Post by dschroll on Jul 11, 2019 1:04:20 GMT -5
So, now that Nintendo has let the cat out of the bag regarding the Switch Lite, what's everyone's thoughts?
Nintendo seems to indicate that a majority of Switch owners play in handheld mode, so they feel doing a handheld only system is the way to go as it will bring costs down and appeal to many more fence sitters.
Obviously, as home theater gamers, most of us are likely not interested in the Switch Lite, save for something to give your kids if they're looking to get a Switch. With all that being said, I personally think this was a bad move on Nintendo's part. No doubt the Lite will still sell well and appeal to many people with that lower price point. But IMO, this makes marketing for the Switch far more complicated. And this was one of the reasons the Wii U did so poorly. The marketing for the Wii U was tough. It was difficult to convey how this system differed from a Wii and what the benefits were to getting it.
The Switch did such a better job with its messaging. It's a hybrid system that allows you to play on TV or as a handheld. You can "switch" between play styles. The controllers snap in and out of the system to encourage multiplayer games even when in portable mode. And there's a plethora of games available for this platform (last I saw, that number was 2400 and growing).
Now you have the Switch Lite. Right off the bat, it doesn't "switch" at all. It's solely a handheld only system. So, there's already confusion with the name (Wii U anyone?). It also doesn't have controllers snap on and off, so no multiplayer out of the box. Not to mention, that opening animation Nintendo uses of the Switch controller snapping into place, is no longer relevant to Switch Lite. On top of that, now the Switch Lite is not compatible with all Switch games. If you want Labo, Mario Party, Just Dance, or 1-2 Switch (I know, who wants this game?), then you're SOL. But wait, Nintendo says, you CAN still play these games, but you need to buy a pair of joy cons to play them and sync them up with the system. But how do you charge the joy cons? Oh yeah, you'll need to get a charger for them since normally they charge when attached to a Switch. So, if some parent wants to buy their kid a Switch and Labo, and they come home with a Switch Lite, it would require roughly $100 in additional spending so you can enjoy that Labo kit. So much for that cost savings of the Switch Lite.
I know this is a very specific example, but I guess what I don't like about the Switch Lite is that it really complicates Nintendo's messaging for the Switch.
Before, the Switch message was, play any time, anywhere, with anyone. But now, with Nintendo Switch Lite, the message becomes far more complex.
Switch Lite not compatible with certain games.
Switch Lite not able to play on TV.
Switch Lite only intended for one player at a time.
Oh, but it's cheaper, so that's a plus.
Personally, if Nintendo wanted to make a mobile only version of the Switch, they should have just sold the current Switch model without the dock. They do this in Japan. You could have offered this at a price of $249.99, it's still 100% compatible with all the games out there, and if later someone wants the dock, they can buy it and enjoy all the features that it offers. To me, that would have been the best move so you can keep the same simple messaging of this hybrid system while helping reduce costs.
What do you guys think?
Do you think Nintendo is making a mistake like me?
Do you think this is a brilliant move?
Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Nintendo seems to indicate that a majority of Switch owners play in handheld mode, so they feel doing a handheld only system is the way to go as it will bring costs down and appeal to many more fence sitters.
Obviously, as home theater gamers, most of us are likely not interested in the Switch Lite, save for something to give your kids if they're looking to get a Switch. With all that being said, I personally think this was a bad move on Nintendo's part. No doubt the Lite will still sell well and appeal to many people with that lower price point. But IMO, this makes marketing for the Switch far more complicated. And this was one of the reasons the Wii U did so poorly. The marketing for the Wii U was tough. It was difficult to convey how this system differed from a Wii and what the benefits were to getting it.
The Switch did such a better job with its messaging. It's a hybrid system that allows you to play on TV or as a handheld. You can "switch" between play styles. The controllers snap in and out of the system to encourage multiplayer games even when in portable mode. And there's a plethora of games available for this platform (last I saw, that number was 2400 and growing).
Now you have the Switch Lite. Right off the bat, it doesn't "switch" at all. It's solely a handheld only system. So, there's already confusion with the name (Wii U anyone?). It also doesn't have controllers snap on and off, so no multiplayer out of the box. Not to mention, that opening animation Nintendo uses of the Switch controller snapping into place, is no longer relevant to Switch Lite. On top of that, now the Switch Lite is not compatible with all Switch games. If you want Labo, Mario Party, Just Dance, or 1-2 Switch (I know, who wants this game?), then you're SOL. But wait, Nintendo says, you CAN still play these games, but you need to buy a pair of joy cons to play them and sync them up with the system. But how do you charge the joy cons? Oh yeah, you'll need to get a charger for them since normally they charge when attached to a Switch. So, if some parent wants to buy their kid a Switch and Labo, and they come home with a Switch Lite, it would require roughly $100 in additional spending so you can enjoy that Labo kit. So much for that cost savings of the Switch Lite.
I know this is a very specific example, but I guess what I don't like about the Switch Lite is that it really complicates Nintendo's messaging for the Switch.
Before, the Switch message was, play any time, anywhere, with anyone. But now, with Nintendo Switch Lite, the message becomes far more complex.
Switch Lite not compatible with certain games.
Switch Lite not able to play on TV.
Switch Lite only intended for one player at a time.
Oh, but it's cheaper, so that's a plus.
Personally, if Nintendo wanted to make a mobile only version of the Switch, they should have just sold the current Switch model without the dock. They do this in Japan. You could have offered this at a price of $249.99, it's still 100% compatible with all the games out there, and if later someone wants the dock, they can buy it and enjoy all the features that it offers. To me, that would have been the best move so you can keep the same simple messaging of this hybrid system while helping reduce costs.
What do you guys think?
Do you think Nintendo is making a mistake like me?
Do you think this is a brilliant move?
Please feel free to share your thoughts.
