Topic: What is your stance on "Mode exclusive" Switch games and features?

Nintendo Switch is a console known for the seemingly endless ways you can use it, mainly stemming from its 3 main play modes (TV, Handheld, Tabletop). Any normal typical platform holder would've just made a straight hybrid and demand all games be played in both modes. But because of the Switch's unique design, Nintendo gives the developers near total creative freedom in how games can be presented on the console, which leads to things like modes, control schemes, even entire games that require the Switch and/or Joy-Con controllers to be used in specific way.

There's been some mixed feelings on this. Some say things like motion control games on Switch defeat the point of the system (even though you can just use tabletop mode, but whatever), and vice versa with touched. However I'd personally argue that this is a good thing for several reasons.

For one, it shows Nintendo isn't willing to force arbitrary policies down developers throats, which gives them more flexibility in how they can design Switch games. It also makes the Switch feel more original than simply a generic "hybrid". But perhaps importantly, It encourages people to try using the console in different ways. Last year, Nintendo's statistics showed that the vast majority of Switch owners use the system exactly as intended. IE, play both docked and un-docked. I'd argue a large part of this is because Nintendo has promoted and pushed players to use the system unconventionally. Sure, for the most part, you can use the Switch however you want. But if a game or mode in a game has some unorthodox set-up, and you simply try it, you might happen to like it, and would probably want to use it this way more often (or not).

So I don't see anything wrong with Nintendo not enforcing 100% compatibility with all play modes of the Switch, especially since it allows for more innovative games on the platform, and it's not like "handheld only" or "TV and Tabletop" only games are the majority on the system either, since the majority of Switch games can be easily adapted to all play-styles.

You might want to read the Nintendo site before posting what your asking about.

https://www.nintendo.com/switch/

And watch this site and what they say and you will get why this posting is kinda of nonsense starter.

@SwitchForce
I'm not sure what you mean when you say this post is "nonsense". There are quite a few games that require you to play the Switch in particular ways. The main example being Mario Party which doesn't have any handheld modes. There are also a few touch screen focused games that can't play on the TV.

Personally... it doesn't bother me unless it's a single player game that doesn't allow handheld mode. That was also one of my biggest complaints about the Wii U. I don't mind a game that requires the touch screen. I don't mind a game that needs to be on the TV if I'm always going to be playing it with more than one person. But a game where I'm the only one playing? If I can't play it off the TV they've missed the mark.

The great thing about the Switch is that it's flexible design allows it to cater to as many gaming interests as possible. You like Console gaming? You can do that with the dock. Like mobile games? You might enjoy handheld mode. Like party games? There's 2 controllers with every system. Motion Control games? They're here too.

It's honestly much closer to the DS in this case, which could do a variety of different applications from touch based puzzle games to hardcore action titles. Switch is similar in that regard. If developers want to make a more locked down experience with their game, then they should have the right to do that.

I don't mind it as long as there is a good reason to restrict game modes. E.g. If a game's core mechanics are heavily reliant on touch controls I'll let handheld only slide, same with motion controls and TV.

I would only expect this to happen once in a blue moon though.

@TheMisterManGuy Doesn’t this run counterintuitive to your other topic, in which you said there shouldn’t be a Switch without detachable joycons? I’m confused.

@JackEatsSparrows No, in fact, the argument I proposed for mode exclusive Switch games is in favor of no Joy-Con-less Switch model.

It kinda does in the broadest sense. The argument over there was basically that Nintendo shouldn't sell different SKUs that cater towards different kinds of consumers because "the Switch is a multi-form factor device". The end user should have to buy the JoyCon as they are whether they want to play on the TV or not. But now when talking about software? Well developers should be free to do whatever they want even if it means excluding particular "play modes" the Switch is capable of.

Personally I agree that developers should cater to all kinds of game types even if that means excluding some ways people want to play games on the Switch. For the same reason I don't have an issue with a SKU of the Switch that caters more specifically to one way of playing. And the hardware restriction is, if anything, less obnoxious than restricting software to particular playstyles because there's an upgrade path for hardware. There's never going to be DLC for 1-2 Switch, Mario Party or Just Dance to allow a handheld mode

Pretty much this. Though I've eventually adapted to Super Mario Party lacking Portable Mode to allow for those playthroughs on bus rides, I still yearn for a Mario Party Switch game that would let me play in Portable Mode.

@TheMisterManGuy I don't think mode exclusive games shouldn't be allowed... but I don't like them. As someone who does play the Switch in all three modes, about 50% docked, and 45% portable and 5% tabletop, I want to be able to SWITCH between them however I want. But if there is a compelling enough reason to make a game that only supports certain modes, I am open to the concept.

A good example is Mario Party, its restrictions to certain modes for game play reasons make sense. It has games specifically using those modes that would not work using a different set up.

A bad example is Pokemon Let's Go, it's demand that you play one handed with a single joy-con or Poke-Ball Plus is forced and totally unneeded for the game play.

How is that any different than a game being of a certain genre, or being about a certain subject matter? Your post is essentially saying that developers should never make a game that doesn't specifically appeal to you, which is silly. There are countless games on the market that don't appeal to me for whatever reason, and so what? Those games obviously appeal to somebody, or developers wouldn't bother making them.

Just buy what you like, and ignore what you don't. Simple.

The versatility of the Switch is a dream come true and being able to switch between tv screen, handheld, and tabletop is a big part of its appeal. I feel because of its design I’ve been able to squeeze in way more gaming time over the last nearly couple of years.

I don’t mind the odd game forcing a particular play style if necessary but I would rather these games remain in a tiny minority.

@Mountain_Man
It isn't different really, that was kinda my point. Also why I said I didn't have an issue with it...

I agree with this post. I played Rayman and all of the sudden the game wouldn't let me play a level because I needed to take the Switch out of the dock and play the level in portable mode because you had to use the touch screen to cut some vines or some nonsense like that. Like you said, the good part about the gimmick this time is that it's up to the users if they want to use it. I want to play a normal game, then if I chose to, I can play the same game in portable mode. I don't want games that have you take the Switch in and out of the dock, using the joycons every now and then, or doing any sort of forced "switching". The only kind of game that is okay with is Labo, because people know what they are buying when they buy Labo.

I didn't realize until a short time in that LGPE allows to play a co-op game (or one player two controllers) by pushing a button on the other Joy-con to summon a phantom second trainer. (I think only the main player can actually interact with stuff)
Kind of pointless to use two Trainers with the catch-only wild encounter system but it allows you to, if you want, fight NPC trainers two on one. (You will have a double battle team but the AI will have a single team)