Com Truise
Member
I don't think I have ever played a game that wanted me to press 2 opposite face buttons at once, that is like, physically impossible on most controllers without accidentally pressing a third button anyway.
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Whats so bad about the Switchs D-Pad?
- Thread starter Mandelbo
- Start date
I don't think I have ever played a game that wanted me to press 2 opposite face buttons at once, that is like, physically impossible on most controllers without accidentally pressing a third button anyway.
I look forward to experiencing the trash then!
I will also be getting shovel knight as soon as it releases, so I guess i'll get to pass judgement sooner than PPT
I'd be happy with this. Not happy about having to pay $80, lol, but happy about having a handheld with a d-pad. People mentioning the pro controller are 100% missing the point.
LordRaptor
Member
I'm really not sure that's true
Most people here view the split joy-con multiplayer and the improper d-pad from the perspective of core gamers, but the issues present aren't necessarily huge problems when you wanna have a quick Mario Kart session in your dorm or lunch break.
The Switch marketing is all about freedom of configuration, they saw a 4 button d-pad as a necessary compromise for that level of flexibility, which will probably be okay for most people as I doubt I need a proper d-pad for Breath of the Wild or Skyrim.
I /am/ annoyed about the lack of it for 2D VC games, though. Looks like I gotta grab a pro controller once they've confirmed what titles will be released.
One joy-con is $40-$50, not $80, but they will most likely sell that in a pair. If so, better have SNES colored face buttons!
The Switch marketing is all about freedom of configuration, they saw a 4 button d-pad as a necessary compromise for that level of flexibility, which will probably be okay for most people as I doubt I need a proper d-pad for Breath of the Wild or Skyrim.
I /am/ annoyed about the lack of it for 2D VC games, though. Looks like I gotta grab a pro controller once they've confirmed what titles will be released.
One joy-con is $40-$50, not $80, but they will most likely sell that in a pair. If so, better have SNES colored face buttons!
It is rare, but it happens.
FunkyDealer
Banned
I use the D-pad as a "rocker". Not lifting my thumb fully off it to change input.
Ever heard of EVO? Or how games like Shovel Knight or Bloodstained generate millions on kickstarter? The audience for these genres is clearly quite dedicated.
Even if you accept the Pro Controller as an additional purchase that still leaves people who were planning on using it primarily as a handheld high and dry.
As someone who's not planning on using the Joycons for multiplayer very often I hope they release a gutted-out Joycon Classic or something with a d-pad I can just permanently swap in.
somecrazymember
Banned
Lol. I'll let Nintendo know
tiebreaker
Member
Honestly, the main draw of Switch for me is the promise of unified ecosystem for Nintendo games. The hardware itself is pretty meh.
It feels like they are innovating for innovation's sake.
It feels like they are innovating for innovation's sake.
I know, but this one would be special so they could hike up the price. Maybe not 80, but could easily see $60.
Splatoon's aiming works best in conjunction with the stick tho
Our they could be cheaper, if they're third party. If Hori makes it, the d-pad is going to be better than Nintendo's anyway, lol.
Please do it, Hori ;(
LordRaptor
Member
Dedicated audiences aren't the same as those genres being HUGE.
I enjoy fighting games AND 2D platformers.
I'm sure as shit not overwhelmed by the wide range of entries into those genres from multiple publishers filling the top ten charts.
Because its not 1996.
Joy-Cons have some questionable design choices
- too small for the average gamer to hold separately
- separated d-pad
- small space between the sticks and buttons
Nin can fix some of it by making it a bit larger horizontally
+
The Pro controller should be for "Pro" use, the bundled one must fit the regular usage.
- too small for the average gamer to hold separately
- separated d-pad
- small space between the sticks and buttons
Nin can fix some of it by making it a bit larger horizontally
+
The Pro controller should be for "Pro" use, the bundled one must fit the regular usage.
D
Deleted member 752119
Unconfirmed Member
Yep. I'm buying for my love of Nintendo games in spite of not liking the hardware or pricing as a console/of gamer with little interest in portability and none in local MP.
I also understand that they have to try to broaden appeal as they're just not very competive in that console/PC gamer space outside of their fans and maybe lapsed fans they could bring back. They just don't do games in the genres and art styles that dominate sales on those platforms.
