Soapbox: Think of 1-2-Switch as Less of a "Video Game" and Suddenly It Gets Better

No matter what it is, 1-2-Switch still costs FIFTY (US) DOLLARS. Ridiculous.

The game certainly looks good and I'm warming up to it not being a pack-in title, but I do think $50 is a bit steep.

1-2-Switch is intended to be a drinking game. Even the Treehouse footage hinted at that (Mystery boxes instead of shots).

That being said, the $50 price is too much. Buy it on Amazon when they inevitably sell it for cheaper a few months after launch.

What you want to call it isn't important. You're just arguing semantics at that point.

It doesn't look fun, and it certainly doesn't look like it's worth $50.00.

@IceClimbers

"Drinking" game indeed.

1 2 Switch is looks like simple dishes with very complex flavor inside.

Ya know, I think you kinda nailed it.

As a video game, understandable to look at it and say what the heck.

But just as a game in general, something kids can play or families can play together... it seems kind of cool. I know when I was a kid I like to play sword fight.But back then we didn't have the technology that are in the joy cons. A lot of these games like the quick draw is stuff that has always been left to the imagination because there just hasn't been a proper gadget that could emulate such an experience.

Idk, I don't think it's going to set the world ablaze, but I do think it's kind of cool that a lot of these games that I played as a kid can now be played with proper technology which emulates the experience. If I was a kid again, and me on my brother could have played that quick draw with joy cons we would've had a blast all weekend... just with that game alone.

I don't necessarily think it's for me, or for most people here for that matter, but I do think there's a place for it out there in the world

@LegendOfPokemon this. It's the price that's the problem.

"as less of a videogame"

People have been saying that about Miitomo since launch, it still's a waste of time, and that was free.

If they don't want to bundle it w/ the Switch b/c it's 2 player rather than 1 that's fine and understandable enough, but at least bundle it w/ the $80 Joycon pair like Wii Play and Wii Play Motion. I'm pretty sure Reggie even compared it to Wii Play at one point.

Though since 1 2 Switch really doesn't look like much, make it a free download for MyNintnedo members for 2500 plat coins and get people back to using Miitomo for the coins. I'd really rather they bundle ARMS w/ the Joycon 2-pack as you need another pair for ARMS.

@rjejr
With the Wii, bundling made sense because you needed a second Wiimote. With Switch, you already get 2 Joycons out the box. Nobody's going to need another set to play this game.

But I like your idea about the coins. Make it a 250 gold coin game or something. I've got like 700 gold coin sitting there wasting away

Yeah that's great, it's way too flippin' expensive

If 1, 2, Switch cost $30 less, I could see it being a funny party game. $50 is just WAY too much for something like this, though: too expensive for a party distraction and not substantive enough for people to enjoy as a proper video game.

I made the Bumpie's Party comparison blatantly on here several times following the announcement, so, yeah, good to see that being mentioned. I still think the price is too high, though.

It will probably be $20 or less within a year. Maybe worth it as a party game then.

The UK trailer/commercial sold me on 1 2 Switch. It looks like it will a great party/family game. It also helped that they showed off there are more activities that was shown off at the previous events.

Just give Everyone who buys it day one or the first week a 30% discount. (Eshop)

I'll just wait for it's price to drop. The only time I'd play it is probably a few times a year when I visit my sister's family so $50 for a rarely used game seems kinda steep to me. Then again, I've spent more on board games that only get played a few times a year. I guess I'll have to see where I am financially the next time I see them. There's still the whole nobody nearby to play it with thing that would make getting it right away a waste for me.

Yeah, Essentially 1-2 Switch is kinda pricey for a mini-game compilation. It has a lot of possibilities, Considering the Drinking game/Who ever loses buys lunch sorta aesthetic.

I guess it be better if it was 20 bucks. I don't know.

Well, duh. When the title is advertised as something where you won't have to look at the screen that much, the definition of a "VIDEO game" becomes more arbitrary in its application indeed. XD

No matter how you see it, it's a full-priced game and definitely not worth anyone's hard-earned money.

I'm not saying this to whine - I wouldn't play the game even if it was free.

