Video: Let's See How Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch Compares to the Wii U Original

Can't wait for 28th April

I am not seeing much of a difference myself.

Nintendo really should have made higher resolution textures and bumped up the lighting and shadow quality.

Some minor shadows improvements and maybe more detail on distant textures. A little bit of improvements in some lights and of course, 1080p. Almost everyhting looks the same, but hey, if the Wii U version looks perfect, why touch it?

glad to see the frame pacing issues resolved and definitely looks sharper with that higher res! can't wait!

Ah. I pity those who only now are enjoying MK, 3 years after it launched on the Wii U!

Um, starting with the Mute City track in the video, the Wii U version looks like it was dropped to 30fps, which for many may create a false impression in thinking that Switch is improving a lot more over what Wii U does for this game when graphically, the only real different is going from 720p to 1080p (which YT videos seem to not do justice with).

Not seeing a massive difference but the Switch version definitely looks sharper

Just paid off my preorder this morning. As someome who skipped the wii u im very very excited for this. Cant wait to wreck my kids in battle mode lol.

"looks identical to me"...but that's what i'm saying about almost every digital foundry video lol

@Dpullam Wii U version looks like it stutters a lot

That last sentence in the article...

Is this the place where I say they should have given Wii U owners a discount? A little love to loyal fans? Then again they discontinued the mini so I don't think past fans matter to Nintendo....

Hmm. I'm still on the fence about this.

It's not gonna be a major difference.

The selling point here is that even in handheld mode it runs same as Wii U, and in docked its upped to 1080p, and it has the new battles modes and arenas and DLC and tweaks and all that jazz

Switch is the perfect console for this game though. 2 controllers and tabletop make it a Mario Kart machine, and now with battle mode and 50 tracks out the gate there's gonna be a lot of content to chew on. This is something I'll play for years and years to come. One of those games you just want on your person (or should I say Switch) at all times

This is such a great game. It's so good.

Both look great even tho one came out 3 years ago

I love my Switch and all but how can I possibly be the only person that's more than a little annoyed that the Big AAA Nintendo™ games for it at launch (and right after) are basically Wii U games? MK8 is a 10/10 in my book, sure, but I've already logged hundreds of hours into it in almost 3 years – I wasn't exactly chomping at the bit to play it on the go when no one I know will play it against me. Also, how likely is MK9 now given that I'm pretty sure (correct me if I'm wrong) no Nintendo console has ever had multiple MK games?

All I can say is Thank Goodness for Shovel Knight, World of Goo, and I Am Setsuna for bringing something unique to the Sw....oh wait, right. Oops.

Maybe in a few months when... wait, when IS the first unique Switch game coming out? Is it Super Mario Odyssey? Dang. Long wait.

@Dpullam expect this for basically every Wii U port. Switch isn't even 2 Wii Us duct taped together.

Since there is really no significant differences between the 2 versions, I'm sticking to the Wii U version. I don't really care about the new battle modes.

As someone who only has the Wii and not the WiiU, I'm really excited for the chance to play Mario Kart 8. And with several of my students picking up Switch consoles soon, it should make for fun breaks at the university this coming semester. ^_^

Oh my wallet...
So many Great Switch games...
But i'm a little bit broke now.
I will buy LEGO City Undercover Switch Cooking Mama Sweet Shop 3DS first in May 2017.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be June 2017 for my Shopping Day.

@manu0 Plus the fact that Youtube video streams lack a lot of detail because they are so heavily compressed. With the motion shots its almost impossible to see differences in the video where still shots are a little better. Still this will look much better at home on console.

April 28th can't come soon enough. I have my pre-order in and am counting the days (11).

@Discostew Right, Youtube couldn't render a proper 1080p stream, ever. But yeah the Wii U 720p 60fps (with some frame drops per Digital Foundry), Switch 1080p 60fps (with no frame drops).

I did also notice @2:04 that Bowser pulls off a pink or purple third boost flame that was absent on the Wii U. This was hinted at in a still shot of Waluigi months ago, but I hadn't seen actual confirmation of this until now.

