Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

@TheMelodiusRose
I saw a completely different quality from the same games I have (Switch and PS4 version) and I like to play my PS4 version more than Switch version for having better performance.
I mean, I still prefer 60 fps than 30 fps.
Also, I still support both of Switch and PS4 machines but when talking about 3rd party multi console games, I will pick the PlayStation version for better performance and my Switch still get the games from 1st party and 3rd party exclusive on Switch. Win win solution.

@NeonPizza
I won't go so far as to say my PS5 was "worth it" as I never actually play the thing. But I definitely don't regret it. But ppl like us can buy pretty much whatever we want. I try to look at things from the perspective of someone for whom it would be a major financial decision. Would it be worth it for someone like that vs just using their PS4? Not so sure. At least, not yet anyways.

@Grumblevolcano
Cross gen will eventually wind down, but I still think we're years away. Nearly 2 yrs in there's like 21m PS5s and 16m Xboxes, and that's accounting for scalped units and all. I think it's gonna be a good 4 years into the generation before we actually start seeing more games release for current gen than cross gen.

@Anti-Matter
I saw a completely different quality from the same games I have

Of course you did. In no universe will you ever play a portable hybrid version of a game that exhibits no difference in quality from stationary power platforms. If you don't care about the portable aspect then sure, there's no appeal in playing a hybrid version. But for anyone with even the slightest interest in handheld or tabletop play, the difference in quality is astonishingly negligible in many cases. Team Sonic Racing, for example, already runs at 1080p on Switch (I think?) but it also runs at a locked 30fps while the PS4 version has an unlocked framerate that bounces from 40 to 60 and feels even less fluid than the Switch version. That's not always the case, but point being its not automatic the performance is always better or if it is, that it's notably better.

I beat the final boss on Live a Live. It was pretty damn tough, went down to two party members left standing, had to absolutely soam the healing items but I got there in the end. I'd probably say some of the other end of Chapter bosses were actually harder or least more frustrating.

Sadly, I got the incomplete bad ending because this chapter is so obtuse. However, I still need to play the Alternative Final Chapter, so I might reload my save and go for the Good Ending too, so I can say it's truly complete.

I know that probably sounds negative, but assuming I can't use the PC version of Rise as it's a rerelease or Sunbreak as it's an expansion, this is my GOTY so far.

Yes the difficulty is all over the place. And yeah, some of the chapters are just kinda nothingness or actually kinda bad. And yes this is still very much a game from the 90s and they've tried to keep the experience intact which can lead to some frustrations when played in modern times but when this game is firin', it just outweighs any negative.

From the gorgeous visuals, style, colour lighting and animations. To just the sheer amount of ambition, innovation and inspiration that just seeps through every aspect of this. Even when chapters aren't something I enjoyed overall, there's still always something to just be in awe about it. The level of polish, love and refinement through all of it is just unlike things you often see today, with so many games feeling like they were just shoved out the door.

And like I say, there is the odd design decision which is so annoyingly obtuse you're reminded so vividly of the time this was originally made, but in so many ways it holds up today because it's so unlike other games of the time. The idea of having a through line of game systems, but then providing unique experiences around all of those, with choices that can effect story developments which leads to a full on Avengers moment. And one of the coolest alternative versions of a gameplay sequence I've ever seen, just in a lot of ways this is more ahead of its time than it ever is dated.

There's just no experience out there I know of quite like this, it's a really special game and I just loved my time with this, overall.

I feel like the platform holders and big devs are eschewing cross gen but it will take time to be uniform. Especially with the current install base and the push for more expensive games (which hurt non AAA devs). Although that could open up more inroads for devs to consider switch as a platform. Switch is “last gen” but it’s acceptable last gen because it sells like hotcakes.

@TheMelodiusRose
???

Of course I'm aware. But how does that change the cold, hard fact of what it is? Irrespective of what people buy it for, it doesn't change the fact it's a portable hybrid system designed for portable hybrid play, which includes both docked and handheld and tabletop. Ppl can buy it to play docked, play handheld, or heck even just throw darts at it or whatever other reason they want, but it doesn't change what it fundamentally is.

