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[mysteriousmage09]

That was when it was thought it wasn't a console which is portable though.

Have you seen the size of the Xbone, or even the S model?

You think it's possible to have that as a portable console with its own screen and battery?

It's possible.....if you want to pay a huge price and have a 30 minute battery.

That's Nintendo's fault for not having a little extra thrown into the dock for the home console experience. I agree the specs are more then fine for the handheld portion of the device, but Nintendo have flat out said Switch is “a home gaming system first and foremost", so even if you want to kick and scream that this is a handheld, remember this is the home console offering from Nintendo.

 

[KingSnake]

More hints towards a Pascal based Tegra:

https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792680835316981760

Interesting! Famous Japanese writer says Nintendo Switch likely using Pascal, not Volta:

https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792681479549562882

Also he says Switch could keep evolving with advance of Tegra itself, just like PS4 and PS4 Pro.

Lol not trying to make you guys guess. Just assume it doesn't need much RAM for other tasks. I mean, you've already got a browser and presumably a few of them. Think of other ways that Nintendo can utilize apps.

Hmm cloud based apps?

 

[EDarkness]

right. I think the assumption is that if it's somewhat close to xbone then there's some sort of incentive to port games. Why get games on NX as opposed to xbone or ps4 when not as powerful? Due to the fact that it's also portable, could've been the appeal for gettong third parties on nx. Meh we'll see.

The difference here is that I feel like companies and players are genuinely excited about it like the Wii before it came out. The lukewarm response to the Wii U could be felt the day it was announced. The potential for the NS to do much better is there. The fact that Nintendo is reserving such a big place for their hands on in January says they have a lot more confidence in the device as well.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Well if they bring in some of the audience from the 3DS and others who like portable hardware then it's pretty big.

IDK, right now it sounds like a portable thats not really that portable and a console that isnt that impressive of a console.

I guess we'll see

 

[Philippo]

Lol not trying to make you guys guess. Just assume it doesn't need much RAM for other tasks. I mean, you've already got a browser and presumably a few of them. Think of other ways that Nintendo can utilize apps.

Secret sauce?!

 

[Sandfox]

That's Nintendo's fault for not having a little extra thrown into the dock for the home console experience. I agree the specs are more then fine for the handheld portion of the device, but Nintendo have flat out said Switch is “a home gaming system first and foremost", so even if you want to kick and scream that this is a handheld, remember this is the home console offering from Nintendo.

That would just increase the price and probably not change anything from however the third party output ends up looking.

More hints towards a Pascal based Tegra:

https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792680835316981760


https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792681479549562882





Hmm cloud based apps?

So basically the Switch is replacing the Shield as Nvidia's device to show off the Tegra, which fits what we already know.

IDK, right now it sounds like a portable thats not really that portable and a console that isnt that impressive of a console.

I guess we'll see

The interesting thing about the device is going to be bringing the SW support for Nintendo's handhelds and consoles together, being able to take it on the go, and seemingly learning from the mistakes made with the Wii U.

 

[gtj1092]

Why couldn't this machine get the CoD games? Hell, the original Wii got a bunch of them and the gap between the 360 and Wii was huge. There is no real reason the NS couldn't get current gen ports. There's a gap here, sure, but it's much much smaller.

The Wii sold 100 million units. I mean there was no reason the Wii U couldn't get ports either.

If what's been said is true Switch using 3.2GB of RAM vs PS4 using 4.5GB for games isn't that bad actually.



The other two consoles blow through half their RAM on the OS alone.

This is the second time you've misrepresented ps4/x1's RAM allocation just to defend a companies product. You're going to enjoy the switch no matter what they put in it so what's the point of making things up?

 

[TheMagician]

That's Nintendo's fault for not having a little extra thrown into the dock for the home console experience. I agree the specs are more then fine for the handheld portion of the device, but Nintendo have flat out said Switch is “a home gaming system first and foremost", so even if you want to kick and scream that this is a handheld, remember this is the home console offering from Nintendo.

Just a marketing term I think.

They didn't refer to it as a home console anywhere other than North America.

