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Is Switch potentially becoming the main console for many now?

I'm at the point where I'm waiting to play/replay games I already own on PC (Skyrim, Dark Souls 3) because I'd rather play them on Switch, purely due to the convenience the platform offers.

I don't think this is a statistically significant phenomenon, but it is basically the first time a Nintendo console has done this for me, except for (somewhat) the Wii U with off-tv play. When you have a wife who likes to watch TV or when you like to have some background noise on it's just so much easier to get some gaming time in when your console is detached from the TV. And the sleep function just takes that off-tv play concept of the Wii U to a whole new level.

This isn't going to start eating into PS4 sales though because they really don't have a similar library. That does bring up (what I think is) a more interesting question though:


If the Switch was guaranteed to get every single multiplat released, would people prefer playing those on the Switch or PS4/XB1/PC? For me the Switch wins hands down purely due to the convenience.
 
Don't think it is any sort of major trend. If you play games and not consoles, an almost obscene number of high quality properties are never touching Switch. The idea that a functionality that we've all been familiar with for twenty five years is gonna cause a major exodus or "switch" in large amongst most game hobbyists is hilarious to me conceptually. Edit: I am sure many more gamers will think that choice is sensible relative to a WiiU naturally.

Just comically enthusiastic fanboys justifying their little tech crushes, not a real significant trend imo
 
yeah it's hybrid design pretty much guarantees that it'll be my most used gaming device for the foreseeable future

it's just too easy to turn the thing on and get some gaming in whether that's on my tv, on my couch in handheld mode, in bed, out of the house, etc. it has so many use cases whereas a set top box console or pure handheld does not.

also Splatoon 2 ;p
 
I mean the OPs questions is clearly about potential of the system - not just PS4/XBO libary > Switch ofc.

You know like how many PS360 owners upgraded to PS4/XBO even though they had lackluster first 12months. Or the way people prefer console gaming because it fits their lifestyle even though PC gaming would be likely the better and cheaper choice overall ?
 
cw_sasuke said:
I mean the OPs questions is clearly about potential of the system - not just PS4/XBO libary > Switch ofc.

You know like how many PS360 owners upgraded to PS4/XBO even though they had lackluster first 12months. Or the way people prefer console gaming because it fits their lifestyle even though PC gaming would be likely the better and cheaper choice overall ?
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Not sure I agree that it has the same potential. It's getting better third party support, but I still need to see that happen for a prolonged amount of time.
 
I only use my Switch now for indies when I'm staying away with work, but even then it's not getting much use. I see it as a handheld not a console. Ultimately it's becoming another first party machine just as Wii U/3DS was before it. My interest waned after is finished with BotW, and Arms, Splatoon and Rabbids just don't appeal to me. When I'm at home, naturally I just want to play on my PS4 Pro, due to an incredible backlog and a constant slew of fantastic new releases of both the AAA and indie kind and everything in between. There's also the fact that I have a wonderful 55" OLED and my PS4 games look insane on it. Switch seems so dated as a console in comparison, right from the moment the 720p GUI offends my eyes.

So, in summary, Switch is a great handheld, but it doesn't have the library or hardware necessary to be a compelling home console for me, outside of select first party releases
 
cw_sasuke said:
I mean the OPs questions is clearly about potential of the system - not just PS4/XBO libary > Switch ofc.
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sure but people are also considering the potential libary. if someone wants to play assasine creed origins or any graphical intense titel down the line that even struggles to run on xbox one we can be pretty sure in this does not change in the future.

So the potential is not like even close
 
cw_sasuke said:
I mean the OPs questions is clearly about potential of the system - not just PS4/XBO libary > Switch ofc.

You know like how many PS360 owners upgraded to PS4/XBO even though they had lackluster first 12months. Or the way people prefer console gaming because it fits their lifestyle even though PC gaming would be likely the better and cheaper choice overall ?
Click to expand...
I mean the best case scenario for it is it continues to get rad Nintendo games and indies, only this time you can switch between tv or handheld. The potential is really not that mindblowing. It is not changing gameplay and it is obvious the third party support will continue to be mediocre again.