I also never said there wasn't something to like. I have no idea what you're talking about. I love 3rd party games on Switch. It's the only platform I want to play them on. BUT, that doesn't mean it isnt less powerful- it factually is. It also factually produces less impressive visuals and performance on average than power platforms. I dont care- those differences are negligible to me, especially when weighted against the benefit of getting THREE versions in one with every game purchase with permanent cross save on a system level among console, handheld and tabletop. But the differences exist nonetheless.

@Ryu_Niiyama
At this point some of them are, but it seems there's very little incentive at the moment to abandon PS4/X1. Unless it's a matter of a game not running easily, which will be the case in some instances, the architecture is virtually identical. They can make a PS4/X1 version and just upscale res and framerate, let it run natively via BC and slap a PS5/XS logo on the box and charge $70 for it. It's like a two-for-one for both PS4+PS5 and X1+XS.

This will benefit Switch though, I think. As long as games continue to sell on the system, and as long as cross gen continues, Switch will be considered for as many titles as possible. Naturally, over time less and less will be able to run, but more and more will be designed with Switch as a target platform in mind, too. Which means building a more scalable version and upconverting, as opposed to the other way around which almost always results in wack ports.

@TheMelodiusRose
What do you mean "I don't get"??? Based on what evidence do you base that claim?

Furthermore, your opinion of what it is "first" is just that- an opinion. Nowhere has God himself descended upon earth and declared Nintendo Switch a "home console first". It's nothing "first". It's a hybrid that's EQUAL PARTS home console, handheld and portable console. I don't have time or patience for these childish arguments insisting Switch is first and foremost this or first and foremost that

Nonsense. It's first and foremost a hybrid that can be whatever you want it to be. And EVEN IF IT WAS a console first, what difference would that even make anyways? OK, so it's a console first. And???

i will absolutly disagree that the graphics are less impressive since 99% of third party games have even better graphics that any first party game on the console and they are almost the same as the other versions so again

Then we're just not going to come to any consensus here because that's factually, objectively and provably false. Yes, some 3rd party games look better than 1st party, but not 99%, and most definitely not better than other versions. That's just not true. Yes, many games come close, which I already said myself in a previous post. In fact, the differences are surprisingly negligible in many cases. But most definitely not all. There are quite a few games that have notable downgrades, both visually and performance wise. In most cases its small enough I value the hybrid advantage more than the negligible visual improvements. But I'm not going to say they're near non-existent. Maybe for some games like Sniper Elite 4, Zombie Army 4, Demon Slayer, Borderlands Collection, etc. For sure. But plenty of other games have more severe downgrades, such as DOOM and Wolfenstein, Witcher 3, Ys IX and Ni No Kuni 2 which have major framerate issues, etc. It's a mixed bag. Thankfully the games with more severe compromises and issues are getting more sparse as the years go by, but they do still exist.

Idk what you're even arguing with me about. I'm happy with 3rd party games on Switch overall. Seems you are also. What's the beef?

Wait the argument is if the switch is a portable and not a home console or not? Isn’t a lot if not all of there marketing based on the fact that it’s portable? Don’t a lot of ads have them playing on benches and junk?

@TheMelodiusRose
Switch is whatever the user wants it to be

Which... is precisely what I said. It's factually a hybrid handheld system. That's not opinion. That's what it is. It can be used as a home console, handheld or portable console. This is a pointless argument

just a portable

I never once said it was "just a portable", so this is literally a strawman where you're arguing against something I never even claimed. Which makes it even more pointless than it already was

@TheMelodiusRose The Switch is fundamentally designed as an underclocked portable gaming device with a mobile chipset that gives the player the option to also play on a TV, usually at higher resolutions. How you personally choose to use it doesn't change that fact.

Also worth mentioning that the revised models of this device have ALL been primarily oriented around improving the undocked experience.

But, as mentioned, this conversation is pointless. Nintendo no longer has dedicated home consoles and handhelds. It has one device that plays all of its games, and gives the user freedom to decide where and how they want to play it. That's all.