I suspect that in Japan for example they will focus more on it being a portable.

And let's be honest, from viewing the trailer, it is a portable that can hook up to the TV isn't it?

 

[Candescence]

More hints towards a Pascal based Tegra:

https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792680835316981760


https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792681479549562882

Hmm cloud based apps?

I have a feeling the people saying the Switch won't use Pascal are going to eat a lot of crow when we eventually find out what exactly the GPU actually is.

 

[TheMagician]

IDK, right now it sounds like a portable thats not really that portable and a console that isnt that impressive of a console.

I guess we'll see

It's not a pocket portable but it's at least as portable as an iPad, which people have no problem carrying around.

Size reminder

 

[EDarkness]

The Wii sold 100 million units. I mean there was no reason the Wii U couldn't get ports either.

The Wii U had zero confidence from damn near everyone. Not many developers were interested in it, of course it wasn't getting any ports. I'm surprised it got as much as it did. Players had to damn near beg to get updates for Injustice. It was just messed up all around. The NS at least has developers excited and that a good start.

 

[ggx2ac]

More hints towards a Pascal based Tegra:

https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792680835316981760


https://twitter.com/mochi_wsj/status/792681479549562882

It sounds like speculation though, probably need Takashi or someone who can translate the article to make it clear what is being said.

I think a lot of people will make a big deal out of it, but to me I think it's smart and shows Nintendo is really confident in this system and its appeal. It's very focused.

Whatever it is has probably already been leaked or will be leaked before reveal such as the USB-C Port or the touch screen or the Joy-Cons having motion controls and supposedly next-gen rumble tech.

 

[Hoo-doo]

I don't think there's any doubt about that.
Did anyone seriously expect a hybrid at PS4 power levels?

Have you been reading these threads? Yes, some people absolutely expect this thing to be in spitting distance of the X1/PS4 power-wise.

4GB for a portable is fine.

It's a home console though.

 

[oti]

I think a lot of people will make a big deal out of it, but to me I think it's smart and shows Nintendo is really confident in this system and its appeal. It's very focused.

To me this reads as no web browser, no reading apps, no Social Media(?) besides sharing pictures via Share button. I don't know about this tbh.

What I could see as one last big thing is app connectivity between Switch and your phone. Maybe a Switch app on your phone that lets you do multiple things like use your phone as a pedometer for Switch otrr something like that.

Would be interesting to see this Nintendo "focus" in a time in which everything does everything. I'm not sure if I like it though.

Or since you're saying you know about hardware that there is no way to get mobile internet on this thing whatsoever.

 

[Hoo-doo]

To me this reads as no web browser, no reading apps, no Social Media(?) besides sharing pictures via Share button. I don't know about this tbh.

What I could see as one last big thing is app connectivity between Switch and your phone. Maybe a Switch app on your phone that lets you do multiple things like use your phone as a pedometer for Switch otrr something like that.

Would be interesting to see this Nintendo "focus" in a time in which everything dies everything. I'm not sure if I like it though.

Or since you're saying you know about hardware that there is no way to get mobile internet on this thing whatsoever.

Yeah i'm thinking Nintendo is creating a barebones system. Just games, no nonsense. Focused indeed.

Wonder how that'll go over.

 

[Nightbird]

It doesn't run Android according to Nintendo.

And Android doesn't need much RAM? 3GB is the minimum you want these days with Android, and some phones already put in 6 GB or more. Just think it's odd when iOS runs without issues when it has so much less RAM.

*Cries while typing this from his 1GB Ram Phone*

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

Yes and I knew these people were deluding themselves.

If it can't get most ports, then I think Switch is in serious trouble already. Do you think Nintendo can survive on older ports and japanese third party alone?

 

[TheMagician]

Have you been reading these threads? Yes, some people absolutely expect this thing to be in spitting distance of the X1/PS4 power-wise.



It's a home console though.

'Home console' is clearly just marketing. North Amercia was the only region where this was even said. In Japan this will clearly be marketed as a portable for example.

You've seen the trailer, did it look like the usual home console to you? Read what you saw not what the headline was.

