Nintendo Switch Has "Probably The Best Demo I've Ever Seen" Says Bethesda's Todd Howard

Ill believe it when I see it (the third party support I mean).

Though many may disagree, I think Skyrim on the Switch would do pretty well, even with the recent release of the Special Edition (which frankly, doesn't look any different than the original release).

Cool. It's good to hear praise and especially from a developer like Bethesda.

Definitely a good thing. When the WiiU was getting ready to be released, there were mostly rumors about how hard it was to develop for, which was a big factor in the lack of 3rd party support, and how it wasn't powerful enough.

This means more to me coming from them then anything UBISoft has ever said and I like them as well!

@biscuitsandtea Yeah. Being able to play RPGs like Skyrim on the go is really attractive to me... Though I don't know if it has the same appeal to others.

Is this the guy that tells 'white lies' all the time?

Best demo ever? Wow, that's some pretty high praise. The Nintendo Switch could actually have decent 3rd party support this time around.

I understand people will take third party comments about the Switch with a huge grain of salt after what happened with WiiU, believe me I do as well.

But in the end third parties need to make a profit just like Nintendo and failing in this day and age can cost you your whole company going down.

I'm hopeful with the Switch every party to take full responsibility and put their money where their mouth is...

-Nintendo, keep chasing those third parties, especially western third parties because you need them just as much as Sony and MS do.
-Third parties, don't give us sweet talk give us games, if you can't just be honest about it and at least try to act we Nintendo gamers also exist and win us over.
-Nintendo gamers, dont just follow and talk about games, buy them!!! (if they're worth it)

Well it's a positive step, I just hope this all pays off & Nintendo can actually silence all it's critics when the Switch is released. Show, not tell.

In regards to "power", I was heartened to find out the Nvidia TV which runs on lower specs than the Switch could run Crysis 3 in full native 1080p without much hassle. Even if it's not as powerful as an XboxOne, it'll easily beat any PC at the same cost (£200).

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Because a major 3rd party publisher/developer is really gonna say "lol your system sucks, please buy our game on it"

Don't get me wrong, I hope it IS good, but like the nvidia thing, are they really gonna say "we helped make this, it's crap though, please buy 40 million units"

This sounds very encouraging.People will say "well they would say that if they're supporting it" but like @Spoony_Tech says,this has more meaning coming from then than it would from someone like Ubisoft.

He may have confirmed Skyrim is coming to the Switch by accident.
Q. Can you take Skyrim with you on the Go?
A. It is the same on the TV and the screen

It's easy to dismiss these stories as "well they would say that"... but many companies don't. Other consoles only tend to get this kind of praise in the middle of the big marketing push, considering Nintendo is using NDAs to keep the devs quiet I'm pretty impressed with that I've heard so far.

It's far too easy to be dismissive at the moment, but the fact Nintendo is actually trying to supress GOOD press/rumours makes me hopeful.

We just need Nintendo to come out and reveal to us super Mario sunshine HD is coming. Let's hope

I hope it looks good as this

I have never played the series. I want my first try to be on the Switch. I would pick this game as my first purchase over any game Nintendo has lined up except Zelda. If the Rumors are true, then it would not matter because Skyrim will keep me occupied by the time BotW comes out.
Why would Bethesda be in the commercial? Duh It is coming.

@UK-Nintendo I hope the new Mario is new & better. Never really bothered to complete Mario Sunshine. For me it was the "Pokémon Black & White 2" of Mario games.

@UK-Nintendo I watched that earlieft,looks fantastic . Going by the minimal job they done with the 2 Zelda remasters on Wii U though I think it's unlikely they'll go that far with Sunshine HD.

I'm on board. Skyrim will be a day one Switch purchase for me if it's coming. I really believe Nintendo can knock one out of the park this time, the way things have been going. They know they need to.

I am so excited about this! Fallout 4 was my first Bethesda game and I love love loved it! If Bethesda and Rockstar support the Switch, then I will be able to kiss my PS4 goodbye!

@Mega719 Thanks for that. I think that should have been a bigger story, as it does sound like a confirmation to me. Also, that he said he demoed Switch at E3. That was 5 months ago. So Sky rim could be ready at launch. I own it on PS3 and still haven't played it yet, I hate FP view, but maybe someday.

