Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

I think the Switch is a hit of a sign.

While people are happy with Slim upgrades, or XLs as they always have, the response to PS4Pro has been..meh at best? Like its not needed.

My point is that with the 9th geberation of systems, as a broad sense due to generations not beingbdefined, the focus cant really be on more powerful hardware. Its not as impressive anymore. The first console has offered something new and different while being traditional in many ways, while the arms race is seemingly doing damage to other systems and their cycles.

I just think its neat that innovation in such a simple way is neat. Plus Nintendo held back and learned from the mistakes of Sony and that remote play stuff.

@BLPs
But here's the question. When Nintendo do inevitably release their new portable system what should it be? Would it even make sense for them to release a new portable system? Would it make more sense just to release a different SKU for the Switch?

I personally would not have an issue if down the track they only have the Switch. No new console generations, no new portable lines. Just different versions of the Switch. Maybe in a couple of years time a 4" Switch without the detachable controllers and with a more power efficient SoC. Then a Switch 10" that has a more powerful SoC and a 1080p portable display. Or a Switch micro-console designed to be as cheap as possible.

I wouldn't have an issue with that sort of setup. It makes a LOT more sense than their current model of having two entirely incompatible product tiers.

I'd guess it would be a mini switch tbh. I don't really see the point of a separate handheld.

@TheLZdragon The Switch Light! Or would that be confusing....

I don't think you will see another Nintendo portable in the sense of a new 3DS. Iwata in the past spoke about a unified OS across multiple devices. I think they're going to try and copy Apples idevice approach if the Switch proves succesful.

The PS4 Pro to me is not worth upgrading to from my launch PS4, I would need to change my perfectly working HD TV, just for a more shiner picture

@BLPs
They should call it the Lite Switch and have it in a variety of colours. And the higher end version would be for like the hardcore gamer. Call it the Switch Blade. Put all the Nintendo fans on a terrorist watch list.

@skywake It would be nice but I think Nintendo is stepping back from being the weird of the past.

Just in case anyone was confused:

Good job, Nintendo! You just eliminated a major problem with the Wii U's marketing for your new console!

@erv I think you just missed the target. They won't launch console upgrades later on, they will do dock upgrades. They just have to make sure they leave a data port on the Switch tablet and the thing is future proof. I'm thinking stuff like N64 Expansion Pack on a Switch dock.

So the NX/Switch turned out to be a hybrid after all. I don't think they will release upgrades with the dock but release future versions of the Switch that will be both forward and backward compatible if it turns out to be a huge success.

@Samurai_Goroh Doing the opposite would make more sense. Especially as I don't think the dock houses its own CPU or GPU. Updating just your tablet? That means you don't have to buy new controllers, a new dock or anything like that.

In theorie they could put some HW upgrades in the joycons, if they have some sort of physical conection to the console.

@Laice They don't, at least not in the way you're thinking. And I don't see how that's even useful (or possible for that matter). Assuming there was such a connection, then you'd have to leave the Joy-Cons attached at all times.

Ah right.

Your production seems a bit high.

Yes, updating just the tablet makes the most sense to me too and it wouldn't split up the userbase if the games are both forward and backward compatible.

@Nintensity I don't see them changing architecture anytime soon if they're keeping this handheld-home console concept; BC would be a lot easier to do going forward, compared to BC with the 3DS for example.

@Octane Yeah, I don't see them changing it early either, but just an approach they could have if it turns out to be a success and they want to release an updated tablet like around 4 years later.

@Nintensity Well, if they want to release a new iteration of the Switch (like the PS4 Pro), they would have to keep the architecture the same. That's the reason why systems with the same architecture can be backwards compatible. The GameCube through Wii U all ran on the same architecture (the Wii U can run GameCube games natively actually, it just lacks the hardware to read the tiny discs).