The official Nintendo Switch thread

[Zap!]

There have been a few off-topic Nintendo NX threads, but no specific ones that I could find. With a March, 2017 release date still on track, the announcement is likely imminent. There have been several rumors so far, such as those that continuously come up, like that it won't use disk media, it will be a hybrid handheld/system, etc.

So, when will the announcement come? I'd say mid October at the latest. How powerful will it be? Under-powered? Will Nintendo shock us and include 4k compatibility? What games would you like to see for it? What will it be called? If I were Nintendo, I'd strongly consider sticking to the NX name, IMO it actually sounds pretty cool.

[Tanooki]

Meh!!

[Greg2600]

I've yet to see anything close to definitive on what this really is.

[calthaer]

So why should I get it?

[Tanooki]

Meh!!

[lendelin]

The detailed speculations about the hardware don't make sense. It is enough if we know that the new console will be a hybrid console/handheld. This makes a lot of sense because Nintendo cannot compete (since 2006) with MS and Sony when it comes to hardware. Therefore they look since the Wii-times for something (wii mote, wii u gamepad) to distinguish themselves in the market to compensate for the underpowered hardware. The NX will be another effort in this regard, and even more; it might be, that this is the first step out of the traditional console market into the handheld market only.

I'm very mistrustful about speculations when it comes to hardware, what it can do and how the games will be. We will know when the NX is on the shelves and we play the games. I'm jaded. I saw the Genesis and SNES pics in mags, I watched the 64 Marios for the N64 running around (STUNNING graphics quality which was achieved with the GC five years later), the harware specs of the Dreamcast and the PS2, some were fulfilled, others not, but it was always different, positive or negative, when the games were finally played.

So far we know almost nothing about it, and even when the first reliable specs and the official pics will be released then we still won't know what this machine can do and if the games are good or not. Lots of speculations months ahead of the release don't make a lot of sense.

[Tanooki]

Meh!!

[Niku-Sama]

carts carts carts it all about dem carts!

[Zap!]

The latest rumor is that it'll be called the Nintendo Duo. Not bad at all, although I prefer them sticking to the code name.

[Az]

Nintendo Switch? Just let me know about some backwards compatibility then I'm in.

[Gentlegamer]

Nintendo Dom/Sub

[Zap!]

Nintendo Switch? Just let me know about some backwards compatibility then I'm in.

Going to be hard without an optical drive. Unless you are hoping for DS compatibility?

[Daltone]

So is it basically a tablet with a dock?

[buzz_n64]

Welcome to the Wii U 1.5, I mean Nintendo Switch! When I first saw the trailer I thought it was a commercial for a new Wii U tablet accessory. Unimpressed, but it has Mario on it, so I'll check it out. Are you guys impressed by this?

[Zap!]

I'm extremely impressed. I'll pre-order the second it's up.

[bb_hood]

Looks pretty kewl.

[Tanooki]

Meh!!

[Greg2600]

Pretty much expected this. Nintendo knows Japan is all about mobile. I think it this should be cheap enough, and quite interesting how they angled this video towards "millenials" like they did the Wii 10 years ago. Has my attention.

[Az]

Going to be hard without an optical drive. Unless you are hoping for DS compatibility?

Specifically digital purchases already tied to your e-shop account.

[lendelin]

Finally Nintendo released an official announcement. Slowly the rumor-mill hurt the system. Pretty late compared to new systems of the past.

I'm not so impressed. I never was impressed by trailers showcasing actors giving us relatively little information. The trailer confirms in general the speculations, and I think this is (out of necessity) the right direction for Nintendo. A first step out of the console business towards handheld/mobile. The little 'joy-con controllers' seem to be very small for adult hands. A standard controller is available, and it seems the nonsensical and gimmicky Wii-controls and WiiU-controls are thank goodness a thing of the past.

But the most important Qs for a success of the new system remain unanswered. Besides hardware specs:

1. The price point?
2. Launch titles? (new Zelda and Mario, any other necessary first- or 3rd party-killer game?)
3. Third party support in the future? (intended support doesn't count, for the N64 a lot of publishers were counted before the launch)
4. Is programming for the system easy? (see third party support)

I just wait. I only judge a sytem when it's on the market and I can play the games, and even then the fate of a new system is decided one year after launch.

In short: It's way too early to get excited.