Nintendo Switch Main Thread

[bailey1987]

I'll hold off on this until at least the next generation of Pokémon comes along and I not talking about Sun and Moon I'm talking about the one after unless it's a 3DS game.

[bailey1987]

I may even hold off on this until a second iteration comes along like how the DS had the DSi and then a DS XL, Nintendo always has a second version of there handhelds but the consoles only ever see one right at the end of it's life time, making it hard to say if this will have one. I hope there is a choice of colours at launch otherwise it's a matter of waiting for a special edition or a second/third iteration.

[Havok83]

Originally Posted by bailey1987

So by you're guesses there wont be a dedicated console and a handheld, the Switch will replace both. I wonder what resolution it's capable of. clearly there is no backwards compatibility with Wii and U unless you downloaded them.

Its not a guess. Its what they literally just revealed. It makes no sense to launch this and then what in a year announce a dedicated handheld or home console seperate from this

[RJ MacReady]

Was that a new Mario Kart or just the old one being used as a demo?

Because if it's a new one, then dammit, I'm going to have to get this thing!

It looks cool but so did the Wii U at launch, and my U mostly collects dust and is only used as a Mario Kart 8 playing machine.

What I wonder about the Switch is if the screen has a touch function or is Nintendo abandoning that tech altogether?

[bailey1987]

Originally Posted by Havok83

Its not a guess. Its what they literally just revealed. It makes no sense to launch this and then what in a year announce a dedicated handheld or home console seperate from this

It would be silly to announce a second handheld as that is what the Switch mainly is but as for the console less so. The PSV is right around the corner and so is Xbox 4 if the Switch is graphically crap they could do with some dedicated hardware that competes with the big boys.

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by bailey1987

So by you're guesses there wont be a dedicated console and a handheld, the Switch will replace both. I wonder what resolution it's capable of. clearly there is no backwards compatibility with Wii and U unless you downloaded them.

given that the sequel to sun and moon is rumoured to be coming on this next year you can bet that there will be no more dedicated handheld or home consoles.

This is merging them. It will be a hell of a lot cheaper for Nintendo not only do they only need to make one device but every game only needs to be developed for one lot of hardware.

You don't even have to use this as a handheld if you don't want. If you want a home console then just keep it plugged in as such. If you only want a handheld then use it as such.

I think it's a great concept really. It saves nintendo from the failing home console market whilst at the same time saving it. It's also perfectly suited to Apps which will help it cash in on the mobile market one would assume.

battery life shouldn't be an issue it's a rather large surface area so they should be able to stuff at least 10 hours worth in to it. Besides with today's smartphone market I think everyone is used to plugging in every day to top up the battery.

[Mighty Max]

Originally Posted by RJ MacReady

Was that a new Mario Kart or just the old one being used as a demo?

Because if it's a new one, then dammit, I'm going to have to get this thing!

It looks cool but so did the Wii U at launch, and my U mostly collects dust and is only used as a Mario Kart 8 playing machine.

What I wonder about the Switch is if the screen has a touch function or is Nintendo abandoning that tech altogether?

It is either a new Mario Kart or an updated MK8.
King Boo and a SECOND Item slot!
Neither exist in MK8

[bailey1987]

I wonder if it has a stylus and If it is backwards compatible with 3DS/DS? You're TV screen could work the top screen and the Switch screen would be the bottom.

[jimidini]

Originally Posted by bailey1987

Does this mean there won't be a new console from Nintendo? will something replace the Wii U? or will the Switch replace both the Wii U and 3DS?

The latter.

And it makes sense. It looks basically like having a home console, that you can also take with you and play as a portable device.

As expected.
They literally combine 3DS + Wii U.

I also expect that maybe the home console thingie will help out w/ additional power for HD. I think they had a patent that was about exactly that. 1 device helping another device w/ processing. That way at home it would draw more power than when it's used as a portable and games surely adjust accordingly. The portable screen will surely not be 1080p or higher.

And it seems you can also either play it as a true portable (a la 3DS) or as a home console on the go w/ "proper" controllers too.
It's the holy grail of gaming

And they even showed a classic controller to shut down the "omg, gimmick controller"-crowd.

[Havok83]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

battery life shouldn't be an issue it's a rather large surface area so they should be able to stuff at least 10 hours worth in to it. Besides with today's smartphone market I think everyone is used to plugging in every day to top up the battery.

Im not sure I follow that logic. The fact that its a large area makes battery life a concern bc the bigger the screen, the more power is required. Then you have to take into account that it has two controllers that plug into it that will presumably use power. 10 hour battery life seems more like a dream. Most devices arent getting that with continuous use unless you are using non-intensive functionality like browsing the internet. Games are about as intense as you get and these are going to be console quality games

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by RJ MacReady

Was that a new Mario Kart or just the old one being used as a demo?

