Nintendo partnering with Universal to make attractions.

[BrianLo]

Totally unimpressed with the new console video, I don't know why Nintendo goes out of its way to try to make a system with a gimmick instead of just make a kick butt gaming machine.

Getting luck with the Wii was a once in a lifetime deal.

Still, so far it looks like nothing more than a more portable Wii U. While I personally feel the Wii U does not get the rep it deserves as a gaming system of which it is amazing, Nintendo needs to do more.

Unless the needle moves, this is going to flop and hopefully Nintendo just becomes a software producer and gets out of hardware completely.

Major disappointment of a first impression.

It's probably one of the least gimmicky devices they've had for years and years. The gimmick is they are condensing their portable and home line into one device to better focus their game development studios, to steadily support the thing.

Otherwise it's just a portable/home console hybrid, the gimmick is it's actually reasonably powered enough to be a home console and a light years jump beyond their DS line.

Plus it's easily the most multiplayer friendly handheld they've had yet.

 

[Mike S]

It's probably one of the least gimmicky devices they've had for years and years. The gimmick is they are condensing their portable and home line into one device to better focus their game development studios, to steadily support the thing.

Otherwise it's just a portable/home console hybrid, the gimmick is it's actually reasonably powered enough to be a home console and a light years jump beyond their DS line.

Plus it's easily the most multiplayer friendly handheld they've had yet.

The multiplayer aspect seems to be a huge highlight. I'm guessing you can play 4 player both at home and on the go. Then you can do 2 player with one device though I'm betting that specific feature will be limited to certain games only. I think they're going to bank on it heavily. Now I see how it could capture a portion of Mobile players: it seems like the most social system ever made. Plus it'll have the full experiences of all of Nintendo's Mobile games, including Pokémon. I agree that this seems like not an extremely gimmicky system. If you want you can use the Pro Controller anywhere.

Nintendo's newest slogan is very fitting going forward.

 

[JT3000]

It's still a gimmick, one that's technically been done before. But more importantly, I'm hearing bad things about the Switch's potential specs. They're making the exact same mistake they always do (surprise!) It's a good thing they'll be condensing their first party titles into a single platform, because...

 

[BrianLo]

It's still a gimmick, one that's technically been done before. But more importantly, I'm hearing bad things about the Switch's potential specs. They're making the exact same mistake they always do (surprise!) It's a good thing they'll be condensing their first party titles into a single platform, because...

Ok true, it's a gimmick of sorts. What it is not is a development hurdle. No needing to recode ports to utilize two screens, touch screens, 3D, motion controls etc. That's a big change that will help developers get a bit more on board.


In terms of specs yes it sounds like it's going to be similar to this generation - which is a bit better than their previous trajectory which was always a full gen behind instead of 'half' generation lag.

Portable on the other hand has usually be a full two generations behind in specs, so if they truly are going to shift the portable line into Switch that's a massive specs improvement. The lag behind has seemingly never hurt their portable devices - so that's not really a mistake.

 

[BrianLo]

Went and checked it out.

First problem is this. Why do you need this portable Nintendo when you most people are already carrying a $500-$700 smart phone? You can play games on the smart phone, watch TV etc. etc. Now you are supposed carry one of these also in your pockets? Why?

Why do people play or carry around a 3DS?

 

[Bairstow]

First problem is this. Why do you need this portable Nintendo when you most people are already carrying a $500-$700 smart phone? You can play games on the smart phone....

Yes, but some people want better games than Angry Birds and Crossy Road

 

[BrianLo]

I've never seen anyone but a child who is to young for a phone.

Also the DS hey day was before most people had smart phones. The 3DS wasn't as big as the DS.

You've clearly never been to Japan, where this company is based.

 

[Bairstow]

Yes but is it worth carrying an extra device with you? Doubt you'll leave the phone behind?

I dunno. How long is your bus ride every morning and evening?

 

[danpam1024]

I'd use it when I travel- my phone battery sucks (galaxy S6).

 

[Jimmy Thick]

It's probably one of the least gimmicky devices they've had for years and years. The gimmick is they are condensing their portable and home line into one device to better focus their game development studios, to steadily support the thing.

Otherwise it's just a portable/home console hybrid, the gimmick is it's actually reasonably powered enough to be a home console and a light years jump beyond their DS line.

Plus it's easily the most multiplayer friendly handheld they've had yet.

It's definitely a gimmick system, it's trying to tap into the gaming tablet world and be a home console.

Like someone stated earlier in this thread, it's the new home/portable system that's never been done before. It could work...Or it could flop. Internet discussions on gaming sites/forums tend to be negative on the Switch and have clouded my judgement personally because for the life of me I don't know why Nintendo just can't make something these days without some silly gimmick attached to it.

