CircuitWrangler3

@purple_shyguy I'd say that "disaster" may be too strong of a word. Perhaps "problematic" would be more fitting?

Furthermore, if the game's can run consistently, 30 fps isn't the end of the world. You have to remember that the Switch 2 version of the game will be the only portable version out of the big 3.

And, I'll have to say, I don't understand why so many people are surprised with what's going on; console launches have always been problematic.

@Dunkin Digital Foundry, I'm afraid, are not fair and reasonable. They are however, reputable. They are truly experts in what they do, but they come off of a bit biased from time to time, especially when they don't insure that their messaging is clear. For instance, they weren't referencing to the switch screen itself being an issue but rather how it's run, and suggested that it could use a firmware update, but many have interpreted their take to mean that the switch screen is sub par. They are yet to clarify themselves.

@Shepdawg1 Thank you. 👏

@SteamEngenius What we saw in this Direct is what I would call high-quality filler content, which I'm cool with because that would be an indicator that Nintendo is metering resources in preparing launch software for the company's next hardware platform, which some would say has been a long time coming. I was also not disappointed that we got no mention of new hardware because I feel like that kind of announcement is worthy of and would require its own Direct. Plus I know it's coming.

In the meantime, this upcoming line-up looks entertaining.😉

@_fatto_katto_ "So basically Nintendo killed the E3"

Yes and no; Covid took down E3 and Nintendo finished it off.

@DdG1408 Competition is good for us, the consumers, it helps with quality control. And, the moment a company stops competing is when a door opens for a potential competitor to get ahead; in fact, Nintendo knows that more than anyone, hence why the Switch was designed to be less gimmicky than the Wiiu and a better platform for third-party developers. Nintendo learned a lesson about relying too heavily on their own software assets when it came to the Wiiu; it was more expensive than its predecessor, the Wii, yet it had significantly less third-party support, and in the end, sold barely over a tenth of what the Wii sold. In the meantime, Sony and Microsoft were going at each others throats, which, due to a lack of standout innovation, led to an annoying war over exclusives, but their highly competitive approach to the market garnered them robust third-party support, allowing their consoles to sell in much healthier numbers. also meanwhile, Nintendo was becoming the company of yesteryear.

Yes, Nintendo seems to be the only company of the big three that's capable of carving out its own market, and that's a plus, however, it can only expect limited success without competing for some form of market share, like third-party support for example. Showing up at e3 can be a good way to let Playstation and Xbox fans know that there is a second option. After all, it is an E3 tradition for gamers to watch all of the big three's presentations and grade them.

@JJtheTexan

"Nintendo no longer benefits from an E3 presence. It's that
simple."

"-- everyone just watches the Direct anyway."

"E3 used to be an important tool for marketing and negotiating with suppliers, vendors, and distributors. It no longer serves any of those purposes."

It's interesting how many people underestimate the potential impact and importance of E3 simply because it's had its ups and downs. In truth, it remains one of the most significant gaming events even throughout its lows, because it's the most important event known to bring the industry together under one roof. At this event, voices are louder because presentations aren't exclusive, in other words, there's more potential for each company to grow because the whole nation of gamers and investors will be listening, versus a group of dedicated fans who would seek and watch a Direct. People must remember that Directs are supposed to be no more than an extension of E3 that is dedicated to the most eager of fans. Nintendo, for example, created Directs to reach their fanbase without distractions, but so far, has remained present at E3, in some capacity, to reach more investors and support growth.

I take the current rumors about the big 3 with a grain of salt because I understand that it would be unhealthy for these companies to skip an event that gamers and investors across the board will likely be aware of.

@Anachronism Thank you for saying "if". I'm curious to as to why so many people are getting emotional over a rumor, and a ridiculous one at that.

A cute little Mario hat on that gerbil would have been the cherry on top of the sundae.

@Woahfoxy "Unless you have never owned a switch there is literally zero average consumer level reason to get the OLED Switch."

I happen to own one, coming from a V2 Switch, and I must respectfully disagree. When you hold the device in your hand and play through your catalog of games, it soon becomes apparent that, although it may not have more processing might, it provides a genuinely more premium experience that you may not have known the Switch needed, not to mention one that could motivate you to replay through some of the games that you've already beaten. I mean, almost everything (right down to the joy cons actually) have been redesigned and updated to provide a brilliantly premium quality; I mean, that's what it was meant to do, and ever since I got mine, I haven't been able to put it down. The large vivid screen puts you closer to the action, magnifying graphical details and reminding you a little of how it feels to play it on the television and the loud crisp audio is competent enough for you to go without headphones, unless you want super bass. so far, it has been an amazing device, outside of the assessment of more processing power.

