Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

@Ralizah
May not have as many exclusives but the quality is so much better- the games are full console quality RPGs on an HD handheld that also functions as a console with immediate transition between them...

And that’s awesome to the point I don’t even want to touch the 3DS when I could play Switch instead, which means it doesn’t feel like 3DS is essential anymore, even if it still has tons of exclusives, and Switch feels like the most essential system there ever was, even if many of its games can be played on other systems. And that’s as a result of everything combined- the much, much higher quality handheld games (and more of them) on a much, much higher resolution and larger screen on a system that also plays on the TV and has a full button set.

It’s still starting to amass a fair number of exclusives though (which we have to keep in mind that the system hasn’t even hit the midpoint in its lifespan yet). From Xenoblade HD and Xenoblade 2, to Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default 2, to Tokyo Mirage Sessions and Dragon Quest XI S, Shin Megami Tensei V and Yokai Watch 4 (ya they released on PS4 in Japan but it didn’t even chart in top 30, almost guaranteed not to come west), Snack World and Rune Factory 4/5, Pokémon Sword/Shield and Fire Emblem Three Houses...

Truthfully though, the biggest appeal is all the 3rd party ports of console JRPGs. Stuff like Ni No Kuni, Tales of Vesperia, Trials of Cold Steel 3, YS VIII, Trials of Mana, Persona 5 Scramble, Final Fantasy X/X-2 and XII... games I could only dream of playing on a handheld in the 3DS era.

@NintendoByNature
Trials of Mana looks excellent, though I would also recommend Xenoblade Chronicles HD when it releases. And maybe grab Final Fantasy X/X-2, Final Fantasy XII and Dragon Quest XI S if you can. Those games are perfect to get someone into the genre. Some of the best there is. And Fire Emblem Three Houses. It’s not strictly JRPG but, it’s a game that will open all kinds of doors. Bravely Default II could also be a good one to experience a more classic style with a modern approach.

Here’s the lineup of what we know so far.

January
Atelier Ayesha DX (1/14)
Atelier Escha & Logy DX (1/14)
Atelier Shallie DX (1/14)
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore (1/17)
February
Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate (2/14)
Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl- Gold (2/14)
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] (2/20)
Devil May Cry 3 (2/20)
Mega Man Zero/ZX Collection (2/22)
March
Langrisser Collection (3/10)
Fairy Tale (3/19)
Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III (3/19)
Animal Crossing New Horizons (3/20)
DOOM 64 (3/20)
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 (3/27)
April
Trials of Mana (4/24)
2020 - TBA
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4- Road To Boruto
Bravely Default II
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Gods and Monsters
Darksiders Genesis
Panzer Dragoon Remake
DOOM Eternal
Star Wars: Skywalker Saga
Pillars of Eternity 2
Minecraft Dungeons
No More Heroes 3
Empire of Sin
Shantae And The Seven Sirens
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega39’s
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
Rune Factory 5
Hollow Knight Silksong
Of Rice And Ruin
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Hyper Sports R
Streets of Rage 4
Inazuma Eleven
Yokai Watch 4
Bayonetta 3
Shin Megami Tensei V
Persona 5 Scramble
Metroid Prime 4 Trilogy
Zelda Breath of the Wild 2
Digimon Survive
The Outer Worlds
Detective Pikachu
XIII
Rock of Ages III
Little Nightmares II
Port Royale 4
Warhammer 40,000 Mechanicus
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
Rogue Company
Deadly Premonition 2
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Brigandine
Katanakami
My Hero: One’s Justice 2
void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium
Two-Point Hospital
Overwatch 2
Samurai Showdown
Samurai Showdown Collection
Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics
Rune Factory 4
The Elder Scrolls: Blades
Super Robot Wars X
Axiom Verge 2
Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training

@JaxonH DOOM 64 is March 20th (same day as the other platforms) only DOOM Eternal of those 2 games was delayed further than the other platforms.

