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[ClearMetal]

Portability, but only for RPGs and turn-based strategy. I don't know why, but I just find them more enjoyable when I'm playing them on a portable console. I never got into Disgaea 4 on the PS3, for example, while I spent hours upon hours playing the Vita re-release.

Fantastic graphics are nice, but that's all they are to me. I think the art style (or direction or whatever you want to call it) is much more important.

 

[Juraash]

Portability is probably the more important factor to me. Though it's less about taking it on the go (which I do plenty) and more about the flexibility it gives at home. Since I don't live alone, hogging the main TV for hours on end over days or weeks isn't particularly considerate. The Switch allows me to continue my TV experiences on the couch while allow for Netflix or w/e to be on the main TV.

 

[Off-Kilter]

Portability does not matter to me in the slightest.

This. I never take my handhelds out of the house and my Switch is docked 99% of the time.

 

[MagusMaleficus]

Portability is meaningless to me so I guess graphics, but honestly I'm far more concerned about performance. Not necessarily 60>30 (although higher is of course better and welcome), but stability.

 

[brinstar]

Portability. I've docked my Switch like 5 times total. I hate being anchored to the TV

 

[EMT0]

Portability, but I don't play my Switch anywhere but my house. I just like being able to play wherever the fuck I please :^)

 

[Cuningas de Häme]

When it comes to graphics, there is really only a game or two a year that really is going to look so good on PC that I'd rather play it on the PC, truth is that Switch offers me more flexibility and is better for gaming overall just because that is all the device does. I tend to get side tracked on my PC and while I feel it is the best gaming platform in existence, the Switch absolutely has a place in my gaming world.

Absolutely this.

It's not the portability that's so alluring in the Switch, it's the flexibility.

My back's been killing me and I can't sit by my PC for long times so I've been in bed today for the most part and played Octopath Traveller, BotW... It is just so easy to pick up and play. Other consoles can't offer the same, and PC trumps them in other ways.


EDIT. Nice to see other that loves the flexibility!

I think that portability is a loaded term in a sense, flexibility would be better.

 

[Danjin44]

I don't play games when I'm not at home. Don't give a shit about portability. I'm also not too concerned with graphics, but I guess it ranks above portability on the scale.

This. I don't play games outside or on the bus because there is just too much noise and distraction to enjoy games. I didn't buy 3DS or Vita because it portable. They are just gaming systems that has games I want to play.

 

[Laputa_94]

I would be happy if I didn't have to play a game on a portable again.

 

[NoctisVsStar]

Portability means nothing to me, when I'm out either am drinking or doing something.. I guess graphics.

 

[KORNdoggy]

Graphics. I like the IDEA of portability more than i actually like portability. My stack of dusty handhelds prove that. Lol.

 

[Fbh]

I have a Switch. But if all the games on it were available on my Ps4 or laptop with better graphics and/or performance I wouldn't have purchased one.

With that said...as a secondary gaming system it's kinda neat that it's portable. Also, the fact it theoretically allows Nintendo to release all of their future games on a single platform instead of diving their lineup into home console and handheld is really awesome.

 

[City 17]

If the game is lengthy I'd probably lean towards the Switch since I can take it with me (I travel a lot due to work), it's more comfortable (play anywhere, at any position) and the wasted time is literally zilch, so I can have way more time with it on the Switch than on PC or other consoles.

At the same time if the game is too detailed with the graphics being an essential draw for the game (not many such cases for me) I'd prefer the PC version.

And then there's the matter of price point and performance, if there's a big gulf between the price or performance (frames, not the fidelity) of different versions -in an ideal world this wouldn't happen but it does- the choice is already made for me (usually PC).

All in all it really depends on the game.

Let's say we've got The Witcher 3, Divinity OS 2 and Rocket League on all current platforms, hypothetically.

I'd play TW3 on PC (graphics being a main draw, performance on consoles is a concern, esp. on the Switch) and the other two (lengthy games that just ask for a lot of time) on Switch.

 

[Phrozenflame500]

In your situation OP it would depend on the game for me. For slower low-intensity games I'd value the portability a lot more.

 

[timberger]

Portability is something I can very easily live without.

 

[Wonder Peter]

I don't normally play out of my home, when I do it's mainly on a train to pass the time but I kinda like the portability of picking my Switch up and play anywhere in the house, like in my bed.
But I also love the performance of PS4 and PC so dunno, if a game is visually demanding multiplaform I will probably buy it for my PC to get the better experience, but if it's a multiplatform indie or a not visually demanding game that will be majorly visually downgraded on my Switch I will probably buy it on Switch so I can play anywhere in my house.