@KilloWertz
To be clear my criticism isn't directed at digital purchases on Nintendo. I don't have that much of an issue with things like stores shutting down at all as long as the ability re-download purchases remains. And as it happens the majority of my Switch purchases have been digital. My complaint here is more directed at the way that digital purchases don't stick between platforms on Nintendo

The Wii -> Wii U transition I could kinda let go because the Wii U literally had a Wii built into it and there was this transfer process. Also the "digital" library on Wii was tiny and even if you include games on disc there wasn't THAT much of a shared library between Wii and Wii U. Even where there was overlap the games they did "share" were significantly different due to the HD transition anyways. For example Twilight Princess -> Twilight Princess HD is probably the closest thing we got on Wii U to a direct Wii port outside of VC. And it was obviously a HD remaster. Could they have done more? Sure. But generally there wasn't THAT much reason for it

The Wii U -> Switch transition on the other hand. Backwards compatibility wasn't a thing and pretty much all of the Wii U's library was re-released on the Switch in some form. In addition to that they were logging all of your digital purchases from Day 1 on the Wii U to your Nintendo Network ID. Of course physical Wii U titles were physically incompatible with the Switch so I can kinda get not recognising digital purchases out of fear of "cheating" people who brought physical. But beyond that? There wasn't much reason for them to not do it

So with new hardware coming eventually I would hope they actually recognise purchases on the Switch. If BotW 2 launches on "both platforms" on the same day I would hope you don't have to pick at point of sale which platform you're buying it for. If there's also physical compatibility with the cartridges? Even better! But given how Nintendo has handled previous transitions I'm going under the assumption that it won't be a thing

When I browse the eShop I am going to make purchase decisions based on an assumption that:
1. New hardware will come out in the next 6 months
2. New hardware will not be backwards compatible
3. Purchases on Switch will not carry
4. I will do what I end up doing with all old hardware, it will go in a box

Those assumptions may end up being wrong but they're well within the realm of "possible". And under those assumptions? There are some games I can't justify purchasing that I probably would get if one or more of those assumptions are wrong

@TheMelodiusRose I, Just can’t agree with that. I have seen many, countless ads with them playing it in handheld mode, not saying they don’t have tv as well, I just feel like a lot of the ads Focus is on its portability. Heck it’s why the lite became a thing.

@TheMelodiusRose
If you want to talk in "objective facts" it's a portable you can dock. The Switch has a mobile SoC in it with low powered mobile RAM, it's not a "desktop" design. So if you want to be pedantic about it that's the closest thing to an answer on this

Also Nintendo did release a console that was a home console first and a hybrid second. It was called the Wii U. The Switch is not a home console first in the same way the Wii U was. Because the guts of the hardware designed for mobile use are in the portable section of the console

I view the Switch as a primarily mobile device… Given how at its core it’s little more than a gaming tablet. Nintendo simply made it extremely easy and convenient to use it as a home console.

It’s kinda like using a laptop as a desktop computer. It’s a perfectly valid way to use it, but at the end of the day, when you unplug it from the monitor… It is most definitely still a laptop.

@Eel Thank you.

@TheMelodiusRose Meant it be played? I just can’t a agree with that. Everything from the way it was built just screams handheld.

@TheMelodiusRose It objectively is. The Switch itself is the portable gaming tablet you keep in your dock. That's where all the magic happens. Docked play is achievable only through the use of a bundled peripheral that the device doesn't require to function.

Anyway, almost every Switch game commercial shows people playing it both on and off the TV. Because it's a hybrid. Hell, undocked play is showcased quite a bit more in the device's reveal trailer.

@TheMelodiusRose I mean come on the switch literally needs a dock in order to work, so how in the world is it a home console, when he switch itself needs what’s technically an add on, just to make it do it’s home console part?

Idk why it just can’t be a hybrid, if the title matter that much.

No need to be insecure about playing with a handheld device 😉, we all love the switch here!

Anyhow, I believe we can move on now.

Then leave, @TheMelodiusRose .... I'm sure we won't mind

@TheMelodiusRose If calling the switch a portable device, which it is make me stupid, then god I will be the stupidest person alive.

You can leave, and leave us with our stupid.

@TheMelodiusRose Like I said, leave us with it.