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[bigmac996]

I feel Summer would have been a better time to release the Switch. Gives em time to have a beefier launch lineup, and I feel Zelda and Splatoon are two new games that can coexist as launch games occupying two different niches. It feels somewhat rushed coming out in March, but I get they need to do it for the investors/ fiscal year thing.

 

[TrutaS]

I don't think it will be he end of the world. They have a shortage probably planned out until then, get some money in and some headlines of it being sold out. Then perhaps a price drop with some games and a pokemon announcement will bring interest, and when pokemon drop everyone will want one.

 

[tiijj]

The same people who are complaining now would have been complaining in the future no matter how long you delay.

• Paid online
• Third Party Support
• Cost
• Mobile app voice chat

A launch now or in three/four months from now isn't going to change any of that.

At fall or holiday release you'll add people complaining that Nintendo is restricting he supply of switch. Well they are complaining now but it will be much worst during the holiday season. At least Nintendo will be able to sell a lot during march due to the novelty hype of the console and they might potentially sell a lot more during holidays due to the holiday buying season. Also for Japan Nintendo will probably sell tons during spring-summer due to splatoon.

 

[spekkeh]

That would mean I could only play Zelda in fall, instead of in five weeks.

Fuck no, terrible idea. Yay for March.

 

[Nerazar]

They had last year's E3 to do this. Instead, they hid it under the excuse Sony and MS would copy it, which was dumb. They lost a big opportunity to mass advertise it, but their lame and unnecessary over secrecy policy might harm their marketing strategy.

So far, it's not harming them too much at least. The hype is there and pre-order levels are good. I think it's always better to have a released console at E3 to make things more concrete. "We announce game X for Nintendo Switch. It releases in December 2017. Buy yours now and enjoy all the content which we released so far!"

By the time of E3, Switch will have a pretty decent lineup and if they don't utterly botch their presentation, that might drive some new sales.

 

[hatchx]

I would say no, but I hope they have a plan for a 1st party title every 1.5months.

...and right now, Splatoon is the only thing filling that entire summer void.

 

[Bioshocker]

March is not a good time to launch, but the Switch was likely bound for a November 2016 launch and got pushed to 2017 for a number of reasons (games not being ready, online challenges and maybe something about the hardware too). Waiting another 8 months wouldn't do any good, so better launch it now.

 

[MHWilliams]

Most of the problems I see in the March Switch launch (general cost, available competition, lack of third party titles) aren't going to get much better this Fall. Software will improve, but as Fall ramps up, Sony and Microsoft will begin cutting PS4 Slim and Xbox One S pricing, meaning the $299-with-no-game Switch will look rougher in comparison.

At least now, Nintendo has a chance to stand alone and see flaws in their launch plans. Best to see a 3DS-like price drop alongside Mario Odyssey or a similar bundle in Sept/Oct then trying to start from scratch then.

 

[dragonyeuw]

I'd say its better to get out before Scorpio.

If it were to release in Fall moms or kids would go to get a Switch and some rep/employee would convince them to get the Scorpio.

I don't see where that will be an issue. Maybe there's some overlap for gamers, but any soccer mom walking into a store to get their kid the newest Nintendo console for Pokemon and Mario, isn't likely to be swayed by a machine that could be at least $100-200 more and without those particular games. I don't believe there's any either/or decision to be made in that scenario.

 

[ScientificPizza]

Nah. I can see why you would do that, but I think the March release date makes more sense. You sell your initial batch to the die hards that would buy it no matter what, and then by holiday you have your production line at a point to where you'll have so many units to sell

this is all speculation of course, but I think Odyssey is being held back to holiday for a second big console push. That game is reportedly mostly done so it may have been able to release earlier, but your drop a big banger like Mario at holiday when Switches are in abundance everywhere and move way more consoles than you would have been able to at launch

It's like the best of both worlds theoretically

 

[Milly Osworth]

Nah, they have Zelda at launch. Zelda!!! This will be an instant classic, so for core gamers the launch is pretty damn good.

 

[Skux]

In the long run it doesn't really matter. PS3 and PS4 launched with paltry offerings but ended up with some of the best libraries of all time.

 

[TLZ]

Maybe they have 2 launches; March to put it out and let it sink in the market then holidays for the proper one with hopefully better value.

 

[DeuceGamer]

I think they made the right decision. They will sale through their initial allotments from Nintendo fans and Zelda fans.

The Wii U done well at launch and really only suffered into the 3rd and 4th months. Looking at Switch that's about the time you would expect Splatoon 2 to launch to maintain momentum. Splatoon 2, along with some other smaller releases, should help them keep momentum going into the fall, where they have some nice titles releasing.

