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The Nintendo Switch has become the system people love to love

ggx2ac

Member
A Nintendo Vita wouldn't have flopped. The issue with the vita wasn't the hardware. It was Sony.

Depends how we define flop. Could we see a Nintendo Vita beating the 3DS HW LTD?

Maybe in Japan but it probably would've still done terrible in US and Europe while we live in a world where dedicated gaming handhelds are on the decline due to Smartphones.

Other factors that could've negatively affected a Nintendo Vita, paying $50 or $60 for a portable only game would probably been seen more negatively because of comparison with home consoles. The Switch gets around this because of being advertised as a home console and can connect to a TV with outputting to 1080p.
 

Plum

Member
It's genuinely surprising the complete 180 many have had regarding the Switch since the January event. When you're in the GAF bubble it's so easy to look at specs, pure exclusives, whether it's getting the latest big Ubisoft game but it seems that in practice it "feels" totally different. Not being tied to the TV has been massive for me and I assume many other people. If I want to sit down and play Zelda for a while I can, but I can also play in bed, or on a train ride, or in tabletop mode whilst watching some lets plays on the big screen, it's great.

When is it okay to say people like the Switch? Fall of 2018?

tenor.gif
 
My girlfriend is not a gamer, at all. She barely plays mobile games. She spent at least 3 hours this weekend playing Mario Kart 8. She learned how to drift, she played time trials against her own ghost to improve her times, and now she wants a Switch.

She wants to buy a game console after playing it for 3 hours. Nintendo is just magical.

My girlfriend is very much an "RPG only" gamer -- doesn't like action games, can barely play them at all.

Went over to her place with the Switch, played Zelda on her tv for a bit, then popped it out while she watched some TV, she played it for a few hours, and suddenly she's ordering one from a scalper on eBay ahaha.
 

LordRaptor

Member
Again, all these posts just mean individuals like it. And im happy for them. But lets wait for a more collective opinion that isnt potentially jaded by a honeymoon phase on hardcore gaming community.

That overly jaded cynical backlash isn't coming, because the people who really wanted it to fail blew their load on mountaineering those molehills prior to launch and are now relegated to sniping from the sidelines
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
A Nintendo Vita wouldn't have flopped. The issue with the vita wasn't the hardware. It was Sony.

Yeah and a Apple WiiU wouldnt have flopped either but thats not the point. Im saying that the Switch performing and being as loved at it is right now...is because Nintendo went the extra mile and didnt just drop a strong portable - like Sony did with the Vita.

A console is more than just the hardware - marketing, games, policies like the Vita memory card prices etc.). Dropping powerful hardware was never the difficult part.
 

MTC100

Banned
I keep asking people if they still like their Switch as much as they did when they bought it, and I have gotten used to the response. People tend to look to the heavens and make a noise of satisfaction. Many people do that wide-eyed nodding thing that loosely translates to “yes, I’m super into this in a nearly dangerous way.”

Leave Luck to Heaven :)

Nintendo really nailed it with the Switch, I was a bit sceptic at first because the handheld part didn't click with me and I am mostly using it stationary right now. However I also enjoyed it on the go on a few ocasions and I always look at the system, standing there with the joycons in my hands, wondering how the heck I'm playing Breath of the Wild or Mario Kart 8 on this tiny machine in this amazing quality.

It doesn't stop there though, the system is what a console should be: Not a PC! There are no Install times, the games are Plug and Play. Once downloaded from the e-shop you can play right away, once the cart is in, you can play, no wait, no hassle. Putting the active system in its dock automatically powers on my TV and I can play on the big screen right away(the system is faster than my TV, even though it only takes a few seconds to power on).

That's how a console should work, I don't want installation or long loading times. I still am happy to have a moderately powerful gaming PC and I live with its shortcomings, long installation/loading times even with SSDs but I don't want this on my console.
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
My girlfriend is very much an "RPG only" gamer -- doesn't like action games, can barely play them at all.

Went over to her place with the Switch, played Zelda on her tv for a bit, then popped it out while she watched some TV, she played it for a few hours, and suddenly she's ordering one from a scalper on eBay ahaha.

Eh...you should advice her to just wait for new stock. Why pay scalpers ? Its not like she wont survive a couple of days without the Switch.

