Comments 231

Re: "It's Heartbreaking" - The Pokémon Company Tech VP Joins Industry In Criticising Microsoft Layoffs

AverageGamer

@Alienfanatic " I'd rather focus on how you almost never hear about mass layoffs at Nintendo or, for that matter, Sony."

Cause when you hear about layoff from Nintendo it from the teams that no one generally cares about or... it contractors. So most people go 'Meh' and every one moves on about their day.

I would also look up how many people Sony has laid off.

Last year SIE cut 8% of their workforce. Which meant closing Studio London, and reductions in Firesprite studio. They closed Firewalk Studios, cut 17% total workforce of Bungie. This year saw lay off at Visual Arts group, PS Studios Malaysia, and Bend Studio of 30%. Which is very bad considering that Bend is located in the middle of Oregon, there isn't exactly a lot of tech work in Bend, Oregon unlike when you get laid off in Seattle or California. They also closed Neon Koi.

That just Sony lay off in SIE... That not counting Movie studio, Tech, mobile... lays offs.

Microsoft is a monolith of a company and probably employs close to 300K people full time and contractors across all teams. When they lay people off it shakes the industry. It news grabbing, it impactful, and it will affect a lot more families.

Nintendo at most probably employs like 10K, and Sony 200K across all teams. Microsoft laid of 9k people. They basically just laid off the entire staff of Nintendo... and that was only 4% of their workforce.

Re: Video: Digital Foundry Tests Out Switch 2's Free Switch Game Upgrades

AverageGamer

@GrailUK “ Remember when they thought Tears of the Kingdom was running on Switch 2?”

That was a fair assumptions… We were in the peak of Switch Pro/Switch 2 rumors. Given everything we’ve had learned so far… The Switch 2 was definitely in development and the game was probably a test bed for the system.

I mean… The only reason we gotten the Switch 2 when we did was cause Nintendo was purposefully delaying it.

Re: Video: Digital Foundry Tests Out Switch 2's Free Switch Game Upgrades

AverageGamer

@Anachronism “ think they just were not intended to be seen at higher resolutions and many of them end up looking worse for it.”

I think that depends on the game and whether or not the developers had the foresight for what games would look like running on better hardware.

There are a of HD games, mainly ones that was designed to end up on PC, that truly shine with higher resolution.

I don’t think when Nintendo was developing Super Mario 3D World or Super Mario deluxe they was planning on have it run at 4k. They probably were never planning on porting it from the WiiU. They would have stayed locked to it 720p resolution for all of time.

Re: Nintendo Appears To Have Updated Donkey Kong Bananza's Switch 2 File Size

AverageGamer

@N00BiSH Not really... Nothing in the games screams large file size. The textures look low res, blurry, and simplistic. Models are low poly with some of the environment being pokemon levels of bad. There probably also aren't that many audio files which are compressed (RIP anyone with a HIFI system). Given that the Switch has extremely high-speed storage they are don't have to repeat textures which saves on space. Nintendo also develops only for one platform. They don't have to worry about how their game will work if they have to port to another platform.

But God damn do the game look good!

Re: Third-Party Launch Games On Switch 2 Reportedly Sold "Very Low Numbers"

AverageGamer

At least for me, I didn’t buy a Switch 2 to play Switch 2 games… and I’m sure plenty of other feel the same way. I only bought one Switch 2 game, and that was bravely default. I did how ever go and pick up 5 Switch 1 games I didn’t own. I have 3 more Switch 1 arriving the mail this week. The next actual Switch 2 game I’ll play will probably be Donkey Kong.

Re: Pauline's Age In Donkey Kong Bananza Has Been Revealed

AverageGamer

My head cannon for all of this is that… With Mario Odyssey, Nintendo saw a chance to reinvent some of the characters aka Pauline and add New Donk City. They probably saw as a nice call back to the original arcade game. But!!!! With the success of the Mario movie. They saw a chance for an interconnected world and story. That why they bought the new Donky Kong design from the movie into the games. They are using this game as a chance to reboot Donkey Kong. Introduce a young Pauline who goes on to be the mayor of new Donk city. Who knows… The Mario movie may be the canon start to the Mario we see in odyssey. Diddy and Dixie is in the game cause they were also in the movie… None of the other Kong were, and that probably why don’t see them in this game

Re: Donkey Kong Bananza Direct Revealed For Wednesday, 18th June 2025

AverageGamer

This game was the big reason for me grabbing a Switch 2 at launch. Massive Donkey Kong fan, my very first video game was Donkey Kong 64. Parents purchased it along with an the N64, Star Wars Ep1 Pod Racing, and another Racing game for my 4th birth in 2000. I remember my dad spending hours trying to get the N64 hooked up to the TV. Then spending hours on the phone with a Nintendo rep cause I wanted all the Plushies of the DK crew that was shown in the manual for the game.

