Editorial: The Nintendo Switch, E3 and Its Opportunities for Quick Wins

Nintendo needs Switch to have a great first holiday, will use E3 to help that, and will leave games that won't until later. A logo here and there for fanservice, maybe, but nothing of depth. (cough cough Beyond Good and Evil 2 cough)

They said the focus was on 2017, we should take them at their word on that. I am not expecting many brand new announcements.. we know most of their 2017 schedule already.

Nintendo lost me on their VC a couple of years ago when it was clear GC games weren't coming to the Wii U, even after adding GC controller support! And realising how terrible their emulation can be with some systems.

I've since bought a Famicom/SFC/N64/Gamecube and got my games the old fashioned way. That's EBay and their sellers profiting, not Nintendo. And Krikzz of course 😀 They're simply too slow, I got fed up of waiting, and waiting, and waiting....

Not expecting much from that Spotlight. Focus on Odyssey, trailer and bits of info on other first and third party titles of 2017, maybe some upcoming Indie releases for summer period.

I do believe, though, that ports are the way to go (I second that Bayonetta Collection btw). My disdain for WiiU aside, the console's had some amazing titles which deserve a second, better chance on a system that's basically all set to surpass its predecessor in sales. Plus, it'd increase the ever growing Switch library and help fill out the calendar.

As for the elephant in the room when it comes to ports, I doubt we'll see Smash 4 DX at E3 with ARMS and Pokken both being 'fletchling' fighting franchises whose hype would be decreased or killed off entirely by the announcement of Smash 4 DX. With Mario Odyssey and please dear god Xenoblade 2 releasing for the holiday season this year, I'd say Smash 4 would be the perfect Spring 2018 release or even the first major Switch release of 2018. Eho knows? Maybe Sakurai refused a port and started working on Smash 5 a while ago.

Bayonetta 1 & 2 on one cartridge for Switch would be awesome.

I'm also wondering if/when we'll see the benefit of their unified architecture and development effort with the Switch? Doesn't seem obvious at the moment, especially with 3DS titles still coming thick and fast. Maybe it's the impact of BotW, which I guess would've only ended full development end of last year.

Still immensely disappointing. I recall the first E3 after the Wii U launched was light on content and while we were assured "The games would come," they never really did. While not their usual MO it would benefit Nintendo to showcase at least a little into 2018 and show that the Switch will be getting more than the Wii U ever did given the third party situation is more or less the same in terms of retail releases.

I would like one more surprise at E3 of at least a b or c tier franchise, the arrival of Pokken does nothing for me and the summer is looking light on games so I'd love to see confirmation of another game that'll bridge us to Odyssey in the winter time.

Uncharted The Nathan Drake Collection is one of the best things that's ever happened.

They said it would be a 2017 focus, but they also said that the last full Direct we had would have a focus on ARMS and Splatoon 2, and we ended up getting a lot more than that. I think if they use the Rapid Fire method, we could still get a few surprise announcements.

You want a quick win? It's called Metroid.

Nintendo should announce their games 2-3 years in advance; enough with these current-year-only announcements. PS4 announces games years in advance and all it does is build hype, so when the game is actually released everyone on the planet is aware of it. Seems to work great for them, Nintendo should follow suite.

Wii U ports won't get people like me to buy this thing in 2017. Quick games are nice, but aside from Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, and Arms (which I wouldn't consider a system seller), there isn't anything coming out in 2017 that would stop me from waiting a year or two (Xenoblade looks cool but I bet it will be delayed). If Nintendo showed off some big titles coming to the Switch next year or beyond it would sway a lot of people like me who are ok with waiting.

Do you guys think the good launch did spoiled Nintendo already?
Come on, can they only operate in despair to do something right? Like E3 2014, that was majestic!

I am one of those people who will scoff at more ports of Wii U games to Switch. They may as well be VC titles to me as I've already played them on older hardware. And MK8D is a delightful port you say? Well nobody stopped them making those changes to the Wii U version. And guess what? It wouldn't have cost another €60. None of these ports or the first real original game, ARMS, look anything like significantly better than what Wii U could churn out. The same goes for Odyssey. The Switch really is a Wii U 2: Portable Edition. It's similar in so many ways, overpriced, still missing 3rd party support, reliant on indies, still gimped online(only soon we'll be paying for it). I'm going to stop, that wasn't what my original post was meant to say but I could say a tonne more.

Ports/remasters are fine, especially since the wiiu missed out on some good games from last gen. I'd say VC is a must, as is GameCube VC at this point. If they want to do the whole subscription thing next year, that's fine. But VC is needed fast and furious this year for sure.

I'm hoping for some big 3rd party games that haven't been announced as of yet.

I was waiting and waiting and waiting for Gamecube VC on Wii U, then finally enough smart people on here explained to me about the lack of analog triggers kills games like Sunshine and Luigis Mansion, so until we get Joycon or Pro with analog triggers I'm not holding my breath.

I'd imagine Bayonetta 1 and 2 on 2 carts in 1 Switch box due to size and cost.

