Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

@OorWullie Pretty sure Labo covers those last three things by itself. I wouldn't consider it to be something "traditional" at all, the games are new IP technically, and they make use of the Switch's features (IR camera, HD Rumble, gyro) in droves.

I love me some ports, but I do want at least a couple major releases for the Switch this year. Something new to look forward to at least

I do think we'll get a Smash 4 port, but then again I don't know what you'd change for a Smash 5. To me it seems like it's best as a "game as a service" where you just keep adding and adding and adding content to it.

A double pack of both the Wii U and 3DS version along with more content would be nice to see.

Either way, since Nintendo's keeping their cards close to their chest (literally knew NOTHING about Mario Tennis until a few weeks ago lol) I'm waiting for E3 or a Nintendo Direct to judge for myself. I'm still happy with my Switch since I'm STILL playing Xenoblade 2 after 180 hours, and I'm only 20 hours into Odyssey lol.

Has it been confirmed yet about Labo whether the software in both packs (Robot and Variety) are the same?

For the next Mario Kart I'd like it to have a proper story mode and some on water racing ala Diddy Kong Racing. The single player in MK is so weak,I don't find the computer fun to race at all.Sonic Racing nailed the single player career and had genuinely challenging racing with little to no rubber banding,at least that I noticed. Have a similar story mode to Sonic, add in a nice hub world with lots of secrets to find and you have a winner. I found unlocking all the vehicle parts in MK8 to be an absolute chore. I haven't even bothered doing it in the Switch version. Luckily my nephew plays it though so I've at least got some stuff.

I think 2 ways to unlock stuff would be the best. The current unlock approach is good for anyone who plays multiplayer a lot (local or online) as you get coins just for playing normally but for anyone who mostly plays single player, it's an annoying grind. So keep the coins approach and have specific single player unlock requirements as another option.

Honestly, I feel Brawl did this approach perfectly. You could unlock all fighters by playing the Subspace Emissary campaign, playing a certain number of normal matches or complete certain goals (e.g. play classic mode at a certain difficulty, complete a certain event).

@OorWullie Oh... I'd forgotten how Mario Kart 8's unlock system goes after all of these years... I despise the RNG unlock system. Seeing as I don't remember it from Mario Kart 8, it must not have been as bad there. However, I remember it very unfondly in Mario Kart 7, where the kart parts I wanted were the very last I unlocked and it made me really frustrated.

I was actually thinking earlier today how Mario Kart story mode has never been a thing before. I'm not sure I've ever really felt like it was something that was missing, but now I think it might be a neat idea. Especially since with Mario Kart 8 I feel like the actual racing experience has become so polished that maybe a new Mario Kart could keep the racing system pretty similar while giving us a story mode.

I guess technically they haven't confirmed it but at the same time the promotional images do show the boxart for the game itself. Each pack has a different set of box art. I guess in the long run there's nothing stopping them from selling cheaper versions of future Labo kits that contain codes for DLC in the box alongside the materials to construct it. But currently it looks like it's a full and unique cartridge in every kit.

https://gematsu.com/2018/01/nekopara-coming-ps4-switch

who said they want a VN? We got Nekopara coming

@skywake Well if it is unique cartridges we'd probably be seeing more Labo kits throughout the year hence it's possible that Labo on its own is what Koizumi was referring to by "New IP", "Non-traditional IP" and "Games which use Switch's unique features" for this year.

If Labo takes off, that 20 million Switches goal will be a breeze.

@Grumblevolcano It's going up against God of War, same release date. We'll see...

@Grumblevolcano I am still of the opinion that the mass market won't care or want Labo, especially if it requires a £270 console investment in addition to the Labo products. Most the people likely going to buy into Labo are the Nintendo fans who have already spoken up for their love of it and put down pre-orders which I assume is why it ranked so highly on Amazon sales in what is traditionally a pretty quiet month game wise.

I will say that I have soften somewhat on my thoughts of the product line from my initial out right hatred. But I still don't want this to be Nintendo's big thing for the year, and I really hope this is NOT the new IP and that they have something new for the rest of us.

@Octane Labo is attracting new people. God of War shouldn't really matter?

@GrailUK It's in direct competition with God of War and therefore potential sales of both software and console sales. Despite what Nintendo likes to put across, the Switch is definitely for the most part being advertised as competition to the PS4 and Xbox One. The kind of third party triple A titles Nintendo has tried to get onto the system is the same type of games the other systems have. So I think going up against God of War does matter, especially if Labo puts off potential Switch buyers for the kiddie image it represents.

@FragRed I can't agree that Labo and God of War in competiton I concede they are in the same industry but that's as far as I see any cross-over.

I seen this story yesterday but didn't get a chance to post it.

VARIATIONS IN NINTENDO SWITCH CARTRIDGES

https://nintendosoup.com/variations-nintendo-switch-cartridges/

Nobody has a definitive answer on why there are differences in the cartridges but it would seem that the black cartridges are 16GB, while the green cartridges are 8GB or less and appear to have a PCB. I'd love to see the back of the Dragon Quest Heroes 1&2 cartridge to see if that looks different again, it's the only 32GB produced cartridge to date.

It was a joke.

All the cartridges have a PCB...what do you think the flash chip is mounted on?

Magic Carpets?? ..I'M IN!!! Haha! Yeah, they kind of have it already with the glider and the water propeller transformations in MK8 - but if they were to take it even further and have space rockets and all sorts of other crazy stuff it could be a lot of fun! I like your thinking!

Yet to see if that God of War game is gonna be any good. It's always been a Bayonetta/DMC type game with its own flavor. I'm not really sure what they're going for with this new one, but it doesn't look like that style game anymore.

Rayman Legends up on BestBuy for $15.99 with GCU... FYI