@shinesprites Well said, well said.

@BloodNinja I said "LIKE it's some kind of liberating or motivational statement" I didn't say that's what you were doing. And who said I was outraged?

@BloodNinja "...now I know for sure it's not significant enough to upgrade from my current Switch to the OLED."

You discovered this from a video that gave you no hands-on time? And, what were you expecting? This video showcases nothing we didn't know already.

Look, some people are going to desire to preorder this device and that's okay. Some people are going to be on the fence, and that's okay. And some people won't be interested, that's okay as well.

What I'm trying to understand is why some people feel the need to announce their distaste for the thing like it's some kind of liberating or motivational statement. And, It's time to get over the fact that this isn't a Switch Pro; it was never meant to be a Switch Pro and that was never promised. It is meant to be more like what the DS Lite (My favorite handheld) was to the original DS, a premium refresh, and it appears to represent that well. Just consider this the Switch v3.

I have some advice for you and anyone else who reads this. If you are on the fence, get some hands-on time before you pass judgement, and if you're not interested, just enjoy your current Switch until the sequel arrives; it'll be here eventually, we all know that.

@Bratwurst35 Since when was graphics everything? Computing power is all that the Steam Deck has over the Switch; beyond that, the Switch has more to offer, at least in terms of functionality, not to mention that it has more higher rated exclusives. So the Switch isn't the most powerful thing out there right now, so what, it's older and yet still manages to keep up with the competition in terms of software momentum and sales.

And, you wanna know why I preordered the Switch Oled? I preordered it because it will launch as the best version of the console, and with games like Metroid Dread headed my way, I'm sure I'll be able to make do with the X1 chip until it's successor comes along, which I honestly believe will be soon.

@dewokkel I can remember a game that looked terrible, but it was fast and frantic and I fell in love with it; it was Jet Moto for the original Playstation. Would love a sequel for the upcoming PS5.

Anyway, I'd love to give you some advice. If you're buying it (BP:R/Switch) as something to look at, you can cancel that preorder, but if you're buying it as something to play, a 7.7 review score says you wont regret keeping it.

@sword_9mm

"The issue for the big 3-4 is that it's probably just too much trouble to downgrade the games for the Switch."

It's never too much trouble when you stand to make a profit. Unfortunately, as it stands, EA just wants to make a profit off of cash grabs when it comes to Nintendo's platforms.

"If I were EA/Activision I wouldn't spend a bunch of money dumbing down whatever game for a cellphone. Especially since you'd be hard pressed to present that those games would even sell to the Switch audience."

The experience wouldn't be dumbed down, graphically downgraded yes, but not dumbed down. Ports like "The witcher III" and "Doom" are examples of this. And Call of Duty has a cellphone version that's actually pretty good, making a missing Switch version of this popular franchise all the more perplexing. But then again, it's EA we're talking about here.

"I know if I were a big COD fan I wouldn't want to play the game on a Switch. Why take the massive quality hit as well as the horribad online experience N released."

If I were a big Call of Duty fan I wouldn't want to play it on a console at all.; if we're to discuss an optimal platform, PC is where it's at. But if I were to play it on a console, why not have the option of taking it with me on the go? Right now, only the switch offers that option. And allow me to reiterate that it wouldn't be dumbed down, that is if EA gave it a proper effort.

"Indie and low end games are perfect for the Switch. Same as it was with the gameboy, gba, ds, psp, vita, and so on."

I'll have to agree with you on this one, but not wholeheartedly. The Switch's mobility does make it perfect for indies and casual titles, but it has the proven capability of providing console-grade "core" experiences, a fact that keeps it flying off of store shelves. And, no offense, but it would be silly to think that the Switch's massive success so far can be mainly attributed to it being a good indie machine, especially considering the fact that the scope of its indie library pales in comparison to mobile smart devices.

@Savino " I want a better Switch, not a worse one."

