• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Could Nintendo's next handheld serve as a substitute for their console for consumers?

JordanN

JordanN

Banned
By the way, this thread is about them having two consoles next-next gen, not merging it.

With the past, owning a Nintendo handheld was never enough to completely enjoy the Nintendo experience. For example, with Gameboy Advance you were still limited to mostly 2D games with a hampered control scheme (i.e, no analog sticks or x,y buttons). The games themselves also reflected this. You were never going to get something like Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker playing on it.

But move forward to the 3DS/Wii U and alot has seemed to changed. It's now possible for someone to play a Mario game that doesn't feel like it's from a completely different world then what's on the console. Of course, 3DS still has a host of limitations with its hardware or lack of second analog that prevents it from being a complete challenger.

But now what's going to happen next gen when a Nintendo handheld is now "complete"? That is, there are no more button limitations (hopefully), and the hardware is now at a point so that you can enjoy almost any Nintendo console game with certain fidelity?

Now this raises some issues. If you own Mario Tennis on a 4DS, will you feel compelled to get Mario Tennis on the Wii U's sequel? What about Mario Kart? All the content is still the same too.

I guess the only thing truly left is hardware but this where things get interesting. We've seen the next Mario game on Wii U for example, and while graphically it's better, it still plays on a similar scale to the 3DS one. And with Zelda, would Nintendo put the effort in to completely blow past all their previous Zelda games? Finally, there's the next Nintendo console's hardware itself.

If Nintendo pulls a "Wii" again and overclocks Wii U for their next home console, would that make the overlap even greater?

I felt inspired to make this after thinking of a Zelda on 3DS. If I could get a Zelda like this (open world, but not exactly like Monster Hunter) on a handheld, what incentives are left for getting a home console? Just graphics?

iNYE400UX3Dp5.gif
 
The 3DS is already doing this for me. The graphics are good enough and the franchises are mostly all there. I'm really only missing out on Pikmin.
 
Handhelds and Home Consoles are two diferent things that have two diferent kinds of games.

If you think how nintendo pushes for coop and multiplayer, I don't see how anyone would prefer a handheld instead of a home console for games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros, specialy those who have people to get on the couch co-op

Also, Nintendo own phylosofy would never give us a new zelda Twilight Princess style in handheld form, the same way home consoles would NEVER have a true pokemon.
 
What was the reason to get two systems in the first place? Portability is one for sure but still the fact remains that not all use their handheld systems outside of home. In fact I could say this is common in the west. I own two systems because there will always be games you can't enjoy on 3DS and games you can't enjoy on Wii U. I don't think this will necessarily change even if graphics get better on the handheld system. Nintendo should focus on making different IP's on different systems to avoid making this a problem.

Then we have something like bringing virtual reality to the table. Something like Wiimote will never work on handheld either.

Otakumegane said:
This, I already have a couple friends not wanting to buy a WiiU but will get a 2DS just for Smash.
Click to expand...

It will be interesting to see for sure. As it is now it seems like 3DS is getting SSB4 for whatever reason while the superior version will still be on home console.
 
Platy said:
Handhelds and Home Consoles are two diferent things that have two diferent kinds of games.

If you think how nintendo pushes for coop and multiplayer, I don't see how anyone would prefer a handheld instead of a home console for games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros, specialy those who have people to get on the couch co-op

Also, Nintendo own phylosofy would never give us a new zelda Twilight Princess style in handheld form, the same way home consoles would NEVER have a true pokemon.
Click to expand...
This was true for the past but not so much anymore. What's the next Mario Tennis going to drop that the console version would have other than graphics? Nintendo would have get rid of content so that handheld version doesn't live up to the console.

You do raise a good point about couch-co op. I guess that's the only thing the handheld can't do (unless it plugs into a TV or something).

I disagree with the last part. Again, we're now seeing the same Mario being brought to the home console as a main game. I don't think Pokemon is the same because it was always about being mobile.


The Mana Legend said:
Uh. What?
Click to expand...
What's not to understand?
 
JordanN said:
This was true for the past but not so much anymore. What's the next Mario Tennis going to drop that the console version wouldn't have other than graphics? Nintendo would have get rid of content so that handheld version doesn't live up to the console.

You do a raise a good point about couch-co op. I guess that's the only thing the handheld can't do (unless it plugs into a TV or something).

I disagree with the last part. Again, we're now seeing the same Mario being brought to the home console as a main game. I don't think Pokemon is the same because it was always about being mobile.
Click to expand...