I really really hate that 4-player is 30 FPS instead of 60. Makes it really tough on the eyes for me. Double Dash had 60, so I wish that they could have toned down the graphics just a bit more to hit 60.

Also, Fast RMX hits 60 on 4 players so I was really hoping Nintendo could pull it off for the port

@Collinhall I remember back on Mario Kart 64 where background music was cut to allow for four players.

Definitely looks sharper, and also seems like it might run a pinch faster? In the Mount Wario stage, Switch Bowser was outpacing Wii U Bowser even though he got trashed a lot.

The differences are minimal. At the end of the day both versions look and play great.

To think it's only ten days away - I absolutely can't wait!

@speedracer216 I really don't understand this mentality. Every other company does ports of their games and people do not clammer for some sort of discount for that just because they had the original. What makes Nintendo so special for offering an upgraded and expanded version of an older game that means they should offer a discount?

better draw distance on the text on the bridge was all I could spot that stuck out.

@gatorboi352 I'm pretty sure Fast RMX demonstrated how much more the Switch could do, going from 640x720 @ 60fps (with drops), to a full 1080p @ 60fps on Switch. That's 4.5x the pixel count, and the only reason why single-player mode even drops in resolution is due to a flaw in the firmware that's eating up GPU resources (mentioned by Shin'en). This doesn't take into account that it's a Wii U port (much like MK8D) where they are still limited by the structure that Wii U utilized, and that a full-on Switch game would better utilize the resources.

@Danpal65 You haven't been paid too much attention, haven't you? When said companies release an enhanced version of their games, they do it at 50-67% of the cost of the original, not 100% like Nintendo.

1080p 60fps... please tell me again !! XD

GLORIOUS

@GoldenGamer88 To think it's only ten days away - I absolutely can't wait! What if I told you that you could play Mario Kart 8 right now and that you and your friends could spend more time playing as you would have fewer pixels to painstakingly count. Would that be worth something to ya?

@gatorboi352 Switch isn't even 2 Wii Us duct taped together. Too bad because then it wouldn't bend from the heat.

Fast RMX has very poor graphics compared to MK8.

MK8's tracks are full of moving details, each part of each track being very different from each others (excluding Baby Park of course).

Fast Rmx's circuits are very steady and use the same textures all along each circuit.

So it's kind of normal Fast RMX can have 60fps in 4 player mode and MK8 can't.

So it's kind of

And some people think the Switch is weaker than the Wii U...

@Ebefren 1080p 60fps

There, are you happy?

Personally they look identical, that said I preordered my copy from Tesco last night. I can't wait to have a go at a proper battle mode again for the first time in years!

They look the same.

@LeRaposa Storage space is an issue plus Mario Karts textures are cartoony and are already very, very sharp for what they are.

@hippoeater The frame pacing glitch on MK8 was patched along time ago.

Move along please.

Is Switch getting any new courses?

This site now has 2 types of Nintendo fan. One who have a Switch and think Wii u is a crock and Wii u owners who aren't impressed with Switch and don't think the upgrade is worth it.

I'm in the latter myself.

Edit: There are more than 2 types of fans.

Switch looks shaper. But that's it

@Crono1973 Oh, you mean on a console I absolutely despise and am glad that it now rests down in the cellar where it has always belonged? Yeah, nope, not interested in that whatsoever.

I struggled to spot any real differences (at least on this screen), but if you pause around 3:43, pop-in is significantly reduced. The item boxes are visible much earlier on the Switch version.

Unrelated but am I the only one preferring the MK8 box art over the MK8D box art?

Can't really see a difference. Might look better on a big HDTV in 1080p, though it's not really important to me either way: MK8 on Wii U looked great in 720p. The important thing here is: portability! And an actually good battle mode!

@Yasaal No, you're not the only one, Wii U versions art looks better.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE you forgot to point out look close at the track the colorful paper that fly's around stays on the track.Wii u disappears.darker.does look better lol troll harder

Meh not much of a difference, we could had just gotten Mario Kart 9 instead.

Any idea if the item balancing is a little better in multiplayer?

