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[Omegasquash]

You don't have to, and it sounds like you don't. You don't owe Nintendo your purchase, so if you don't trust them to deliver don't buy the console.

Simply put.

My N3DS gets lots of love, however my WiiU is collecting dust. As of right now, I don't see myself buying a Switch, unless I learn more about 3rd party software, party systems for games, a revised online account system and structure, better VC policy, and shifting priority away from the brand/innovation thing they've been pushing for the last decade or so.

 

[ggx2ac]

"Best"

That's also the same thing I hear about Uncharted 4 and Bloodborne.

Hahaha

 

[GDGF]

Watch the Switch presentation 8 days from now. If you like what you see, preorder. If not, wait it out until you do.

 

[psyfi]

All signs point to Nintendo putting the full force of their development and marketing power behind this. There's no way it'll be as much of a flop as the Wii U. I'd be shocked.

I say this as someone who has always been pretty critical of the Wii U.

 

[Malice215]

As bungled as the Wii U was, the quality of the software is superb.

Things are definitely going to be different with the Switch being a hybrid. I would first wait for the Nintendo presser to see what they have to show. If you're still skeptical, then just wait a year and see how things look.

 

[Vinc]

You should be skeptical. They haven't even revealed the console yet. Jump in if and when you feel compelled to. The reason for my optimism in comparison to Wii U stems from the fact that it will be the one and only console Nintendo has to focus on.

 

[Gator86]

Consolidation of handheld and console software production resulting in less software droughts. That's the main reason. There seems to be actual interest from third party devs as well, but it's still Nintendo, so if you are concerned most about third party support, I suggest a wait and see approach.

People are crazy to grab a Switch at launch if their reasoning is no more droughts. I'm still expecting them to pop up fairly frequently.

 

[Mikey Jr.]

Good call. That'll save you a whole $50 while you don't play some of the best games released.

I can wait.

 

[JP]

Because it made Jimmy Fallon act like he'd been hit by a rolling barrel of Ambien which caused him to have no idea why the Switch was the best thing that he'd ever seen, in his entire life.

Much like everything else that has been on his show.

 

[marmoka]

Because Nintendo will be working for just one machine instead of 2. 2 consoles in 1. A handheld and a console at the same time.

Wii U had great first party games, 3DS had great first party games as well, and a great 3rd party support, and if 3DS could make it well, then why not Switch?

Also this time the name and hardware don't confuse people like Wii U did. It's quite clear that it's something new.

 

[Gaogaogao]

so far, it won't. the chances are better if both handheld and console dev teams are making games for it, though.

 

[HotHamBoy]

In terms of third party support, you have no reason to think things will be different.

If the Switch performs as badly as the Wii U then third party will drop off again.

But if they really do on make one machine from here on out then at least Nintendo's output should be steadier.

 

[sugarhigh4242]

Naw the PS4 launch was terrible.

The day-1 launch was kind of bad (though I had fun with Battlefield 4), but it picked up quickly. Infamous Second Son was out within a couple months and still holds up. Later in the year, PS4 fully "arrived" with huge games like Dragon Age, Metal Gear, Far Cry 4, etc. I don't think it's remotely accurate to say that this gen only delivered starting in H2 of 2016.

 

[what-ok]

Experience it for yourself first hand then the decision will be informed by reality and not speculation, rumors, or others experiences which aren't yours.

 

[James Scott]

Because it is also replacing the 3DS.

Basically. I know Nintendo said it's replacing Wii U, but it's also a handheld and handheld support will go there.
If you don't like the idea of all of Nintendo's output on one system with all the handheld exclusives they usually get then the system isn't for you and that's ok

 

[JoeM86]

I think it's too soon to be making this discussion. We need to see what is shown at the Switch event. What promises are made. What output shall be in the first year and then decide.

 

[DrROBschiz]

Simply put.

My N3DS gets lots of love, however my WiiU is collecting dust. As of right now, I don't see myself buying a Switch, unless I learn more about 3rd party software, party systems for games, a revised online account system and structure, better VC policy, and shifting priority away from the brand/innovation thing they've been pushing for the last decade or so.

