is going to go the same road as the 3DS, at launch hardly anyone goes crazy for it but then by holiday season, BAM!

 

[Skygrasper550]

I think the Switch is going to go the same road as the 3DS, at launch hardly anyone goes crazy for it but then by holiday season, BAM!

it seems that way, especially with Super Mario Odyssey having a holiday release date. I want me a Monster Hunter game for this console so bad. Or if From Software gets ballsy, an Armored Core game.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

I'm going to wait until hopefully a new Donkey Kong Country game and/or remake/s comes out before getting it. Hopefully there is a hardware revision so it has better battery life by then too.

I think Nintendo will likely sell a lot more than Wii U especially if it can be used as a decent tablet and price goes down if revised and battery life is improved. Seems ideal for kids. 3DS did well in sales, wonder if there will also be a compact 3DS like version of Switch within couple of years time. I think there is a chance Sony might release a PS4 level handheld type device by 2019.

 

[Sanji Himura]

OP Overhaul: There is a list of games shown in the image below that details what is exactly releasing when. I have taken the liberty and taken the list and applied it to the OP since this is the only clear chance that we have at decoding the Switch's launch window.

New Color coding:

Green will indicate games that have a Spring release date or confirmed to have a release date in the Spring months.

Blue will indicate games that have a Summer release date or confirmed to have a release date in the summer months.

Red will indicate games that have a fall release date or confirmed to have a release date in the fall months.

Purple will indicate games that have a winter or holiday release date or confirmed to have a release date in the winter months.

Black text on titles will remain to have a 2017 release date or a game that doesn't have an announced release date.

 

[Lain]

Fire Emblem Direct in about 4 hours.

It might just be all about FE Warriors, but due to the fact that it's been almost two years since Fates was released in Japan, and the fact that the website says to tune in for news on upcoming titles (plural)... I think we have a reasonable chance of getting a glimpse at the next mainline game too.

Edit: Nope, way off. Mostly about the upcoming microtransaction-riddled mobile game.

 

[Anathema]

Fire Emblem Direct + BotW almost convincing me to get one on launch. But, with the new 3DS game (Echoes) being released the 19th of May, I will wait. amiibo bundle too... more figurines to sit on my shelf...hnnng

Painfully. I'll wait, but it can be done. My wallet is going to be emptied this year in terms of gaming funds.

 

[Brend]

Fire Emblem Warriors this year and FE Switch next...Woo.

I wish we got a new Advance Wars game, I'd much rather that than FE.

 

[GTFan24]

My head just hurts reading this:

 

[Terronium-12]

Wait. I need my phone to enjoy multiplayer? And they're charging for this?

I'm not even an MP type of person, but that's puzzling beyond logic.

 

[Com Fox]

Wait you need a phone to actually do matchmaking?

🤬 WHY!!?!! That just adds an even bigger online pay wall.

So let me get this straight, to get the full Pokemon experience on the Nintendo Switch. I need a Game + Pokemon Bank subscription + Switch Online Subscription + Phone + App + Any sort of credit needed so your Phone doesn't lock out due to no credit for a year.

...and I thought Yugioh was my most expensive hobby.

 

[Lain]

Any sort of smart device would work for the Switch app, presumably... just pick up a cheap android tablet. I don't think you need a phone with service necessarily.

Still a puzzling decision, no doubt

 

[Techy]

Voice chat is also handled with a smartphone app, presumably.

 

[Com Fox]

Any sort of smart device would work for the Switch app, presumably... just pick up a cheap android tablet. I don't think you need a phone with service necessarily.

Still a puzzling decision, no doubt

Even still the fact it isn't on the console is a massive turn off for me.

I'm going to hold off my Switch plans.

 

[Lain]

Even still the fact it isn't on the console is a massive turn off for me.

I'm going to hold off my Switch plans.

I can only assume it was a misguided attempt to be forward-thinking regarding smartphones eventually taking over literally everything, and/or offloading side processes so that the Switch can just put all its resources into running games as best as possible (AKA the smart device is the "supplemental computing device" seen in patents)

Not great, but at the same time doesn't greatly impact my Switch interest.

 

[Benny44]

Well, that's interesting in a bad way. Still, gonna wait to see how they implement this. Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds

 

[Com Fox]

Well I just discovered the Australian price of the console $469.95

Yeah.... No! That's even way too demanding for a birthday present not to mention all the other expenses.

 

[Skygrasper550]

The more and more I read about the app, the more my assumptions seem to be correct. The app really is going to be a necessity. And they're going to charge you for it! Apparently it's not enough that you log in your Nintendo Account on your phone and they would just simply check if you're subscribed to their services! I really don't see any merit with the app having any use whenever your subscription expires.

 

[PzR Slim]

As with any announcement these days, seemingly, it's greeted with derision and gnashing of teeth!

My smart phone is in my pocket 24/7. For me I really don't see this being a problem. And I would guess there are many others, maybe even the vast majority, who are in the same position. Let's wait and see what the app brings to the experience and how it's implemented before dismissing it