Though i dont know how bad the stock situation is for you.
 

JMY86

Member
I don't love mine, but it is a very solid piece of hardware with a lot of potential.

Since Zelda it has been sitting in it's dock, besides the Splatoon trial.

Not sold on Splatoon or Arms. Liked Splatoon 1 on Wii U but the paid online in the near future plus Splatoon 2 seeming very similar turns me off it. Arms I really hope has a demo/trial/beta test.

Otherwise I will hope for Pokemon Stars and look forward to Mario Odyssey.

My exact same situation. I really should have waited on my Switch purchase until there were actually some games to play on it. I have not turned my Switch on once in the last six weeks. I want to love this thing but I can't because there is zero reason for me to turn it on right now. E3 can't come soon enough for me...
 
I prob sound like a fanboy in my other posts. I love my switch no doubt but Nintendo is still it's own enemy.

The same guy I was talking about earlier with two boys who loves his switch asked me the other day if he can just buy another to play his zelda save while at a trade show.

I had to break that bad news to him.

They absolutely need to figure this stuff out.
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
Depends how we define flop. Could we see a Nintendo Vita beating the 3DS HW LTD?

Maybe in Japan but it probably would've still done terrible in US and Europe while we live in a world where dedicated gaming handhelds are on the decline due to Smartphones.

Other factors that could've negatively affected a Nintendo Vita, paying $50 or $60 for a portable only game would probably been seen more negatively because of comparison with home consoles. The Switch gets around this because of being advertised as a home console and can connect to a TV with outputting to 1080p.

It would have had most of the software the 3DS received, probably also had a large price cut if things went dire. It would have done very well I think. Maybe not inherently as good as a 3DS. But there' no DS confusion or 3D maybe damaging kids eyes. So honestly I think it would have done absolutely fine.
 

Fireblend

Banned
Between Zelda, Mario Kart and (specially!) Puyo Puyo Tetris, I've put more hours into mine than I expected, for sure. I don't think I would have ever finished Zelda was it not on a portable console, and being able to play Puyo Puyo and Mario Kart on the go, with coworkers during lunch breaks, etc, is pure magic.
 

LordDisco

Neo Member
Nintendo does a really good job creating interesting-looking hardware, compared to the competition. The GameCube wasn't a financial success, but it was such an interesting design and a much more memorable design than the Xbox and PS2. The Wii was this tiny and sleek console that moved away from the competition, so it became the first "pairing" console (e.g. PSWii, XboxWii60). The Wii U was another cool design, but like the GameCube, it was not a financial success and that name was just... horrible.

The Switch is in many ways Nintendo at their best. It's a beautiful-looking console, a super-interesting concept, a great resurgence for local multiplayer, and no confusing marketing like the Wii U.

I'm personally digging my Switch! It's, for obvious reasons, the first console I have taken with me to numerous countries upon my work travels. It's perfect! I only hope that Nintendo delivers consistently with the games, and PLEASE, for the love of god, give me my new 2D Metroid!
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
Yeah and a Apple WiiU wouldnt have flopped either but thats not the point. Im saying that the Switch performing and being as loved at it is right now...is because Nintendo went the extra mile and didnt just drop a strong portable - like Sony did with the Vita.

A console is more than just the hardware - marketing, games, policies like the Vita memory card prices etc.). Dropping powerful hardware was never the difficult part.

Sure it wouldn't have been as successful but a strong portable would have still been successful. The switch itself would not have sold as much without Nintendo software. Give it to Sony and you have the Vita part 2 though a bit more successful. Software matters.
 

TheFuzz

Member
I had it at work with me last week and two coworkers saw me playing Mario Kart. They both asked to play, so I said sure, propped up the kickstand and slid the joycons off.

You guys should have seen the reactions. It was a collective "WHOA WHAT THE HELL?! REALLY?" And after a few games one of them said she was going to get one for her husband and her.

I've been saying it since week 1... Nintendo just has to keep making them. The system is a game-changer.
 

Scrawnton

Member
Seems like the honeymoon period. We'll see how long the marriage lasts.
I'd say the honeymoon period ended when Mario Kart came out because we survived the launch drought and big games are hitting often (weekly depending on tastes) now.

It survived nearly two months on one game alone and it's primed for a great summer.
 