People who make Switch their main really fall into the exact same category as those willing to make Wii or GameCube or help even WiiU their main. They just are the Nintendo core base who really think that Nintendo games are and always will be the end all be all. Which isn't a bad place to be, Nintendo's games are fabulous. But the size of this core group is not like that big.
 
I don't want Switch to get every multiplatform game on the other systems, but I think it would help Switch divert some gamers from those systems to the Switch. I think what is most important is releasing unique content for Switch, like what Ubisoft is doing with Mario + Rabbids. But that was literally the only example of that demonstrated at E3.
 
Amir0x said:
Don't think it is any sort of major trend. If you play games and not consoles, an almost obscene number of high quality properties are never touching Switch. The idea that a functionality that we've all been familiar with for twenty five years is gonna cause a major exodus or "switch" in large amongst most game hobbyists is hilarious to me conceptually. Edit: I am sure many more gamers will think that choice is sensible relative to a WiiU naturally.

Just comically enthusiastic fanboys justifying their little tech crushes, not a real significant trend imo
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Yeah this is my feeling as well.
It's kind of funny/cute that Switch owners can't just enjoy their new baby, they also have a need to feel validated by the prospect of other people "jumping ship".

I will always play multiplats on my PS4 Pro, because I want to play on my 4K TV, and trophies.
 
MugiwaraCole said:
Not sure I agree that it has the same potential. It's getting better third party support, but I still need to see that happen for a prolonged amount of time.
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Rncewind said:
sure but people are also considering the potential libary. if someone wants to play assasine creed origins or any graphical intense titel down the line that even struggles to run on xbox one we can be pretty sure in this does not change in the future.

So the potential is not like even close
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Fair point.

Just saying this questions isnt just about current libaries vs. other libaries. Otherwise there would be no point in asking and there wouldnt be many ppl in this thread pretty much agreeing that they expect Switch to take up alot of their gaming time down the line.
 
Yeah, it's my main console. I haven't played my PS4 since I picked it up, though there are a couple of PS4 games this fall that I'm interested in. The main appeal of the Switch for me is playing games in bed. After work, exercise, then making dinner/doing chores, I just want to chill in bed and play my Switch most nights.
 
Amir0x said:
Don't think it is any sort of major trend. If you play games and not consoles, an almost obscene number of high quality properties are never touching Switch. The idea that a functionality that we've all been familiar with for twenty five years is gonna cause a major exodus or "switch" in large amongst most game hobbyists is hilarious to me conceptually. Edit: I am sure many more gamers will think that choice is sensible relative to a WiiU naturally.

Just comically enthusiastic fanboys justifying their little tech crushes, not a real significant trend imo
Click to expand...

Yes, in some cases I would think so too. For tech enthusiasts, we are entering the "Honeymoon period" of a new tech.
 
phanphare said:
yeah it's hybrid design pretty much guarantees that it'll be my most used gaming device for the foreseeable future

it's just too easy to turn the thing on and get some gaming in whether that's on my tv, on my couch in handheld mode, in bed, out of the house, etc. it has so many use cases whereas a set top box console or pure handheld does not.

also Splatoon 2 ;p
Click to expand...

Exactly!

A quick mario kart race in the airport with my brother really stood out for me compared to a big tv screen lol
 
It's become my primary console. I haven't played my PS4 since the Switch was released. However, I did purchase MGSV on sale a week ago, so I'll finally be playing that at some point during the summer.

I think the portability aspect of the Switch is what has made it my primary console. It just suits my lifestyle better than the others.
 
Emitan said:
Handhelds > home consoles
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It's quite weird watching gaf being so surprised with this.

The DS is the best selling console ever (at worst it was very close to the PS2). But it didn't had so many posts here, Nintendogs was completely mocked and it broke people's minds when it got 40/40 at famitsu (when people cared about it's score).

The 3DS sold more than 66 million (and will sell even more with the 2ds XL), but we see few thread about it (fewer than PS4 that is the current console champion).

