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

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.

Pretty much. If you're skeptical just wait and see.

Personally I don't think Nintendo has had a console I could recommend without reservations since the SNES.
 
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Well, I expect it to be both different and better than the Wii U. Whether or not it's worth your time and purchase is another matter entirely.
 
I've lived through every Nintendo console and I just accept them for what they are now. I know the will deliver their string of 1st party games and they will almost all without exception be excellent. Other than that, zero expectations.

I've given up on them putting out powerful hardware or getting good 3rd party games. When I get the Switch, I'll buy it knowing I'll be playing Nintendo games and not much else. I do expect that with it being portable that it should tap into the DS market which will help but I'm not going to get my hopes up. Nintendo systems are companion systems to PS4/XB1/PC and I'll treat it as such.
 
This fascinates me.
Did you make this thing just to reply to that guy,
Or did you use that phrase so that you will be prompted to post this here?!

Or am I missing something here?

Rocket surgery is a common joke (or at least it used to be)
 
At this point I don't expect a competent online service nor 3rd party support. I have to buy it for the nintendo games and I can live with just those.
 
You can wait until after launch to see if the games are worth it to you and the 3rd party ports are good.

Or at least until Nintendo presents the thing and releases a good amount of info on what the specs are, what games are coming, etc.
 
The main question you should be asking is "do I want Nintendo games?" All other questions are auxiliary. If you're curious about third-party games, get another console or a PC.

100% agree with the sentiment, but to be fair again, you need to ask what kind of third party games your interested in. The 3ds receives plenty of bespoke third party offering that are fantastic. It's more a case of, if you are curious in the commonly popular multiplatform games, probably go elsewhere haha. Nintendo systems do get third party software, just not the ones people often think of when they're stating they don't get third party software.
 
I, honestly, don't trust it to be any different from the Wii U. As someone who has no interest in handheld offerings and someone who doesn't think "Nintendo games" is a valid reason to own a console, I'm not the target market.

If you had a Wii U and enjoyed the handful of games that made it to the console, expect more of the same, I'd guess, but with less distractions from a second system.
 
Ever since the hybrid rumor was confirmed, I've been extremely skeptical.

I think people will buy 3rd party games on other more powerful systems and slowly but surely the support from publishers will fade.
 
Ever since the hybrid rumor was confirmed, I've been extremely skeptical.

I think people will buy 3rd party games on other more powerful systems and slowly but surely the support from publishers will fade.
On the road: fast and accessible, thus iphone / ipad; at home: the best thus pc or ps4 / xbone.

For Nintendo fans the Switch is heaven.
 
You can't assume anything. The Wii U is the only time they've cut a console short (aside from maybe Virtual Boy). It's kind of weird to assume that it's the new precedent for Nintendo when you have so many more examples to look at.
 
You shouldn't.

If you're interested in a Switch, just go in knowing that Nintendo's first party titles will probably be stellar and that's it. Anything else is a bonus.
 
Ever since the hybrid rumor was confirmed, I've been extremely skeptical.

I think people will buy 3rd party games on other more powerful systems and slowly but surely the support from publishers will fade.

Which games would they go to ps4 or xbox and buy though? COD? The switch is likely never going to get these kind of games though bar the odd novelty like Skyrim. Isn't it more likely the third party games it'll get are things like Yokai Watch, Layton, Dragon Quest, SMT etc? Third party titles for sure, but not the kind you would find on the more powerful consoles. In my mind, the switch is going to continue to do what Nintendo consoles do but in the most accessible form to date, while they try and filter the masses who play mobile games to it via their efforts there and their plans with other media , not the masses who play PS4 games by trying to get the big multiplatform titles. I don't think the strategy is going to be trying to get Tomb Raider or Destiny. They would have built a powerful normal console if that was the case.

All opinion and speculation on my part of course, and as per my original post in the thread, I still think anyone with reservations should stand back and wait to see if the switch does anything for them, it's well within their right.
 
I think people will buy 3rd party games on other more powerful systems and slowly but surely the support from publishers will fade.

Unless there are games that are built to scale about equally across the platforms, in which case the determining purchasing factor may come down to the added flexibility that gaming on the Switch would provide. Case in point, if something like Dragon Quest Builders came out on the Switch, I'd expect that game to be comparable technically to the Ps4 version, at which point the portability of the Switch becomes a legit factor in which version you buy. In such a scenario I'd opt for the Switch version. I'm also more likely to purchase something like Skyrim on the Switch just for the portable factor, if it provides at least a 'comparable' technical experience.

People will continue to buy their CODs and Battlefields on their PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and I don't think Nintendo releasing a system with comparable technical specs would change that.
 
The only thing for sure is that you will have one hardware for all Nintendo games output (except phones).