Hmmm some of this stuff seems to be already revealed

- Better Account system we think? At the very least its new and the old NNID system already did away with friend codes. We at least know the Nintendo Account system is all new. Just don't know the exact specifics outside of that its going to be modeled similar to how Android and Apple accounts


- Better VC Policy.... this one might disappoint. On the one hand they no longer plan on fragmenting it so YAY? On the other they aren't dumping the entire library at once. Its still gonna be a roll out. I'm hoping at the very least the entire VC collection that has already released will be rolled forward but who the hell knows.

- The shift from gimmicks seems to be very clear. This thing is basically a modern tablet. Despite the hybrid nature its clear that they aren't pushing anything we haven't already seen before. Concept seems simple and concise this time around.

 

[HotHamBoy]

Because it isn't a console like the Wii U. It's primarily a handheld that can be output to TV instantly.

No, it's a console with a portable mode.

This is Nintendo's own messaging, I don't understand why people insist on reversing it.

There is a performance disparity undocked, that means docked is the default state.

 

[Lexxism]

"Best"

"Some"

 

[Opa-Pa]

I feel like being skeptical is always the best policy with stuff like this, but since you ask... Logically there's no reason the Switch should be as bad as the Wii U, hell, technically it should be at least as good as the 3DS and ideally better than both combined. That's the point of unifying home and portable consoles.

After the 3DS and Vita are gone, handheld-based developers will need a new platform so it's either the Switch or going mobile. The Switch should receive the Wii u, 3DS and Vita's support by being the last bastion for handheld gaming and I guess less expensive development due to it supposedly being a beefed up Wii U.

Stuff can always go wrong tho, so who knows!

Now if you're one of those people who somehow believe there's going to be a new DS instead, then lol not sure what to tell you.

No, it's a console with a portable mode.

This is Nintendo's own messaging, I don't understand why people insist on reversing it.

There is a performance disparity undocked, that means docked is the default state.

Nintendo's Switch PR changes depending on the region, tho. According to Nintendo Japan it's a handheld because that's what sells over there and vice-versa.

 

[Remeard]

Nintendo's past two consoles have been nothing but disappointments. It seems like they have no idea what they are doing with the Switch and have learned zero lessons from the Wii U judging by the major third party titles not coming to it.

"But I buy Nintendo for their first party"

That's the thinking that went behind the Wii U - didn't work so well.

 

[dragonyeuw]

People are crazy to grab a Switch at launch if their reasoning is no more droughts. I'm still expecting them to pop up fairly frequently.

Why would that be the case? Wii U droughts occurred due to lack of major third party support and prioritizing 3ds development once it was clear that the U was a sales dud. The first point isn't likely to be much of a factor this time around, and developing for a single ecosystem eliminates having to split resources and prioritize one console over another.

In terms of third party support, you have no reason to think things will be different.

If the Switch performs as badly as the Wii U then third party will drop off again.

But if they really do on make one machine from here on out then at least Nintendo's output should be steadier.

This, again, is an argument being used as if the circumstances are the same. The Wii U's architecture didn't allow for it to get the kind of big name third party support that Sony and MS gets, and weak sales meant developers had no reason to even build versions of games around the system's features. The Switch doesn't have the raw power of Ps4, but since it's accepting of newer engines porting games over, even at reduced fidelity, is possible. There's more buzz from third parties for this than it was for Wii U, so the potential is obvious. If you build a platform that can sell, and I believe the Switch will, the third parties will come. They'd be fools not to.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I feel like being skeptical is always the best policy with stuff like this, but since you ask... Logically there's no reason the Switch should be as bad as the Wii U, hell, technically it should be at least as good as the 3DS and ideally better than both combined. That's the point of unifying home and portable consoles.

After the 3DS and Vita are gone, handheld-based developers will need a new platform so it's either the Switch or going mobile. The Switch should receive the Wii u, 3DS and Vita's support by being the last bastion for handheld gaming and I guess less expensive development due to it supposedly being a beefed up Wii U.

Stuff can always go wrong tho, so who knows!

Now if you're one of those people who somehow believe there's going to be a new DS instead, then lol not sure what to tell you.

Its roughly 4x more powerful than the WiiU roughly?

And a MASSIVE leap of 3DS and Vita in terms of Portable Power.

Pretty decent setup for a Nintendo system going forward if you ask me. Im pretty pleased

Nintendo's past two consoles have been nothing but disappointments. It seems like they have no idea what they are doing with the Switch and have learned zero lessons from the Wii U judging by the major third party titles not coming to it.