It been far too long since we had a 3D Donkey Kong game. The announcement bought tears to my eyes which made it awkward to explain to my co-workers why I was crying in the office. XD

@Grumblevolcano TBH... I think this approach would be the best thing. There is no reason to have a direct right now. They just had a big direct in April. So a bunch of small directs, a Partner Showcase, Pokemon Presents in july, and a bunch of standalone announcements over the summer via social media makes sense. Then they do the next general Direct in September in time for the holiday planning to start.

Re: Nintendo Survey Asks Switch 2 Users About Their Experience So Far

AverageGamer

So far, I’m loving my Switch 2. It clears up all the major issues I had with the original Switch and Switch OLED. Without the weight and size issues that plague the PC handheld market. Legion Go my butt, more like Legion Brick.

I only ever tend to use this device in handheld just like I did with my other Switches (their docks are still wrapped in box brand new). So far the battery life seems fine… No worse than my Steam Deck? I’ve yet to have it die on me, but I haven’t had the chance to really stretch it legs. The screen looks great, and it get plenty bright for outdoor use. Which is important now that it summer over here in Eastern Oregon, 90+ degrees days, and not single fing cloud in the sky for the next 4 months 🔥👌.

Re: Poll: Are You Happy With Switch 2's Screen? Because Some People Certainly Aren't

AverageGamer

@Ralek85

1. I’m not conflating anything. I’m looking at overall end goal. Not the finite details on how they achieve the end goal. I don’t care that one is ML base and the other is not… They both add HDR to games 🤷

2. “ Pretty much every Sony 1st party game has been excellent in HDR,”

I don’t buy a PlayStation for Sony 1st party games.

“ You might as well argue that any game should be 30-fps locked, since we all have been burned so much before with woobly 60fps performance modes on games.”

I mean… I would very much prefer a 30-fps lock over a wobbly 60fps performance mode. But that why I only play on PC with my 4090.

3. “ It is wrong though. For that price you can get a pretty high end 30" OLED monitor.”

More like a last gen high OLED panel. You’re easily looking at $1000+ for any high-end current gen OLED panel.

6. Again, conflating about anything. It just easier to say AutoHDR instead automatically applies HDR, forced HDR, Always On HDR… 🤷‍♂️

I know that Nintendo could have went miniLED or a FALD. But neither are cost effective at the moment for $450 device… I’ve mentioned in a different comment on Pure Xbox that miniLED will probably be the go to next generation handheld over OLEDs

Re: Video: Digital Foundry Delivers Its Cyberpunk 2077 Tech Review On Switch 2

AverageGamer

@sethfranum Anyone can post content and go “See if you can’t spot the difference” that is not more than enough. And you can tell by some the comments, people need more context and want a more technical breakdown down. There are a lot of comments going “There no switch 2 patch yet. Why are you comparing they’re the same!?!? “. Which then have other commenters posting and explaining the differences.

That shouldn’t be the job of the commenters. That should be on the content creator to show and explain the technical make of the game and the context of the comparison. But if his goal isn’t to do that… Then his channel should be mentioned no way in the same sentence as DF.

Also, the silent video just aren’t engaging. Maybe blame that my late millennial-early gen z mind, but a lot people want YouTube… Not just for content but the personality behind the content. A lot of people put videos on for background noise.

Re: Video: Digital Foundry Delivers Its Cyberpunk 2077 Tech Review On Switch 2

AverageGamer

@sethfranum “ how they failed to match even his comparisons and objective reviews comparisons.”

Lmao. The guy just posts videos of gameplay “comparing” the two different versions with no actual context to why, what changed, what improved… Just silent video. Easy to stay objective when you don’t say anything. Terrible channel.

Was hoping for another that actually offered in depth technical analysis, but all we got was just another easy click bait gameplay channel. 😒

Re: Video: Digital Foundry Delivers Its Cyberpunk 2077 Tech Review On Switch 2

AverageGamer

We should be applauding CDPRed for the level of quality and performance we are seeing here. It not an easy feat to get a title ready for the launch of a new platform. That means Nintendo/Nvidia has really worked their magic in making the Switch 2 easy to port to. And that also means, we should see performance improvements as they continue to patch and improve this version of the game.