Keep expectation low for good online, account system and VC.
 
This is key, since they merged both divisions, it should really allow a constant flow of software. There is NO excuse.

What it the size of a 3DS development team compared to a Wii U development team? Does consolidating really amount too much more, especially considering that now small handheld teams will be working with hardware that is much more powerful than any other Nintendo handheld?

Are we expecting these teams to be pumping out large RPGs like Tokyo Mirage Sessions or smaller downloadable titles like Pushmo?
 
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 feel that they will lose a considerable body of the 3DS market due to the price of this system.

If the scope of their audience is their concern then they should publish on other platforms, PS4, XBOX ONE, PC and mobile.

The switch seems like a nice idea but I'm unconvinced it's the best move for a company that's gradually become renowned for unappealing hardware and phenomenal software. The WIi was the only popular Nintendo home system in 15 years and 4 generations, and it's not because the home market is gone, but Nintendo have lost touch with it. Consolidating their efforts into the home, and premium market is a huge gamble, why do they think their audience won't simply focus on mobile, refusing to play the premium?
 
Ever since the hybrid rumor was confirmed, I've been extremely skeptical.

I think people will buy 3rd party games on other more powerful systems and slowly but surely the support from publishers will fade.

The hybrid thing can kinda depend on the way you look at it, though. Maybe it's a high-powered handheld that can display on TVs easily, rather than a weak home console that can go portable.
 
What it the size of a 3DS development team compared to a Wii U development team? Does consolidating really amount too much more, especially considering that now small handheld teams will be working with hardware that is much more powerful than any other Nintendo handheld?

Are we expecting these teams to be pumping out large RPGs like Tokyo Mirage Sessions or smaller downloadable titles like Pushmo?
I think you're presuming a level of ineptness of their handheld teams which isn't there.

Even so, there's only a handful of franchises exclusive to the 3DS that would be making any kind of significant jump. Pokemon is still going to look like Pokemon, with some higher quality textures and higher poly environments. It's not like GameFreak is suddenly going to be aiming to make The Witcher.

Fire Emblem is still going to look like Fire Emblem with some better character models.
 
You can't. Which is why, if longevity is an issue for you, the smart choice would be to wait a few years.

I myself will buy the system when it has enough games I want. I've used that strategy with every single console I've purchased in the last 15 years (that would be DS, Wii, PSP, X360, PS3, Vita, Wii U, 3DS and PS4) and it has served me extraordinarily well.
 
I don't trust names... I trust actions. And after the Wii U fiasco, I'm not buying anything until I see what happens and that's that. I don't get what's there to really trust? These companies aren't our friends
 
I got a lot of use out of my wiiu, and my kids will probably continue to use it long after I finish the last few games I havent finished yet on the system.

For me I'm buying switch day one. The hype is real, and I'm looking forward to being able to play my games anywhere. :D
 
Nintendo has made some good strides as far as marketing the thing goes, even if only in comparison with the Wii U, but we don't know anything for certain. We'll find out for certain once the Switch is actually out.
 
You should be sceptical as should everyone else. What happened to the wiiu was a tragedy that Nintendo must prove to all its potential consumers will never happen again.
 
Read more than the title? OP is referring to first party and general output.

What? I read more than the title, third party support is a big deal and my post expresses my thoughts on why I don't 'trust' the Switch. The OP refers to the 'short lifetime and narrow library of the Wii U' and for me, third party support is a big deal.

I don't mean to seem rude but I'm not sure what you didn't understand with the post. You might disagree with my views but attempting to disregard them as off topic doesn't make any sense.

The absence of those triple A titles that I mentioned are a big factor in the seemingly narrow lineup on the Wii U, and whether that type of game features on the Switch will be a big factor in determining its appeal to many consumers.
 
Which games would they go to ps4 or xbox and buy though? COD? The switch is likely never going to get these kind of games though bar the odd novelty like Skyrim.

The Wii U, a flop, got 2 Call of Duty titles.

Bethesda never showed any sign of support. On the contrary.

What? I read more than the title, third party support is a big deal and my post expresses my thoughts on why I don't 'trust' the Switch. The OP refers to the 'short lifetime and narrow library of the Wii U' and for me, third party support is a big deal.

I don't mean to seem rude but I'm not sure what you didn't understand with the post. You might disagree with my views but attempting to disregard them as off topic doesn't make any sense.

The absence of those triple A titles that I mentioned are a big factor in the seemingly narrow lineup on the Wii U, and whether that type of game features on the Switch will be a big factor in determining its appeal to many consumers.

First of all, OP was wrong with stating there was only one game in 2016. The lineup is narrow, but not that narrow.

Secondly, I think you should read this follow up post to understand this situation better

I'm saying that the first year might look similar and promising, but even that's not enough to tell.

