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The Nintendo Switch has become the system people love to love

So, record profits while people continue to claim its in decline?

The thing about disruptive technologies is that they claim less profitable customer segments first, the ones who don't really need everything the incumbents are offering (graphics, AAA games, prestige, etc.) and who benefit most from the different kinds of values the disruptive technology is offering (simplicity, accessibility, fun).

That leaves the incumbents with fewer customers, but the ones that are most profitable. Over time, if the disruptive innovation is developed properly, the new technology gets better and better and claims more and more customers, leaving even fewer (but still the most profitable) customers for the incumbent.

To put it in context, people who subscribe to PS Plus every year and buy every AAA game on PS4 probably aren't likely to do all their gaming on Switch. But people who don't subscribe to PS Plus are probably the people most likely to buy a Switch. It's the ones who buy the most PS4 games that will likely be the hardest to convert away from PS4 - and they're the ones putting the most money in Sony's pocket.

There's no guarantee that this will happen for Switch (just like it didn't happen long-term with Wii), but Nintendo's definitely aiming at a future where the majority of dedicated device gamers play on a mobile game console.
 
I agree with the article fully. I love this thing to an unreasonable degree and I want to share it as much as possible.

Although, this is a saying I've never heard before...






I put about 10 hours into P5, had to leave for a few days for work (took Switch, of course) and now I can't even bring myself to boot up my PS4 Pro to get back into it. I just look across the room at the steelbook, angry that there's not a Switch cartridge in there.

Yeah. Playing any game on tv is hard for me nowadays due to it increasing room temperature by 20 degrees and bad back/neck pains (even before Switch, but especially after) but playing a 97 hour JRPG? Its a damn nightmare.

I basically went: Ok, I love this series. I'm not skipping Persona 5. Let's just do it. And played 10 hours a day just to be done with it as soon as possible and unhook my tv again. It was worth it for Persona 5. But I'll likely skip more games like Horizon, Dead by Daylight, Rocket League, Tokyo Mirage Sessions, etc. my PS4 purchases will be kept to a bare minunum. I've actually sold off several Wii games I wanted to replay too. I just can't do it anymore. Will still get a few tv games like Detroit and The Last of Us 2 since I really want to play those, and they shouldn't be super long. But I've missed so many great games just because I can't play games on tv anymore.

Nintendo confirming the rumors last October that all games going forward will be portable was the best news I could ever be given. Like Persona 5 & Gravity Rush 2, if I really want to play a tv game I will. But if I can I never want to experience a tv game again. (Not happening tho. Few too many PS4 games I want to play.)

The Switch will truly be my favorite system by the end of its life.
 

darkside31337

Tomodachi wa Mahou
That said, I hadn't expected word of mouth to do this complete 180, I think not even the biggest fanboy did.

But I really feel that we're in an iPad situation here. And that stationary console gaming will go the same way as stationary desktop gaming. For a niche enthusiast group. People much prefer ubiquitous solutions for gaming. Maybe the whole cost thing of mobile games is slightly overblown. It's just that they're more convenient.

I hate myself that I haven't turned on my PS4 in two months, even though it had a ridiculously good Q1 and I bought a number of those games which are now part of my unfinished backlog. But here we are.

This post is so confusing. iPad sales have been in heavy decline over the last several years while PC gaming... has not been. Personally I think q1 PS4 has already given me what might be my favorite year of gaming ever while the switch hasn't given me anything I didn't get on the Wii U but obviously that's just my preference
 

Danny Dudekisser

I paid good money for this Dynex!
Everything about the system feels like it's made to be fun. It's a toy, not an entertainment device. It channels all the things I loved about gaming in the 90s.
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
That said, I hadn't expected word of mouth to do this complete 180, I think not even the biggest fanboy did.

But I really feel that we're in an iPad situation here. And that stationary console gaming will go the same way as stationary desktop gaming. For a niche enthusiast group. People much prefer ubiquitous solutions for gaming. Maybe the whole cost thing of mobile games is slightly overblown. It's just that they're more convenient.

I hate myself that I haven't turned on my PS4 in two months, even though it had a ridiculously good Q1 and I bought a number of those games which are now part of my unfinished backlog. But here we are.

iPad situation? You realise iPads (and tablets in general) have been in decline for long time now?
 

Theonik

Member
I actually like the article but I did laugh hat the picture he used is from one of his colleagues in the game industry
Actually even more hilariously he links a tweet of 'People having family fun with the Switch' and it's the account of a Nintendo employee that works in their social media team.
 
