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[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

I want to see the rumored port of Pokémon Sun and Moon.

 

[BlastProcessing]

It's not unlikely at all. Remember when they tried to sell the 3ds for 250 only to backpedal a few months later when they realized the price was utterly insane? I'm expecting a hardware/price revision before the end of the year as well. I think it's inevitable, tbh.

A price drop this year is possible, A substantial hardware revision isn't because they would have needed to start developing it 3 years ago. Even fast companies don;t move that fast and Nintendo ain't fast.

 

[old manatee]

If they are going to launch with one interesting game I guess I might as well wait until fall to get one.

 

[Back-In-Black]

I have a ps4 already and it really is not scratching my gaming itch this gen so why wouldnt I look to Nintendo then?

So you're going to shell out $300+ at launch for two games?

 

[j-wood]

So I'm going to need to buy a USB-C cable right? It doesn't appear that the switch comes with one to charge the controllers. WTF?

 

[Neoweee]

So I'm going to need to buy a USB-C cable right? It doesn't appear that the switch comes with one to charge the controllers. WTF?

USB-C, or USB-to-USB-C, or anything else like that, is like $5.

 

[Azzanadra]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

 

[Chitown B]

Please, explain how pricing an inferior piece of hardware, even higher than the market leading PS4(which is many times more powerful than the switch) makes sense or is a "fantastic price"?

It's a guaranteed failure at this point.

"inferior"

Specs are not everything. If they were, then everyone would just buy a PC and consoles would be gone.

It's a unique piece of hardware, with lots of R&D put into it. And we're talking launch pricing. Vs. X1 at $500 and PS4 at $400. $299 isn't that bad day one and it replaces the 3DS too.

 

[Shahadan]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

I think the usual answer is because MS and Sony aren't only selling consoles/games and have other departments to compensate for the loss, and Nintendo is in a different position.

 

[Khalifa Jayy]

Compared to the libraries of competing systems, Nintendo is always far at the bottom. This is the worst launch lineup I've ever seen by the way. You have Zelda - which will be the only reason people buy the machine and then two ridiculous, gimmicky games that should have been pack-in's, honestly. Oh, and a deluxe version of the Mario Kart game we've already had for a while now.

I just don't see the system lasting past Splatoon 2 and the like. Having to wait until the holidays to play a new Mario game is ridiculous and I don't think we'll see much more on the system after that. I just don't feel it's going to sell all that well and that's too bad, because I've always liked Nintendo.

And that goes without mentioning that Zelda will be on Wii U, same date and all. Lol. What is going on at Nintendo.

 

[King Kye]

Wii Sports was a pack in.

1,2 Switch should be.

This is fair, but people have experienced Wii Boxing before, so ARMS isn't quite as fresh, and I frankly don't see 1, 2 Switch as being consistently fun or novel enough to be a huge hit.

My point is that it is largely impossible to prognosticate what the mass market will latch on to next. There's simply too many unquantifiable factors involved in creating the next fad.

Part of the problem is that Nintendo keeps trying to contrive fads and these things demand to come about on their own volition.

This isn't the music industry.

 

[Night Angel]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

Because they'd prefer to amass one very large L by attempting to win every battle and ultimately lose the war.

 

[Sulik2]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

Sony and Microsoft both no longer sell their hardware at a loss. That is why this gen is so under powered console wise. The 360/PS3 gen is probably the last time we will ever see hardware vendors sell at a loss on the console. The market doesn't seem to care about under powered machines anymore.

 

[i HeaR MusiC]

Buying a Switch at 299 doesn't bother me, because if Nintendo follows previous trends, it will be forever until a price drop happens. I skipped Wii U so I'm thirsty for some Nintendo games. The last 3D Mario I played was Galaxy 2, and the last 3D Zelda I played was WIND WAKER on the gamecube so I've had enough distance from those franchises for them to feel fresh again.

I'm just excited to see what the combined power of Nintendo's handheld and console departments are capable of doing on one platform. Going to play Zelda in March and get Mario Kart for April. This is the most excited I've been for console gaming in years because my kid is getting to that age where he wants to play and there is just nothing like Nintendo.

