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Topic: Is the "Switch is gouging on accessories" complaint valid?

Posts 1 to 20 of 55

skywake

So yesterday in the Nintendo Direct Nintendo announced a AA battery pack for the Switch JoyCon. When I saw this I thought it was a decent idea for an accessory I'd probably never bother with. I can't see a scenario where my JoyCon run out of power as I use the Switch now. But if you have a second set of JoyCon that you're not charging regularly it means you have an easy way to keep playing if they do run flat. A nice idea I will probably never buy. So not a negative on either count.

But then I read the comments. Apparently this accessory is the last straw. According to the commends under the thread (specifically @SLIGEACH_EIRE & @Tsusasi) these optional accessories are a horrible thing. It's something that Nintendo specifically should be criticised for. They have a left controller, right controller, pro controller, battery pack, carrying case, screen protector and "the list goes on". You even have to buy extra storage if you want more storage and Nintendo themselves have "official" micro-SD cards. Heaven forbid!

Now the question is, am I wrong? Because the way I see it the Switch is about the same as any other console in terms of accessories. The only difference is that because it's both a portable and a home console you have cases AND controllers. Because the controllers have to be multi-purpose the default controller in the box isn't perfect for home use. And because it's portable they couldn't realistically fit in a 500GB HDD. But you get what you need in the box and the extra stuff is entirely optional. So I think it's fair enough. But is it? Is the whine about the cost of Switch extras justified or are they applying a different standard to Nintendo than they do to everyone else?

Edited on by skywake

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

KirbyTheVampire

I think the worst part about the whiners is that there are certain people that all post the same comments incessantly. Having an opinion is one thing, but absolutely no one is interested in hearing you throw a tantrum about the same thing in every single article that's even remotely related to the issue.

I do think accessories like the JoyCon battery pack are basically useless for the vast majority of people, but I'm not gonna bring out the torches and pitchforks over it. I'm just not gonna buy it. Heck, no one needs to buy any accessories. The system is functional right out of the box. Still, I don't think buying a 20 dollar case is a big deal like some people seem to think it is.

KirbyTheVampire

dtjive

Overreaction

As said above, you don't need to buy them so what's the big deal?

My only gripe is that if you buy a new set of joycons you don't get a basic grip bundled with it as for two player you'd probably want the other player to have a traditional not split controller

dtjive

Sisilly_G

The battery pack is useless. I can't think of any situation where it would be useful. A Switch battery pack? Sure, but the battery life of the Joy-Cons are fine as is. No-one would ever play for more than a dozen hours at a time, so Joy-Con pairs can be rotated on a regular basis so that all of them are sufficiently charged at all times.

As for cases, there are plenty of them available, varying from cheap third party ones from around $20 and official ones from $30, to the more expensive ones that also house the dock and cables for around $60. The pricier bags are no more expensive than your standard laptop bag. I intend to use my miniature laptop bag if I ever happen to take the dock et al. with me as I have enough tech bags piled up at home.

The most expensive accessories are the controllers. The Pro Controller is priced at AU$99, and the Joy-Con are priced at a ridiculous AU$119. Plus, you'll most likely need a grip for the Joy-Con in order to be able to use it as a conventional controller when necessary, so there goes another $20 (or $40 for the charging grip). And if you want matching straps for non-grey Joy-Con, then that'll be another $15. I love the versatility and all, but it's all very expensive, especially if you want to be able to accommodate 6-8 players. The only consolation is that they include rechargeable batteries, unlike the Wii Remotes. Nintendo never provided any kind of official battery pack/charger for the Wii Remotes until the release of the Wii U (if I'm not mistaken), and they were only ever available directly via Nintendo Customer Support.

"Gee, that's really persuasive. Do you have any actual points to make other than to essentially say 'me Tarzan, physical bad, digital good'?"

