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[deleted]

I agree with this viewpoint and it is also my fear. Actually, I would be happy with just pointer controls for games like Phoenix Wright ,Another Code, Zack & Wiki and stuff like that. Although I do want a Wii remote kind-of setup for Wii Sports. I wouldn't really need motion controls for any other game.

Motion controls is here to stay and Nintendo is pretty good at implementing it atm. on 3DS with the Zelda titles and on console with Splatoon.

I'm pretty excited that the Pro Controller seems to have IR sensors. It suggests that Nintendo is finally going for full controller parity.
No matter the game, choose a controller you own/prefer and play it.

Seems so logical and intuitive, but somehow Nintendo has neglected this simple thing for 10 years now.

 

[Zeyphersan]

Motion controls is here to stay and Nintendo is pretty good at implementing it atm. on 3DS with the Zelda titles and on console with Splatoon.

I'm pretty excited that the Pro Controller seems to have IR sensors. It suggests that Nintendo is finally going for full controller parity.
No matter the game, choose a controller you own/prefer and play it.

Seems so logical and intuitive, but somehow Nintendo has neglected this simple thing for 10 years now.

The controller situation on Wii U is so fucked. It's a giant confusing mess. I say ditch the Wii remotes, put all that functionality into the JoyCons so they can act as wiimote/nunchuk, and start with new branding.

 

[Air]

The controller situation on Wii U is so fucked. It's a giant confusing mess. I say ditch the Wii remotes, put all that functionality into the JoyCons so they can act as wiimote/nunchuk, and start with new branding.

Isn't this exactly what they're doing?

 

[deleted]

The controller situation on Wii U is so fucked. It's a giant confusing mess. I say ditch the Wii remotes, put all that functionality into the JoyCons so they can act as wiimote/nunchuk, and start with new branding.

It started out like that on the Wii though. You needed a classic or gamecube controller for SNES and N64 VC games, a Gamecube Controller for GCN games, many games supported only sideways wiimotes and no classic controller even though it would have been a great alternative.

They just amplified it on the Wii U.

It's great that they seem to get the very basics right atm.
Next stops: OS, VC, lag

 

[I Wanna Be The Guy]

Isn't this exactly what they're doing?

Is it though? If the pointer is in the bottom of the joycon and not the top, then there's no way they can accurately replicate the wiimote setup.

I feel like if they're going to have Wii games on the virtual console, they'll have to make them only function with either actual wiimotes, or separately purchased joycon attachments that are designed to replicate original wiimote controls. I'd find that acceptable by the way. After all I didn't really complain about having to buy a classic controller to play VC games back in the day.

 

[marc^o^]

No matter the game, choose a controller you own/prefer and play it.

I don't expect Zelda BoW to have motion+ controls, but I'll be disappointed if it doesn't offer Twighlight Princess motion controls, at minimum.

 

[Okami Haundo]

It started out like that on the Wii though. You needed a classic or gamecube controller for SNES and N64 VC games, a Gamecube Controller for GCN games, many games supported only sideways wiimotes and no classic controller even though it would have been a great alternative.

They just amplified it on the Wii U.

It's great that they seem to get the very basics right atm.
Next stops: OS, VC, lag

I really want them to just kill off the "Virtual Console" brand and call everything "Classics" going forward. Personally, I don't have any ideas for features they could add to the service, but I just think the VC brand needs to die. As for OS and lag, I just want it to be simple and fast.

Is it though? If the pointer is in the bottom of the joycon and not the top, then there's no way they can accurately replicate the wiimote setup.

I feel like if they're going to have Wii games on the virtual console, they'll have to make them only function with either actual wiimotes, or separately purchased joycon attachments that are designed to replicate original wiimote controls. I'd find that acceptable by the way. After all I didn't really complain about having to buy a classic controller to play VC games back in the day.

Can you elaborate on this a little more? My assumption was that you could easily point one joy-con at the TV while the other acts as the nunchuk. I think they need to keep things as simple as possible. Extra joy-cons are a nice idea, but they shouldn't be "needed" to play certain games.

 

[Phoenixus]

The controller situation on Wii U is so fucked. It's a giant confusing mess. I say ditch the Wii remotes, put all that functionality into the JoyCons so they can act as wiimote/nunchuk, and start with new branding.

I wouldn't say ditch them, as having loads of controllers around ready for the new machine was great for the WiiU release. Better if Nintendo only mention it in a footnote somewhere if the switch allows for old controllers to be used, and not put in the messaging and marketing. Basically not use the Wii name anywhere lol.