"But I buy Nintendo for their first party"

That's the thinking that went behind the Wii U - didn't work so well.

I think it will get plenty of third party support based on the Mass Market hardware and how easily and cheaply it will be to port to

It wont get the High End stuff but you basically need to invest to play that stuff anyways

We are talking PS4 Pro/Scorpio/PC

There is going to be this weird middle ground in the market where people are gonna have to make a decision here. I imagine a large section will sit happy with PS4 slim and XB1 Slim and a lot of that software will be highly scalable out of neccessity

 

[KillGore]

Because it is also replacing the 3DS.

Is this even confirmed? So we wont see a 3Das successor in say, 2 years then?

 

[HotHamBoy]

I feel like being skeptical is always the best policy with stuff like this, but since you ask... Logically there's no reason the Switch should be as bad as the Wii U, hell, technically it should be at least as good as the 3DS and ideally better than both combined. That's the point of unifying home and portable consoles.

After the 3DS and Vita are gone, handheld-based developers will need a new platform so it's either the Switch or going mobile. The Switch should receive the Wii u, 3DS and Vita's support by being the last bastion for handheld gaming and I guess less expensive development due to it supposedly being a beefed up Wii U.

Stuff can always go wrong tho, so who knows!

Now if you're one of those people who somehow believe there's going to be a new DS instead, then lol not sure what to tell you.

Handheld devs will just fully migrate to mobile.

Another thing people ignore when they call the Switch a handheld is the size. It's big. You won't be puting it in your pocket or most purses. No clamshell mean's you are going to want a case which will add more bulk.

It loses a lot of the appeal of the handheld with its size.

Why would that be the case? Wii U droughts occurred due to lack of major third party support and prioritizing 3ds development once it was clear that the U was a sales dud. The first point isn't likely to be much of a factor this time around, and developing for a single ecosystem eliminates having to split resources and prioritize one console over another.

The problem is that consoles rely on third party to not only fill in their release calendars but also to cover diversity. Nintendo has two or three major games a quarter, that's great, but you better be okay with whatever they are puting out. Maybe it'll be three platformers.

 

[James Scott]

No, it's a console with a portable mode.

This is Nintendo's own messaging, I don't understand why people insist on reversing it.

There is a performance disparity undocked, that means docked is the default state.

Unless they make games that don't work when undocked, which goes against the messaging you're talking about, then it's a portable. Everything is in the system you can hold in your hand.
Nintendo's messaging doesn't change the fact that there won't be a handheld only system or that Japan won't pick it up despite its portable nature nor that it won't get traditionally portable franchises like Pokémon.
I'd hope people on this forum are smart enough not to get caught up on a marketing term Nintendo mentioned like once or twice.

 

[Hello? This is Hailun!]

> narrow library of the Wii U

Not an issue specifically since Nintendo no longer has to split support across multiple consoles.

 

[Lexxism]

Is this even confirmed? So we wont see a 3Das successor in say, 2 years then?

If the rumoured Pokemon stars is true, then yes.

 

[Vital Tundra]

Is this even confirmed? So we wont see a 3Das successor in say, 2 years then?

How in the world could Nintendo justify a 3DS2 to the public in two years with the Switch around? Doesn't matter if Nintendo hasn't said it, the writing is on the wall.

 

[kunonabi]

I have my doubts what with the excessive amount of ports, Nintendo spending time on mobile garbage, push for games as a service, and their new committee designed to greenlight just the really profitable stuff but still their output has to be more consistent now that they only have one device to develop for. Their game design is probably going to be even more conservative than it was with the Wii U so that will probably speed things along as well.

3rd party support should be fine if they can bring over what the 3DS had along with grabbing support from Vita developers.

 

[psyfi]

I think it's too soon to be making this discussion. We need to see what is shown at the Switch event. What promises are made. What output shall be in the first year and then decide.

Yeah, any analysis in this thread is pretty incomplete. There's a lot of context that we don't have.

 

[Hello? This is Hailun!]

Handheld devs will just fully migrate to mobile.

Another thing people ignore when they call the Switch a handheld is the size. It's big. You won't be puting it in your pocket or most purses. No clamshell mean's you are going to want a case which will add more bulk.

It loses a lot of the appeal of the handheld with its size.

The size of the iPad and it's massive success is probably a good indicator that size isn't necessarily a problem.

