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[Kureransu]

Nintendo are the morons that sent out review units that weren't updated and gave them an embargo end date that was before they sent out the update.

Hard to fault the reviewers when they can only review what Nintendo has given them access to, and didn't put out their reviews before the embargo date/time Nintendo set was past.

With this rushed launch, missing features, me not being a fan of the hybrid concept etc. I won't even consider a Switch until 2018 personally. Nintendo has a lot of convincing to do with me after how much dust my Wii, Wii U and 3DS gathered. I'm not saying they owe me anything etc. They just may finally not be for me anymore, and if so that's fine. Plenty to play elsewhere.

Don't agree with that. They knew the update was on the third. The System was passed out to review Zelda. Like we discussed earlier in the thread, it wasn't like Nintendo wasn't transparent about the release of the update. Just because the embargo lifts, doesn't mean you have to give a full on review on that day. What they review and what we will experience as a consumer runs the chance of being vastly different. To me this falls into the same category as when Media outlet review a game before they finish it, then releases an updated review afterwards. When it comes to Console reviews, I honestly think the "review" should come in about a week after the console is out where they can play the array of games based on the system, along with any the balancing out of "quick fixes".

I'm not saying that much will change at all. maybe it will, maybe it won't. But i'd be more incline to read reviews on monday after spending a weekend with the system, seeing how battery life last in normal play with ore than ONE game, and how online works and the like.

Edit:
I just want to add that i am in NO WAY saying this system doesn't have it's faults. It does. Comparing it to what fault other systems had at launch doesn't take away from the switch's own faults. So it will deserve some of the flack it's getting. That's said, I respect anyone's opinion to wait on the system. It's completely logical and just. I have no problem being an early adopter, i know what i'm potentially getting into, ad me buying it at launch only helps to show interest so that it'll get more support early on, so that you guys who want to dive in but want to make sure you get your money's worth can do so with ease.

 

[spekkeh]

Oh, i'm ready.

I give you the world's easiest bingo board.

Spoiler

I'm going to be responsible for at least half those comments

You forgot "one point higher only because it's called Zelda".

 

[Pupperbabysassy]

Am I missing something here? Most of the reviews I read were positive.

 

[reelbigtink]

Am I missing something here? Most of the reviews I read were positive.

NeoGAF

 

[SuperSah]

I've seen that the Kotaku review of Breath of the Wild leaked, at least the summary portion.

good? bad?

 

[Vitacat]

Nintendo develops robust parental controls but then they are pointless since there is no chat anyways. The paranoia is bullshit at this point in time where cell phones and the internet are ubiquitous. It's quite simply bad business at this point.

Make it so that you need to use a credit card or whatever to unlock parental controls. Not having the option today is unacceptable.

Yes, I agree completely. All I was saying is that PERHAPS they will add these features later.

The Switch is obviously, IMO, very rushed to launch. Review units were not even given access to any online features, not even the eShop. So, for better or worse, what we see right now is beta software running on first generation Switch hardware. What people will receive later this week is slightly less beta software after the update installs.

I'm excited for the Switch, and hope to buy one this week. But I am fully expecting to be an early adopter beta tester for a few months.

 

[The Elite]

We're less than 24 hours from the Switch launching that update has got to drop any time now.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

Don't agree with that. They knew the update was on the third. The System was passed out to review Zelda. Like we discussed earlier in the thread, it wasn't like Nintendo wasn't transparent about the release of the update. Just because the embargo lifts, doesn't mean you have to give a full on review on that day. What they review and what we will experience as a consumer runs the chance of being vastly different. To me this falls into the same category as when Media outlet review a game before they finish it, then releases an updated review afterwards. When it comes to Console reviews, I honestly think the "review" should come in about a week after the console is out where they can play the array of games based on the system, along with any the balancing out of "quick fixes".

I'm not saying that much will change at all. maybe it will, maybe it won't. But i'd be more incline to read reviews on monday after spending a weekend with the system, seeing how battery life last in normal play with ore than ONE game, and how online works and the like.

Nonsense. Nintendo gave them an embargo date of this morning to review THE HARDWARE. They gave them an Embargo of tomorrow to review Zelda. If Nintendo didn't want reviews of the hardware, they should have given them an Embargo of post launch so the updates would be out.