My situation is literally exactly the same. Not having a Wii U at all makes this console so much more appealing. Being able to get $175 for my day one Xbox One from gamestop also makes this a no brainer. Zelda and Bomberman will carry me to Mario Kart and Splatoon. I'm sure there will be many more announcements along the way as well. Don't think they showed everything for 2017 during that conference.

 

[thefro]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

I'm sure they're worried about currency rate fluctuations (and it does cost some money to ship these things to Europe/US), but the Japanese price converts to $261 US right now (and that Japanese price includes VAT).

They're certainly not selling this at a loss in the US and they have enough room that they won't be even if the yen strengthens some.

 

[Omega Kirby]

We're going to have to wait for E3 aren't we?

 

[Allan Holdsworth]

Switch is being positioned as a premium experience. Games, accessories, special editions ($130 BotW), even amiibo are getting more expensive. They realized only Nintendo fans care anymore, and they'll milk them for all it's worth.

3DS will be kept alive for the masses. 2018 could see price drops on Switch (handheld only version), or a 4DS if it totally bombs and is unsalvageable.

 

[The Horror the horror]

I think the usual answer is because MS and Sony aren't only selling consoles/games and have other departments to compensate for the loss, and Nintendo is in a different position.

Nintendo could have mitigated losses from hardware with their first party software, annual subscriptions, amiibos, and their smartphone/3DS revenue stream. Instead, they elected to go cheap and greedy.

 

[VendettaRed07]

their gimmick for a couple of decades was old tech so they could sell their systems for cheap.they lost themselves

Pretty much.

Lateral thinking doesn't work if you don't significantly undercut your competition in price. That is what the company was built on. It's inexplicable how they don't see that.

Yeah the tech in the controller is impressive, supposedly. But if it made it cost what it did then they shouldn't have included it.

 

[GAMETA]

one word: disapointing

 

[StromboliProtocol]

My first Nintendo console since the Gamecube. I was never excited by Wii and Wii U but this Switch is a day one for me!

 

[Shahadan]

Nintendo could have mitigated losses from hardware with software, annual subscriptions, amiibos, and their smartphone revenue stream. Instead, they elected to go cheap and sell high at launch which has traditionally been a recipe for disaster outside of a few instances.

I don't think that is that easy, especially since now this will be their only hardware. They could have released more mobile games though yeah (although even that is a gamble for long term revenue).

They will probably regret it I agree.

 

[j-wood]

USB-C, or USB-to-USB-C, or anything else like that, is like $5.

I'm not complaining about the price of the cable, i know it's cheap. I'm just saying for people that don't know it doesn't come with one, you could buy the system and burn your controller batteries on launch day and then go...oh shit.

USB-C is still new enough to where I don't have those cables in every storage bin in my house.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

They don't always sell at a profit. The Wii U was sold at a loss and it burned them really badly financially.

Not that it justifies a high price, I am just correcting the record.

 

[King Kye]

Switch is being positioned as a premium experience. Games, accessories, special editions ($130 BotW), even amiibo are getting more expensive. They realized only Nintendo fans care anymore, and they'll milk them for all it's worth.

3DS will be kept alive for the masses. 2018 could see price drops on Switch (handheld only version), or a 4DS if it totally bombs and is unsalvageable.

This is another notion I've had. Maybe Nintendo isn't expecting the mass market to latch onto this and wants to appeal to their dedicated base. In that light, their pricing model makes sense. I think that can work for them. They could "Apple tax" their way back to relevance and still keep that pricing when the mass market starts to consume something from Nintendo that actually appeals to them.

 

[viHuGi]

Sony and Microsoft both no longer sell their hardware at a loss. That is why this gen is so under powered console wise. The 360/PS3 gen is probably the last time we will ever see hardware vendors sell at a loss on the console. The market doesn't seem to care about under powered machines anymore.

The market doesn't care about power, Ps2 show us that, Ps3 just made it even more clear.

 

[Zen Aku]

That's pretty much where I'm at. When buying a Nintendo product,specs are secondary. You're buying to play the latest Nintendo games. People don't care about specs as much as those in this thread think. Minecraft is the most popular game of this century and the graphics are terrible.

Yes because the appeal of Minecraft are the graphics.