 

[I Wanna Be The Guy]

Can you elaborate on this a little more? My assumption was that you could easily point one joy-con at the TV while the other acts as the nunchuk. I think they need to keep things as simple as possible. Extra joy-cons are a nice idea, but they shouldn't be "needed" to play certain games.

Take a look at the right joycon on the Switch. Imagine playing a Wii game on it. Now, turn your head and look at the right joycon upside down. Now imagine that is how you hold and play a Wii game with it. Because that is how you would have to if the pointer is on the bottom. It just wouldn't be possible. For start, you wouldn't have any access to the shoulder buttons at all. And obviously the button layout on the front of the joycon itself would make playing like this super awkward if not impossible. If the pointer is on the bottom, it's impossible for it tonreplicate the wiimote.

 

[Cerium]

They already said pretty much the same thing over a month ago. There was a thread about it. This is not new.

There was never a confirmation of mainline Pokemon. It is new.

 

[plank]

Wasn't there supposed to be a game play trailer of an indie game exclusive to the switch released this week?

 

[ArchedThunder]

Pokémon Stars is getting announced at the January 12th Event, isn't it?

What's the usual timing for TPC to announce the third version?

Highly doubtful. It'll probably be announced around May or June.

 

[NateDrake]

Wasn't there supposed to be a game play trailer of an indie game exclusive to the switch released this week?

I assume you are talking about that Seasons game that was revealed last week.

 

[James Scott]

I don't expect Zelda BoW to have motion+ controls, but I'll be disappointed if it doesn't offer Twighlight Princess motion controls, at minimum.

You'll have gyro aiming most likely.
It has it on Wii U and I don't see the Switch launching without something basically every system of note has. (PS4, 3DS, mobile phones, etc)

 

[marc^o^]

Take a look at the right joycon on the Switch. Imagine playing a Wii game on it. Now, turn your head and look at the right joycon upside down. Now imagine that is how you hold and play a Wii game with it. Because that is how you would have to if the pointer is on the bottom. It just wouldn't be possible. For start, you wouldn't have any access to the shoulder buttons at all. And obviously the button layout on the front of the joycon itself would make playing like this super awkward if not impossible. If the pointer is on the bottom, it's impossible for it tonreplicate the wiimote.

The left joycon would be the wiimote on your right hand, the right joycon the nunchuck, held upside down on your left hand.

 

[Okami Haundo]

Take a look at the right joycon on the Switch. Imagine playing a Wii game on it. Now, turn your head and look at the right joycon upside down. Now imagine that is how you hold and play a Wii game with it. Because that is how you would have to if the pointer is on the bottom. It just wouldn't be possible. For start, you wouldn't have any access to the shoulder buttons at all. And obviously the button layout on the front of the joycon itself would make playing like this super awkward if not impossible. If the pointer is on the bottom, it's impossible for it tonreplicate the wiimote.

"Impossible" is a terribly inaccurate word to use here, though I will concede and say "uncomfortable" would fit. If you used the Joy-con L as a nunchuk, you'd have both an analog stick and two "triggers" rather than just one. If you flip the Joycon-R upside down, you'd have four face buttons and an analog stick. While it's not a 1 to 1 match with the Wii-remote layout, this setup provides access to more possible forms of input than the default position of a Wii-mote + nunchuk.

While looking at the Joycons, I thought that this setup would be a bit too uncomfortable to use, but... then I looked at how tiny and awkward they are in two-player mode.

 

[Aostia]

Hope IE Ares is really for switch
And with those graphics and camera angle
That would also mean that part of the previous Nintendo portable IP could come to the switch and also with a proper graphical /Structural overhaul

 

[I Wanna Be The Guy]

Ok, I'll use an example. Lets say you tried to play Resident Evil 4 Wii using the joycons. What buttons do you need access to? The left analog stick, obviously, which you need your left thumb for on the left joycon. So your left thumb is occupied. Therefore your left index finger is all that can be used for other left joycon functions. The shoulder buttons. RE4 uses Z for run and C for knife. Both would be replicated with the two shoulder buttons on the left joycon. Your right thumb will be needed for the action button and pause and map etc. So all you have left is your right index finger for input. Lets use that for the aiming button in RE4! Nope. Impossible. You have to aim with the pointer, meaning the right joycon would have to be upside down meaning you would have no access to the right shoulder buttons. You need to be able to aim and shoot at the same time, so the amount of face buttons the joycon has compared to the wiimote is irrelevant. You simply wouldn't be able to play the game with this setup. It's not even just uncomfortable. It just couldn't be done.

