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[Hypron]

You can say that about all consoles manufacters. Every console has it's limitations

Yeah but the other ones are a lot more powerful so the limit will be a lot higher. I.e. you can do more.

But anyway, considering the console is half portable you couldn't expect it to be that powerful.

 

[BiggNife]

How do you know it will be fine?
Do you know that every idea Nintendo has is achievable with the Switch power?

Again, I ask: What are you referring to when you talk about mechanics on current hardware that couldn't be capable on a Switch?

 

[PeakPointMatrix]

No. No I don't. Power doesn't matter to me if I can't enjoy the game.

I don't think Super Mario 3D World would have been any better on a PS4-level system so...no.

I don't need to see the mushroom crumbs in Mario's mustache in order to enjoy his games.

So if Nintendo just went "fuck it" and kept releasing hardware at around the power level of the Gamecube for the next 10 years, you guys would be okay with it? As long as the gameplay held up? What's the point of even bothering to update the power on their hardware for you guys? Also, why are so many of you convinced that powerful hardware would hurt gameplay?

No. I could care less about power.

How much less could you care?

 

[names2hard4you]

Well gaming to me is about the games, so no, not really.

 

[Jim_Cacher]

No. I play games for games, not for hardware. Sure, some games can be benefited from better hardware, but hardware certainly is not the first priority influencing my gaming choice.

 

[Platy]

So if Nintendo just went "fuck it" and kept releasing hardware at around the power level of the Gamecube for the next 10 years, you guys would be okay with it? As long as the gameplay held up? What's the point of even bothering to update the power on their hardware for you guys? Also, why are so many of you convinced that powerful hardware would hurt gameplay?

Powerful Hardware makes development expensive. Which means less games, smaller games and/or less experimentation. The whole hd towns that made FF15 take 10 years to make.

I would have zero problem of just buying games for an old hardware ... hell that is basicaly how my pc is for a long time (burnout paradise is probably the most "heavy" game that my pc can play). Bonus point of not needing to buy controllers all over again.

The only problem with no new consoles is the lack of hardware changes. No motion control, no dual analog, no rumble ... THOSE are the changes that actualy matter.

 

[nasanu]

Art direction is far more impactful than raw specs. I haven't seen a PC game.. well maybe ever that wowed me visually, not like games such as Okami, wind waker, Metroid prime, drive club etc did on release.

That said most Nintendo games bore me anyway. I'll just keep on forgetting Nintendo exist.

 

[meerak]

Not even in a little bit!

Their success has never been dependent on or derived from hardware. Innovative Art Styles & Mechanics are how they've managed to pump out classic after classic for decades.

The quality of games Nintendo has put out since the GC era is so, so, laughably spectacular - I actually have no idea where you people get your ideas from. No publisher, developer or software house on earth - working with any hardware you can dream of - has come even *close* to Nintendo quality, and that's looking at any volume of output.

Please - PLEASE - tell me: which developer has made a game similar to one Nintendo may make that is significantly better because of hardware?

And you think Nintendo needs better hardware because why?

 

[Wyndstryker]

So if Nintendo just went "fuck it" and kept releasing hardware at around the power level of the Gamecube for the next 10 years, you guys would be okay with it? As long as the gameplay held up? What's the point of even bothering to update the power on their hardware for you guys? Also, why are so many of you convinced that powerful hardware would hurt gameplay?

Economics alone would prevent them from releasing too low of hardware. Nintendo always wanted to go with cheap tech. With technology, cheap means abundant, easy to produce, off the shelf hardware. After that, they make a couple of modifications to the hardware to make it do what they want to do. Producing Gamecubes would be more expensive today than producing Wii's, which would be more expensive than producing Wii U's.

So basically you're always guaranteed a slight tech upgrade from a Nintendo console. It's never going to be bleeding edge though and for many people thats fine cause they get to play their Nintendo games which is the sole reason to buying a Nintendo console. If people want the latest Nintendo games, they'll buy the newest Nintendo hardware.

I don't think many people here are convinced powerful hardware hurts gameplay, but in many cases powerful hardware distracts developers from producing good gameplay. As we have seen many times, it leads to more bugs and issues that need to be dealt with. Nintendo is notorious for their quality control so that just means longer dev times for good games. People just want their Nintendo games.