I feel like the minute I buy one Nintendo will start chasing the next big "thing".


Youngblood correctly pointed out

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.


This thread is, if I'm not totally mistaken about Nintendo's support of Switch.

As it has been pointed out countless times in this thread, Nintendo had to spread titles on two plattforms, Wii U and 3DS, while learning HD development.

Now they support one plattform. Switch. And they learned HD development.

I'm not saying you should trust a company.
There were people buying a PS3, apparently in the expectation The Last Guardian being released on it.
There were people buying a Wii U, apparently expecting the mainline Zelda would stay Wii U exclusive and not get released on the followup console.

I'm saying the situation is different.
 
Just wait until until it has enough games to justify your purchase. It's wise not to purchase consoles as soon as they come out some always have problems, scalpers will probably buy them all up anyways and you won't be able to get one. Usually when a console receives a price cut it has an ok amount of games. I have boatload of games on different consoles to go through so if there is a drought it won't affect me.
 
The Wii U, a flop, got 2 Call of Duty titles.

Bethesda never showed any sign of support. On the contrary.

I was actually aware of those things while making the post, not sure I can respond to much else with that man. When I said it won't really get those games bar novelty, you could include those two COD games and none of the others that came afterwards as an example to my point. Are you implying that the large western AAA multiplatform titles will be the system's bread and butter this time round, or that it will fail because history will repeat ala the COD note? I can only presume you don't agree that they will be neither here nor there in the overlal strategy and possible a mistake to assume otherwise. I'm happy to discuss this stuff, and always note it's only my opinion, but I need a bit more than an attempted correction, rather than any comment on the actual points made.
 
You should be sceptical as should everyone else. What happened to the wiiu was a tragedy that Nintendo must prove to all its potential consumers will never happen again.

On the flip-side, they were able to successfully turn around the 3ds after a soft launch, but people keep looking at the Wii U as a barometer for how they'll handle the Switch. Out of all the so-called 'gimmicks' of their last few consoles, the 3D that some people couldn't see and others were indifferent to, or trying to capitalize on the tablet trend while attaching it to an otherwise under-powered console, the idea of an all-purpose console that will likely see the best of both their handheld and home console software by far has the most game-changing potential, and a hook that's actually practical. On top of it, unlike the 3ds where its gimmick couldn't be properly marketed in commercials( since the 3D effect is lost), or people not sure if the gamepad was nothing but a Wii add-on, the Switch concept is easy to understand and market as to what it is. Even my wife, who is as apathetic to gaming as humanly possible, saw the first Switch trailer with me and got exactly what they are going for here.
 
On the flip-side, they were able to successfully turn around the 3ds after a soft launch, but people keep looking at the Wii U as a barometer for how they'll handle the Switch. Out of all the so-called 'gimmicks' of their last few consoles, the 3D that some people couldn't see and others were indifferent to, or trying to capitalize on the tablet trend while attaching it to an otherwise under-powered console, the idea of an all-purpose console that will likely see the best of both their handheld and home console software by far has the most game-changing potential, and a hook that's actually practical. On top of it, unlike the 3ds where its gimmick couldn't be properly marketed in commercials( since the 3D effect is lost), or people not sure if the gamepad was nothing but a Wii add-on, the Switch concept is easy to understand and market as to what it is. Even my wife, who is as apathetic to gaming as humanly possible, saw the first Switch trailer with me and got exactly what they are going for here.

as a consumer I like to be sceptical because in the end it's my investment. when I look at Nintendo I see a company that has roughly a 50% success rate on each individual console. no matter how much I love them that percentage does not instill much confidence in me that they are guaranteed success. the appropriate action on my part will be to take a wait and see approach and look at the console with an open mind. also hindsight is 20/20 no one knew the 3ds would recover, but a smart person would wait and see if that was going to be the case in the first place before making a purchase.
 
What does trust have to do with it? This isn't a dating service.

How do you usually decide what you spend your money on? For costlier purchases, I put in some amount of research to know, more or less, exactly what I'm getting.

How do we know exactly what we're getting with the Switch?

We currently have limited official information on the Switch. We have a short trailer that shows off it's form factor, and a few possible titles.

In other words, within the current timeline of Nintendo's marketing and information, you, as a consumer, are not meant to have a large enough sample size of information to know whether you want to spend your dollars yet.

That's the whole purpose of the January 12th event. This is the point where you allow Nintendo to put their cards on the table and say, this is what the Switch is, this is the feature set, and here's what the first six months to a year will look like in terms of software. Then following this you get hands on reports, game previews, than at launch, reviews, etc.

I see a lot of people, mainly aided by rumors, but also aided by Nintendo's much abridged marketing strategy, feeling like they need to figure out before the information release, whether they are going to let themselves emotionally buy into the system at all.