@nhSnork Yeah... it's more like a fancier substitute for Rock, Paper, Scissors than anything.

You didn't say anything about DLC. I can see them adding a mini-game to it every month just to keep you playing it. If this game is meant to be free advertising as you see it played in public, it should be pushed more with a lower price and bonuses.

Everyone on here seems to think that everything on the Switch will always stay at launch price and will never get even a cent teacher.

It's painfully clear that they really want 1-2-Switch to be a Wii Sports-esque social phenomenon, but, while I'm sure it's not bad, I think they're clutching at straws with this.

I'm just so glad it's not the pack-in game though. Thus hopefully preventing it from becoming the defining Switch game (as the launch pack-in game tends to do), and shaping the perception/image of the console among gamers and developers as Wii Waggle Party Shovelware 2.0 from day one.

Very exited about the switch. Counting the days. But I really don't like this game. I think it's ridiculous.

I think it looks like loads of fun. £40 though... Nope. When it's on sale I'll pick a copy up. Same goes for the £50 Bomberman game...

Looks so fun! Getting this along with zelda and bomberman at launch

This games so fun. I tried it today. My two kids held a buzzer each and I was the ref. I was to see who buzzed first. So fun I didn't need a switch to play.

And yes before anyone says I'm negative or if I will buy a switch. I'll say I'll buy it Christmas 2017 when there's games and a price drop for me and me only

It's not a game, it's a tech demo. A very expensive tech demo. It should have been a pack-in. As is, there's nothing in the Switch retail box that shows off the only real new unique feature of the Switch(HD Rumble). How smart is that? Not very.

it's still twice as expensive as it should be. But Nintendo gotta Nintendo!

Too many better games to spend my time with. If this was Switchsports, then I'd pick it up.

While I can get behind this reasoning in theory, it is being sold as a video game, so that's still how it's going to be judged. For a video game of this style, $50USD is a laughable price, and its worth as a party game isn't going to be seen until it either becomes a pack-in or reaches bargain pricing.

@JaxonH "I've got like 700 gold coin sitting there wasting away"

What game could they possibly offer a discount on that you don't already own? And I'm not making fun of you or anything, but these programs are really set up more for cheapskates like me than gamers like you. I do hope for gamers like you it gets better after the Switch launch. Maybe you'll be able to buy FEH orb coin things. You start spending $75 on that game I'm going to be very cross w/ you.

Of course you're right abut the Joycon and 1 2 Switch, it is a bit of a conundrum I admit. That's why I think ARMS works well bundled w/ the joycon 2-pack for fun 2 player, but that does like a $60 game after watching it on Treehosue. Maybe a $99 bundle?

If Switch is a $50 game though, FFXV needs to be about $300. Uncharted 4 $250. XCX probably more than that, the more I play FFXV the more I like XCX. It looks like a $20 download. Not free, but not $50 either. I'd go $30 on a cartridge, those things aren't cheap.

Yea video game, game, experience, call it what you will. I call it too expensive, I mean for $10 more, I get the full open world experience of BOTW. How do you sell that as value?

I think it is an ok party game, but I would really say 4+ is needed to really enjoy. 2 to play and an audience to watch and cheer and be able to switch up who is playing. I don't think my girlfriend and I would get the a lot of use just between the two of us.

To each their own I guess, but $20-$25 would make this look more appealing to the masses.

@rjejr
They do offer orbs and crystals and stuff, which can be redeemed up to three times, except for the 10 orbs, which is a one trick pony. Which if they would allow me to continually redeem orbs, ok then we're talking. Or badges which allow you to rank up a star once you hit level 20 and reset back to 1.

Xenoblade Chronicles X was an amazing game. Final Fantasy gets all the attention, but Xenoblade is every bit as good. It's just... a Nintendo exclusive so nobody knows it. I still need to get back to Final Fantasy XV. I'm on chapter 9, level 45, but was kind of holding out hope for a Switch version. I really do think they're going to announce it at e3. If not, I'll just finish the game. But I would love to play it through on switch and given that I'm only halfway through the game I wouldn't mind starting over. Well, maybe I would. Hmmm, maybe I'll just go ahead and finish it and if they bring it to Switch I'll buy it, but I probably won't play until years later...