Switch Friend Code: SW-1910-7582-3323

Grumblevolcano

I think the memory issue is the only real ridiculous one on the accessories front but I think the same for other consoles too, for example I'd expect 2-4TB for Scorpio, not 500GB. Given the size of Switch games (they're still on the smaller side compared to XB1/PS4), I'd say 128GB should've happened instead of 32GB.

Even with the memory issue, my biggest issue with Switch is wireless related. Going upstairs shouldn't drop the internet signal of the Switch to virtually nothing meanwhile every other device works fine.

Grumblevolcano

Switch Friend Code: SW-2595-6790-2897 | 3DS Friend Code: 3926-6300-7087 | Nintendo Network ID: GrumbleVolcano

NaviAndMii

Optional accessory:

Untitled

...sure, you might not want them on your car - but some people do, so it's nice that those people have the option!

The Switch is a generous bundle - when was the last time there was a console with 2 controllers packed in? ..it also comes with a dock, a grip, a couple of wrist-straps - everything required for a versatile console experience. A wide range of optional accessories to further enhance your experience can only be a good thing surely?! Especially as none of them are absolutely essential to the core concept!

Microsoft bundling a Kinect in with every Xbox One was different - for many, it wasn't really adding enough to their experience to justify its inclusion and the increased costs associated...but an optional battery pack for your Joy-Con? C'mon now...

Edited on by NaviAndMii

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Sisilly_G

Grumblevolcano wrote:

I think the memory issue is the only real ridiculous one on the accessories front but I think the same for other consoles too, for example I'd expect 2-4TB for Scorpio, not 500GB. Given the size of Switch games (they're still on the smaller side compared to XB1/PS4), I'd say 128GB should've happened instead of 32GB.

That would also result in a significant increase in cost as the Switch utilises flash memory, as opposed to a hard drive. Allowing the user to choose to expand their memory is the most sensible option. For most users who only ever intend to buy retail cartridges, then the 32GB of space should be more than enough for save data and the occasional patch (the Wii only had 512MB of on-board memory and that was more than enough for the majority of users). It would be silly to pass on a superfluous expense to the consumer when a significant portion of the userbase will not need anything beyond the 32GB on-board memory.

"Gee, that's really persuasive. Do you have any actual points to make other than to essentially say 'me Tarzan, physical bad, digital good'?"

Switch Friend Code: SW-1910-7582-3323

BigBadJohn

It all comes down to needs and wants. Everything you need (except for a game obviously) comes in the box. Everything else is optional. Even extra memory isn't a must have. You can get all the major titles physical and most indie titles are relatively small. Add to that the archive option when you've done playing a title and all is good. I like all the accessories even though they are on the expensive side. Anything that improves the versatility of the Switch is a good thing.

SW-5512-0541-9236

Name the movie quote "Toolshed!"

NaviAndMii

@sillygostly Totally agree! Also, home consoles usually require a huge HDD brick to expand the memory - with the Switch, 2TB MicroSD cards will be compatible when they eventually hit the market - not bulky, not cumbersome....2TB of data in a chip the size of your fingernail! IF you want/need it..

As I see it, people only have reason to complain if there's something in the base bundle that doesn't justify its inclusion - optional accessories to tailor the experience to your specific wants and needs can only be a good thing, surely?

Edited on by NaviAndMii

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skywake

@sillygostly
Honestly I think the complaining about the cost of extra controllers isn't really fair. The way I see it the Switch includes a single traditional controller set the same as any other console. Additional controller sets cost extra. The only difference with the Switch is that the controller it comes with can be split into two for some titles for quick local multiplayer. Which if anything is extra value in the box.

And as a portable console it's actually a pretty big deal to be able to swap out the controls and colour scheme. My DS Lite and 3DS had soft triggers from wear, my 3DS XL has a loose circle pad. When my Switch JoyCon inevitably wears out a bit from use I'll just replace them. Entirely new controls for less than the cost of a new console. I'd argue that's a positive.