And if the AI is a little tougher in 150cc?

I wonder if fire-hopping has been patched out entirely?

That would make the game perfect in my opinion.

Looking forward to it.

I'm not seeing any difference.
Also, I've already played mario kart 8 to death. Even got every car part, golden glider included.
I've no intention to spend $60 to do it all over again just for a battle mode and some new characters.

Can't tell Switch one's Switch! Jk. Next Friday, the Switch version shall be mine

@Mart1ndo I enjoy my WiiU for what it is, but I'm so aboard the Switch hype train of portable console games. Look forward to playing Mario Kart 8 on my lunch breaks. I'm sure the real reason I'm so excited is my return to Nintendo quality gaming franchises that I was just not getting on Xbox One

@Alikan
Did you sell your Wii u?

The fact of the matter is you'll barely notice when in the middle of a match, but hey, 1080p is always welcome.

@retro_player_22

It is obviously a stop-gap to fill in the time until Arms and Splatoon come around. I'm sure they'll announce a new Mario Kart in a year or two.

@Discostew not really. Where you'll see how powerful Switch is will be in games like Skyrim or even Breath of the Wild. Remember, Switch can't even output BotW in 1080p.

Racing games are so controlled and small in comparison to an epic AAA open world effort.

@Crono1973 lulz

@SanderEvers Well you paid too much, considering it went down to $20 shortly after release, which is something you rarely, if ever see with Nintendo games. Also, Tomb Raider Definitive ran at 60fps on PS4, 30 on PS3.

@liveswired

For single player it hasn't - you move along noob

@hippoeater buhahahawha lmao

@GoldenGamer88 Why do you despise it?

@Crono1973 A clunky and mandatory controller whose existence and touchscreen has barely ever been used uniquely and creatively. The Gamepad screen wasn't even in HD! The battery life of that thing was unbearable and you couldn't move more than ten meters away from the console with it. It takes ages to start a game or to change the language (PS4's language change is instantly!). I didn't like its home menu.

Overall, 'despise' might be a tad harsh but I certainly don't like the console itself. Yes, it has some great games but let me put this way: If I plan on playing a WiiU game, I have a certain game in mind (i.e. Wind Waker HD), unlike consoles such as N64, GameCube, PS4 or Switch where I wanna play something on that console first and then decide what game I'd wanna play. If I could play Wind Waker HD on any other console (like go back to the GC original), I'd rather do that than go for the WiiU version. That's why I hardly have any third party or Indie games for it. Look, I know it's confusing and I'm sorry but that's just how I feel. I hope you understand some of what I'm saying.

@Yasaal I agree. It's too bright and colorful imo while the WiiU boxart was more pleasing to the eyes in terms of usage of color.

Can't tell a difference really.

Character close-ups would be more of a tell for me. Self-shadows are likely to have improved. At least, I'd like for them to improve.

@gangsterswedish Well said. I feel the same.

Honestly the WiiU version looks pretty darn good as-is. There's minor improvements, but in motion, I don't think anyone would really be noticing much difference unless trying to expertly compare while playing.

Still of mixed mind if I'm actually buying this or not.

@gatorboi352 It's not 2 WiiU's duct taped together because it's like a Vita with a usable size screen that can "Remote Play" the console games at greater than 20FPS and without input lag, and sticks that have at least SOME range of motion

@electrolite77 2.5-3x sounds really high. I'd buy 1.5-1.75x, 2x at the VERY outside, IIRC PS4 was roughly 2.5x WiiU, and Switch is known as below that. OTOH, lifting a WiiU and it's mammoth power brick shows how startling even 1.01x would be in the portable package of the Switch.

@Mart1ndo nope, just receives less love with Zelda BOTW occupying most days. I'll definitely replay its exclusives eventually.

@gatorboi352 I'm not suggesting that Fast RMX is the best the Switch can provide. I'm simply doing a comparison from Wii U to Switch with the same game, and that particular game is making a jump by 4.5x the pixels. It may be a racer, but it still pushed the Wii U to its limits with effects and tricks practically not seen in Wii U games, and by comparison and statements by Shin'en, the Switch version is not pushing the limits. It was also a a port of a game that was already completed long before, giving the dev team a chance to focus completely on the port.