Because if it's a new one, then dammit, I'm going to have to get this thing!

It looks cool but so did the Wii U at launch, and my U mostly collects dust and is only used as a Mario Kart 8 playing machine.

What I wonder about the Switch is if the screen has a touch function or is Nintendo abandoning that tech altogether?

They also showed Skyrim! New mario, kart and zelda! If those three are there at launch the I'm in no matter what.

[bailey1987]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

given that the sequel to sun and moon is rumoured to be coming on this next year you can bet that there will be no more dedicated handheld or home consoles.

This is merging them. It will be a hell of a lot cheaper for Nintendo not only do they only need to make one device but every game only needs to be developed for one lot of hardware.

You don't even have to use this as a handheld if you don't want. If you want a home console then just keep it plugged in as such. If you only want a handheld then use it as such.

I think it's a great concept really. It saves nintendo from the failing home console market whilst at the same time saving it. It's also perfectly suited to Apps which will help it cash in on the mobile market one would assume.

battery life shouldn't be an issue it's a rather large surface area so they should be able to stuff at least 10 hours worth in to it. Besides with today's smartphone market I think everyone is used to plugging in every day to top up the battery.

I agree with you, that does make sense but still it could be graphically impoverished compared to any competition and that includes the VITA and gaming tablets such as the Shield.

On another note it puts me in mind of my Nvidia Shield

[Dynamo of Eternia]

I'm sold! Very excited about this!


I'll still enjoy it even if there is no backwards compatibility at all, but what would put this over-the-top for me would be if DS/3DS game cards could be used on it, and if the Switch could be paired up with a Wii U console to effectively be used as an alternative to the Wii U's tablet controller.

While that would require the user to own a Wii U (which I do), it would be extra convenient.


I hope the March release date is still accurate. That's right around tax return time.

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by Havok83

Im not sure I follow that logic. The fact that its a large area makes battery life a concern bc the bigger the screen, the more power is required. Then you have to take into account that it has two controllers that plug into it that will presumably use power. 10 hour battery life seems more like a dream

if the battery took up even half the screen size it would be a pretty hefty battery. I'm no wiser than anyone else but my guess is it will last long enough. What do you do outside the house that let's you play a handheld for more tha 5 hours straight anyway?

[bailey1987]

If Nvidia decides to compete they could release games that scale to the tablet and then when you attach to a PC they use the added power of what ever your PC is and scale to that.

[bailey1987]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

if the battery took up even half the screen size it would be a pretty hefty battery. I'm no wiser than anyone else but my guess is it will last long enough. What do you do outside the house that let's you play a handheld for more tha 5 hours straight anyway?

I can never see the screen on any device because of the sun. I know it will never leave the house which is why I prefer consoles to handhelds.

[bailey1987]

Nvidia announce that they power the switch

https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/1...ntendo-switch/

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

given that the sequel to sun and moon is rumoured to be coming on this next year you can bet that there will be no more dedicated handheld or home consoles.

This is merging them. It will be a hell of a lot cheaper for Nintendo not only do they only need to make one device but every game only needs to be developed for one lot of hardware.

You don't even have to use this as a handheld if you don't want. If you want a home console then just keep it plugged in as such. If you only want a handheld then use it as such.

I think it's a great concept really. It saves nintendo from the failing home console market whilst at the same time saving it. It's also perfectly suited to Apps which will help it cash in on the mobile market one would assume.

battery life shouldn't be an issue it's a rather large surface area so they should be able to stuff at least 10 hours worth in to it. Besides with today's smartphone market I think everyone is used to plugging in every day to top up the battery.

What failing console market? Last time I checked, Sony were selling a **** load of consoles and games.

[Kurri]

Originally Posted by Havok83

so its pretty much everything we knew. Using the detachable components as controllers looks very uncomfortable. I really am worried about its battery life. When attached to the unit, it'll likely charge but that will suck power from the Switch

I'm more worried about support. With all the traveling I do, I just have one of those external battery packs and plug it in my 3ds, ipad, etc.

anyways, do you guys really believe the support will be there? If it is less powerful, isn't that one of the big reasons why EA, etc. didnt support the wii u? Games wouldnt run well on the wii u. I know some said because of poor wii u sales, but if it had more games, it would have had more sales. I dont know. I have felt a little burned by the wii u as much as I liked it. really like the concept, could easily replace the 3ds which to me feels dated with graphics, etc.

[Mavrick]

I hope we find out if it is still using the Tegra chip. In which case it would be at least as powerful as the Shield. Or if it's using Tegra 2 which would make it even better.

Though some have said it's not even using Tegra so who knows.