@Grumblevolcano
I remember that now. Thanks. Some of these dates might be wrong so if anyone notices anything that’s off just let me know and I’ll update it.

@JaxonH yea for sure. For the jrpgs, or even rpgs in general, I like to start on smaller scale, easy to grasp games. First ever rpg that I finished was undertale. Had a good time with it, and it was nice it was a shorter outing. Playing thru Pokemon is fun but Im doing it in very small doses. The only one that's grabbed a hold of me has been SP:Stick of truth and it's probably because of its twist on typical "combat" which is why i liked undertale. Not to mention, the crude and silly humor for South park.

I typically look at howlongtobeat.com to see what an avg play through looks like of any game im eying. Most games need to be around 20 hours give or take for me to jump in, anything more, starts losing my attention(rpg aside).

But with all the rpgs to choose from this upcoming year, I might give one a try if it's the right fit. I love the look of octopath traveler, but I hear its quite a time sink. Bravely default 2 looked good, but I probabaly need to see and hear more about it.

Out of the list you posted, there's still quite a few I'm looking at that I forgot, so Maybe 2020 will shape up to be a good one for me. Really looking forward to more info on bayo3 botw2 and metroid news.

@JaxonH Xenoblade DE as an exclusive is debatable, but I'll give it to you, since it's seeing a massive visual overhaul, at the very least. Octopath, TMS, DQXI, and RF4 aren't exclusives, though. YW4 may or may not be exclusive in the West (we'll see).

I don't disagree that, at this point in its lifecycle, the Switch is doing far better with its JRPG library than either PS4 or 3DS were. I also don't disagree that there's a definite appeal to playing home console games on a portable system (it's why I bought the Switch in the first place, tbqh). And I do think that, by the end of its lifecycle, it will have outclassed the 3DS in every single way (except for Atlus support, but... whatever).

But, currently, it's not an essential RPG machine for me. I do expect that to change over time, with big exclusives like Bravely 2, SMT V, whatever else Monolith releases, etc. It's definitely my PREFERRED platform, because portability is extremely important to me.

Oh, and, looking at your list of upcoming games, I'm starting to wonder if I'll even bother with a PS5 or PC upgrade next gen. If Nintendo keeps going like this, they're getting most of the games I want to play.

@NintendoByNature Oh yeah, I didn't include that cause it's technically a bunch of ROMs (one I'm super excited for but), but Megaman Z/ZX Legacy collection is coming too, with a good chance of another legacy collection coming before year's end. As for Nintendo's releases, we don't have a clue (I keep forgetting No More Heroes III isn't first party published), but given development times BotW2 and Bayonetta 3 are both likely to land this year as well. The main difference from past years is we don't have delays like Yoshi or Fire Emblem to give us a better view of the schedule. Since only AC was delayed, they get to keep basically their whole hand hidden until they're ready.

Since I was curious now that the exclusive library was brought up, I tried to count how many the Switch has. The answer is: A lot. A ton of these are import only too. It's already well above the Wii U's final count, though it hasn't come close to touching the 3DS (nor will it likely, since titles for it are much more easily multiplat)

@Ralizah

Right now what I'm waiting to see whether the system gets more new action oriented JRPGs. Right now there's Xenoblade 2, the Secret and Trials of Mana remakes, and Oninaki. I'm really hoping they can bring KH3 over, or maybe a sequel to TWEWY, that would be great.

Turn based systems really don't do much for me, so as neat at DQXI, Octopath, and Bravely Default II look, I'm not really to interested in them as a JRPG fan.

If this list is supposed to cover all highlights of 2020 then it's missing RPG Maker MV and La-Mulana 1 & 2 (and probably some more).

@Ralizah
I see them as exclusives. For the same reason I see Persona 5 as PS4 exclusive despite being on PS3, or how Final Fantasy X was previously PS4 exclusive despite being on Vita, PS2 and PS3. It’s still a PS console, and it’s legacy. If a game isn’t available on competitor platforms and can only be played on Nintendo, or on Sony, or whatever, that’s exclusive to me. And that might be a looser definition where it’s more platform manufacturer exclusive, but I’m a pragmatist so, there you have it. DQXIS is more borderline, but it’s such a different experience with the added content, and it’s not available anywhere else, so while DQXI may not be, DQXIS is.

