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[tapedeck]

I mostly agree with the article. The lack of a robust online service for a system launch in 2017 is pretty ridiculous..even for Nintendo.

We'll see how it shakes out though..I suppose theyll just release a massive OS update later this year that has all the online features people expected at launch cause it'd be asking too much to do it now.

 

[7DollarHagane]

Me either. That whole Mario Kart pie chart comes to mind.

Anyone who brings up apple, the iPhone, or iPad when making a complaint against Nintendo immediately loses my attention

 

[TalentAlwaysWins]

Okay. So what you're saying is, even though there were tons of units on shelves, the Wii U was still sold out, because the plastic was white instead of black.

So you're saying that the pro and basic are one in the same and no one saw the pro as the entry level SKU and the only SKU to get for WiiU?

 

[onemanasylum]

Both of my statements were pertaining to the US. Both the Wii U sales and Switch allotment. They only had ~460k Wii U's available in the US the first week.

Use your own search engine skills, bro.

Just focusing on the US is pointless, and again, what knowledge do you have of US shipments? U se your skills bro.

Sold well =/= Sold out. The hype for the Wii U was non existent. There wasn't a single game on the console, people didn't know what the heck a Wii U even was. The situation couldn't be more different today. People who haven't picked up a game console since the Wii are excited about the Switch. Marketing is everything.

Look at the goal posts move. No one is saying the situations are the same, simply selling out at launch means squat. Marketing is not everything, can market shit it still won't sell,m and so far Nintendos has been shaky at best.

 

[Bgamer90]

I'm interested in the Switch but it's definitely pitiful that Nintendo isn't talking about the online system or showing the user interface off in detail.

It's as if their mindset is still stuck in the late '90/early 2000s. The online service and user interface of a console are important features now. It's how gamers interact with modern day consoles. The features are just as important these days as the games since both go hand in hand due to the popularity of online multiplayer gaming. They really need to wake up.

 

[TalentAlwaysWins]

Sold well =/= Sold out. The hype for the Wii U was non existent. There wasn't a single game on the console, people didn't know what the heck a Wii U even was. The situation couldn't be more different today. People who haven't picked up a game console since the Wii are excited about the Switch. Marketing is everything.


PS4 and X1 aren't portable.

Most of what you said about the WiiU describes the Switch's current situation. So the polygon article isn't moot I guess? Or is this just moving goalposts?

 

[jax]

So you're saying that the pro and basic are one in the same and no one saw the pro as the entry level SKU and the only SKU to get for WiiU?

There wasn't a difference in the hardware, just the storage. You said it was sold out. That is not true.

Most of what you said about the WiiU describes the Switch's current situation. So the polygon article isn't moot I guess? Or is this just moving goalposts?

If you really think the Switch doesn't have a plethora of amazing titles releasing every month you're just as blind as our friend Chris at Polygon.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

They're making mistakes as usual (online system and weaksauce HW), but I still think the Switch will do fine at launch in JP and the US. Not sure about the EU though, as we're not really Nintendo's home turf, and the thing is quite expensive.

 

[Poimandres]

Sold well =/= Sold out. The hype for the Wii U was non existent. There wasn't a single game on the console, people didn't know what the heck a Wii U even was. The situation couldn't be more different today. People who haven't picked up a game console since the Wii are excited about the Switch. Marketing is everything.


PS4 and X1 aren't portable.

If there "wasn't a single game on the console" for Wii U launch don't try and tell me there's more than 1 game for Switch.

There were several games available at launch for Wii U. Nothing as big as (multiplatform) Zelda, but NSMBU wasn't "nothing" and Nintendoland is honestly more convincing than 12 Switch was.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Sold well =/= Sold out. The hype for the Wii U was non existent. There wasn't a single game on the console, people didn't know what the heck a Wii U even was. The situation couldn't be more different today. People who haven't picked up a game console since the Wii are excited about the Switch. Marketing is everything.


PS4 and X1 aren't portable.

