Switch Discussion Thread

[Tanooki]

Have to agree, the current model on the GC is flawed anyway given the enemy can instantly lock on and strafe/shoot while the gamepad is setup to dumb visor flipping on the c-stick. It makes you stand there being shot to use a button to lock onto a target first before doing that each time which is slow and clunky. I played the games far better on the Wii bundle than the originals.

[darsparx]

I have to admit that I've been thinking about this and don't know if it's already been mentioned and discussed. I know Nintendo is still intending this to be a home console but what does it mean for the 3DS? Especially since it can be taken on the go and played wherever from the looks of things. I know it surely can't mean the death of the 3DS anytime soon but it still makes me wonder at this point.

[samsonlonghair]

I have to admit that I've been thinking about this and don't know if it's already been mentioned and discussed. I know Nintendo is still intending this to be a home console but what does it mean for the 3DS? Especially since it can be taken on the go and played wherever from the looks of things. I know it surely can't mean the death of the 3DS anytime soon but it still makes me wonder at this point.

Think of the GBA after the DS came out. You may remember Nintendo's "Third Pillar" talk wherein they payed lip service to continuing the Game Boy line while they tested the waters with the DS. When the DS became super popular, Nintendo stopping pushing the Game Boy Advance. A few publishers released a few GBA cartridges that had already been coming down the pipes, but Nintendo themselves focused on their DS. Who can blame them when, "it prints money," right?

Assuming the Switch is a success, Nintendo will reassure 3DS gamers that they will continue to support that console. All the while the Big N will slowly, quietly discontinue the 3DS about a year~ish after the Switch hits the market.

But what about if the switch doesn't "print money" though? In that case Nintendo will march forward with the New-New-New 4DS XXL. Because that was the plan all along, swear to god.

This may seem cynical, but it's just a big company hedging their bets. That's the smart way to do business.

[isiolia]

I have to admit that I've been thinking about this and don't know if it's already been mentioned and discussed. I know Nintendo is still intending this to be a home console but what does it mean for the 3DS? Especially since it can be taken on the go and played wherever from the looks of things. I know it surely can't mean the death of the 3DS anytime soon but it still makes me wonder at this point.

Short term the 3DS certainly has a place. Nintendo even has a couple special edition New 3DS variants coming out for Black Friday at a bargain $100 price.

I think the 3DS will still have a couple major selling points even after the Switch comes out. First will be price. I think that Black Friday pricing will become the standard (maybe even for the holidays), and the system will at least ride into 2018 (likely beyond) as a value product. Nobody else has anything in that market segment. Nintendo could cut the New 3DS/XL down to $100/130 and own that price point. The Switch is unlikely to hit the sub-$200 range at launch. Maybe eventually, but not at launch.

Second is that it seems more child-friendly, where the Switch seems to be skewing a bit older - and pricing or launch library might reinforce that. The 2DS/3DS can be cheap, and durable, which would be a major selling point. It's how they're marketing the 2DS on their site currently.


On the other hand, I don't think we'll see substantial software support for it past whatever people are working on now. Maybe some Amiibo selling vehicles and the like, but it has a massive library that could keep selling systems to new customers (especially if more Nintendo Selects are added).

[Tanooki]

They said the current model of intent is to keep the 3DS around for awhile as an established alternative format for people to enjoy and will back it up with games. How many games, and how many from third parties is anyones guess. They hope Switch does it, but they conned themselves into thinking bullying people into the WiiU was a sure bet after the Wii. Having killed off having 2 divisions, they don't have a fall back in development to pick up the pieces like the 3DS did for WiiU. I give it probably 2 years, more if the Switch waffles. At this rate being aged, the kits are cheaper, costs to make the games are less, everything about it is well known, easier, faster and cheaper to do so it is a solid budget format to keep around. You could even think of it like the kids and casuals choice who don't want a big ass touch tablet that docks to a TV that costs far more cash. I bet they lower the 3DS in price across the board notably in the run up or just after as their budget line. Buy a New3DSXL for $150 or buy a Switch for like what $300? One will have $20-40 games, the other will be upwards to console priced.

[Sarge]

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a cut-down, reduced-size version of the Switch. One that concentrates solely on the portable aspect. Especially if the system ends up successful. One of the gripes about the current design is that it's not quite effectively portable, but a smaller model without HDMI would certainly help alleviate that concern.

[isiolia]

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a cut-down, reduced-size version of the Switch. One that concentrates solely on the portable aspect. Especially if the system ends up successful. One of the gripes about the current design is that it's not quite effectively portable, but a smaller model without HDMI would certainly help alleviate that concern.

I suspect that Nintendo won't change the form factor of the base unit much as that would probably break compatibility with the dock and standard Joy-Con controllers. Not that it'd be impossible, but I wouldn't see Nintendo fragmenting their accessory market anytime soon.

There's also the consideration of heat, which might be easily handled with the larger/thicker frame, but not as feasible if miniaturized.


As I've mentioned before though, I would not be surprised to see a dockless SKU at a lower price, targeted at those who do just want to use it as a portable. Otherwise, the size is probably not much different than plenty of tablets, which many people find a way to bring with them.

[Tanooki]

If you're right I have to admit I would be tempted if they just sol dit with a basic charge base like the WiiU tablet had with a cord to power it in the wall. I don't like to console game much anymore as it's a hindrance with kid and time. I'd mostly end up not using the Switch full dock to the TV and probably be even lazy enough to put the screen in my lap or the table in front of me and use the wedge that holds the 2 joy cons together.

[fastbilly1]

So this thing was announced since I was last on here. If the rumors of a HD version of the new Pokemon as a launch title, I am buying two Switches at launch. My wife has wanted a 3ds for a while, but when she saw this she was stoked. So I may finally fulfill a childhood dream of the ultimate setup of game hardware on launch day. Aswell as two copies of Mario Kart (which is rumored to have a real battle mode). As much as I love my Wii and Wiiu, this is the most excited I have been for a console since the Gamecube, circa Spaceworld 2000.

[PartridgeSenpai]

So this thing was announced since I was last on here. If the rumors of a HD version of the new Pokemon as a launch title, I am buying two Switches at launch. My wife has wanted a 3ds for a while, but when she saw this she was stoked. So I may finally fulfill a childhood dream of the ultimate setup of game hardware on launch day. Aswell as two copies of Mario Kart (which is rumored to have a real battle mode). As much as I love my Wii and Wiiu, this is the most excited I have been for a console since the Gamecube, circa Spaceworld 2000.

I'm a little skeptical of the rumors that Pokemon will be on the Switch at launch, but if that's actually the case, that's a #printingMoney situation right there. I'm just not sure if I will be financially comfortable buying a Switch around launch (assuming that's even possible with how Nintendo likes to release things these days). If it's $250 like I've heard rumors about, then that will probably be a low enough price point for me to go whole-hog and dive in with a pre-order.