Theonik

Member
...so it didn't sell well.
It sold much better than the WiiU at launch so its death came later on. Launch window sales were pretty good.
They are estimated to have sold ~6m units by 2013. The problem was that Sony pulled the plug right after they kicked off the PS4.
 

Unknown?

Member
Isn't a switch thread without port begging. Freaking sad! If people loved their Switch so much, why care that games you like aren't coming to it?
 

PooBone

Member
I bought a Wii U for Zelda BOTW when it was announced, I waited an extra two years than expected, but I have that and a handful of VC games I love. So far I see no reason to upgrade to a Switch and there's nothing on the horizon so far that looks attractive. The biggest problem with this platform right now is lack of software, and it looks like that will remain its problem.
 

Plinko

Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Know what it kind of reminds me of? A portable version of the college experience I had with Nintendo 64. Friends and people from the dorm just stopping in at random to play MK64, Bomberman, DKR, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, No Mercy, etc. Lots of fun and a great multiplayer experience.
 
good little system that i think is a wee bit undercooked and still believe was rushed to market.

have been enjoying it for sure, but I think a revision sku will be the kit to get


*tangential rant*

don't know how they decided on such a flimsy backstand either, can't stay balanced on any surface thats not perfectly level or solid. wish they had two stands or one across the the whole back. or one centered that was a bit wider than the current. prob going to have to buy another accessory so it has a good way to stay propped up on any surface
 
Know what it kind of reminds me of? A portable version of the college experience I had with Nintendo 64. Friends and people from the dorm just stopping in at random to play MK64, Bomberman, DKR, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, No Mercy, etc. Lots of fun and a great multiplayer experience.

Bingo.

I don't see mass effect or GTA being a huge draw on this. I personally would play them, however it's going to be the party machine.
 

TheFuzz

Member
I bought a Wii U for Zelda BOTW when it was announced, I waited an extra two years than expected, but I have that and a handful of VC games I love. So far I see no reason to upgrade to a Switch and there's nothing on the horizon so far that looks attractive. The biggest problem with this platform right now is lack of software, and it looks like that will remain its problem.

There isn't a lack of software. There's tons. You sound insane.
 

MTC100

Banned
Well I was joking but based on how he announced nx and how Kimishima said he'd follow Iwata's vision as closely as possible my belief is Switch is Iwata's baby and magnum opus.

It might very well be and seems a bit like the evolution of the WiiU.
 

LordRaptor

Member
Isn't a switch thread without port begging. Freaking sad! If people loved their Switch so much, why care that games you like aren't coming to it?

Here's the list of gaming platforms that owners didn't want a title available on a different platform ported to it:
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
Sure it wouldn't have been as successful but a strong portable would have still been successful. The switch itself would not have sold as much without Nintendo software. Give it to Sony and you have the Vita part 2 though a bit more successful. Software matters.

The only think that Switch and Vita share is that both are portables - but the Switch offers way more, that is my obvious point. The 3DS is still the cheaper system with a bigger libary - but the Switch offers added value that people are willing to pay for. Thats something neither the 3DS or Vita had at launch.

Just having 3D Screens (3DS) or powerful hardware/good screen(Vita) wasnt enough to charge +200 for a portable system. Switch is the first system that can establish itself in that price category without feeling overpriced for the masses.
 

pwack

Member
I play my switch on the El (Chicago's rapid transit train system). A guy begging/asking for money stopped to talk to me about BotW when he saw me playing. I believe his words were "that game is awesome. I hated trying to get the 8th memory in Calamity gannon's castle."

I thought it was hilarious that he seemingly broke character from the hard-up begging shtick he had been working to share his love of Switch.
 

marmoka

Banned
Great to know everyone is happy with the device.

When they revealed it I would say everybody loved the concept. I did too.

I still didn't buy mine because of personal reasons like work and relocation, but will get one in September once I'm established in another city.

Oh boy, I don't have one, and I already love it!! I need it!!
 

Vic

Please help me with my bad english
Easy multiplayer on-the-go thanks to the Joy Cons is a game changer. There's no going back.
 