BotW on Switch was not like that, but in fact was requested late in development and expected at the Switch's launch, so there was no means to really focus on that version like Shin'en could with Fast RMX. It got patches that improved frame rate already. Seriously, when Switch's BotW was shown to run smoother in portable mode at 720p than in docked mode at 900p when portable mode has to underclock the hardware, you know there's more to it than system power that's causing the issues.

Pre ordered and excited to do some MK on the Switch!

How did they do that thing where you can race well but the opponents don't magically catch up anyway? Way more impressive than any graphical improvements.

@Discostew "BotW on Switch was not like that, but in fact was requested late in development and expected at the Switch's launch"

Nintendo started Switch development of BotW 15 months before it released. That's more than enough time for their own internal 1st party team (the best dev team Nintendo houses, mind you) to optimize an entirely completed game for their own hardware.

@gatorboi352 Got a source for that 15 months?

@JaxonH
Those are the key selling points at the moment alright. And to me they're valid ones. And just recently I thought: Since all DLC from Wii U is already included, what's to stop them from making new DLCs of the same sizes for the Switch iteration? The track catalogue across all previous entries is certainly good for lots more... I'm willing to bet that's gonna happen, and they will be Switch exclusive. Sure, another reason for Wii U-only owners to feel burnt (though basically this is a sentiment I'll never understand, but that's another story), but I'd say it's also another reason to switch to Switch!

@JunkRabbit
Sure, another reason for Wii U-only owners to feel burnt (though basically this is a sentiment I'll never understand, but that's another story)

I mean, if some people don't wanna buy it cause they owned it on Wii U, my response to that is hey, do you. I'll be getting it though.

But really, there's no sense feeling victimized. People, myself included, got exactly what we paid for and exactly what was advertised. If it was such a bum deal, people shouldn't have bought it. GotY versions happen all the time. I don't feel "burnt" that I bought Dark Souls 3, bought all the DLC, and now others get to buy the entire package for less. That's just how it goes. If you care about saving money that badly, or getting an ultra complete version that badly, best to just stay a generation behind and pick up the scraps. Wait til 10th gen to buy all the 9th gen GotY editions.

@JaxonH
Maybe you misunderstood. I'm completely with you. Hence the "I don't understand the sentiment" brackets... It's just that it's the sort of comments I'd expect to see here, if new DLC for the Switch version was announced, but I certainly do not share the feeling, nor do I get why some people feel entitled to a discount, just because they own the game on another system already, and stomp their feet or hold their breath violently (or don't, depending on the figure of speech) if they can't get one ("But, but, but... I've already seen the movie in the theater, why do I have to pay full price for the DVD/Blu-ray/Streaming/rental! I should be getting a discount! No fair!!").

Personally I will not hesitate to double dip, even if I already have the Wii U version and all DLC. Makes no difference to me. It's all about the additional entertainment and fun I'm going to get out of the Switch version even after I've stopped playing the Wii U game, and I figure it will still go a long way. As I've pointed out on an earlier occasion: Just make up your mind if the admission price is worth it to you. If it is: pay up and enjoy, if it's not: skip it but don't whine about it. It means accepting the consequences of an educated decision you can make yourself... To me it is. End of story. I'll be having fun!

@JaxonH
That said, on PC that's exactly what I do, actually: Wait for really good deals. Partially because with age comes patience (I don't need to play all the blockbuster games immediately anymore), and partially because my X360, PS3, Wii U, 3DS, Steam and now even Switch backlog is already miles long and good for the whole of retirement (which is still a bit off, mind you). If there's a chance that I'll not have enough time to play a game anyway, but I still really want it, better to just pay less (on Steam for example). Though Nintendo games have always been the great exception from that rule: Here I really like to get the games "while they're hot". Strange how that is. But I do love my Switch, and could currently play it exclusively...

EDIT: Minor corrections.

