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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 9:19:46 GMT -5
What do you guys think?
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Post by UsualNoise on Oct 20, 2016 9:38:57 GMT -5
I was already in, so I'm still in. Lots of details to find out, but I like what I've seen so far.
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Post by oldskoolboarder on Oct 20, 2016 9:51:58 GMT -5
Like UsualNoise, I was already in. There's no other way to play Mario and Zelda.
I actually like what I see. Once again, they're avoiding the horsepower wars and trying something unique. It worked on Wii and DS, maybe not as much on Wii U and 3DS. But this time, they are up against the tablets and phones. It now kind of makes sense why the held onto their library for mobile.
To be able to provide a high end mobile gaming experience that can also be multiplayer (local and hope hope hope networkable)? That has potential. AND, I think the smartest thing they've done is that by making 1 platform, devs only have to make ONE version of the game for home consoles and mobile. No more porting. THAT is smart from a programming, development and marketing standpoint. If they can pull it off w/ the devs, they've got a shot to win HH (where they are pretty much alone) and take on mobile gaming.
Now, if that screen can be an Android tablet, it's over for mobile gaming.
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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 9:57:22 GMT -5
SO, here's my reaction to all of this. -Overall, much more of a reveal than I expected. -Love the hybrid console/portable because it means now Nintendo can maximize content on this thing rather than having to divide time supporting a separate portable and console. -Hardware looks fairly slick overall. Even the slide out controllers seem well designed so that 2 people can play it when it portable mode. -2 full analog sticks. Happy to see that. -Pro controller looks nice.
Concerns: -Graphics seem more on par with Wii U than with PS4/XB1. Not a problem for me, but this might be an issue for consumers and developers, who may not be able to port over their games from XB1/PS4 to Switch. -What will battery life be like on this? Better be good. -Video didn't show kids playing this. Wonder how kid friendly the hardware design will be. I see that kick stand getting broken very quickly. -Video doesn't show the screen as a touch screen. My guess is if it is a touch screen, it won't be supported by games because it has to dock for home use and the screen is inaccessible when docked. So, guess that means no backward compatibility with Wii U games. How portable will this be? Will they include a carrying case because this seems like it could easily get damaged on the go.
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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 10:01:46 GMT -5
Yeah oldskool, Nintendo needs an online plan for this thing.
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Post by oldskoolboarder on Oct 20, 2016 10:25:13 GMT -5
Someone also mentioned hoping that 3DS carts were supported. While that'd be nice, I can't see how that'd work. However, if it somehow worked in portrait mode as a 2DS, OK, now it gets interesting...
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Post by reaper on Oct 20, 2016 10:32:12 GMT -5
Controllers seemed small when separated from the main unit. To be honest, I was more excited by the content shown, like the new mario game, than I was by the console. I also don't like the idea much that I may get home from work and want to play some Mario only to realize my son has taken the Switch down the street and it playing with his friends. The console controllers look a little awkward with the D pad in a weird location. I am interested and will continue to follow this but not blown away. I'll probably get one because... Nintendo. But ... mixed feelings.
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Post by UsualNoise on Oct 20, 2016 10:42:12 GMT -5
My other initial reaction was: this is what the Wii U should have been.
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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 10:43:38 GMT -5
Controllers seemed small when separated from the main unit. To be honest, I was more excited by the content shown, like the new mario game, than I was by the console. I also don't like the idea much that I may get home from work and want to play some Mario only to realize my son has taken the Switch down the street and it playing with his friends. The console controllers look a little awkward with the D pad in a weird location. I am interested and will continue to follow this but not blown away. I'll probably get one because... Nintendo. But ... mixed feelings. How is the D pad in a weird location? Its where a 360/XB1 D-pad is.
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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 10:49:50 GMT -5
My other initial reaction was: this is what the Wii U should have been. Well, Nintendo's mission with the Wii U was to give you the best of Wii and DS gaming at home. Unfortunately it was a very convoluted and confusing message. I have to commend Nintendo on providing a much more clear cut message with the Switch. Its very clear to consumers what benefits this system can offer. Whether people truly want these benefits is another story, but it feels like Nintendo did a much better job with messaging this time. I look forward to getting more reveal info. My biggest fear with the Switch is 3rd party support. I personally feel like this is what holds Nintendo systems back for most people. I appreciate that Nintendo likes to be different, but this is something that 3rd parties may not appreciate. Nintendo needs their support to make this system a success. We see NBA 2k17 on there now. Will it be as good as 2k17 on PS4/XB1? Will it be dumbed down and have worse graphics and no online play? I mean, this is where Nintendo needs to get it right. Because if they don't and there's no NBA 2k18, you've just lost a ton of potential gamers. I hope the Switch is easy for devs to port games to. If Switch is easy to port for and gives you the added benefit of play on the go, then yes, this could be a huge huge win for nintendo this next generation.
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Post by oldskoolboarder on Oct 20, 2016 10:58:14 GMT -5
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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 11:04:13 GMT -5
Speaking of Zelda, I'm starting to think that the new one might be better on the Wii U. Mainy because it seems the Wii U version will make use of the screen on the gamepad if for nothing more than item management and a map. But still, it seems that feature won't be on the Switch version, but you will get portability. This is the type of game I'll likely want to play more on my TV than on the go. What do you guys think? Wii U or Switch?
