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[FairFriend]

I believe that Mario 64, Pokemon Silver and Ruby may be the only Nintendo games I've ever played. I decided to rectify that. Now, I see three options in front of me, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

EDIT: for reference, these are the lowest prices at which I was able to find the systems. Switch: 329 euros (of course), WiiU 89/139 euros (8/32 GB model, respectively), new 3DS 129 euros.

1) Switch

Perhaps the obvious choice. Biggest advantage is being the new shiny thing that everyone wants, consequently it's going to get a lot of support from Nintendo and, hopefully, third parties too. Main disadvantage is price and the current lineup, which is understandably slim since it launched less than year ago (though impressive when compared with those of most other systems at the same point in their lives)

2) Nintendo 3DS

An outdated system, undoubtedly, though rich of quintessential Nintendo games, including remakes of some older glories that I never got to experience when they came out, like Ocarina of Time. The extensive library, the DS backwards compatibility and the low price make it a compelling option.

3) Wii U

Superficially the least attractive option, it's got its own share of pros, like backwards compatibility with Wii and GameCube games (when modded), interesting exclusives (at least those that have not been ported to Switch) and a very low price.

Now, keep in mind that I own a PC which can play current gen games decently, so generally I'm not interested in playing lesser version of multiplatform titles. Also, the other systems I'm currently playing on are Vita and PS3.

So GAF, which one should I get? What are the games that would best give me a feeling of what I have been missing all these years?

 

[N21]

Switch would be the best out of all three for you. If you don't want to spend that kind of dosh, I think the New 2DS XL or 3DS would suit you better.

 

[MAtgS]

SNES Classic.

 

[Greatest Ever]

NES Classic

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Switch if you can afford it.
If not, maybe get a New 2DS.

 

[Lindsay]

Prolly a 3DS since it has DS backwards compatibility which means there tonnnns of great games some at bargain bin prices, some not, just waiting ta be uncovered an played!

 

[SuperEpicMan]

Switch with BOTW and MarioKart 8 DX, followed by Super Mario Odyssey. By the time you get through those, I hope Nintendo will have put more of their back catalog on the system. If not, pick up a cheap 3DS as well.

 

[Cheebo]

Switch. It isn't even a question at all.

It's the best hardware and it's always more fun to experience a system and new big titles with the rest of the community.

 

[Nosgotham]

switch. straight up

 

[Hello? This is Hailun!]

Well they only have one system that is going to see continued future support.


So buy that one.

 

[HotHamBoy]

If you want a shitload of high quality exclusive Nintendo games you can play right now I would either get a Wii U or 3DS because both have their own excellent games but they will also allow you to play all the amazing stuff you've missed.

Get a Switch if you just want to play a couple new Nintendo games every other month or so.


Wii U has
Mario Kart 8
Smash Bros 4
Super Mario Maker
The Legend of Zelda BotW
Zelda Windwaker HD
Super Mario 3D World
New Super Mario Bros U
Pikmin 3
Splatoon
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Captain Toad Treasure Tracker
Pushmo World
Pokken Tournament
Affordable Space Adventures
Wii Sports Club
Wonderful 101
Bayonetta 2
Huge Virtual Console library, including DS and GBA games

Wii
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2
New Super Mario Bros.
Metroid Prime Trilogy
Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
Pikmin 1 and 2 with pointer controls
Donkey Jong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (best version of a great game)
Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
Tatsunoko vs Capcom Ultimate All-Stars
The Last Story
Xenoblade Chronicles
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Punch-Out!!
Warioware Smoothe Mooves
Sin and Punishment Star Successor
Rhythm Heaven Fever
Trauma Center Series
Wii Sports Resort
Super Smash Bros Brawl
Mario Kart Wii
Some great eShop exclusives
Massive Virtual Console library including Genesis, Turbografx and NeoGeo

And that's before you mod for Game Cube.

Alternatively, a New 3DS may offer even more for less money, albeit it in a severely dated form.

The list of fantastic 3DS + DS games is so big I just don't have the energy to type it out. Look at any "best of" list, though, and you'll see that it's massive.

The downside is that a 3DS doesn't have Wii U's couch multiplayer potential. 4 player games of Smash or Mario Kart or Wii Sports or NSMB, etc, that's the real Nintendo charm.