It took it into work on Friday and there was nothing but positive impressions. The amount of nostalgia for the Wii surprised me as well but it makes sense as the system was really hitting it's stride a decade ago.

The UK price still feels a little high for mass appeal (and is stopping some of the people I showed it to ordering one on impulse) but it's nothing a £250 bundle with Mario Kart ready for Christmas can't sort. The Wii was £180 and included the most essential piece of software so £280 without a game is a pretty steep increase.
 

Mael

Member
The fucking Puyo Puyo tetris demo got more play than my 3DS/PS4/WiiU combined.
and I never play that demo alone at all.
MK8 is a bit of a dud for me, they unlocked all the characters, races and locked all the car parts which I never gave 2 shits about aside from 2 or 3 parts.
Makes unlocking everything that less enticing.
Zelda remains King though.
 

Raptomex

Member
Oh, I love it. Can't wait for the future. Although I won't bring it anywhere other than to family functions. I trust nothing and nobody.
 
It's really awesome that the Switch is doing good. I personally want one, and if they announce Monster Hunter I will grab a wad of cash with my sweaty hands and throw it at Reggie. But for now I'm really looking forward to the 2DS XL.
 

spekkeh

Banned
This post is so confusing. iPad sales have been in heavy decline over the last several years while PC gaming... has not been. Personally I think q1 PS4 has already given me what might be my favorite year of gaming ever while the switch hasn't given me anything I didn't get on the Wii U but obviously that's just my preference

iPad situation? You realise iPads (and tablets in general) have been in decline for long time now?

But tablets are still selling nearly twice as much as desktop PCs. (And this includes all office PCs not used for home entertainment consumption). And the reason tablets are declining is because the rise of large screen mobile phones / phablets, not a resurgence of PC. (Also mobile gaming continues rising much faster)
 

2+2=5

The Amiga Brotherhood
Is it though?

I understand the happiness and the will to see Switch succeding, but we are still in the launch period, the typical honeymoon period for early adapters that are usually the ones hyped for the concept and brand's fans, it's really hard to disappoint them when it comes to a new console also launch sales and successive sales can be really different, it's still too early to say anything, this is the kind of things you should wait for at least 6 months.


EDIT:
i just noticed that OP's tag is: "Nintendo's Pro Bono PR Firm" lol.
 
I haven't even had my Switch for two weeks and it already might be my favorite game system of all time. It's not just better than the other handhelds I've owned (which admittedly does not include the Vita), it's an order of magnitude better. Using this hardware is a revelation.
 
iPad situation? You realise iPads (and tablets in general) have been in decline for long time now?

This actually doesn't matter all that much since tablets aren't the only mobile devices eating into computer sales. Smartphones do, too, and they're still growing.

If anything that further emphasizes the trend toward mobility. The more capable the smartphone becomes, the less necessary the tablet is.
 
This is my experience as well, oddly enough. My gamer buddies all love it, and recently a friend who hasn't touched a video game in years picked one up and is obsessed.
 
Portability is the future. I don't even have a Switch but after Wii U off-TV play and my new 3DS I want every game to be playable wherever I want to be at any time.
 
That said, I hadn't expected word of mouth to do this complete 180, I think not even the biggest fanboy did.

I know anecdotes are anecdotes and all, but the many stories we've been hearing about the Switch have been overwhelmingly positive, which is so much different from before people actually got their hands on one.

Like I said, it's just anecdotes and all, but when really thinking about it, did we hear anything similar about the Wii U or 3DS during their launch periods? People who haven't touched a Nintendo console or even any gaming console in a decade(s) picking up a Switch? People playing it at work and immediately getting their coworkers to buy one? All of these stories keep piling on to remind me of the Wii days, and it's really pushing me into thinking the Switch might be a repeat of the Wii. A Wiipeat if you will.

Even the 3DS, which had the roughest launch of any Nintendo handheld ever managed to get close to 70 million units sold, and will likely have a bit more in its lifetime. I think the Switch, which is having the best launch any Nintendo system has ever had, can do a good deal better than that.
 

Ninja Dom

Member
I thought I'd ask in this thread but what's the deal with travelling abroad to Turkey from the UK with a Switch, and back again? Am I allowed to have it in my hand luggage and play on the plane?
 

Aostia

El Capitan Todd
I thought I'd ask in this thread but what's the deal with travelling abroad to Turkey from the UK with a Switch, and back again? Am I allowed to have it in my hand luggage and play on the plane?