I was really looking forward to the "Spotlight", ugh that name, but after reading this not so much. I still think the "1 more thing" ???? at the end will be SSB4 Deluxe "coming 2018" but I'm not sure what else. Mario needs a date date, but what else? Netflix should be on Switch, it just should, but that's not an E3 worthy announcement. They can't be expecting Mario v Rabnids to save the day, but they did give us MP:FF and AC:aF, so who knows? Switch Music: HD Joy-Con Air Guitar Party!

Nintendo Life ignored Geoff Keighley doing a 2 day live stream at E3, "Coliseum", lots of great sounding conferences, none involving Nintendo, even though Zelda BotW will come up in half of them.

Oh well, I'm still looking forward to all of it.

Metroid Prime Trilogy playable on switch. Boom, here comes my money. Quick win.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I agree with a lot of what you said, but I feel like you're expecting something that no company has given or ever will give.

ARMS doesn't indicate that the Switch is a Wii U 2. What game could be put out that would convince you that the Switch is more than that?

I'd like you to provide one example of a game on Xbox One or PS4 that makes those consoles feel like more than just second versions of their predecessors. ARMS utilizes Joy Con motion controls, which the Wii U didn't have.

XB and PS might have better graphics compared to their predecessors, but at least the Switch has something new like Joy Con. I would prefer something that directly enhances gameplay to something that makes the games look slightly prettier.

Unless you also think that XB1 and PS4 are just second versions of their predecessors, in which case it would seem you just dislike all game consoles. But I doubt that's true, because I know that you love video games just like the rest of us.

@Darkthany They previously had the Direct which was 'focused' on ARMS and Splatoon 2, but they still showed off about 24 titles.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
I'm not a graphics whore or anything, but unless my eyes are deceiving me, I'm pretty sure Mario Odyssey looks much better than Mario 3D World. Better lighting & particle effects and an increased level of visual detail jumped out at me almost right away.

I do agree that MK8D could have been upgraded graphically, rather than looking exactly like the original MK8.

Nintendo should release Wii ports for 10-20$. I can buy great PS3/Vita games for 5-10$ at playstation store so why Nintendo isn't competitive?

@JubilifeRival See the Switch doesn't have any unique features, aside from HD Rumble. People will say it can play games portably. I don't care for that feature. Don't get me wrong, I've bought Gameboys, GBA's and DS's over the years and very much enjoyed them. And say had the Wii U never existed and the Switch came out, I'd think it was amazing. But the Wii U does exist, as do all those games.

There's more though. When will we now get a new Mario Kart? Most likely on the next console? The same goes for Smash Bros. when it inevitably turns up? So am I expected to wait for those sequels or suck it up and pay another €60 for pretty much the same experience?

The Joy-Cons aren't new. They're modified Wii remotes. And the hypocrisy of some people. They wanted Nintendo to ditch everything to do with the Wii brand and forget about motion controls. Now they act like they never said that. They could have released those controllers on the Wii U only it was toxic. Do you know that the Wii remote was originally going to be released as a peripheral towards the end of the Gamecube's life?

While you're talking about things that the Switch has that the Wii U didn't. Here's some things the Wii U has that the Switch doesn't. A D pad, a browser, a 2nd screen, apps, Virtual console, free gaming(yes the Switch does for now), Miiverse, ability to change batteries, backwards compatibility, ability to transfer games from Wii to Wii U, ability to transfer save files, a camera, a built-in microphone and more besides.

And yes it does come down to games. When the Switch has a big enough library of original games I'll buy it. I'll be damned if I'm paying them €330 though after paying €370 for the Wii U. I don't know if people are aware but I actually own 2 Wii U's. The Wii U some claim was around for 4 years but it wasn't really. It had massive barren spells, no 3rd real 3rd party support after the launch period, Nintendo fed us pieces of crap too towards the end, Animal Crossing, Mario Tennis, Star Fox Zero. And some of the acclaimed games even, took shortcuts, Super Mario 3D World used SM3L's template, then Captain Toad used SM3DW. The console too was littered with platformers.

Nintendo released practically nothing towards the end so you've got to wonder what they've been at with that time? Pikmin 4 reportedly canned on Wii U despite being basically finished. And there were others. The guys who made Snipperclips originally thought they were making it for Wii U so when did that start?

Oh and one last thing, I already have my first Switch game purchased. Yooka-Laylee. I transferred my backing from Wii U to Switch before I knew what it was.

I would like some actual new games for Switch, like Arms, no more Wii U Deluxe versions please as I actually bought a Wii U Nintendo.
Great for others who didn't but for those of us that did it feels like a kick in the nads.
I'd be happy with Game Cube games but I already have them ready to play, to have them on the go would be sweet.
Any of these would be awesome.

I expect nothing so I shouldn't be disappointed.

I really want the hear Bethesda announce the new (2016) Doom for the Switch. We got some nice RPGs on tbe way and adventure games, I want some nice portable FPS on the console

Please have at least lined up some 3rd party support. Now there's a surprise!

