Goodbye NX, hello Switch

[zerocool84]

IMO Nintendo should have just have released the system without the crappy dock and priced this at around 200 bucks. Have the dock as a separate purchase. It's simply a portable system, there is no way to argue against this. I also think they should have just scrapped any idea of motion controls, that gimmick is long dead and I am not sure why Nintendo is trying to bring it back from the grave.

The dock is what most likely makes them the most money since the components can't cost more than $20-$30 in total for them.

I definitely agree about the motion controls, they are trying to go back to their Wii days but that ship has sailed long ago. I hate motion controls.

 

[desura]

For grade A panels, dead pixels are not a problem. The problem is that Nintendo doesn't seem to be caring about the panels they are using and are using anything they can get their hands on.

They must really really be scraping. Seriously, dead pixels were an issue in like...2003...when flat screen LCD monitors over 17 inches were first coming out.

I mean, this is a freaking 6.2 inch 720p screen. This should be a cinch to do right. We have 4K screens without dead pixels, like 65 inch tvs.

 

[ViRGE]

The dock is what most likely makes them the most money since the components can't cost more than $20-$30 in total for them.

The Dock is a relatively large peripheral. In terms of functionality and build costs it definitely isn't too high. However the profit margin (and therefore street price) has to be high in order to get retailers to carry it. Retailers won't dedicate inventory or shelf space to stuff that doesn't make them money.

 

[Chiropteran]

Some docks were obviously made a bit wrong if they are scratching the screen. And I'm not going to defend nintendo's dead pixel policy- obviously screens with 0 dead pixels are perfectly possible to manufacture, so there is no valid reasoning to say "dead pixels are normal". They aren't. For the record, my switch doesn't have any dead pixels.

That said, I have to point out the obvious double-standard. Some of the same people complaining about pixels and screen scratches and such were earlier complaining about the price, and claiming that the portable aspect of the device is of $0 value because they were only going to use it as a home console. Well, I got some news: if you are only using the switch as a docked home console, dead pixels or even scratches on the screen have absolutely zero effect on your usage.

 

[zerocool84]

Some docks were obviously made a bit wrong if they are scratching the screen. And I'm not going to defend nintendo's dead pixel policy- obviously screens with 0 dead pixels are perfectly possible to manufacture, so there is no valid reasoning to say "dead pixels are normal". They aren't. For the record, my switch doesn't have any dead pixels.

That said, I have to point out the obvious double-standard. Some of the same people complaining about pixels and screen scratches and such were earlier complaining about the price, and claiming that the portable aspect of the device is of $0 value because they were only going to use it as a home console. Well, I got some news: if you are only using the switch as a docked home console, dead pixels or even scratches on the screen have absolutely zero effect on your usage.

We should expect our $300 purchase to not have flaws because of their shoddy design. Me, I haven't had scratches or dead pixels but there is no reason why it is ok for them to have it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

For grade A panels, dead pixels are not a problem. The problem is that Nintendo doesn't seem to be caring about the panels they are using and are using anything they can get their hands on.

Yup, hence the huge difference in the picture of the screens I posted. That dimmer one was simply a worse device overall, and I am not the only person to discover that disparity. In fact I think the only reason it's not a "issue" as in Forbes articles because not many people have more than one Switch to compare things.

Out of the actual design flaws the dock scratches are the worst. In retrospect I scratched mine being a little less careful, but holy crap a kid would be way worse. Going forward when anyone asks about a Switch I will say "you have to buy a screen protector." I lucked out in a way that my scratches don't effect gameplay but they were close enough I see how it could. My dock is not malformed, it just takes delicate not kid hands.

Second worst design flaw is the Joycon antenna. That is just a damn shame, everyone who wants to use it beyond ten feet will need a new left Joycon. Personally I will never but still it is frustrating. I will use the second Joycon I have for ARMs basically. Oh and the Joycon strap thing sucks too, can't wait for a third party one of those.

Now that I have the device I am impressed by the hardware overall, but the design issues means it's not a slam dunk recommendation.

 

[JujuFish]

The problem is that Nintendo doesn't seem to be caring about the panels they are using and are using anything they can get their hands on.

This is my perception as well, and it makes me glad I got a good screen.

 

[Chiropteran]

We should expect our $300 purchase to not have flaws because of their shoddy design. Me, I haven't had scratches or dead pixels but there is no reason why it is ok for them to have it.

No, it shouldn't have flaws. But the double standard is when you complain that you will never use the device as portable so why should I pay a premium for features I won't use... and then complain about issues with those features.

You* need to admit that if you are looking at those features as important than maybe it is incorrect to put a $0 value on them.

*(the general "you", not you specifically)

 

[Chiropteran]

As an aside, major snow storm expected tomorrow night, and power outages warned. If I was planning to play an xbox or ps4, I'd have to add a "hidden cost" of $400 for a super high end UPS, which even then would only work for an hour at best before dying, to play through the power outages. With my switch I have 3-5 hours out of the box, plus potentially more than that with my USB-C external batteries. And even in a worst case scenario I could take my switch across the street to a starbucks or other place with power and recharge it.

 

[Chiropteran]

Several neo geo games added to the eshop. I don't see samurai shodown yet though, that is the one I want.