After the 12th, you should have a pretty good idea of what sets it differently from the Wii U, or even from the 3DS. You'll be able to directly compare software lineups, feature sets, pricing, etc.

You can even do some research now and see how Nintendo as a company now is different to what they were five years ago:

- A new president
- A complete restructuring of the company, bringing all their internal studios under one roof in a new building.
- No longer new to HD development.
- Focusing software towards one main platform (with a small slice of the company working on smart phone games), instead of two.
- Seeking activity in new markets - smart phones, theme parks, animation, etc.

There is no trust needed, just be well informed.
 
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, so developers don't have excuses of not porting it due to not being powerful enough

fixed
 
You shouldn't. The game library should speak for itself.

I've never been one to buy a console on release. I usually wait a year after release to see if the console has proper support and also good games on it.
 
I'm waiting to see how third parties treat it. That will largely decide if I see it as a safe purchase. If Switch gets 3DS like support then great, if they treat the system like the Wii U though then I'm not touching it.
 
There are no guarantees in life..... except the guarantee that Nintendo will always do portable gaming right.
 
I mean sure, the Wii U had set of excellent games. Most 1st party. And we know the Switch will get it's share as well.

But as someone feeling slightly burnt by the short lifetime and narrow library of the Wii U, how can anyone say with any certainty that the Switch will be any different?

How certain can you be that 3-4 years from now we won't have another 1 game year from Nintendo. Look at Wii U 2016 library.

Color me skeptical.
Well that depends, Nintendo has earned a certain trust and a certain criticism for certain things.

I think they've earned my trust in regards to I can be reasonably assured that they will make every effort to support a system for several years with a general staple of franchises. I think the consumer can count on that.

In regards to Third Parties, well I think they've earned skepticism, if not flat out disbelief, that this time will be different.

Honestly speaking you can see both trends play out pretty much back to the N64. Well, Virtual Boy aside Nintendo themselves have done a good job of supporting all their systems back to the NES. Third party wise, well, aside from the Wii blip, they've been pretty much non-existent since the N64 era.

Stepping back again there's only one thing truly in Nintendo's control, how much effort they themselves put into supporting their systems. The Switch may be the best thing they release in years and Nintendo may doggedly support it but the market may turn their nose up at it or third parties may still decide to not support it fully based on past experiences. All Nintendo can really do is set a good stage but who shows up and how many isn't entirely up to them.

So as a consumer if you want Mario, Zelda and Pokemon I'm fairly certain the Switch will be a good bet. You also want Madden and Call of Duty? That's anyone's guess, past experience would tell me to wait though.
 
as a consumer I like to be sceptical because in the end it's my investment. when I look at Nintendo I see a company that has roughly a 50% success rate on each individual console. no matter how much I love them that percentage does not instill much confidence in me that they are guaranteed success. the appropriate action on my part will be to take a wait and see approach and look at the console with an open mind. also hindsight is 20/20 no one knew the 3ds would recover, but a smart person would wait and see if that was going to be the case in the first place before making a purchase.

And you're more than within your rights to feel that way. All I'm saying is people seem to be looking at the Wii U as opposed to the 3DS when it comes to their skepticism. If you're applying hindsight to the 3DS by saying no-one knew it would recover, then you'd have to apply the same hindsight to the Wii U, right? Noone knew that it was going to be as much of a commercial failure as it's proven to be, and that Nintendo couldn't or wouldn't correct course as it did the 3DS.

But now that we have the benefit of hindsight, we can also see that many of the mistakes that contributed to the Wii U's demise ( underpowered, different architecture, branding, quirky primary control interface) aren't really factors in this instance. Well maybe the 'underpowered' part if you're comparing it to something like the Ps4, but more importantly the architecture is there to allow for smooth porting. Consolidating their development teams will take care of any software droughts. Indies will be big on the system( and were prominent on the Wii U).

But, of course, by all means wait it out till you feel it's worth your time and energy. I'm a Nintendo collector in a sense so whether I get the console in March or 2 years later, I'm going to get it unless it turned out to be a Virtual Boy sized fuck-up( which has a zero percent chance of occurring). I'm willing to judge the system on the merits of what Nintendo shows me on January 12th. Until then, I don't believe 'trust' or skepticism needs to enter the equation until they've put their cards on the table.
 
You shouldn't. Don't buy consoles until they have enough games to be worth the entry price.

...which is what I should do but I'll probably buy one anyway to get a smooth Zelda experience.

I don't regret my Wii U purchase at all, there were more than enough exclusives available when I bought in to make it worth it. I wish I had waited a bit on the 3DS though.
 
I don't trust Nintendo at all, they have to win me over and tbh it will be an uphill battle for them.

But only time will tell.
 
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