There is too much stigma go then, since it had poor graphics and other things.

The vita was the first portable that people saw as a potential console replacement, but was prematurely killed by Sony and it didn't had as much support by 3rd parties.

The Switch is exposing the benefits of portable to people that never considered having a system outside it's home and still has all the functionality of a console.
 
Amir0x said:
I mean the best case scenario for it is it continues to get rad Nintendo games and indies, only this time you can switch between tv or handheld. The potential is really not that mindblowing. It is not changing gameplay and it is obvious the third party support will continue to be mediocre again.

People who make Switch their main really fall into the exact same category as those willing to make Wii or GameCube or help even WiiU their main. They just are the Nintendo core base who really think that Nintendo games are and always will be the end all be all. Which isn't a bad place to be, Nintendo's games are fabulous. But the size of this core group is not like that big.
Click to expand...

No one said anything about mindblowing - just the fact that we can have this discussion about a Nintendo console in 2017 after the WiiU is already saying more than enough.

And no the BEST case scenario for Switch certainly isnt just Nintendo games + indie titles...thats what we had on WiiU more or less. If you think Switch situation is comparable to the WiiU situation you might need to read up on somethings. First Party wise alone the Switch is gonna destroy WiiU with main series of Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem and Pokemon hitting the system, Indie support and japanese publisher support will also be on a different level.
 
Switch has become all I use while I wait for the next PS4 exclusive that interests me. Might check out Wolfenstein this fall on my Pro. Also, I'll probably spend some time with Madden on the PS4 since there's no Switch version and it's mandatory that I subject myself to that annually.
 
Quasar said:
Well that's the only reason I could consider a switch, as a handheld. For TV gaming I have much better options.
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When I eventually get a Switch it will be played mostly as a handheld but for something like Metroid Prime 4 or another Zelda/epic scale kind of game I will definitely be hooking it up to the big screen.
 
I wasn't even planning on getting a Switch. It was a total impulse by for me.

That said - it's just so convenient. Sitting on my couch, picking up the controller, wake it up from sleep and be in a game on the TV within 3 seconds. It's amazing. Same goes for being able to slide it out of the dock for uninterrupted play when my wife wants to watch one of her shows.

Already brought it to Europe and several others trips.

It's a big surprise for me.
 
Roches said:
Switch is newer, of course it's going to be played more right now
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I dont think thats the only reason, at least i dont remember this type on response for the WiiU after its launch.
 
The Hermit said:
It's quite weird watching gaf being so surprised with this.

The DS is the best selling console ever (at worst it was very close to the PS2). But it didn't had so many posts here, Nintendogs was completely mocked and it broke people's minds when it got 40/40 at famitsu (when people cared about it's score).

The 3DS sold more than 66 million (and will sell even more with the 2ds XL), but we see few thread about it (fewer than PS4 that is the current console champion).

There is too much stigma go then, since it had poor graphics and other things.

The vita was the first portable that people saw as a potential console replacement, but was prematurely killed by Sony and it didn't had as much support by 3rd parties.

The Switch is exposing the benefits of portable to people that never considered having a system outside it's home and still has all the functionality of a console.
Click to expand...

For me all previous handhelds suffered from three major problems that really hampered my enjoyment of them:

1) Size. For the 3DS and 3DSXL the control layout and the screens were just way too small for me. The Wii U gamepad was basically my ideal "handheld" size for both handling and viewing comfort and voila, that's basically what the Switch is.

2) Resolution. I never had a Vita because I really wasn't that interested in any games for it, but the 3DS resolution is just so bad these days. I really think it's been showing its age for years now, and it's frankly kinda annoying that I need to pick it up again for Metroid Samus Returns in a few months.

3) Library. Previous handhelds have had excellent libraries when it comes to RPGs and puzzle games, but there haven't really been any with a game like Breath of the Wild or Mario Odyssey. I've never thought of being a handheld-only owner because I knew I'd miss out on all of the excellent console games. Now with the Switch, that doesn't seem to be a problem- I can enjoy all of these huge games on a handheld.