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
You CAN'T judge all video games MUST be like Wii U to be called Wonderful !
All video games have their own uniques.
If you keep persistent with Wii U, bye...
You will never enjoy any games whether from ports or remastered , etc.
Ports from another consoles are WONDERFUL, because I can play it from another consoles just on Nintendo Switch.
It's so amazing can play Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age, Portal Knights, Kingdom Hearts HD Remixes, etc from PS4 to Nintendo Switch. So what's wrong if the certain games appear more than 1 consoles ? More options, more opportunity.
I don't care with the price or double dipping as long I can get the game.

Btw, reading your last comments about Wii U, I felt so hilarious because you admitted Wii U itself is completely Failed Nintendo product with no 3rd party support, too many boring platformer games, etc. You worship your Wii U so much but also said Wii U is totally Failure, I don't understand your logic and called all other video games like Switch = Meh !

For me, Switch offers me something that Wii U can't do : Switching gameplay. You CAN'T take your Wii U gamepad too far from Wii U console, but Switch CAN do.
Whatever you said about no interest about portability, do you like to live under Rock ?

Seriously, if Nintendo doesn't finally announce the English version of Mother 3 during E3 week at some point, I'll be majorly p'd-off. And ideally it would be for both Switch and 3DS.

That's just one example of where it could score an easy point imo.

Based on fan speculation, I'm hoping Capcom announces their newly trademarked Monster Hunter: World, the English version of Monster Hunter XX Nintendo Switch Ver.

I think a "backwards compatible" VC (meaning making WiiU/3DS? VC purchases available on the Switch) would be a nice gesture, while not taking to much of an effort.
If they'd want some really good PR om top of that they could also put Mother 3 on the Switch - as a open acting so to speak.

Ironcially, I think the latter is more likely than the former

GC games would be nice, but honestly, once people see the prices and realise that even if they waited a decade, chances are the game they wanted would still not be "out", I think much of that good will would evaporated rather quickly.

Nintendo has always been it's own best enemy.

@Octane Metroid is the only win. 2015 was an abysmal failure largely because Prime 4 had been speculated for so long and we basically got a slap the the face (in the form of Federation Farce) and an informal acknowledgement that the Wii U really was facing an early grave at the same time.

For the people complaining about so many ports from the Wii U: this entire generation has been a huge load of ports. I have an Xbox One, and if I look on the Xbox Live store, you have what feels like 50% Xbox 360 ports. A big problem is that games are taking a lot of time and money to make, so everyone has been padding the launch line up/ quiet months with ports. It's not a terrible thing, but it does get frustrating.

I have hopes for some good game announcements, but if they're only focusing on this year and not beyond, then I'll be let down. So far there is no incentive of myself purchasing a Switch, and I'm sure most of the E3 coverage will be about the E-Shop's Virtual Console finally coming to it, or more indie titles that won't be getting a physical copied release, which is not what the system needs...it needs the games on the retailer's stores to show that the system is a 'worthy' purchase for consumers. I'm a parent, but I love games...for those parents that have no idea about sites like these or the E-Shop stores on systems, and my kids wanted one, I'd go to the store, look at the amount of titles available on the systems, and go for the one that has the biggest library...which would showcase the PS4 and then the XBONE...where Switch, when I look in the stores at the present, only has about 3-4 games shown, a bunch of Amiibo figures and accessories for it...no console and empty slots that are filled with multiple copies of Zelda and a bunch of 3DS games just to fill the emptiness. Come on, nintendo, get on the ball, or are you wanting a hit console that will soon fall because of the lack of games for it...and please, we all know Arms and Splatoon 2 are coming to the Switch, as well as Mario Odyssey. Focus on some others, and not just Pokken Tournament DX, but showcase something that wasn't on the Wii U and some new IP's, and if you announce a new Metroid, Pikmin, Animal Crossing (a main game series one, not party) or F-Zero, you'll have me actually wanting to purchase one. Until then, Zelda and Mario Odyssey aren't going to be the only games that are going to make me fork over $300 before the holidays.

@ballistic90 People don't look at that though. I own a PS4, and almost all of the exclusives are ports from just one generation ago...however, the ones complaining, are the ones who want Gamecube games on the Switch, which that's almost 5 generations ago...doesn't make sense, but it's good for the ones that never owned a Wii U, just like the ones on PS4, for the ones who never owned a PS3 and vice versa with the Xbox. Technically, Splatoon 2 kind of looks like a re-release of the original too, just with a few more things added.

To those talking about Mother 3, that's another game that was ready for Wii U but was yanked away to be put on Switch instead. We'd heard from multiple sources of its completion, sure it was already on the Japanese Wii U eShop.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-02-04-mother-3-will-finally-get-western-release-report

I just want to know what Retro has been working on for so long.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE you definitely have some valid points. I can't disagree with several, but it also seems like you're criticizing switch based not on actual problems with it but based on your own interests and buying history. You aren't interested in portability so is not a major feature to you..... but to some of us is THE feature to end all features. It's overall a big deal.