Uh. What?
 
This is why they go out to differentiate and I think they generally do a good job of it. Obviously if it's just all tech with buttons and control sticks then portables will win every time but there are things like motion controls, second screen, living room gaming etc that you cannot do with just a portable. This is where they need to spend their time and I think that's what they seem to be doing. I think if they play it too safe with the Marios and the Zeldas to cater to simple "hardcore" tastes then there really isn't much of a reason to have a console and that goes for Sony and MS too.
 
If I had control this is how I would do it:

1W4olyh.png


I didn't really flesh out the controller part (or the entire console) well enough but I guess developers would have the ability to detect if you're using the TV out/controller component ala Vita TV.

I would still prefer Nintendo keep their handheld and console divisions apart, because then developers would then have to decide if they want to do a handheld or console game.
 
Somnid said:
This is why they go out to differentiate and I think they generally do a good job of it. Obviously if it's just all tech with buttons and control sticks then portables will win every time but there are things like motion controls, second screen, living room gaming etc that you cannot do with just a portable. This is where they need to spend their time and I think that's what they seem to be doing. I think if they play it too safe with the Marios and the Zeldas to cater to simple "hardcore" tastes then there really isn't much of a reason to have a console and that goes for Sony and MS too.
Click to expand...
In a way, they're already there. DS was literally what Wii U wanted to be (2 screens and a touch screen). Motion controls are somewhat there also (built in gyro and accelerometer in the 3DS). The only thing really missing are the wiimotes.
 
Nintendo already said they'll have one dev environment for handheld and home console next time. Expecting a lot of cross-plat stuff.
 
kitsuneyo said:
Nintendo already said they'll have one dev environment for handheld and home console next time. Expecting a lot of cross-plat stuff.
Click to expand...

I doubt it means that. Basically it would take away the one thing that makes owning all Nintendo systems worth it. It has more to do with making it even easier to transfer assets and whatever (not a technological sort myself) thus making it cheaper and quicker to make games.
 
JordanN said:
In a way, they're already there. DS was literally what Wii U wanted to be (2 screens and a touch screen). Motion controls are somewhat there also (built in gyro and accelerometer in the 3DS). The only thing really missing are the wiimotes.
Click to expand...

That's not anything like what the Wii U wanted to be. The Wii U was adapting a personalize display to a public one, which is not possible with a simple portable. Essentially the priority is on public with private secondary any portable would have to flip those priorities and thus will always play differently because one is optional and the other isn't. Wiimotes would never happen on a portable because the essential idea is too far removed (I'm playing a portable that's attached to a TV with a separate controller which is 2 peripherals beyond what's expected of anyone).
 
Parablank said:
If I had control this is how I would do it:


I didn't really flesh out the controller part (or the entire console) well enough but I guess developers would have the ability to detect if you're using the TV out/controller component ala Vita TV.

I would still prefer Nintendo keep their handheld and console divisions apart, because then developers would then have to decide if they want to do a handheld or console game.
Click to expand...

Can I play hds games on the 2ds but with no hd?

They really need to find a new name for the handheld. No more ds something
 
Parablank said:
If I had control this is how I would do it:

1W4olyh.png


I didn't really flesh out the controller part (or the entire console) well enough but I guess developers would have the ability to detect if you're using the TV out/controller component ala Vita TV.

I would still prefer Nintendo keep their handheld and console divisions apart, because then developers would then have to decide if they want to do a handheld or console game.
Click to expand...

That thing would cost, like, $600. Nobody is gonna pay that price for a handheld.
 
Iwata said something along the lines of merging their software teams to make assets more transferrable. He also said that this does not mean they are going to make only one platform. What we will likely see in the future is the same titles released for both home consoles and portables and whichever version someone wants they will purchase. We are already starting to see this transition.

Want to play on the go? handheld
Want to play on a TV with higher fidelity? console

This will help both market areas as droughts will be a thing of the past and home consoles tend to be bigger in western regions where as handhelds are more popular in Japan.
 
Sendou said:
I doubt it means that. Basically it would take away the one thing that makes owning all Nintendo systems worth it. It has more to do with making it even easier to transfer assets and whatever (not a technological sort myself) thus making it cheaper and quicker to make games.
Click to expand...

I think that cross platform games are exactly what it meant. Their next console & handheld are probably going to interact heavily in terms of cross platform games and user interaction, same (similar) OS, same store etc.
 
