Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

As unlikely as it sounds, I kind of want the NX to be an open-source video game operating system with a focus on customization. A sort of Android of video games if you will (though that's kind of unfair since Android can basically run on anything that has a screen on it in some way shape or form).

"Both a portable and home console. Games can scale down to fit on the portable." -That is the overwhelming favorite.

@parallaxscroll: I don't think games will scale. I think that side of things will be done at the studios, creating a portable and home version of a game with very little effort. I think if you are rich enough to own both consoles, you will still be expected to pay for 2 versions of the game to play at home and away but you will be able to use the same save data (some how...maybe cloud?). Nintendo identified 2 markets. Hand held in Japan and home console in the west. The people who want it all ways will still have to pay I think.

It's also the most overwhelmingly wrong approach.

It's also the most overwhelmingly wrong approach.

With EA's departure, it certainly seems that the "E3 as we know it" might not be around in just a few years, but I have to admit, I'm kind of sad to see these big companies leaving it behind. Now, I've never physically been to E3 nor will I, but it's always had a special feel to it, even in the time before YouTube/Twitch coverage. Kind of like "Christmas for gamers" that I always look to shortly after school lets out every year. I love reading the massive influx of news stories, interviews, etc. And now, with Twitch and how easy it is to find the actual events, I love settling in for a couple hours to watch my favorite hobby show off its coolest new stuff.

But, all things must end, I suppose. Our gaming news will be more spread out throughout the year, and the world will continue spinning. But I'll definitely miss it. (Part of me still hopes Nintendo makes some kind of glorious return to E3 this year to show off the NX at an actual conference.)

IMO that's the hedging your bets option. Basically we're being asked whether it's a home console or portable and the people answering that are saying "yes".

The more interesting thing about the poll is that when you combine the options into the four major form factors? Both, Portable, Home Console and VR? Where variations like "it's a portable that can plug into your TV" are still counted as portable. It's basically a 50:50 split of opinion between portable and home console....

@skywake: No Micro Console section of the poll? Am I the only one in the Micro Console section still?

@DefHalan What exactly is a Micro Console? In my head all I can visualize is a GBA Micro with an HDMI port coming out of the top.

@DefHalan: I didn't include anything that was a non-answer or anything that only had 1 vote. So yeah, you're the only one. Also the fact that you can write your own answer makes the poll a bit less valid. It's clear that one person has effectively drawn naughty bits all over the poll so... that's a thing....

@Santa: A Micro Cobsole is a low powered console that is more open for developers. People are able to create and release games for the system much easier. The system is also profitable out of the box.

I would image that a Ninrendo Micro Console would have connectivity features with their next Handheld and Major Home Console. It would be the start of the family of systems. The Micro Console would also have streaming video apps. It would be a cheap way for customers to get into the Nintendo Market. Those smaller eShop games that Nintendo makes would be home on the Micro Console while Nintendo would still support their Handhelds and Home Console with bigger titles. That is just my idea lol

Honestly, sounds to me like a strategy they can already accomplish with their mobile/tablet stuff without having to create an entire fleet of new consoles. Mobile/tablet is already the perfect way to reach the largest audience possible while being, as you say, "a cheap way for customers to get into the Nintendo Market."

@rallydefault: The problems with the mobile/tablet stuff are, those are not Nintendo stores so those people are just investing more to their Google Play and App Stores, not into Nintendo's. The mobile market hasn't been a great way to get people to transfer to dedicated gaming devices, most people seem to be moving away from them. The games which can be made on mobile/tablet devices are limited because of the limited inputs, additional accessories can be purchased to expand those limits but it is unlikely for a consumer to have those accessories. The biggest issue I see is getting exposure. So many apps have trouble getting expisure on those stores that some studios have shut down because of it. Nintendo having their own platform opens more opportunities for Nintendo to control their market and increase relations with devs and consumers. After working on mobile apps exclusively these past two months, I am not sure how much success Nintendo will find in that market.

@DefHalan: I do agree with you on the shortcomings, gameplay-wise, of mobile/tablet games. I really can't stand those "games," to be honest.

I know a lot of smaller studios can get lost on those big stores, but I don't think Nintendo will (I don't think their marketing department will allow that to happen, frankly - money talks, and Nintendo seems ready to invest in their mobile presence).

But yea, I don't know what kind of data we're looking at in terms of "converting" people from mobile/tablet to a full console. I don't think any of us do, really, as that seems kind of strange for anyone to have even studied in any kind of official detail.

I just think it would be foolish for Nintendo to roll out a proverbial fleet of consoles. And people thought the whole Wii U thing was confusing? Well how the heck is a "micro" console, home console, mobile console going to be any clearer to your average consumer who doesn't do research online or elsewhere? I think it would create an absolute mess of things. Release a new handheld, a new home console and be done with it. Expand your mobile/tablet presence (as they will), and let's see what happens.

Edit: Sorry for the wall of text - no need to read if not really invested in what I'm saying.

Anyway, I think the most successful companies/consoles are the ones that have established an all-encompassing sort of brand, you know? PlayStation and Xbox have done it. If somebody walks into Gamestop and wants "Fallout 4 for PlayStation," everyone knows exactly what they mean. Same goes for Xbox. That's why I think Nintendo really just needs to go back to a console name as: Nintendo. Have it be a home console with a mobile controller, if they want, but just rebuild your brand as "Nintendo." Keep it short, simple, and sweet for the consumer.

@rallydefault: The confusion with the Wii U wasn't just because of its name. They messed up by not showing the console when it was announced and not making it clean the Wii U was the next thing. I don't think there will be lots of confusion by Nintendo adding another system. I don't think there is confusion that the Playstation TV is a different console than the PS3/4. The Playstation TV confusion is about what the PSTV can actually do. What games can it play and how does it work. Nintendo would just need to be clear on what it can do.

My idea was to make sure the micro console has a separate store, or atleast its own store section. The Handheld and Home console would most likely be compatible with all the micro console games, but the mocro console would have certain features that make it a good companion decive to the other two. Each system could work well on its own but the more you have the more you can do. I went into more detail before but don't have time to now. Maybe you could find that old post, sorry.

Quick questions guys im getting a new game for my 3ds but cannot decide if i should get mario 3d land or a zelda game excluding ocarina of time and majoras mask as i have already played through those two. Sorry this is off topic but i needed a quick response.

Pac-Man is eating the Pi Chart!

@DefHalan: No, that's ok, I generally get what you are saying, but I just think it would be too much. We'll just have to agree to disagree here. (Also, I think we both know that it's most likely not going to happen... at least, not in the "we're bringing out THREE new systems" sense.)

@rallydefault: Well part of my Micro Console is that they don't do them all at the same time. Micro Cobsole 2016, Handheld 2017, Home Console 2018, possibly a new version of the Micro Console in 2019 (the new version wouldn't be a straight up replacement, it would be more closer to a Cell Phone upgrade. New features that some might be interested in and a little extra power but the base Micro Cobsole would still be the main power requirement, kinda like the New 3DS upgrade lol)

@DefHalan:
The problem with a micro-console is that it's another platform to support. The only way I could see it working would be if it wasn't another platform, if the portable was also the micro console. Either like the VitaTV or by just putting HDMI out on the thing. But then you run into limitations on what kinds of input that portable can support. Does the portable have a touch screen and the controller not? All of a sudden it's very complicated again.