Thankfully this seems like it will be more like the Wii U than the Wii in that the gimmick will be easily ignored. I should be able to stick the dock in the tv stand and play all the games that interest me with the Pro controller. We won't be getting waggle/pointer stuff in most every game like on Wii as most games will need to be playable in handheld mode with joycons attached and no second screen or forced touch screen stuff since games need to be playable on tv with a pro pad. Waggle, pointer and touch screen stuff will be limited to games designed for them like 1 2 Switch.
So as much as I hate paying for tech/features I won't use, I'm finally getting a Nintendo console where I can play Mario, Zelda and friends with a traditional controller (plus gyro I guess but gyro assisted aiming is great). Even better since it should have all their games in one place once it does ok and they kill off 3DS.
The fact that the Switch doesn't have a d-pad is actually stopping me from buying one. I can't imagine playing sidecrollers or fighting games with those buttons or the analogue stick. A gigantic oversight by Nintendo in my eyes. Especially with all the 2d indie games on the way for the console.
Baleoce
Member
I actually have a usecase example for this. FFXIV combat. You use the dpad as commonly as the face buttons in conjunction with L2/R2 in order to activate hotbars that you use in combat. Some might say, well yeah, but that's on the PS3/4 and it has a split d-pad design. But I've played FFXIV for many years on PC with a Wii U Pro Controller and at no point have I found the traditional d-pad restrictive for its intended use. In this usecase, you know the positioning of the d-pad and know exactly where the button activators are. So the fact it's all one frame is irrelevant. It's very different to when you'd want to be doing the exact opposite, and use face buttons for movement or directional inputs for special moves which is extermely impractical without a single frame.
ReBurn
Gold Member
It's probably the worst design choice. It looks good in the videos of people playing multiplayer games at the basketball court, but I really hope they didn't sacrifice playability for marketing opportunity.
Just because you use the D-Pad wrong doesn't mean that it's unnecessary.
You won't have precision on 2D games/platformers with out the D-Pad.
You can't do quarter-circles or half-circles with out the D-Pad.
It's plain and simple, it just won't work for those games and analog has never been a suitable replacement.
The biggest issue here is that Nintendo has the best D-Pad in the industry and to throw that away is asinine. And with some many of Nintendo's previous games relying heavily on that precise D-Pad control (Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Bros., Yoshi's Island, Kirby) it's a slap to the face to say that you have to use an analog stick for these games.
Yeah there's the pro controller but limits the portability of the console. It's stupid to say that we're going to need the pro controller just yo enjoy fighters and classic games on the go. They need to make a left J-Con with D-Pad ASAP.
You won't have precision on 2D games/platformers with out the D-Pad.
You can't do quarter-circles or half-circles with out the D-Pad.
It's plain and simple, it just won't work for those games and analog has never been a suitable replacement.
The biggest issue here is that Nintendo has the best D-Pad in the industry and to throw that away is asinine. And with some many of Nintendo's previous games relying heavily on that precise D-Pad control (Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Bros., Yoshi's Island, Kirby) it's a slap to the face to say that you have to use an analog stick for these games.
Yeah there's the pro controller but limits the portability of the console. It's stupid to say that we're going to need the pro controller just yo enjoy fighters and classic games on the go. They need to make a left J-Con with D-Pad ASAP.
Baleoce
Member
This has to happen, for exactly why you say. People shouldn't have to sacrifice handheld portability in order to play how they want to. Hopefully it wouldn't be too expensive either.
Polioliolio
Member
its not this
The disc is god. I got a couple famicom style USB controllers, found out the buttons are terrible, and thought I'd simple lift the dpad and buttons or rubber pads if that was the issue, with the replica controller, but the dpad in the shitty performing controller was like on the right, while the Nintendo branded originals had the disc dpad on the left, so I couldn't replace them... Those are god tier.
TheGreatMightyPoo
Banned
Day 1.
LonelyGreyWolf
Banned
Indeed. Funny how everyone on the other side of the argument is ignoring this post.
They're too far apart to be of the same use as the traditional "+" or Sony dpad. I used it at the preview event but only needed it for some selections while playing Zelda. It's not a dpad, they're 4 usual facebuttons with arrows on them. Can't imagine playing 2d platformers with it.
I wager that the low experience gamer (ie say my mom or my nieces who have been playing the NES classic alot recently but have a bit of experience with a traditional controller) would be more confused by having two dpads and 2 sticks than 2 sticks and 2 sets of buttons.