Plus, I'm not sure what anyone is expecting this update to change anyway. It likely just enables the eshop and other features not active currently. It's unlikely to fix the JoyCon disconnects and other issues being noted.

 

[Already Torn]

good? bad?

Assuming it's real, SUPER good.

 

[casey_contra]

good? bad?

 

[Feel the Swift]

About the hand cramps while playing with JoyCons horizontally: I really hope when the inevitable refresh launches there is a potential redesign of the controllers in regards to size, and they will snap seamlessly with an OG Switch.

 

[SuperSah]

Assuming it's real, SUPER good.

oh ho ho

edit: fake according to the Zelda preview thread.

 

[True Fire]

good? bad?

Zelda reviews are always positive, not sure why people get so antsy about them. The real reviews will come 5 years after its release.

 

[Pancake Mix]

I don't even care about those cons, my body is ready (for the Wii U version).
I don't play Zelda games for smooth frame rates.

 

[e_i]

50 hours? Goddamn.

 

[Vitacat]

Assuming it's real, SUPER good.

Early reviews are looking very good, indeed. I have been actively avoiding videos and anything even slightly spoilerish, as I want to experience each moment myself without prior knowledge. But all indications are that if you like Zelda, then you could make much worse decisions with your gaming dollars than buying a Switch this week just for BOTW.

Zelda reviews are always positive, not sure why people get so antsy about them. The real reviews will come 5 years after its release.

Considering the size of the world in BOTW, some of us might still be playing the same run-through in 5 years from now. )

 

[//ARCANUM]

So in The Verge's review, they say they have yet to find a portable battery charger that charges the switch faster than it drains.... Is there really no battery that can charge this thing while playing? I just bought a 20,000mah battery just for the Switch. Did I waste my money?

 

[IndieJones]

Any guesses as to what the Switch Ambassador Certificate is going to look like?

 

[Already Torn]

So in The Verge's review, they say they have yet to find a portable battery charger that charges the switch faster than it drains.... Is there really no battery that can charge this thing while playing? I just bought a 20,000mah battery just for the Switch. Did I waste my money?

Apparently it doesn't even fully charge when plugged in if you're playing Zelda

 

[Astral Dog]

50 hours? Goddamn.

Skyward Sword was like 40 hours so not that unusual

 

[Kureransu]

Nonsense. Nintendo gave them an embargo date of this morning to review THE HARDWARE. They gave them an Embargo of tomorrow to review Zelda. If Nintendo didn't want reviews of the hardware, they should have given them an Embargo of post launch so the updates would be out.

Plus, I'm not sure what anyone is expecting this update to change anyway. It likely just enables the eshop and other features not active currently. It's unlikely to fix the JoyCon disconnects and other issues being noted.

I edited my post as well, but you're on top of things lol.

Well as we said earlier, an embargo date of the 3rd or later would have looked bad period. They really didn't have a choice.

 

[Soroc]

Point being while you all dismiss the new COD, Assassin's Creed or Battlefield as just another iteration, there are a lot of people who look forward to them as much as you do to a new Zelda. Those are the games that sell systems. They all sell more than Zelda does. They are the killer apps to millions of people.

But what Ass Creed, Battlefield or COD is launching in March? Answer: There isn't one.

If they even had COD from last holiday, who is going to buy it? It would be a late port and we know how they do on Nintendo platforms already.

We aren't going to know about things like COD until E3, since it just makes sense for them to wait and decide if their next installment in the Holiday season makes sense for them.

Those killer apps for millions of people (some) may still be there launching simultaneously with the other systems as well in the fall/Holiday season.

 

[boiled goose]

Yes, I agree completely. All I was saying is that PERHAPS they will add these features later.

The Switch is obviously, IMO, very rushed to launch. Review units were not even given access to any online features, not even the eShop. So, for better or worse, what we see right now is beta software running on first generation Switch hardware. What people will receive later this week is slightly less beta software after the update installs.

I'm excited for the Switch, and hope to buy one this week. But I am fully expecting to be an early adopter beta tester for a few months.