Look at the size of even the smaller models of the Xbone or PS4. Do you think it's possible to put that hardware into a portable device with its own screen and battery? It is.....if you want 30 mins of battery life and a $350+ price.

 

[oti]

Yeah i'm thinking Nintendo is creating a barebones system. Just games, no nonsense. Focused indeed.

Wonder how that'll go over.

For me it works out ok since I'm not interested in a tablet per se since I have a Phablet but still. If it looks like a tablet maybe it should also work like a tablet.

 

[TheMagician]

If it can't get most ports, then I think Switch is in serious trouble already. Do you think Nintendo can survive on older ports and japanese third party alone?

3DS seemed to do ok.

Don't forget this machine will get the best of Nintendo's home console, the best of it's handheld and the best of mobile as well.

This machine will have Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a real Pokemon game on it.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Yeah i'm thinking Nintendo is creating a barebones system. Just games, no nonsense. Focused indeed.

Wonder how that'll go over.

Honestly, I would totally buy a console that would just boot the fuckin game up in five seconds instead of sitting through OS loading up and menus and oh wait did you update your system firmware cuz we just upgraded it to fix the Netflix streaming when SPotify is playing in the background

 

[oti]

3DS seemed to do ok.

Don't forget this machine will get the best of Nintendo's home console, the best of it's handheld and the best of mobile as well.

This machine will have Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a real Pokemon game on it.

And the entire Japanese industry that is caught between releasing Gatcha garbage on Mobile and AAAA PS4 games that don't sell well enough in Japan and are always a super high risk in the West.

 

[OminoMichelin]

It doesn't run Android according to Nintendo.

And Android doesn't need much RAM? 3GB is the minimum you want these days with Android, and some phones already put in 6 GB or more. Just think it's odd when iOS runs without issues when it has so much less RAM.

That's not true at all. My phone has only 1GB and still runs pretty well. If you want someone to blame for high ram usage, blame the app makers. Facebook destroyed my phone both on terms of battery and performance, for example, but that's hardly the OS's fault.

 

[KAL2006]

Although Switch won't get the big AAA graphics intensive 3rd party games. I can see it easily getting things like FIFA, Tekken, Injustice, Rocket League etc. On top of that Vita and 3DS developers will likely make games for Switch. Then you have Nintendo's developers making games for 1 system this time around instead of spreading themselves across 2. Software shouldn't be an issue. Also note because this system is using common modern architecture like ARM, and NVIDIA dev tools are simple I think alot of developers will be over this. I'd expect some multiplatform games, and lots of unique games. Basically it will be a system that would compliment your PC, Xbox One or PS4 quite well.

 

[ElTorro]

The amount of RAM would be a major issue if Nintendo wanted to go after major PS4/XBO releases. But if they wanted to do that, they'd not have made a portable system. It's asking too much to expect the equivalent of three-year-old hardware with an original TDP of ~100W in a portable package. As battery life predictions indicate, they already struggled with the performance target as it is. If you want to sacrifice even more battery life, I'd rather increase clock speeds in mobile mode than double the amount of memory.

Moreover, the requirement that all games have to run in mobile mode as well makes speculation about additional hardware for TV mode pretty much irrelevant. It's one thing to have higher GPU (and maybe memory) clock speeds and increase resolution from 720p to 900p for TV mode. It's another thing to double the RAM in TV mode and actually make use of it without breaking compatibility to mobile mode. If you go down that route you quickly end up with a concept that sounds more like two distinct, fragmented systems than one unified platform, rendering the entire idea of a hybrid system ad absurdum.

 

[flattie]

Yeah i'm thinking Nintendo is creating a barebones system. Just games, no nonsense. Focused indeed.

Wonder how that'll go over.

Oh that would be fucking sweet. I could really get behind that after the disgustingly clunky Wii U OS.

 

[ElTorro]

Honestly, I would totally buy a console that would just boot the fuckin game up in five seconds instead of sitting through OS loading up and menus and oh wait did you update your system firmware cuz we just upgraded it to fix the Netflix streaming when SPotify is playing in the background

 

[Moreche]

I am so looking forward to this but I really wish Nintendo sort VC and their account system out for this. If not then I won't be touching it.