The ports aren't really for the wiiu owner not interested in portability. You have your copy already. It's for the hordes that missed wiiu. And for those if us who loved wiiu but always wanted to play those games on or 3ds too.

Nothing wrong with not being interested in them if you already have them.... they're not really trying to interest toy with them.

even if everyone were to agree is a wiiu:portable, look at the size and weight of the wiiu+ power brick + gamepad. All that crammed into an 8"x.35" portable slab is almost magical! With a power body to boot! It loses appeal if you aren't going to use it portable...... but then you might use it portable even are home more than you think!

AAA third party, well that's not the machine. That's something that will never cone to Nintendo no matter the hardware. It's a business thing despite the excuses. It just won't happen, ever.

I just feel good knowing I'll be having a blast with Arms and Splatoon 2 and Xenoblade 2 and Mario Odyssey and Fire Emblem Warriors and Monster Hunter and Fire Emblem...

Whatever they announce, there's a packed lineup coming regardless. Even Pokken Tournament is hype. Every game is hype on Switch. To think the system is running console games from last year as handheld games now... It's amazing.

Third parties. Third PARTIES. THIRD PARTIES! What is Nintendo doing to encourage third party support? That's what I'd like to see at E3. Example: ARC system works has a new 3 vs 3 Dragon ball Z 2D fighting game coming out. Fighting games are a HUGE market. So far support is mentioned for PS4, Xbox, and PC. Why is Switch no where to be found? 2D fighting isn't demanding so why no mention of switch support?

That's just ONE example. Nintendo needs to get away from the trend of being the red headed step child for third party developers. It only hurts them in the end.

Third parties. Third PARTIES. THIRD PARTIES! What is Nintendo doing to encourage third party support? That's what I'd like to see at E3. Example: ARC system works has a new 3 vs 3 Dragon ball Z 2D fighting game coming out. Fighting games are a HUGE market. So far support is mentioned for PS4, Xbox, and PC. Why is Switch no where to be found? 2D fighting isn't demanding so why no mention of switch support?

That's just ONE example. Nintendo needs to get away from the trend of being the red headed step child for third party developers. It only hurts them in the end.

Am I the only one who sincerely misses Nintendo doing a traditional E3 presentation? These Directs are decent, but they aren't memorable at all. Remember "my name is Reggie?" How about Miyamoto coming onto the stage with the master sword and shield? They didn't always have a great E3 (2009 comes to mind), but they were memorable.

I expect to see focus on 2017 games with 1-2 2018 announcements. Bulk of the runtime will be on super mario odyssey with some focus on splatoon 2 and unfortunately arms (not that arms is bad but it will launch by the end of that week yet Nintendo will still most likely waste time advertising the game). The surprise out now announcement will most likely be Kirbys blowout blast

@OGGamer Like I said to Sligeach, third parties and Nintendo just aren't going to mix for a variety of business reasons. Fans seem to assume it's because Nintendo hardware is different, but in most ways Nintendo hardware is different because it must be because it's not going to get the same treatment as the other companies even if they just made a pure clone of a PS4. There's business reasons, from bad relationships with companies due to how Nintendo treated them in the NES era, to the fact that Nintendo's business model involves NOT paying 3rd parties for game access where Sony and MS do, the fact that Nintendo is the biggest publisher there is, and the other big publishers aren't keen to actually HELP them dominate themselves, etc. And the Nintendo audience has shifted to different tastes than what most third parties are selling, and that creates a disconnect. N64 era created a schism that stuck, and intensified permanently in the Wii era.

Your example of DBZ actually is more plausible than most 3rd party offerings, but no matter what excuses devs come up with for Nintendo hardware, they always come up with new excuses for the next hardware. Ultimately they just aren't business-aligned with Nintendo anymore, and that isn't going to be remedied. For better or worse Nintendo as a brand IS the red headed step child and has to be popular in that role.

Fighting games, FWIW, are very much a niche, not "huge". Same with RPGs. It might be a meaningful niche, but it's still not "huge" overall (kind of surprising, then, that Arms is their big thing.) Though I think fighting games, as niche CAN be huge on Switch specifically. Nintendo excells at creating homes for niches more than anyone else!

There are so many quick wins Big N could nab, and i don't expect any to happen. Instead I'll say the two things that would make sense to me.

1 Nintendo shows some upcoming third party support. We have all seen the pledge lost of companies that are working on games. We read articles about how everyone but the Avengers loves the machine. So let someone announce a couple titles in the works with a little trailer, or sizzle reel. I love Switch for its possibilities, but you got to show some support to get the public on board fully.

2 lets see some games on the horizon. I'm taking early 2018. We all know what's yhe holiday focus will be, and rightfully so, but all my fighting afficianados know you don't throw one punch, you lay out a combo. Show the public we got Mario to buy with your Switch for Christmas, and boom 💥 this game for February, pow 💥 this game in March.

With a little foresight, Nintendo can really make strides even without a Pokémon, Metroid, or Smash announcement, none of which I feel will be mentioned at E3.