@gatorboi352 @Discostew 11 months I believe. Aonuma said in an interview that they'd made the decision to commit to Switch April of last year IIRC. Though keep in mind dev kits weren't finalized until September, the game went gold in February, so 5 months from the final dev kit to gold, and time before that spent working on the beta dev kits and retooling the game to not use the Gamepad.

@electrolite77 Hmm, I wonder what metrics they were talking about. That certainly doesn't sound like a sort of comprehensive estimate including memory bandwidth and the like. I.E. PS4 Pro is considered 4x more powerful than PS4, but that metric is a little silly since the CPU is a barely overclocked version of the same CPU, so whatever improvements the GPU has, the overall system shares a lot of the same choke points as the base PS4 for anything CPU/physics/lots of NPCs etc based. Maybe the Switch GPU is what's 2.5-3x better than that silly AMD GPU on the WiiU, but I don't think the A57's are quite as significantly ahead of the PPC in the WiiU, especially since they're being used in their sort of x86 conversion layer mode instead of native ARM...there should be an overhead cost with that, even if it's mitigated by baking the conversion into the hardware package.

It's massively impressive regardless. I'd have been thrilled with a WiiU in my pocket let alone a 50%+ upgraded WiiU in my pocket. It's a feat of engineering for the price.

@JunkRabbit
Um, actually I think you misunderstood. I know you were agreeing. I wasn't referring to you- I was saying if someone were to say they didn't want to buy it, then my response to them would be" 😁

Does it still cap at 30fps with 3-4 players?

I see absolutely no difference in the two versions, except the Switch ones has more characters added, and has a proper battle mode, that being said, this is still a great game to pick up, especially for Switch owners that skipped the Wii U generation (which I know people in this situation).

@JaxonH
Ah, yeah. While I was writing the above and reviewing your post doing so, I had considered that possibility, too, but wasn't exactly sure. Sorry then... Anyway, we agree, which is the main point, and we've both had the chance to elaborate a bit. lol.

If Mario Kart 8 Deluxe gets a 10/10 on this site, half the NL community is going to lose their minds.

@NEStalgia @discostew also note that not only is this Nintendo's AAA internal dev team, but it's their own hardware. Additionally, there's been TWO performance improving updates since launch and the game still does not run at 1080p.

Stop kidding yourselves folks (not you two, just in general) Switch is not even remotely close to being a graphical powerhouse. It's not even as powerful as the 4 year old XB1.

You can see a slight difference. The Switch is a little clearer due to the 1080p.

The 8th Mario Kart is my favourite with Double Dash!!

@MoonKnight7 I would guess no matter what they rate it, half the community will lose their minds.

@gatorboi352 I'm definitely not suggesting it's a graphical powerhouse, but it is after all portable. So it is still pretty impressive from that perspective. Though, I've never been overly concerned with graphical fidelity on my Nintendo consoles. I've got a PC for that. But even then, I'm not overly concerned with bleeding edge graphical fidelity.

I do not see any major differwnxe, but this was totally expected

@gatorboi352 that's entirely true, though i havent seen many that think it is, and nintendo isn't pretending it is. Though as a handheld its a powerhouse in the extreme. Although that part seems to be lost on Koizumi and the joymote club at nintendo

Yeah how about 80% off because i already bought this game on wii u?

Done deal. Getting it digitally, due to play frequency. Bring it.

1024gflops of the switch / 352 of the wii u ~ 2.9 or so.

So yeah its not even 2 Wii U's taped together. its 3 Wii Us with 1 on a diet.

@TF-Warrior GLORIOUS !!

I would expect it look better to/on some level.

As many are saying, this is a great MK experience, for people that skipped WU. Likewise I add, for people, who would love the gameplay MK8Dx provides, & this is their first MK, for whatever reasons.

I just got back into playing MK8 recently, & I'll be enjoying it online, until the servers die, or the activity on them does. This brings up an interesting point of when will Nintendo pull the plug on WU's online? Since, they could consider its online, cannibalizing MK8Dx's online, & therefore sales. On the other hand, there's no cannibalization from people, who skipped WU entirely.