And yet I recall plenty of pre-launch Wii-U threads that said pre-orders were all sold out. Just like right now with the Switch (which is also kind of nonsense because it's far from sold out worldwide).

 

[The Adder]

ARMS is the next big game in the spring? Splatoon 2 (which I don't care about but it's a sequel) is in summer. Is there something I'm missing? None of those even have dates.

Zelda into Mario Kart into Arms into Splatoon and by then we're at E3. Toss in a few indies, downloadable (Snipper Clips), and assume that literally no other 3rd party games come out for it and I'd hardly call that a drought.

 

[KAL2006]

If there "wasn't a single game on the console" for Wii U launch don't try and tell me there's more than 1 game for Switch.

There were several games available at launch for Wii U. Nothing as big as (multiplatform) Zelda, but NSMBU wasn't "nothing" and Nintendoland is honestly more convincing than 12 Switch was.

NSMBU wasn't significant as NSMB2 launched months before NSMBU. And it looked more of the same as NSMBWii. Nintedoland maybe better than 12Switch, however I feel 12Switch will appeal to casuals more and is easier to market.

 

[jax]

If there "wasn't a single game on the console" for Wii U launch don't try and tell me there's more than 1 game for Switch.

There were several games available at launch for Wii U. Nothing as big as (multiplatform) Zelda, but NSMBU wasn't "nothing" and Nintendoland is honestly more convincing than 12 Switch was.

Hyperbole. So in your mind, NSMBU is just as much of a system seller as BotW? -yawn- And you honestly believe NintendoLand, a game so bad random franchises needed to be stapled on is more convincing than the ultimate party game 12S?

I don't believe you.

 

[onemanasylum]

And yet I recall plenty of pre-launch Wii-U threads that said pre-orders were all sold out. Just like right now with the Switch (which is also kind of nonsense because it's far from sold out worldwide).

My bet on Launch day there will be switches on shelves just like Wii-u. Nintendo will send a shipment for launch day. THis conversation does indeed sound a lot like what Nintendo fans were saying prior to Wii-u launch,

 

[schuelma]

Re: Wii U. It became very clear (like within 2 weeks after launch) that Wii U demand had already cratered- the initial numbers were good but there was a lot of supply available after the initial shipment- and this was in the middle of the holiday period mind you- I suspect Switch will be different but the end of March is when I think we can really make some comparisons.

And again- if Nintendo follows what the they did with Wii U we will get a direct this week going into much more details on the system, etc.

 

[Muninn]

Nintendo is not prepared for the video game industry. It's that simple. I cannot see the Switch being a success, but you never know. It really depends on the kids if you ask me. If they want this thing. But the more I see kids in my own family using tablets and phones, the more I doubt it. Even a ten year old in the family got a PS4 and he can't even play the 13 rated games lol.

Nintendo just doesn't seem to do much right when it comes to planning for these things. And their choices of hardware are ALWAYS bizarre and awful.

I remember there was all this talk about N going with power this time, or at least something decent. And the whole thing turns out to be a fucking shield chip. It's horrible for people like me. We just stay with emulation because we are basically forced to at this point.

 

[MetalliCabombination]

why are people attacking polygon?
jesus, its a opinion. you either agree with it for x reasons or dont for y reasons.
their stupid pie charts or credibility have nothing to do with it.

im not really gonna read the entire thing but nintendo arent changed people that much is obvious. switch feels like a half baked launch with the 3rd party problem still at large and nintendo being shady with all the info reveals. evidence also points to the fact that theyve yet again put precious resources into a gimmick.
maybe im wrong and switch is a breakout hit and the best selling console ever, but on surface level, region block removal aside nintendo has done nothing that inspires confidence after the wreck that was wii u
they somehow managed to make 3ds a success they can do it again, theyll always have great 1st party ip's to count on all they need to make sure is grab the audience that buys monster hunter yokai and pokemon religiously.
that way theyll at least have enough pull to attract japanese 3rd parties making stuff for 3ds.
to me , they havent made a single good console sine snes and somewhat gamecube, and thatll stay/
in the end though, theyre just video games and were simply overthinking these things.
ill buy a switch eventually if i feel like or maybe i wont.
the earth will keep spinning

 

[jax]

And yet I recall plenty of pre-launch Wii-U threads that said pre-orders were all sold out. Just like right now with the Switch (which is also kind of nonsense because it's far from sold out worldwide).