I understand why it exists (not the price, though), but I personally want nothing to do with it.

I'm more interested in this as a tech demo than as a party game - I like the idea of tricking the brain to feel something that isn't actually real. I still won't be picking it up until there's a price drop, though.

@JaxonH FFXV

I'm sure you know, but in case you're busy w/ your new FEH game

March 28th they're supposed to be fixing Chptr 13 which I've read is horrible. I'm in Chptr 10 myself, wondering if I can drag out things until then. Not sure what to do myself, except continually smack myself in the head for not waiting for the Directors Cut or whatever this holiday or next which I wanted to do, but that Amazon pre-order Chocobo skin for the Regalia was just so precious, I had to have it, and I'll never change it.

You're frying my brain w/ that FEH stuff, time to go cook dinner.

Well, I've decided to give it a go. I'm guessing I'll like it because I always seem to like the wacky Nintendo stuff the general "reactionaries" dismiss. It helps that I get 20% off through Amazon Prime, I'm not gonna lie.

"Think of 1-2-Switch as less of a video game and suddenly it gets better".......are you guys being serious?!?!? o.O On a VIDEO GAME system, I would expect it to be a video game, but really, it's more like a tech demo at best with a expensive price tag. People, don't buy this crap, save your money for good VIDEO GAMES.

It still hasn't grown on me. Not seeing the appeal of wan- milking cows for 'fun'. Eternal Darkness is the real game to give that HD Rumble a run for its money.

Massive Nintendo fan here and as much as I enjoyed Wii Sports and Nintendo Land (especially) at launch for their respective systems, 1-2-Switch literally looks too basic for my tastes and I refuse to put down over $10 to play it. Yes, I see this as a benefit as a casual party game to play at family parties than a video game, but even with that, it still isn't enough to make me bring my Switch over to any party. The only game that I can see myself playing is the Quick Draw minigame, but even then that game doesn't look like something that would hold me for long. The other minigames shown so far don't really appeal to me at all (especially the Milk game...I'm sorry, but wth?)

Say what you want guys, but in my personal opinion...this should've been a pack-in game.

@aaronsullivan I went for it too...I think it'll be fun for youth group as well. Especially at lock-ins when everyone is tired and goofy

@Alex Olney: lobbyist of drinking games since 2017.

I am getting this and taking it to Easter this year. It will be a blast playing this with my family.

@hYdeks
I will buy 1-2 Switch....
.... Until price drops.
Don't worry. There is always a customer like me want to buy quirky games.

If I'm going to be playing Switch games and drinking at a party, Mario Kart seems like a much better fit what with the drunk driving and the fact that more than two players can have at it at a shot. This reminds me: I need a drink.

And for "not a video game"? There are physical tabletop games better suited than, or just as yawn-inducing, as 1-2-Switch. Really, if I need booze to enjoy it, chances are I sure as crap wouldn't enjoy it sober, and the games I enjoy while sober are games to still enjoy while drunk. So why bother?

$50 for a tech demo, Nintendo is out of their damn mind.

But it's priced as a video game.

Oh come on NL, you know this will be Game of the... I mean Outdoor Activity of the Year

@AlexOlney: Well to be fair, it became already obvious with the Switch commercial they recently released: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1r369yv2Uk
It becomes immediately apparent when they show people at a party or even people that are camping or otherwise outdoor. You don't really need the display for 1-2 Switch. You just need those two Joycons and the rest happens between you and your opponent (and in your imagination).
It's really more of a board game.

@rjejr I think there is a misunderstanding:

When somebody says Miitomo is "less of a videogame", they mean it's actually just an app/program, not a game.

But if 1-2 Switch is said to be "less of a videogame", it means it's more like a board game. It's still a game, but not a video game.

I certainly don't regard Miitomo as a game: on my Smartphone, it's in the messaging folder, because it's more like a social network (that I almost never use).

@Mega_Yarn_Poochy Who can blame them? Nintendo hasn't set much of a precedent for lowering the price of their first party games.

