Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

How is Nintendo with demos? I haven't had a Nintendo console since Gamecube so I was curious how they handled them considering Sony/MS used to have them all the time and now they are virtually gone on PS4/Xbox One.

Not great, but I'd say better than Sony (I can't speak for Microsoft with the XBO). A fair amount of major releases get a demo (Splatoon and Pokemon having particularly good ones IMO), but not all of them.

Does the AC adapter plug into both the charging dock and the Switch in portable mode, or just the dock? It'd be shame if, in addition to all of the nickel-&-diming they're doing, I would also have to buy another charger for an inflated price. I'm sorry if this has been confirmed and talked about already.

And speaking of the nickel-&-diming, it really sucks for me, because I can't do it like I did with the Wii U. I don't have the spare cash I did back then, so I can't get the online subscription, or the charging dock, or the charging grip, or the pro controller, or the party game that should be bundled with it, or any extra joy-cons. I've got my Switch and my special addition Zelda on preorder, and that's probably gonna be it for the rest of the year.

Don't get me wrong, though, I'm still amazingly excited about the Switch, and BotW is probably all I'm going to need all year

@Nicolai The Nintendo Switch is charged through a USB-C port, and the dock has a connector, which is powered by the adapter. The good news is that most of the quality branded power banks like Anker and RAVPower would work with the Switch, since it's using a universal USB-C port.

@Nicolai https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7803833/ni...

Looks like the AC adapter has a USB-C connection.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Watch the profanity....-.-

@Joeynator3000 It's not my profanity. Is there no such thing as artistic license? It's his title, not mine.

Well don't post it on here then....

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Dude, you're on some kind of anti-Switch tirade. Forums, comments on the articles - you keep popping up, and every time you type something about the Switch, it's super-negative.

Take that YouTube video you just posted. I have no idea who that guy is, but that's beside the matter. You do realize that for every negative video out there, there is a positive video, right? I just went through a completely random search on YouTube for "Switch impressions," watching Youtubers I've never heard of mixed with some of the more well-known Youtubers. And LOTS of them who actually used the Switch had great things to say.

I think it comes down to 50/50, to be honest. I've seen negative, I've seen positive. I'm excited for the system, but I also have some reservations, especially with the online and voice chat stuff. But you have to stop being so completely one-sided, man. There's a difference between being critical and being disparaging.

@Whitewatermoose Even though I'm getting the thing day 1 because of Zelda, I realize that this console does not feel like it should be releasing yet. At the very least, I agree with the parental controls thing. I think it's cool how much control you can have with the swtich remotely. Obviously for a childless guy like me it's useless, but I still give them huge credit for that app. It looks really well made. Especially being able to see the specific games and how long they've played them.

Wait, does that mean I could charge the Switch using my phone cord? That's a usb charger.

@Nicolai If it's USB-C, then yes.

@Whitewatermoose

Overall, very excited. A few disappointments but I'll get to those. The system, for starters, is just amazing. It really is. I don't think I've ever laid eyes on a sexier console, and the Joycons are brilliant. I always said the Wiimote and Nunchuck was a good idea but it was hampered by A cord B lack of 2nd analog C lack of buttons and ease of reaching existing buttons D forced motion when it didn't always fit or enhance the experience E motion capabilities still limited by technology

With the Joycons, the cord is gone, we have a 2nd analog, enough buttons (including clickable analog) and easy to reach, and the Joycons actually work as normal controllers except in certain situations or games where it naturally enhances the experience (like aiming Link's crossbow in Zelda or a game like Arms where you steer your punches). And last but not least, the motion looks on par with HTC Vive and Occulus... far more advanced than 7th gen motion like the Wiimote

One of my favorite features though is that the controllers can be used sideways Wiimote-style, so the dual Joycon setup ensures you always have 2 controllers for multiplayer wherever you are. Local multiplayer has been dying off in the west because consoles are stationary and adults don't have friends over all the time like you do when you're a teenager. And handhelds are single player only (unless you both own one and have a 'download play' compatible title). With Switch, the console becomes portable, but that alone wouldn't be enough. It's the fact that it also, by default, has two controllers built into it that really makes it work. I can bring my Switch with me anywhere- to my brother's house, to work, wherever... and I can just set it on the table, pull out the kickstand and undock the controllers, hand one to a friend and we can play Mario Kart or Bomberman right there on the spot.

