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The Switch is a portable first and a home console second right?

I thought that before today OP but what handheld support did you see? I saw a console Mario and Zelda game. And a bunch of motion games.

Nintendo is going to keep the 3DS going in my mind. I find a lot of GAF has no reality of understanding around handhelds (the storage is fine for a handheld and the battery is middling but not outrageous if 6 hour claim is true for many games) but these are not handheld games.

The joy cons are home controllers stuck onto a handheld. I am fine with that but Nintendo's strength lies in handheld games. Why wasn't the switch balanced against handheld more aggressively.

Why the fuck would you have a paid online service for a system BUILT for being on the go?
 
So the concrete fact is...the switch is a Home Console first and that's how Nintendo is marketing it...so I'm not going to mental gymnastics my way out of that.

However from everything that has been presented, this created in the form of a handheld in which all the games and storage will be attached to that handheld piece so it's, in that case, a handheld.

For me, this is a hybrid device...but personal perception will make it whatever you want it to be. For some, it doesn't have the power nor the specs to really classify itself as a home console considering what's out there so therefore it is "actually" a handheld....

... and for others, it's a home console because the handheld aspect is severely lacking for how long you can use it and how much you are paying for it...so I'm going to firmly stick with hybrid. Or an all in one ...can be a tablet for on the go usage, and can turn into a full laptop for serious work...I see no reason to separate the two from their actual nature when they both need each other and you aren't going to really be doing one more than the other...at least imo
 
molnizzle said:
...which was a huge mistake. That's why reactions are so negative, people are comparing it to the PS4 and Xbone. Nintendo should be marketing this as a portable device you can connect to the TV if you want. People would find the hardware a lot easier to swallow in that scenario.

The Switch is weak compared to PS4/Xbone but it's a hell of an upgrade over the 3DS. That's how they should have positioned this thing.
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Then they run into the opposite problem: The dedicated handheld crowd doesn't care to pay big bucks for high-end hardware. USD 300 is outrageous for a portable gaming system no matter the capabilities.
 
It's underwhelming as a home console. It's an overpowered portable with the ability to work on your TV and not marketing it as such is a huge strategic error.
 
Pureauthor said:
Then they run into the opposite problem: The dedicated handheld crowd doesn't care to pay big bucks for high-end hardware. USD 300 is outrageous for a portable gaming system no matter the capabilities.
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Which is an issue. I'd be happy with 720p on the TV if it made it cheaper. It's got a 720p screen. Use it as a saving. They've invented problems.

The joy cons make it feel like they've tried to make a two in one. I don't consider that the same as a hybrid.
 
It's clearly a home console with a portable option but people have convinced themselves otherwise. They straight up referred to it as their next home console in the presentation. It was called a home console on the North American Switch website for weeks before yesterdays reveal. Heck, Treehouse Live is showing people play the unit docked the vast majority of the time.
 
It's both. Trying to call it a "handheld first" or a "console first" is such bullshit. It's a bullshit way of trying to excuse its faults.

Not happy about 32GB storage or lacking power/third party multiplat games? "B-b-but it's a handheld! It's not fair to compare it to X1/PS4!!"

Not happy about the price, battery life, and bulky size? "B-b-but it's a console first! It's not fair to compare it with 3DS!!!"
 
TetraGenesis said:
Wait wait wait. I didn't watch the hardware part of the event last night and people are throwing around a lot of (what I hope is) hyperbole: It comes with the dock included and the controller adapter included, right?
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Yes this launch bundle come with the dock and you can buy others docks.
The controller adapter is used for the portable too.

The hardware continue to be a portable handheld with an dock that upclock it to output to TV like a console.
 
shark sandwich said:
It's both. Trying to call it a "handheld first" or a "console first" is such bullshit. It's a bullshit way of trying to excuse its faults.

Not happy about 32GB storage or lacking power/third party multiplat games? "B-b-but it's a handheld! It's not fair to compare it to X1/PS4!!"

Not happy about the price, battery life, and bulky size? "B-b-but it's a console first! It's not fair to compare it with 3DS!!!"
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It's insane to expect both of these things. Nintendo should have compromised more on the console stuff purely because price wise it's uncompetitive as a handheld or console.
 
They can market it as a console now for the core then when the revision comes out with longer battery life and price drop they market it as a handheld to get the rest on board.
 
Kathian said:
I thought that before today OP but what handheld support did you see? I saw a console Mario and Zelda game. And a bunch of motion games.

Nintendo is going to keep the 3DS going in my mind. I find a lot of GAF has no reality of understanding around handhelds (the storage is fine for a handheld and the battery is middling but not outrageous if 6 hour claim is true for many games) but these are not handheld games.

The joy cons are home controllers stuck onto a handheld. I am fine with that but Nintendo's strength lies in handheld games. Why wasn't the switch balanced against handheld more aggressively.

