Zenibeans

Zenibeans

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Re: Xbox Is "Really Looking Forward" To Supporting Switch 2

Zenibeans

I know this is an unpopular take on a Nintendo website, but as a former Xbox fanatic (in the Original and 360 eras) this just makes me so sad. Xbox really never recovered from the Kinect & One and it just kills me to see them pandering to every 3rd party platform under the sun. Instead of trying to rebuild an identity and a catalogue of solid exclusives to draw customers back in, now there's "no red lines" and we could be looking at Halo and Gears on Switch 2!

I know I'm just yelling at clouds here, but it hurts to see the Xbox I once knew sink to this state. I guess in the gaming industry, no giant really goes out with a bang, but a slow, drawn-out whimper :/

Re: Rumour: Switch Virtual Console Was Apparently Nintendo's "Original Plan"

Zenibeans

@larryisaman 100% agree, it really seems like a win/win for everyone. I don't imagine that there'd be any noticeable dip or decline in NSO subscriptions, the value of the service is bolstered, and anyone who wants to buy has their wish met, netting Nintendo more money. I've been scratching my head for a while wondering why they haven't done this, must be something holding them back.

Re: PS5 Will Sell More Than 'Switch 2' In The US This Year, Says Analyst

Zenibeans

@Chunkboi79 That's a fair point, but the handheld PC market really has not cut into Switch sales by any meaningful metric. These are luxury enthusiast devices after all, and carry hefty price tags for what they offer. Prices are important, because making a $330-520 investment vs a $1300 investment (AUD) is a big difference, and going by reactions to the PS5 Pro, affordability is king. Your console-going consumer at large does not realistically consider these devices, since they are significantly more expensive and more complex to use vs a dedicated plug-and-play portable like the Switch. Case in point, the Steam Deck, widely reported as the best selling handheld PC has sold "multiple millions" according to Valve in late 2023, with the last concrete numbers we had being 1.62 million sales in late 2022. By comparison, Switch sold 17.97 million units in FY23 alone.

The second thing to consider is that Nintendo always leverages the most important thing to a console, exclusives. You cannot buy the new Mario or Zelda or Animal Crossing on a handheld PC like the ROG Ally or Steam Deck, and many dedicated users of those handhelds will likely buy a Switch 2 themselves as the console matures and builds a packed library of exclusives. One can make the argument that emulation could negate this effect, and perhaps it would impact the cross-sales between existing handheld PC users and the Switch 2 (if they are able to emulate it, that is); but it will not impact overall sales of Switch 2 in any measurable way. To most people, modern system emulation is too complicated and too obscure to deal with.

To enthusiasts like you and me, the jump between Switch and Switch 2 will not feel as dramatic, since we are in the tech sphere and already have experience with powerful handheld devices. To the wider consumer base though, the jump in power and performance will be the most significant upgrade since the transition from the DS line to the Switch itself. We are looking at a jump from PS3 levels to PS4 Pro (if the specs we have are right), and that's nothing to sneeze at.

My prediction might be a bit brave, though I do anticipate the Switch 2 matching or exceeding sales of its predecessor provided the system is not just a standard spec boosted Switch. Hopefully there is a compelling feature tied to this new console that is able to capture the interest of the wider public. That said, I have a good feeling

Re: PS5 Will Sell More Than 'Switch 2' In The US This Year, Says Analyst

Zenibeans

Idk honestly, anyone with their ear to the ground can feel that the hype for Switch 2 is on a level above normal forecasting. This is PS2 levels of hype, EVERYONE wants to know what's going on with Switch 2, it's inescapable in the gaming and tech space in the very same way PS2 was in 2000.

Wii was released late into FY07 (Q3) and still sold 8+ million units in the US in it's first 12 months on market. That's with the Wii's legendary stock shortages, mind you. We know that Nintendo intend on having ample stock for Switch 2 on shelves at launch, partly because they want to prevent scalpers from eating into sales, but mainly because they are clearly expecting Switch 2 to sell very well.

Mark my words, Switch 2 is going to be the biggest launch in gaming history, and it will absolutely destroy the paltry 4 million sales mark predicted here.

Re: Soapbox: Has Nintendo Set A Precedent That 'Switch 2' Can't Hope To Match?

Zenibeans

@glennthefrog Glad to see another believer 🙏

Us core fans have every right to be sceptical with Nintendo's past transition failures, but as long as they make the successor more powerful, easy to develop for, and priced to undercut the competition it will sell strongly. New features or "gimmicks" are a bonus on the situation IMO, and I believe Nintendo can inspire a wave of interest by just opening up the platform to more media functionality. I'm thinking a new Miiverse, Streetpass system, more Streaming Apps (including music), heck we could even see those dreams of being able to access classic Nintendo shows, movies, and music in one place as part of NSO (maybe a new tier?).

People who didn't have a bead on the PS2 hype cycle don't realise just how similar this situation is right now. All eyes are on Nintendo and all they need to do to hit a home run is stay the course, keep releasing hit exclusives, secure third parties (I expect greater levels of support next gen, there's 10 years worth of big budget games ripe for porting), and go aggressive with pricing. I do think media expansion could be a big deal and analogous to the DVD player, but a compelling feature could inspire even greater interest.

Long rant, but I BELIEVE 😎

Re: Nintendo Switch Menu Mockups Found On Prototype Console

Zenibeans

Those preview pictures for each game, that alone would have made a huge difference in improving the UI feel. Especially if animated with a little unique jingle, like the Wii or 3DS. Out of all the current gen console menus around, Switch is the best by far imo, but god I hope the successor mixes that Nintendo magic back in again. Music and themes when 😔.