Goodbye NX, hello Switch

[zerocool84]

If you currently own a WiiU, there's literally no reason to pick this up at launch because the only launch game worth anything, you are going to be able to play. Nintendo is really making it hard to like the Switch

 

[poofyhairguy]

So the switch supports 128GB Micro SD cards!

I went ahead and pre-ordered Zelda too, as that is the only game I will get until Mario Kart.

 

[Sonikku]

I remember the energy and enthusiasm I had for the Wii, misplaced perhaps. But I can certainly appreciate why it was a smash hit. I even have a diluted feeling of that for something like the NES Classic, even though there are better options. The switch however just doesn't have that magic. Not for me, at least. It has more of a "eh, guess I'll buy it. Maybe" feeling to it. If I am at all indicative of consumers, the switch may only do marginally better than the U. Let us hope that is not the case.

 

[RussianSensation]

Oh this console launch is even worse than I thought. Nearly everything I have feared for months is coming true -- grossly overpriced, grossly underpowered, gimped storage capacity (hence they didn't discuss it), low resolution screen, very bad battery life, extremely weak launch line-up and close to non-existent 3rd party game support.

I also told you guys Nintendo will position this portable console as a home console instead so they can raise game prices from $30-40 USD on 3DS/New 3DS to $60.

http://www.polygon.com/2017/1/13/14057130/nintendo-switch-launch-titles-prices-cases

Boy, they didn't stop there and are even charging for online.

They needed to stay as close as possible to $199.99 USD (at most $249.99 with a game or a Pro Controller or an SD card) to make an impact, but they completely blew it. Not only does the console cost $299.99 US / $399.99 Canadian, but prices of accessories are laughable!!!

http://www.nintendo.com/en_CA/switch/buy-now/

- The Dock + A/C adapter + HDMI cable are $90 US!

- 1 Joy-Con controller is $50 US / $65 Canadian or $80 US / $100 for a pair

- The Pro Controller is $70 US / $90 Canadian

That means the console + Pro Controller + Zelda would cost $430 USD or $570 Canadian!!! [As a point of reference, US had PS4 Slim with Uncharted Bundle for $210-240 in December 2016 and XB1 S bundles were going for $160-200 all month -- It means it was possible to purchase BOTH XB1S and PS4 Slim bundles for about the same as a Switch + Zelda + 1 controller cost!]

These prices are atrocious given the anemic hardware and software support on offer.

Super Mario Odyssey isn't even a launch title:

http://www.polygon.com/2017/1/13/14241960/nintendo-switch-launch-titles-prices-release-dates

The launch presentation was awful, leaving specs and key details about storage completely out. This only cements the fact the console will lack sufficient storage and it's hardware is outdated on day 1. The graphics of Zelda were very unimpressive (shadows, anisotropic filtering, texture quality were at PS3/360 level at best, while Link's shield was made up of distinct individual polygons suggesting that Switch isn't even powerful enough to use tessellation). Certain games had hitching/stuttering during the presentation.

The games shown (Zelda, Super Mario Odyssey, Arms, Splatoon 2) all looked cartoonish, clearly targeting kids and teens. Nintendo continues to shy away from targeting hardcore PS4/XB1 gamers and they are completely out of touch with the Western and European gaming audience. The only hope they have is for 3DS/New 3DS loyal gamers to carry this console over the next 3-4 years.

As far as I can see it, Nintendo is basically done for home consoles. This is even worse than the Wii or Wii U since at least those consoles undercut the competition.

Now, we flat out get an underpowered console that launches 3.5 years after its primary competition. Once the key accessories are added (pro controller / SD card, etc.), the console costs more than 3.5 year old consoles that have huge gaming libraries behind them and a huge 80 million install base to find your friends on.

Once the dust settles, only major price cuts or a miracle will save this console. Outside of hardcore Nintendo fans and 3DS/New 3DS owners, this is shaping up to be Wii U 2.0. Nintendo should have delayed the launch until Holiday 2017, upgraded the console to Pascal APU if they were going to price this thing at $300 USD. This price is so face-palming, it's hard to even comprehend when a nearly 2-year old NV Shield Android TV was $200 US with a "Pro Controller." The irony is that device had superior specs to the Switch. Now it will cost $370 US (Switch + Pro controller), or nearly 2X the price, for tech that's far inferior to the May 2015 NV Shield Android TV.