Edit: I'm eventually going to get a Switch, so might get this too. But, as I said, I'm still enjoying MK8 on my WU. I'm in no hurry, since I have no problems with the battle mode in MK8, nor am I, yet, a Splatoon fan. Lemme put it this way: if I had a Switch, & there were other games for the Switch, both exclusive to, & not exclusive to(, but not on any system I own), that I want more, MK8Dx for me would be a, "Yes, I want that, too, but I already have it, so it's not a high priority of games I want to purchase."

I still say that Nintendo should have offered the Battle Modes, & Splatoon characters, as (paid/decently priced) dlc for MK8. That would work long-term to their profits, via the availability of the options to customers/gamers, who already have MK8. The only way not doing so works long-term, is under the concept of MK8Dx becoming one of Nintendo's "evergreen" titles. Then, it's not just, "profits while it's hot(the game is new)".

A lot of butthurt over the reuse of Wii U titles. Well, have fun playing "Keyboard Wars." There's a game that never gets old, amirite?

I am not entirely sure, but I think the Switch character is slightly smaller than the Wii U character. You should be able to see this at the beginning of the race, as it's not very clear during the race.

@gatorboi352 - well sure, but the Wii U's lack of power was severely overhyped. The internet made it seem like the Wii U was two Atari 2600s duct taped together.

Also, your analogy is apt, but not in the way you meant. The Gamecube, Wii and Wii U all used that power PC architecture. The Switch is closer to a PS4 and XB1 in basically using the X86 architecture. So more like...2 Xbox360s shrunk down and duct taped together?

@speedracer216 I'm still getting it, but I agree with you..... I wish they at least threw in an extra cup or a few more retro tracks in high resolution.....

@Mart1ndo I fall in between. I think the Switch is definitely worth the upgrade- it's just a matter of when you want to do it. I saw one at Walmart and nabbed it on impulse b/c I want to play this deluxe version on release. That, and I'm just a fan of Nintendo and portable systems in general.

I think most people will do well just waiting until the fall to pick this up.

This will be my first kart game since 64, are these tracks that have that f-zero look all part of one cup? or do all the cups have a mix of more traditional tracks and futuristic

@gatorboi352
The Switch is not a "powerhouse" console and only the seriously deluded (you know, the same ones that will have your head if you said the WiiU was just barely above the the X360) believes this.

It is however a powerful handheld. To deny this is crazy.

If you like to play 99% of your console games on your TV at 1080p+ with Uncharted type (or better) graphics then the Switch ain't for you. It is not capable.

If you want the best looking handheld games, then get a nvidia SHIELD or Switch.

@ValhallaOutcast: Big Blue, & Mute City are under separate cups(the Egg, & Bell cups, respectively), that can be purchased for MK8 as dlc. MK8Dx includes all the original's dlc. The answer is both traditional, & futuristic. The game contains 16 original/new courses, & 16 retro courses(from other MK titles). Edit: Both dlc cups take the course count to 48, by adding another 16 courses.

@Capt_N thanks for the reply

@ValhallaOutcast: You're welcome.

@Hotfusion right, which is why I keep saying that the switch is a niche console at best. The weird thing is I keep getting flack for that like it's not a legitimate statement.

At best some folks simply dismiss it stating that they love the switch for their own purposes, but what they fail to understand is a niche console equates to less support in the long run. Less support equals failed promises equals another Wii U situation.

@gatorboi352: "Niche" until, & if its main concept as a hybrid is accepted, & integrated into future consoles by Nintendo, &/or other co.s. At that point, Nintendo might try something else, just to be "different" from the rest of the pack; march to the beat of its own drum.

@ValhallaOutcast
There are 12 different cups. Four unique circuits in each cup.

@rockodoodle
Your right. When the time is right i might get one.

Basically no difference. That'll be £50 for a few new characters and a battle mode.

@gatorboi352 I guess we'll see. I'm not sure why you'd get flak for your opinion - no one knows for sure yet. But based off of my own experience with the device, and off of general perception of the switch launch, I would definitely disagree. I think we have a very successful device on our hands, but it will still be some time until we know for sure.