@DanteSolablood new ones coming for sure but I hope this comes also.

Funny the Bethsheba Guy didn't mention Bayonetta 2 they developed for the Wii-U. He's acting as if the last Nintendo console they published on was the NES.

I'm kind of hyped about this game.

@StarDust4Ever - yeah what's up with that Platinum not Bethesda.

Just shut up and take my money already

@StarDust4Ever Am I missing a joke in there or did you just get mixed up haha

Exciting to see a developer like Bethesda praise the forthcoming system. I hope that excitement last longer than 4-6 years and don't abandon ship like many did with the Wii U.

When it comes to multiplatform games, I usually buy the version I believe to be the superior one. That usually is the PC version. However, the ability to play full console games on the go is enticing, so I can see myself buying the Switch version for a good amount of multiplatform games.

@idork99 I hope that excitement will last longer than 4-6 months never mind years.

Meh, got the PC version of Skyrim and it's buggy as hell. I think I'll pass.

If Nintendo can get the attention of the larger buying public that currently either forgets they exist or doesn't seem them as a serious player in the gaming industry, I think they'll do fine. I'm not entirely sure Skyrim will do it, but it can't hurt.

Anyone that hasn't played Skyrim should absolutely pick it up if you like open world RPGs. The only reason I probably won't get it on the Switch is because I've already put an obscene number of hours into it on my PS3. I might crack if it ends up having mods, though. Such an amazing game. Absolutely worth the money. Here's to hoping that the next Elder Scrolls will be on the Switch along with Skyrim.

@Shiryu
Yep! I will believe it when I see it as well.

Can't help but think this all seems oh so familiar .. wait, I remember, the WiiU.

If the initial Nintendo Switch sales are disappointing in any way or form, watch them all flee.

@StarDust4Ever Platinum Games developed Bayonetta 2, not Bethesda.

@KirbyTheVampire if Nintendo allows mods I'll eat my hat.

Nobody seems to remember how much Bethesda trashed the Wii U, this is in stark contrast to the Switch. Say what you will about them "putting their money where their mouth is," but their mouth is saying better things now than a few years ago. I, for one, am ready to see what comes to Switch from third-party developers like Bethesda.

@KirbyTheVampire @Dtbahoney I read a rumour the other day that it will have mods but it'll be like the PS4 version and only use in-game assets.I'm not sure where I read that,either LKD or Emily Rodgers I think.

@yomanation Not just any kind of on-the-go version, but one specifically designed for a light handheld. You can easily bring a laptop along and play Skyrim, but that requires deification and frankly not many would go that far.

The Switch will definitely switch things up.

I was excited by the idea of Skyrim on the Switch.. until I bought the special edition on PS4. The game has not aged well at all unfortunately. Its a slow, sluggish pain in butt & the horse riding is atrocious. Plus it was really kind of Bethesda to leave all the bugs and glitches in the game:/
Its great that Bethesda are keen on supporting the Switch though. Bring on the next Wolfenstein!

If he's saying it's the best demo ever, the tech itself, then it must have some impressive features or grunt that we don't know about.
That excites me.
Regardless, I've already got my preorder in, just bring the love Nintendo, bring me the love.

@Dtbahoney @OorWullie @River3636 @yomanation Sorry guys I just had a major brain fart...

@Ichiban That's sad news about TES V: Remastered, I haven't gotten around to buying it yet. I'd add DOOM to the list of Bethesda games I want on Switch.

What about PC devices? Hmm...What's he playing at?

@StarDust4Ever - It's all good.

Bethesda working on Nintendo hardware is huge, and Skyrim on Switch would be an equally huge thing, regardless of some people's opinions. They and this game really matter, moreso because of the image it paints to consumers - that Nintendo gets big mature games.

Having them on their side is a tremendous boon for Nintendo, which makes me wonder... What if Nintendo purposefully delayed Zelda so as not to compete with Skyrim at launch? Think about it. If Zelda launched alongside Skyrim on Switch, you can bet Zelda would massively hurt Skyrim's sales, in turn putting Bethesda and likely other publishers and devs off from supporting Switch, because Skyrim, being the giant epic big-budget 3rd party game it is, failed to sell.