 

[GLAMr]

Nintendo have only once had the most powerful console (the N64), and even then other hardware limitations made the hardware advantage questionable at times. NES and SNES were equal to or marginally weaker than their competitors, the GC was the midrange of its generation and the Wii and WiiU were drastically outclassed. Nintendo's handhelds have always been significantly underpowered but always dominated the market. I've owned and loved every Nintendo platform except Wii and WiiU (the content didn't appeal to me on these platforms). So no, low specs doesn't worry me much.

Also, I think people are underestimating how good games could potentially look on the rumoured Switch specs.

 

[Trago]

Consoles are generally far behind PC so that's not a relevant consideration for me. I put far more weight behind quality of exclusives and gameplay than visual potential.

¯\_(&#12484_/¯

This.

All this console spec talk makes me laugh sometimes since it isn't super relevant to me. PC hardware discussions are much more interesting.

Worry about what games are coming to the Switch.

 

[Ivan 3414]

NOPE

After the annoying Gamecube era of 3rd party ignoring, I just decided to get in bed with the other manufacturers (and thus other game developers) and I immediately realized how much of gaming i was missing.

But how are they in bed? Is Sony's hardware really as powerful as they say?

 

[PillarEN]

You say Nintendo goes underpowered

I say the others go overpriced

This post triggers the shit out of me.

I really hate paying that Nintendo premium for every single one of their games. System is overpriced too. Tough luck for me though as I'd like to play their games within my lifetime and they never come down in price. Worst case scenario a game gets a stupidly limited run and then jackasses on ebay and such jack up the prices two fold.

On top of this they basically have no presence in my region. It's rough trying to support Nintendo here man.

 

[Kai Dracon]

I've never hoped a Nintendo console could be my sole gaming device, so ultimately I really don't care one way or the other.

If the current Nintendo-thing has games I want to play I buy it and play the games.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

Again, I ask: What are you referring to when you talk about mechanics on current hardware that couldn't be capable on a Switch?

I wasn't comparing it to other consoles.

Just saying that power is needed for gameplay purposes too. Not just graphics.

People who say they don't care about power and they just care about gameplay are contradicting themselves.

 

[ubiblu]

Nintendo games don't need anything beyond 1080p/60fps. As many posters have already stated, Nintendo's greatest strengths are visual aesthetics and core gameplay. I don't need a 4K display to enjoy a mario or zelda game, and I have a PS4 Pro for demanding third-party games.

I mean, it's almost like Nintendo are going after a completely different market. Who knew?

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

You can say that about all consoles manufacters. Every console has it's limitations

Correct.

 

[btrboyev]

Hardware doesnt matter when even the top tier games graphically on consoles are picked about by every single graphical downfall. Drops one frame? Oh shit, what a fail.

 

[Ninja Dom]

So if Nintendo just went "fuck it" and kept releasing hardware at around the power level of the Gamecube for the next 10 years, you guys would be okay with it? As long as the gameplay held up? What's the point of even bothering to update the power on their hardware for you guys? Also, why are so many of you convinced that powerful hardware would hurt gameplay?

How much less could you care?

Got to say. I bought a New 3DS this year and I've had tremendous fun with it. Absolutely loved Luigi Mansion 2.

 

[Kenai]

It's always been about the games/gameplay for me, so as long as the graphics aren't so bad they are affecting the gameplay (which i don't have to worry about with Nintendo 1st/2nd party stuff) I am happy. If I really wanted just the high end graphics, I wouldn't be playing on any console.

 

[Kssio_Aug]

I wasn't comparing it to other consoles.

Just saying that power is needed for gameplay purposes too. Not just graphics.

People who say they don't care about power and they just care about gameplay are contradicting themselves.

There's not much PS4 and XB1 have been doing other than graphical improvements though. It's hard to imagine Switch limiting things too much.

So if Nintendo just went "fuck it" and kept releasing hardware at around the power level of the Gamecube for the next 10 years, you guys would be okay with it? As long as the gameplay held up?

I mean, I have a 3DS and love it!! So I think you have your answer! lol I'd welcome hardware updrages though.

