gaming Opinions On The Nintendo Switch?

[OmegaBeamOfficial 622]

When it comes to keeping the portability factor, cartridges are the way to go. The storage capacity of them certainly have advanced a lot during the past 20 years, so it would make total sense for Nintendo to go back to cartridges, since they do have a huge benefit of them having much faster loading times compared to optical media.

 

As for graphics, knowing that NVidia is supplying the graphics for the Switch (which is a custom Pascal-based Tegra X2-like chip), I'm pretty confident that it will compete graphically with the PS4 and Xbox One. Tho that docking station may also have additional computing power just for the TV gaming experience, while when you are on the go, the hardware on the console (which is in a form of a tablet) will still output very decent graphical fidelity on the go. Though when you are on the go, it shouldn't matter too much since you tend will be using a much smaller screen compared to a TV you may be using at home.

Perfect example: Look at the 3DS and Vita. Those both used cartridges and even though the Vita flopped big time, the 3DS is still king of the portable console market.

[Ganondorf8 11,298]

Being cautious about it is reasonable, we need to wait for more information and news to unfold. I know I'll be buying it, but I still need to be cautious because we don't know much about the system other than It's whole double console and portable feature, though for me that's a selling point alone.

 

I think we had enough new IP's with the Wii U.

 

The price and the launch line up are going to be integral to the systems early success. There are also little tidbits that need to be answered such as how long battery life will last, how much storage space is in the console, how much RAM can the cartridges hold, and so on.

[Jonny Music 3,407]

Are you saying Satoura Iwata was bad at his job?

I'm not saying he was terrible at his job, but that doesn't mean that we should not criticize his mistakes. If you do not learn from your mistakes, you may never learn from them and grow onward.

 

I actually made an essay on the late Iwata 3 years ago for a College assignment mentioning how good he was a a Video Game Industry Veteran, and I got very good marks for it.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DVW37sPqGQUkZudWlPVEFRTUE/view?usp=sharing

[Hocus Pocus 636]

That sounds interesting... On the subject of 3rd party support, I guess we do have to be careful about it. There's no telling what could happen here. And I don't think cartridges will be nearly as hard to program games for as the gamepad apparently was.

 

When it comes to keeping the portability factor, cartridges are the way to go. The storage capacity of them certainly have advanced a lot during the past 20 years, so it would make total sense for Nintendo to go back to cartridges, since they do have a huge benefit of them having much faster loading times compared to optical media.

 

As for graphics, knowing that NVidia is supplying the graphics for the Switch (which is a custom Pascal-based Tegra X2-like chip), I'm pretty confident that it will compete graphically with the PS4 and Xbox One. Tho that docking station may also have additional computing power just for the TV gaming experience, while when you are on the go, the hardware on the console (which is in a form of a tablet) will still output very decent graphical fidelity on the go. Though when you are on the go, it shouldn't matter too much since you tend will be using a much smaller screen compared to a TV you may be using at home.

Programmign for the Switch being harder than the gamepad...? Probably not... But more confining? Quite likely. I know I've already referenced the N64, but arguably the biggest reason the Playstation 2 beat the N64 so badly was because there was just so much more that could be done with a disc than a cartridge at the time, and unless something has seriously changed in cartridge technology, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be the case today with the Switch too. Since the Wii, It seems Nintendo follows a cycle of devs getting excited for Nintendo's new innovations, then are met with a brick wall the moment they get the dev kit by either inferior processing power, or as Omega sited, hardware limitations like the gamepad being quite particular on what would and wouldn't play on it.

 

I want to be wrong so badly about this, but without a CD drive, I can't really see thins ending any other way.

[Jonny Music 3,407]

Programmign for the Switch being harder than the gamepad...? Probably not... But more confining? Quite likely. I know I've already referenced the N64, but arguably the biggest reason the Playstation 2 beat the N64 so badly was because there was just so much more that could be done with a disc than a cartridge at the time, and unless something has seriously changed in cartridge technology, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be the case today with the Switch too. Since the Wii, It seems Nintendo follows a cycle of devs getting excited for Nintendo's new innovations, then are met with a brick wall the moment they get the dev kit by either inferior processing power, or as Omega sited, hardware limitations like the gamepad being quite particular on what would and wouldn't play on it.