I think what gives Switch a pass on the multiplatform thing, is the fact most of those games are exclusively handheld on Switch and all of them exclusively hybrid. So even when a game is available on another console, it’s not like Xbox and PS where ya, you can totally get the same experience elsewhere. You can’t get that handheld hybrid experience elsewhere for many of the games.

Not that I need to tell you that. You get it. We all get it. It’s why so many of us love the system so much.

I figure it’s good to keep one power system around just in case. But I also think many games will eventually land on a hybrid. If not Switch, then it’s successor. If Switch can run all the PS3/360 library, then it’s successor should be able to scoop all the PS4/X1 library. And that’s yet another reason why I am not quick to jump on games on other systems. Just as I am glad I skipped so many 7th gen titles and am now getting to experience them as brand new games on a hybrid system, I would much rather experience the bulk of 8th gen titles that don’t come to Switch on its successor, rather than play them now strapped to the tv.

This of course hinges on Nintendo sticking with the concept, but I think they will. They’ve finally found a sustainable model to take them into the mobile era, that’s also not threatened by the competition.

@iKhan Be sure to play Ys VIII if you haven't. It's an amazing action-RPG.

Not quite as amazing, but Shining Resonance Refrain is also fun enough. Far better than Oninaki, anyway.

@JaxonH
Yea, I think that sums it up nicely. I said in another thread: the power race is nearly over. They're nearly at the brick wall of extreme diminishing returns. Tech has progressed so much that even a "low-powered" console like the Switch can easily play previous gen games AND even handle some current-gen AAA multi-platform games decently. The fact that the Switch is a home AND portable console give it that leg up for all but the most graphics-oriented consumer.

For me, if the gameplay, game modes, DLC, etc. are all the same aside from a hit in graphics, I'll take the hit in graphics every time to have the option of portability when I need it. It's only a matter of time until we have smart phones just as powerful as current PS4s and Xbox Ones (if we don't already). The power thing is a dead horse. We've reached pretty much all the power we need (though I will make concession for continuing improvements in AI).

I kind of laugh because even with this glut of power we've supposedly seen this gen with the PS4 Pro and One X, have the games truly blown us away? Have we really experienced anything earth shattering that just wasn't possible a generation before? I would answer distinctly: no. I could maybe see some arguments from people who get really deep into the cinematic games or open-world games, but I'll say that I've had better gameplay and better stories from previous gens of consoles than this one. For me, this gen from Sony and MS was entirely disappointing. The Switch is pretty much what preserved this hobby for me for the last few years. Without it, I'd probably just be playing WoW every now and then and calling it a day.

@rallydefault I'm sorry but I totally disagree. I've been looking for a rally game on the switch. And I keep wondering why the graphics look so bad. Then I looked up ps3 and 360 graphics and I realized that there just has been a huge jump in power. Dirt 2.0, or forza 7 are huge jumps vs last gens forza 4 and dirt. I'm sure other game genres have had similar bumps but I tend to play racers. We get so used to new tech that we think it's not as big as an improvement as it really is. But look at old YouTube games and there's a huge difference.

@sixrings
Yea, I think we're looking for entirely different things. (For one, I hate racing games lol)

I was never a big graphics guy. I care about power for the sake of other things like artificial intelligence and systems that can lead to more complex gameplay. But yea. I played DOOM on Switch and my PC, for example. I ended up playing it MORE on my Switch, even with the severely downgraded graphics. Seriously - I'll be the first to admit those graphics were ultra muddy on Switch. But the portability outweighed that con. I ended up playing DOOM mostly in bed lol

If I didn't know any better, I'd say the Switch is probably the totally wrong console for you. You don't seem happy with the game prices AND you seem upset with the graphics quality for some games. You probably want to do most of your gaming elsewhere if those are two of your most important gaming criteria. PC sounds perfect for you, to be honest. Cheap games and limitless power constrained only by your budget. You could even use all sorts of accessories like racing wheels and stuff if you're seriously into racing games.