Another thing to consider is that all of Switch's games are still full price and will be expensive for some time ahead. You can get Wii and DS games for dirt cheap and many 3DS and Wii U games have come down in price, too.

You can always get a Switch later when there's more games, better deals. Maybe a hardware revision.

 

[PeakPointMatrix]

Just get the Switch. It has a AAA Mario and Zelda to get you started on both franchises with a bang, Spla2oon to mess with and the best Mario Kart in existence. These will keep you so busy for a while that by the time you finish them all the Switch will have hopefully started rolling out retro releases from past consoles that you can sink your teeth into. The WiiU is an abomination of a console, holding hostage some pretty great games. But with any luck, these titles will receive ports and remasters to the much better system, the Switch.

The 3DS can act as a great complimentary handheld to Nintendo, since all of the best games will offer pretty different experiences from the Switch. It's cheap too so I don't see why you can't do both.

 

[Mory Dunz]

Do Graphics matter?


If not, Wii U with Wii BC is the obvious choice imo.

 

[entremet]

When you combine eshop stuff I don’t know how anyone can argue the Switch has a small lineup. Games take time to beat.

I’m already backlogged with it.

 

[RRockman]

Prolly a 3DS since it has DS backwards compatibility which means there tonnnns of great games some at bargain bin prices, some not, just waiting ta be uncovered an played!

Seconding this, but if you want your pokes from ruby then you will need a ds, a and a pokemon ds game as well.

 

[Jimnymebob]

You could pick up a huge amount of fantastic games with the Wii U, thanks to it's solid first party lineup, Wii compatibility, eShop, and Virtual Console.

If you want retro/to play stuff you missed, there're too many essential titles to count that you could play on it.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Switch is probably the safer bet. Eventually the Virtual Console will come out so you'll have access to some older games, but you'll be in the loop for all their newer stuff too. The Switch is already having an amazing first year.

New 2DS if you just want to dive deep in their catalog. The 3DS and DS libraries are hugely expansive with quality games for you to lose yourself in.

 

[woopWOOP]

Nintendo 3DS for latest Pokemon: Sun/Moon
Switch for latest Mario (in a few weeks): Odyssey
flip a coin and get one

(3DS with its cheaper price, massive library and NDS compatibility sounds like the more attractive choice in this case, personally)

 

[jholmes]

Get the 3DS unless you can grab a Wii U on the cheap. Anyone saying Switch clearly isn't reading the OP, it really isn't going to deliver what you're looking for. You will get much more of Nintendo's back catalog for the buck with the other two.

 

[asagami_]

New 3DS first, later Switch

 

[superdeluxe]

Switch

 

[FairFriend]

Given the overwhelming majority of Switch suggestions, I'd have a question. Do we have any clue of when we are actually going to get the Virtual Console?

 

[Spukc]

Nintendo 3ds
Its 3 times cheaper then the switch and has 100 times the ammount of games.

 

[Greatest Ever]

Given the overwhelming majority of Switch suggestions, I'd have a question. Do we have any clue of when we are actually going to get the Virtual Console?

No

 

[noquarter]

What Nintendo games are you wanting to play?

WiiU has the Virtua Console, so you can play some older games if you want, plus you can mod it and play GameCube games. Should be able to.play all the classics this way, so if you want to play older games this would be the best bet.

If you only want to play newer games, go with the Switch. Can enjoy the new Zelda, new Mario, Splatoon, and whatever comes out in the future.

If you only want to play a select few games, you might be able to get them on 3DS. You can play N64 Zelda games, Star Fox 64, Earthbound, pretty sure every Pokemon game now (mainline), Mario Brothers games from NES and SNES, Xenoblade Chronicles, Zelda Link Between Worlds, Professor Layton, some other stuff.

This would be the cheapest option as well. Would miss out on Metroid Primes, Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 plus 3D world, F Zero games (can get a GBA game I think, but not anytyhing else), along with everything on the WiiU and Switch.

They all have their benefits and drawbacks, I would choose a handful or dozen gfames and see what I can play them on and go that route. Unless you just want to play Nintendo games, then get a Switch.

 

[Nights Owl]

I'd say Switch, and then if you fall back in love with Nintendo, maybe save up and get a 3DS and play some stuff you missed out on, maybe.

 

[WrenchNinja]

3DS. Better library and Cheaper. Also the latest Pokémon is out in November. Perfect time.