It's not a worst Switch, it's a device that's meant to serve an individual purpose while existing seamlessly within a singular hardware family, like the the iPhone and iPad. It rocks bro, trust me, I own one; It provides an effectively better mobile experience than the original Switch, which is the bulk of what it was meant to do.

@Desrever "I play on the TV too much for this to be a good purchase for me personally. If it had an HDMI port, I would have absolutely considered it."

You probably play mostly on the TV because the original switch doesn't offer the most optimal handheld experience. It's a little cumbersome, wonky, and the 6.2 inch screen isn't always friendly with its 720p resolution.

The lite changes all that, offering overall, a more mobile friendly experience, from providing sharper visuals to a sturdier and more compact and comfortable form factor. It just feels great in your hands and feels great to play.

I own one and I can tell you that after spending enough time with it, you come to realize that it wasn't created to be a stripped down Switch (that would be stupid), but rather a secondary option that's meant to offer the best mobile gaming experience to date at the most affordable price.

And it gets the job done. This thing's going to be huge, trust me. 👍

Although, I wouldn't recommend it if you don't care about mobile gaming. 👍

@Corbs "Screen seemed far less clear and vibrant on the Lite, the main reason I let my wife have it and stuck with my original Switch."

That's strange, because even on paper the Switch lite's specs call for it to have a brighter and clearer and more color accurate screen. I have one and I can say that the screen on it is better than on my original Switch. Perhaps your unit was busted. You should return it and exchange it.

@Hikingguy A Ghouls 'n' Ghosts side scrolling reboot would be fantastic!

@Mijzelffan "potentially ports of existing games. I wouldn't get too excited for now."

With the new prospect of playing those games, without real compromise, on the go...you can get a little excited. 😉

@sword_9mm @sword_9mm

"the switch is better served by budget indies, old remakes, and nintendo's less than taxing games."

Wow... I couldn't disagree with you more. Though, I understand you're reasoning, and it all comes down to one word, POWER.

The Switch may not have the raw capacity to do what the Xbox One/X and PS4/Pro can do, but as its impressive launch lineup has proven it has the capability to compete in its own way. And that's just the thing, it doesn't have to compete directly with the other consoles because it's providing something useful for the busier half of today's gaming audience that the other consoles simply aren't, seamless and flexible mobility.

You're talking about it like it's a novelty at a gift shop, and you and I both know that there is no way it could have performed as well as it did with core gamers if that's all it was.

Basically, my point is, it may not be the most powerful console ever created but it is indeed the most core mobile gaming device ever created, and that's how it's relevant in today's gaming space.

@Iggy-Koopa " In fact, they have a massive bulk of all the third party games to themselves in Japan.

They don't have anything to worry about."

For now. 😉

@The_Mysteron "When you think of the big hits in this neck of the woods (GTA, Fifa, Gran Turismo) Nintendo just doesn't pander to those types of gamer."

You mean "didn't" pander. It's clear, when you look at the Switch's software approach, that they (Nintendo) are running a different company from what we used to know. Hopefully, things work out in the long run.

@DarkmarkUnited I'd say 900p/30fps docked, and 720p/30fps undocked; both modes upscaled from a lower resolution perhaps.

@faint I understand, but it's coming up on 4 years since its launch; it will have to sell over 30 million by November next year in order to be in the same level as the Wii sales wise. The Wii took roughly 5 years to sale 101 million units.

And besides, the PS4 brand hasn't really offered what allowed the Wii to sell as well as it did: unparalleled accessibility and universal ease-of-use. It packs in nothing more than a standard controller, and launched at a price of $400, $150 more than the Wii, to an established audience of gaming enthusiasts. And now the PS4 Pro, it's definitive configuration, brings its price tag back to $400, ironically after numerous price cuts to the original model. It has garnered well earned success in the particular area of the market that it's aiming at though, but seeing as how it has no real blue ocean value, its success is potentially limited.

Basically, what we're looking at, as far as the success of the PS4, is a standard console that has properly appealed to a wide number of established console gaming enthusiasts. That's not to say that the PS4 can't sell as well as the Wii overtime, I just don't think that it's likely to happen by next year, considering the circumstances.

@faint "So far the PS4 has been this generations wii."

A bit of an overstatement, but I understand what you're getting at.

@gatorboi352 "I mean it really does feel like Wii U all over again."