Delaying Zelda and giving Skyrim a chance to shine and sell without direct competition from a similar open-world fantasy game would make a lot of sense, both in the short and long term for Nintendo, as it would encourage Bethesda and others.

@CB85 Nintendo has no incentive to delay their game for any 3rd party. Any delays of 1st party games will undermine Switch sales which will undermine 3rd party support in the long run.

If Zelda isn't ready for launch, it's because the game isn't ready yet. That said, I have never played Skyrim before, so I might try it at launch.

@Yalaa Yes, Nintendo gamers have to step up and show 3rd parties that it is worth their time developing for Nintendo. Yes, Nintendo can be hard to work with, and yes 3rd parties can give themselves justifiably poor reputations (Mass Effect 3 when other consoles got Mass Effect Trilogy is the first Eff You that comes to mind), but there have been plenty of times quality games sold poorly; why would any publisher continue to occupy such a market? Everyone needs to work a bit to remedy Nintendo's 3rd party issues, and if Doom comes to Switch I'll buy it day one, full price. (Skyrim, well, there are too many 100+ hour RPGs in my backlog as it is. It looks awesome, though.)

@CB85 only one problem with this thought, skyrim is really a last gen game and as good as it may have been, a bunch of ports of old games is exactly how Wii U failed...

I think I'm going to pick up Oblivion for PS3. I pretty sure I can find it on the cheap.

”We'll definitely be supporting it" Where have I heard this before...

Port New Vegas with all DLC!!!

@Captain_Gonru is there a new where's Waldo I don't know of

If Skyrim Remastered is full price, I can't see getting it until a heavy discount...it's just a slight upgrade even though I want to support 3rd parties on Nintendo. Although if Doom gets a port....Day One!

Todd you're a known liar. I don't trust you.

Great, I thought since we now know a bit about the switch, I thought things would be calmer. Now I'm anxious to wait no thanks to details like this. Curse you Switch!

@Mega719 Where did you find that?

The fact that Bethesda loves it and that we'll most likely get Skyrim, it's not that we NEED Skyrim, but it makes way for future Bethesda games, and quite frankly as far as I'm concerned Bethesda is now one of the top third party developers. Nintendo would be super lucky to have them.

Hope the support continues from other developers too.

@Damo: Target now has Breath of the Wild game listed for June 13th. It's up to you if this is newsworthy or not.

Create innovative hardware.

Waste it on monotonous, lifeless games like those created by Beth S. Duh.

lol logic be funn

good

"You see those mountains? You can play Skyrim there."

By the looks of it Skyrim remaster is still going to be full price on ps4 by Switch launch anyway. I would pay full price to play it on switch. But would switch even get mods? If so would it be severely lacking like on PS4 or full mods like Xbox one?

@Niinbendo
Nice!
I've put a preorder in for the 'premium' bundle, whatever that ends up being.
I'll wait until it gets closer to see what games are announced and then up my order to include those.

It's going to be a long wait.

Why are people doubting Skyrim? Weird. Anyhoo, this speaks volumes about how confident you guys are in Nintendo. Y'all ain't investors by any chance are ya?

Wonder what surprised him so much... Maybe the Switch is SO good that Skyrim was running without any bug or glitch showing up? XD

Good to hear some postive news. Roll on Black Friday!!

I'd love Fallout on Switch, that would be fantastic! Good news!

@GrailUK Us Nintendo fans have taken a few knocks over the past few years.Can't really blame some for being sceptical. But I think it's fair to say Skyrim is all but officially confirmed.Not sure why NL left this bit out the interview but the next question and reply was

Can you really bring Skyrim with you on the go?

It's the same game on the TV and on the other screen.

Either way you look at it this is good news for now but let's hope they don't pull support when a last gen port, that's been out for months on other consoles, doesn't sell as well as hoped.

Day one purchase and please bring Doom and Wolfenstein to Switch as well Bethesda!!!!!!