3 is probably the most important here, and it's why a lot of people are just beginning to see why handhelds can be so convenient I think.
 
cw_sasuke said:
No one said anything about mindblowing - just the fact that we can have this discussion about a Nintendo console in 2017 after the WiiU is already saying more than enough.
Click to expand...

We could invent a discussion about anything. It isnt actually evidence of anything... you know that, right?

Isamu making a thread discussing how he thinks maybe the next Ridge Racer holyshitomg is the future of all racing games isn't even suggestive of any trend or seachange. It is just random opinion. When WiiU came out, I assure you people made similarly effusive topics.

cw_sasuke said:
And no the BEST case scenario for Switch certainly isnt just Nintendo games + indie titles...thats what we had on WiiU more or less. If you think Switch situation is comparable to the WiiU situation you might need to read up on somethings. First Party wise alone the Switch is gonna destroy WiiU with main series of Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem and Pokemon hitting the system, Indie support and japanese publisher support will also be on a different level.
Click to expand...

I said people who would make Switch their main fall into the same category as those who would do that for Wii or GameCube or WiiU. People who are willing to accept their systems are there to deliver Nintendo games and the occasional little bonus in indie form or partnership form like Wonderful 101.

It doesn't matter if your argument is "no trust me this one is getting so many more Nintendo games than before!" Look at the landscape of anouncements at E3. Even among Japanese developers, most games are still skipping Switch.

So the position is just like any Nintendo console, just with more market success and the hybrid factor.
 
I'm waiting on the Switch versions of Yooka-Laylee, RIME, Stardew Vallet, Axiom Verge, and Hollow Knight

It won't be my preferred platform for every game, but for inidies it definitely is
 
These switch dream threads are thick here lately. The switch will need to get significant 3rd party support. I don't think we'll ever see that level of support on a nintendo console again.
 
For a lot of stuff, sure. I got Stardew Valley in one of the Humble things for PC but with the fact that it's coming to Switch, I'd love to be able to play that anywhere with the portability of Switch. If I still played Minecraft I'd probably double dip on Switch. It's going to be on a case by case basis. If there's a big gap in technical performance I'll get a game on PC/PS4.

There's a lot of craziness in this thread already though. Something about Nintendo being successful makes people lose their shit.
 
I hope not. If you want your main console to be a Nintendo machine with indies and some inferior AAA versions on a handheld... I guess? I suppose it's similar to asking if you'd want a Wii U as a main console if was hybrid like the Switch. I don't think anyone would say yes.
 
The only reason I need to turn my PS4 on at this point is because Switch doesn't have any of the video apps yet (Youtube, Netflix, etc.).

If it was getting Battlefront 2, Wolfenstein and Red Dead 2, I'd probably sell my PS4. Otherwise though, it'll be collecting dust. The Switch is just too perfect for my lifestyle at the moment.
 
I was a huge Switch supporter at first and still think the system is great with its concept but to be honest, i haven't touched my Switch in like 3 weeks, i guess the honeymoon period is over for me. I finished Zelda and while it's a great game, i don't want to go back to it because it feels more like a job right now than a game i want to enjoy. I think i have explored the world enough in Zelda as it is.

I also bought Mario Kart Deluxe and i kinda regret my purchase because it's too much like the Wii U version which i played a lot.

The other thing is, i mostly play on a big screen and the Switch shines a lot more in portable mode, i realized again that i like gaming on a big tv, portables were never my thing. Big Screen makes some games look ugly and at that point, i prefer to play my PS4 a lot more which has tons of games and a working online with friends, party chat etc. This is another thing i don't like about the Switch, online gaming. It's really barebones and frustrating to use compared to the other guys.

I played ARMS but the game didn't grab me as much as i thought it would so i'm waiting for the other big game, Mario Odyssey.

So no, for me, the Switch is not becoming my main console and i never thought it would be, my gaming is mostly done on PS4 because it has the variety, games, online, friends...