The rushed nature of the Switch is incomprehensible to me. WiiU has been dead for two years basically. Nintendo's online issues were clear from online play with the DS (game specific friend codes WTF), to hardware tied digital content on Wii (WTF WTF), to lackluster OS level online features on WiiU (WTF) to completely disjointed storefront and digital content management and no feature integration between 3DS and WiiU (SMH).

I honestly don't get it.

So in The Verge's review, they say they have yet to find a portable battery charger that charges the switch faster than it drains.... Is there really no battery that can charge this thing while playing? I just bought a 20,000mah battery just for the Switch. Did I waste my money?

The DF review had one that didn't drain.

 

[sammex]

oh ho ho

edit: fake according to the Zelda preview thread.

It's fake until the embargo lifts...

It is fake until tomorrow morning at 6am Eastern.

 

[Already Torn]

oh ho ho

edit: fake according to the Zelda preview thread.

Yup, sure is. Believe me

The rushed nature of the Switch is incomprehensible to me. WiiU has been dead for two years basically. Nintendo's online issues were clear from online play with the DS (game specific friend codes WTF), to hardware tied digital content on Wii (WTF WTF), to lackluster OS level online features on WiiU (WTF) to completely disjointed storefront and digital content management and no feature integration between 3DS and WiiU (SMH).

I honestly don't get it.

Their President died and their main guy has been striking out.

 

[e_i]

Skyward Sword was like 40 hours so not that unusual

Well, the reviewer said it was done at a leisurely pace, so I guess it could be done in 30-40 hours.

 

[Dystify]

Trying to add more reviews to the OP I get this

The text that you have entered is too long (24042 characters). Please shorten it to 24000 characters long.

Should've reserved a second post, huh?

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

i want game reviews, for games that aren't zelda. Where are they, I have been looking all over for them. Its been years.

 

[eastcoastkody]

It's not that good. It's a failing grade, and something I'd be hesitant to spend $20 on, let alone $300.


Fail would be below 70

they're not grading a highschool Civics class paper

 

[franklyshankly]

But what Ass Creed, Battlefield or COD is launching in March? Answer: There isn't one.

If they even had COD from last holiday, who is going to buy it? It would be a late port and we know how they do on Nintendo platforms already.

We aren't going to know about things like COD until E3, since it just makes sense for them to wait and decide if their next installment in the Holiday season makes sense for them.

Those killer apps for millions of people may still be there launching simultaneously with the other systems as well in the fall/Holiday season.

It is extremely unlikely any of those games will ever be on Switch at this point. Isn't that just kind of accepted about Nintendo consoles these days?

 

[lenovox1]

So in The Verge's review, they say they have yet to find a portable battery charger that charges the switch faster than it drains.... Is there really no battery that can charge this thing while playing? I just bought a 20,000mah battery just for the Switch. Did I waste my money?

Does you battery have a USB C port? Otherwise, legacy USB tech has a limited amount of juice it can deliver to anything.

 

[BitStyle]

oh ho ho

edit: fake according to the Zelda preview thread.

lol

It is fake until tomorrow morning at 6am Eastern.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Not surprised at reading some of these reviews. This thing is definitely rushed out the door to meet a deadline, but the room for growth is certainly there. In fact, I can recall all the way back to the last time this happened.

Nintendo fans may look at the Nintendo 3DS now, and all the great games and features it has. But it's easy to forget that it shared many of the same problems as the Switch at launch. There weren't enough apps and features, it was lacking games, it was overpriced, and many will agree that it didn't start getting really good until the holiday season. I see the Switch taking a similar trajectory in terms of growth. By the holidays, it should be a much more complete product than it is now. All the more reason for me to wait.

 

[Zedark]

So in The Verge's review, they say they have yet to find a portable battery charger that charges the switch faster than it drains.... Is there really no battery that can charge this thing while playing? I just bought a 20,000mah battery just for the Switch. Did I waste my money?