Switch has games. Wii U did not. They can't even keep 3DS on the shelf and you're telling me their new flagship portable will be easy to find day one? Baloney.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

Zelda into Mario Kart into Arms into Splatoon and by then we're at E3. Toss in a few indies, downloadable (Snipper Clips), and assume that literally no other 3rd party games come out for it and I'd hardly call that a drought.

The problem with these types of lists as it assumes people are all interested in all the games. Droughts are personal things, more than objective except for truly bad launches that have no well regarded games releaseing for long stretches.

For me, I could play Zelda on Wii U, don't care much for Mario Kart, have zero interest in Arms, and I got plenty burnt out on Splatoon and I'm not sure there's enough new to revive my interest (I'm mostly just done with MP games period). Also not interested at all in Snipperclips. Only indie that would be appealing is Issac, but I already have Afterbirth on PS4 and don't care about portability at all so no reason to rebuy vs. just paying to the + expansion there.

I'm not saying it's worse than other recent launches. I had a PS4 preordered for months an canceled that a couple weeks out just like I did my Switch preorder for the same reason. Just too long of a personal drought, and nothing exclusive that I wanted to play near launch.

Switch has games. Wii U did not. They can't even keep 3DS on the shelf and you're telling me their new flagship portable will be easy to find day one? Baloney.

I suspect it will be hard to find the first month, maybe two, but pretty easy there after. Much like the PS4.

If this is meant to be a flagship portable they're in trouble though given the 3DS and Vita failed at $250 and this is $300 and a lot of the portable crowd doesn't game on TV and may not see any value in the dock features. Only time wil tell of course.

 

[zeemumu]

My bet on Launch day there will be switches on shelves just like Wii-u. Nintendo will send a shipment for launch day. THis conversation does indeed sound a lot like what Nintendo fans were saying prior to Wii-u launch,

Switches will probably be available in stores again not too long after launch, maybe like a month or two. I'd assume Nintendo wouldn't want to wait too long since this is an actual console and not something like the NES Classic or the Amiibos. If I'm right then nothing happens. Everyone who wanted one can get one for a non-crazy price.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

NSMBU wasn't significant as NSMB2 launched months before NSMBU. And it looked more of the same as NSMBWii. Nintedoland maybe better than 12Switch, however I feel 12Switch will appeal to casuals more and is easier to market.

But NSMBU is the best NSMB game. Especially if you include the Luigi expansion.

 

[TalentAlwaysWins]

There wasn't a difference in the hardware, just the storage. You said it was sold out. That is not true.


If you really think the Switch doesn't have a plethora of amazing titles releasing every month you're just as blind as our friend Chris at Polygon.

Except it did

Plethora every month? Where? ARMS doesn't even have a date.

 

[The Adder]

My bet on Launch day there will be switches on shelves just like Wii-u. Nintendo will send a shipment for launch day. THis conversation does indeed sound a lot like what Nintendo fans were saying prior to Wii-u launch,

Conversation's been sounding more like the one that was had about the Wii than the Wii U to me

 

[onemanasylum]

Conversation's been sounding more like the one that was had about the Wii than the Wii U to me

LMAO....ok if you think so.

 

[WadeitOut]

I don't even know why people are talking about post launch Window sales unless you think marketing is just going to die now and there won't be any information released about the console in the next 4-5 weeks. Not telling us how online works right now is not an indicator of who will buy the thing when that information could be marketed by then.

 

[jax]

LMAO....ok if you think so.