“ Switch is running at the same texture quality setting as the PS5, putting it above Xbox Series X and PS4. Many in-game textures are purposefully the same across all platforms”

This statement right here is also mind blowing. Sure it doesn’t run at the same frame rate or resolution as the PS5 or other current consoles. But the fact they were able to get graphic quality the same compared to other platforms is insane.

This means we really shouldn’t be seeing a drop in quality vs PS5 besides just resolution/frame rates like we saw with titles on the OG Switch. This means the Switch 2 could be the best place to play indies, anime titles, and AA games.

Re: Poll: Are You Happy With Switch 2's Screen? Because Some People Certainly Aren't

AverageGamer

@Ralek85

1. All you did a was describe the same thing: RTX HDR and Auto HDR make SDR content HDR; or provide improvement over native HDR. They just approach the solution in different ways, and RTX HDR just allow more user customization given it aimed at PC gamers. They both give a slight performance hit depending on the hardware.

3. "You make it sound like a foregone conclusion: that in 2025 most HDR implementations simply HAVE to be bad"

I've been burnt too many times by HDR since the Xbox One S.

4. You're paying way too much attention to that number while ignoring the the rest of the statement.

5. Those WOLED, OLED, QDOLED that also have VRR tend to still be attached to device that cost $800+. Offering VRR on OLED would be very power hungry, and expensive. They would have to drop VRR if they went OLED. Asus even came to this conclusion which is why their $600+ devices are still LCD.

And while developers can't rely on VRR in their dock profile. Switch game in dock tend to fair much better performance wise vs handheld which tend to lean in almost unplayable range. When it came to the original Switch... As someone who only 100% uses their Switch for handheld cause they have a PS5 and PC for the big screen. VRR is very much need.

6. I never said that VRR stutter/Flicker are the same thing. I just put the / cause it way easier to type of a mobile device while walking... Instead of type VRR Stutter and VRR Flicker.

I've also have generally moved away from most of devices being LCD... My Phone, computer monitor, and TV are all OLED. But I still have to use LCD for work computers, my Legion and ROG ally, Car display... etc. The adjustment is extremely easy. Adjusting to trash performance is not, and make me very sick.

Re: Poll: Are You Happy With Switch 2's Screen? Because Some People Certainly Aren't

AverageGamer

@Ralek85 "It should be able to just run a kind of system level RTX HDR mode"

RTX HDR is just auto HDR which the Switch 2 already does, and have been advised by many to turn it off cause it pretty bad even when docked especially for SDR content.

"You are missing the point though: even if there is a good HDR implementation, and those definitely exist even on Switch"

I'm not missing the point. I know Fast Fusion support HDR on Switch 2... and I know I won't reap the rewards in portable. Granted, I don't care about HDR in that game as it has far bigger issue right now. Like the extremely low resolution they are AI upscaling from. So maybe they should have focused more on performance and image quality than HDR. But I think you missing my point. There will be like 20 games with actual good HDR, 100 with okay HDR, and than like 500+ with no HDR support in general. Removing VRR for a proper HDR panel would have only benefited those 20 HDR games. That is not a fair trade off for something that would actually benefit every game on the platform especially in handheld.

"There is a reason most users never even noticed that VRR stutter on PS5."

The PS5 has had terrible VRR support. That a very well known fact. And trust me, the average joe do notice VRR stutter/flicker... Samsung had to deal with that issue when it came to a lot of their displays for the last couple of years.

But of course people are going to notice the richer contrast. But we're talking about video games, not TV show. We're talking about content that you actually play and control. The punchy contrast is only going to be nice for the first 10 minute you boot up the game.

It the next 50+ hours of game play where that becomes meaningless cause you stuck with poor frame pacing, screen tearing...etc. In a perfect world, the Switch 2 would have an OLED HDR panel, and every game would run at a solid 60/120FPS with no issue, so that you can just enjoy the richer contrast.

Re: Poll: Are You Happy With Switch 2's Screen? Because Some People Certainly Aren't

AverageGamer

@Ralek85 “ Everything looks muted in HDR, as it has to given the technical limitations. This will make many devs think twice about even implementing HDR.”

Even if HDR was perfect on the Switch display. Developers would still think twice about adding it. And even if developers do add it… the implementation is generally terrible. There are so few actual good HDR games. Most people are relying on auto HDR to get their HDR experience.

“ Contrast is what YOU always see when you use the Switch 2 in portable. It should have been the higher priority by far. Contrast and changes in luminescence is just what our eyes perceive most intensely ...”

That what you’re looking for. Most people are looking at stuttering, tearing, poor frame pacing that is cause by a lot of Switch games not hitting their frame rate target in handheld or because the game has an uncapped frame rate. When the next Pokémon game still run like trash… No one is gonna be like “Man, I’m sure glad they didn’t VRR cause the contrast and changes in luminescence is great” 😒

VRR will fix a lot of those issues.