It symbolizes everything I hated about the Wii. And is nowhere near worth $50

Heck, even pack-in party games like Wii Play were wastes of time, IMO. Not to say this is guaranteed to be the same experience, but it isn't far removed enough for me to consider it even if it came free with the console - and as a standalone priced at $50, it may as well be wallpaper for the Gamestop shelf.

@shani "I think there is a misunderstanding"

Yeah, that's what happens when I post before watching the videos, misunderstandings. But I do recall Nintnedo saying Miitomo was a game before they released it, then after it was out they had to admit it wasn't.

Though I suppose I could be wrong abut that too.

The last time I saw anyone reaching this far it involved a Wii Balance Board

Ridiculous price for this game...what is Nintendo thinking? $50 is just plain dumb, I don't get it. It could be fun as a pack in game or maybe $20 maximum. But I gotta pass on this based on stupidity.

I wouldn't call jackbox party pack "video games" either, but at least they only cost $25 usd, not $50 usd =

I wouldn't buy it for 10 bucks. Because there are better Indies at that price.

@Al_Godoy "I wouldn't buy it for 10 bucks. Because there are better Indies at that price."

This game doesn't look like my usual fare, but I can imagine how the HD rumble and motion controls would add a layer of immersive depth. I think that's what it's all about, and what may make it worth $50. That and being able to enjoy it with tons of your friends.

Having said all that, I feel for a lot of you guys. So limited with what you can enjoy. I used to be that way, and then I played a game of football on the Atari, something that was outside of my usual genre, and realized at that moment, as I enjoyed making plays, that gaming is really about getting lost in the moment and enjoying yourself. It's not about what kind of game you're playing, or wether that game is made of polygons or sprites. Therefore, you simply can't knock a game until you've tried it.

Why don't you guys try giving your review after you've played the game. 😉

@CircuitWrangler3 I agree.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE You forgot about the IR motion sensor. It's pretty new. I think it's the same one from the leaked patent.

I have this preordered over any other launch title (but Zelda obviously). I am simply too curious in technology like HD Rumble to pass 1-2-Switch up. I agree with every criticism this game receives, though.

I get people saying this should be a pack in and I get people saying it's expensive however every video I've seen of this in action everyone seems to be having a tremendous amount of fun with it. Even the spectators have massive smiles on their face. The problem for me is if I do host a party or indeed go to a party I tend to spend my time drinking and talking to people. I think if I pulled out a games console I'd be universally shunned.

@Mellor2000
Don't worry if peoples looked at you weirdly when you pull out your Switch. They just never experienced with such unusual situation like that. Have a lot of confidence and be brave, so you can ask someone to join in your game. If I got Switch, I would be happily show off to other peoples. They better know about Switch and how mesmerising that device. No need to feel embarrassed.

"Lower your standards and it's not so bad."

Alright, we won't think of it as a video game. Because you're right, it's not a real video game. It's a pretend wank-yanking, pretend controller chomping, pretend drinking game that is embarrassingly minimalistic. It's the newest meme machine, designed to humiliate you and all your friends. Phew, I'm glad that got cleared up...

I remember when I had a bad poison oak infection. I had a 1-2-Itch!

I do think it's overpriced, but ah well. I pre-ordered it because of friend get-togethers.

@Mellor2000 Correction: if you pulled out 1, 2, Switch (Fail) and desperately attempted to get a group of sober people to play along with doing things that any normal person would associate with the actions of a looney bin nut case, you'd be universally shunned.

@NEStalgia Physically, or mentally?

NL really tries to defend Switch, eh?

Can't hold back.. This is a pile of stinking CRAP

@Savino
Who says nobody like 1 2 Switch ?
I like it. I have interest with 1 2 Switch and so what ?
The price kinda expensive but I can wait until price cut. I'm not too hurry to play that game.

The inherent problem with this release is that Nintendo hasn't demonstrated that the game has any gameplay modes/score retention or anything of the sort aside from the shallow motions involved in the actual playing of the mini-games. If there had been more depth or alternate gameplay modes, then perhaps the asking price can be justified, but nothing that has been shown to us thus far indicates that the activities contain any substance to them whatsoever, and are designed solely for passing amusement.

The mini-games in 1-2-Switch look like slightly fleshed out souvenirs from Game & Wario which are amusing for a minute or two at most. They really should have added more meat to the bones of the mini-games, and if they have, give us an indication that they have done so.