If I hand either of them a joycon they'll know that the stick is for moving and the buttons for everything else. If I hand them one with a stick and a dpad on I'd wager they'd look at me like "what?"
Nintendo may be focusing on one section of the audience while potentially alienating another section by their design choice here.
Astral Dog
Member
Thats not a D pad thats just four buttons close together 😨
D-Pads make eight directions easy/intuitive to navigate, not four.
See, now this is interesting. Imagine (for the sake of symmetry) they eliminated all of the face buttons and only had two joysticks and two d-pads. I agree with your premise, but don't agree that people would want to use a D-pad rather than face buttons.
(and yes, I know that's not what you're suggesting. I just wanted to take your comment to an absurd place... I agree that a d-pad can be used as buttons in a pinch however).
See, now this is interesting. Imagine (for the sake of symmetry) they eliminated all of the face buttons and only had two joysticks and two d-pads. I agree with your premise, but don't agree that people would want to use a D-pad rather than face buttons.
(and yes, I know that's not what you're suggesting. I just wanted to take your comment to an absurd place... I agree that a d-pad can be used as buttons in a pinch however).
NipplesAndToes23
Member
Was there even a stick announced for the Switch? I only know of the Pro. I think Wii U didn't even get one until years after it launched.
magnumpy
Member
I think the controls at least appear to be "similar" to previous nintendo handhelds. of course I don't know how the controls actually work as I haven't actually used the switch, so I'll reserve judgement until I get a chance to actually use it. zelda does look really cool though 
KampferZeon
Neo Member
Isn't it obvious that when the next Smash arrives, Nintendo will be releasing a brand new 70 dollars Joy-Con replacing the stick/buttons with a proper D-Pad/buttons
After all the Joy-Con is detachable from the main unit. There will be more Switch accessories than most of us never knows it's possible.
After all the Joy-Con is detachable from the main unit. There will be more Switch accessories than most of us never knows it's possible.
btw I hate the 3ds Monster Hunter Grip addon accessories
Firestorm ZERO
Member
As many has said, the reason it is bad is it is not a D-Pad.
If you have a Vita, put your thumb on the right face buttons then do a circular motion around all 4 of them. Now do it on the left with the D-Pad. You can feel the difference.
Even though Playstation controllers other the Vita are also separated, the directions are closer and are still connected underneath. So doing circular motions are still easy.
If you have a Vita, put your thumb on the right face buttons then do a circular motion around all 4 of them. Now do it on the left with the D-Pad. You can feel the difference.
Even though Playstation controllers other the Vita are also separated, the directions are closer and are still connected underneath. So doing circular motions are still easy.
family_guy
Member
They didn't even show that feature once in their Super Bowl ad. They showed the Pro controller multiple times.
broncobuster
Banned
It's interesting how the Hori Switch pad has four buttons with the option of a d-pad cover. Nintendo could've adopted a similar idea, but I guess the Switch already has too many accessories to juggle.
Actually, it reminds me of when some people taped quarters to their PSP d-pad to be usable in fighting games. Basically this
Actually, it reminds me of when some people taped quarters to their PSP d-pad to be usable in fighting games. Basically this
Yeeaaaah... Hmm...
Considering this will be the only switch news most people see...
Not saying the feature isn't important, but that might be a slip up.
BadAss2961
Member
My first reaction - Where is the D-Pad?
Are those just separate buttons? If so, that's just an oddly placed N64 yellow button setup.
omgwtfbentime
Member
Honestly I'm a huge Dpad fan and I agree with Nintendos decision 100%. Most people don't use D-pads (even friends I know will go stick, even on 2D games and fighters), most games arent designed for digital input any more, and Nintendo wants to sell that 2 players out of the box experience and having a dpad would compromised that moreso than having directional buttons. And it's not like Nintendo is 100% abandoning dpads, the pro controller features a likely fantastic dpad, and I'm sure we will see a dpad joycon within a year of launch.
Nintendo made the right decision on this one, and you shouldn't really complain when a readily available to purchase solution is available haha.
Nintendo made the right decision on this one, and you shouldn't really complain when a readily available to purchase solution is available haha.
all joking aside, I Wonder why no third parties have done a dpad attachment that goes over the buttons.