Devil's Advocate: Why should I trust Nintendo Switch to be any different than Wii U?

There is absolutely no way to know how the switch is gonna shake out.

Positive world: Nintendo uses it as its portable and console platform, has already developed a deep library and ported all its classics to Switch, and has a steady steam of software coming out for the first two years. They don't shit the bed on production so anyone who wants one can buy one, it sells very very well, third parties take note and port new games to the switch for holiday 2017.

Negative world: supply is heavily constrained, the pipeline is poor, third parties see minimal sales and stop bothering, Nintendo sees their mobile games do MUCH better and focus most of their dev efforts on that. The system is DOA within 2 years and to add insult to injury Nintendo releases Switch v2.0 which is more portable friendly and powerful.


Probably somewhere in between those two.
 
10k said:
This mostly. So instead of 3-4 games a year from Nintendo you'll get like 8-10.
Click to expand...

To be fair, on average Nintendo put out (either themselves or published) just under 1 title for Wii U a month in its lifetime. Same with 3DS.

Granted 2016 skewed that down a bit, but still.
 
Polygonal_Sprite said:
Their handheld and home console development teams are now both working together on one platform. This in theory should mean far more games and more variety in their exclusives.

Switch also supports the latest engines like Unreal Engine 4 meaning getting ports is far more likely than on Wii U although they obviously won't get every multiplatform game.
Click to expand...
This
 
I think I'll get a Switch for myself to play while I'm traveling. I have been traveling a shitload lately and would like to play some Mario again. That said, it likely won't be very different than the Wii U. You'll get the heavy hitters plus some of their 3DS games. Hopefully their third party support will be somewhere between the 3DS and the Wii U.
 
DrROBschiz said:
I would argue that the current architecture choice makes it cheap and easy to move scalable mutliplats to the system

Cheap and Easy is what you want in todays ecosystem. One Click porting to all platforms? Couldnt do that with WiiU

Its pretty commonplace in todays market with everyone using similar chipsets, engines and tools
Click to expand...

Sure, but if your port is only going to sell 10k copies, there's not much reason to bother making the port even at a low price. Even taking into account a lot of the third party Wii games were lesser versions of their HD counterparts, most publishers struggled to find any sort of traction for their non-casual games (with a couple of exceptions, like Goldeneye or those RE rail shooters) despite the console's enormous install base, while the Wii U was vastly worse still. If there's no clear market for your games beyond, maybe, the tens to very low hundreds of thousands of copies sold, I don't think most third parties will put their games on the console even if they're cheap to get there, because the potential profit ceiling is so low. This falls on both their shoulders and Nintendo's, with neither making serious efforts to develop an audience. I don't think the problem is so simple as console architecture or install base: both those things add incentives, but the real problem is that people typically don't buy Nintendo consoles to play third party games on, in no small part because history suggests that would be a completely counterproductive decision (there hasn't been even halfway decent third party support since the Gamecube, perhaps full support since the SNES).
 
I'm actually looking forward to what Switch can bring to the table. But at this point, there is not a single reason to trust that the Switch will be any different than Wii or WiiU. It is literally following the exact same trends.

-deliberately vague information
-weak horsepower specs
- 3rd party support "promise" infomercial
- last-gen games being pushed to the front of the console's launch advertising
- last-gen Zelda being pushed to new console for simultaneous release

Yeah, i wouldn't get my hopes up at all. We've all seen this story before. Just wait and see how it pans.
 
I wouldn't assume it will be any better then the Wii U until about 6-12 months after launch.

While I am personally OK with that and loved the Wii U, the skepticism for Nintendo is earned and they need to really prove the value of this thing to the market.
 
outunderthestars said:
Then wait until the platform has a large enough library for you to be happy with your purchase?

This isn't really rocket surgery here......
Click to expand...
Rocket surgery, despite its intimidating name, requires very little training and is quite simple to perform. Rockets just don't have many health issues, so your metaphor is a bit off.
 
This is how i feel about it: think about the amazing 3DS library, now add the few but awesome games released for the Wii U to the 3DS library. In theory, that's the Switch, that's why i can't see how it could possibly fail or disappoint.
 