Nintendo went from uber friendly NES/SNES/N64/GameCube pro local multiplayer affordable consoles to an overpriced underpowered console whose accessories are so grossly overpriced that playing 3-4 player local multi-player would be outrageously expensive.

EDIT:

And here is a confirmation for 32GB internal memory and 720p screen:

http://www.vgchartz.com/article/267...n-is-720p-comes-with-32gb-of-internal-memory/

 

[Ancalagon44]

I am quite amazed at the prices, I must say.

The Wii was cheap enough that a lot of parents bought it for their children. However, the Switch is now expensive enough that parents will seriously question it before buying it. They may opt to purchase a console with an optical drive so that it can be used to play Blu Ray discs, for instance. Or, as Russian Sensation said, they might buy a PS4 or Xbox One because it is cheaper when deals are considered. I never thought I'd see the day when a Nintendo console was more expensive than a Sony or Microsoft console. But here we are.

I'm unimpressed. The console and games are too expensive and the battery life too short for this to be a good mobile gaming experience. If I wanted a home console, I see nothing that the Switch has that would interest me. The PS4 and XB1 are often cheaper, are far more powerful, and have more games. Yes, the Switch has Nintendo exclusive games, some of which are very good. But generally it is only the Nintendo exclusive mobile games that interest me, not the home console releases. So, I'm not interested in the games, no 3rd party support again, too expensive and not powerful enough. Oh and 32GB of storage so you can forget about downloadable games. At least, you can download NES and SNES games but that is it. Modern AAA games run anywhere from 30GB to 100GB.

 

[Ranulf]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh I guess since I don't care that much. Such a shame though that Nintendo really is so clueless and just used to smelling their own farts.

Yes, the Switch has Nintendo exclusive games, some of which are very good.

Sure, but most of those games aren't going to be out on release. Zelda isn't exclusive. At least I've got something new to buy for my Wii U.

Also, the controller prices... $50 for the left or right joy-con that the kid broke? $80 for a new pair.

 

[purbeast0]

I may just end up getting a Wii-U if I feel like playing Zelda. I've been playing Wii-U about once a month at this game day my buddies and I have and it has some really fun games, but they are only fun with other people.

 

[Ichinisan]

I may just end up getting a Wii-U if I feel like playing Zelda. I've been playing Wii-U about once a month at this game day my buddies and I have and it has some really fun games, but they are only fun with other people.

They disappeared from stores before the holidays and Nintendo has stopped production. Second-hand prices have drastically increased as soon as Nintendo stopped production.

 

[purbeast0]

They disappeared from stores before the holidays and Nintendo has stopped production. Second-hand prices have drastically increased as soon as Nintendo stopped production.

You can get a refurb on Ebay right now for $200 with Nintendo Land. They aren't hard to find if you want them and will only become cheaper as the Nintendo Fanboy transition to the Switch.

 

[Tweak155]

Well now that the pre order is up for Wii U version of Zelda I think I'll just go with that. The new Mario game seems to go back to the roots a little more, but I just do not like any of the settings it showed - at all.

Glad Zelda will be on both... might change my opinion if they release another one but for now, Switch is a huge pass.

 

[purbeast0]

If Mario Odyssey was a launch title I would 100000% have gotten a Switch at launch.

 

[renz20003]

They will be lucky to sell 20 million units, the graphics look on par with Wii U.

At least the Wii U has the previous years 3rd party games on it at launch. Now they are hyping the good but old skyrim and several year old first party games.

Too expensive, too old, too late IMO

 

[ImpulsE69]

Mario Odyssey looks...awesome. I'm actually more excited for that than an open world Zelda. I was also very surprised by the Xenoblade 2 announcement. But yea, i agree with all the points, just not worth it. They screwed up. I will probably just get Zelda for Wii-U, play it, then sell my Wii-U, wait a few years for price to drop on Switch and pick up the games I want.

I think the most telling thing was that they wasted time on that reveal for Skyrim. How old is that game now? It should not be a system seller, everyone dying to play that game already has (unless it's got to do with Japan?).

 

[KentState]

I see no reason to buy the Switch for a long time since Zelda is coming the Wii U.

 

[zerocool84]

This shows it has even worse third party support than even the WiiU. People are thinking this would have better 3rd party support, you have too be sorely disappointed.

Look at how many games are coming out this year, it's insanely tiny even compared to the the lackluster WiiU.