Well as it was in the demo for the Switch I would say it's more or less confirmed that Skyrim will be on the Switch. So Bethesda and Nintendo must have some sort of contract on that game.
But yeah, what I read from rumors etc it looks like that the Nintendo Switch might be getting the best launch lineup ever. And I read some comments about Nintendo not having a good third party support.
Actually Nintendo own alot of game companies like Monolith Software (known for the Xenoblade Chronicles series) and Bandai Namco, some of the best game in the last 20 years are console specific titles for Nintendo consoles.
Here's are some totaly asome games just for the Wii (can name alot more):
Xenoblade Chronicles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTdODpdlx6U
The Last Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfyW8QqbArA
Metroid other M: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EftgHQGHQI
Fire emblem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEAyqifoLkc
Mario Glaxy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg-0ff7L7hw
Reed steel 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3-7hYqHKyM
Rune factory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK9usj3E7VY

And yeah the Wii U produced this (Can make a similar list but this one just blows you mind so is satisfied whit just naming this game):
Xenoblade Chronicles X:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXebYygyEJo
(Notice that the Character is custom made by the player and everything you see is not a movie but the game itself).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb45yEoqc9U

Right now all I would love to have for Switch is Ubisofts Steep.

Bethesda... well of course

Nintendo are obviously paying Bethesda.

Nintendo fans who own a Wii U and want a Switch will buy Skyrim (and Mario) at launch.

Because it's likely everything else will be Wii U ports or... (ewww) Rabbids.

Wow, as a huge Bethesda fan myself his statements make me really hopeful on the future of the Switch. Could this really be the first console with proper third party support in over a decade? I sure hope so!

@Mega719 professional journalism: clever questions skill lv 80. XD

Bethesda games are a non event

If the price point is right, I'll be getting it at launch. The fact that I can bring my console experience anywhere is a win.

People are worrying that this is going to replace the 3DS, it won't simply because you cannot fit the switch into your pockets. Unless you weigh 400lbs.

This is good news. Bethseda either ignored previous Nintendo consoles or talked trash about them, so having positive comments from them and Skyrim confirmed does speak really well about the Switch.
I don't mind ports - never played Skyrim for example - but I hope we get current gen support too.

Interesting to hear Howard say this. I remember back with the GameCube, how I was slightly disappointed that Morrowind didn't come out on it.

Lots of launch titles over the years have been pretty looking re-releases, and it can work well. Personally I have actually played Skyrim at all yet, and I might be more prone to do so if it was on a Nintendo device.

These guys haven't made a game since Home Alone and Where's Waldo on the NES, and we're supposed to care they like the Switch demo? Wow, just wow.

Why are we interviewing random old companies like Bethanysday anyway?

Vulkan Doom on the go would be brilliant and a great showcase for the Switch

@XCWarrior Poe's law is strong with this post.

1. this is a big developer but this is NOT marketing speech like most of these other reports. this is a guy shooting from the hip actually saying how cool it is. to me that is GOOD news.

2. lol at mentioning home alone

But this is Bethesda a company who can't seem to release a game without any bugs.

That sounds great and all, but Elder Scrolls is always most at home on PC, no matter what. Why? Mods. That is all.

But at least other BethSoft products that don't utilize mods will see the light of day on NX! Maybe Home Alone HD?

@HappyMaskedGuy In that case, I guess the Wii U as a whole was a nonevent piece of garbage destined for the trash can of history, since none of it's games nor the hardware itself ever came remotely close to Skyrim's sales.

Good to hear. So Dishonored 2 and Skyrim then? Thanks.

Hope is a dangerous thing when it comes to Nintendo...

@CB85
Honestly, I would be kind of pissed if they had to delay BotW just to please the Dragon(stub)born fanboys. If this was a new game, ok why not. But this is a remake of a +5 year old game.

In the early days of the Wii U and the 3DS, 3rd had not to fear the dominance of 1st party games that much, but I don't remember many companies making use of that window effectively. Putting Zelda on hold just to make room for 3rd parties should not be a necessity and is not a guarantee of success either.

Wow. Great to hear this (realizing it won't really mean much until games are actually announced and are released). I can't wait til January to get some concretes.

@PlywoodStick It was a personal opinion about their games. For me, they are a non event. I don't find myself interested in them. Sales don't equate quality of content. Skyrim was certainly no golden child.