Uhhh...no.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE You're seriously leaning towards that infamously rushed and tacky DHQ II port possibly being a competent benchmark for the Switch's capabilities? Come on, you're smarter than that.

@Jessica286 "Nintendo abandoned the hardcore market a long time ago."

I'll have to disagree with you on that one. It is true that, during the Wii era, Nintendo increased their focus on casual gamers, but that was only in the hopes of converting them into avid gamers. Evidence of such truth resulted in the fact that there were more than a handful of "core" titles coming from the house of N within the likes of Skyward Sword, Metroid Prime and Mario galaxy for Wii owners to enjoy.

The truth, simply put, is that Nintendo has never and likely never will abandon the company's core audience.

Why? Mainly because many of the company's most lucrative franchises are core titles. Think about it.

@Jessica286 "It's because he and I remember when Nintendo was doing a lot more things right than wrong."

You mean like the way the company is marketing the Switch? BOOM! CW scores 1, Jessica scores 0.

Come on, you had it comin'.

@XCWarrior "Nintendo is not making a great effort to get 3rd party content on the Switch to expand the library so it appeals to a larger audience. Great points."

Yeah, thats why the Switch hasn't been selling well...oh wait...

And as far as your "wider audience" comment, you got it backwards, bro, way backwards.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE

You're being a bit melodramatic. I know, it seems to be the standard these days.

I'm going to put this in simple terms, I can imagine that many of these games are not coming (yet) because the developers feel that there isn't an audience (yet) in one way or the other, and if there isn't an audience, who cares. There's no way that this could be a big blow if the audience isn't there.

In the meantime, Nintendo is doing well with the switch, as it is catering well to an audience of its own.

And, you know what? The problem with a good number of top developers today is their reluctancy to change, they have become complacent in what they have accomplished and in turn there is a lack of variety in what they offer. Are we honestly willing to believe that all gamers want to play nowadays are games like Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed? The fact that the likes of EA and Rockstar were able to tap into a lucrative audience as far as their mature franchises go does not mean that there isn't a potential audience out there that isn't being fed. That's the thing that disappoints me the most about the modern development community is that there are a great number of gamer types out there that are constantly being neglected. I miss the days when a company could successfully launch a gaming device by packing in a game like Tetris.

@Grumblevolcano Ummm...Remember the Wiiu? Now, the Switch hasn't been on the market for even half a year, right? Sooo, why are we expecting floods of third party games at this point in the Switch's life span? ...Or maybe you're kidding.

Wait, is it April 1st? Oh, wait it's not. Now I'm confused.

@Noonch Rushed, lol; the Switch couldn't get here soon enough.

Besides, weren't you tired of seeing Nintendo get beat over there head with the failures of the Wiiu, knowing that the company deserved better? And, you know, things could've been worse, at least we know that the online service is coming.

Silly analysts. Don't they know that you can't predict the market reach of a new concept?

@SLIGEACH_EIRE The $299 price tag is fine. Maybe not for most parents looking to buy their kid a new birthday present, but it's not going to break anyone's wallet. The accessories, the dock excluded, are priced fine as well. This one of those situations where you get what you pay for.

I like what Nintendo has done; the Switch is $100 cheaper than the PS4 was at launch, and if you can afford it, you get a quality product that won't be obsolete by the time it goes down in price. And no offense, but expecting a competent console to launch below $299 in 2017 is being unrealistic.

Thanks for supplying the article, by the way.

@Slim1999 "if Nintendo really wanted to they could build a power house system and they would win.snes is proof of that.beat Sega,Sega cd and the 32x with donkey Kong country Alone lol I miss them days"

I think we all miss those days to some extent. 😉

I've been enjoying Nintendo's risky approach to innovation though.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE "Where are the 3rd party games? There's a reason why the Switch isn't getting games like Resident Evil 7, GTA5, Red Dead Redemption 2, Mass Effect: Andromeda and a endless list of more big games besides."

We all know the reason/s though. And currently there's no reason not to be confident that things will change down the line. The way I see it, early support with games like Zelda, Fast RMX, and Snake Pass, not to mention a number of other confirmed influential titles, will likely lay proper groundwork for future developer enthusiasm on the Switch. We'll get the games, most of the important ones anyway, it's just going to take some patience on our part.

@gatorboi352 "news like this isn't stuff I'd consider "good" for Nintendo."