 

I want to be wrong so badly about this, but without a CD drive, I can't really see thins ending any other way.

It's more than likely going to stay doing well when going with the cartridge route. Knowing that the DS and 3DS systems use cartridges, it doesn't surprise me why they used cartridges for them and now want to switch back to cartridges for the Switch, for the sake of making it much more portable and seamless to continue playing AAA games literally anywhere.

[Hocus Pocus 636]

It's more than likely going to stay doing well when going with the cartridge route. Knowing that the DS and 3DS systems use cartridges, it doesn't surprise me why they used cartridges for them and now want to switch back to cartridges for the Switch, for the sake of making it much more portable and seamless to continue playing AAA games literally anywhere.

I suppose that's true, but my worry lies in the fact that portable gaming has never been as powerful in terms of specs as console gaming, and since everybody is looking at the Switch like the successor to the Wii U and not the 3DS, they will be disappointed when they realize it won't be able to compete in processing power with Microsoft and Sony. The Switch may not be a true console by every aspect, but everyone will look to it and expect it to be a console. People are expecting a console experience, and now with the proven promise of the Switch being able to turn portable, people are going to want that console experience and quality  to take with them wherever they may go... And while it would be very impressive to be able to take AAA games on the go with the same quality as XBone and PS4, when Microsoft and Sony respond with their own next gen consoles, people are going to want to see the Switch compete with whatever leaps in technology they may have made, which will more than likely be much higher than the Switch will be capable of handling... And once again, all the third party devs will want to make games for the superior hardware because it gives them more room to work with.

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

It seems Nintendo have once again chosen not to step into the ring with Sony and Microsoft and try to compete with them directly, which is probably a wise move on their part.  You can tell just by looking at it that it's going to be extremely underpowered, that chassis is simply too small to contain anything even remotely exciting.  They are sticking to their quirky little niche and selling based on a gimmick.  It may work for them, or it may crash and burn like the Wii U did.

 

The initial pledges of support from third party developers is not a contractual obligation to support the platform throughout its lifecycle, if Nintendo mess up on their marketing and the Switch faceplants into the marketplace then they will abandon it in droves.

 

Even if I was tempted to buy one (I'm not) then I'd be inclined to wait out and let it mature for a bit first, see if it looks worthwhile getting in a year or so.

[Jonny Music 3,407]

I suppose that's true, but my worry lies in the fact that portable gaming has never been as powerful in terms of specs as console gaming, and since everybody is looking at the Switch like the successor to the Wii U and not the 3DS, they will be disappointed when they realize it won't be able to compete in processing power with Microsoft and Sony. The Switch may not be a true console by every aspect, but everyone will look to it and expect it to be a console. People are expecting a console experience, and now with the proven promise of the Switch being able to turn portable, people are going to want that console experience and quality  to take with them wherever they may go... And while it would be very impressive to be able to take AAA games on the go with the same quality as XBone and PS4, when Microsoft and Sony respond with their own next gen consoles, people are going to want to see the Switch compete with whatever leaps in technology they may have made, which will more than likely be much higher than the Switch will be capable of handling... And once again, all the third party devs will want to make games for the superior hardware because it gives them more room to work with.

  

 

You missed the point I made before. I will quote myself again here:

 

As for graphics, knowing that NVidia is supplying the graphics for the Switch (which is a custom Pascal-based Tegra X2-like chip), I'm pretty confident that it will compete graphically with the PS4 and Xbox One. Tho that docking station may also have additional computing power just for the TV gaming experience, while when you are on the go, the hardware on the console (which is in a form of a tablet) will still output very decent graphical fidelity on the go. Though when you are on the go, it shouldn't matter too much since you will tend to be using a much smaller screen compared to a TV you may be using at home.

While it's true that some devs do want to work with more powerful hardware, they also will like a console even more if its programming capabilities are seamlessly easy to work with, no matter what the real world performance of the Switch will end up with. Function is just as important to the Switch right now because of how modular the control options are.

