Topic: The cost to Switch...

It's been mentioned above but I really think the comparison is with an iPad Mini. I know Nintendo want this to be a home console that you can take with you (rather than a handheld you can plug into the TV) but I would imagine that many people would consider this as an iPad replacement for the kids. I have a bunch of kids and we are buying multiple switches in the same way as we bought multiple 3DS. (And while I'm on the subject, is Nintendo would sell me a Switch without the dock I would be grateful)

IMHO, the reason why they want to keep the 3DS alive is because (a) they can sell a lot of games given its install base; and (b) there are significant games (some from third parties) that have yet to hit market. Nintendo can't burn these games' developers by indicating that support for the 3DS is gone/going. The Wii U is a lot safer as there are very few games left in the pipeline.

Blimey, just remembered that the 3DS launched at $250 - the Switch is cheap!

@JamesR But sales were disappointing until they dropped the price to $170 after launch..

3DS also launched with Pilotwings Resort and Steel Diver.

And a not 3DS game known as Pokemon B/W came out the same time.

2011 Nintendo was the dumbest Nintendo, no matter what happens, that is not changing. I'm not even sure I have a point to this post beyond pointing that out.

No, you're right. I don't know why anyone would call the Switch's launch the "worst" when the 3DS's launch was absolutely dismal. Why the hell would they release the system before it was finished?

Launch prices in Australia: (rounded to the nearest dollar)
Nintendo DS - $200
Nintendo DS Lite - $200
Nintendo DSi - $300 (ridiculously expensive for such a negligible upgrade with no exclusive games worth a damn; I never ended up buying either DSi console and I never understood the pre-launch hype surrounding the DSi while the 3DS had almost no fanfare)
Nintendo DSi XL - $300 (inexplicably, Nintendo saw fit to charge the same amount for both DSi variations)
Nintendo 3DS - $350 ($250 after price drop; I paid around $295 at launch for mine with a game)
Nintendo 3DS XL - $250 (once again, XL costing the same as the smaller version)
New Nintendo 3DS - $220
New Nintendo 3DS XL - $250

Wii - $400
Wii U - $350 (basic), $430 (premium)
Switch - $470

Most major retailers tend to price consoles and games quite competitively at launch, however, shelf space for consoles and games have been reduced drastically over the last 4-5 years as many retailers no longer sell games at all, or they may only stock console bundles, a small range of popular AAA titles and a few generic/knock-off accessories. I'll probably end up spending over $700 at launch (couple of games, an extra Joy-Con set, and maybe a Pro Controller if they are available at an acceptable price).

@Octane
That's true, but 3DS has sold a lot at $200 since, and that's without a game or an AC adapter lol, and of course still needed its own SD as well.

Switch is $100 more. And for that extra $100, you're upgrading from standard definition pixelated graphics on a 4" transistive screen to slick, clean, HD Wii U level graphics on a 6" multitouch screen, and can also dock it for TV play.

That's a lot of value added for an extra hundred bucks. And don't get me wrong, 3DS has some absolutely amazing games (3DS is my fave handheld of all time) but just Zelda Breath of the Wild alone on a handheld makes Link Between Worlds look like amateur hour (and Link Between Worlds was excellent).

So Idk, it's all about perspective. To me the system itself is a fantastic value, but there are a lot of hidden costs involved. I mean, you could get by just using Joycons and included grip ( which according to several people feels better than the pro controller itself) and a $35 128gb microSD, but I'm choosing to buy another set of Joycons, charge grip, 256gb microSD, travel case, Switch backpack, extra AC adapter, Joycon charge base, Pro Controller, easy charge travel stand, and goodness knows how many games on preorder. All systems have a lot of costs like that (extra PS4 controller, 2TB hard drive, charging dock, PSVR, Move controllers, Move charge base, etc) but it's definitely a little higher with Switch. Granted they are offering a whole lot more options accessories wise.

But ya, the 3DS when it launched was cited as having 3-5 hour battery life. So Switch running full console games at 2.5-6 hrs seems right on point. Basically anyone who was OK with the 3DS battery life should be OK with this, particularly when you factor in how much more processing power it takes to run a Switch game. GPD Win is cited at 3hrs but gets 2.25 running at 50% power, and it's definitely not as powerful as Switch is.

