Mario + Rabbids Dev Praises "Unprecedented" Gameplay Possibilities Offered By Switch

I hope this game turns out well, it certainly looks the part. The only concern I have is that I've heard it's a short game.

I don't get the comparisons with Zelda: BOTW. Most times I played that, they were long sessions. I don't personally see the appeal of playing it portably. I rarely use public transport and I'd no sooner have started than my journey would be over. It wouldn't be very portable either. I'd have to carry some kind of case around with me.

I am ready for this game. Day one purchase as it looks superb.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
I'm not playing BotW as much these days (despite the DLC), simply because there's too much else I'd like to play atm, but when I did, I could enjoy very long sessions (whole days), but also the few minutes while commuting. I would then just go from A to B while gathering resources for example, or just explore, or tackle a shrine, which can be done in a few minutes (depending on the shrine of course). It worked really well, and like the article above says stopping and resuming never felt likle that, because it's so seamless, even starting a longer quest and continuing it later never felt interrupted to me, probably because of what Babich says above: You're still in the flow, you don't play anything else in the meantime, and returning from sleep mode is so fast, so it's like your mind stays with the game all the time, despite the pauses. I am one hundred percent with the statements above. It really, really works great that way... That's the magic of the Switch as I experience it, too.

I booked a ticket to Hyrule for the Christmas holidays.

First game I pre-ordered for my Switch (second is Oddysey, which I pre-ordered just today). Can't wait to play! Have been trying to not look at all the trailers and videos about it.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I hope it's at least 12-15 hours and replayable to some degree.

She's right about how well it works for meaty 'console' experiences - it's not only the 'handheld' style games that benefit from the portability.

I'm not sure I'd have even completed Zelda (and certainly not got 120 shrines) if I'd had to sit down in front of the TV and wait for the whole thing to boot up from scratch every time I wanted to play. I snuck in a lot of cheeky extra play sessions in bed that I'd never have allowed myself if I'd been playing on a standard console.

Apart from Zelda, there hasn't really been many big new games with a meaty story campaign for the Switch (Splatoon 2 sort of does). most of the big hitters have been multiplayer focused. I've been waiting for this to scratch that itch- and after this it looks like I'll have to wait for FE Warriors for the next big campaign, so I hope this will last out for me until then.

Now that the novelty has worn off, I find that the Switch's promise holds true. I absolutely love an hour on the tv with whatever game and then kicking back on the sofa in handheld mode. It's just comfortable and the device fits around my life, rather than other way round.

With regards to this game, I'm vaguely intrigued. I haven't dipped into this genre before but if I have some spare cash, this could be my first foray.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE You've said it yourself, you just don't use public transport much. But BotW is an action-adventure with an open world - like I've said many times, such games and RPGs are IDEAL on portables and even moreso on the hybrid Switch because thorough exploration, grinding and sometimes just getting from A to B without faster travel options are activities lending themselves to shorter sessions perfectly. Longer stationary sessions are good for challenging boss battles or lengthy cutscenes, but you can do quite a bit on the bus that you won't have to cover in a later long session inbetween such events. And don't get me started on 100% completion hijinks - apparently I'm not even the only one who managed to get all the Celestial weapons and filled out all the sphere grids in FFX purely thanks to Vita's portability. XD

(On a less related note, I hear it was beneficial even in unexpected ways - apparently the lightning dodge challenge was HARDER to pull off on PS3 because of some kind of micro delays on big HD screens; Vita's smaller and cable-less video output proved more reliable in that regard XD)

Nice to see Switch being recognised as a hybrid by a AAA dev, and not just a portable or home console. It suggests they developed this game without narrowing the scope.

I agree with that point.

It's one of the reasons I like the switch UI so much too. Instant resume, no hassle, makes all the difference in the world there.

I play mostly on the TV, but it's perfect that I can bring it with me on occasion. So yeah, the ability to switch is a big deal for me, too.

review copies are out, so we should know soon.

@manu0 Review embargo ends on the 28th If I recall correctly. Fingers crossed

I agree completely - Most of my gaming is done on the go so before work, during lunch, and after work. The 3DS had the same experience in that regard.

She hits the nail on the head for me. I love the ability to play anywhere and the ability to have either long sessions or quick plays was amazing. As some have said, I used to bring it out during short journeys or lunch breaks to wander round a bit and explore in Breath of the Wild or have a quick few Mario Kart races. The ability to jump straight into the game with next to no loading or settling down to play and the ability to quickly pause when needed makes it a system of immense versitilitu and one I actively enjoys.

I put in a silly amount of hours on Zelda and that's because of the ability to play on the go. To and from work, lunch time. Trains journeys up north on weekends.

The switch is perfect for my lifestyle. Can't wait till this game is released. Looks loads of fun.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE mine goes to work with me everyday. I have an hour for lunch and that's like 45 minutes of gaming. Add in another hour or two before and after work most days. And when I get skyrim, which I haven't played, and rocket league, which is all my PS4 is used for, I'm selling my PS4 and getting a second switch.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I never play portably myself, since I feel that my 3DS adequately fills that role for me. I've bought Switch as the success to the Wii-U's failure.

Even when the Switch doesn't travel, someone at home will just sit back on a couch and play in portable mode so it doesn't take over the big screen. And we love our big screen.

I get nervous when I hear game devs say unprecedented and Nintendo in the same topic.

I really like that the Mario + Rabbids team seems to fully understand why the Switch is so popular as a product, and I agree totally. Also loved the passion the creative director clearly had for the project at E3. Can't wait to play their game!

@AlternateButtons 8 hours? Where were you going to, the moon? To do that, you need a battery bank, as a Switch wouldn't last any longer than 3 and a half hours. And that's yet more expense.

@AlternateButtons "The portable aspect of the system is a big deal whether you want to admit it or not."

It's not for me, nor many others.

Tell me when we get Daisy in the Season Pass DLC Nintendo Life.

Portability is the single biggest reason I bought the Switch. My playtime has been 60/40 in favor of portable mode. No regrets.

Hardly ever play portable mode but I love the way we've got the option now. I remember as a kid I always wanted to take the n64 everywhere

Switch just needs more games worth playing when home. After Zelda, I always find better games to play on my PS4 and PC for when I am home.

I agree with him. It was a bummer when I was playing with my Wii U, but if I had to go traveling or if I just wanted to go to the living room and enjoy time with my family, I had to stop playing, and switch to the 3DS.
Now I can continue playing and I don't have to be tethered to my TV!

I only play in portable mode. Sometimes I forget it even docks. It's just so much more convenient. I travel a lot for work, so it's great for train journeys (normally 2-3 hours), and my anker power bank was less than £20 and more than doubles the battery life.

Also, if you're living with someone, the portability is just much more considerate than hogging the TV

@SLIGEACH_EIRE it most definitely isn't a short game, I received yesterday and have played a good 15 hours and I'm only about halfway done, with loads of bonus content to work on, and worlds need to be revisited with new skills. Difficulty is ramping up nicely as well, so I suspect it's easy going to be 25-30 hours for me, which is not a short game by any means.