[Scrubbed user 3,416]

As someone with a battlestation that costs a few thousand dollars (PC included), and strongly dislikes the Xbone and PS4 with a passion, if Nintendo actually delivers on their promise with the Switch, I will happily buy one. 

 

However, I do have a few concerns about it:

1. Battery life for the tablet part will have to be on par, or even better than a 3DS. (which Nintendo quotes as being 3.5-7 hours)
2. 1080p 60 FPS? Tablets are capable of this, even smart phones are capable of this. With this having an Nvidia Tegra processor in it, (the same type they use in the Shield) can Nintendo actually do that?
3. 3rd-party games. This is what is really needed to make it sell. As we all saw with the Wii and Wii U, without 3rd-party games, it won't sell like previous systems did.

If all of these are not any issue, Nintendo will sell a shitload of Switches.

 

Now if only November 11th would get here so I can throw money at them for an NES Classic Edition...

Edited October 21, 2016 by Vulon Bii

[AlbaTross 1,586]

Well, I was hoping to make the Wii U a good secondary system to my PS4 but I just wasn't sold on it. The Switch on the other hand looks to be the first Nintendo console I've been excited for in a long time. I've enjoyed their handhelds and I could have dealt with Nintendo cheaping out on hardware and insisting on being a full gen behind the competition if they really made good on their supposed endgame of good old fashioned fun instead of shoving some unnecessary and annoying gimmick down our throats. But this system looks to be what the Wii and Wii U should have been: a system that celebrates Nintendo's roots while providing some fun new games to enjoy in some of our favourite series.

 

I'm actually most looking forward to the legacy aspect of the Switch. I don't need a new primary console and I already have a decent system for playing multiplats, so I don't need Nintendo's new system for that. If it can merge the 3DS and Wii U Virtual Consoles and support digital Wii, Wii U, DS and 3DS titles then it will be ideal for backwards compatibility on more recent systems, and maybe I'll finally get to play digital GBA games on a legit handheld. Of course that would include NES, SNES, Gameboy and GBC games too, and likely some titles from non-Nintendo retro systems. I believe a few N64 games made the leap to the VC so maybe GameCube and Wii could too, and maybe we'll see more titles across all of Ninty's systems make their digital download debut.

 

The tablet could probably be turned sideways to simulate the duel screens of the DS and 3DS and maybe the controllers could be attached to the long side of it. Wii U games could probably be simulated by having the tablet be detachable from the console while having both parts run, so the console part can't be just a stand for the console to sit in while running on a TV but a part of the system that could run in conjunction with the rest of it. I'm assuming what I've been referring to as the tablet is the actual console and the library of every other system could be simulated with one CPU since it's either connected to a TV or taken on the go, but the Wii U is a little more complicated.

 

If the detachable controllers have motion control capabilities then Wii games can be simulated. It looks like they can be attached to a thing that allows them to feel like one complete controller too. I wonder if the two halves can be adjusted. I dislike asymmetrical controllers but I may have to make due here. I mean, add in the notion of a console Pokemon or a console quality Zelda game that could be played on the go, and I'm sold. I'll await further details but it looks like Nintendo is on the right track with this new system.

[Photon Jet 5,491]

So far, I'm really looking forward to it! A home console that can also be used as a portable device as well.

 

I hope it'll turn out really well for all of us when it comes out.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

Interesting portability options but it would be limited by your battery life

Aside from the actual price point (I'm getting one - it's just a question of when I'll have the money), battery life is honestly my CHIEF concern about the system.  It was always an issue with the Wii U Gamepad, and I really hope it isn't an issue with the Switch's much-improved portable screen-and-controller.