Core gamers laughed at the Wii too. Let's look at history for a second, what's the most successful console of all time? The DS? Oh. What's the third best? Gameboy? Neat! Fifth best .. could it be the Wii? Yes it is! How get all of those consoles (and eventually their libraries) and combine them.

Nah won't sell. DoA. The Wii U was bad so this will be too.

 

[The Adder]

LMAO....ok if you think so.

You weren't actually around for either of those conversations, were you?

People savaged the Wii on gaming sites while I was hearing nothing but buzz when I heard anything about it in the real world.

Nobody was talking about the Wii U, positive or negative, when it was coming out.

 

[Muninn]

Core gamers laughed at the Wii too. Let's look at history for a second, what's the most successful console of all time? The DS? Oh. What's the third best? Gameboy? Neat! Fifth best .. could it be the Wii? Yes it is! How get all of those consoles (and eventually their libraries) and combine them.

Nah won't sell. DoA.

Yer not looking at reality here. The reality is not in the 90s, or the 2000s. The reality is now. And the reality is that Nintendo has not sold a shitload of hardware for a long time minus the Wii and a handheld. Things have changed. Handhelds are not nearly as popular. And most people do not buy systems to play OLD GAMES. Come on dude. You can't just sit there and pretend everyone else has stayed in the past.

The Switch has an big uphill battle right now. The tech kids are more and more capable these days. When it comes to Mario or whatever cool game on a PS4 the decision will have to be made. And people are rightfully still terrified of Nintendo after the WiiU.

 

[schuelma]

And the reality is that Nintendo has not sold a shitload of hardware for a long time minus the Wii and a handheld. .

You literally just said that only the Wii U counts in your analysis.

 

[Mrstriker09]

The Marketing has been horrible, I had friends that was hype and now don't even want the thing until maybe later. Customers shopping in the gaming department at Bestbuy didnt even know what a Nintendo Switch was when we brought up a new Nintendo console is coming in march lol. Third party waiting to see how it does/ some just now staring to make games lol. It feels like this system just isn't ready. I see a lot of DRY months coming lol.

 

[zeemumu]

Yer not looking at reality here. The reality is not in the 90s, or the 2000s. The reality is now. And the reality is that Nintendo has not sold a shitload of hardware for a long time minus the Wii and a handheld. Things have changed. Handhelds are not nearly as popular. And most people do not buy systems to play OLD GAMES. Come on dude. You can't just sit there and pretend everyone else has stayed in the past.

Sure you can...on the INTERNET!

 

[The Adder]

Yer not looking at reality here. The reality is not in the 90s, or the 2000s. The reality is now. And the reality is that Nintendo has not sold a shitload of hardware for a long time minus the Wii and a handheld. Things have changed. Handhelds are not nearly as popular. And most people do not buy systems to play OLD GAMES. Come on dude. You can't just sit there and pretend everyone else has stayed in the past.

"Nintendo hasn't sold a shitload of hardware in a long time if you disregard 3 out of 4 of the last pieces of hardware Nintendo has sold"

 

[Albo]

Hyperbole. So in your mind, NSMBU is just as much of a system seller as BotW? -yawn- And you honestly believe NintendoLand, a game so bad random franchises needed to be stapled on is more convincing than the ultimate party game 12S?

I don't believe you.

NSMBU was a sequel to a game that sold 30m copies and a series that is far better selling than zelda.

 

[Manmademan]

Core gamers laughed at the Wii too. Let's look at history for a second, what's the most successful console of all time? The DS?

no, that would be the PS2.

Oh. What's the third best? Gameboy?

the gameboy launched in 1988- market conditions are just a LITTLE bit different now. And those sales are combined with the GBC which is in all fairness a different platform.

Neat! Fifth best .. could it be the Wii? Yes it is! How get all of those consoles (and eventually their libraries) and combine them.