My office absolutely loves Mario Kart and Snipperclips. A few friends who havent gamed since the Gamecube are buying Switches for Zelda. I ❤️ My switch too
 

ggx2ac

Member
It would have had most of the software the 3DS received, probably also had a large price cut if things went dire. It would have done very well I think. Maybe not inherently as good as a 3DS. But there' no DS confusion or 3D maybe damaging kids eyes. So honestly I think it would have done absolutely fine.

That doesn't sound very confident for the Nintendo Vita to succeed if it's repeating the same mistakes as the 3DS, which it then also does things the Vita did since in this scenario, Nintendo doesn't have a home console, so they release the Nintendo Vita TV and it lacks functionality like the touch screen so you end up with games incompatible with the system.

Nintendo already got into shit with their investors after the huge price cut with the 3DS after launch, repeating those mistakes doesn't help Nintendo when they need their investors money to make investments.

This is why Nintendo never released a successor to the 3DS, they couldn't figure out how to get their handhelds to appeal in a world where Smartphones dominate so they went and released games on mobile.

Things cannot be so straightforward that Nintendo would have just been fine with a Nintendo Vita, if that was the case the GameCube should have been a success but it did shit while the Wii turned everyone's assumptions about consoles upside down beating two HD consoles in HW sales.

It sounds like the exact same assumption where people were claiming that the NX needed to be a PS4 clone for Nintendo to succeed.
 

Fantastical

Death Prophet
Played Mario Kart with my friends this weekend. We had 5 people, two on the big screen, and then 3 with individual switches. It was a ton of fun and outside of a couple of communication errors it worked really well.

The funny thing is the Wii U was also brought and we played Smash Bros and the difference was night and day. Don't get me wrong, we had a ton of fun Smashing but when the Wii U was brought out someone who had never seen the Wii U was like "What the hell is that?" It looks like something from a different era.

Nintendo did nail it. Glad they went all in on the design although it's unfortunate they've had issues with the hardware. The design is fantastic, though.
 

Fess

Member
Yeah it's great!

I don't think it'll ever compete with Playstation and Xbox but it might become a popular secondary platform for Xbox, Playstation and PC gamers, which obviously would mean that it'd sell a lot. I also think Nintendo will yet again cause both Sony and Microsoft to try to copy the concept somehow.
 

Principate

Saint Titanfall
The only think that Switch and Vita share is that both are portables - but the Switch offers way more, that is my obvious point. The 3DS is still the cheaper system with a bigger libary - but the Switch offers added value that people are willing to pay for. Thats something neither the 3DS or Vita had at launch.

Just having 3D Screens (3DS) or powerful hardware/good screen(Vita) wasnt enough to charge +200 for a portable system. Switch is the first system that can establish itself in that price category without feeling overpriced for the masses.

That and software. Zelda has a over 100% attach ratio for march. That means the Zelda did a heck of a lot of the heavy lifting.

That doesn't sound very confident for the Nintendo Vita to succeed if it's repeating the same mistakes as the 3DS, which it then also does things the Vita did since in this scenario, Nintendo doesn't have a home console, so they release the Nintendo Vita TV and it lacks functionality like the touch screen so you end up with games incompatible with the system.

Nintendo already got into shit with their investors after the huge price cut with the 3DS after launch, repeating those mistakes doesn't help Nintendo when they need their investors money to make investments.

This is why Nintendo never released a successor to the 3DS, they couldn't figure out how to get their handhelds to appeal in a world where Smartphones dominate so they went and released games on mobile.

Things cannot be so straightforward that Nintendo would have just been fine with a Nintendo Vita, if that was the case the GameCube should have been a success but it did shit while the Wii turned everyone's assumptions about consoles upside down beating two HD consoles in HW sales.

It sounds like the exact same assumption where people were claiming that the NX needed to be a PS4 clone for Nintendo to succeed.
The Gamecube is not a handheld. Have a look at the sales of every single Nintendo handheld.

Nintendo's mobile offerings are explicitly to help Nintendo's handheld software sales not replace. Why do you think Super Mario run is the way it is?
 

bionic77

Member
It reminds me of the large switch people went through from desktops to laptops.

A laptop could never really replicate the power nor the price of a desktop, but for most people it was good enough and they were willing to sacrifice those things for the convenience of portability.

I get that same feeling from the Switch. As with anything it could all still crash and burn but I wonder if the Switch continues to be a big success if Sony is going to come up with their own take on it and if that might just be a new market going forward.
 
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