Edited October 21, 2016 by Ziggy + Angel + Rain

[OmegaBeamOfficial 622]

I suppose that's true, but my worry lies in the fact that portable gaming has never been as powerful in terms of specs as console gaming, and since everybody is looking at the Switch like the successor to the Wii U and not the 3DS, they will be disappointed when they realize it won't be able to compete in processing power with Microsoft and Sony. The Switch may not be a true console by every aspect, but everyone will look to it and expect it to be a console. People are expecting a console experience, and now with the proven promise of the Switch being able to turn portable, people are going to want that console experience and quality  to take with them wherever they may go... And while it would be very impressive to be able to take AAA games on the go with the same quality as XBone and PS4, when Microsoft and Sony respond with their own next gen consoles, people are going to want to see the Switch compete with whatever leaps in technology they may have made, which will more than likely be much higher than the Switch will be capable of handling... And once again, all the third party devs will want to make games for the superior hardware because it gives them more room to work with.

You can't really consider the Switch a successor to the 3DS OR the Wii U, since It's technically a hybrid. And if the 3rd party chooses to leave, that's their own doing. Besides, we have to remember Nintendo's the only company left who are still making actual consoles rather than Xbox One and PS4 who are trying to emulate a PC experience and effectively destroying any advantage they have in the home console market, besides the graphics at least. Besides, even if power does matter that much, I think we're a while away from the technology needed to do the same thing with Microsoft and Sony levels of graphics as Nintendo can do with the Switch.

It seems Nintendo have once again chosen not to step into the ring with Sony and Microsoft and try to compete with them directly, which is probably a wise move on their part.  You can tell just by looking at it that it's going to be extremely underpowered, that chassis is simply too small to contain anything even remotely exciting.  They are sticking to their quirky little niche and selling based on a gimmick.  It may work for them, or it may crash and burn like the Wii U did.

 

The initial pledges of support from third party developers is not a contractual obligation to support the platform throughout its lifecycle, if Nintendo mess up on their marketing and the Switch faceplants into the marketplace then they will abandon it in droves.

 

Even if I was tempted to buy one (I'm not) then I'd be inclined to wait out and let it mature for a bit first, see if it looks worthwhile getting in a year or so.

Well, even if they do lose some 3rd party support, Nintendo still have their own games to sell the system with, a lot of people don't seem to be grasping that. And again, I'm noticing this misuse of the word gimmick. But still, I think the marketing here is a lot clearer than it was for the Wii U, so surely that must mean something, but I guess we still need more info.

  

 

You missed the point I made before. I will quote myself again here:

 

 

While it's true that some devs do want to work with more powerful hardware, they also will like a console even more if its programming capabilities are seamlessly easy to work with, no matter what the real world performance of the Switch will end up with. Function is just as important to the Switch right now because of how modular the control options are.

OK, you keep bringing this up so I really have to ask, what's so huge about Nintendo using Nividia technology?

As someone with a battlestation that costs a few thousand dollars (PC included), and strongly dislikes the Xbone and PS4 with a passion, if Nintendo actually delivers on their promise with the Switch, I will happily buy one. 

 

However, I do have a few concerns about it:

1. Battery life for the tablet part will have to be on par, or even better than a 3DS. (which Nintendo quotes as being 3.5-7 hours)
2. 1080p 60 FPS? Tablets are capable of this, even smart phones are capable of this. With this having an Nvidia Tegra processor in it, (the same type they use in the Shield) can Nintendo actually do that?
3. 3rd-party games. This is what is really needed to make it sell. As we all saw with the Wii and Wii U, without 3rd-party games, it won't sell like previous systems did.

If all of these are not any issue, Nintendo will sell a shitload of Switches.

 

Now if only November 11th would get here so I can throw money at them for an NES Classic Edition...

Battery life might be an issue, but I'm really hoping for 60 FPS but honestly the Wii U performed well in terms of framerate so I'm not too worried. As long as Nintendo keeps their end up on that, It's all good. And, hello, Nintendo make games themselves too ya know, in fact they usually have the most exclusives of each generation. Why is everyone expecting the system to sell on other people's games?

Well, I was hoping to make the Wii U a good secondary system to my PS4 but I just wasn't sold on it. The Switch on the other hand looks to be the first Nintendo console I've been excited for in a long time. I've enjoyed their handhelds and I could have dealt with Nintendo cheaping out on hardware and insisting on being a full gen behind the competition if they really made good on their supposed endgame of good old fashioned fun instead of shoving some unnecessary and annoying gimmick down our throats. But this system looks to be what the Wii and Wii U should have been: a system that celebrates Nintendo's roots while providing some fun new games to enjoy in some of our favourite series.