The Switch concept/idea is great but the lack of games and proper online gaming really kills it for me. I guess it'll be my second console for the stuff i can't get on the PS4 like Nintendo first party games.
 
no and no Nintendo console will ever be for me
 
I do think it's definitely worthwhile to discuss this purely based on the hardware appeal, but people are focusing too much on comparing libraries. Which is very understandable, don't get me wrong.

Amir0x said:
Ugh save yourself the pain and just skip this one altogether. No hybrid fascination can salvage that mediocrity :P
Click to expand...

I was a backer so I get to be disappointed for free whenever it comes to the Switch!
 
Amir0x said:
I said people who would make Switch their main fall into the same category as those who would do that for Wii or GameCube or WiiU. People who are willing to accept their systems are there to deliver Nintendo games and the occasional little bonus in indie form or partnership form like Wonderful 101.

It doesn't matter if your argument is "no trust me this one is getting so many more Nintendo games than before!" Look at the landscape of anouncements at E3. Even among Japanese developers, most games are still skipping Switch.

So the position is just like any Nintendo console, just with more market success and the hybrid factor.
Click to expand...

lol...wut ? Level 5, Atlus, Bamco, SE, KT, Sega, Capcom etc. are all on board with the Switch - just because they dont have all their games ready for the first 9 months doesnt mean they are skipping Switch. No idea what you are talking about - look how much time it took for japanese 3rdPartys to deliver PS4 software that wasnt just based on Vita/PS3 games.

Either you havent been following MC threads lately or really think that most JP publishers arent planning to support Switch down the line.

"Any nintendo console" - if you think Cube, Wii, WiiU, DS, 3DS all had more or less the same type of support there probably is no need to continue this discussion.

The OPs mainpoint is that people with multiple consoles would go for the Switch version if South Park, Persona or the next X.Com was also on Switch - why there was little to no reason on previous systems to 3rdParty games on the Nintendo platform. The industry is bigger than the couple AAA releases per year.
 
Skittzo0413 said:
I was a backer so I get to be disappointed for free whenever it comes to the Switch!
Click to expand...

Well you backed it so technically not free... but I mean yeah you already crossed the Rubicon. No going back now!

It's not awful just like painfully dull and a pale imitation of what it aspires to. If I had to compare, imagine how Croc was a pale imitation of Spyro or something. Feels like one of them shovelware knockoffs from back in the day :p
 
Skittzo0413 said:
I've never thought of being a handheld-only owner because I knew I'd miss out on all of the excellent console games. Now with the Switch, that doesn't seem to be a problem- I can enjoy all of these huge games on a handheld..
Click to expand...

My most played games this generation have been Bloodborne, The Witcher 3, MGSV, Horizon Zero Dawn, Dark Souls II: SofFS, Dark Souls III, Destiny...

We can be fairly certain none of these games will ever see Switch releases and those are just games I've enjoyed. Other ones that I haven't loved so much but others loved : Nioh, Nier: Automata, Fallout 4, Final Fantasy XV...

And dozens more I've missed. It goes without saying that you won't be able to 'enjoy all of these huges games on a handheld' - not in the foreseeable at any rate.
 
If you're only playing the Switch you're missing out on a whole lot of games. The Switch is just a complementary console to PC/Xbox/PS4.

I haven't been playing my Switch at all since I bought it in April. I had already beaten Zelda on Wii U before I got it. But I will be playing it a lot more when Rocket League, Splatoon 2, and Mario come out later this year. It really needs more 3rd party support. It could be my primary way to play games because I love that it is portable. I was playing Nier Automata on PS4 and was thinking, "man this would be amazing on the Switch."
 
I haven't picked up Hollow Knight waiting for the Switch version, but otherwise, nah. The games I'm mostly anticipating... Dishonored 2 DLC, Madden 18, and RDR, are all games focused around other consoles.

Haven't played the switch in a couple weeks TBH.
 
lol @ this thread.

There's like two games on the thing right now and it still has crappy multiplatform support, don't think it's replacing the PC, PS4 or X1 for anyone except for the most hardcore of hardcore Nintendo fans.
 
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