I just want great games.

Nintendo, no matter how much people want to hype this thing is still what 40 million units behind the XB1 and PS4 combined when it comes to machine sales and no matter how many people say they will support the Switch, big AAA releases will be developed for XB1 and PS4 first.

Unless Switch moves like 5-7 million units the first six months, and depending on the price point, is the public really going to pay 299 for this when they could get a more established XB1 or PS4 for 249, this looks like another Wii U.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Ignore the thick one guys.

 

[Mike S]

It's definitely a gimmick system, it's trying to tap into the gaming tablet world and be a home console.

Like someone stated earlier in this thread, it's the new home/portable system that's never been done before. It could work...Or it could flop. Internet discussions on gaming sites/forums tend to be negative on the Switch and have clouded my judgement personally because for the life of me I don't know why Nintendo just can't make something these days without some silly gimmick attached to it.

I just want great games.

Nintendo, no matter how much people want to hype this thing is still what 40 million units behind the XB1 and PS4 combined when it comes to machine sales and no matter how many people say they will support the Switch, big AAA releases will be developed for XB1 and PS4 first.

Unless Switch moves like 5-7 million units the first six months, and depending on the price point, is the public really going to pay 299 for this when they could get a more established XB1 or PS4 for 249, this looks like another Wii U.

What I've seen is both positive and negative and pretty much too early to call. What really matters is how the general public receives this thing. The trailer already gets its point across way better than the Wii U ever did. One thing I have noticed is that Wikipedia has articles on each generation of consoles but the they've got no idea where to put the Switch. It's not listed as eighth generation or ninth generation. I think Nintendo is pretty much going off on their own with this one which could be a good thing. Sony and Microsoft's spec fight is getting bloody and Nintendo can't really compete with that. It's also my opinion that this push to 4K when we barely have consistent 1080p at 60fps is also a gimmick* when it seems the games will only be upscaled to 4K plus the fact that the 4K TV market is small which is another limiting factor. At this point Nintendo would've failed hard if they released a third wheel powerhouse console. Their best chance to do that came and went when the Wii U was the console they released a year ahead of the competition and even then it probably wouldn't have been a guaranteed success. With all of Nintendo's own games in one place on the Switch and a guarantee of at least the same third party support the 3DS + Vita had I think this console can be its own little success story. It remains to be seen what third party support it gets from the main console publishers but I think it can absolutely get ports of less demanding PS4 and XB1 games. See my above example with Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy.

*Gimmick: A method or trick that is used to get people's attention or to sell something.

"Better graphics" and "4K gaming" both fall in that definition pretty perfectly don't they?

 

[JT3000]

Yes the never ending need for a faster CPU, memory, graphics etc. etc. Only the most **** who benchmark their systems would have any idea one system has a slightly faster FPS then another. It use to make a big difference what hardware you had back in the glory days of computer gaming but it just doesn't matter now. I have a friend who spends a lot of money on twin graphics card setups and refuses to play console games because his computer graphics are far superior. He's stuck in mind set. His gaming computer was something like $5,000 BTW. Waste of money is what I would cal it.

This is one of the reasons I'm not a PC gamer. They put themselves under so much pressure to spend more than they need to in order to acquire satisfactory results, they begin to care more about excessive one-upmanship than the actual games. I also can't stand their general elitism, especially when PC gaming is just a niche in an industry ruled by consoles, a fact some of them would sooner die than admit.

However, it would be a mistake to brush off the matter of graphics as insignificant. It's something that matters to both hardcore gamers and developers, which is why Nintendo has had so much trouble garnering third party support for their weak systems. This push to 4K gaming, in an era where most people do not yet own a 4K television, is premature at best. There's certainly room for improvement in the current hardware, even if it's only outputting 1080p. I just wish these hardware manufacturers would focus on new, reasonably priced experiences that benefit a majority of gamers and not a select few.

 

[ProfSavage]

It may be gimmicky but it'll survive based on how every Nintendo console survives: how many core series games of their best known characters/series (Mario/Pokemon/Zelda/Metroid/Super Smash/Pikmin/etc) will be available close to launch that has unique gameplay and features that stays true to tradition as well. Think of Mario Sunshine and Luigi's Mansion on the Gamecube and Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii.

Still. I am not sure if the Switch is the successor to the Wii U or both the Wii U and the 3DS. I know a lot of people are saying the latter, but I haven't seen anything concrete. If it is the latter, I hope to see good things, especially since that means the Gen 8 Pokemon games will be on the Switch will be a new direction for Game Freak and that series.

