Nintendo has moved beyond specs

Ritsumei2020

Who did they think I was shilling for?
I am a potential customer willing to consistently spend money on their hardware, accessories, and games regularly throughout the course of a console's lifespan. I should absolutely be their target.

Nintendo has always prioritized unique gameplay experiences and affordability over raw power. Their target audience isn’t just people like you who want high performance—it’s families, casual players, and those who value Nintendo’s exclusives over graphical fidelity. That’s why they’ve been able to thrive despite consistently being a generation behind in power.

That said, I get where you’re coming from. I want rock-solid performance, no stutters, and a machine that takes full advantage of its modern hardware. That’s a reasonable expectation for a new console in 2025.
 

jufonuk

not tag worthy
This shit about to be emulated in the first year of release.
Ninja Spy GIF by Walk Off The Earth
 

Baemono

Member
They used NVDA's old chip for the Switch. They probably had a glut of them too. Or came out with it and wasn't used for a lot and Nintendo could get it dirt cheap.

Yeah Nvidia had big plans with his Tegra X1 and Shield console (which used to have great PS3 ports - not very common for an Android tv box) but when nobody bought the thing, they gave it to Nintendo for dirt cheap.
 

IDKFA

I am Become Bilbo Baggins
It should really perform at PS5/XSX levels.

Did you forget this is a hybrid console? If the Switch 2 had that level of power it would cost almost as much as a PS5 Pro. Possibly a lot more considering Nintendo like to make money on their hardware.
 

Shift!

Member
It's weird that they don't want to advertise technology, but they also want people to buy into their innovative strategies for motion control and touch screens. Either way the Switch 2 looks pretty sick, but I'm still skeptical about possible returns to green pastures, those areas have already been chewed, and the cud rinsed in the mouths of fans and veterans alike. They should try more new things.
 
I wonder if that is still feasible in today’s world? Like, would TSMC or Nvidia keep making old tech just for Nintendo?
The whole point isn't to use old tech but the most efficient tech. Obviously if something is too old to make then they wouldn't use it. It isn't about using old tech for old's sake.

Also, the entire point of the hardware is to match the needs of the software. Nintendo know what their games need in the pipeline, and will make hardware to match. That is actually the main reason they don't go third party; they like making hardware that suits their own needs. That also stops them from spending too much time making games, they make the game that fits the console and no more or less.
 

Kerotan

Member
Before I read it I will just say the notion it is leaving the tech race behind is dumb.

For one I remember the DS vs PSP. IT's not a new thing for Nintendo to not be as powerful as possible in the graphics dept especially at a $100-$200 lower pricepoint than it could be at. Probably was true when the GB launched even.

At the same time, I don't think you'll find a more powerful handheld at the pricepoint SWitch2 will launch at. One with detachable controllers that can be waved around with motion control and now will have mouse functionality as well. And include a dock with tv out? ....for probably "$400 or less? ...

IT's nowhere near a Wii U in terms of where it is on the power scale because it's a handheld. Wii U like the Wii really held back on the graphics. I don't think their handhelds have held back to that degree. Especially the Switch now.
Agreed. While the switch won't be impressing gamers from other platforms graphically it is actually impressive as a standalone handheld in terms of graphics. The DS was disgraceful graphically in comparison to the PSP but even relative to the era I think the switch tech wise is far more impressive then the DS. Hence why I can't agree that they've left the tech race.
 

daxgame

Member
I am a potential customer willing to consistently spend money on their hardware, accessories, and games regularly throughout the course of a console's lifespan. I should absolutely be their target.
They still shouldn't care, can't make everyone happy.
I am also a potential customer willing to spend money on PS5, but their pricing doesn't even remotely align with my needs.
Unfortunately for me, there's other millions of customers in target.
Same logic applies for you and Nintendo.
 

KungFucius

King Snowflake
This is dumb. Nintendo have great engineers that design to meet a price requirement while also delivering a gaming experience good enough to sell a shit ton.
 
I am a potential customer willing to consistently spend money on their hardware, accessories, and games regularly throughout the course of a console's lifespan. I should absolutely be their target.
As I mentioned once before, the last time someone catered to your market, it was the Neo-Geo. The console was literally the best money could buy, costs $645 in 1990. And it only sold 1.18 million units.