If it wasn't a slick hybrid console with some great games coming I probably wouldn't invest so much in all these accessories. I'd probably just get the base system and maybe a memory card and roll with that. But because the system is so hype I don't mind buying all these extras. Of course it's costing me a nice little chunk of change but in the end it's worth it to me. Ever since I was a teenager I've been dreaming of having the power of a modern console in the palm of my hand. I still don't think it's fully sunk in yet that that dream is about to become a reality in just a matter of weeks.

Not strictly true, Face Raiders and Streetpass Plaza are bundled with every system. But then they're both easy to overlook. I would have been happy with a couple of small scale games like them preinstalled on the switch.

@JaxonH It's indeed all about perspective. Don't get me wrong, I like the system itself. I can't wait to play Breath of the Wild, I like what I've seen of ARMS and Mario, or even Snipperclips. Personally there are just not enough games for me to get the system at launch. And I still think that the accessories are on the expensive side (especially if you also consider SD cards and such, a lot of ''hidden costs''). $300 for the system is fine, and yes it comes with Zelda, but I still wonder how many of the 65 million 3DS gamers are okay with paying $300 for a new handheld. I like the fact that they've finally ditched the stupid region locking, I can't agree with some of their other business practices.

Indeed, you're getting more, and I like that. I even like that they have the potential set-up for a VR system. In a way, it's the best all-in-one system I've ever seen. But I also wonder how much of that stuff will reach full potential. The camera for instance, neat, but how many games will be making use of that? I don't think the games that I mainly play, but I'm still paying for that feature, even after Nintendo forgets about it after a couple of years. Then again, the fact that it comes with those features out of the box also means that its easier for devs to utilise them. Again, perspective, there's a lot of going back and forth, and I don't know which side is currently winning me over. The Switch itself, as a gaming product, certainly hasn't yet. I know that will come when Mario comes out, but until then..

Maybe I'm a bit bummed out by the Wii U in the end. The pulled the plug a year ago on that system, and we've gotten filler titles for a good while before that, yet we still need to see the result of that. Where are those games? That's what I'm currently most interested in. Then there are games like ARMS. It looks pretty good, but I have no idea how many characters the game will feature, how many modes? Is there a single player campaign? With Nintendo, I wouldn't be surprised if they charged €60 for a fighting game with only 10 characters and one mode (see Mario Tennis), but I wouldn't be surprised either if it ended up as a meaty experience with various modes and set-ups.

In short, still not convinced, I need to see more.

Insert raise eyebrow emoji here.

Yeah the Dock and the extra controller prices I'm not that fussed about myself but the SD card is the kicker, a cheap (so probably slow) SD card of 200gb is gonna be around £60+, although that is still cheaper than the controllers and grips.

For some of the gripes I have about the system, strangely price isn't one of them:

-People keep citing £280 (at least in the UK) as being too expensive. To be honest if it wasn't for Brexit this would have been £250 which would have been a perfectly fine price, and you can't blame Nintendo for Brexit.
-you are getting multiplayer options out the box. For me who would probably only play this with my gf for local multiplayer, the fact that its already built in (at least for most games) to the bundle is quite nice
-the games are on the tad expensive side, but are coming down. MK is now £44.99; BotW £49.99. I'd expect you'll be able to get them cheaper as we go on too

The only thing I would say is the accessories are too expensive but even still I think you can avoid most accessories. The default controller is apparently very comfortable so I might not bother with a Pro controller; you don't need to automatically buy extra joycons as you get multiplayer out the box which will suit most peoples needs; i'm not going digital so might not even get an SD card.

The only thing that I will likely buy is a nice carry case for the console and cartridges, but most of them so far seem very reasonably priced in that respect.

Or how anybody is calling the Switch's launch anything before it actually launches ...

Oh, wait. I just remembered what year it was and, uh... the internet. Yea.

So it seems that the hidden costs continue to mount up! I forgot to factor in the internal storage costs of SD cards which will be necessary if reports are true that you need around 3GB of internal storage for Zelda:BotW (for WiiU at least). How much internal storage does the Switch come with? IDK.

I think my point isn't that it's excessively expensive for all the Nintendo fan-boys out there (i.e. most people on this forum), it's overall cost is seriously over-priced to make this console a wide spread success! The general majority of casual and hardcore gamers out there will be wanting more bang for their buck and will most probably be more inclined to pour their money into the new PS4 Pro or XBoxOne S.