In the meantime, I am over hear nerding out about Pokemon Generations and Sun/Moon (and whatever remake we'll get that brings an older game into the Gen 7 graphics/mechanics).

 

[Mike S]

It may be gimmicky but it'll survive based on how every Nintendo console survives: how many core series games of their best known characters/series (Mario/Pokemon/Zelda/Metroid/Super Smash/Pikmin/etc) will be available close to launch that has unique gameplay and features that stays true to tradition as well. Think of Mario Sunshine and Luigi's Mansion on the Gamecube and Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii.

Still. I am not sure if the Switch is the successor to the Wii U or both the Wii U and the 3DS. I know a lot of people are saying the latter, but I haven't seen anything concrete. If it is the latter, I hope to see good things, especially since that means the Gen 8 Pokemon games will be on the Switch will be a new direction for Game Freak and that series.

In the meantime, I am over hear nerding out about Pokemon Generations and Sun/Moon (and whatever remake we'll get that brings an older game into the Gen 7 graphics/mechanics).

It's both. Here's a quote from the late Satoru Iwata in 2014.

Whether we will ultimately need just one device will be determined by what consumers demand in the future, and that is not something we know at the moment. However, we are hoping to change and correct the situation in which we develop games for different platforms individually and sometimes disappoint consumers with game shortages as we attempt to move from one platform to another, and we believe that we will be able to deliver tangible results in the future.

After the trailer I think their intention is crystal clear. Here's the link, scroll to the bottom.
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/140130qa/02.html

The truly crazy thing is that people still deny this is the case and that a possible 3DS replacement could still come, lol. Not talking about you btw.

 

[ProfSavage]

It's both. Here's a quote from the late Satoru Iwata in 2014.

After the trailer I think their intention is crystal clear. Here's the link, scroll to the bottom.
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/140130qa/02.html

The truly crazy thing is that people still deny this is the case and that a possible 3DS replacement could still come, lol. Not talking about you btw.

I understand what you mean. It'll be interesting to see how some games that have been core series and exclusively on either the home console or the flagship handheld will have to change a bit to fit one of those formats. I guess this means for a series like Pokemon, going back to a battle screen with overlay if there is no secondary screen. This isn't a big deal, but I am still wanting to see how game developers will utilize everything.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Yes the never ending need for a faster CPU, memory, graphics etc. etc. His gaming computer was something like $5,000 BTW. Waste of money is what I would cal it.

I'm one of the PC gamer in search of the best rig type gamers, but 5k is a little overkill if not silly to have a top of the line gaming system.

Spending without worry of budget I can get a top of the chart system for 2.3k.

But think of it this way.

A Nvidia GTX 1070 is the third best graphic card you can get today, and it's more powerful than both the PS4 and XB1. And light years more powerful than the Nintendo Switch.

 

[JT3000]

A Nvidia GTX 1070 is the third best graphic card you can get today, and it's more powerful than both the PS4 and XB1. And light years more powerful than the Nintendo Switch.

Now if I could just play games on a single PC component that costs more than an entire console. I'm sure it would make for a spiffy paper weight at least.

 

[Mike S]

Good on Nintendo and not listening solely to investors and still making new gaming hardware rather than going full mobile.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/pokemon-shows-nintendo-still-has-path-to-glory-1477475028

 

[ProfSavage]

Good on Nintendo and not listening solely to investors and still making new gaming hardware rather than going full mobile.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/pokemon-shows-nintendo-still-has-path-to-glory-1477475028

Mobile games, like Pokemon Go and Mario Run, are a great way for Nintendo to market their characters, advertise for new games/consoles, etc but should never be the full focus of the games. Nintendo and its developers do well when they focus on innovative gameplay of their core series and the best known characters.

Look what Pokemon Go did for the New 3DSXL and Gen VI Pokemon games - sales went up, and it's the 20th anniversary of the franchise, and there's a new gen coming out which got people excited. It definitely made me pine for the older games and next thing you know, I was at GameStop buying and 3DSXL, OR and X and putting a deposit on a pre-order for Sun. It works. (Granted, Pokemon Go is a Niantic game, not Nintendo, which the latter only making money off the game residually due to their stake in the Pokemon Company International, but still)

I see Mario Run doing the same thing - promoting and creating excitement for both the platformers on the handhelds and the newer games, like Galaxy, on the home console.

It's great seeing Nintendo finally break into mobile markets and having some cute games for Android or iOS. But I think the company would be foolish to abandon what made them an international household name or characters that prints them money. Glad to see them not listening to Wall Street on this one as well. Especially since cell phones have planned obsolescence of only about six months, whereas the major consoles (Nintendo, Xbox, Playstation) usually plan their consoles to have a market life of 3-4 years before the next gen comes out.