I played both Zelda and Mario Kart (and Bomberman) on a plane traveling from Italy to hk

The only raccomandation is to bring a USB C cable on the plane
 

Kagoshima_Luke

Gold Member
I love my Switch, but its potential for greatness is where thing get really scary. This could be the best system ever in a few years if the library expands like I think it will. The Switch and play mechanic is literally a game changer.
 
It's a great system to play on. Something I could never say about Wii U or even 3DS. It's snappy, looks and feels great, and just super convenient.
Listening to some youtube videos or podcasts while playing a game is a pretty great experience but you can also sit down and focus on a game for 100s of hours like with Zelda. You can do both and it does it really well.

The only reason I haven't bought more is because I'm (maybe hopelessly) waiting for some eShop card discounts or maybe something with MyNintendo since I'm a bit low on funds. The first year sounds like one of the best years in gaming with the likes of Breath of the Wild being probably the best game of the generation with sequels to some of the greats like Splatoon and Xenoblade Chronicles in the horizon as well a new 3D Mario game which are always fantastic (especially one not held back by local multiplayer, 3DS hardware, or time)
 

night814

Member
The hardware is sleek as can be which can only be said for a few recent devices. People just need more mass appeal games aside from Zelda and MK, once splatoon2 hits.... This thing will blow up again just a few months after launch. I don't think the first blow up is even done yet considering system is still alusive in stores.
 
Everything about the system feels like it's made to be fun. It's a toy, not an entertainment device. It channels all the things I loved about gaming in the 90s.

I thought the opposite. The GUI, for example- it's the starkest, least 'fun' OS that Nintendo has ever made. Compared to the Wii or 3DS, it's barebones. The hardware is stark, as well. It just looks very plain. Hardware in the 90s did not care if it fit alongside audio/video components on an entertainment center. It seems very much designed as an entertainment device.
 
Judging b this thread, I suppose so. Since they're having an epiphany and all.

this is a bizarre thing that happens each time a good system is released. People love it, and they tend to be over enthusiastic, because of insecurity, revenge spirit, dunno, there's probably a lot to say about this.
Remember GAF when PS4 released? With Cerny being a god and all? It was like PS4 was a cure for cancer.

It happens every time and will happen again, don't be condescending please.

That said, I love the switch, I think the thing has a lot of potentiality. I didn't expect "casual" players to be so interested in it. It's nice to own a Nintendo system that has (probably) a bright future. WiiU left a bad taste in my mouth
no I didn't eat switch cards
 

RoadHazard

Gold Member
What really struck me about the Switch is exactly how fluid it morphs from one to the other: when docked it functions as a typical and fully-functioning console (if somewhat less powerful than its peers), and when undocked it is the most powerful handheld by a mile, and it also gives (imo) good playtimes: I get 3 hours out of BOTW and 4 hours out of MK8D, which is more than enough in my eyes.

That the Switch allows me to decide how I want to play a game at any given moment is what makes it such an incredible system for me.

How the hell do you get 4h of MK out of this thing? I get like 2.5. That's when playing wireless MP though, guess that draws a bit more juice. But still, 4h? Is that at minimum brightness?
 

Danny Dudekisser

I paid good money for this Dynex!
I thought the opposite. The GUI, for example- it's the starkest, least 'fun' OS that Nintendo has ever made. Compared to the Wii or 3DS, it's barebones. The hardware is stark, as well. It just looks very plain. Hardware in the 90s did not care if it fit alongside audio/video components on an entertainment center. It seems very much designed as an entertainment device.

I will say, I really want some music in the menus. Beyond that, though, I've got no objections to it.
 

Zedark

Member
How the hell do you get 4h of MK out of this thing? I get like 2.5. That's when playing wireless MP though, guess that draws a bit more juice. But still, 4h? Is that at minimum brightness?

Yeah, single player, minimum brightness, sound off, wifi on. I haven't drained the battery playing MK8D, but I did drain it 50% during a 2 hour play session, and 26% during a 1 hour play session.
 

Insaniac

Member
It is crazy how much I love to play with friends on my switch.

We played Mario Kart or some Bomberman rounds in breaks between classes.
Even with my big hands I love to play with the side way Joycon

Daww I love your avatar :3

Mario Kart has truly really shown me how awesome the Switch is. It is the perfect game docked or undocked!
 

night814

Member
How the hell do you get 4h of MK out of this thing? I get like 2.5. That's when playing wireless MP though, guess that draws a bit more juice. But still, 4h? Is that at minimum brightness?
Playing online is the drain, brightness and airplane mode can give you more time but likely no more than an extra hour or so.
 