 

[Just_myles]

As someone who has grown up with Nintendo games, I feel I need to spend more time with a different hobby when I hear of Nintendo going for much less than hardcore consoles and games. I just want the days of SNES and N64 when Nintendo gave us among cutting edge games.

I will still play games but it's just so disappointing not having the best devs working for the hardcore gamers. Such a waste of talent.

The N64 was basically knee-capped using proprietary cartridges. Had it used CD, it would have been much better with less fog and better soundtracks.

Also you shouldn't be surprised. The gamecube was the last Nintendo console that even tried to compete graphically.

 

[7roject28]

They should have just kept making games for the NES and SNES

 

[Afrikan]

I always go through the same cycle...

After playing

Pilotwings and StarFox on the SNES and thinking OMG HOLY SHIT WOOOOOOOOOW

then Pilotwings and StarFox on the N64 and thinking OMG HOLY SHIT WOOOOOOOOW

ever since then... I've looked forward to the day where I'd play these games on powerful new Nintendo systems. Next Gen Graphics :/


I'm just better off giving up.

who am I kidding...maybe down the road......things might change.

 

[Lady Gaia]

I'm just as interested in gaming, and I'll do it wherever the compelling games are.

I was already disappointed in Nintendo for failing to deliver a Zelda title in timely fashion, given that it's the primary reason I bought a Wii U. So I'll almost certainly play it there and wait to see what games appear on the Switch to make it compelling. A solid Fire Emblem title would be a good start.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

There's not much PS4 and XB1 have been doing other than graphical improvements though. It's hard to imagine Switch limiting things too much.

Crowds, AI simulation, draw distance, open worlds like TW3 and many other features are not possible last gen. It's not just textures and resolution and framerate.

Look at Red Dead Redemption, towns were like a movie studio backdrop with fairly empty buildings compared to current gen open worlds like TW3 again.

The Last of Us had to cut many combat animations seen in the pre-release footage and female enemies because the PS3 ram couldn't handle that many animations.

Shadow of Mordor's Nemesis system is not possible on PS3/360.

And many other examples.

Even current gen consoles are very limited.

in Dead Rising 4, you can see many zombies on the screen but most of them have no AI until you kill some zombies first. There's a limited number of zombies that can be simulated at a given time while others just stand in the background.

People tend to underestimate the importance of AI and animations.

And those features add a lot to gameplay mechanics and design.

 

[nasanu]

This.

All this console spec talk makes me laugh sometimes since it isn't super relevant to me. PC hardware discussions are much more interesting.

Worry about what games are coming to the Switch.

Other way around for me. I find all the PC Tech talk amusing when I am playing assetto corsa on "ultra" and it still looks no better than Gran Turismo 4. Power isn't what makes a good looking game, the artists do.

 

[Voysa Reezun]

Not at all.

I think that price matters more than power when it comes to Nintendo. I don't mind buying underpowered hardware, but not for the price point that Nintendo put the WiiU at.

If they don't want to take a loss on hardware, that's fine, but make sure the hardware is cheap so that I don't mind paying the Nintendo tax.

 

[Platy]

Crowds, AI simulation, draw distance, open worlds like TW3 and many other features are not possible last gen. It's not just textures and resolution and framerate.

How exactly do you mean not possible ?

Isn't that just more processing being made ?
Basicaly it could have done but the graphics would have looked poorly, right ?

 

[MomoQca]

I really don't give a damn about their games not being "competitive enough." I have enjoyed their games thus far and that's all that really matters to me.

 

[Purest 78]

No there's Ps4,X1,And PC My love for gaming isn't attached to one Company.

 

[FLAguy954]

No, it just reinforces my interest in other platforms and makes my buying decisions easier.

They were my favorite back when their systems had the best-looking console games (NES/SNES)


I don't think that the current Nintendo could make a Super Mario World, regardless of the hardware

.

 

[FarFromAnyGame]

How exactly do you mean not possible ?

Isn't that just more processing being made ?
Basicaly it could have done but the graphics would have looked poorly, right ?

No, it's not that simple. You don't trade AI for graphics. It needs CPU power and graphics are mostly on the GPU.

 

[Wagram]

Not really, because I don't primarily game on their machines since i'm not overly fond of their first party offerings. I've always been interested in the Switch primarily for the handheld side of the device. They could get all the third party support in the world for the console side, but I wouldn't purchase them on it with those specs.