@Grumblevolcano
Well sure. Nintendo could have put more flash in the Switch and probably absorbed some of that cost. But Nintendo could have easily made more money by putting in less flash which is something Sony and Microsoft didn't even have the option to do. And in any case they've used a standard memory card for storage expansion and cards will only get cheaper as time goes on.

Really the only reason storage will become an issue is if you choose to download every single game. For everyone else, even those who only download occasionally, it won't be an issue. Because by the time most consumers need more storage fairly large SD cards will cost less than a game. 128GB cards are already ~$80AU, barely more than the price of a game here. 128GB + 32GB should hold ~20 full retail Switch games. In just over a year that same money should get you a 256GB card....

Edited on by skywake

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

Farmboy74

A lot of this has been already covered above but whether you need the accessories or not is purely down to your situation, Nintendo are not forcing people to buy accessories.You could not buy any additional accessories as it's quite functional when unpacked, this being the internet people like to moan and pick fault.

Farmboy74

rallydefault

@skywake
Well, all of us here know that one of those posters you mentioned portrays a, shall we say... less-than-reasonable persona with his comments around these parts. I use him comments to get a good chuckle, never for stimulating thought. Somebody who is 100% for or against something is rarely a person to be taken seriously, I've found.

rallydefault

LzWinky

Compare costs...

PS4 Controller: $65
Switch Pro Controller: $70

I hardly see the difference in costs here. At least Nintendo didn't mandate you buy a specific memory card, right Sony?

Current games: Everything on Switch

Switch Friend Code: SW-5075-7879-0008 | My Nintendo: LzWinky | Nintendo Network ID: LzWinky

Octane

@TheLZdragon Where did you get that number? The original price was $60 for a DS4, a minor difference, but it was never $65. You can find them for $45-50 these days though.

Octane

ACK

Vita + those memory cards = gouging. Why? Because it was a necessary additional purchase.

In the case of Switch, these are all optional accessories and merely luxuries for most. Would we rather not have a pro controller option at all? No battery packs? Would we rather have to wade through eBay or buy another Switch if we want another dock? If so, ignore they exist and maybe we can find greater contentment in life.

In actuality, these options are what make Switch awesome for any real gamer, so maybe in this case its just better to ignore the outrage culture. Far as I'm concerned this outrage is not in the service of gamers nor our hobby.

ACK

Twitter:

TuVictus

The only thing I find truly absolutely ridiculous is the price of the dock

TuVictus

Octane

OT: Is the "Switch is gouging on accessories" complaint valid?

Yes and no. It's all optional, so who cares? (although I personally think I'll need a Pro Controller, as those Joy Cons look way too tiny..). I can definitely understand why people question the price of the dock though. But in my opinion most of the plastic stuff Nintendo sells is overpriced. The same is true for those Mario Kart wheels. Fortunately, you can get them for a lot less if you buy third party stuff.

Octane

ValhallaOutcast

I'm loving all the choices in accessories

Friend Code SW-4365-4821-7317

rallydefault

Operative2-0 wrote:

The only thing I find truly absolutely ridiculous is the price of the dock

Yea, the dock price is totally lavish - there's no way I would pay that. Also, my house is small, so it's not necessary lol

But we've seen the thing torn apart - there's nothing magical going on in there to justify that price.

rallydefault

skywake

The dock is a tricky one because yes it is definitely overpriced. But a second dock is trying to solve a problem that's both fairly niche and one that couldn't be solved before the Switch. Typically a console would fall into one of two patterns. Either it'd be a home console where you'd get one per household and it'd more or less sit under one TV for its whole life. Or it'd be a portable and whoever in the house wanted one would get one and they'd share their own screen. The Switch is both of these at once.

So then the extra dock is specifically for people who only have one Switch in the house and want to easily move the console between TVs. Something that nothing before it has been able to do. Now the question is, if/when the main TV is in use why do you want to go to another TV? Why not just play in portable mode?

Some playlists: Top All Time Songs, Top Last Year
"Don't stir the pot" is a nice way of saying "they're too dumb to reason with"

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