 

I'm actually most looking forward to the legacy aspect of the Switch. I don't need a new primary console and I already have a decent system for playing multiplats, so I don't need Nintendo's new system for that. If it can merge the 3DS and Wii U Virtual Consoles and support digital Wii, Wii U, DS and 3DS titles then it will be ideal for backwards compatibility on more recent systems, and maybe I'll finally get to play digital GBA games on a legit handheld. Of course that would include NES, SNES, Gameboy and GBC games too, and likely some titles from non-Nintendo retro systems. I believe a few N64 games made the leap to the VC so maybe GameCube and Wii could too, and maybe we'll see more titles across all of Ninty's systems make their digital download debut.

 

The tablet could probably be turned sideways to simulate the duel screens of the DS and 3DS and maybe the controllers could be attached to the long side of it. Wii U games could probably be simulated by having the tablet be detachable from the console while having both parts run, so the console part can't be just a stand for the console to sit in while running on a TV but a part of the system that could run in conjunction with the rest of it. I'm assuming what I've been referring to as the tablet is the actual console and the library of every other system could be simulated with one CPU since it's either connected to a TV or taken on the go, but the Wii U is a little more complicated.

 

If the detachable controllers have motion control capabilities then Wii games can be simulated. It looks like they can be attached to a thing that allows them to feel like one complete controller too. I wonder if the two halves can be adjusted. I dislike asymmetrical controllers but I may have to make due here. I mean, add in the notion of a console Pokemon or a console quality Zelda game that could be played on the go, and I'm sold. I'll await further details but it looks like Nintendo is on the right track with this new system.

Gimmick - a trick or device intended to attract attention, publicity, or trade.

 

Read it long, read it loud, read it good.

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

Well, even if they do lose some 3rd party support, Nintendo still have their own games to sell the system with, a lot of people don't seem to be grasping that. And again, I'm noticing this misuse of the word gimmick.

 

Gimmick

noun

1.  A trick or device used to attain some end.

2.  A clever ploy or strategy.

 

That is not a misuse of the word, they are incorporating something to make their console unique in the market (the whole static/portable thing) to try an entice the potential buyer to choose their system over (or in addition to) the assorted existing platforms.  Such a thing is a gimmick by definition.  It seems to be you that is misunderstanding the word by seemingly making the assumption that it must carry a negative connotation.

 

And yes, Nintendo do have their own games as well as third party titles, but do not underestimate the importance of having support of additional developers as well.  The lack of said support is one of the factors that has left the Wii U in the dust compared to the better supported systems in the current generation.

Edited October 21, 2016 by Concerned Bystander

[OmegaBeamOfficial 622]

So far, I'm really looking forward to it! A home console that can also be used as a portable device as well.

 

I hope it'll turn out really well for all of us when it comes out.

I'm hoping the same, but It's all hopes and dreams at this point.

Aside from the actual price point (I'm getting one - it's just a question of when I'll have the money), battery life is honestly my CHIEF concern about the system.  It was always an issue with the Wii U Gamepad, and I really hope it isn't an issue with the Switch's much-improved portable screen-and-controller.

Yeah, the battery life on Wii U was pretty bad.

Gimmick

noun

1.  A trick or device used to attain some end.

2.  A clever ploy or strategy.

 

That is not a misuse of the word, they are incorporating something to make their console unique in the market (the whole static/portable thing) to try an entice the potential buyer to choose their system over (or in addition to) the assorted existing platforms.  Such a thing is a gimmick by definition.  It seems to be you that is misunderstanding the word by seemingly making the assumption that it must carry a negative connotation.

 

And yes, Nintendo do have their own games as well as third party titles, but do not underestimate the importance of having support of additional developers as well.  The lack of said support is one of the factors that has left the Wii U in the dust compared to the better supported systems in the current generation.

Sorry. It's just that usually in the gaming world people use gimmick as an insult to a console, and therefore I do think it carries a negative connotation.