 

[brad-t]

Are people seriously expecting Nintendo of all companies to release an impractical, uncomfortable controller for their flagship console that could decide the fate of the company? lol

 

[whitemex88]

Have we decided what the joycons do for charging?

 

[Roo]

Have we decided what the joycons do for charging?

I'm going to say they will charge when they're either connected to the Switch or the Grip accessory with an USB-C cable.

 

[frankie_baby]

I'm pretty convinced laura is wrong about the IR pointing, just seems too impractical, gyro would make far more sense

 

[LordKano]

Square Enix will hold a Dragon Quest XI panel this saturday, and we will likely see the game again, in its PS4 (so what the Switch version will look like) and 3DS form.
I'm really pumped for this one. We haven't got a look on the game since summer 2015.

 

[lOTl]

I wonder how much storage this can ACTUALLY support when I have 128GB in the 3DS I have now.

//Nintendo is giving us a capable handheld here and while that's a first, I'll certainly miss the absence of the 3DS gimmicky features.

 

[peterclark1985]

Presuming that The Switch has a touchscreen which seems fairly likely based on the rumours does anyone feel that Nintendo are missing a trick not having their and other mobile games on the platform.

With the high number of great iOS/Android games that we have now it seems like an easy way to get a bunch of highly rated mobile games on to the system.

The main stumbling block would be the insistence of being able to play all games in both docked and handheld mode.

 

[Roo]

I'm pretty convinced laura is wrong about the IR pointing, just seems too impractical, gyro would make far more sense

The IR pointer is definitely in there, at the bottom of the right Joy-Con.
You can see there's a quick glare in the shiny plastic/glass when the girl hands over the right Joy-Con to her friend. Exactly like when you see the top of a Wii Remote against a light source.

Not to mention said plastic is totally absent from the left one so.. no, Laura is right about it.

 

[Pasedo]

Probably Thunderbolt 3 since that uses the same connector as USB-C.

Yes I read Thunderbolt now utilises USB-C connection which is why I wondered whether it was actually Thunderbolt in which case you could have a dual graphics set up like the razor core. If they were worried about making TV output as cheap as possible why didn't they just integrate a HDMI out on the Switch tablet itself. Gives people the option of connecting the tablet directly to the TV without the dock. Especially if the fans are already built into the tablet and kicks in when in console mode what would be the point of a dock otherwise. Something suss is going on with that dock and I feel we will all be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Nanashrew]

Can't wait!

 

[Servbot24]

I don't expect Zelda BoW to have motion+ controls, but I'll be disappointed if it doesn't offer Twighlight Princess motion controls, at minimum.

The is seriously zero reason to set yourself up with this expectation.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Square Enix will hold a Dragon Quest XI panel this saturday, and we will likely see the game again, in its PS4 (so what the Switch version will look like) and 3DS form.
I'm really pumped for this one. We haven't got a look on the game since summer 2015.

I'm ready to see that game. It looks like the game I finally have wanted after DQVIII!

 

[Josh5890]

When we get to the point where we are 72 Hours away and we start using Majora's Mask screen shots I think I am going to go into a coma

 

[MoonFrog]

Square Enix will hold a Dragon Quest XI panel this saturday, and we will likely see the game again, in its PS4 (so what the Switch version will look like) and 3DS form.
I'm really pumped for this one. We haven't got a look on the game since summer 2015.

Thanks for these!

 

[frankie_baby]

The IR pointer is definitely in there, at the bottom of the right Joy-Con.
You can see there's a quick glare in the shiny plastic/glass when the girl hands over the right Joy-Con to her friend. Exactly like when you see the top of a Wii Remote against a light source.

Not to mention said plastic is totally absent from the left one so.. no, Laura is right about it.

Ah never seen that before, yeah thats definitely IR, perhaps you could point at the screen to calibrate it then flip it and use gyro

 

[Dark Cloud]

Wouldn't IR be better for Splatoon than gyro? I'm not saying gyro isn't there, but maybe IR could end up better like it was for Metroid Prime and other Wii games.

 

[James Scott]

Presuming that The Switch has a touchscreen which seems fairly likely based on the rumours does anyone feel that Nintendo are missing a trick not having their and other mobile games on the platform.

With the high number of great iOS/Android games that we have now it seems like an easy way to get a bunch of highly rated mobile games on to the system.

The main stumbling block would be the insistence of being able to play all games in both docked and handheld mode.