If and when Nintendo does finally kill of the 3DS, I think will really help. All Nintendo titles in one place. Pokemon and Monster hunter especially. I just don't see it being a Niche device after that.

Only other thing I will say is that the ability to switch between TV/Portable so seamlessly impressed me much more than I thought it would. I love portable consoles, so I fully expected to play this in portable mode 95% of the time, but I found myself using the dock more than I thought just because it is so quick and easy. I'd say it's more of a 75/25 portable/dock split for me, but still, I really enjoy that feature more than I thought I would, and I think others are going to be the same way once they experience it for themselves.

@SanderEvers "Motion controls was a niche when the Wii was released."

No they weren't. They weren't even thought of. Nintendo captured lightning in a bottle with the concept of Wii when it debuted (pre-smartphone/tablet days). Motion controls were an entirely new concept in a direct attempt to appease the masses. Nintendo themselves even borrowed the 'blue ocean strategy' line: https://www.blueoceanstrategy.com/what-is-blue-ocean-strategy/

Console gaming on the go is not new or unique. It's also something that has never been widely adopted by the masses. Wii U was not something entirely new to the masses when it debuted. It was also a dollar short and a day late (iPad was already king).

@gatorboi352 I don't know if niche is a word for the portable gaming market since Nintendo has been a player in it for 25+ years

The switch is 99% portable IMO with the ability to dock to your TV

The Switch is the best portable ever IMO and portable gaming is not niche

@roadrunner343 "I'm not sure why you'd get flak for your opinion"

There's just a lot of people at these fan sites that are emotionally invested in their corporation of choice. I get it, I once was too. But i'm no longer fooled by the company line.

@ValhallaOutcast oh, no. I mean home console gaming on the go, like PSP in its day, Vita in its day. These things were trumped by DS and 3DS in part because home console gaming experiences don't exactly lend themselves well to folks on the go out in the wild.

Neat for long plane/train/car rides? Sure. But I don't see the masses adopting a 'on the go' home console for those purposes.

@gatorboi352 And just to clarify, I was talking about your particular opinion. It seemed logical enough. I understand why some people get flak - there are plenty of stupid/unfounded opinions out there =)

@roadrunner343 Oh i know. People don't like that I don't give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt around here. I've been burned too many times to just blindly day one purchase all their stuff anymore.

As for Switch specifically, I'm a day one Wii U owner and do not play portably so Switch is very underwhelming for me.

@gatorboi352 I agree that the switch should not be viewed as a home console primarily because it's impossible to have the horse power of a PS4 or Xb1

There is a reason the PS4 and XB are heavy not mobile and require a huge fan and at times sound like a jet engine when running some games

But I do think the Switch should be viewed as the new standard for mobile gaming

@roadrunner343

Lol! You're probably right.

@ValhallaOutcast My Xbox One S is one of the quietest disc based consoles I've ever owned. Much quieter than the Wii U.

@gatorboi352

The masses won't be buying the Switch. Dedicated handheld gaming is all but dead everywhere outside of Japan. Most Nintendo fans don't realize this.

BotW, one of the best games I've played in years, would be horrible to play on the go. All the distractions of being "in the wild" would ruin any sense of immersion for me.

@SharkAttackU You have an odd definition of dead. Declining, sure, but 3DS/2DS/New 3DS sales, and now the strong start of the switch, shows that there is still a fairly large market for it.

As for BotW, to each their own I guess. I've played it on the go a few times, and it was fine. Earbuds help. I've spent far more time with my switch portable (Though, typically not traveling) than I have docked, and the experience has been plenty good for me.

@ValhallaOutcast well someone better tell Nintendo that. They still think it's the successor to Wii U.

@SanderEvers You have to think that it's pretty good news that they instantly sold out and are still having problems keeping them in stock. This is just with one major game.

MK8 comes out next week. This could be another system seller for those who didn't get the Wii U. Then ARMS and Splatoon 2. By Xmas, several more third party games and Mario....

It looks like Nintendo did the right thing by holding Zelda for a launch title and launching in March rather than November.