@rallydefault the system itself it not the right system for me. I do want power. On the other hand I am completely happy when I get a 1080p 60fps Nintendo first party game like Arms, Kart, Smash, Mario Deluxe, DKTF. The problem is more than half of Nintendo games either aren't 1080p or are less than 60fps. I can play third party games elsewhere but xbox nor ps will ever fill my Nintendo gameplay void. All I wish for is a pro console which would change the dynamic resolution games from 900p to 1080p while increasing the frame rates. Yet so many Nintendo fans are against a pro model because they will be left out. Choice isn't a good thing to many Nintendo fans.

My second concern is are my games going to be able to be played via backward compatibility on the next system. The third thing I mention is the price. I'll pay anything for 1080p 60fps Nintendo games. I just grumble about the rest but then not buy them.

I know it was a long time ago but I grew up with the snes, 64, GameCube. All the most powerful consoles at their time excluding neo Geo which no one bought. I don't even care to be as powerful as a pro or a x. But can we get Nintendo off the "good enough" train and at least on par with a OG xbox.

@rallydefault I wouldn't say the battle for most powerful console is near an end, rather the noticeable impact at some point will be different. 4K/8K is whatever but we're still in a situation even for the power twins where lots of games suffer from low frame rates because of choosing higher resolution instead. When the vast majority of games end up 60fps minimum and it's not the big open world and RPGs that are below, that's when the power battle ends.

Not sure where to post this, but has anyone else noticed that inserting and removing a joycon shows the correct colour briefly on screen again? Did I miss a secret system update?

Nope, sorry, @Grumblevolcano .... They'll keep finding things to push the power up! Once everything we know about & can imagine now is done, they'll have come up with other stuff

@Grumblevolcano
Sure, we can say the next hurdle is gonna be 60fps at 4k or 8k or 12k or whatever, but I think the traditional arms race for graphics as MOST people can even distinguish (or care about) is near an end in terms of which plastic box in your home can show more shiny things. I haven't been able to tell much difference between Xbox/PS since the 360/PS3, to be honest. That's why most multi-plat AAA games are nearly identical across consoles, and MS/Sony have turned to DLC exclusivity deals to incentivize people to buy for their console rather than the competition, because otherwise the differences are negligible. Nintendo, obviously, has chosen to exit that rat race.

What I think it just beginning will be graphics/power in concern to augmented reality, virtual reality, streaming services, etc. Those things will be the new frontier within a decade.

@sixrings
No worries, man. I grew up with the NES. I know how it feels to be old lol

I agree - if Nintendo is smart, Switch will be their new ecosystem, and any future consoles will be backwards compatible. We are talking about Nintendo though lol

I'm one who believes a Switch Pro is inevitable. It just makes too much sense, especially since they've demonstrated with the Lite that they're willing to still call it a Switch without letting it switch haha But the stars also align in terms of Nintendo having a Pro system to show around E3/summer when MS and Sony will be full-on hyping their new systems. Not saying that will even hold a grain of salt in terms of power against those new machines, but it'll give Nintendo some sort of hardware to show, especially if we're heading into a holiday of BotW2 or Metroid.

Well all the demos with Ray tracing makes me totally disagree. Maybe the ps5 and Xbox series x will be just a really really big improvement but eventually we will be getting to photo like graphics. Those matter. Maybe for cartoon games it doesn't make a difference. But do I want a phot realistic sports game, racing game, cod game, mortal kombat game. It make everything more immersive. And so will many others. Yes years ago when we watched star wars we thought those special effects were great. But they are nothing in comparison to modern special effects. No great graphics will never make a bad game great. But great graphics do make good gameplay feel better. There is a segment of people whom won't care. But there will be millions who line up for a ps5 and series x.