Nintendo Switch

[poehalcho]

Nintendo finally fully reveals the Switch.

I've been pretty hyped for this thing. It's weird really, it's underpowered once again, but at the same time it has a sort of appeal that interests me. The idea of being able to actually play a real game on the go is impressive I guess. I supposed I've given up on the idea that Nintendo will rejoin the regular consoles, and instead just accept it for what it is: a device which offers a unique experience I can't get on my PC. It's the perfect secondary to my PC.

Or so I thought... but then Nintendo dropped the ball.

Spoiler!

Goddamn it Nintendo, I was genuinely hyped, and this pretty much killed all my interest:
You have to pay for online services.
Everything else about the console seems really sweet. But I'll never pay for online play
And Nintendo's online infrastructure is terrible. They've never offered the online quality that would even remotely warrant a payment. Not that such a thing even exists...
Paying for multiplayer access on top of your internet fee is just ludicrous

R.I.P PCMR sidekick T_T

Luckily there's a trial period. If the world is vocal enough, they might just go back on those plans... who am I kidding T_T

I do find it impressive how Nintendo hasn't abandoned all their old tech. This thing is effectively still a Wii and a WiiU (Though its unclear whether it actually has a touch-screen or not, I'm guessing not...), but smaller. Ever since the Wii they've pretty much just been building up more and more features, while the size stays the same, and now even shrinks.

The Zelda game looks fantastic by the way (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ:･✧

[ltsune]

The controller (with the screen in the middle) is actually not that much smaller than the Wii U. Only a tiny bit. Someone shared a side-by-side comparison on Twitter earlier today.

Anyway, I'm half way into the announcement video now.

I actually really like many of the things Nintendo are doing with the Switch. Paying for online play is something we just have to accept on consoles these days. I don't have much to comment on that. I don't own a PS or XBOX, so I hate the fact that you have to pay. But then again, it's just the nature of the game, I guess (no pun intended).

What excites me the most is that this console actually has a fair chance at targeting the same audience the Wii original did with the Wii Fit; 30-45 American women.

Why does this matter? Well, that target audience was partly the reason why the Nintendo Wii became such a huge success. If the "average consumer" accepts the console and buys it, game developers will notice. And when more game developers notice a console, more of the hardcore gamers will move over too.

So if they can make that happen with the Switch, I'll be happy. Let's hope it happens. My fingers are crossed, and I'll tell all my friends to buy a Switch :p

[0l3n]

I liked most of it. Thought the games looked cool and generally the concept seems dope. I had a few problems with it though. Firstly the controllers seemed waaaaay too small.

I don't have massive hands but damn, I can only imagine how anyone with even slightly larger hands than mine would struggle with those. Other than that the biggest issue to me seemed to be the really low battery life, 2-6 hours seems damn terrible.

And did I miss something or did they only "announce" like 2-3 games on release? The Mario game looked awesome and so did the 1, 2 , Switch game but unfortunately it won't ship with Mario. As it stands the lack of games at the announcement really puts me off. Granted I probably wouldn't buy one anyway, not too big on consoles, but still.

[poehalcho]

I liked most of it. Thought the games looked cool and generally the concept seems dope. I had a few problems with it though. Firstly the controllers seemed waaaaay too small.
I don't have massive hands but damn, I can only imagine how anyone with even slightly larger hands than mine would struggle with those. Other than that the biggest issue to me seemed to be the really low battery life, 2-6 hours seems damn terrible.

This definitely bothered me a bit too, but I think the controller's size is a bit deceptive, due to the shape.
if you look at an xbox controller, it's probably roughly the same size, but it looks a bit bigger due to the handles sticking out. the actual buttons cover the same area.
And the joycons does seem to have a full controller mode with handles, though it does look a bit stupid...

(And thankfully it does come included)

And did I miss something or did they only "announce" like 2-3 games on release? The Mario game looked awesome and so did the 1, 2 , Switch game but unfortunately it won't ship with Mario. As it stands the lack of games at the announcement really puts me off. Granted I probably wouldn't buy one anyway, not too big on consoles, but still.

I dunno... isn't that kinda normal? How many games do consoles usually launch with? At least we've got third party support for the first time in a while again.

[BuDo]

The modular feature is interesting.... I am still not 100% sold however.... I have never owned a gaming console...ever...and yet I do think they're cool... For some strange and unknown reason I just never felt a strong enough urge to buy one... As a child I don't remember asking for one either... It's weird... I can't explain it...

[ltsune]

I have never owned a gaming console...ever...and yet I do think they're cool... For some strange and unknown reason I just never felt a strong enough urge to buy one... As a child I don't remember asking for one either... It's weird... I can't explain it...

I did ask for a console as a child, but apart from that, what you wrote describes me exactly.

Never owned a console. But I'm seriously considering the Switch.
I've always known that if I were to ever buy a console, it'd be a Nintendo console because of the Nintendo IP games that you can't play anywhere else. Heck, you can't even play anything close to them on e.g. PC (nor PS / Xbox).

I'll not rush out and pre-order, but I might end up getting the Switch later this year. Shall be interesting

[poehalcho]

Some more news has come out in the last few days...

- Switch matchmaking and lobbies handled through phone app
- Totalbiscuit talks about the Nintendo Switch for just under 40 minutes
- Reggie talks Switch – online service, info teased on rebuying classic games, supply concerns, 3DS here to stay

It wasn't clear to me from the original presentation, but according to totalbiscuit the switch does in fact have a touch screen, so that's good. It would've seemed like a very strange step back if it didn't.
Also the monthly fee for multiplayer appears to be 5$. PSN/XL is $10 a month right? (unless paying for a year in bulk?)

Also Apparantly the entire Switch's multiplayer is REALLY dependant on smartphones and the Switch smartphone app...
Friends, voice chat, matchmaking and lobbies all handled through smartphones...

[caroljones]

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[ltsune]

So, did anyone buy a Switch yet?

[40Shades0fShame]

So, did anyone buy a Switch yet?

Maybe when it gets more games, right now you are basically paying 400$ to play Zelda. Which makes it one of most expensive games ever.

[ltsune]

So, did anyone buy a Switch yet?

Maybe when it gets more games, right now you are basically paying 400$ to play Zelda. Which makes it one of most expensive games ever.

True. I'll probably wait till Christmas sale this year and hope for a discount

[40Shades0fShame]

So, did anyone buy a Switch yet?

Maybe when it gets more games, right now you are basically paying 400$ to play Zelda. Which makes it one of most expensive games ever.

True. I'll probably wait till Christmas sale this year and hope for a discount

Good idea, at least new Mario should be out till then.