Yado said:
I think that cross platform games are exactly what it meant. Their next console & handheld are probably going to interact heavily in terms of cross platform games and user interaction, same (similar) OS, same store etc.
Click to expand...

I just don't see the benefit in that. Why should they bother? Making a handheld with HDMI output would serve them the same. Not to mention how they have been expanding their development studios. If 3rd parties have a hard time finding a place on Nintendo platforms now it would be even more so with titles from Nintendo at least twice per month. I mean think about how a system would look where you combined both 3DS and Wii U releases for the year. Not to mention how it could cannabilize their own software sales.

Best way is having two different systems with different games. That is the only way Nintendo can make both of them worth a purchase.

Solstice said:
Maybe even same accounts!
Click to expand...

That already has to happen with 3DS Miiverse. The word still is that we're getting it this year. So please be excited I suppose?
 
Sendou said:
I just don't see the benefit in that. Why should they bother? Making a handheld with HDMI output would serve them the same. Not to mention how they have been expanding their development studios. If 3rd parties have a hard time finding a place on Nintendo platforms now it would be even more so with titles from Nintendo at least twice per month. I mean think about how a system would look where you combined both 3DS and Wii U releases for the year. Not to mention how it could cannabilize their own software sales.

Best way is having two different systems with different games. That is the only way Nintendo can make both of them worth a purchase.
Click to expand...
I disagree, people will still buy both versions just as I'm sure many intend to purchase both versions of Smash Bros. Even if they didn't cannibalization of sales wouldn't matter because they'd be sharing more assets meaning less work and less development time outweighing that downside.

Making a do it all machine creates a different environment for Nintendo. That leaves them with a single machine that if it fails all their chips are in one bag, and it's also neither going to be the best handheld it can be or the best console due to compromises that would need to be made on both ends.
 
Sendou said:
I just don't see the benefit in that. Why should they bother? Making a handheld with HDMI output would serve them the same. Not to mention how they have been expanding their development studios. If 3rd parties have a hard time finding a place on Nintendo platforms now it would be even more so with titles from Nintendo at least twice per month. I mean think about how a system would look where you combined both 3DS and Wii U releases for the year. Not to mention how it could cannabilize their own software sales.

Best way is having two different systems with different games. That is the only way Nintendo can make both of them worth a purchase.
Click to expand...

I think they would still each have their own exclusives (Pokemon for handhelds) but cross platform titles are going to be heavily ramped up. I don't think these titles would cannibalise software sales, it would simply be a matter of which Nintendo platform you want to get these games on. If it's a Nintendo title then it's an exclusive anyway

I expect them to expand on Miiverse (or at least the philosophy of Miiverse) and a lot more handheld/console interaction.
 
A small step above the Vita power-wise is going to be good enough for most of Nintendo's user-base and pretty much all their franchises.
 
JordanN said:
You do raise a good point about couch-co op. I guess that's the only thing the handheld can't do (unless it plugs into a TV or something).
Click to expand...

Handheld CAN do couch co-op ... but it need AT LEAST 2 handhelds.

Some have download play and then the person without the cart usualy can choose only one character (Ryu on SF4 and Shy Guy with generic kart on MK7) or you need to have 2 handhelds and 2 carts and then it is almost Zelda 4 Swords on gamecube all over again =P

Might work with games like smash bros maybe .... because everyone who owns a 3ds will rpobably have it =P
 
Platy said:
Handheld CAN do couch co-op ... but it need AT LEAST 2 handhelds.

Some have download play and then the person without the cart usualy can choose only one character (Ryu on SF4 and Shy Guy with generic kart on MK7) or you need to have 2 handhelds and 2 carts and then it is almost Zelda 4 Swords on gamecube all over again =P

Might work with games like smash bros maybe .... because everyone who owns a 3ds will rpobably have it =P
Click to expand...

HDMI out + wireless controller support.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Asus to reveal their next-gen handheld at Computex in June
Rumor Event Hardware  2
63
2K
kasrkinsquad replied
AI Upscaling & Frame-Gen could be a gamechanger for next gen
12
368
Hawking Radiation replied
Should Sony release their handheld PS6 as a “PS6” at all?
2 3 4
153
2K
vaibhavpisal replied
If Xbox continued to focus on physical games this generation and their next console, would that help their future?
44
333
MisterXDTV replied
Is there a worthwhile budget handheld PC for steam games out there?
2
106
FudgeIt replied
Top Bottom