 

[DanteGhost]

Honestly $300 seems fair game to me at launch. With a game and online access it will end up at around $420 which is what I paid for the Xbox One S with the same access, and around $100 less for what I paid for the PS4. Still cheaper than the Wii U at launch. Unless you are unemployed or a kid, price at least for me seems to be in the sweet spot for a new console. Lets not forget the thing is a hybrid.

Must add that I've not been a big of Nintendo's pricing in the last couple of years.

 

[SweetDonuts]

I want to see the rumored port of Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Me too, if that was a launch title I don't think I'd be questioning buying a Switch day one.

 

[tearsintherain]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

The volume of third party games sold on the other platforms is orders of magnitude more than whats sold on Nintendo. Sony/Microsoft generally get around $10 for each game sold (at $60) on their platforms, so that volume more than makes up the differential.

Plus they scale up hardware very quickly, so for example the Xbox One S and PS4 Slim both sell at a profit, just 3 years after initial release. Dunno about PS4 Pro or VR though.

 

[VendettaRed07]

I also remember the supposed leakers saying that the detachable controllers was a cost cutting measure.

Guess not! They packed the kitchen sink recreated through vibration in that thing.

 

[Neoweee]

Me too, if that was a launch title I don't think I'd be questioning buying a Switch day one.

Probably waiting until E3, to release as a major holiday title. They don't want to alienate people that bought the 3DS version, and probably want to get more sales if it is still selling well.

 

[thechristoph]

Are the people who are like "lol not even as powerful as ps4" somehow forgetting the fact that the Switch is a 7" tablet?

(tbf, I did wince at the price myself.)

 

[Creamium]

I just checked my 'local retailers' as suggested: it's €330, lawd. For comparison, There's a PS4 + Uncharted 4 bundle up on that site for €280.

 

[JC Lately]

I've search all the threads, and cant find an answer:

Will we be able to have multiple player accounts on the Switch, like we do now with the Wii U?

Since the console is, at its core, a portable system, I'm thinking probably not.

This may be a deal breaker for my house.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

one word: disapointing

We knew it wouldn't be as powerful as the other consoles.

And how can you know it won't be better than the Wii U?

This gif is stupid.

 

[Shahadan]

We knew it wouldn't be as powerful as the other consoles.

And how can you know it won't be better than the Wii U?

This gif is stupid.

Ignore him he's stuck in a loop of posting the same gifs in every thread hoping to be quoted.

 

[Tribes of Trusty]

I'm part of the problem.

I think it is quite expense. Buuuuut I really want to pre order and get it launch because :
- I got my own job now and am financially independent, have quite some money saved and 2017 is going to be a blank year taxes wise for me

Spoiler

my parents want to get it for me as a birthday gift though lolilol

.
- I love Nintendo.
- I especially love getting new hardware at launch, something I could never do when I was younger. I got the PS4 at launch and did not regret it contrary to what I was thinking.
- New Shin Megami Tensei
- Xenoblade 2

I completely understand all the critics though, it's not a rational decision. But I want a new toy

 

[Jeels]

Once again, there are so many threads it's hard to know where to ask.

Is it possible to play single player games in tablet mode? Meaning, could I play breath of the wild on the tablet with both joycons detatched from the screen?

 

[Deleted member 752119]

Once again, there are so many threads it's hard to know where to ask.

Is it possible to play single player games in tablet mode? Meaning, could I play breath of the wild on the tablet with both joycons detatched from the screen?

Yes. They showed this even if that prior 3 minute reveal video--dude playing Zelda on a plane with the Joy Cons detached and tablet on the seat tray using the kick stand.

 

[Shahadan]

Once again, there are so many threads it's hard to know where to ask.

Is it possible to play single player games in tablet mode? Meaning, could I play breath of the wild on the tablet with both joycons detatched from the screen?

What do you mean? the game won't stop you from playing if you don't use the grip and just have a joy con in each hand

 

[Back-In-Black]

I'm part of the problem.

I think it is quite expense. Buuuuut I really want to pre order and get it launch because :
- I got my own job now and am financially independent, have quite some money saved and 2017 is going to be a blank year taxes wise for me

Spoiler

my parents want to get it for me as a birthday gift though lolilol

.
- I love Nintendo.
- I especially love getting new hardware at launch, something I could never do when I was younger. I got the PS4 at launch and did not regret it contrary to what I was thinking.
- New Shin Megami Tensei
- Xenoblade 2

I completely understand all the critics though, it's not a rational decision. But I want a new toy

No, you're not. You have the money to get it and it's something you value. The problem is for the rest of us that don't see the value at that price point with the announced features. If Nintendo is looking to sell to their fans then their price point is probably perfect, but for the general market it doesn't seem like a good value.