I will say, I really want some music in the menus. Beyond that, though, I've got no objections to it.

Yeah that jumped out at me immediately. Overall the hardware and OS doesn't give any warm and fuzzies at all, at any point of unboxing and trying it for the first time. I mean, to the point that I really wonder what is going on when I hear of Switch kind of crossing over into a mainstream success. I wonder why because it's not the hardware or OS experience, it has to be just the concept itself being that good or Zelda being that appealing, or something.

The plain-ness of the Switch is evident, they tried doing something about it with the neon red and blue joycons option- not even just one color, two different neon colors- to get it to look like something.
 

CJY

Banned
Yeah that jumped out at me immediately. Overall the hardware and OS doesn't give any warm and fuzzies at all, at any point of unboxing and trying it for the first time. I mean, to the point that I really wonder what is going on when I hear of Switch kind of crossing over into a mainstream success. I wonder why because it's not the hardware or OS experience, it has to be just the concept itself being that good or Zelda being that appealing, or something.

The plain-ness of the Switch is evident, they tried doing something about it with the neon red and blue joycons option- not even just one color, two different neon colors- to get it to look like something.

I really hate the neon blue/red look. I have a neon switch, and my gf also has one. I ended up selling my joy-cons and buying another set so now I have a blue switch and she has a red. We both much, much, much prefer the matching colours and feel the odd colours was a serious cash-grab on nintendo's part
 

Sandfox

Member
Yeah that jumped out at me immediately. Overall the hardware and OS doesn't give any warm and fuzzies at all, at any point of unboxing and trying it for the first time. I mean, to the point that I really wonder what is going on when I hear of Switch kind of crossing over into a mainstream success. I wonder why because it's not the hardware or OS experience, it has to be just the concept itself being that good or Zelda being that appealing, or something.

The plain-ness of the Switch is evident, they tried doing something about it with the neon red and blue joycons option- not even just one color, two different neon colors- to get it to look like something.
I would consider the concept to be a part of the hardware experience.
 

Zedark

Member
I really hate the neon blue/red look. I have a neon switch, and my gf also has one. I ended up selling my joy-cons and buying another set so now I have a blue switch and she has a red. We both much, much, much prefer the matching colours and feel the odd colours was a serious cash-grab on nintendo's part

I don't follow. How is this a cash grab on Nintendo's part? Because you two don't like it? There are plenty of people who do like it.
 

meow

Member
I really hate the neon blue/red look. I have a neon switch, and my gf also has one. I ended up selling my joy-cons and buying another set so now I have a blue switch and she has a red. We both much, much, much prefer the matching colours and feel the odd colours was a serious cash-grab on nintendo's part

I don't follow. How is this a cash grab on Nintendo's part? Because you two don't like it? There are plenty of people who do like it.

Like me!! Love the mismatched colors and excited for more colors. In fact, I want all my joycons to be different colors, no pairs for me.
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
I really hate the neon blue/red look. I have a neon switch, and my gf also has one. I ended up selling my joy-cons and buying another set so now I have a blue switch and she has a red. We both much, much, much prefer the matching colours and feel the odd colours was a serious cash-grab on nintendo's part

Waaaait. I assume something is missing here. I assume you both didn't have neon switches (red and blue) otherwise you could have swapped rather than selling your Joycons.
 

Soul Lab

Member
I really hate the neon blue/red look. I have a neon switch, and my gf also has one. I ended up selling my joy-cons and buying another set so now I have a blue switch and she has a red. We both much, much, much prefer the matching colours and feel the odd colours was a serious cash-grab on nintendo's part
smh...
you don't like it. it has to be a cash-grab right?
lmfao
 

Karish

Member
Casuals so to speak are very aware and impressed with the switch. This thing gonna do well for years. So happy.
 

Zedark

Member
Waaaait. I assume something is missing here. I assume you both didn't have neon switches (red and blue) otherwise you could have swapped rather than selling your Joycons.

That wouldn't work, in that case you'd have two red left joy-cons and two blue right joy-cons (or the other way around, I don't know).
 
Just a personal anecdote that my extended family on my wife's side who have never really been into gaming are talking about the switch and saving up for one we played Mario Kart at the house the other day and the whole family was gathered around the table and every singe family unit wanted a Switch. I was shocked actually. Thing is gonna be huge.
 

CJY

Banned
Waaaait. I assume something is missing here. I assume you both didn't have neon switches (red and blue) otherwise you could have swapped rather than selling your Joycons.

Yes, we both had the neon. I sold my pair and bought other pair.
 
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