 

[Harmondale]

You say Nintendo goes underpowered

I say the others go overpriced

Ha ha ha ha...please have a look what Wii u retails for today. Please have a look what 3 year old nintendo software retails for today. There is only one company who Price their producs way over the others, and that is nintendo. One of the main reasons why I switched ecosystem. Sad but true

 

[JeffZero]

Nah. The only Nintendo series I truly enjoy is Zelda. I really wish I liked their output more because they're cool people through and through but I want more story than they tend to offer. (Even Zelda doesn't really have it, but it has ace atmosphere sometimes, and the closest thing to a story I dig in the Nintendo pantheon I'm familiar with.)

 

[DerekOfTheDykes]

I was gonna drop in to point out how absolutely absurd this thought process is, but I'm glad to see it has already been well covered.

 

[Platy]

No, it's not that simple. You don't trade AI for graphics. It needs CPU power and graphics are mostly on the GPU.

oooh thnaks
So what nintendo is doing is better than stay on one console ....

 

[Menitta]

Nah, not really. I was content with the Wii U and the games they had on it. Also the art style Nintendo goes for looks great in HD. I think Mario Kart 8 is the best looking game this generation.

 

[MomoQca]

Nah. The only Nintendo series I truly enjoy is Zelda. I really wish I liked their output more because they're cool people through and through but I want more story than they tend to offer. (Even Zelda doesn't really have it, but it has ace atmosphere sometimes, and the closest thing to a story I dig in the Nintendo pantheon I'm familiar with.)

You should check out the Xenoblade games. They're one of the heavier story-centric Nintendo games.

 

[The Giant]

You power hungry tech gamers are a bunch of cry babies. Let's get the shits about consoles not using this chip or that chip. It should have this amount of ram or tflops etc.

 

[NoKisum]

Can someone explain to me how running games like Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8, and Splatoon on a supercomputer would make the games mechanically play better outside of featuring hyperrealistic graphics similar to games like Uncharted, Gran Turismo, and Battlefield?

 

[Ragnamith]

Not really, I realized today I haven't really cared about graphics since the Gamecube.

I understand people might be disappointed about Switch possibly being weaker than they hoped but honesty Nintendo hasn't even tried to compete since the Wii. All I'm hoping for is good games.

 

[The Hermit]

So you've been less interested for 10 years?

Pretty much what I though

 

[jwhit28]

I actually feel the opposite. As consoles became more expensive to develop for, the types of games that aren't considered cutting edge (turn based JRPGs and dungeon crawlers are a good example) got relegated to low cost handhelds like 3DS and PSP. Now that the lowest baseline is gonna be at the very least on par with Wii U, will games like Etrian Odyssey, Bravely Default, and even top down Zelda still have a place?

Instead of the mobile->handheld->console hierarchy we have now, if switch does to 3DS what DS did to Gameboy, that middle handheld tier is completely gone.

 

[FalsettoVibe]

If you only play Nintendo games then I could possibly understand. If you like third party stuff then why would you stop gaming all together? Just buy another console or PC. Problem solved.

 

[The Dear Leader]

It really limits what they can do with some games, look at the new LOZ, if you think that barren, empty environment is a design choice then you're out of your mind. I would really like to see Nintendo have some real hardware power to work with, if anything Dolphin has shown how incredible their games can look when they are cleaned up and have to rendering power behind them. They've done the low spec thing for 4 generations now, they should give the other side of that spectrum a try.

 

[DIrtyWeasel]

3DS graphics make me cringe these days, so the Switch will be a godsend.

 

[gelf]

I'm in a weird position where I both don't care much about power but also don't care too much about the bulk of Nintendo's output either. Basically this means the only reason I would want a more powerful system is because it also attracts better third party support, the main reason I ever bought Nintendo systems in the past.

I do get the Nintendo fans who are just happy to play the games on whatever hardware though. If there was a system with a software library remenisant of pre Sammy takeover era Sega I'd be all over that no matter how underpowered it was compared to the competition.

 

[AwesomeMeat]

Primarily a pc gamer so all the consoles are under powered by comparison. I buy them for their lineup and in the case of the Switch, for the portability.

Id rather have a unique portable than a 3rd identical console.