OP - as a Nintendo fanboy that mainly owns Nintendo systems, I say you shouldn't trust it to be any different. If you're on the fence, wait and see how it pans out over the first 6 months to a year/1.5 years (the latter point at which third parties (if things don't go well) will start dropping like flies.
 
It's a handheld, so it'll have those games as well as console ones. The question is, are those the games you want? For me, the answer it no as there was next to nothing I liked about the 3DS.
 
Lylo said:
This is how i feel about it: think about the amazing 3DS library, now add the few but awesome games released for the Wii U to the 3DS library. In theory, that's the Switch, that's why i can't see how it could possibly fail or disappoint.
Click to expand...

I would say this but I would include stuff that's also on the vita also. Instead of ps4/ vita games, it will become ps4/ switch games.
 
You should wait until its out for a few months to a year and then decide.

Binding any console (or a game) blindingly is an act of faith and it depends on how much you trust the company. Unlike a game a console is much more expensive so i guess depends how much money you have to burn.
 
Pancakes R Us said:
OP - as a Nintendo fanboy that mainly owns Nintendo systems, I say you shouldn't trust it to be any different. If you're on the fence, wait and see how it pans out over the first 6 months to a year/1.5 years (the latter point at which third parties (if things don't go well) will start dropping like flies.
Click to expand...

Nintendo supported Wii U and 3DS. They got used to HD development.

Nintendo supports Switch. They are used to HD development.


The difference seems rather blatant. Like you have actively not wanting to see the difference.
 
I'm not buying another Nintendo console until there is a decent library behind it first.

I've had plenty of Nintendo consoles in the past, SNES, game boy, DS, GC, Wii, 3DS, but I've never bought them for Nintendos games, it's always been third party titles that have been the pull.

If all I can play in switch is yet another Zelda, yet another mario platformer, yet another version of mario cart, smash brotherzzzzzzzz etc

Then no, I won't be buying.

Like a lot of people here I don't have to throw all my eggs into one console basket, if it's got nothing interesting to play on it can keep it, regardless of how cheap it is.
 
You shouldn't just trust a company, but I'm going with switch because I generally prefer playing Nintendo games over the others. The switch should have more content due to a merged ecosystem and that's really all im expecting. It always comes down to the games. Doesn't matter if the Os is Garbo or if there are friend codes- if the games are there that's all that matters. All im expecting is Mario, Zelda, a couple of other quirky Nintendo titles and some Japanese games. This what Nintendo delivers every cycle, so I'm interested in how they'll deliver those this time. 3rd party support isn't guaranteed, but they don't really have an option if they want to make lower budget console games. I don't think there'll be support like the super HD twins, but it's not crazy to expect a couple stuff here and there.

In the end, we'll see next week. Either Nintendo has their house in order and they don't. The only way I won't buy the switch is if the price is too much. Nintendo hardware simply doesn't warrant a high price, so that's the thing I'm most intrigued in.
 
Gaspard said:
Because it's the handheld + console output merged together.
Click to expand...

The 3DS hasn't exactly had a phenomenal triple A lineup has it? Merging the 3DS to the Wii U doesn't get us games like Assassins Creed, Batman Arkham Knight, Destiny or Star Wars Battlefront. For many this isn't a big deal because they already have PS4s, XBOX ONEs, etc but that's the issue, for many the Switch and the Wii U will always be the 'secondary' system there they play their 'Nintendo exclusives'. So long as they lack these triple A third party titles people will feel the need to own another system, and many households don't own two.

I'm sure it will be more popular than the Wii U, but if it isn't considerably more popular than the 3DS then what's the point in consolidating their markets?
 
atpbx said:
I'm not buying another Nintendo console until there is a decent library behind it first.

I've had plenty of Nintendo consoles in the past, SNES, game boy, DS, GC, Wii, 3DS, but I've never bought them for Nintendos games, it's always been third party titles that have been the pull.

If all I can play in switch is yet another Zelda, yet another mario platformer, yet another version of mario cart, smash brotherzzzzzzzz etc
Click to expand...

Spelling mistakes aside, we already know its more.