[Victoria Sponge 1,017]

Umm, I hate to break it to you, but those are more than likely Switch ports of those Wii U games. Another reason why there is indefinitely no backwards compatibility, is because of the computing hardware architecture that differs a lot from the Wii U's. I'm totally fine with it, as the Xbox One and PS4 also had to move on from backwards-compatibility, and the general consumer still has no idea the Wii U exists because of the poor marketing done for it.

 

Yeah I was thinking about that, what with the change from disks to cartridges.

[Jonny Music 3,407]

OK, you keep bringing this up so I really have to ask, what's so huge about Nintendo using Nvidia technology?

 

Let me quote from their blog (https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/10/20/nintendo-switch/) here:

 

"Nintendo Switch is powered by the performance of the custom Tegra processor. The high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards."

 

Since I am very familiar with what NVIDIA as a company has been doing with updating and advancing PC graphics, "World's Top-performing...graphics cards" sounds very close to the fact that the Tegra processor they are using on the Switch, has the very same graphics architecture used on their GTX 10 series cards (including the most recent update to the Titan X, mind you). This architecture is known as, Pascal.

 

The big thing about Pascal is that it is way more energy efficient and graphically powerful (approx. 2x and 3x respectively) than the previous architecture (known as Maxwell) that the Tegra X1 (that's in the NVIDIA Shield) used.

 

The Switch will most likely include a custom Tegra X2 chip that actually does happens to use the Pascal architecture.

 

Yeah I was thinking about that, what with the change from disks to cartridges.

 

The alternate decision for Nintendo's Switch to use cartridges instead of discs, mainly has to do with allowing ease of portability whenever you want to bring the actual console (which is in a form of a tablet). Using discs would deem the portability concept pointless in today's world, as the console will need to be a bit more bulkier to accomodate such a medium that is already showing its age in terms of practicality. Which that is what we don't tend to like nowadays with our mobile devices, being too thick and bulky. Also, don't forget, cartridges are naturally more able to load games at a faster rate (like, instantaneous-fast) compared to discs.

Edited October 21, 2016 by Jonny Music

[Victoria Sponge 1,017]

The alternate decision for Nintendo's Switch to use cartridges instead of discs, mainly has to do with allowing ease of portability whenever you want to bring the actual console (which is in a form of a tablet). Using discs would deem the portability concept pointless in today's world, as the console will need to be a bit more bulkier to accomodate such a medium that is already showing its age in terms of practicality. Which that is what we don't tend to like nowadays with our mobile devices, being too thick and bulky. Also, don't forget, cartridges are naturally more able to load games at a faster rate (like, instantaneous-fast) compared to discs.

 

I see a lot of people complaining that the cartridges won't be able to store larger games but they are pretty big nowadays aren't they?

Edited October 21, 2016 by Battenberg

[Jonny Music 3,407]

I see a lot of people complaining that the cartridges won't be able to store larger games but they are pretty big nowadays aren't they?

 

Right you are. Cartridges have actually advanced a lot in speed and capacity during the past 20 years.

 

There are SD Cards from Sandisk that can go up to 1 TB for crying out loud.

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3122005/storage/boom-sandisk-just-dropped-the-worlds-largest-sd-card.html

Edited October 21, 2016 by Jonny Music

[OmegaBeamOfficial 622]

Yeah I was thinking about that, what with the change from disks to cartridges.

 

Let me quote from their blog (https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/10/20/nintendo-switch/) here:

 

"Nintendo Switch is powered by the performance of the custom Tegra processor. The high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards."

 

Since I am very familiar with what NVIDIA as a company has been doing with updating and advancing PC graphics, "World's Top-performing...graphics cards" sounds very close to the fact that the Tegra processor they are using on the Switch, has the very same graphics architecture used on their GTX 10 series cards (including the most recent update to the Titan X, mind you). This architecture is known as, Pascal.

 

The big thing about Pascal is that it is way more energy efficient and graphically powerful (approx. 2x and 3x respectively) than the previous architecture (known as Maxwell) that the Tegra X1 (that's in the NVIDIA Shield) used.

 

The Switch will most likely include a custom Tegra X2 chip that actually does happens to use the Pascal architecture.