There is basically as much of a market for a powerful console as there is a market for sold gold toilet seats. Most people don't buy consoles for power.
 

Sephiran

Neo Member
I think all evidence points to the only people really caring about specs is mostly older 30-40 year old gamers buying single player AAA games. The industry as a whole has moved beyond those gamers, with mostly everyone else just playing live service GAAS games with little focus on graphics that can be played on a potato.

Graphical showcases like Alan Wake 2 sell abysmal numbers, proving once again the limited number of people that get hyped by great graphics.
 
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jufonuk

not tag worthy
This. Nintendo has been doing this since Gamecube fiasco.
if I remember the GameCube was quite a Powerful machine, it was Nintendo’s insistence on thier own disc format that screwed them over.

The game and watch and gameboy was more what embodied their design philosophy.

Either way it’s allowed them to survive any bad selling systems for now
 
There is no such as being beyond specs. Nintendo is just building systems that have the right specs for the type of games they make. You don't need to a really powerful piece of hardware to play Animal Crossing or Mario kart.
 

Shaki12345

Gold Member
Nintendo is by far the smartest gaming company. They can survive purely on their IP's. They even make money when they're doing bad. Nintendo can do whatever the F they want.
 
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Woopah

Member
Mental gymnastics. And I don't care how many consoles Nintendo sells. That is directly proportionate to the cultism of the fanbase, not the premise that higher specs aren't relevant or necessary.

Switch 2 needs to perform at PS4 Pro specs without stutters or dips or any issues at the bare minimum to interest me. It should really perform at PS5/XSX levels. And I'm no graphics whore or videophile; I just want the best possible performance out of a console while enjoying the visual benefits of current hardware.

It will also attract more third party mainstream titles which will only bolster Nintendo sales, so Nintendo wins and the customers win.
If it was the "cultism of the fanbase", the Wii U would have sold over 100 million.

Switch was bought by many people who had never bought a Nintendo platform before. Not because they are in a cult, but because the graphic levels didn't prevent them enjoying the games

Now you are 100% correct that better specs mean better third party support, but there's a balance to be found here. The device shouldn't be at PS5 / Series X levels of power, because it also needs to take into account factors like battery life, price and size.
 
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BlackTron

Member
Iwata said he wouldn't talk about specs because the "era they matter is over" when Wii was still Revolution. Maybe the person who wrote the article wasn't born yet.
 
Nintendo always has done things at their own pace, but always with delivering quality in mind. Their hardware may not be top notch but you can't deny that their games are very unique and have a distinct flavor to them where you can't find easily elsewhere. That's why Astro Bot was so celebrated, as there are just too little games trying to replicate what Nintendo does consistently with their games. I say all this as someone who isn't a fan at all of Nintendo, but you can't deny why they are successful as they are.
 
Switch 2 needs to perform at PS4 Pro specs without stutters or dips or any issues at the bare minimum to interest me. It should really perform at PS5/XSX levels. And I'm no graphics whore or videophile; I just want the best possible performance out of a console while enjoying the visual benefits of current hardware.

It will also attract more third party mainstream titles which will only bolster Nintendo sales, so Nintendo wins and the customers win.
Since we`re talking about mobile hardware here....
Stupidity Are You Stupid GIF
 
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Bond007

Member
More of a pivot due to being stomped.
They tapped into a hybrid market of former Gameboy(Portable) users and younger audiences. While also maintaining the second #2 console for either a Xbox or PS user- its a no brainer. They get a piece of every single pie by remaining in a certain price point and specs- while delivering exceptional exclusives that solidify its need.
 
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SweetTooth

Gold Member
Lol

They moved because they CANT compete, not by choice. It kinda works for them because of the simplistic games they make.

Moving away from specs was never a bragging point for anyone in any industry and it sound sad and funny at the same time. When next GTA hits you would wish that specs were on par lol
 
Nintendo hasn't gone beyond the specifications, it was forced to do so because it had no other choice and went down the path of differentiation, and it didn't like to boast about the power of the competition in the SNES or N64 era.
 
Lol I've triggered the cultists. Calling people stupid is toxic and unnecessary if you want to make a point about something. You can disagree and point out reasons and have a discussion without resorting to name calling, unless you're immature.
 
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