@rjejr Switch Sm4sh isn't a one more thing. Metroid or Animal Crossing are. Have to announce something special for that, not a port. It'd be a good opening, but not finale.

They should bring back their Shoshinkai show, or Nintendo Space World if you will. Nintendo focused, not overshadowed by competitors, all about great Nintendo games and hardware. They'd need some great games to announce of course, I don't think the likes of Miitopias and Amiibo Festivals would cut the mustard.

@OGGamer
Nintendo better maintain their image brands as "Kiddie" or whatever. Being kiddie is not a fault, just let Nintendo work by their uniqueness.

@RedMageLanakyn
Ports from Wii U are okay, as long not Amiibo Festival DX (Yikes...!)
No more Blah Amiibo Festival !
Nintendo should give the Real Animal Crossing series for Switch.

Not interested in switch yet awaiting their VC subscription next year

@SLIGEACH_EIRE

The Switch is just a Wiiu/2 you say?..... Did you not watch the Switch reveal months ago??? Nintendo made it very, very clear that the Switch has 'borrowed' from all its past consoles to create the Switch, so yeah, in ways it is a Wiiu/2........also a Wii/2, a N64/2, a GC/2 etc etc etc, so well done for noticing exactly what Nintendo had planned to create, congratulations for understanding what Nintendo said they have done.

Would love to see tropical freeze on switch so I have another excuse to play through it again 😁

@SLIGEACH_EIRE There is one gigantic difference between the Switch and the Wii U. The Switch is a success.

That's really all that matters, and it's what will bring in third party development.

Selected Wii U ports are a no brainer. The PS4 had plenty of PS3 ports in its early years. Mario 3D World would be an obvious one to do next.

Sorry I didn't read the article, but "quick wins" are you serious, do you make games???????? Cos if you did I think you would know, wins are earned!

@moroboshi The Switch isn't a success yet, SO FAR it is, but not ultimately. And when I say so far, I mean in terms of hardware numbers sold. You can't call something a success after 3 months that doesn't yet have a real successful original software release, that doesn't have a library of games, 3rd party support, Virtual Console, doesn't have proper voice chat, basically all the reasons I listed above.

I may be wrong, but isn't the first batch of Zelda DLC confirmed for an August release?

@moroboshi
What success, it's way too early for a statement like that. Yes it's had a good start but we will have to wait and see what happens in the future.

@remag
Can't see what the switch borrowed from N64 or Gcube unless I am missing something. It seems to have borrowed from tablets and Wii and Wii U, then joined it altogether to make a tablet with detachable controls. The playing home console games on the go is just a different version of remoteplay, but with a face-lift. Not that this is a bad way to go, I think it's smart on ninty's side, the Switch will or should do just fine.

I'm looking forward to the presentation. The Switch clearly has a lot of good things going for it. Lots more third party support has already been shown and I think here will be plenty more to come.
The Switch is an amazing piece of hardware like nothing that has come before it. At least when you look at all the features it provides in one package. I think this is why third party support is, and will continue to be stronger. Along with the console being easy to develop for.

@NintySnesMan

Watch the reveal.

I'm a simple man. They confirm a western release of Monster Hunter XX switch version and I'm happy. I know I can just buy it from the Japanese E-shop but I'd rather not have to watch in-depth youtube videos so I know what the heck I need to do.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE It's the fastest selling Nintendo console in history. It's a success.

@moroboshi That just means it had a successful launch. Nothing more.

@Octane I see you've already said the only thing that needed to be said here; good work. I'll leave now.

Much more so than E3 wins, Nintendo needs some frickin' manufacturing yield wins so they can start meeting demand and maybe drop the price within a couple years...

@SuperWeird Funny thing is, Nintendo used to do that too- in fact, they were pioneers of building hype over the course of years. They showcased Super Mario 64 a year and a half in advance and Ocarina of Time (then Zelda 64) three and a half years in advance, both at E3 1995. Plus they regularly showcased updates to the public, none of the radio silence mysterious crap they pulled with BotW. They've been stuck in this haughty "we're not directly competing so we're going to do whatever the hell we want blah" mode for the past 10 years, as a response to being so thoroughly outdone by the Playstation 2. Which worked out very well for the DS/Wii, not quite so well for 3DS, and not at all for Wii U. I'm not convinced Nintendo has learned their lesson, but who knows, maybe they won't have to.

Edit: Space World 1995, not E3 1995. Still one and three years in advance, though!

Payday 2 is a before Christmas infill.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Not yet, to be sure. Yet even with the red light, green light momentum going on right now, it's an inevitable overall success, not just an early short term success. The writing is on the wall. The NS isn't terribly appealing at the moment, sure. That will change by next year. The library is looking to explode after Mario Oddysey drops.

@NEStalgia "AAA third party, well that's not the machine. That's something that will never cone to Nintendo no matter the hardware. It's a business thing despite the excuses. It just won't happen, ever."

coughsnesandgamecubecough

@electrolite77 It's not about a fourth box being redundant, it's about how that fourth box (at least in the Wii U's case) too often offered by far the worst value and user experience of the bunch for many 3rd party titles. (With a few exceptions like Rayman Legends, where Wii U was the best one.) The Wii gets a fair pass since it wasn't an HD system.