I think they could very easily get mobile games, sure.
Their own mobile games aren't too likely, but we'll see.

 

[Neoxon]

Wouldn't IR be better for Splatoon than gyro? I'm not saying gyro isn't there, but maybe IR could end up better like it was for Metroid Prime and other Wii games.

The IR blaster being on the bottom may be problematic for Splatoon. It seems to be more for replicating touch controls than for Wii Remote-like aiming.

 

[James Scott]

If there really are two shoulder buttons on the joy cons that we haven't clearly seen yet (it does look like it based on those pictures) you could have your index and middle fingers on them allowing you to have access to two buttons and an analog stick.
Two buttons which is as much as you have on Wii motes (A+B)

 

[Dark Cloud]

The IR blaster being on the bottom may be problematic for Splatoon. It seems to be more for replicating touch controls than for Wii Remote-like aiming.

Yeah, it would be weird since your R and ZR button are on the bottom. It sounds like it wouldn't work.

 

[Reki]

I'm not a fan of DQ and I don't follow its development news (so sorry if the question is dumb), but since the announcement of the Switch port it has been said that it will receive the PS4 version. I'm sure that will be the case, and I know that these are being handled by different teams, but would it be possible that the NS receives both the PS4 and the 3DS versions in one "definitive" package? Pretty much like the recent FE games (in the way in which the transition between 2D to 3D can be handled).

It's highly unlikely, but I'm trying to decide whether it's a good business move considering the japanese market and the history of the franchise in Nintendo machines. Sony wouldn't be happy so that's a reason against it too.

 

[sanstesy]

Yeah, I don't know about that IR sensor position. Can't see how that will turn out without feeling cumbersome.

 

[atbigelow]

Yes I read Thunderbolt now utilises USB-C connection which is why I wondered whether it was actually Thunderbolt in which case you could have a dual graphics set up like the razor core. If they were worried about making TV output as cheap as possible why didn't they just integrate a HDMI out on the Switch tablet itself. Gives people the option of connecting the tablet directly to the TV without the dock. Especially if the fans are already built into the tablet and kicks in when in console mode what would be the point of a dock otherwise. Something suss is going on with that dock and I feel we will all be pleasantly surprised.

No. This has been discussed already.

1) You're not going to see Thunderbolt on non-Intel hardware.
2) Only one fan is in the unit itself; the dock has another one.
3) There are thermal and power limits the dock allows the unit to overcome compared to running portable.

The dock is a hunk of plastic with ports and a fan.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I think the biggest thing the Switch needs more than anything else is a great out-of-box experience.

My perception of the Wii U was colored from day-1 by its illogically, given the hardware, unresponsive UI, long loading times, and long update times. Meanwhile, the tablet felt so cheap and toy-like, and the launch lineup certainly left some things to be desired.

Looking at the Switch, I think it's clear they've got the hardware and software lineup in a good place. Now if they can just make sure the OS is fast, and so that I can basically boot up and play on launch day, I'll be happy.

 

[Skittzo0413]

If there really are two shoulder buttons on the joy cons that we haven't clearly seen yet (it does look like it based on those pictures) you could have your index and middle fingers on them allowing you to have access to two buttons and an analog stick.
Two buttons which is as much as you have on Wii motes (A+B)

If you're right handed that wouldn't work because you'd be presumably holding the joycon R flipped with your right hand. So your palm would be on those inner shoulder buttons, not your index and middle fingers.

I think it would be pretty easy to press some of the 4 face buttons below the analog stick when flipped like that, but you mainly lose out on trigger functionality which was a huge part of the wiimote.

 

[Pasedo]

No. This has been discussed already.

1) You're not going to see Thunderbolt on non-Intel hardware.
2) Only one fan is in the unit itself; the dock has another one.
3) There are thermal and power limits the dock allows the unit to overcome compared to running portable.

The dock is a hunk of plastic with ports and a fan.

Probably but we shall see my friend. We shall see. I know people have been saying what you have summarised but really do we know that for sure? What's the point of Nintendo patenting Supplemental Computing Device in 2014 if not to use it in 2016?? Cloud sux cos internet speeds suck. Only way to really supplement something and make a difference is to do it physically. Plus Nintendo can't be that ignorant designing another console that's again going to be well behind Ps4 Pro and Scorpio to make it difficult for 3rd parties to Port across. Like what happened with Wii U. I think it needs to be Ps4 baseline power when docked as currently most games are developed at this mark and enhanced for Pro. I expect the Ps4 to exist for a while but when the Scorpio comes out they will probably start developing for the Ps4 Pro and enhance it for Scorpio in which case the Switch will be challenged again. At this point they may upgrade the hardware in the supplemental device.