 

[GOOCHY]

I think the idea that the Switch is full-on replacing the Wii U *and* the 3DS is inaccurate.

 

[KillGore]

How in the world could Nintendo justify a 3DS2 to the public in two years with the Switch around? Doesn't matter if Nintendo hasn't said it, the writing is on the wall.

Portability? Battery life? Game costs?

So will all switch games be $60? Or will we see both MSRP? $40 for handheld-like games and $60 for console-like ones. Hopefully we'll find out with that upcoming direct.

 

[DrROBschiz]

I think the idea that the Switch is full-on replacing the Wii U *and* the 3DS is inaccurate.

How so?

Sure 3ds will have longer legs in the market than WiiU but eventually...

Portability? Battery life? Game costs?

So will all switch games be $60? Or will we see both MSRP? $40 for handheld-like games and $60 for console-like ones. Hopefully we find out with that direct

We already live in a world where various titles span a spectrum of prices and 60 dollar big games end up more like 90 and many titles hit 40 and 30 dollar tier within a month of release if not faster

 

[notaskwid]

Simply don't buy consoles based on promises or expectations but based on thinhs that exist and you actually know you want to play.

 

[Lexxism]

Portability? Battery life? Game costs?

So will all switch games be $60? Or will we see both MSRP? $40 for handheld-like games and $60 for console-like ones. Hopefully we find out with that direct

No. WiiU games price varies depending on the game. There were 40, 50 and 60. And I can see the same thing on switch.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

Just wait a few years when the system has enough games you want, and you can see what kind of support it gets to determine if and when you should jump in. They may even have better models and revisions. Just wait, don't be a early adopter, especially if you are skeptical.

 

[HotHamBoy]

Unless they make games that don't work when undocked, which goes against the messaging you're talking about, then it's a portable. Everything is in the system you can hold in your hand.
Nintendo's messaging doesn't change the fact that there won't be a handheld only system or that Japan won't pick it up despite its portable nature nor that it won't get traditionally portable franchises like Pokémon.
I'd hope people on this forum are smart enough not to get caught up on a marketing term Nintendo mentioned like once or twice.

It's too big for a daily commute.

The games are going to retail for more than the 3DS or Vita's.

The battery is surely not going to be that great (personally betting 3 hours max)

If Nintendo says it's a home console with a portable mode then that's how we should take it. A premium handheld with premium prices isn't going to be successful in any region.

The size of the iPad and it's massive success is probably a good indicator that size isn't necessarily a problem.

Poor comparison, most people aren't buyingt tablets just to play games. Games are bonus for most tablet owners. Tablets are basically the new laptop. High utility, tons of applications and uses. People bring their iPads with them for all kinds of reasons.

 

[Omegasquash]

Hmmm some of this stuff seems to be already revealed

- Better Account system we think? At the very least its new and the old NNID system already did away with friend codes. We at least know the Nintendo Account system is all new. Just don't know the exact specifics outside of that its going to be modeled similar to how Android and Apple accounts


- Better VC Policy.... this one might disappoint. On the one hand they no longer plan on fragmenting it so YAY? On the other they aren't dumping the entire library at once. Its still gonna be a roll out. I'm hoping at the very least the entire VC collection that has already released will be rolled forward but who the hell knows.

- The shift from gimmicks seems to be very clear. This thing is basically a modern tablet. Despite the hybrid nature its clear that they aren't pushing anything we haven't already seen before. Concept seems simple and concise this time around.

I appreciate your response! I hear you on the account, and I remain very skeptical on VC. As to the gimmicks...I don't know. I just want something that's powerful enough to stack up against the competition (and it is competition, whether they like it or not), and something that entices developers and publishing behemoths to bring current hits over. They've already got IP that other companies would shoot their own mother for, but all that and a bag of chips named Mass Effect (or something like that) would be a real deal sealer. To me, anyway. I advocate that people who want it go ahead and buy it, and have a ball.

 

[Vital Tundra]

Portability? Battery life? Game costs?

So will all switch games be $60? Or will we see both MSRP? $40 for handheld-like games and $60 for console-like ones. Hopefully we'll find out with that upcoming direct.

People have shown they'll carry around huge ass phones AND their tablets to take freakin' photos. Size is no issue, battery life may suck, but so does the 3DS's. And Nintendo has been using variable prices for a while now, on both Wii U and 3DS.