I'll believe the 3rd party support when I see it (at least in a few years). I don't want them to just create ports that are already a year or so old on the PS4 and XBONE, that means they won't get the money they want, they'll blame it on nintendo, then we won't get any more of the big budget titles. Other than that, I hope with this statement being made, I really hope the virtual library can go even bigger with NES titles...I'd love to see NES games being added that are more than just nintendo, and I'd love to see games being added weekly than just one or two...actually, the Wii shop had no more than 4 per week and the E-Shop on the Wii U and 3DS didn't have a whole lot per week...especially if you look at Playstation or Xbox's having almost a dozen or more per week (not every week, but plenty of them).

Hopefully, nintendo is keeping it good and real, and really taking to heart to support the 3rd party scene and developers...basically making them happy and giving them money or chances to create exclusives for the console...as well as advertising them greatly, not just their own exclusives...this is what kind of hurt them in the past. Other than all of this, January will be the time to see it all in action and March will prove the sales (which I see them being really good and high)...technically, but next Christmas of 2017, that will mark on if everything goes right for nintendo...the sales could be there for March, but it doesn't mean that everyone will keep the system or keep it going...Wii's were extremely popular, but the trade ins and sells were just as high. You can basically find a used Wii everywhere for cheap prices, but Gamecubes are almost invisible or rare to find, but cheap.

@MarcelRguez I'm still trying to decipher it myself..

@XCWarrior Most of these older companies are still around, the groups of people just separated and went to different companies, but they still hold the rights to those games...it's kind of good news, as the Virtual Library could grow with more classics, and it's also good to see that many other companies could come aboard for the console.

@Pod Morrowind became an X-box Exclusive...it never even made it to PS2.

@Hy8ogen Don't forget how big the Sega GameGear and even the Atari Lynx was for portable systems. Technically, even the Vita was pretty big for a pocket, but...just looking at females...pocket books are used to store Kindles, E-Readers, I Pads and mini computers, so it's not that bad. However, they may not rule out the 3DS just yet to see if the sales are there on the Switch. It's nintendo, so if the Switch sells magnificently, yeah, they could hold back on another handheld system for a while, but just like I said and many other people...nintendo is in their own little world!!!!

@Sandman83 bandai Namco is not owned by nintendo, they're their own separate company that goes for more nintendo then the others, but Pac-man is on everything and so are the Namco Museum titles.

@whanvee On Wii and PC they made Where's Waldo The Fantastic Journey...other than that, I don't think it was made by the same developer, and the Where's Waldo game on NES was just plain horrible...even made it onto lists for some of the worst games ever.

@CB85 That's what I was thinking, instead nintendo seems to be making re-releases for the Switch and saving their games for future releases to keep 3rd parties on board. It makes sense, especially to keep them on their ideas, but...they should at least have one big IP for their console (Mario could help them), but hopefully they also have more planned. Guess January and March will decide it all!

@gaby_gabito you can't kiss it goodbye yet! Killing Floor 2! Toukiden Kiwami 2, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, etc. So much to live for!

..nice..

..can't wait for the Where's Waldo mod..

@yomanation Late 3rd party ports are a given (at least, at launch). I believe we'll need to rely on Nintendo to get unique titles, at least until 3rd parties believe they can profit from the Switch.

As for Switch ports to tablets/mobile, I hope not. Either that or it'll be the other way around, with the eShop crammed to the brim with crummy mobile games. Only time will tell.

If those aren't just empty words I'd be happy. Though the build up to Switch's launch is significantly more positive than the WiiU's.

Not that I'm much of a Bethesda fan.I played Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion..but was bewildered by how little I accomplished in contrast to the literal dozens of hours I put into it. I personally preferred Fable 1 & 2 in terms of Western RPGs.

Half life 3 confirmed

I think 3rd parties are much happier that Nintendo have all their eggs in one basket this time. Wii U got subtly mothballed immediately after launch while they poured resources into 3DS. They can't do that to the switch.

@Shiryu Exactly.

Plus, stuff like this here: "I mean the device itself."

Once again, with a Nintendo system we're all focusing on the device itself, instead of, oh i dunno the actual GAMES. Meh.

@Mega719 the problem with Skyrim coming to Switch is the same problems 3rd party launch titles had coming to Wii U; they all arrived months after their PS/XB counterparts.