On the plus side, we have less than a month left until we find out whether or not this game is worth the time of day.

Except it is a game, it is not bundled with the system, it is sold for too much, and it has little interest. Put a WarioWare skin on it and call it Game and Wario 2 a least...

No, you're right, it isnt a game... it's a tech demo. It's also priced about $50 too much.

It's a game you can play without the game. You go to a party. Drink and then drink more
Tadaaaa

I honestly wouldn't feel confortable bringing the Switch + 1-2-Switch at a party with people. Unless all your friends are videogame fans who would play it just to test Nintendo's new console and games, I don't see the appeal it could have in a social setting.
To me it seems it's the kind of bad game that forces people to do stuff through a videogame that could easily be done in real life with everyday objects. I personally don't think we need a videogame to see who picks up the object first, or who eats the sandwich first, or who guesses how many marbles are in the bag. I think many non-gamers will look at this game as "here's another product for something nobody needed in the first place" and realize that a pack of playing cards, a few sheets of paper and pens are still unbeatable.

@Savino NL has their reasons for trying to talk positively about such a stupid-looking game. They're part of a program where Nintendo sends them free review copies, but in exchange they have to talk about their games, good and 1, 2, Switch!, in a positive way. If Nintendo doesn't feel like they're doing well enough to convince consumers to buy their product, they can just stop supplying the team with free games. There's a video that explains this from someone who used to be a part of that program.
https://youtu.be/2LoBPJ4Vrg0

@rjejr I'm not too sure about that, they might've called it a game themselves at one point. Or it was just all the news sites, because when you google for articles about Miitomo, they all call it a game or tell you how to play it.

But (maybe by now) Nintendo call it an app themselves (Wikipedia does too), I didn't even know that until now.

There's a lot of truth in this, but everything mentioned serves to argue further why it should be a pack-in feature.

Basically, it'll be a laugh. It'll be a very spontaneous, social experience. In the right context it'll be great.

But people don't fork out £280, and then a further £35, purely for the sake of 'a laugh'. £35 is not a 'spontaneous' amount of money to spend (let alone £50). For most people, that amount of cash constitutes a reasonably earnest decision.

I've never had a problem with 1-2 Switch. In fact, I think the idea of designing a game where you look into the other player's eyes rather than at a screen is inspired.

Tying it in with the console would have sweetened the system, and got the game into a lot of people's hands who might then have played it given it with some less gamery friends, who in turn might have have bought one, and thus allowed the whole thing to snowball.

If it came with the Switch, it could become synonymous with the Switch, making the purchase of the console a simple decision for anyone wanting the game (and willing to at least stump up for the console). Buying one thing is psychologically much easier than buying two, and knowing that the console comes with something to play on it helps the whole package feel more meaningful.

I don't resent the software, but I don't think Nintendo are doing the right thing to get it out there, and as such, I don't think it's going to get into many people's hands.

It's going to be spontaneous, easy, and mindless to play. So make it spontaneous, easy, and mindless to be able to play in the first place.

If this isn't coming in some sort of pre-packaged/pre-installed bundle by Christmas (possibly with a slight price drop), I'll be very surprised.

As Thomas has said, it's not a soft launch in March, but potential bundles, expanded lineups, and price drops allow for a much harder second kick come Christmas time; one that I feel will be able to better tempt the market 1-2 Switch is likely going for.

Because as the moment - fun or otherwise - I can't yet see this becoming the next Wii Sports.

I agree that the main thing is the asking price. It does seem like there's a fair number of games and they implement them in good ways, so kudos to the devs for that, but in general I feel like console gaming's pricing are too expensive. The starting $50-60 price tag, or even $30-40 for portable, seems a bit heavy on the wallet when competition from Steam (does tend to start at those prices, but) within a year (or 2) drops to $20-30 or cheaper. Usually they have some pretty heavy sales from start to finish, as well.

Now, some games, particularly the mainline Nintendo games, I'm more than happy to pay the price and I think it's worth it (i.e. Zelda, Splatoon, Super Mario Odyssey, Smash), but comparatively it doesn't seem like many other games should be at that level unless they have the same level of polish / effort put into the game.

