But they are clearly hoping for 3DS/4DS and Switch existing parallel to each other.
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Nintendo: Switch is a home gaming system 'first and foremost'
- Thread starter maxcriden
- Start date
But they are clearly hoping for 3DS/4DS and Switch existing parallel to each other.
Haunted
Member
We know that the system isn't going to be much more powerful in docked mode. So it's just as much a portable console as it is a stationary handheld. Doesn't seem like it is one over the other.
Actually, you could probably make an easier argument for the latter compared to the former with the differences in mobile playtime (short bursts vs sitting-down sessions), user interface (HUD design/readability on differently sized screens) and concerns about battery life (less power = more battery) gimping the design and specs of the "home console".
Actually, you could probably make an easier argument for the latter compared to the former with the differences in mobile playtime (short bursts vs sitting-down sessions), user interface (HUD design/readability on differently sized screens) and concerns about battery life (less power = more battery) gimping the design and specs of the "home console".
D
Deleted member 752119
Unconfirmed Member
iPads get 10 hours, pretty much regardless of what you're doing with them, and have since the first generation one.
Thus I don't see why this couldn't at least get 5-6 hours since it's using a custom made variation of a mobile CPU etc.
Also, there's no indication that it's competing with the X1 or PS4 in power. Most speculaton I've seen puts it somewhere between Wii U and X1.
Finally, keep in mind that it's a relatively large device compared to past portables, so it can a have a large, thin battery like tablets which ups capacity.
Where is people getting the idea that they will release another handheld after this? They'll support 3DS over 2018 because there are games coming for it now in development, probably both theirs and third party, and they can't say it's over for that system while they want to sell many this holiday season along with Pokemon or whatever.
But didn't they say they were shifting towards unifying both console and handheld development of games? If any, they'll release a portable only, cheaper, smaller Switch compatible with every game, maybe with less resolution and size and not detachable controllers (IF they don't have motion tracking). They will surely also release a home only more powerful version down the line, if Pro and Scorpio do well and seeing as they've already done it before with New and DSi.
If that's not the case, if they're going to have still console games and different portable games, their software output still divided, I'm completely out of buying Switch ever, or at least until it's dirty cheap. The primary appeal to me is just having to buy one device to enjoy every Nintendo game from now on. Market it like that and it'll sell itself ffs.
But didn't they say they were shifting towards unifying both console and handheld development of games? If any, they'll release a portable only, cheaper, smaller Switch compatible with every game, maybe with less resolution and size and not detachable controllers (IF they don't have motion tracking). They will surely also release a home only more powerful version down the line, if Pro and Scorpio do well and seeing as they've already done it before with New and DSi.
If that's not the case, if they're going to have still console games and different portable games, their software output still divided, I'm completely out of buying Switch ever, or at least until it's dirty cheap. The primary appeal to me is just having to buy one device to enjoy every Nintendo game from now on. Market it like that and it'll sell itself ffs.
I don't think that's really clear, long-term. Most of what we're currently seeing for the system will be the development resources pulled from the Wii U, but I can't imagine seeing major 3DS releases nor a 4DS in 2018.
I don't agree with this at all. It's better for them financially to have only one type of hardware going forward with a single install base of users.
They are not hoping for having to support two systems again. It's bad for Switch's long term viability.
I see this statement as a hedge to prevent the share price from dropping too much due to negative investor perception. This is the same "third pillar" DS type statement they've given in the past: it's disregardable.
D
Deleted member 752119
Unconfirmed Member
Yep. Switch will be the single platform unless it bombs. They've talked repeatedly about needing to unify development and not have their resources split across separate platforms.
3DS support will just be games already in development, late localization etc. after March. If Switch bombs over the first year plus, then sure, maybe they go back to the drawing board.
Though I think they'd be foolish to try again with hardware if this was an utter failure. At some point, if that happens, they just have to take the hint that the market doesn't want their games enough to buy dedicated hardware to play them.
I don't think that will happen though, and think the Switch will do fine. Having all their games in one place should up appeal. Presumably most games will be $50-60 now, so they don't have portable games that have similar development costs these days selling for $40 and reducing revenue. They have their mobile revenue stream, Amiibo, licensing IP for other merchandise, theme parks, movies/shows etc. They don't need to sell PS4 or even X1 numbers to make a lot of profit since they have high attach rates and other ways to make money off their IP.
ShadowSoldier89
Member
nintendo needs to seel this as a hybrid, calling it a console first and foremost means that you are directly competing with ps4 and xbone, and your hybrid will just lose that in the spec war
I disagree...I read it as - Don't you go think we are killing the 3DS yet...Pokemon ain´t coming to the switch.