Why the fuck would you have a paid online service for a system BUILT for being on the go?
Click to expand...

The Vita ...

Granted it came about after PS+ launched but one doesnt have to have PS3 or PS4 to have a Vita. My kids were about to get a Vita with no PS system in the home.

Now that I think about it, the Vita doesnt need Plus for online MP, does it? Plus would be just for the free games and discounts.

One thing's for certain Nintendo is trying mighty hard to convince ppl it is a home console first.
 
depths20XX said:
Back pocket? You wearing JNCO's or something?

The thing has joysticks sticking out unprotected. At least Nintendo's last few handhelds had clamshell designs.

It's also said that Zelda only lasts 2-3 hours on battery.
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Joysticks that detatch, making the Switch smaller than a DVD case, which fits in most back pockets.
 
It's a home console first no? Nintendo flat out came out and stated so. At least that is where I will do most of gaming anyway. I doubt i'll ever put it in a bag and lug it around with me. I could see people who commute through public transit using it a lot more though. It's pretty big and even though the joy cons detach you would still need a backpack or something.
switch_wii_U_comparison.jpg
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I'm also curious as to how long you'll be able to play Zelda BOTW while not docked. They said "roughly" 3hrs, but its probably closer to 2 1/2.

Edit: Lol

C2FaxmcWQAIEYlR.jpg
 
Nintendo said it's primarily a home console. How is this still confusing? They said it as bluntly as possible, not that it matters. It's a game system, and you buy it if it fits your needs as requirements. It is, regardless of how ridiculously difficult you want to make it, their next primary "home" console.

It's really cut and dry.
 
So after playing a bit of zelda in handheld mode i can tell you this is primarily a portable system. Game looks gorgeous on the HDTV no doubt but man does it look crisp on the screen. I compared it with Vita (FFX Remaster due to lack of similar games) and it does look so much brighter and sharper
 
Ignore Nintendo's flawed marketing message. The system itself is a handheld chassis with handheld components powering it. It's a handheld! Just because Nintendo is trying to be clever and market it as a Wii U replacement as opposed to it being a handheld doesn't change the internal components that comprise the system.
 
And since I don't give a shit about having a portable system and the home console sufferers because of it they can keep that pos.
 
I find that I'm most accepting of the device when I think of it as a more souped up portable Wii U with a TV out dock than a console. Because as a console, it's dogshit.

In 2018, this will be completely marketed as a handheld. Hell, most of the demos I saw on the Treehouse live where in handheld mode. Most of the demos they showed people playing were in handheld mode.

As a handheld is the only way they can justify anything with this machine. As a console, it's poor. Poor hardware, poor storage, probably poor online (chat through your PHONE?), etc.
 
I personally thought the whole point was to consolidate the development teams into one console so they could support the system better.

Are they honestly still planning to do Mario Kart Switch and Mario Kart 4DS down the road?

Animal Crossing not on Switch, wait for 4DS? etc.

Obviously we'll have to wait and see how this thing sells, but right now it doesn't feel like they're trying too hard to capture the 3DS audience which I think is a mistake.
 
Kathian said:
I thought that before today OP but what handheld support did you see? I saw a console Mario and Zelda game. And a bunch of motion games.

Nintendo is going to keep the 3DS going in my mind. I find a lot of GAF has no reality of understanding around handhelds (the storage is fine for a handheld and the battery is middling but not outrageous if 6 hour claim is true for many games) but these are not handheld games.

The joy cons are home controllers stuck onto a handheld. I am fine with that but Nintendo's strength lies in handheld games. Why wasn't the switch balanced against handheld more aggressively.

Why the fuck would you have a paid online service for a system BUILT for being on the go?
Click to expand...

See this is the problem. The system is built for being on the go, but it's not the only thing it was built for. This isn't to defend Nintendo's use of paid online because I absolutely hate it, but you along with many of NeoGAF users are assuming traditional either/or logic applies to the Switch when it doesn't really work that way due to the hybrid nature (targeted at your notion that it doesn't have handheld games, more on that in the next paragraph).

The better question is what is the difference between handheld and console games? If you look closely at 3DS and previous handhelds' titles, in addition to having handheld type of games (WarioWare), there are also games that can translate very nicely onto home console territory (Kid Icarus Uprising, Pokemon, Fire Emblem which mind you started as a home console game, and so on). The line between what makes a handheld game and a console game is blurred, and has been for a very long time. That being said, it's ridiculous to think that the Switch should only have one type of game simply because of the way its built, when so many people can use the device differently.
 
Kintaro said:
I find that I'm most accepting of the device when I think of it as a more souped up portable Wii U with a TV out dock than a console. Because as a console, it's dogshit.

In 2018, this will be completely marketed as a handheld. Hell, most of the demos I saw on the Treehouse live where in handheld mode. Most of the demos they showed people playing were in handheld mode.