If anything, the NS seems able to turn that around. Console title development is normalizing around the basic SKU's for PS4/XB1, not their upgrades. That allows plenty of leverage to jump in and develop for or port towards NS, especially with Unreal Engine. It took about one week to port Snake Pass. So the question is not so much "Is there a place on Nintendo's console for our titles?" so much as "Will Nintendo's ecosystem allow us to flourish, instead of being overshadowed while their titles soak up all the sunlight?"

@electrolite77 Woops, you're right! It was Space World 1995, not E3 1995... Even so, that's still one and three years in advance. Mario 64 was playable and Zelda 64 had a tech demo. (With regular iterative updates through Nintendo Power.) Nintendo used to have their own conventions and magazine publication, so I guess they didn't really "need" E3 back then either!

And yeah, development time frames were a big problem for both the N64 and Wii U. That wasn't so much the case for the SNES and GameCube, which had plenty of AAA third party support. (Just not on the crazy level the PS2 had.) The problem Nintendo had wasn't showcasing titles in advance, it was a combination of poor treatment of third parties and not readily grasping cinematic and then HD development.

And yes, the beta of Ocarina of Time was playable at E3 1998:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0bOGi-tKGQ

There was also alpha footage available at E3 1997, although one can tell that Nintendo didn't want people getting their hands on it yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgOfJalW_tQ

Can't think of any GCN games I'd be willing to fork £15 out for.
Would be interested in Timesplitters and Pool Paradise but not at that price.

The [games] must flow

@PlywoodStick it wouldn't benefit any publisher to have a 4 th box that just shifts customers from the other 3. It only benefits them if it gives them access to new customers they can't currently reach. Nintendo is a different audience, but mostly because that audience rejected their content on the other 3 and wanted something else.

SNES is different. Nintendo was still the sony of the era. The default standard console. GCN, there's this weird online criwd that insists it got tons of AAAs, but it really didn't. It had more experimental 2nd party games and some 3rd party exclusives, but that was an NoA business gamble that didn't pay off. Badly. More important, most of the third party console studios from back then no longer exist or not in the same form. Whay we call AAA 3p now was, back then, PC devs and just moving into Xbox. Even sony didn't get those then.

What we mean now by aaa 3p is really the pc gaming industry having taken over consoles with only Nintendo remaining an actual console. Thus the schism. Most of the actual console and console software industry having shuttered. Nintendo isn't getting them onboard as it's a different business. And even then there's skyrim

(Typos=mobile)

@electrolite77 definitely. And with all those ps3 ports it'll finally have parity with ps4's library

@NEStalgia I see your point, but I don't think decisions made during the NES area still affect the relationships to this day. And even if they did I still think the Switch can bridge the gap between 3rd party developers in a way that no other Nintendo system can by offering some lucrative incentives.The system is finally powerful enough to handle some (obviously not all) current gen games, and because the Switch is popular and portable, it's not too far-fetched for Nintendo to lure developers into the fold: Bethesda being a perfect example. There is money to be made on a hybrid console regardless of past history.

Moreover, the Switch doesn't have the pejorative label the Wii and Wii U had, which is a huge difference.

I think a lot of people would double dip for remasters that can be played on the go: Bioshock Trilogy, Final Fantasy X, Dead Island, damn I would love to play Dying Light on the go. Obviously none of those games have been announced, but if Skyrim sells a few million copies then it's plausible that more remasters and new games follow. In summary, I believe the Switch will obtain much more 3rd party support than the last two Nintendo consoles, because 3rd parties are in the business to make money and the Switch being a popular hybrid console makes it a very lucrative platform for developers.

@Ben_Rage_V2 nes era has indirect effects in that companies avoided them and sought other business directions long ago, and they're comfortable enough in the product of that to not be seeking to change it. Nothing is driving them to change the status quo that resulted.

I agree with you and electrolyte though, skyrim will be the testing ground for old ports from third parties.

And if getting them access to the handheld market or Japanese market seems plausible enough, sure, theyll produce for switch. But only if it's actually enlarging their market reach and not just shuffling it around from, say, xbox to switch. That would just result in them spending more to net the same income.