 

[nikatapi]

Even if it's a simple OS, i'm sure we'll still have miiverse and probably a browser.
I just hope for a better online system, system-wide notifications etc.

Anyway i hoped for more ram, 4GB doesn't seem to be an amount that gives some future-proofing, but we'll probably get an upgraded Switch with a newer Tegra chip down the line.

 

[Doczu]

I am so looking forward to this but I really wish Nintendo sort VC and their account system out for this. If not then I won't be touching it.

I would love for Nintendo to finally allow moving your VC library from console to console without buying them once again. If they won't, i'll just stop supporting it. I'm not buying LttP or other games for a fourth time!

 

[potatohead]

For me it works out ok since I'm not interested in a tablet per se since I have a Phablet but still. If it looks like a tablet maybe it should also work like a tablet.

This pretty much.

Nintendo head in the sand strategy isn't going to work out imo

 

[Moreche]

I would love for Nintendo to finally allow moving your VC library from console to console without buying them once again. If they won't, i'll just stop supporting it. I'm not buying LttP or other games for a fourth time!

I agree but this is the first Nintendo console I won't be buying day one. I've been burned by them to many times. I want to see where the console will be after a few updates have arrived. If they deliver then I'll jump onboard.

 

[Doczu]

I agree but this is the first Nintendo console I won't be buying day one. I've been burned by them to many times. I want to see where the console will be after a few updates have arrived. If they deliver then I'll jump onboard.

Welcome to the club. I was moderately dissapointed with the 3DS launch, and totally dissapointed with the Wii U (love the console, but still have buyer regret), so the Switch will be a buy, but not day 1.

 

[bomb]

If the Switch is really Nvidia's showcase for Tegra. You would think they would want two different Switch models. One being a technical showcase. In two years, the Switch is going to be really dated in Tegra technology.

 

[RavageDark]

Are people still assuming that the leak is legit?

 

[MCN]

If the Switch is really Nvidia's showcase for Tegra. You would think they would want two different Switch models. One being a technical showcase. In two years, the Switch is going to be really dated in Tegra technology.

Then they can just release an updated one. If Sony and Microsoft can do it, Nintendo can too.

 

[bomb]

Then they can just release an updated one. If Sony and Microsoft can do it, Nintendo can too.

Yeah but how soon? Sony waited 3 years.

 

[sanstesy]

For me it works out ok since I'm not interested in a tablet per se since I have a Phablet but still. If it looks like a tablet maybe it should also work like a tablet.

Yeah, this thing must have at the least everything the Wii U has OS feature-wise; that is a good browser, a (good) Youtube & Netflix application and so on. It's not a good look if a tablet-looking device does not have some tablet-like features and honestly that's the minimum I expect from the features here.

 

[G.ZZZ]

Interesting! Famous Japanese writer says Nintendo Switch likely using Pascal, not Volta:

Is this a joke? Volta isn't gonna be out for a while. Surprised this isn't using graphene 3-dimensional neural array Kappa.

 

[oti]

Welcome to the club. I was moderately dissapointed with the 3DS launch, and totally dissapointed with the Wii U (love the console, but still have buyer regret), so the Switch will be a buy, but not day 1.

The fun I had with Wii Sports, Nintendo Land and NSMBU at launch greatly outweighs the lackluster performance overall for me.

 

[Plinko]

Lol not trying to make you guys guess. Just assume it doesn't need much RAM for other tasks. I mean, you've already got a browser and presumably a few of them. Think of other ways that Nintendo can utilize apps.

I can't find this post--did it get deleted? Perhaps somebody leaked more than they should have?

What it tells me is that Nintendo's patent for utilizing home PCs et al to boost the power is coming into play here, and that would be a very, very good thing.

 

[Herb Alpert]

Lol not trying to make you guys guess. Just assume it doesn't need much RAM for other tasks. I mean, you've already got a browser and presumably a few of them. Think of other ways that Nintendo can utilize apps.

