Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

Capcom’s Switch support

– A company spokeswoman said releasing older games on a new console is normal procedure for third-party software developers because there isn’t enough time to make new games for a console within a year of its launch

Koei Tecmo

“We bet big on the Switch as a game changer so we began making games before the Switch’s launch, but many software companies showed reluctance in releasing Switch games before they witnessed the current success.” – Koei Tecmo’s Yoichi Erikawa

I'm a pretty staunch Capcom supporter as a Fighting Game Fan but geez these two comments did not need to be side by side. Both make sense but Capcom's hesitant approach makes them look bad in comparison.

@Buizel Here's the point, I have 3 kids and they all have their own 3ds. The Switch in many ways almost demands multiple systems for some games. I can see us wanting another system when Pokemon comes out. No way a family of 5 can take turns on one system for a game like that.

@Spoony_Tech as I said, in your situation you could benefit from the same machine, but without the dock (as you already have one). There's no reason Nintendo would have to make a new model for that to happen.

A round of applause for Koei Tecmo...

They took a nose-first swan dive right into Switch development. Just this past week they had 2 more games release for Switch- Fire Emblem Warriors and Nights of Azure 2.

These are the companies we should be supporting. It's one thing to voice your opinion on the website about your disapproval of Capcom or whatever, but it's another to voice your opinion through your wallet- and show companies like Capcom what they are missing. For now, KT will get my dollars, because they are supporting my system with quality games.

I think there are a few potential marketing advantages of the 'handheld only' Switch (and a few equally big disadvantages):

1 - You could tell parents 'hey there are fewer parts to potentially lose'. It's an even simpler set-up to describe and understand.

2 - Built in controls would be cheaper to manufacture than a pair of Joy Cons.

3 - The overall unit could be more physically sturdy (or at least portrayed as being so).

I'd see it as a pure play for a younger audience. Whilst technically it might cost them a similar amount to manufacture they could take just enough out that the primary audience (i.e. you) would never consider buying one forcing you into the premium Switch and leaving them free to sell the 'handheld only' Switch at a cheaper price.

@Caldorosso-E I'm not sure. I think Switch has a lot more draw to it than just portability and the polls on this site that show a third of owners use it exclusively in its dock are test amount to that.

Switch is notable (relative to the PS4 and XBox One) for two big reasons other than portability:

1. It has a greater focus on local multiplayer.

2. It has a greater focus on 'family friendly' games that can be played by younger children.

...and there is a 3rd that is both intertwined with and reinforces the first 2: it's the exclusive home of Nintendo's first party games.

The comparison with the Wii U and the gamepad doesn't really hold up for me. Nintendo never conceived of the idea that anyone would want to play the console without the gamepad so all of the games (especially the early ones) needed it. At that point it was too late - they could never have un-bundled it even if they'd wanted to.

By contrast Switch has been designed from the very beginning as a console that could be either played exclusively as a handheld or exclusively as a home console.

Rocket League is releasing 14th November which makes that week even more packed.

@JaxonH Well K-T is getting my cash, that's for sure. Capcom has me because...loyalty. Plus I'm having a blast with SF. Still hoping we get CvM: I (not their best entry but not the train wreck some like to say it is ...just like SFV go figure...and it's current) on switch.

@Grumblevolcano Yeesh, that week is crazy for third party games

@JaxonH I'd gladly support Koei Tecmo but unfortunately I'm not really into hack and slash games. I hope they'll release their strategy games outside of Japan at some point. I'd buy those. I wouldn't mind another Pokémon Conquest either.

I think, a few years down the line, we'll probably see handheld only and home console only models release. Not anytime soon, though: Nintendo won't want to muddy the waters so soon in terms of marketing.

I hope everyone here is busy imagining what the latest sales figures and forecasts are going to do for third party support...

@gcunit I'm excited. As with anyone else I'm looking forward to multiplats but I'm hoping we get back to the experiments and new IPs. Capcom 5 (um 4...and we ported most of em after the fact but still) anyone?

@Ryu_Niiyama I'm kind of expecting an ''ultimate'' version to eventually come out, which is what we'll get.

Switch's biggest draw, to me, isn't the that it's portable or the that it's a home console... it's the fact it's both. And what I mean by that is, being portable is awesome. Truly. Having console quality games playable anywhere? Amazing. And being a home console is awesome too. Nintendo continues providing fans a way to play their games in HD on a television... Amazing.

But it's the fact you can switch between at will that makes the system special. I don't just buy games on the system because "well they're portable" or "well they can be played on a TV". Lots of systems play on the TV and lots of handhelds exist. But only one of them allows you to play a game on the TV and then take it with you and continue playing and then come home and instantly be back on the TV.

It's that synergy between functionalities that makes the appeal of Switch far more than the sum of its parts. You aren't just getting a home console + handheld. You're getting much more than that. The ability to transition between the two seamlessly... That's the real magic of Switch. That's the biggest appeal.

On an interesting note, it seems that Nintendo is publishing Project Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest Builders outside of Japan.

If they're doing the "one big game a month" thing still, I hope DQ Builders isn't going to be one of them (that's listed for Spring 2018 by the way). Octopath definitely will though.

Best Buy has a listing for SMB2 GotY edition.

@Grumblevolcano Super Mario Bros 2?

@meleebrawler I'll throw my hope hat into that ring.

That would be an interesting title to give a goty edition, assuming it's nsmb2

No way am I playing another NSMB game. That formula has been done to death IMO. I like 2D Mario, but they need to do something different with it.