They will sell through their initial launch units. Get those out of the way and sell more in the fall. Maybe shoukd have waited until summer though. Launched with mario kart and splatoon 2.

I'd wager MK8 is ready and not releasing it at launch is purely a strategic decision.

 

[bigbaldwolf86]

Nothing wrong with the timing of their release. It's the release schedule of games that's the problem. They should have ensured they had a stronger launch lineup and then carried that on throughout the year. Then during the holidays they could have really pushed it. People will be afraid of another Wii U situation and rightly so

 

[protomouse]

Nah. They're going to sell most of what they can produce during the launch months. If they do E3 right, it will keep the momentum going. Then they'll enter the holiday season with aggressive bundling (Mario, Minecraft, Pokémon). I don't think there will be a price cut this year.

All eyes will be on Scorpio this E3, and I think it's good for Nintendo to get the hardware out there prior to that.

 

[Matt]

No.

 

[DeuceGamer]

Nothing wrong with the timing of their release. It's the release schedule of games that's the problem. They should have ensured they had a stronger launch lineup and then carried that on throughout the year. Then during the holidays they could have really pushed it. People will be afraid of another Wii U situation and rightly so

They will still sell out at launch so moving up more games into the launch wouldn't shift any more units. I think it's better to launch with Zelda and have more releases throughout the year than have a huge launch and a big void afterwards.

Launching now will also allow them to have better value during the first holiday season. Maybe a Black Friday sale, but at least some holiday bundles.

 

[bigbaldwolf86]

They will still sell out at launch so moving up more games into the launch wouldn't shift any more units. I think it's better to launch with Zelda and have more releases throughout the year than have a huge launch and a big void afterwards.

Launching now will also allow them to have better value during the first holiday season. Maybe a Black Friday sale, but at least some holiday bundles.

I have no doubt the console will see decent sales when it launches but my point is that even with Nintendo's strategy to spread out their games this year there isn't really a whole lot to play. The Wii U is infamous for it's games drought and I'm concerned that the same thing is going to happen here.

A better more varied launch lineup along with a better release schedule of games in the first months up until the holidays could make a massive difference

 

[Atomski]

And get smeared by the competition? No...

Fall is fucking over rated devs need to stop focusing on it so much, they send shit to die in a sea of mass releases.

 

[MindCollizion]

Nintendo has given us Wii 2 (3) with the Switch. They are researching and getting the casual market attention.

 

[forknknife]

Having only WiiU and 3DS for the majority of this year really wouldn't have been a good alternative.

Godflesh!

I think Nintendo has gotten many many things right this time, specially the branding, the reveal and release timing of the device. The launch line up and 3rd party support on the other hand are terrible but let's hope that can still improve.

I have them a lot of shit for not showing up at E3 but, in hindsight, that was the right move. Look at how much attention these 2 reveal events have gathered. Everyone is already forgetting about the PSVR, the Pro, etc. And Scorpio is just... nothing really at this moment. They are going to have a very good launch sales wise with a lot of media focus. The switch will probably be sold out until the summer at least and then they have those months until holidays to see if sales are dropping too much or not and, if that's the case, they can just drop the thing to 250e and sales will probably pick up again and start selling out until well past the holidays.

Just a shame that they are not packing 1,2 switch with the system, that was really stupid, but I'm sure they'll correct this in the holidays too, if they're smart.

I just hope that they have a decent ambassador programme this time.

 

[Malakai]

What gets me is if you have a Wii U and a 3DS the line up is barren (as least in the West)


Just Dance 17 is on the Wii U
Skylanders: Imaginators is on the Wii U
Fast RMX is on the Wii U

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is going to be on the Wii U


Snipperclips Okay, that is new
Has Been Heroes Okay, that is new
1-2-Switch New but were is the gameplay?
Super Bomberman R Okay that is new

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII is Japan Only during launch and TBA in the U.S.
Arcade Archives is Japan Only during launch and TBA in the U.S.
Disgaea 5 Complete is Japan Only during launch and is due some time in Q2 in 2017.
Dragon Quest Heroes I & II Japan Only during launch and TBA in the U.S.
I Am Setsuna Japan Only during launch and due for release some time in March
Puyo Puyo Tetris Japan Only during launch and is due for release in the U.S. May 2, 2017.
Nobunags' Ambition: Sphere of Influence Japan Only during launch and TBA in the U.S.