A sort of streaming?

 

[Dark Cloud]

A sort of streaming?

This all sounds so exciting. I don't know how people can be pessimistic. All these secrets with the OS, features, add ons, online make me so excited see.

The wait feels so far away!

 

[Herb Alpert]

This all sounds so exciting. I don't know how people can be pessimistic. All these secrets with the OS, features, add ons, online make me so excited see.

The wait feels so far away!

Or maybe they did like for Wii and dvd player: "we didn't include such features cause we consider people already access them from other devices they already own"
This is some out of the box Nintendo thinking too lol.

 

[AntMurda]

The way Kimishima mentioned add-ons will be announced in January, I definitely don't think he is talking about steering wheels for Mario Kart. This could be big.

 

[Nibel]

Honestly, I would totally buy a console that would just boot the fuckin game up in five seconds instead of sitting through OS loading up and menus and oh wait did you update your system firmware cuz we just upgraded it to fix the Netflix streaming when SPotify is playing in the background

They kinda did that with the quick launch menu on Wii U right? I wonder if they'll build in something similar for the Switch

 

[Skittzo0413]

If it can't get most ports, then I think Switch is in serious trouble already. Do you think Nintendo can survive on older ports and japanese third party alone?

We have Matt and OsirisBlack both indicating that PS4/XB1 ports shouldn't be a technical problem... Modern games and game engines are fairly scaleable today, so if third parties see any incentive (or are provided with fantastic dev tools) then they will definitely be bringing AAA multiplats to the Switch. Whether or not they see the RoI being good enough will be the deciding factor.


Very intrigued about Vern's comments regarding apps. We know the Switch has a share button, and with 800MB of RAM for the OS I'd guess it won't be as fully featured as PS4's share function. Unless there is some sort of streaming going on as the posters above have theorized.

 

[_PsiFire_]

If what's been said is true Switch using 3.2GB of RAM vs PS4 using 4.5GB for games isn't that bad actually.



The other two consoles blow through half their RAM on the OS alone.

Other benefits...

The cartridges are a LOT faster than Bluray.
The cartridges may be faster than HDDS found in the XB1 & PS4.

Maybe the memory is faster as well, who knows. Nintendo does like their fast memory.

 

[morikaze]

I am so looking forward to this but I really wish Nintendo sort VC and their account system out for this. If not then I won't be touching it.

Iwata said something during the DeNA mobile collaboration/NX development announcements that makes me feel like it could hopefully end up being okay.

Iwata：Nintendo, together with DeNA, will jointly develop a new membership service which encompasses the existing Nintendo 3DS and Wii U systems, the new hardware system with a brand-new concept, NX, and smart devices and PCs, and Nintendo will be the primary party to operate this new membership service. Unlike the Club Nintendo membership service that Nintendo has been operating, the new membership service will include multiple devices and create a connection between Nintendo and each individual consumer regardless of the device the consumer uses. This membership will form one of the core elements of the new Nintendo platform that I just mentioned.

Seems like DeNA will be developing the new online system entirely, that's how I took it back then anyway. I hope so.

 

[Vash63]

Other benefits...

The cartridges are a LOT faster than Bluray.
The cartridges may be faster than HDDS found in the XB1 & PS4.

Maybe the memory is faster as well, who knows. Nintendo does like their fast memory.

There's no way a mobile chip is anywhere near the memory speed of PS4 or even XB1. Even if it's a full fledged Parker it will be slightly slower than XB1 in memory, but much faster in CPU and probably comparable in GPU (given the arch enhancements).

That said, ~50GB/s on an Nvidia chip could very well outperform the 68GB/s on a GCN AMD chip in the XB1... matching PS4 might be difficult though. Nvidia's always been able to do more with less in terms of memory speed; a GTX 1080 only has 320GB/s which is pretty slow even compared to the drastically slower AMD R9 390's 384GB/s - and much lower than AMD's Fury X at 512GB/s. In case you don't follow PC cards, a GTX1080 absolutely destroys an R9 390 or Fury X.

Nvidia's software and compression technology should not be taken lightly.