Another thing is that this console seems to be predominantly a home console rather than a portable system - although it can do that for a limited time/battery life. It certainly isn't pocket-sized like the 3DS variants, nor as rugged and well protected from damage as the 3DS. I wonder how much Switch screens will cost to replace after they get dropped? Anyway I digress from my main point.

Apparently the Switch is very sturdy and tough despite it's light weight but we will have to wait and see.

I think that article (about BotW needing an extra 3GB) was for the Wii U only. It won't take up any additional space on the Switch. The Switch comes with 32GB internal storage which is perfectly fine if you are planning on not going digital for anything else but VC. Even if you did feel like you wanted to have more storage, you can purchase micro SD cards of 64/128gb for <£30. So it's not a terrible hidden cost. And given that you get multiplayer straight out the box, the Switch itself does somewhat alleviate the need for one accessory (e.g. a second controller) for most consumers.

In general, I disagree with your second point. You seem to be suggesting that the Switch is too expensive for casual consumers but seem to assume that casual consumers would need to invest in lots of additional accessories. Multiplayer out the box is a dream for casual consumers which attenuates the automatic need to purchase a second controller which would be the norm for PS/Xbox. Not only that but the whole SD issue is only a problem if you don't go physical. I expect casual consumers would be more than happy to just have physical copies of games.

The only accessory that seems like a must for this device is a carry case but they are cheap (<£20) and really only needed if you expect to port this thing around. Overall £280 for multiplayer, hybrid device out the box seems pretty reasonable to me; and besides, I doubt it will stay £280 forever. I'd be highly surprised if it wasn't £280 with a game at least by the holidays.

@Octane
I gotchya. There's a few things I'm not happy about, but it's not enough to keep me from being excited
The system is just too cool, and negatives too minor. If it was a straight laced console I might be more inclined to feel as some others, but being a hybrid and most powerful handheld to date I can't help but brush off the negatives.

Particularly when, I feel, alot of them are overblown. Like battery life, which is essentally the same as 3DS, despite needing way more juice to power games. Stuff like that.

Something I've picked up on is that Nintendo is likely trying to ensure there are no droughts this time around. I think alot of people were expecting a whole bunch of games at once, but instead Nintendo is slipping those games in between the cracks to plug the gaps. Hence 8 1st party games in the first 9 months (maybe more? Smash and Pikmin?). And while that's not as immediately impressive as dumping a pile of games day one, it does ensure we get a steady stream of games. And I think that's key, really. Wii U went 9 months waiting for the next major 1sr party title (I guess there was Warioware) with Pikmin.

And really it's the smart play,

@JaxonH Yeah, I'm not much of a handheld gamer, so I don't really care about that aspect. I'm more in to it for the home console experience.

I like that the Switch will be getting a steady stream of titles, at least from a third party perspective, but I think I would've been a little more excited if they announced a one or two more games. Pikmin 4? When's that coming for example? As a Wii U owner I'll be getting Zelda on that system. I can't see myself paying for Mario Kart 8 again. I wasn't bothered by the battle mode in MK8, so I can't say that I'm excited for its inclusion either, it's neat, but not worth another €60. ARMS looks neat, but I need to see more, like I said. I'll only be getting Splatoon for its single player content, because I can't see myself paying for an online service, and the only Switch exclusive I'm truly excited for is Mario Odyssey, and that's a holiday title. For me, I want to see more before I even start to think about getting it. Mario Odyssey is tempting, but I want to see Pikmin 4 too, and preferably some other games as well.

Nintendo have done it again, price is pathetic with all addons , and no games, they have lost the plot again ,again ,again ,same old, same old, anybody who says Zelda ,its a wii u port, have wii u, repaired once, now doesn't work at all, all promises non delivered

@Octane
I'm excited for the next Pikmin as well.

My main concern before was that motion controls wouldn't be available forcing an analog control scheme for it, but the Joycons solve that issue.

We do have a Fire Emblem Direct today. See what that brings. At least get to check out FE Warriors and the new mobile title. I'm excited for probably a list of 20 titles, but maybe only a handful I'm really super excited for. Zelda, Bomberman, Arms, FE, Skyrim and Splatoon. Oh, and Mario, obviously

It could've used one more big game at launch though. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe would have been perfect. For all the non Wii U owners, could buy a Switch and get a big elaborate Zelda and the king of MP with battle mode day one.

Oh well. Mario Kart is coming the following month so at least it's not too long a wait.