Better late than never. In other words, of course it's good. Besides, it's best not to dwell on Nintendo's previous stumbles; the company's old approach is in the past and it's best to leave it there.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Same here. I didn't pay attention to the price at first, I was lost in the cover art, lol. But, now that I think about it, I would also say that it is a bit much. Hopefully, for the US release, they add some extra incentives or lower the price.

These findings make sense. The Switch is rather new and Nintendo's demographic is basically untested with most modern developers; we have Nintendo's questionable policies and stubborness to blame, two issues that lasted from the N64 era to the Wiiu era. The good news is that Nintendo is modernizing along with the launching of the Switch, not to mention that the company is getting more involved with outside developers. Hopefully things will work out for the company in the future. I think they will though, seeing how Nintendo has already conquered what is perhaps the greatest challenge the company will ever face, resurrecting a defunct gaming industry.

Those numbers for the PS4 and XB1 are dissapointing as well though. Those two companies have put in quite an effort, over the years, to keep up with the PC market, and yet they're percentage of developer interest remains measly in comparison. They're even being dominated by smart devices. There goes the almighty "more power equals better interest" theory. I get it though. This survey, along with the constant barrage of rushed titles, gimped ports, and questionable dlc, shows that we may have at least 4,500 companies that are in the process of replacing their passion for the art with a passion for profit. One can hardly blame them though as the cost of catering to our expectations can tip the scales these days.

Here's to hoping that the big three can stay afloat.

@CheezIt "The switch should be called THE GLITCH. That system is a wreck and I wouldn't even pay $50 for one."

You shouldn't talk like that when you don't own one, makes you sound butthurt that you didn't get one. I mean, you're comment doesn't even pertain to the subject of this column.

But, if you owned one and you had your gripes, well, that would be different.

Oh yeah, and this Disney Collection situation is weird. I got a feeling that it was setup by Nintendo though, seeing how the company has to profit from the virtual console. But, who knows at this moment. Not the biggest of deals though.

@NintySnesMan You might have a point, but I think it depends on how much the frame drops effect the gameplay. Maybe, in the writer's opinion, they don't cripple the experience.

@Superzone13 "Am I the only one that's planning on picking up the Wii U version in addition to my Switch version for collector's sake?"

I'm sure you're not the only one. Collecting the Wiiu edition for your archive is not a bad idea. 👍

@Link41 "It only doubled Wii U launch numbers? That is kinda embarrassing, but given that the UK is Nintendo's worst market, not surprising to say the least."

Unexpectedly, it's been hard to find in the UK. Had there been more stock...

@NintySnesMan You can't predict the sales potential of the Switch, because it's a new concept. Yes, it was designed with the faithful in mind (thank goodness), but it's also aimed at a blue ocean of gamers, who are yet to be discovered. It's a bold risk that could lead to great success or a Wiiu-esque dilemma. Will it sell 20 million, 40 million, 100 million, who knows? It is my hope that it does well, because, as a happy Switch owner, I've been looking forward to a more fleshed out library.

And, not calling you a fanboy, but I've noticed that you've created a Nintendo-centric username and logged onto a Nintendo site just to put Sony on a pedestal...Don't do that, it's weird.

@NintySnesMan "It should do OK with the Ninty faithful but outside of that it will be a tough sell. Having said that it won't have a problem beating wii u and Vita sales,maybe even xbox sales but not ps4 or even 3Ds. Good luck to it though Edit if the Ninty faithful don't get on-board like with the wii u it will struggle to reach Gamecube type sales but will still beat wii u"

Dude, come on, the Switch's success will depend on Nintendo's marketing and software strategies. It looks to be off​ to a good start, making record sales in a number of regions. If Nintendo can continue positive momentum, beating the PS4 or 3DS' numbers won't be an impossible feat.

@Jamotello "Nintendo themselves couldn't optimize their own first party flag bearer zelda from it's wii u origins to the switch."

Zelda BOTW, being originally envisioned with the Wiiu's architecture in mind, was not meant to be a full showcase for the Switch, which is evident in the fact that there are no HD Rumble features, for instance. Aonuma wanted the experience to be the same across both platforms, which would prevent confusion and schedule constraints.

The important role for Zelda BOTW on the Switch was to showcase how well the flexible console could translate AAA gaming on the go. If you ask me, it succeeded. 😉