 

[Melchiah]

I don't play games outside of my home, and I don't use public transportation that much. The home systems offer me everything I need. Although, I wish more online games had mobile apps like Destiny, so I could check events without starting the game.

 

[Mudo]

I never thought I would say or believe this, but apparently portability is the most important thing for me nowadays. I have all the big game systems, and the Switch has caused a sea change. I have double dipped on SEVERAL games I already own on other systems for the fact i can take them with me on the go. Graphic downgrades or not, the visuals in the Switch handheld are to this day still unbelievable to me. I dont care if graphics take a hit compared to other systems - it's still dark magic that i'm playing games this pretty on the go. I expect many others feel the same and think Nintendo has a massive success on their hands. Portables are dead? lol ask Nintendo what they think on that!

 

[Jerm411]

When I had free time to play as much as I wanted? Graphics.

With full time job, wife, kid and house to take care of? Portability.

Bingo....agree 100%.

For my lifestyle (all of the above and travel a lot for work) portability is a godsend for me.

Also it's got me excited to jump back into games I had lapsed on like Shovel Knight, Issac, Mario Kart, and hell even Skyrim...not to mention games I've skipped on like Doom.

The Switch has been a real game changer for me and it's the console I didn't know I wanted but can't imagine not having now.

 

[Raptomex]

Gameplay

But if I like to double dip portability is an option of choice for me

This.

But if I had to choose between the two - graphics. These systems are expensive and I'm really not a fan of bringing them anywhere unless they fit in my pocket. Plus, I don't want developers to sacrifice something just to make it portable or whatever.

 

[bionic77]

Bingo....agree 100%.

For my lifestyle (all of the above and travel a lot for work) portability is a godsend for me.

Also it's got me excited to jump back into games I had lapsed on like Shovel Knight, Issac, Mario Kart, and hell even Skyrim...not to mention games I've skipped on like Doom.

The Switch has been a real game changer for me and it's the console I didn't know I wanted but can't imagine not having now.

There is something to it.

I started Shovel Knight twice on PS4 and both times it just got lost int the shuffle and I never finished it.

The same thing happened with the Switch but somehow because it was instant on and was portable i was finally able to finish the game.

 

[Geddy]

I'm a grown ass man, I need something portable so I can bring it with me to squeeze in the bulk of my gaming time. I can also just take it into a different room with me when other outside stimuli make me not want to play in that environment.

I spend hours a week on a bus - a PS4 would be a dust collector in no time. I don't like anchoring myself down somewhere anymore than my career choice already has.

Between my Vita, 3DS, PSP, and Switch, I have games to play for years, anywhere from my office, living room, the sewers, the trunk of a car, or an airplane. It's just practical.

 

[asagami_]

I never thought I would say or believe this, but apparently portability is the most important thing for me nowadays. I have all the big game systems, and the Switch has caused a sea change. I have double dipped on SEVERAL games I already own on other systems for the fact i can take them with me on the go. Graphic downgrades or not, the visuals in the Switch handheld are to this day still unbelievable to me. I dont care if graphics take a hit compared to other systems - it's still dark magic that i'm playing games this pretty on the go. I expect many others feel the same and think Nintendo has a massive success on their hands. Portables are dead? lol ask Nintendo what they think on that!

And Apple too. The mobile technology is getting better and cheaper each year, so I see a time where a stationary game console would be a silly idea.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

My Switch has never left the house.

Graphics.

 

[BakedTanooki]

I go for the technically better version most of the time. If the only difference is resolution, I might consider to buy the portable (switch or vita) version. But the reason is not only portability. It's also because I fucking love having games on a cartridge They are just lovely to own and collect, lol.

 

[Muffdraul]

Look at all of these fucks I give about portability.

[Note: there are zero fucks in the fuck bin]

 

[Rocketz]

not portability

 

[low-G]

I don't use portability at all. I'm an adult, there is no real mass transit here, and if I'm out of the house I'm doing something of some kind.

Only thing that stands out with Switch is it gives me one extra way to play games in the house, more important if you have a kid and each room doesn't have 3 computers.

But I'll side with graphics over portability sure.

 

[Bits N Pieces]

Portability is just not something I'm interested in, so.....

 

[crazy monkey]

Never cared for graphics. Dont care about portability either.

 

[anddo0]

Portability, even though I don't game on the go.

I prefer to play games on my laptop, Switch and Vita despite owning a PS4 Pro and 55" TV.

Portable means more personal. It allows me to game with my headphones and block out the world; I live in a noisy environment. I can game at any time of day without any compromise;without be tethered to the tv.

 

[jts]

After a certain graphical threshold, portability. Even if sometimes is just at-home portability. Kicking back in the couch when the missus wants to watch something. Fuck yes.

The Switch is perfect for me.

