-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Nintendo Switch | Hardware Review Thread
- Thread starter Dystify
- Start date
His was way more apt. The ones that want it to fail are a very small number. Anyone else has issues with the system from what we've seen and there is a decent amount of issues that can be discussed before anyone gets it in their hands.
It doesn't mean it won't be a cool system or have some really good things going for it but it has issues and I want to talk about all of it not just one side.
N30RYU
Member
Totally agree with this. Why review the system before it gets to its launch day state? If Nintendo does indeed launch a firmware update between now and midnight, March 3rd, then the unit being reviewed by outlets won't be the same one that we get. So...what's the point?
What's the point then for nintendo to send consoles to the reviewers if they need to wait till launch day to get a launch firmware?
They need to change that
See, I still see this as an old way of thinking. Maybe I'm just odd, but the fact that I can take games with me and play them on the TV is HUGE. I don't give a shit if when it's plugged into the TV it's underpowered compared to my PS4, because I can take it with me to work, or to the bathroom, etc. Suddenly my PS4 seems boring as fuck because it's so held down. It's not really an underpowered console or a big handheld, because it's somewhere in the middle.
Also, it's not too big, more than a few outlets have said it fits in your pocket, what the hell more do you want lol.
The Elite
BOSS
To review Zelda.
To review the games and do general system coverage for their website?
Joe Shlabotnik
Banned
They're really the only outlet that have commented on it being too big.
So they can review Zelda. Zelda is all Nintendo has cared about since January.
calc84maniac
Member
Well, consider that Nintendo is using as little RAM as possible for the OS (0.75 GB or so) to give as much as possible to game developers (3.25 GB). It's probably possible to do 1080p with that much RAM, but I guess it wasn't a priority for now, and they wanted to leave room for other OS features or wait until the UI could be better optimized.
GinoFelino
Member
I know, and I agree. There won't be a revision for at least 1-2 years. It's a really silly thing to say at launch.
IlGialloMondadori
Member
Telegraph review, 4/5.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...-review-fascinating-video-game-console-years/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...-review-fascinating-video-game-console-years/
OfficerRaichu15
Member
So impressions and reviews are good or bad?
MadLaughter
Member
Haven't touched one myself, but from the sound of things:
-super overpriced accessories
-left joy-con not reliable
-right joy-con not infallible either
-Nintendo apparently dgaf
-flimsy kickstand/cartridge hatch
-can't charge in kickstand mode
-loses some battery while docked
-720p menu
-bad battery life
-bad launch lineup if you don't like Zelda (if these people exist)
-Online functionality is nonexistant, unproven, will be paid
-no virtual console
-the paid online bonus games are temporary
-giant bomb's joycon rails nonfunctional after one drop
-newest console weaker than competitors from years ago
On the other hand:
-Zelda (which is still ALMOST enough to get me to look past the above stuff, which says something)
-Execution of portability
-Screen
-Build Quality (Doesn't feel cheap)
-Simplified/sleeker/quicker OS
I know that not all things listed above are as important to all people (if you plan to keep it at home, who cares about battery life for example), but taken as a whole..
-super overpriced accessories
-left joy-con not reliable
-right joy-con not infallible either
-Nintendo apparently dgaf
-flimsy kickstand/cartridge hatch
-can't charge in kickstand mode
-loses some battery while docked
-720p menu
-bad battery life
-bad launch lineup if you don't like Zelda (if these people exist)
-Online functionality is nonexistant, unproven, will be paid
-no virtual console
-the paid online bonus games are temporary
-giant bomb's joycon rails nonfunctional after one drop
-newest console weaker than competitors from years ago
On the other hand:
-Zelda (which is still ALMOST enough to get me to look past the above stuff, which says something)
-Execution of portability
-Screen
-Build Quality (Doesn't feel cheap)
-Simplified/sleeker/quicker OS
I know that not all things listed above are as important to all people (if you plan to keep it at home, who cares about battery life for example), but taken as a whole..
Yep it has a lot of unique features that make it a pretty good purchase to me.
MikeBison
Member
Exactly. It comes down to what you want and feel you'll get out of something, versus wether the price is worth it for you.
I'll be playing Zelda for 100 odd hours as of this week and making the use of home and portable parts of the console. Then MK, then Splatoon, then Mario by the end of the year. And some indies to fill the gaps. (feels like enough of a reason to shelf my vita indefinitely).
By the end of the year, I'll have already got more use out of a Switch than I did the whole time having a Wii U.
Like, nobody *has* to get something. It's about want. Those of us who've preordered did so because we WANT to.
because they can review the hardware?. you know...how it feels, build quality, graphical capability, launch features, accessibility options, connection options, audio options etc. these are all quantifiable elements. and if you're buying into something day 1 surely you want to know what the day 1 experience is going to be like. in the switch's case it's a dearth of software, and a console lacking basic features most devices have these days...but it's a nice foundation and it's built well. hence the wait and see reviews.
it isn't the first and won't be the last console review.
I very much did not read the reviews and get the impression that the only positive thing was zelda.
Mixed.
I've not read through the thread, what do you mean by 720p menu? The OS menus only output in 720p?
MadLaughter
Member
For sure. The 'feel/build quality' of the system seems to be liked, the simpleness of the OS, the execution of the portability, etc.
gregor7777
Banned
Exactly lol. You would get that impression around here, but for the most part reviews are positive. Some very much so.
IlGialloMondadori
Member
Cmon, dude...there's a lot more on the other hand than just zelda. If you're going to list cons, you need to list pros for the hardware. I can give you a few: stunning screen, portable, easy couch co-op, great indie support, strong first party lineup from now until Christmas, easy to use tools for developers...etc.etc.etc.
Maybe another year would've done Nintendo well. Could have launched with more games, and maybe fixed some of the hardware stuff.
