Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

I think I just realized why the 3D World levels weren’t included in Captain Toad Treasure Tracker...

They knew they were releasing Mario 3D World, and didn’t want to devalue it by spoiling some of the levels via Captain Toad beforehand. That, and people would say, “3D World is coming to Switch! They’ve already got a handful of levels designed” (which, they would be right, but it would spoil the announcement).

But at the time, everybody was like, “why would they do that, Nintendo being Nintendo”, etc. but it makes perfect sense now in hindsight.

I suspect many of the decisions people have questioned will likewise make sense after a certain point, including the limited availability of certain games.

No reviews on eShop, on the other hand, I don’t think we’ll ever make sense of that. Granted, I don’t really care much. It would just be a bunch of five star reviews for every Nintendo property or popular game. I’d rather do my own research and get proper, measured opinions. The only storefront reviews I pay attention to are steam reviews, and even then I don’t trust them that much.

Not sure how many people care about a game where you drive a semi truck on icy roads lol...

But I’m sure it has its audience. If that’s your thing, I’m happy for you. Truck on my diesel loving friends.

@JaxonH Imagine if Pokemon Sw/Sh had reviews on the eshop, lol.

People buy Nintendo games regardless of reviews, and limiting the impact of dumb controversies over specific releases helps nip potential problems in the bud.

@JaxonH The no reviews is probably because people would find ways to be crude, or leave totally false reviews, and they couldn't manage moderating thousands of games worth of reviews.

For the 3D World levels though, I think there's something else entirely. The fact is... the 3D World levels in Captain Toad weren't fun or up to Nintendo's usual quality standards. That's Nintendo's MO. When they make content solely because they've run out of time and want to add a bonus, it tends to be cut later and replaced with proper content. Notably, Smash Ultimate removed a pair fan-favorite levels (PokeFloats / Rainbow Road) that were originally made last minute by borrowing all their assets from other games, while every other missing stage either has real problems or has a version from a different game included. (...or is Jungle Hyjinx which is the odd man out).

@Slowdive
Ok, I’ll admit, it looks way cooler than I had imagined in my mind. It does seem like a game that really benefits from realism, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Switch version is a high effort port or low res cash in.

@Ralizah
Fair point. I think store shop reviews are more for the casual gamers than people like us. We keep tabs on written reviews and word of mouth, as well as historical context of series pedigree. We already know what we want before we buy, and if we don’t, we research it.

The casual gamer is the one who impulse buys games they’ve never heard of. I could definitely see them benefiting from a ranking system. But then it comes with all the baggage you outlined above. At the end of the day, it’s not going to affect my purchasing decisions either way, whether they do or don’t.

@link3710
Hm.

That’s a reasonable theory, actually. I hadn’t considered that because I never actually played them. But now that you mention it I can see how they might not be that fun, given Capt. Toad’s slow movement speed through levels designed for characters with much faster speeds and jumping mechanics.

Ok, I officially adopt your theory now ☺️

@JaxonH i made this estimative based how long Nintendo tend to suport it consoles(usally Nintendo suport it home console for 5/6 years).

@Grumblevolcano @StuTwo

I agree that in a lot of situations 1080p is more than enough. For Nintendo games in particular, where textures and environments aren't particularly detailed, 1080p looks fantastic. For AAA games on other systems that aim to achieve more photorealistic detail...I think there's a bit more to be gained from 4K. That said, I find we're really hitting diminishing returns on resolution, and unless you sequentially showed me a game going from 1080p to 1440p to 4k, I'd struggle to pinpoint a precise resolution for it (I could probably tell the difference between 1080p and 4k...but only when focusing on it - engross me in a game and I couldn't care less). I play a decent amount on PC and I'd take 1080p 60fps over 4k 30fps any day.

I'm also not convinced that bigger screens necessitate a higher resolution. You can only see so much at once anyway, so a larger screen just means you're further from the TV. If anything, I find I notice resolution more on my monitor, which is half the size of my 4K TV, as I sit much closer to it. But even then I don't regret the (part-downgrade) switch from a 4k to a 1440p ultrawide.

Basically: 4k is nice, but I'd much rather see improved graphical flair + better performance at 1080p or 1440p. And 8k? I don't see the point.

I think Smash Ultimate will make it very clear when the Switch is being replaced. DLC ended for Smash 3DS/Wii U because of development of Smash Ultimate so I think the end of Smash Ultimate would probably signal the start of development for Smash 6 on the Switch's successor. Hence the Switch's successor is more likely to appear earlier if Fighters Pass 2 truly is the end of Smash Ultimate meanwhile if a Fighters Pass 3 is announced the Switch's lifespan is likely at least as long as the full 3DS lifespan.

Don't forget that until the September 2019 Direct announcement of more fighters incoming after Fighters Pass 1, there was absolutely no indication of more fighters incoming so a Fighters Pass 3 could be announced later this year.

@Grumblevolcano I'm not so sure they will just keep making Smash DLC for as long as the Switch is popular. Masahiro Sakurai is gonna need to take a break soon or later regardless of what Ninty's console plans are.

@Grumblevolcano I agree with @jump. Is Sakurai just going to endlessly work on Smash? Especially after Ultimate - how do you follow up a game with a selling point that "everyone is here"?

I'm not sure we'll see a traditional Smash cycle from now on, and I'm less convinced that Smash is a predictor of when we'll see the next system.

The majority of PC players are still playing at 1080p (about 66%) as of the most recent Steam hardware survey, so that tells you something. There's nothing wrong with 1080p, and it's why I think the "Pro" will just be an updated dock with better cooling (a fan of its own for a start) that can reliably nail framerates at 1080p for the next couple years.

I know it's a long-established meme at this point, but just because there is more Smash Ultimate DLC due, it doesn't mean Sakurai is necessarily pulling 16-hour days, 7 days a week, working on it.

Heh, I think there might be a team of people doing that game ..... But it probably does mean him doing at least some work, too! Is he ever going to get to do a different game?

The point is less that Sakurai is working on the game alot but more he's expected to work on it indefinitely until there's a new Ninty console.

Well, unless he gets to do any other game .... What else will he be doing?

Let's not forget that Sakurai worked on Kid Icarus Uprising in the interim between Brawl and 4 (and 4 was arguably the most ambitious Smash title in recent history, being both the first HD title and first handheld title). I doubt trickling out DLC fighters every few months is using much of his time - he's probably well into his next big project.

@BruceCM You mean like Kid Icarus and Kirby? ;p

On that note, Kid Icarus Uprising is the most painfully underrated "AAA" Nintendo title we've had these past few generations. How this hasn't become a Nintendo mainstay is beyond me.

@timleon Well you need Sakurai to make it but he's busy working on Smash DLC for the next 30 years. ;p

There's a few games I'd put over Kid Icarus though. Eternal Darkness, Advance Wars, Fatal Frame, 1080, Mother and Excitebike are the ones that top of my list as they do things differently to other Ninty games.