 

 

The alternate decision for Nintendo's Switch to use cartridges instead of discs, mainly has to do with allowing ease of portability whenever you want to bring the actual console (which is in a form of a tablet). Using discs would deem the portability concept pointless in today's world, as the console will need to be a bit more bulkier to accomodate such a medium that is already showing its age in terms of practicality. Which that is what we don't tend to like nowadays with our mobile devices, being too thick and bulky. Also, don't forget, cartridges are naturally more able to load games at a faster rate (like, instantaneous-fast) compared to discs.

Ah, I see what you're getting at. It doesn't seem like the Nintendo Switch will be as underpowered as people thought, but then again, Nintendo Isn't known for high graphics powerhouse games, so I don't mind it either way. Still, I'm sure some people will be happy to know Nintendo's specs are getting closer to that of other consoles. I also have to agree on using cartridges over discs, It's a lot more practical for what Nintendo wants to achieve.

 

Though I want to dispel this myth that cartridges are "instantaneous" as it were. It's faster, yes, but It's not like the N64 days. There are plenty of 3DS games that take their time loading.

 

I see a lot of people complaining that the cartridges won't be able to store larger games but they are pretty big nowadays aren't they?

 

Right you are. Cartridges have actually advanced a lot in speed and capacity during the past 20 years.

 

There are SD Cards from Sandisk that can go up to 1 TB for crying out loud.

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3122005/storage/boom-sandisk-just-dropped-the-worlds-largest-sd-card.html

1 TERABYTE? (sniff) they grow up so fast...

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

I don't play hand helds. I would rather have a powerful home console. But we are reaching a limit on how much better the graphics can look, so companies are trying new things, like Sony VR. I don't think people will play it mobile as much as the commercial showed.

Edited October 21, 2016 by BronyNumber42

[OmegaBeamOfficial 622]

I don't play hand helds. I would rather have a powerful home console. But we are reaching a limit on how much better the graphics can look, so cmpanies are trying new things, like Sony VR4. I don't think people will play it mobile as much as the commercial showed.

I get where you're coming from, but It's not like there's no demand for this. Having a portable console with the same sort of experience we're currently finding only on home console releases would be an awesome thing.

[cmarston1 5,959]

So far it looks promising and I hope Nintendo has learned from what went wrong with the Wii U. I am looking forward to learning more about the console.

[OmegaBeamOfficial 622]

So far it looks promising and I hope Nintendo has learned from what went wrong with the Wii U. I am looking forward to learning more about the console.

Same here, can't wait to see new games.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

Gimmick

noun

1.  A trick or device used to attain some end.

2.  A clever ploy or strategy.

 

That is not a misuse of the word, they are incorporating something to make their console unique in the market (the whole static/portable thing) to try an entice the potential buyer to choose their system over (or in addition to) the assorted existing platforms.  Such a thing is a gimmick by definition.  It seems to be you that is misunderstanding the word by seemingly making the assumption that it must carry a negative connotation.

Yeah, I suppose their innovations weren't all that bad but they did come across as a forced way to set themselves apart from the competition and they kind of distanced themselves from the good old fashioned gameplay they used to be known for. I kind of like the dual screen and touch control aspect of the 3DS but that setup allowed for traditional gameplay just as well as something more innovative so I never had an issue with it.

 

Of course, if Ninty wants to simulate b/c with the DS/3DS, Wii and Wii U they clearly had their work cut out for them and found the only solution that could possibly work for all of the above. It's actually kind of amazing and required a lot of creativity. Compared to that, simulating console games on a tv and old single-screen handheld titles on the detachable device would be a breeze. Size wise it looks like the tablet part is somewhere between the 3DS XL and the massive Wii U device. It looks like the idea was to find a size that's comfortable for travel but not too small either for Wii U games. Having a stand also allows for easy travel and setting up the detachable part as a screen while using the controller in the grip so that should work just fine for a travelling console gamer who isn't driving. It's probably ideal for flights, hotel rooms and even the occasional party. They clearly considered all angles when constructing this device. We'll have to wait for more details but it looks like they did their homework.