 

[joe_zazen]

hmmm

Neither. When I'm out and about, I don't want big chunks of downtime. If I have to have them, then I want something productive or educational to do.

Graphics mean little because I'm not big on the interactive entertainment software side of the spectrum, which is where graphics are vital. As we get closer to the pure gaming side of the spectrum, graphics become less and less important. Thrilling gaming can be had with old Doom, Dota2 on 2008 PC, Starcraft 1, early Mario, etc.

 

[WhatNXt]

Somebody just said something equivalent to this in the hypothetical Microsoft or Sony Switch-like thread: if Nintendo had brought out a machine that could play Breath of the Wild in 4K, I'd have bought that rather than the Switch in its current incarnation - however, I'd have bought the Switch regardless. It's more convenient for me to only have one Nintendo console to buy, but if they decide to bring out a home-only console with a bit more oomph? I'd buy it.

Neither graphics nor portability are as important to me as what I can play on the thing, and whether those things are fun or not.

Being able to play the newest Nintendo games, and certain third party titles, on the go and with others - definitely has its perks. Overcooked on my lunch hour with work colleagues was hilarious. I'm tempted to buy FIFA on a Nintendo platform for the first time in generations.

 

[Pics_nao]

Portability. I'm willing to sacrifice graphics for a smooth 30fps (as long as it isn't a fighter or shooter) portable experience.

 

[Danneee]

If you mean would I buy a game on PS4 or Switch with just downgraded graphics I'd say Switch 9 out of 10 times.
I wouldn't even consider buying fighting games on Switch (due to controls mostly). I wouldn't buy Ace Combat 7 on Switch either if it were announced for it.

 

[jamwater]

graphics, but trash image because of interpolation? - theres always ire. No matter how great your game.

 

[Zedark]

For me, portability is more important than the latest and greatest in graphics. I definitely appreciate great graphics, and Uncharted 4/TLL and Horizon Zero Dawn are better because of their graphics, but in the end, having an amazing game wherever I want is more important to me. It gives me more time to play, and that is worth more than graphics to me.

 

[b3b0p]

Graphics mean nothing to me unless we are maybe talking Atari 7800 perhaps.

 

[bchan555]

I feel like the people who want portability the most are people who have long commutes and/or don't have as much time to game at home.

For people who have the time to game on a console, I think graphics take priority.

Honestly though, I prefer a balance of graphics and PERFORMANCE, which is the real king. Give me the smooth 60fps. I keep my PCs upgraded for PERFORMANCE, and with the extra overhead I throw in the graphic options.

 

[Papo Swing]

These days I am seeing myself saying that if a couple of announced games came out for Switch I'd be there day 1.

Okami is the best recent example of this and some indies. I'd rebut Supergiant games (Bastion+Transistor) just to play them on Switch.

 

[blu]

Portability by far.

 

[The Third Heat]

But with Switch it's more the speed and convenience than just portability.
In like 10 seconds I'm in a game and I can immediately pause it whenever I want.

This. Compared to my Switch, my PS4 takes ages to boot up and log in. Being able to get in and out of a game with relative ease and speed is one reason why I love portability. Graphics are fun and I do appreciate a good-looking game, but I would seriously consider a graphical downgrade if it meant I could pick up and play within ten seconds. It's not an automatic win, but portability has its benefits for me, for sure.

 

[pswii60]

Little interest in portability, I bought my Switch for the games.

 

[taa0098]

I'm a no-life shut in, so give me graphics.

 

[ZedLeppelin006]

It honestly depends on the genre to me. AAA FPS's, action adventures or WRPG's I'd rather play on a Pro on my 4k tv but for platformers, JRPG's, Telltale style and indies I'd be good with portable play.

 

[Col WillieSharp]

No need for portability. Give me Grafx, all sixteen of them

 

[Ceallach]

Graphics really don't mean much to me any more. Like the difference between Switch graphics and PS4/XB1 isn't really great enough for it to matter to me too much. I do miss the HDR and fidelity a little but really it isn't a game changer. Being able to take my switch around, to work and back, really looking forward to deploying with it, that stuff means way more to me.

The last generation that is comparable to me is like the 32/64 gen, in that there were a litany of half gen systems, like the Switch sort of is.

Like the difference between 3DO/Jaguar vs N64/PSX is so great that I can't imagine sticking with a 3DO. But the leap just isn't as great. The Switch benefits outweigh the benefits of the bigger systems to me.

 

[MutFox]

Depends on the game.
Retro games feel good on portable.
If I care about graphics, I won't be on any of the consoles.

 

[Brandon F]

Portability is not even a factor I consider.

.

I would sooner forego playing games for a few hours than consider lugging a system around with me. (Plane flights are maybe the only exception)