So, if you are in the U.S. and owned a Wii U the only thing that would be new to the system to you are Snipperclips, Has Been Heroes and Super Bomberman R and 1-2 Switch. And if you are a Nintendo fan, you mostly have a functional system that can play a version of Bomberman. Looking at April you have Shovel Knight, Constructor HD and Mario Kart 8 due for release. If you have Wii U you have access to Shovel Knight and Mario Kart 8 and, ironically, Constructor HD looks like it could have had benefited from the Wii U's Gamepad!

No only is the selection is small, if you are in the U.S., you don't even know when over 50% of the launch games are even coming out! So, during the last two years of half-hearted efforts from Nintendo to Wii U owners such Amiibo Animal Crossing Cash Grab and Mario Tennis: Cost too Much edition this is what Nintendo is going to offer it fans? This launch line up is very questionable on so many levels. So, I'm wondering is Nintendo cheap ping out by not hiring developers to actually have another compelling game or two for launch.

And I say this as someone that loves the concept of the Switch. Furthermore, there is virtually nothing on the market does what the Switch does. I was looking at the Razer Edge Pro a gaming Windows Tablet that is dockable that wights in at almost 4 pounds! You have Intel based tablets w thunderbolt ports that can use a external gpu; however, low wattage Intel i-GPU can barely play games at 720p 30FPS on low settings. Also, AMD doesn't have anything comparable on the market at all!

 

[Peltz]

whoops double post.

 

[Peltz]

No because I want to play Zelda on it.

Yea, that's really all there is to it. Zelda is huge for a launch game, even if it is also available on previous hardware.

It's arguably Nintendo's most anticipated title of all time.

I agree with the post above me that there's not much new to the lineup for us Nintendo die-hards. But the games will come, I have no doubt about that.

 

[Scrawnton]

No. Launching in March and spreading out games is the best way to do it. Wii U has a front loaded launch with over a dozen big 3rd party games and they all bombed.

I bet the small number of 3rd party games that do exist have some success because of the staggered release. I'm gonna want something in between Zelda and Mario Kart and I bet a 3rd party game (Desgaia 5) will be there.

 

[KingBroly]

Most of the problems I see in the March Switch launch (general cost, available competition, lack of third party titles) aren't going to get much better this Fall. Software will improve, but as Fall ramps up, Sony and Microsoft will begin cutting PS4 Slim and Xbox One S pricing, meaning the $299-with-no-game Switch will look rougher in comparison.

At least now, Nintendo has a chance to stand alone and see flaws in their launch plans. Best to see a 3DS-like price drop alongside Mario Odyssey or a similar bundle in Sept/Oct then trying to start from scratch then.

I think they have a dock-less SKU for $199 come holiday, assuming the rumors of Pokemon and Smash coming pan out. But maybe it'll be $249, given the pricing model thus far.

The only games I could see them putting into a bundle this fall are 1-2 Switch or ARMS.

 

[DeuceGamer]

I have no doubt the console will see decent sales when it launches but my point is that even with Nintendo's strategy to spread out their games this year there isn't really a whole lot to play. The Wii U is infamous for it's games drought and I'm concerned that the same thing is going to happen here.

A better more varied launch lineup along with a better release schedule of games in the first months up until the holidays could make a massive difference

You could say "it could have launched with more games", for just about every console ever released.

It depends on what games you like I guess. Personally I think Zelda, Splatoon 2, Arms, Mario, Fire Emblem Warriors, Xeno 2, and MK8 is an excellent first 9 months of a console launch. That's not even considering titles like Sonic, Bomberman, Snipperclips, Dragon Quest XI, Dragon Quest Heroes, etc... I understand that may not be enticing for everyone, but stacking those titles up all at once won't really change how you feel about the games.

Launching now has the benefit of building a library, building a small userbase, allow production time to ramp up, allow Nintendo more flexibility with holiday sales, or at least holiday bundles, while I can't see a downside since they will still sellout at launch most likely.

 

[FrozenCell]

no, it should have launched earlier... instead of wiiu

 

[Neoxon]

I think they have a dock-less SKU for $199 come holiday, assuming the rumors of Pokemon and Smash coming pan out. But maybe it'll be $249, given the pricing model thus far.

The only games I could see them putting into a bundle this fall are 1-2 Switch or ARMS.

Smash 4 Deluxe is without a doubt happening. And while Pokémon Stars isn't as given, Eurogamer still seems confident in their sources who are saying that Stars is happening.

That said, I feel like they may just slash $50 off the price tag this holiday & save the handheld-only Switch for later.

 

[2+2=5]

Another pro could have been a slightly cheaper price(249 instead of 299?)

 

[linkboy]

Should have, yes.