 

[StereoVsn]

Since you have a decent PC most of the indies on the Switch don't really matter with the exception of Golf Story.

So otherwise Zelda, upcoming Mario and perhaps Mario Kart and/or Splatoon are the current choices with Zelda DLCs and Xenoblade 2 being released late this year.

3DS though is an excellent choice and I would go with New 3DS XL and then go wild as there are a ton of 3DS and DS games to look at. If you like RPGs it's certainly a great choice.

Edit: There is also Pokken DX but that's a very particular choice (got it for my kids who love it). Everything else OP would have available on the PC.

 

[Shaanyboi]

Given the overwhelming majority of Switch suggestions, I'd have a question. Do we have any clue of when we are actually going to get the Virtual Console?

One would assume it would come around the time as when you have to start paying for their online service, but there's no guarantee.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

Nah, don't get a switch.

You say you only played a handful of Nintendo games before. You should get some model of 3DS and get access to the entire 3DS and original DS library.

It'll be a fair amount of time before the Switch can match the decade and a bit of library the 3ds has right now

 

[Coricus]

Given the overwhelming majority of Switch suggestions, I'd have a question. Do we have any clue of when we are actually going to get the Virtual Console?

Not yet, no.

Hamster has started to release arcade Nintendo games at $8 apiece, there's going to be some as of yet not specified NES games with online multiplayer added included with the online subscription when they start charging for that, and there's a copy of Golf hidden in the Switch OS as a tribute to Iwata, but as of yet how they're going to release the vast majority of their old catalog is still a mystery.

 

[xochipiltontli]

If you can get a Wii U for very cheap (like under $150) and aren't afraid of retro games, I'd say go with that. You can play games from every single Nintendo system other than the Virtual Boy, 3DS, and Switch on a modded Wii U, and I feel like a few of the 3DS's largest exclusives have better counterparts on Wii U. You haven't played the vast majority of Nintendo's first party efforts, there's so much to go through that by the time you're done with it all, the Switch will be pretty cheap and have a better library than it does now.

If you're not interested in retro games or can't find a Wii U for under $150, go with a Switch for future support. Who knows, maybe Virtual Console isn't dead and will eventually come to it.

 

[DarkConfidant]

3DS. It's loaded with a good library of games, sharing compatibility with regular DS games.

It's cheaper than the other 2, and fits in your pocket.

The games on it will be closer to what you remember too.




Source: I just got back into Nintendo this back year after an even longer haitus (Pokemon Silver). I bought a 3DS, decided we should get back together, and then got a Switch half a year later once I was sure. We're getting married on the 27th.

 

[Smasher89]

Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon comes out in November for the 3DS (any model), so thats the easy recomendation!

 

[yyr]

I would say, grab a New 3DS (non-XL if possible) and start catching up on a metric shit-ton of amazing Nintendo output from the last 10+ years.

By the time you're done, Switch will have a robust library, and some of the prices might have dropped a bit. Some more of the games that are currently Wii U-exclusive may have been ported by then, as well. You'll be all set to upgrade at that point.

At that time you can also give the Wii U library a look and see if there's anything you can't live without (such as Super Mario Maker, which may or may not ever be ported to the single-screen Switch). If so, you should still be able to grab one.

 

[HotHamBoy]

I would say, grab a New 3DS (non-XL if possible) and start catching up on a metric shit-ton of amazing Nintendo output from the last 10+ years.

By the time you're done, Switch will have a robust library, and some of the prices might have dropped a bit. Some more of the games that are currently Wii U-exclusive may have been ported by then, as well. You'll be all set to upgrade at that point.

This is smart. Don't worry about future support, you have an immense backlog to go through.

Hell, 3DS still has games scheduled to release through next year.

Spend half as much money, play 10x more games.

 

[baxter2231]

Switch 100% final answer. Then 3DS but in no way a wiiu especially when switch is getting all its games, the good ones.

 

[HotHamBoy]

Switch 100% final answer. Then 3DS but in no way a wiiu especially when switch is getting all its games, the good ones.

The Switch is absolutely not getting all of Wii U's good games, jesus. Not even close.

Please, name the Wii U games you know Switch is getting in the future and then tell me the rest are bad.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

The best option right now would be Switch + SNES Classic.