 

[Padinn]

Did we get any hard info on system specs? Frequency, ram, ect. I know nintendo is usually tight-lipped on this.

 

[Formless]

Once again, there are so many threads it's hard to know where to ask.

Is it possible to play single player games in tablet mode? Meaning, could I play breath of the wild on the tablet with both joycons detatched from the screen?

Yes.

I was thinking earlier today how they probably could've delayed the Switch and waited for tech to get cheaper/better (if that's a thing). They'd have a stronger lineup and could've marketed it as a handheld. But that would've put Zelda in an awkward position.

I guess it doesn't matter. I'm lucky enough to be able to afford the Switch soon and also that I liked the Wii U just fine -- but GAF's reaction is scaring me into having thoughts that it's going to somehow end up worse than the Wii U just by virtue of not progressing enough.

 

[Persona7]

Question: Why can't Nintendo take an L and sell the game at a break-even, or heck even a loss? Why do they always sell at a profit? Sony and MS do it, why can't they?

I thought they already sold the Wii U and certain 3DS units at a loss?

 

[Art Vandilay]

My GameStop still has a few preorders left (out of 11) and I'm tempted to get $160 in credit towards the Switch in exchange for my OG XB1. It seems like that's the best value I'll be able to get for my XB1, but I still can't decide. This sucks.

 

[Dr. Zoidberg]

People need to give up on this fantasy that Nintendo cares about what other gaming companies are doing, or what people on boards like NeoGAF think. They will continue to do their own thing until they go out of business or third party, however long that takes. Even when they grudgingly give into pressures from their investors, they still buck the trends and refuse to play along (see Super Mario Run). They think their creative, outside-the-box games and manner of operation is the key to success and occasionally, it is (Wii). Any who are shocked and deeply disappointed by Nintendo's decisions or output last night either haven't followed the company very long or they are thinking with their hope-filled hearts instead of their heads. As a fan, I would have liked to have seen last night go differently, but I am in no way surprised or even disappointed. I think Zelda and Mario both looked great, so I have my Switch preordered. If Nintendo's no longer for you, maybe it's time to accept it and move along. Maybe their time has passed. I understand the desire among gamers to see them return to the greatness of the NES/SNES but that era is gone. The toy company is not interested in competing with tech behemoths.

 

[Pops Maellard]

No, you're not. You have the money to get it and it's something you value. The problem is for the rest of us that don't see the value at that price point with the announced features. If Nintendo is looking to sell to their fans then their price point is probably perfect, but for the general market it doesn't seem like a good value.

This is really the core issue. I've got a preorder locked in because for me, having a Nintendo thing in my bag for Zelda is going to be great, and Mario Kart is my life. But it's not going to be a successful console for the other 99% of the population that doesn't have any reason to blow $300 on some average Nintendo games spread thinly over the course of four years. Even I have misgivings about this and if I hadn't just sold my Wii U for $200 to pay for it I wouldn't feel great about the purchase.

 

[Chill Penguin]

Yes because the appeal of Minecraft are the graphics.

That's exactly the point...the appeal of Nintendo games are not the graphics.

 

[NotLiquid]

I'm part of the problem.

I think it is quite expense. Buuuuut I really want to pre order and get it launch because :
- I got my own job now and am financially independent, have quite some money saved and 2017 is going to be a blank year taxes wise for me

Spoiler

my parents want to get it for me as a birthday gift though lolilol

.
- I love Nintendo.
- I especially love getting new hardware at launch, something I could never do when I was younger. I got the PS4 at launch and did not regret it contrary to what I was thinking.
- New Shin Megami Tensei
- Xenoblade 2

I completely understand all the critics though, it's not a rational decision. But I want a new toy

Regardless what other people might think about the value proposition you decide what you think it's worth. If the Switch is worth it day one for you then no, you're not a "part of the problem" and no one has the right to convince you otherwise.