Chronospherics said:
The 3DS hasn't exactly had a phenomenal triple A lineup has it? Merging the 3DS to the Wii U doesn't get us games like Assassins Creed, Batman Arkham Knight, Destiny or Star Wars Battlefront. For many this isn't a big deal because they already have PS4s, XBOX ONEs, etc but that's the issue, for many the Switch and the Wii U will always be the 'secondary' system there they play their 'Nintendo exclusives'. So long as they lack these triple A third party titles people will feel the need to own another system, and many households don't own two.

I'm sure it will be more popular than the Wii U, but if it isn't considerably more popular than the 3DS then what's the point in consolidating their markets?
Click to expand...

Read more than the title? OP is referring to first party and general output.
 
AzaK said:
It's a handheld, so it'll have those games as well as console ones. The question is, are those the games you want?
Click to expand...
With a multitouch screen you can bet it will also have mobile games, with proper controllers to play. Are console, handheld and mobile games on a single system something he wants?

I know all Nintendo games on a single system is attractive to me, but I also dream of having Rocket League or Fifa17 on it. To many, 3rd party announcements will make or break impulse buy.
 
I'll wait 1.5 to 2 years after launch. If the library at that point is appealing, I'll get the Switch. It's the same thing I did with both the Wii and the Wii U.
 
Chronospherics said:
The 3DS hasn't exactly had a phenomenal triple A lineup has it? Merging the 3DS to the Wii U doesn't get us games like Assassins Creed, Batman Arkham Knight, Destiny or Star Wars Battlefront. For many this isn't a big deal because they already have PS4s, XBOX ONEs, etc but that's the issue, for many the Switch and the Wii U will always be the 'secondary' system there they play their 'Nintendo exclusives'. So long as they lack these triple A third party titles people will feel the need to own another system, and many households don't own two.

I'm sure it will be more popular than the Wii U, but if it isn't considerably more popular than the 3DS then what's the point in consolidating their markets?
Click to expand...
A pure console from them probably wouldn't do that much better than the wiiu anymore. And since they make most of their money from selling games they will probably make more money with a switch that has sold the same amount as the 3ds than they would of made with make a handheld and a console that sold as much as the Wii u and the 3ds. Since they merged there software efforts all their games can now be bought from a user base of around 60 million(if it sold as well as the 3ds) vs half their games being in a user base of 10 million + half their games being in a user base of 60 million.
 
I can think of 2 things that really bite the "wait and see" approach in the behind:

1. Limit release. Like if Switch becomes rare or hard to find. I don't imagine this will be the case, this usually only applies to games.

2. Ambassador programs. Free extra bonus downloadable games if you own the system early.

Things like that.


I think what irks me most of all is how the Wii U never had it's own Zelda until just now, and that Zelda is also for Switch, which will likely be the superior version. That means there's not a single Wii U exclusive mainline Zelda game, which is sad.
 
RedZaraki said:
I can think of 2 things that really bite the "wait and see" approach in the behind:

1. Limit release. Like if Switch becomes rare or hard to find. I don't imagine this will be the case, this usually only applies to games.

2. Ambassador programs. Free extra bonus downloadable games if you own the system early.

Things like that.


I think what irks me most of all is how the Wii U never had it's own Zelda until just now, and that Zelda is also for Switch, which will likely be the superior version. That means there's not a single Wii U exclusive mainline Zelda game, which is sad.
Click to expand...

Are you trying to say that Switch won't be a Wii U situation?
 
Exterminieren said:
Because the Wii U was competing for software with the 3DS, which necessitated resources for two Marios, two Mario Karts, two Zeldas, etc.

With a unified platform and development teams, 3DS winding down and mobile requiring fewer resources, Nintendo can bring the full brunt of their development power to the platform, which should result in a more packed schedule.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is extremely exciting. After Super Mario Switch, EAD Tokyo will have the opportunity to work on something new entirely. Same for every internal teams. No duplicates in theory. It has the potential to be the Nintendo console with the biggest 1st party output after the NES and SNES.
 
To play the fanboy to the devil's advocate:
Even on the Wii U, Nintendo has always had fantastic first party lineup that justifies the price of the console. In the worst case where there is no third party support (and Nintendo by all accounts is trying its damnedest to support third parties,) other consoles exist for it; if you're posting on GAF, you likely already own them.