Maintenance
Member
outunderthestars
Banned
This seems to be my impression at this point as well. I do hope alot of the issues can be fixed with firmware patches as the core concept of the system is damn awesome.
Yeah, I got to hold the thing earlier this week.. Its smaller then you think, especially when the joycons aren't attached. With the Joycons locked on the sides its to large to put in your pocket, but probably around the size of a Ipad mini. The system itself feels very high quality.
If you own a 3DS XL then you have a pretty good idea of how big/small it is.
IlGialloMondadori
Member
Very much so. The IGN review is the most negative, and even that is leaning to the switch being very promising.
Lmao
The Futurist
Member
Are you serious?
Every piece of hardware gets reviewed.
People need to know if it's well built, if the hardware itself functions properly (in this case case, there are clear issues with the joy cons), what options there are for things like video and audio.
Being critical and pointing out real flaws is important.
I don't trust people who gloss over everything because they've already decided they love something.
I trust the person that informs me of every little thing that is wrong whether it affects me personally or not.
These reviews aren't great overall. Nintendo has been given the benefit of the doubt many times, but hardware wise, the switch doesn't seem great.
SoundPulse
Banned
I think it's a pretty fair assessment. I've been saying nearly the same thing to my friends. If you're still on the fence and don't need Zelda right this very moment (or are okay with the Wii U version), you're probably best off waiting for either Splatoon or Mario to come out.
That said, I got burned rather hard by getting the Wii U so early.
Cargo shorts are probably common amongst the reviewers.
GinoFelino
Member
Honestly though, what's Jason Schreier's big issue with the thing that warrants a wait to 2.0? I really don't see it.
90% of their listed annoyances read like they're reaching, unreasonably critical in a way I don't really associate with their general quality of writing.
That's not what he's saying. He's saying wait for a new iteration.
90% of their listed annoyances read like they're reaching, unreasonably critical in a way I don't really associate with their general quality of writing.
I think it's a pretty fair assessment. I've been saying nearly the same thing to my friends. If you're still on the fence and don't need Zelda right this very moment (or are okay with the Wii U version), you're probably best off waiting for either Splatoon or Mario to come out.
That said, I got burned rather hard by getting the Wii U so early.
That's not what he's saying. He's saying wait for a new iteration.
Savantcore
Unconfirmed Member
Inside coat/jacket pocket, sure. Trouser pocket? Maybe if you dress like a clown...
MikeBison
Member
So games and more games are not enough? Wouldn't hold my breath on the 3rd parties other than the aforementioned indies. Kinda know what to expect from a Nintendo console. It's a machine to play Nintendo games.
Hope this time is that their output is increased by being able to merge handheld and console teams working on the same franchise somewhat.
If Switch does well, 3DS gets phased out, if it doesn't..it doesn't.
Omnistalgic
Member
yeah to me it's too small...I wanted to pop it up like a tablet and pay with joy cons in each hand. I want like an 8 in screen.
TanookiTom
Member
Hmm nothing really surprising from these reviews. Overall it definitely seems to be of higher quality than the WiiU (which is not a hard feat to achieve). My main problem so far lies with the software lineup. Mario seem to be the first truly new AAA game to come out...
Maybe I am going to end up selling my launch day console.
I also don't expect the reviews to change for the better when the day 1 update is going to launch. What should change anyways? They are going to add the eShop functionality, there is not going to be any Miiverse or Virtual Console... Yeah. I think this is what we're getting hardware-wise.
Maybe I am going to end up selling my launch day console.
I also don't expect the reviews to change for the better when the day 1 update is going to launch. What should change anyways? They are going to add the eShop functionality, there is not going to be any Miiverse or Virtual Console... Yeah. I think this is what we're getting hardware-wise.
Kissenkopf
Banned
And that happens when you dont even read one review. Lol. Wow, that is really absurd.
The Switch has problems and surely isnt the best thing in the world but the reviews praised the hardware. But i bet you already saw that in the dozens of reviews you read.
PS4 has remote play tho. You need Wifi, but you need a charger for a Switch after 3 hours so they're both kind of tied down.
while i do agree with this to a certain degree, i feel like customers should be informed about stuff like the joycon connectivity issues BEFORE they decide to line up in front of a store on Mar 1st or place a last minute pre-order
Totally agree with this. Why review the system before it gets to its launch day state? If Nintendo does indeed launch a firmware update between now and midnight, March 3rd, then the unit being reviewed by outlets won't be the same one that we get. So...what's the point?
seeing as Nintendo isn't very transparent about what the day 1 firmware update does, i wouldn't hold my breath and expect it to fix the joycon issues.
The focus on Zelda is deliberate. The trickle drip of retail is also deliberate.
Any hardware issues likely aren't, but the Bluetooth thing likely isn't completely a hardware issue. That is unless the Joy-Cons used at the demo events have different hardware than the units reviewers were given.
illmatic22
Banned
I know if I get one it'll probably collect dust for months when I'm done with Zelda, but it's fucking Zelda so I don't have a choice lol.
yet_another_alt
Member
The reviews sound pretty middling. Looks like it's going to be another case of something I get only because it's the only way to play Nintendo games. Not all that different since the Gamecube days but not a lot of incentive for me to get one immediately either. As it stands I'm not excited but at least I'm not disappointed.
Sounds fair.
In any case it doesn't bother me and I am *very* excited for Friday!!
MadLaughter
Member
And that happens when you dont even read one review. Lol. Wow, that is really absurd.
The Switch has problems and surely isnt the best thing in the world but the reviews praised the hardware. But i bet you already saw that in the dozens of reviews you read.
I read every blurb in the OP, and Totilo's thing. Where do you think I got all the cons?
Remote play is balls, dude - if you've tried it you'd know that.