I'd say most people are looking in the $15-30 price range for a game like this (reasonably speaking, maybe it can be more $20-35, or maybe $40). Granted, console development is more expensive (it seems) than regular PC games, and the audience is smaller, so a higher price is expected, but not to the degree it's been in previous years. And perhaps there is a whole lot of polish and content, greater than I imagine, if so I don't see it though (that is, the initial perception is that it won't, and hence I'm hesitant to buy in).

I definitely am interested in trying it out someday, though, as I'd want to see the Switch features used in unique ways, and potentially showcase that to friends. I'm on the side though of wanting/thinking it'd be better off with a price drop.

At least to start, though, excitement may push people / initial adopters/supporters to spend a bit more, I know I was on the fence about Arms at full price, but decided I'd just pay the extra cost, as it looks fun and gameplay polished enough to eventually get it, and I'd be up for the early adoption/support of the game. With Best Buy gaming membership I ended up getting ARMS around $50, though I was originally hoping for an end price of ~$40, but really that extra $10 isn't too much (as long as it doesn't happen on every game).

In Canada: 64.99+ tax, or roughly 73.44 with tax. So not. a. chance. It will not sell. at all.

@allav866 Very good video. Nintendo didn't do that back in the print media era, for those who provided reasonable criticism of their products. I'm sorry to see Nintendo's protectionism inflate to unreasonable levels in the digital era...

I wasn't going to buy 1 2 switch at all, I was annoyed as it's not bundled with the console.

But then I watched the treehouse. Table tennis looks really fun aswell as challenging I can see me and my bros going for longest streaks and such. It looks great to be fair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVo9OdXAG2A

@PlywoodStick You're still a horrible person.

And about Nintendo's protectionism int he digital era, I think that has less to do with actual policy, and more to do with corporate bureaucracy. I see it all the time. Whatever the REAL purpose was of a given program/statement/set of rules, the layers of "impress the boss" middle management followed by random hacks, half of them just out of school who aren't paid to think recite/act on exactly-as-written to the letter rules which were probably written by the middle managers to be twice as restrictive to make sure no one can make them look bad, and you get a bunch of non-thinking lackeys applying cookie cutter refusals, denials, and bans on things without anyone noticing if it should be applicable or not. Upper management, meanwhile doesn't interfere because it's solving the immediate goals and keeping it out of their hair.

Back in the day, NoA was fairly tiny! And Arakawa and Lincoln were control freaks like Yamauchi himself. I think it's a "large corporate culture" casualty.

A bit pricey, maybe I will pick it up if it goes on sale.

In Australia, the game costs $69.95. Now, this is actually cheaper than the standard big Nintendo release down under (which usually cost $89.95 at launch) but still, I feel it's a bit much for what is essentially a mini-game collection.

I'll probably pick it up eventually but right now, I'm skeptical.

@allav866 heaven forbid they actually think it will be fun. I know I do.

@idrawrobots I'm sure I'd think a cow-milking game was fun if I got it for free and didn't have to pay $50 for it. Yeah, this game looks fun for parties, but not $50 fun.
@FriedSquid Okay, I tried getting the video I linked to to pop up here, how did you do it?

Lemme put it this way, do you think I would have bought either Wii Sports or Nintendo Land at $50 standalone instead of getting it free with my system? Hell no. And 1-2 Switch looks worse, so far.

I think of 1-2 switch as a pack in game that people should have been getting with the system and as software that probably won't sell at £50

It needs to be a bundled game or less than half the price they're currently asking. Or do what was done with Wii Play and bundle it with a pair of joy-cons. While I expect the Switch to sell to game-starved Nintendo fans at launch (as the Wii U did) I can see Nintendo creating bundles with this soon after launch, say in time for Christmas.

I was absolutely not interested in this game I felt I had my fill with games like this on the Wii but now I've come round too getting this should be a fun little game too play with family n friends plus I wanna try out the features of the Joy-Cons aswell.

I don't think anyone thinks it won't be fun; it's the price point that people have the problem with. It's it not really being a video game that makes the price even less justifiable.