 

[Ichinisan]

IMO Nintendo should have just have released the system without the crappy dock and priced this at around 200 bucks. Have the dock as a separate purchase. It's simply a portable system, there is no way to argue against this. I also think they should have just scrapped any idea of motion controls, that gimmick is long dead and I am not sure why Nintendo is trying to bring it back from the grave.

I haven't even tried to use it as a portable. I don't like the feel of the Joy-Cons and I'm only playing Zelda right now. Using Pro controller.

By the way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA0QUddAKfE

 

[Ichinisan]

Several neo geo games added to the eshop. I don't see samurai shodown yet though, that is the one I want.

Have the real deal for Samurai Shodown 1 and 2. Still have never played them. Getting supergun built...

 

[zerocool84]

Switch cracked already

It took a week—eons in the world of consumer tech hacks—but the Switch, Nintendo’s new handheld hybrid, looks like it’s finally been cracked, and it’s thanks to Apple.

The Switch’s operating system is notoriously closed. This means you can’t load homebrew—applications built for a device and published without approval from the device manufacturers—on it, or play old NES ROMs, or even browse the internet. Yet that all appears to have changed with a single tweet from noted iOS jailbreaker qwertyuiop.

http://gizmodo.com/old-apple-security-flaws-mean-the-nintendo-switch-is-on-1793210884

 

[Chiropteran]

 

[Sonikku]

Switch cracked already

http://gizmodo.com/old-apple-security-flaws-mean-the-nintendo-switch-is-on-1793210884

Good, now find a way to make 4k zelda happen!!

 

[zerocool84]

Good, now find a way to make 4k zelda happen!!

On there's already someone running the WiiU version of it in 4k. It only runs at around 15fps but they just need to spend more time optimizing it. It looks awesome in 4k.

I've said it already before, Zelda is one of those games that is in dire need of being on a system with more power. This game would look so much better in higher resolution with longer draw distance. The short draw distance really kills it when trying to look for stuff out in the distance with low resolution.

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/56648/zelda-breath-wild-looks-crazy-pc-4k/index.html

 

[Zenoth]

Well to be honest ANY first-party Nintendo game franchise title would be and certainly would look much better on newer (better) hardware. Seeing Nintendo developing their games on potatoes is a complete waste of art and possibilities in my book.

For the sake of our imagination, think of the possibilities if Nintendo was to do like Sega, leave hardware behind and make good games for everyone instead (because it IS what they do best). Imagine a real current-gen (or next-gen) big budget Zelda game specifically made with the hardware of the PS4 Pro or the Scorpio in mind, and then ported to the PC, and so on. I just can't imagine what they COULD do with such a Zelda or something like a proper Metroid game on hardware like that if they managed to do a game like Breath of the Wild on the Wii U, just let that sink in a moment (who would have thought that the Wii U could be pushed like that? BotW proves it, ok... now imagine what their dev teams could do with hardware that's 5x more capable). I'm really tired having to rely on emulators to run Nintendo games at a standard 1080p 60 Fps (heck, even just 40 or 50 Fps would do the job). If Nintendo could make a REAL console no one would even pay attention to those 'other solutions'. Nah, instead they're content with trying to reinvent the wheel while staying behind by 1 or 2 hardware generations. I do NOT understand them, but they sure are first class obstinate thick heads.

 

[Sonikku]

It's really heartbreaking with Breath of the Wild especially though because it's such a bold and outrageously ambitious vision that is noticeable undermined under the strain of awful hardware that can't do it justice.

 

[zerocool84]

It's really heartbreaking with Breath of the Wild especially though because it's such a bold and outrageously ambitious vision that is noticeable undermined under the strain of awful hardware that can't do it justice.

It's in need of higher resolution but the biggest thing that affects game play is it not having stable frame rate and the small draw distance. Draw distance is especially important because the game encourages you to seek out high ground and mark things on your Sheika Slate for you to hit. All too often you don't see things until you're much closer to them.

 

[cmdrdredd]

What size Micro SD cards are you guys putting in these? Is 64GB enough for a while or should one invest in say a 200GB card for $70?

 

[Chiropteran]

I went with a 128GB and it seems like massive overkill right now.

 

[cmdrdredd]

So maybe it would be somewhat safe with 64GB card + 32GB internal if I were not planning on doing too many digital games?

I've got a switch on the way, even though I told myself to wait. I have a carrying case, a copy of zelda + collectors guide which I always buy for zelda titles, and a pro controller(target had a bunch of them). I'm just trying to figure out any other stuff I need. Obviously going to grab a screen protector too.

 

[Chiropteran]

I'd say so.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I've heard that some screen protectors peel up or bubble when the system is docked and heats up. Any recommendations there? I see Zagg makes an HDX one and I have these on my last two iPhones, but this is a $300 device vs a $800 phone so I dunno if it's worth $30.

 

[zerocool84]

What size Micro SD cards are you guys putting in these? Is 64GB enough for a while or should one invest in say a 200GB card for $70?

I went 200GB but got it on an Amazon deal so paid $60 for it.

I'm just scared about Nintendo, we still don't know much about their online infrastructure and the ability to transfer anything to a new SD card because well they have already said we can't. So because I don't want to have to go bigger later.