The next smash bro and splatoon in competitive matches are going be great at that 120fps.

Re: Poll: Are You Happy With Switch 2's Screen? Because Some People Certainly Aren't

AverageGamer

@KociolekDoSyta You can not. There is no handheld on the market with a 1080p 120hz VRR OLED display. The Steam Deck is only 800p 90hz with no VRR.

Not even Asus and their $600-800 device could reasonably find a justification for putting OLED on their device. They would have to drop VRR. And they quote “a display that doesn't have Variable Refresh Rate, it's not a gaming display in the year 2025.”

That why the Xbox alley when it releases this year will still have an LCD and with pricing will start at $600.

So far the only handheld that will possibly have 1080p 120hz VRR OLED display is the Legion Go 2, and that only a prototype as of right now… and probably won’t see a release till late 2026, and will cost more than $650.

Yeah… in 3-4 years when they do a refresh it will be OLED cause the pricing and specs will be possible due to tech advancement. Just like the magnetic joy con tech is now possible and cheap enough to do on the Switch 2.

Re: Switch 2 Is Nintendo's Biggest UK Console Launch Of All Time

AverageGamer

@CaptainCluck I’m assuming that Series is combining both numbers from S and X. I wanna see the sales number of the units separately. Cause the Series S was wildly available and was cheaper than the Switch 2. It was really only the X that had the shortage due to being the same components as the PS5, and Microsoft was splitting units between xCloud servers and consoles.

Re: Digital Foundry Delivers Its Mario Kart World Tech Review - "Nintendo's Artistry Stands Out The Most Here"

AverageGamer

@mr12calvin “ honestly absolutely not worth $80.”

TBH… no game is ever worth the price. But the value proposition of this game can’t be underestimated. Like many has said, people will be playing this game for years, maybe even generations to come. It better than the $60 I spent on plenty of game, and only gotten maybe a Friday evening of play out of it.

Re: Shuhei Yoshida On Higher Switch 2 Game Prices: "It Was Going To Happen Eventually"

AverageGamer

@sixrings “someone compare the standard size of a Nintendo developer team to a triple A call of duty game or any other franchise.”

I would also love to compare the employee tenure of a CoD studio vs Nintendo… Cause while Nintendo may have a smaller development team. I don’t think we hear much about lay offs from them vs say a CoD studio. So I’m assuming the average developer tenure at Nintendo is higher than the average CoD developer. Which means higher wages per employee. We always hear about Activition under paying workers…

Re: Poll: So, Did You Manage To Get A Switch 2 Pre-Order In? (North America)

AverageGamer

@Grimley141 You basically just answered your own question… Apple releases multiple different SKU every year. It not like consoles where we got one release every 8 years with only one SKU… People are have been wanting a new console for the last 4 years. Which means a ton of people want to experience that new console on release day…

No body wants a new iPhone every year, no one cares if they don’t get the new iPhone on release…

Re: Digital Foundry Delivers First Impressions Of Switch 2 - "It Stands Alone In What It Does"

AverageGamer

@johnedwin I don’t think we’ll see developer drop the Switch 2 like the Switch 1… The world is extremely unstable at the moment, so even if we see a new Xbox and PS6. Good luck even being able to afford one. Most developers will probably still be very much focused on the Series X|S and PS5, just like now… 5 years in the current gen they are still releasing for the Xbox One and PS5. The Switch 2 is much more feature than Switch 1 was, and will have a much longer shelf life.

Re: Nintendo Removes Variable Refresh Rate TV Mention On Switch 2 Websites

AverageGamer

@Discostew Yeah, I know, the difference between compatible, normal, and ultimate monikers. But that doesn’t even really matter anymore… I could easily count the amount of monitors on my hands that supported gsync before Nvidia made the change, and now the number hasn’t increased… Cause no sane manufacturer is gonna add a $300 hardware component to their monitor for such a tiny benefit.

Re: Nintendo Removes Variable Refresh Rate TV Mention On Switch 2 Websites

AverageGamer

@SalvorHardin “ It being NVIDIA G-SYNC and only that would be a problem not sure how many TVs support it, the norm for them is AMD’s Freesync and HDMI Forum VRR”

Nvidia changed this 5 years back or so… Gsync will basically now work on any VRR capable display. It no longer need to have a specific Gsync module to work. My 4090 enables VRR when plugged in my Samsung QN85D tv which is just HDMI VRR display, and on my Alienware aw3423dwf which is freesync.