The WiiU had 51 launch window games, this has 16........ SIXTEEN

http://www.polygon.com/2017/1/13/14241960/nintendo-switch-launch-titles-prices-release-dates

 

[Face2Face]

Reviewers with hands on experience are saying the screens looks pretty sharp for 720p and has vibrant colors. I wonder if these are IPS panels?

 

[Chiropteran]

I see no reason to buy the Switch for a long time since Zelda is coming the Wii U.

I see no reason to buy the wii u, since zelda is coming for the switch.

I pre-ordered one. I'm honestly not 100% set on it, but I'd rather have the order placed now- I can always cancel later if I decide I don't need it. Mainly I like it for a few reasons- 100% supported physical controls, Nintendo quality, and 1st party games.

I don't care if the specs aren't 100% top of the line. For the price it seems pretty good. I paid $500 for a pixel c tablet, and these seems to be comparable- lower res screen, but comes with a dock & hardware controllers, for only $299- does not seem bad at all.

 

[Face2Face]

I'm pretty sure the Switch version of Zelda will look and run better than the Wii U version, especially docked. I pre-ordered one at Best Buy. I can always cancel it.

Anyway, here is a picture of the UI.

 

[KentState]

Is Zelda going to be $300 better? I already have a Wii U and 15 games, seems like a waste for a single game.

 

[SAWYER]

That presentation was HORRIBLE, this thing will be flop like The U

 

[Red Hawk]

If you currently own a WiiU, there's literally no reason to pick this up at launch because the only launch game worth anything, you are going to be able to play. Nintendo is really making it hard to like the Switch

Unless I want to take Breath of the Wild on the go, and want it to look nicer on a TV.

 

[zerocool84]

I see no reason to buy the wii u, since zelda is coming for the switch.

I pre-ordered one. I'm honestly not 100% set on it, but I'd rather have the order placed now- I can always cancel later if I decide I don't need it. Mainly I like it for a few reasons- 100% supported physical controls, Nintendo quality, and 1st party games.

I don't care if the specs aren't 100% top of the line. For the price it seems pretty good. I paid $500 for a pixel c tablet, and these seems to be comparable- lower res screen, but comes with a dock & hardware controllers, for only $299- does not seem bad at all.

The issue is that there's even less support for this compared to the the WiiU. The price is not good when you can get a PS4/Xbox One for the same price with actual 3rd party support so you're actually getting games other than only Nintendo games. The game lineup is literally pitiful even until the end of the year for its "launch window". Plus that the games are the same price as competing systems and the controllers are more expensive, this is not a bargain at all because of what other systems can give you. You can literally only play Zelda for 2hrs when not docked. That's not very portable.

 

[zerocool84]

Unless I want to take Breath of the Wild on the go, and want it to look nicer on a TV.

On the the go for only 2hrs, it's not $300 better than the the WiiU. There's zero reason for someone with a WiiU to buy the Switch until at least the end of the year. Don't get me wrong, I'm buying the Switch because of Zelda but the outlook for this looks even worse than the WiiU

 

[Chiropteran]

The issue is that there's even less support for this compared to the the WiiU. The price is not good when you can get a PS4/Xbox One for the same price with actual 3rd party support so you're actually getting games other than only Nintendo games. The game lineup is literally pitiful even until the end of the year for its "launch window". Plus that the games are the same price as competing systems and the controllers are more expensive, this is not a bargain at all because of what other systems can give you. You can literally only play Zelda for 2hrs when not docked. That's not very portable.

This isn't even out yet. Do you think the U is going to get much more support now that it has been cancelled?

A PS4/Xbox is not a portable system, that is the whole point behind this. It's a portable with some awesome real physical controls (touch screen virtual joysticks suck ass), and it also comes with a great TV-dock so you can play it at home if you want. It's not a direct competitor of a non-portable console.

And FWIW it's 2 hours on battery, not 2 hour undocked. You can charge with a USB C charger, which you can have in your car, at any coffee shop ,at your friends house, at the library. Seems pretty portable to me.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Amazon has most of the announced games on sale for pre-order, and if you are a prime member they are discounted to $48 a piece. Since sales on Nintendo stuff is rare I went ahead and pre-ordered Mario Kart, Xenoblade 2, Grand Theft Mario and Splatoon 2 (never played the first but it was the most fun looking game at the presentation).