By the way, even though I disagree with this, I wouldn't rule out them coming out with a Switch Mini system that had full compatibility with all Switch titles in a few years.
But Nintendo will no longer "divide" its library going forward.
NurseRedHeart
Member
Home system first and foremost?
Well, they sure made quite an effort to show off its portable capabilities...
They shouldn't have made it into pseudo portable hybrid, I think they really reduced it's potential with these design choices.
Well, they sure made quite an effort to show off its portable capabilities...
They shouldn't have made it into pseudo portable hybrid, I think they really reduced it's potential with these design choices.
Jorok Goldblade
Member
I think most of us who realized that the DS did everything the GBA did saw right through this, but there was definitely a strong "Game Boy Evolution" crowd who thought Nintendo was going to release a PSP killer.
They thought this was a roadmap for the Gameboy line:
Astral Dog
Member
They are also VERY clear Switch is not a successor to Wii U
Amount of negativity in this thread is unreal. Removing the portability aspect and making a more powerful console would just make the switch another ps4/xb1 which is absolutely not what the industry or anyone needs. If you want that experience you have multiple options. Nintendo are trying to do something different thankfully.
No they aren't. Why do you think they unified their console and handheld development teams?
the thing had to tilt toward either "home console" or "portable"... can't have both without coming in under $400-500
nintendo already has a successful portable on the market, the market is giving diminished returns. can't really blame them for aiming towards the home console market
nintendo already has a successful portable on the market, the market is giving diminished returns. can't really blame them for aiming towards the home console market
Mr. Giggles
Member
This.
I actually do wonder if part of the plan is to make the system slimmer and more portable friendly in future iterations. So kind of a middle ground between it being literal and just "3rd pillar" talk again: as things are now the Switch is more home usage friendly, but as they can shrink it, extend power usage, etc they will market a more portable friendly variant.
I think it's safe to assume they are planning to release a 3DS-like form factor later which doesn't connect to a dock but plays the same games 'downscaled' and that is the one that will be sub $200 and have mainstream appeal.
Which means the one in the trailer is the core/premium package that is aimed at enthusiast/core gamers and Nintendo fans. Zelda will be the driving force of the launch period, while the proper portable form factor likely coincides with next gen Pokemon or something, i.e. the SKU aimed at kids and recapturing lapsed Wii/DS gamers who moved on to mobile.
For now they will focus on casual mobile games and the core side of Switch, while maintaining 3DS with Sun/Moon and whatever we saw in the recent 3DS Direct. So I don't expect a Wii-like sales explosion in March, but rather a slow start until the proper handheld unit launches.
JoshuaJSlone
Member
This is what I'm thinking. With DS and 3DS the XLs were popular variants, but here it's like we're starting with the XL. Later they can produce the regular or micro.
Jorok Goldblade
Member
This could also be an argument based around pricing. A $249-299 home console is a steal, but a handheld priced over $199 is too expensive.
Holundrian
Unconfirmed Member
Urgh... ok things like this make me feel uneasy. My number one buying reason would be the possible promise of a unified portable/home console game catalog.
If they still plan to do an extra portable then I'm most likely not interested in the Switch.
Srsly feels kind of bad that they're not doing anything substantial until next year.
Hope the reason is because they still want the time to get the games ready for a really impressive push right before they're selling the Switch.
If they still plan to do an extra portable then I'm most likely not interested in the Switch.
Srsly feels kind of bad that they're not doing anything substantial until next year.
Hope the reason is because they still want the time to get the games ready for a really impressive push right before they're selling the Switch.
I think I already posted in this thread earlier (it's hard to keep up with so many threads) but I've been thinking a little more about all the news we've gotten over the last few days, and it seems likely the next iteration of Switch splits it into two separate platforms again.
We'll get a small clam-shell based portable that runs all the same games as the Switch, and we'll get a very cheap TV box without a tablet screen for people who only want to run it on their TV. Meanwhile, the middle ground version might continue to exist as well for people who want the best of both worlds, but it will probably get a revision that improves battery power and maybe adds something extra. Maybe a new peripheral or something. It will be the premium version with the biggest price tag.
Family of systems.
We'll get a small clam-shell based portable that runs all the same games as the Switch, and we'll get a very cheap TV box without a tablet screen for people who only want to run it on their TV. Meanwhile, the middle ground version might continue to exist as well for people who want the best of both worlds, but it will probably get a revision that improves battery power and maybe adds something extra. Maybe a new peripheral or something. It will be the premium version with the biggest price tag.
Family of systems.
hydragonwarrior
Member
Well if Switch flops, that PR line allows them freedom to release a 4DS with a new pokemon game that will probably use the exact same engine as Sun/Moon.