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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 12:56:51 GMT -5
So, it just occurred to me that both the little joy-cons have to have a lithium battery in them so they can be used when detatching from Switch unit. The gamepad that the joy-cons connect to...I wonder if that's a rechargeable battery in the middle that is charging the joyy-cons while you're playing.
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Post by reaper on Oct 20, 2016 12:59:07 GMT -5
Controllers seemed small when separated from the main unit. To be honest, I was more excited by the content shown, like the new mario game, than I was by the console. I also don't like the idea much that I may get home from work and want to play some Mario only to realize my son has taken the Switch down the street and it playing with his friends. The console controllers look a little awkward with the D pad in a weird location. I am interested and will continue to follow this but not blown away. I'll probably get one because... Nintendo. But ... mixed feelings. How is the D pad in a weird location? Its where a 360/XB1 D-pad is. I dunno, it just looks kind of low to me. Maybe you're right. They do look pretty close:
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Post by reaper on Oct 20, 2016 13:00:26 GMT -5
I kind of wish that Mario game was just coming to the Wii U personally.
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Post by dschroll on Oct 20, 2016 13:36:24 GMT -5
Hey reaper. I hear ya. From the videos Nintendo showed, it doesn't look to be all that different from Wii U games. That being said, Nintendo has written off the Wii U. It's their worst selling system in history unfortunately. I loved my Wii U and thought I got plenty of great content on it. Still great content coming to it like Paper Mario Color Splash, the upcoming Zelda, and some good e shop games. But as a business decision, I get why Nintendo needs to focus on the Switch.
I think overall Nintendo made a smart move with the Switch. They're focusing on their bigger business, which is portable games, while offering something for console games as well. It frees up from having to support 2 platforms as now they can focus on one. I expect we will see a lot more games released by Nintendo on the Switch, than we did on the 3DS or Wii U individually. But, Nintendo also has to remember that the 3DS is as successful as it is because it appeals to kids. The Switch needs to be kid friendly. So far, I'm not seeing something I'd want my kid running around with. That game screen better be cheap to repair/replace. I cane easily see one of those joy-con's not being attached all the way and the kid grabs it and the screen falls to the ground.
Anyway, I am definitely in on the Switch. I'll even do the midnight launch thing if I can as I'd love to take my daughter to one if she is up for it. But, I hope Nintendo does this system right. Easy for developers. Great 3rd party support. Great launch lineup. Not a huge launch price. etc. I'm eager to learn more in the coming months.
That all being said, having experienced VR, I will say that it is far more revolutionary than what Nintendo is doing. There is room in my home for both, but playing games in VR just feels like such a huge step forward. Nintendo's Switch feels like it caters more towards offering me a convenience than anything revolutionary.
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Post by oldskoolboarder on Oct 20, 2016 16:13:29 GMT -5
So, it just occurred to me that both the little joy-cons have to have a lithium battery in them so they can be used when detatching from Switch unit. The gamepad that the joy-cons connect to...I wonder if that's a rechargeable battery in the middle that is charging the joyy-cons while you're playing. That'd be a smart, unobtrusive way to charge.
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Post by oldskoolboarder on Oct 20, 2016 16:18:47 GMT -5
Speaking of Zelda, I'm starting to think that the new one might be better on the Wii U. Mainy because it seems the Wii U version will make use of the screen on the gamepad if for nothing more than item management and a map. But still, it seems that feature won't be on the Switch version, but you will get portability. This is the type of game I'll likely want to play more on my TV than on the go. What do you guys think? Wii U or Switch? It's possible to do this but it does require strong back end support. We all have phones/tablets. N has already made a move to support mobile platforms. Why can't N also provide a mobile app companion so you can use your mobile screen as the secondary screen a la Wii U Pad? You already have a 2nd screen. This allows users to re-purpose HW they already have. This would be GREAT IMHO. We play Jackbox games on our PS4 and people play along w/ their phones/tablets so you can have up to 8 players in the same physical room. Telltale Games allow crowd play. The technology is there, N just has to use it intelligently.
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Post by oldskoolboarder on Oct 20, 2016 16:24:37 GMT -5
To pull in dschroll's comment re: RDR2 in the other thread, there's an opportunity here. Yes, in mobile mode the Switch probably has limited CPU/GPU power. But docked, it can use an accelerator to bring it up to match PS4 Neo and Xbox One S. AND, in theory, you could always upgrade the dock, just like you upgrade an graphics card. 4K? I'm sure that can be supported by a dock. Maybe it's upscaled but maybe it won't really matter. TBH, how many people have a 4K display? Who's to say 4K wont' be another damn 3D glasses play.
For development, I think we're kind of reliant on what Nvidia has done. If they build a dev platform that SW companies can build once and the Switch HW can scale it to the necessary output screen, whether it's the tablet or your TV, that save development time AND allows them to create a console game that is also inherently mobile. THAT'S a big deal.
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Post by UsualNoise on Oct 20, 2016 16:43:38 GMT -5
From the articles I've read, Nintendo is saying there is NO extra processing power in the dock, it is only for video output and charging. I believe all games will be powered solely by whatever chip is in the actual handheld / tablet portion. Which, according to Nintendo, is roughly equivalent to current NVidia GPU cards in PCs.
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