That's quite interesting. Digital Foundry have published a hardware review in which they say that you can use a 5V/2.1A power bank to power the Switch. From their wording it is clear that it does charge (or at the very least keep steady) the Switch's battery, so 5V/2.1A should work (and 5V/2A as well, in that case). A possibility is that they are using power banks that are outfitted with qualcomm quick charge technology. Thraktor in another thread theorised that a system that does not support it cannot utilise the highest power output and will instead revert back to standard 5V/0.5A output, which is of course not enough to counter the drain of the Switch, which drains at 5.3W. If your power bank uses tech different from qualcomm quick charge, you are probably in the clear, though only testing it yourself will give 100% certainty obviously.

 

[Soroc]

It is extremely unlikely any of those games will ever be on Switch at this point. Isn't that just kind of accepted about Nintendo consoles these days?

I disagree with that sentiment for Ubisoft and Activision at the very least. We just don't know yet but I don't think hardware will hold back those games from coming to the system. Hearing how easy it is to port I can't imagine them not putting these games on the system if the system keeps steadily selling through the summer. Both supported Wii U with ports of their big franchises on exotic hardware that probably wasn't worth the effort. If Switch does well through the summer there is a good chance the possiblity of Ass Creed or COD being on the system. Battlefield though, probably not because EA.

 

[lenovox1]

The rushed nature of the Switch is incomprehensible to me. WiiU has been dead for two years basically. Nintendo's online issues were clear from online play with the DS (game specific friend codes WTF), to hardware tied digital content on Wii (WTF WTF), to lackluster OS level online features on WiiU (WTF) to completely disjointed storefront and digital content management and no feature integration between 3DS and WiiU (SMH).

I honestly don't get it.
.

It seems like they've mitigated or solved all those issues... And created new ones or just have the standard ones associated with a console launch. We've yet to see if they are killer issues.

 

[SuperSah]

lol

Yup, sure is. Believe me

It's fake until the embargo lifts...

in that case HYPE

 

[Kagoshima_Luke]

So in The Verge's review, they say they have yet to find a portable battery charger that charges the switch faster than it drains.... Is there really no battery that can charge this thing while playing? I just bought a 20,000mah battery just for the Switch. Did I waste my money?

This is why I'm waiting until the Switch is out for a week or two before buying a power bank.

 

[roytheone]

As someone that will mostly use his switch as a handheld and doesn't have a Wii U, the reviews are fine.

 

[//ARCANUM]

Does you battery have a USB C port? Otherwise, legacy USB tech has a limited amount of juice it can deliver to anything.

It does not have USB C, but...

That's quite interesting. Digital Foundry have published a hardware review in which they say that you can use a 5V/2.1A power bank to power the Switch. From their wording it is clear that it does charge (or at the very least keep steady) the Switch's battery, so 5V/2.1A should work (and 5V/2A as well, in that case). A possibility is that they are using power banks that are outfitted with qualcomm quick charge technology. Thraktor in another thread theorised that a system that does not support it cannot utilise the highest power output and will instead revert back to standard 5V/0.5A output, which is of course not enough to counter the drain of the Switch, which drains at 5.3W. If your power bank uses tech different from qualcomm quick charge, you are probably in the clear, though only testing it yourself will give 100% certainty obviously.

It does have 5V/2.1A.

This is the one I got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01191S0VY/?tag=neogaf0e-20

I guess I'll just wait and see and if it doesn't work well, I'll return it ¯\_(&#12484_/¯ .

 

[Already Torn]

they're not grading a highschool Civics class paper

Then why use the same scoring system?

If we want to talk something more serious than high school, a 75 or below is failing on most licensure exams. In literally nothing is 65 passing.

 

[Okami Haundo]

Not surprised at reading some of these reviews. This thing is definitely rushed out the door to meet a deadline, but the room for growth is certainly there. In fact, I can recall all the way back to the last time this happened.

Nintendo fans may look at the Nintendo 3DS now, and all the great games and features it has. But it's easy to forget that it shared many of the same problems as the Switch at launch. There weren't enough apps and features, it was lacking games, it was overpriced, and many will agree that it didn't start getting really good until the holiday season. I see the Switch taking a similar trajectory in terms of growth. By the holidays, it should be a much more complete product than it is now. All the more reason for me to wait.