If Skyrim drops on Switch in March.... so what? It's out NOW on competing hardware. Anyone that wants it owns it now. I have little faith in Switch being much more of a success than Wii U. I see lifetime sales hovering around GCN numbers honestly, unless some amazing new details emerge.

@MarcelRguez Was it really that hard to tell that I was joking around? I mean, I called Bethseda Bethanysday... that didn't sound off an alarm?

Apparently your Poe's Law theory holds correct. @JLPick

@HappyMaskedGuy I actually do agree with you on the personal level. I don't think Skyrim is all that worthwhile without the plethora of mods available for it on PC. So console versions are definitely a no go for me, when it comes to Elder Scrolls. Even at it's best, though, Skyrim is still not my cup of tea. (Although I liked Morrowind.)

And yet... Dem sales figures!

@BiasedSonyFan I wouldn't say I'm at the GameFAQ's level of constantly harping on about sales equaling worth; I was half-joking. There is a certain level of importance to the metrics, though. Ignoring their effects completely is folly.

I see the usual trolls are here today. It's up to Nintendo to shut them up, although they probably never will.

@Menchi187
No, they might not say "this system sucks"

But I seriously doubt the director of Skyrim is going to say it's the best hardware he's ever demoed if that's not actually the case. He could simply say "we look forward to it and will be supporting it etc etc"

This is a game director, not a corporate suit. When he tells you something is that good, with absolutely no vested interest in falsely propping it up, you can pretty much take it to the bank he means every word of it.

We've seen the corporate PR from enough third parties to know the difference between someone just smiling and nodding and someone who is actually excited over what Nintendo is doing.

@gatorboi352
"Anyone that wants it owns it now"

Not true. My friend at work is debating between getting a PS4 with Skyrim or waiting for Switch and getting it. He's basically just waiting for confirmation that it's going to launch on the system.

And of the rest (which is a lot of people- tens of millions of Elder Scrolls sales) there may be many who own it but none of them own it portably. Which is exactly why I'll be buying it despite having the X1 version. Have Xbox for mods, Switch for portability.

If the Switch wasn't portable, it might not be as alluring. Because at that point the only reason to buy it on Switch is if that's the console you're going to buy. But being a hybrid kind of gives every game an appeal that simply isn't offered anywhere else. And the fact it will actually be playing real console games portably might entice a lot of people who otherwise were never really interested in small handhelds with handheld games.

In the end though, whatever happens happens. If it ends up like Wii U, so be it. It is what it is. And we can mourn that five years from now. But right now it's time to be excited for a new console and its games. Speaking of which, hardware is the first thing to look at before looking at the games. Because it is the hardware that directly impacts how you will be enjoying those games- the performance of the games, the graphics of the games, the system level features for the games, etc. If Switch had a 5" sub-HD screen with no controllers that detached, people might not be that excited for it. So it's always a great sign to see someone with this level of pedigree vouch for the system. It bodes well for the quality of experience we will have when playing said games.

@OorWullie Twilight Princess, I believe, was minimal. Wind Waker looked like a whole new game.

Really have high hopes for this, i play my 3DS way more than i do my consoles (WiiU and PS4) heck even mobile. I love the portability of the Switch, and hope they go all in on that ability. (i loved the off-tv play on the WiIU)

Sounds to me like they aren't working on a Switch port of Skyrim just yet. May take a while...

Well this is definitely good news. I wonder exactly what it was that made it basically the best demonstration of a machine he's ever seen. I mean, was it something about the hardware, some amazing bit of software that really shows off the hardware in some great way, or something else? Interesting for sure.

@yomanation Yes, hopefully we do get those 3rd party ports on time 'this' time around.

And as for the ports to mobile, I'm aware it's inevitable, but I hope that transition is slow. Not only that but I think not every publisher will go that route seeing as most tablet/mobile user isn't keen on spending more than a few pounds on applications, much less anything at all.

We'll see how it goes

after playing a lot of games on the wiiu pad I do think games like skyrim will lose a lot of there impact on such a small portable screen. but you can allways play at home and being portable will still be nice

Well of course they will say it's good since they still can earn some more money. I would be positive about the hardware as well if someone bought my games. That' for sure