As a handheld is the only way they can justify anything with this machine. As a console, it's poor. Poor hardware, poor storage, probably poor online (chat through your PHONE?), etc.
Click to expand...

Uh it's a Nintendo console. They have never really gone for the horsepower route of Sony and Microsoft. Did you forget the Wii U? This is pretty much the Wii U Pro with ability to take it on the go.
 
Kintaro said:
I find that I'm most accepting of the device when I think of it as a more souped up portable Wii U with a TV out dock than a console. Because as a console, it's dogshit.

In 2018, this will be completely marketed as a handheld. Hell, most of the demos I saw on the Treehouse live where in handheld mode. Most of the demos they showed people playing were in handheld mode.

As a handheld is the only way they can justify anything with this machine. As a console, it's poor. Poor hardware, poor storage, probably poor online (chat through your PHONE?), etc.
Click to expand...

Its shortsighted to release a console in 2017 that can't even output at 4K (regardless of internal rendering) when anyone can pick up a 50" 4K HDTV for $400
 
What does the launch of Switch mean for 3DS?

Fils-Aime: 3DS has a long life in front of it. We’ve already announced games that will be launching in the first couple quarters of this year. There are a number of big games coming. And in our view, the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo Switch are going to live side-by-side. You’re going to be meeting different price points, you’re going to be meeting different types of consumers, you’re going to have the newest, freshest content available on Nintendo Switch, you’ve got a thousand-game library available on Nintendo 3DS, plus some key new ones coming. They’re going to coexist just fine. We’ve done this before, managing two different systems.

I think there’s a sense that Nintendo Switch is a portable device. It is portable. But at its heart, it’s a home console that you can take with you on the go.
Click to expand...

https://www.wired.com/2017/01/reggie-fils-aime-nintendo-interview/
 
Muzicfreq said:
Let me rephrase
Portable it can be
Practical? No
Click to expand...

Is my laptop impractical though? I drop it into an over-shoulder bag and off I go. I'm not meaning to say that your view is wrong, I'm just offering up my own. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I'm getting a bit older, but even my 3DS XL is uncomfortably small to use for more than a half hour at a time. I'd much rather have a larger device that I can actually see, than one that fits in my pocket.

Everybody has different values and needs, but the question is, does the mass market prefer portability or size? I would contend that they prefer size, but that's only from my point of view. The only thing that will decide this argument is eventual Switch sales numbers.
 
n0razi said:
Its shortsighted to release a console in 2017 that can't even output at 4K (regardless of internal rendering) when anyone can pick up a 50" 4K HDTV for $400
Click to expand...

I can't imagine the quality of a 50" 4K TV at $400 being very good.

As for the Switch, it's just a portable console, that's what Nintendo are marketing it as. It's almost what the Wii U should have been really.
 
Malcolm9 said:
I can't imagine the quality of a 50" 4K TV at $400 being very good.

As for the Switch, it's just a portable console, that's what Nintendo are marketing it as. It's almost what the Wii U should have been really.
Click to expand...

What? Nintendo's been showing off both the "home console" aspects and handheld aspects of the Switch. I can't even see how this is only just a portable console.
 
FlyingWasabi said:
Is my laptop impractical though? I drop it into an over-shoulder bag and off I go. I'm not meaning to say that your view is wrong, I'm just offering up my own. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I'm getting a bit older, but even my 3DS XL is uncomfortably small to use for more than a half hour at a time. I'd much rather have a larger device that I can actually see, than one that fits in my pocket.

Everybody has different values and needs, but the question is, does the mass market prefer portability or size? I would contend that they prefer size, but that's only from my point of view. The only thing that will decide this argument is eventual Switch sales numbers.
Click to expand...

While as for me on the other end still getting older as well think of all the shit I have to carry already.
Phone, wallet, keys, pen, that random pocket change. Carrying anymore like to work or something I prefer to lighten the load and keep it simple and small.

Phones make me super thankful these days. Used to even have a CD player then to an mp3 player along with this stuff and now I have a mini PC in my pocket; the cell phone.
 
Muzicfreq said:
While as for me on the other end still getting older as well think of all the shit I have to carry already.
Phone, wallet, keys, pen, that random pocket change. Carrying anymore like to work or something I prefer to lighten the load and keep it simple and small.

Phones make me super thankful these days. Used to even have a CD player then to an mp3 player along with this stuff and now I have a mini PC in my pocket; the cell phone.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm definitely impractical. I want the biggest phone, biggest tablet, would probably buy that 3 screen Razer laptop if I could afford it... maybe I'm not the norm after all as far as consumers goes. lol

At any rate, the Switch definitely seems like a great handheld to me, but again I can see the other side of the argument for sure. Maybe they'll do the opposite of the 3DS XL and make a Micro version soon. :)
 
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