I agree with @SLIGEACH_EIRE up to the point of eventually getting a switch one day. The cost of the hardware with all the accessories is way to expensive and when running side by side comparisons of the Switch to Wii -u is only slightly improved. I also do not care about portability and would rather have a dedicated portable system and not a hybrid such as a original game boy, game boy color, GBA , etc. Sure as a portable Switch is powerful but not as a home console and I prefer a home console. As a Wii - U owner I have no reason to move to Switch it has no backwards compatibility and you cannot even change your own battery and have to ship to Nintendo to have it replaced. As one that had a battery issue with Wii - U i would rather buy my own battery and replace myself much cheaper and also your system could get lost or damaged shipping it. Graphics although I don't care they look almost the same to me to be honest so why spend more money on something that looks more or less the same. I honestly was so disappointed with the Switch I mean this is the most disappointed in a system reveal I have ever been with Nintendo that I immediately bought another Wii - U as a back up as this may be my last nintendo console. Also lacking is VC and apps such as netflix and hulu. Most new games have been Wii u ports that I already have and new games like Splatoon 2 or Arms that I don't care about. Even Mario Odyssey looks weird and out of place. I don't mind making mario different like Mario Galaxy and Mario 64 but everything to me clicked and something about Odyssey looks off to me. As one that never got around to getting a Wii and bought a Wii - U instead I feel that with the Wii - U i will always have access to a bigger library. I only game about 2 - 4 hours a week so I have enough games in my backlog to last a lifetime and can always buy or download if ever need to. I feel Switch would be taking a step backwards to me.

Almost forgot the current switch owners that justify having no browser, Netflix, hulu, and other apps that its slow anyways and lags on a home console. I would say that maybe its your modem or router that is slow. even though I'm not an online gamer I have a Night Hawk router that people typically get for online gaming. I stream with no lag whatsoever so to me I would be stripping myself of yet more features I enjoy and like I said before Switch to me would be going two steps backwards and honestly since the full unveil of Switch it made my wife and I love and appreciate the Wii - U even more.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE @NEStalgia

Read and mostly agree with a lot of what you two wrote, the article too. I think what everybody agrees on is there needs to be a boatload of games to make the Switch worthwhile. The biggest thing that's been bothering me is they revealed a lot of 2017 in January and this showing may lack punch because of that. What if we didn't know about Fire Emblem Warriors, Skyrim and Xenoblade 2 before now? Kind of changes the mindset if you ask me.

Seems like Retro should have something to announce, releasing this year or next. I don't think a simple teaser for Smash Bros. would take away from ARMS or Pokken (you know there's something in the wings for that). To be honest I don't think Mario has been generating that much hype yet...I would be happy if we could just get Switch caught up on things like Netflix and VC.

I was surprised that Pokkén was announced week before E3. It's cool and all we know about it now. My guess was we were getting a Pokemon announcement at E3 anyway. I'm just surprised they didn't save it for the show. But the past few years Nintendo hasn't been big on Surprise announcements at E3. So this year probably won't be any different. I really want to see more Retail games announced. We are getting hammered with Digital content and it feels very much like we are forced to download rather than picking up cartridges. There just feels like over the next year not much in retail releases. Hopefully E3 can show more of that. I've also been annoyed at the fact that Android ports cost up to 4 times more on Switch. I don't think that's going to change you either get it or you don't, or hope a port your interested in will go on sale. Anyway it should be fun whether it's info we know or we get some new tidbits.

@Anti-Matter

In all fairness, I have no interest n the portability of the NS. I love my N3DS, but generally play it at home. I take it on trips, but I am the only driver so no gaming whilst traveling. I do not live under a rock. I just have no need for portability.

Why do you care so much what anyone else thinks is important to their gaming habits? Why do you assume we all play your way?

I will get a Switch down the road, but only when I can justify the expense due to there being enough games I am interested in. Me, not you.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE @BlueKnight07 i think internet gamers that follow e3 (and tend to be short sighted) will feel underwhelmed because of knowing about a lot already , you're absolutely right. That's part of the whole E3 is losing steam idea though. When consoles used to be announced at e3 you didn't have situations where games were announced months before for the launch. But all the current consoles were announced outside E3..... And the other two didn't have half the new content announced at the show. Heck, launch day PS4s featured Aiden Pierce of Watch Dogs as the principal box art. That's how shallow the known library was back then.

Mass market, the library known in November is What matters.

But i agree. We know a lot thanks to mini e3 in January, and internet forums have short attention spans

@k8sMum
Portability is an easy thing to do.
Just bring your thing outside, people can see you bring your thing, that's it.
I understand if some people don't feel confident enough to bring something outside or some people still like with their "Comfort zone".

I play my all 3DS both inside and outside my house. I feel confident to bring my gaming devices outside. I'm not driver, I can't drive car or motorcycle but only can drive Mountain bike. Of course I WILL NOT play games while driving. I ONLY play my gaming devices outside my house on the right place and right time.

I have owned 5 Switch games. I bought the games first while at the same time I save my money to buy Switch on late December 2017 or early January 2018. I want to introduce my Switch to other people, so that's another reason why portability is important. I let other people know about Switch, I give a chance for them to try my gaming devices & play together because I like to share my things on right time.

On my shopping list, I have more than 10 Switch games titles to buy, so I will try to buy as soon as possible. Fortunately, my game shop owner sells plain Nintendo Switch without game included just for IDR 5,000,000 or US$ 376.05 . Better price than early April 2017 before.

Well, we might play our games in different style but you know what ? People nowadays carries their laptop outside, work it on different place. Most people take their Ipad or Ipod or smartphone outside, so I think it will do same thing with handheld gaming devices. If you think carry a gadgets outside is a stupid thing to do or you don't feel confident enough, that's fine. That's your personality. But I like to share my happiness to other people sometimes.