Actual answer:
If the software lineup doesn't float your boat, don't buy it. Simple as that. Wait until there are enough games you want to play that the price of the console is justified. It's not your "responsibility" as a consumer to buy a console to make it successful. That's corporate propaganda that tech enthusiasts have swallowed hook, line, and sinker. It's on Nintendo to make it worth your money.
 
Gaspard said:
Because it's the handheld + console output merged together.
Click to expand...

Bingo. I'm sure some will only be satisfied with the Switch if it ends up having healthy 3rd party support throughout it's lifespan, but I have a PS4/PC for that. I just want more 1st party Nintendo games.The Switch has a solid chance of having the best lineup of Nintendo titles on a single system since god knows when!
 
RedZaraki said:
I feel like the minute I buy one Nintendo will start chasing the next big "thing".
Click to expand...

I don't really think there's a next big thing out there. It's either Switch or it's nothing. If it seems like they're cutting the Wii U lifespan short to move on to the Next Big Thing (TM), the reason is just because there's little reason to continue supporting the Wii U. The writing has been on the wall for some time that it's a failure that wasn't ever going to turn around. So with Switch, either it does well and they support it or they fail and have to do some serious soul-searching about whether to stay in hardware at all.
 
But didn't they already have the teams working together to get 3ds games and wiiu ready?

So the only advantage will be to have them all on one platform. Which helps if you liked both handheld and console games.

Also, I think having to make the same games twice helped them. I think having one platform will not give them so much more content .
 
I was Day 1 with the WiiU. I'll wait at least a year before even considering a Switch. I'm not willing to roll the dice on another Nintendo gimmick.
 
You shouldn't trust any console.

Buy a system when the games you want are out. You're not choosing where you want to raise your kids. If you don't like the system, don't buy it.
 
Day one Wii U owner who actually loved the console. I will be picking the Switch up day one, but I would advise most others to wait, at least until you see what Nintendo has planned on the 12th. If you still have any doubts, then I would advise to wait. Of course, I own other consoles so it's not like I am dependent solely on Nintendo for content.

I loved the Wii U for the games. I'm not sure if the Switch will have as many games as I personally love, but I do expect it will have more releases overall to keep people satisfied. Nintendo will be able to focus the majority of their resources on the Switch and thus it should see a lot more releases than the Wii U. In the end though, if you aren't sold on the Switch and are unsure, just wait until the games are coming that you know you want to play.
 
If you're not okay with the prospect of owning a console that ends up like the Wii U, wait. If you can live with that, buy it. That's the risk of early adoption.
 
there is no speculation to be done yet for the switch until we learn more. WIthout info like price point, performance, third party support and most important the online component, we can say it will have all we want and be the greatest, or nothing of what we want and bomb.

so I say lets wait until the 12th, and then see.
 
I'm definitely also waiting a couple of years on Switch. I was burned with the Wii U in the same way. Some really great high quality software but then a whole bunch of nothing.
 
I expect an experience similar to my Vita from the Switch regarding the account and shop system, as I'd like to go full digital in the near future.

So using the Wii U and 3DS as an indicator, I'm not trusting Nintendo, either. Yet. They did introduce their new account system, but we will just have to wait and see how it's going to work.
 
It's a nintendo box. That's it. It isn't getting the next grand theft auto. Red dead 2 ain't coming for the thing. Destiny 2 isn't coming for the thing. Those are the types games that would establish the Switch as a direct competitor.


Edit:and I have a Wii U, so I'm not buying the Switch yet. I already own most of the Switch's revealed games, whether that be Splatoon, Mario kart, or Skyrim.
 
I'am hoping that Nintendo learned from the failures of the Wii U and the Switch is getting Nintendo's full support instead of splitting between console and handheld. Time will tell but I'am very optimistic about the Switch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Switch 2 upgrades look worse than Wii U emulation upscaling
2 3 4
198
11K
nkarafo replied
Dear me, I was... (Nintendo switch 2)
11
75
daclynk replied
How to Transfer Nintendo Switch System Data to Nintendo Switch 2
Platform 
17
1K
Mozza replied
Farewell Nintendo Switch
2
93
816
calistan replied
[Nintendo Life] Xenoblade Chronicles X Wii U vs Switch graphic comparison
News  2
79
5K
Danjin44 replied
Top Bottom