 

[The_Lump]

Probably but we shall see my friend. We shall see. I know people have been saying what you have summarised but really do we know that for sure? What's the point of Nintendo patenting Supplemental Computing Device in 2014 if not to use it in 2016?? Cloud sux cos internet speeds suck. Only way to really supplement something and make a difference is to do it physically. Plus Nintendo can't be that ignorant designing another console that's again going to be well behind Ps4 Pro and Scorpio to make it difficult for 3rd parties to Port across. Like what happened with Wii U. I think it needs to be Ps4 baseline power when docked as currently most games are developed at this mark and enhanced for Pro. I expect the Ps4 to exist for a while but when the Scorpio comes out they will probably start developing for the Ps4 Pro and enhance it for Scorpio in which case the Switch will be challenged again. At this point they may upgrade the hardware in the supplemental device.

You patent an idea when you have the idea, whether or not the technology to realise it is ready yet.

It's possible that SCDs are going to be part of the Switch ecosystem's future. Perhaps they can extend its life a bit towards the end of this gen? Who knows. But they aren't going to be part of Switch's first few years.

 

[MrPressStart]

Curious about the portability.

1) a case that holds the joycons, and carts... maybe a charger

2) it's touch screen so you can roll with a nice sleeve.

 

[Dark Cloud]

If you're right handed that wouldn't work because you'd be presumably holding the joycon R flipped with your right hand. So your palm would be on those inner shoulder buttons, not your index and middle fingers.

I think it would be pretty easy to press some of the 4 face buttons below the analog stick when flipped like that, but you mainly lose out on trigger functionality which was a huge part of the wiimote.

If you're right handed all you have to do if face the controller down and those two shoulder buttons will be on the left side lol.

 

[atbigelow]

Probably but we shall see my friend. We shall see. I know people have been saying what you have summarised but really do we know that for sure? What's the point of Nintendo patenting Supplemental Computing Device in 2014 if not to use it in 2016?? Cloud sux cos internet speeds suck. Only way to really supplement something and make a difference is to do it physically. Plus Nintendo can't be that ignorant designing another console that's again going to be well behind Ps4 Pro and Scorpio to make it difficult for 3rd parties to Port across. Like what happened with Wii U. I think it needs to be Ps4 baseline power when docked as currently most games are developed at this mark and enhanced for Pro. I expect the Ps4 to exist for a while but when the Scorpio comes out they will probably start developing for the Ps4 Pro and enhance it for Scorpio in which case the Switch will be challenged again. At this point they may upgrade the hardware in the supplemental device.

You're not wrong that the switch will be outclassed out of the gate if comparing it to other consoles.

But what you might be wrong about is if that matters. Like mobile phones these days, is there a threshold for "powerful enough?" I wager there is and I think Nintendo is trying to target that.

The Wii U had way more problems than its processing power. It could have definitely hung around longer with the hardware it has.

 

[Skittzo0413]

You patent an idea when you have the idea, whether or not the technology to realise it is ready yet.

It's possible that SCDs are going to be part of the Switch ecosystem's future. Perhaps they can extend its life a bit towards the end of this gen? Who knows. But they aren't going to be part of Switch's first few years.

Well in theory that's not 100% correct, in order to get a patent you are supposed to have a working prototype. That isn't really enforced though in modern times. But yeah companies file patents for things they will never use all the time. Possibly more so than for things they will use to be honest.

If you're right handed all you have to do if face the controller down and those two shoulder buttons will be on the left side lol.

Haha this is technically correct, yes.

 

[OryoN]

I think the biggest thing the Switch needs more than anything else is a great out-of-box experience.

My perception of the Wii U was colored from day-1 by its illogically, given the hardware, unresponsive UI, long loading times, and long update times. Meanwhile, the tablet felt so cheap and toy-like, and the launch lineup certainly left some things to be desired.

Looking at the Switch, I think it's clear they've got the hardware and software lineup in a good place. Now if they can just make sure the OS is fast, and so that I can basically boot up and play on launch day, I'll be happy.

Agreed. They dropped the ball so badly with the Wii U's launch(including the period immediately before, and after it), it's like they may have accidentally stumbled across the blueprint for the for the perfect console launch by simply NOT repeating anything they did with the Wii U.

So far, they've been on the right track in just about every way imaginable. It's almost eerie...