I hope you will get your Switch eventually and happy playing regardless of your gaming style.

I am hoping for a port of Xenoblade chronicles x and VC for the switch, just to give me a few reasons not to sell it.

@k8sMum personally, while i have taken the switch on the go to, the real stand out feature of the hybrid isn't even the true portability but the evolution of wiiu's off-tv. That its always on, screen on the console to just pick up for a quick play without firing up the A/V rack is one of those things you don't realize how much you'll use it until you've had it and get used to it. Then is hard not to have. I said the same to Slig and he doesn't believe me either, but once you have it you'll find yourself using handheld much more than you expect Especially for adult gamers (And let's face it, that's most of switches market) it helps games fit life rather than having to force it the other way around!

@Anti-Matter

You make too many assumptions about people you do not know.

You are always harping about the 'confidence' necessary to play games where others can see. When our Cait was in hospital for sometimes months at a time I played my Ninty handhelds there, inside and out. Then and now I neither cared what anyone would think not did I care about impressing others. That gives me a pretty big comfort zone.

My husband is ill so most of my time is spent caring for him rather than being an ambassador for Nintendo, Sony or anyone else. I game for a bit of escape.

I've probably been gaming for as long as you've been on this Earth. You are very, very young and believe you know the definitive way things should be done. You see black and white whilst I see grey.

People are individuals and do things diffrently, none of which may be right or wrong, just different..

So you be you and I'll be me. There's room for both us. Just try to respect people's differences without being judgemental and labeling them unconfident or other nonsense.

@k8sMum
I see...
You have very different background story there...
Well, take care of your husband.
And happy gaming anyway, with your own style.

Btw, i'm 32 (Will be 33 on this October 2017) and still Single.

@k8sMum well said. There's room for all of us

@NEStalgia

I think you are right about that. I just keep seeing some go on and on about the portability and at this stage of my life it really doesn't count for me. I am sure I will use it more as a handheld that a console. And I will get one eventually, but as I said, I just cannot justify the amount necessary until there are more games that interest me.

@JubilifeRival I think that he was trying to state that, graphically speaking, there is not much difference between the WIi U and the Switch (which, so far is right on the money, as there is not much difference between MK8D and MK8, for example).

I do feel that even up to now, the Switch is a bit lackluster. It is selling like hotcakes, so why haven't everyone jumped in to develop for? That really worries me.

@OGGamer And a very good example indeed. Nintendo fans love Dragon Ball Z!

I thought the picture was going to say something about filling out the line-up with ports, as that's what most of the games shown are.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
"The console too was littered with platformers."
says that like it's a bad thing, smh

@Nintendo_Thumb It wasn't bad per se but it was easier for them to make 2D platformers than full on 3D worlds. Even SM3DW wasn't a proper 3D game.

If DKCTF and XCX were ported to switch, I would have 0 reason to hook up my wii u. And I'd be okay with that.

@Nintendo_Thumb
I would say it was a bad thing, i bloody hate platformers, but that's just me and I am sure many liked them

That's cool if that's not your thing playing side scrolling platform games, but, for people like me who play games specifically for those types of games,, besides Little Big Planet, nobody else but Nintendo is making AAA 2d platformers. And, I don't know what they spend on making them, and I don't care. I'd personally prefer to play a good 2d platformer than a good 3d one, and to me Mario Maker is easily the best game ever made, with more levels than you can play in 20 lifetimes. I got into this gaming thing so I could play more Super Mario Bros. or something like it, and they're delivering on satiating us old school fans.

@Dysnomia "Switch Sm4sh isn't a one more thing. Metroid or Animal Crossing are."

Well it really depends what their options are. If there is no new Metroid game, if there is no new AC game, if all they have are Mario, Mario v Rabbids, XC2, ARMS and Splatoon 2, and they have SSB4D ready to go next year, well then that's your 1 more thing. If they have Metroid or AC, then yes, that's the 1 more thing. If Switch Music: HD Joy-Con Air Guitar is their 1 big new game, then SSB4D is a better choice for 1 more thing.

SSB4 at the beginning would give me hope for a very good 30 minutes, but since it's new, if indeed it is a thing, then I think they'll save it, port or not. They'll start w/ Mario Odyssey, people like Mario and it's a game we know about. Pikmin 4 would be an awesome start or ending. If there is no Pikmin 4 during the Spotlight I'm going to have the rest of the week arguing w/ people that Hey! Pikmin was the Pikmin game Miayato was talking about 2 years ago when he said Pikmin was nearly complete. I mean it it was nearly complete 2 years ago surely they have to show it at E3, no?

So much potential, what a crazy 30 minutes it's going to be.

A large number of those games in the ps4 image are ports and remasters. Hopefully that will put the switch library in perspective for some people.

@Darkthany I guarantee there will be one major unexpected announcement. Nintendo has been great at hiding games for E3.