Nah won't sell. DoA. The Wii U was bad so this will be too.

you're skipping over quite a few other nintendo platforms such as the gamecube, the virtual boy, and the WiiU that failed to gain any traction with the wider audience- and all of those are a lot more recent than the gameboy.

Even the 3DS saw its audience cut in half completely from it's predecessor, and ignoring why that actually happened and pretending nintendo can hit DS or Gameboy levels with the Switch is cherry picking sales figures, at best.

 

[Chaos17]

2 controversial articles of Polygon recently?
Someone needed badly some clicks

 

[Muninn]

You literally just said that only the Wii U counts in your analysis.

No, I didn't. For modern hardware all we have is the WiiU and the 3DS, The 3DS is middling. Some people think it a failure, some a success. What is definitely true is that Nintendo is never going to sell as much as past handhelds ever again unless a miracle happens.

The WiiU was basically DOA. THOSE are the two modern systems that will drive Nintendo's history when people think of buying a Switch.

No one is saying the Switch cannot be a success, but it's going to have a really tough battle.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

Core gamers laughed at the Wii too. Let's look at history for a second, what's the most successful console of all time? The DS? Oh. What's the third best? Gameboy? Neat! Fifth best .. could it be the Wii? Yes it is! How get all of those consoles (and eventually their libraries) and combine them.

Nah won't sell. DoA. The Wii U was bad so this will be too.

Very true. Honestly, I don't concern myself much with sales. I only care whether a console fits my needs and gets enough games I personally want to justify it.

Post NES and SNES, the Nintendo stuff that's sold the most are thing I've liked the least--portables (just don't like gaming on a small screen) and Wii (SD in the HD era and I hated motion controls). While I loved the GameCube and liked the Wii U more than Wii despite both being sales failures.

But Nintendo has to do what's best for them. I don't really mind the Switch hardware other than the price for someone like me with no interest in the portability. But I'll wait and see how the game library shapes up and probably buy in when there's a price drop or the first good bundle/retailer sale or gift card with purchase offer. Maybe hold out longer and see if they do any refreshes with a cheaper console only version down the road.

Or just skip all together if the personal must play game to price ratio never hits a sweet spot for me. Which is fine as well, not every platform has to appeal to me, and I'm at a point that despite being a Nintendo fanboy in my youth I could live without their games these days. There's also their mobile offerings to scratch that itch a little.

 

[jax]

Yer not looking at reality here. The reality is not in the 90s, or the 2000s. The reality is now. And the reality is that Nintendo has not sold a shitload of hardware for a long time minus the Wii and a handheld. Things have changed. Handhelds are not nearly as popular. And most people do not buy systems to play OLD GAMES. Come on dude. You can't just sit there and pretend everyone else has stayed in the past.

The Switch has an big uphill battle right now. The tech kids are more and more capable these days. When it comes to Mario or whatever cool game on a PS4 the decision will have to be made. And people are rightfully still terrified of Nintendo after the WiiU.

The 3DS is selling phenomenally. The Switch is the successor to the 3DS.

Two words and the Switch will catch up to the 3DS.

Smash.

Pokémon.

Both realistically could release this year and poof, the Switch is doing XB1 numbers. Another year of that and it's caught up to the PS4.

 

[Muninn]

The 3DS is selling phenomenally. The Switch is the successor to the 3DS.

Two words and the Switch will catch up to the 3DS.

Smash.

Pokémon.

Both realistically could release this year and poof, the Switch is doing XB1 numbers. Another year of that and it's caught up to the PS4.

I don't doubt that Nintendo can catch fire again, all I am saying is that it's not going to be as easy as you are making it out to be.

WHOA WHOA--Caught up to the PS4?

No man. No.

 

[zeemumu]

The 3DS is selling phenomenally. The Switch is the successor to the 3DS.

Two words and the Switch will catch up to the 3DS.

Smash.

Pokémon.

Both realistically could release this year and poof, the Switch is doing XB1 numbers. Another year of that and it's caught up to the PS4.