In relation to your first paragraph, where do you get that mindset from? This isn't me trying to attack you or anything, I've just seen the sentiment that Switch is "rushed" echoed around sites like Gaf a lot lately.

Personally, I think Nintendo is very intentionally releasing the Switch in its current state. I look at their plans for this year and I see a very deliberate schedule of releases for both software and services. Whether or not that schedule will work in their favor is it's own story, and we won't know the answer until fall. But yeah... I just don't buy the narrative that they're throwing Switch out the door this month because they're feeling pressure.

 

[Vitacat]

Not surprised at reading some of these reviews. This thing is definitely rushed out the door to meet a deadline, but the room for growth is certainly there. In fact, I can recall all the way back to the last time this happened.

Nintendo fans may look at the Nintendo 3DS now, and all the great games and features it has. But it's easy to forget that it shared many of the same problems as the Switch at launch. There weren't enough apps and features, it was lacking games, it was overpriced, and many will agree that it didn't start getting really good until the holiday season. I see the Switch taking a similar trajectory in terms of growth. By the holidays, it should be a much more complete product than it is now. All the more reason for me to wait.

Exactly! The 3DS was TERRIBLE at launch. I LOVE handhelds, and even I didn't buy a 3DS until long after launch, and I'm usually into early adopting.

I wouldn't blame anyone for waiting on the Switch, UNLESS you love Zelda, and/or you enjoy early adopting. I'm in for the Switch, myself. It does some stuff I've always daydreamed about, so I want to support it. But for the average gamer --- wait till Summer or Fall. The bugs will be fixed, the feature set will be much improved, and if things go well, it will have a compelling library of 1st party Nintendo games, indie games, and popular Japanese games. Not sure about 3rd party support, but we'll see. You don't buy Nintendo systems these days for 3rd party support anyway.

 

[greelay]

This is why I'm waiting until the Switch is out for a week or two before buying a power bank.

Yeah, wait for other people to try all of this stuff out before I decide what is the right one.

 

[Shrike Alvaron]

So in The Verge's review, they say they have yet to find a portable battery charger that charges the switch faster than it drains.... Is there really no battery that can charge this thing while playing? I just bought a 20,000mah battery just for the Switch. Did I waste my money?

Rarez disagrees

That's a standard 5V/3A USB-C port they're charging it with and they say that while playing Zelda it charged about 8% in an hour, and took about 2 hours to near-fully charge when in sleep mode.

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

I'm sure the headset will use the usb port, either wireless or wired.

 

[franklyshankly]

Not surprised at reading some of these reviews. This thing is definitely rushed out the door to meet a deadline, but the room for growth is certainly there. In fact, I can recall all the way back to the last time this happened.

Nintendo fans may look at the Nintendo 3DS now, and all the great games and features it has. But it's easy to forget that it shared many of the same problems as the Switch at launch. There weren't enough apps and features, it was lacking games, it was overpriced, and many will agree that it didn't start getting really good until the holiday season. I see the Switch taking a similar trajectory in terms of growth. By the holidays, it should be a much more complete product than it is now. All the more reason for me to wait.

3DS also got a 32% price drop before it started selling well.

If Switch suddenly dropped price to 200 dollars, it would sell a lot more as well.

 

[Filthy Casual]

Looks like a good Nintendo console. Once the library fleshes out and it's cheaper I will probably pick one up.

 

[//ARCANUM]

Also, can someone explain to me (it was either in IGN or The Verge's review) why when playing the Switch docked with battery at 100%, it will drain the battery down to as low as 88%? When the battery is already as weak as it is, losing 12% when you wanna take your game with you is a large amount of your short battery life. Why does it do this? When it's docked and fully charged, why is it using the battery for anything?

 

[pixelation]

- 3 hrs (approx) battery time/same amount to recharge (EuroGamer)
- Sync issues are indeed real
- Screen may or may not get scratched or damaged by base over time (lacking padding)
- No real d-pad (buying additional more expensive controller is the "solution" to this)
- Expensive at launch
- No real exclusive "must have" title at launch (BotW will also be coming to the Wii U)

All of this means that i will wait for them to solve their problems, get more worthwhile exclusive games out for it and bring the price down before i consider purchasing one.