I would only purchase a Wii U if there are a bunch of games on that system that interest you and there are a bunch of Wii games that you'd like to play. And even then, I'd still go with my original recommendation first.

 

[Elfstar]

I think the Switch pretty is much a no-brainer.

I don't even care about the console, or its portability, but the idea that all the future Nintendo first party output is going to come out on a single device is one of the most exciting things in gaming right now.

 

[HotHamBoy]

The best option right now would be Switch + SNES Classic.

I would only purchase a Wii U if there are a bunch of games on that system that interest you and there are a bunch of Wii games that you'd like to play. And even then, I'd still go with my original recommendation.

Why would you buy a SNES classic when you can just buy a Wii for less than $50? The VC covers way more, you get Wii and GC game support out of the box, it's easily modible.

 

[DarkConfidant]

I think folks don't understand how much value some new to 3DS and DS can get out of one right now.

Even if they just played the top rated games of both libraries, they could be using it as a daily driver for another 2 years at least. And it has Virtual Console.

I love my Switch, but it's nowhere near as good of a value yet. Especially if someone may not like Nintendo stuff anymore.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Why would you buy a SNES classic when you can just buy a Wii for less than $50? The VC covers way more, you get Wii and GC game support out of the box, it's easily modible.

SNES games on the Wii Shop are $8 a pop. It's not worth it at this point.

 

[FairFriend]

Another thing that came to my mind. I read about the Wii channel shutting down soon or something like that (sorry, I don't know the terminology of the Nintendo ecosystem). Are there some really good titles that would justify buying a WiiU over the 3DS or a Switch that are exclusive to the Wii channel or whatever it is?

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Another thing that came to my mind. I read about the Wii channel shutting down soon or something like that (sorry, I don't know the terminology of the Nintendo ecosystem). Are there some really good titles that would justify buying a WiiU over the 3DS or a Switch that are exclusive to the Wii channel or whatever it is?

The Wii Virtual Console has a bunch of titles that never released on any other VC. If you're interested in buying a Nintendo system mainly to purchase a large number of classic titles, then I would actually recommend a Wii U. In almost any other circumstance, I would not.

 

[Deleted member 465307]

I vote n2DS XL. You might not have many new games on the horizon, but if you can deal with outdated tech and won't be jealous of those playing Nintendo's newest, you'll have access to 13 years of great games (assuming you can find the DS games for cheap) plus Virtual Console.

The big unknown is Switch's Virtual Console and what that might give you access to. But I say buy a n2DS XL, play it for a couple years, enjoying a ton of classics, and then, if you still want more Nintendo games, buy a Switch in a couple years when it's potentially cheaper and/or revised.

 

[Vandole]

Check out any of the 3DS or 2DS models, and find the one that feels best in your hands. You won't have a lot of groundbreaking games and not too much new on the horizon, but you will have an established library of some of the greatest games of all time. You can cherry pick the very best games and still spend years getting through them.

 

[WhatNXt]

Unless you can get 3DS really cheap

Switch >>>> Wii U >>>>>>>>>> 3DS

That's not in terms of library, it's in terms of what will be fun and tolerable to play. Wii U's exclusives are excellent. Sorely, sorely underrated. And some of the best exclusives haven't been ported and probably never will be. Stuff like Mario 3D World, Art Academy Atelier, Bayonetta, Smash, Mario Maker. I played through Breath of the Wild on Wii U the first time around, and if you can find the console cheap, you will effectively be able to play one of this years best games on it.

3DS has the new Metroid, which is pretty great, and definitive versions of titles like Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask - exclusives like Link Between Worlds, Luigis Mansion 2. If you like RPGs (and you do mention Pokemon) its a no brainer. But it's a 240p handheld that seems to have retained too high an asking price IMO. It's no longer the future.

 

[jon bones]

Switch is really the only option - future proofing yourself, plus you'll play all the inevitable remasters of classic Nintendo games through the ages.

I'd maybe wait til Q1 2018 - we'll get some idea of the future line up, and you'll have Mario Odyssey, Zelda Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and more already queued up.

 

[Tarextherex]

Wii U covers the most tbh, sure Switch is the current system but that depends if you want to play odyssey day one or not. On Wii U you can play a bunch of games that everyone on gaf always talk about that will keep you busy until Switch gets a price drop really. Mario Galaxy, BOTW, Prime Trilogy...