Now, as for the disappointments. The launch lineup is weak. But Zelda, truthfully, is worth a dozen mediocre titles so, it's kind of hard to feel all gloomy when I know I'm going to be playing Zelda day one. Also Bomberman R. That game looks hype. The following 9 months after launch look a lot better. By the time it's year's end, we'll have Zelda, Bomberman, Mario, Xenoblade, Splatoon, MarioKart, Fire Emblem, Arms, Skyrim, Dragon Quest XI, Dragon Quest Heroes 1 and 2, Sonic Mania, Sonic 2017, and countless other smaller titles like Redout, FAST RMX, Has Been Heroes, etc. And maybe, if those retailer listings are accurate, Pikmin World and Smash Ultimate as well.

The paid online is bittersweet. On the one hand it's never good news to hear you're going to have an added expense. I've never agreed with the idea of paid online and I really hate to see Nintendo adopt it as a policy, but I suppose it was inevitable given the industry trends and the fact every other console does it. On the bright side it is good news to see them bolstering their online, even if it is there a smart phone app. In principle I could object, but practically speaking I do always have my smart phone right next to me so it would be wasted breath.

I was expecting to see a few more bigger titles from third parties- that is probably my biggest let down. That said I'm still fairly confident there are plenty more games to come that have not been yet revealed, even if not a single extra game gets announced between now and launch, e3 is right around the corner from Switch launch and I find it hard to believe they'd go empty handed.

But again, overall I think it's a sexy system. I'm very pleased with the graphical capabilities as well. Mario Kart Switch runs 720p 60fps in undocked handheld mode... that's identical to Wii U. Means even when the system is undocked, it's like having a Wii U in the palm of your hand. Docked the game runs 1080p, which is a pretty significant upgrade. The sheer value of getting a console like Wii U and handheld like 3DS all in one $300 price tag is impressive, even more so given the "3DS portion" of it is actually on par with Wii U. And all games are effectively a console version and handheld version in one. No more $300 Wii U + $200 3DS with $60 Smash Wii U + $40 Smash 3DS. With Switch I pay once and get both, which even as a handheld is like a portable Wii U. Just can't get over how awesome that is

The comment from Gearbox about how their talks with Ninty broke off as they lost interest/had other priorities is a little disheartening, makes me wonder how big the problem of Ninty working with 3rd parties is.

Okay, this is pretty important. Looks like that, on top of paying for the online servers, you also need to pay for the smartphone app that enables the voice chat. By the looks of it, it's not possible to use voice chat directly through the Switch, you need the app and you need to pay for it as well... A free version will be available this summer, but it will be limited, like a trial version.

I mean, I don't even know how to give this a positive spin anymore...

Source: http://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service/

My main gripe with the switch is the initial cost. I've so far layed out £465 on all the bits and bobs I want Day one!
And that's not including all the BoTw amiibo.
I guess the plus side is the only game I want at launch is BoTw so that keeps costs down.
Sigh

@Octane Geez Louise, man. I guess Kimishima really is a businessman first and foremost. Not to point the finger directly at him, but ouch.

@jump
I think the Nintendo/3rd-party situation is way more complex than those of us outside the industry will ever know.

Your average forum-goer like you and me sees it as pretty clear cut: The Switch needs games. Nintendo should approach 3rd-parties. Nintendo should offer them money/incentives to develop for the Switch. Everyone profits. Skip through the fields.

But I reeeeeeaaaally doubt it's as simple as that. After the Wii U, I'm sure the third parties feel a bit burned, if not downright turned off by the prospect of putting their stuff on a Nintendo console. I mean, the Wii U is going to end its life probably somewhere around 14-15 million units sold. Some of the big third parties that you guys keep clamoring for (Gearbox actually being a good example) are used to releasing HUGE games that NEED to sell a few million MINIMUM to be viewed as "worth it" in their eyes. I would imagine something like an Assassin's Creed or Call of Duty would prefer to sell something close to half of the Wii U's entire install base.

So think about it: When Borderlands 3 comes out, even if it were ONLY launching on the PS4, let's say, would Gearbox be happy with 1 million sold? Nope. 2? Nope. We're talking like 3-4 million MINIMUM for a huge release like that, and pretty quickly. Then go back and look at the Wii U and something like Ubisoft taking a chance with ZombiU. What did that sell? BARELY 1 million as of a month ago, and that's after nearly 5 years of being out. It's just not worth it.

Third parties, aside from what we've already seen, will NOT come to the Switch until the install base grows. I'm sure some of them have some projects "cooking" in preparation for that (hopeful) time, but I bet they also have their fingers VERY ready on the "cancel" button should things go south for Switch adoption.

@Octane
Sorry for double post, but if that stuff about the online system/app/voice chat is true, I certainly will not be subscribing.

(Also, I own a Windows Phone, which...uh...I highly doubt they will make the app for lol)

@Octane I think the wording on that is just misleading. I think that just means that the app is free, and then you get basic features like your friends list, but then the other features like voice chat aren't available unless you pay for the subscription.