Lets also look at the 3DS sales being less than half of the DS's. Imagine another handheld 2 or more years from now? It WILL sell like hot garbage. Especially when the market thinks the Switch is the better prospect, with it being able to play console games on the go.

 

[James Scott]

It's too big for a daily commute.

The games are going to retail for more than the 3DS or Vita's.

The battery is surely not going to be that great (personally betting 3 hours max)

If Nintendo says it's a home console with a portable mode then that's how we should take it. A premium handheld with premium prices isn't going to be successful in any region.

You don't know that.
Best to wait for the reveal event before making assumptions. I know you feel Nintendo has gone astray over the years based on that other thread, but it's not all bad. Waiting a week might be good for making up your mind.
Right now you can say anything and it can be true. I know it doesn't seem too good without any game announcements but that's what the January event is for

 

[dragonyeuw]

The problem is that consoles rely on third party to not only fill in their release calendars but also to cover diversity. Nintendo has two or three major games a quarter, that's great, but you better be okay with whatever they are puting out. Maybe it'll be three platformers.

The problem, as I see it, is having multiple consoles on the market that cover the same bases. The Ps4 and XB1 are, few exclusives aside, fairly redundant platforms that target the same markets. There's plenty of diversity on the Nintendo side if you combine their hardware and software libraries, which is the purpose of the Switch platform. But yeah, if you want a steady stream of Call of Duty, Assassins Creed and Madden every year, then the Switch probably isn't for you. This system will be a haven for Nintendo's library along the likes of what the Wii U AND 3ds produced, indies, Japanese support, and strong sales will encourage third party. They've already shown more excitement for the Switch pre-launch than the last 4 years of Wii U.

 

[btrboyev]

The Wii U lasted 4 years. That's a pretty long time for a failed console.

I mean, Sony technically changed up their system after 3.

 

[Quintin DM]

I mean there's no way to know right now, if that's how you feel then best wait till the things been out for a little while. no use speculating when the Switch ain't even out yet.

 

[HotHamBoy]

You don't know that.
Best to wait for the reveal event before making assumptions. I know you feel Nintendo has gone astray over the years based on that other thread, but it's not all bad. Waiting a week might be good for making up your mind.

I'm quite eager to get the facts out and end these speculation threads, but taking part in the speculation is compelling.

My prediction on battery life is based on the compenents of the tech and Nintendo's recent record with batteries in devices with screens. That and the fact that the dev kits allegedly get about 2.5-3 hours.

I don't think all the games will be $60 but a lot of them will. Mario, Zelda, Mario Kart, etc. definitely. That will make it the first handheld to have $60 games, if it is indeed primarily a handheld.

The Wii U lasted 4 years. That's a pretty long time for a failed console.

I mean, Sony technically changed up their system after 3.

So did the Vita and the Vita outperformed it in Japan. But the Wii U "lasted" because Nintendo didn't really have a choice. They couldn't just push out a new console after two years. The software has been at a trickle for years now. It exists by sheer force of will. The PS4 Pro isn't a replacement, it's a premium option designed to extend the life of the platform rather than make it defunct. And it makes a lot of sense when you consider that PS4 has sold like, 50 million units? What better way to resell current owners on hardware they already have.

 

[AstroNut325]

I'm with the OP. I fundamentally see the Switch as Wii U 2. I'm only interested in a handful of Nintendo games so buying their platform doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

The Wii U lasted 4 years. That's a pretty long time for a failed console.

I mean, Sony technically changed up their system after 3.

Waiting 4 years before discontinuing the console and properly supporting a console for 4 years are two different things.

 

[TDLink]

As other have said, it is replacing both Wii U and 3DS. That means it's going to get the full first party development output instead of half. Just think about Wii U + 3DS, Wii + DS, or Gamecube + GBA together. Those are the kind of release schedules we'll now have on one platform. That's great.

Beyond that, Square hasn't brought their big new games to a Nintendo console since SNES, and now they are. That's a really positive sign. On the Western side, Bethesda who was never interested in Nintendo before have a launch game coming. Both of these things show an improvement in third party relations.

 

[Kill3r7]

You don't. No one knows if it will succeed but from my perspective it is consolidating two Nintendo experiences into one by being both a home and portable console. At $250 it is a good enough deal for me to consider it.