I don't think expecting a new Smash this year is realistic.

 

[The Adder]

The WiiU was basically DOA. THOSE are the two modern systems that will drive Nintendo's history when people think of buying a Switch.

The Wii came off of the GCN...

 

[onemanasylum]

You weren't actually around for either of those conversations, were you?

People savaged the Wii on gaming sites while I was hearing nothing but buzz when I heard anything about it in the real world.

Nobody was talking about the Wii U, positive or negative, when it was coming out.

Umm yes I was, there is no Wii-sports, motion fad with switch for it to take off like wii, it is also way too expensive. You guys are delusional.

 

[Easy_D]

I don't think expecting a new Smash this year is realistic.

Why? From what we've heard it's a straight port without any added content

 

[onemanasylum]

Core gamers laughed at the Wii too. Let's look at history for a second, what's the most successful console of all time? The DS? Oh. What's the third best? Gameboy? Neat! Fifth best .. could it be the Wii? Yes it is! How get all of those consoles (and eventually their libraries) and combine them.

Nah won't sell. DoA. The Wii U was bad so this will be too.

They also laughed at wii-u......Switch has no motion fad to propel it, that fad is dead no one cares.

You also know the handheld market is shrinking from the DS days right or are you just being obtuse and defensive?

The 3DS is selling phenomenally. The Switch is the successor to the 3DS.

Two words and the Switch will catch up to the 3DS.

Smash.

Pokémon.

Both realistically could release this year and poof, the Switch is doing XB1 numbers. Another year of that and it's caught up to the PS4.

ROFL...

 

[Muninn]

Okay thinking that somehow people are going to shovel out 300 plus for Pokemon and that the system will be caught up to the PS4 in two years is fucking grade AAA delusion.

Let's just hope for a decent success here.

 

[jax]

I don't doubt that Nintendo can catch fire again, all I am saying is that it's not going to be as easy as you are making it out to be.

WHOA WHOA--Caught up to the PS4?

No man. No.

Why not? The 3DS doesn't have a problem keeping up with the PS4. It's not going to happen in 2017, but it could happen in a year or two's time.

I don't think expecting a new Smash this year is realistic.

Maybe not a new smash, but a Smash 4 port with a Melee mode is all they'd need.

 

[Octavianus]

Yhe reality is that Nintendo has not sold a shitload of hardware for a long time minus the Wii and a handheld.

The reality is that their hardware doesn't sell well other than the hardware that sold well? Woah I think you're on to something here.

 

[Manmademan]

The Wii came off of the GCN...

The GCN sold better than the WiiU did by quite a bit.

that aside, the Wii and the GCN were targeting two completely different markets. Unfortunately for nintendo, that market abandoned the Wii mid-generation in favor of smartphones and tablets, and nintendo hasn't been able to get that audience back with any strategy since.

Neither the WiiU nor the 3DS were successful in recapturing the gamers that abandoned the Wii. It's not realistic to think the Switch will either.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

The 3DS is selling phenomenally. The Switch is the successor to the 3DS.

Two words and the Switch will catch up to the 3DS.

Smash.

Pokémon.

Both realistically could release this year and poof, the Switch is doing XB1 numbers. Another year of that and it's caught up to the PS4.

Can't ignore price though. 3DS failed at $250, needed a very early price drop to $179 and also got a $99 2DS release.

The $300 price is maybe appealing to people who want to game on a portable and on TV, time will tell on that. It's clearly high for the portable only crowd, and underpowered for the priced for the console only crowd.

So it's a risky endeavor and they may have difficulty slashing price if sales are sluggish given all the tech the packed into the JoyCons, using USB c for the dock instead of simple HDMI hook up etc.

Revisions are probably possible though as it wouldn't be that hard to go to the "family of devices" idea and put out cheaper portable only and console only options if sales are sluggish down the road I guess.

 

[zeemumu]

Why? From what we've heard it's a straight port without any added content

A port, yeah. Not a new one though.