Actually have the ability to, no.

There's no way the Wii U can go another year.

 

[Portugeezer]

The games coming from March till Holiday will still exist at that time.

 

[13ruce]

They can't, fiscal year ends after march and they promised new hardware this fiscal year to investors.

 

[opricnik]

That would be quite hilarious considering they would clash with Scorpio.
720p vs 4K. Fight Night.

Man vs God

 

[……forgetit]

I think so, personally I think if you put the two machines next to each other Switch would do better than Scorpio. The downside is Nintendo would essentially have to make no money for another years, investors would have been pissed. The timing was forced imo and the switch is being somewhat rushed to market.

 

[NSESN]

If Switch fails at launch in March, there's time to drop the price for holidays. If it fails at launch in the Fall, there isn't.

 

[noshten]

I think the launch lineup is better than 3DS launch year, I also think it's more attractive as a device than 3DS at launch. So better games + better devices bigger incentive to buy early compared to 3DS which had a vary barren first six months - so something like 10 million for the Switch with 5 mil of those coming from Japan for 2017 is the minimum. Personally I think it will be closing into or surpassing the Wii U in a single year. There is simply more mind-share for Nintendo around SMR, PokemonGO in the last year and we saw how that effected 3DS sales. 3DS will continue to sell as a device that has tons of games and is 1/3 the price. I also don't think Nintendo will keep the Switch at this price.
But its far easier to predict how much you need to ship for November and December by launching it like they launched the 3DS. 3DS didn't pickup until the price cut and big games but this time Switch has the big games lined up and you can play with a friend on the go. Once they gauge interest I'm expecting there to be either bundles or price drops for the holidays if not earlier just to capitalize on the popularity for the holidays..
If Nintendo don't lower the price for the device I'd say it would do well but not surpass 10 million for 2017.

 

[wild wild rice]

And make us wait longer to play Zelda, ARMS and Splatoon 2? Hell no.

 

[boiled goose]

I say no.

(On the condition that they actually have lots of games coming up and will steadily release them which results in high switch sales up to the fall)

 

[spekkeh]

The thing about putting out all your heavy hitters at launch is that they start eating each other. A console for a lot of people is a bigger budget investment, and their budget might allow for just one or two extra games that month. Obviously this will be Zelda, a game you will most likely spend more than two months playing. Are people picking up all the other launch games after three months, when other things appear on the horizon? Nope, Nintendo definitely stands to make more money spreading it out. Might also be more welcoming for third parties, what few of them are left, because people buy Nintendo games first and third party only second.

 

[LordOcidax]

No.. Also the system is going to have the December + 9 months of sales. And Zelda on March. If they dont have delays the Switch is going to have a lot of games out for the holidays season.

 

[Knightsofren]

Absolutely they should've waited. They will ride the short inventory wave for a few months which will appear that system is doing good, but I don't expect it to last longer than the Wii U's "shortages".

If people are spending $300 on a new console they expect a big library of new games. Assuming the projected 2017 games release on schedule it should have a semi decent lineup by then.

 

[Kenzodielocke]

Why? Fans will get them the money, they can always go down with prices.

They are milking hard right now. And it seems to work.

 

[LegendofLex]

Judging by the fact that they seem to be selling through their initial hardware allocation with a March launch, that interest would have been wasted on a holiday period where stuff sells better anyway but inventory can't just be ratcheted up several million to catch everyone.

Likewise, releasing all their initial software during the crowded holiday period just means the launch games have tons of big AAA releases with tons of marketing to compete with.

Let the early adopters buy it during the spring and summer. Let the lineup catch fire when it's not swamped by other games.

Let other people buy it in the fall/holiday period after it's become popular thanks to its USPs.

 

[Malakai]

Also, when comparing to the 3DS and the Wii U, at least those two system had backwards compatibility. That is you had the previous system's library to play games and gives one time to look for hidden jems or try out different games. With the Switch the customer at starting zero.

On an unrelated note, this made me realize that we will be starting completely from zero when it comes the Switch overprice controllers and accessories unlike the Wii U and the first SKU of the Wii w/ GameCube controller compatibility.

 

[frankie_baby]

Launching in march gives them plenty of time for a panic mode fix before xmas if the launch goes wrong

 

[rottendevice]

I think the era in which a product needs to be on shelves just in time for Christmas is over. Just release something when it's ready, and the fans will be happy it's available then.

 

[Vital Tundra]

The Zelda wouldn't have come out for a Switch, so no.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

I wish Nintendo had things ready by late fall 2016. It's a shame they missed out on the Christmas shopping season by only a few months.