Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#391

Post by ben174 » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 7:59 PM UTC

blakeyrat wrote: post #190

zelias wrote: post #23

Nintendo has been trying to blend mobile and console gaming since the Gamecube (anyone else remember the GBA link??). I think they've finally succeeded in a way that can make the transition between the two seamless. In a space currently dominated by two nearly-identical competitors (XBONE and PS4), I think Nintendo has the opportunity to capture a large portion of the market.

The Xbone and PS4 can both play Skyrim and Fallout 4. Nothing Nintendo's put out can come close. Just sayin'. Different people have different priorities when it comes to gaming.

Not sure if you noticed in the Switch launch video, but that's Skyrim they're playing. It looks like Nintendo is putting some effort into third party this time, and they'll be the only "console" which allows you to play "console" third party games portably. Pretty significant advantage.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#392

Post by jakebasile » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:01 PM UTC

kbenson wrote: post #358

jakebasile wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. If you can't have both systems available at the same time and location you need to call in to have your account transferred. This requires you to answer some questions about the account such as what games do you own and when did you buy them. Then they take a few days to get around to unlocking your account. It's awful and easily the most user hostile of the modern gaming platforms' stores.

Is there any info on whether this was a problem with not having Nintendo IDs linked to the shop on original Wii systems? On my Wii U, I had to create a Nintendo ID to use the shop, so presumably that follows me now. I could see the process you describe as their interim solution before they started linking accounts to the shop, but I don't know whether that's true.

Nope, the same process applies to Wii U purchases.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#393

Post by indy » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:02 PM UTC

Pxtl wrote: post #355

city41 wrote: post #242

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lagging in specs is a major reason 3rd parties shun Nintendo's consoles. Porting a game between XB1, PS4 and PC is relatively easy due to them all being of similar caliber. But the cutbacks required for porting to Wii U usually means they just don't bother.

Yes, but if they target PC release then realistically they have to support the whole gamut of PCs, including lower-spec ones. If the Switch turns out to have similar video-performance to a low-mid-range consumer video board, then that's realistically something that PC ports will already be supporting.

The current consoles are already at the low-mid range of PC video cards. If the Switch is even less powerful than say the Xbox One it will be a pain to support when developing a multi-platform title.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#394

Post by xwvvvvwx » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:03 PM UTC

Seems like it will be a challenge to build games that are compelling on both a large screen while seated in your living room and on a small screen when you're out and about (from both a UX and gameplay perspective).

With that said it's a smart move to use the same controller for both use cases.

Overall looks pretty slick, interested to see how this plays out.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#395

Post by ben174 » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:03 PM UTC

joeax wrote: post #335

Anybody have any info on how the Switch will be backwards compatible with Wii U discs (i.e. a portable drive perhaps), and 3DS cartridges? I have a stack of Wii U games that hopefully will still be playable.

Since all Wii U games are available as digital downloads, I'd expect that's the only compatibility you're going to get. They might have some kind of trade-in-your-disc-for-a-digital-download offering, but I seriously doubt it. It would be very un-Nintendo of them.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#396

Post by ben174 » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:05 PM UTC

bitwize wrote: post #44

For a second I wondered, is Nintendo building network hardware now? My worry here is that Nintendo may be making the same mistake that BlackBerry made: doubling down on hardware when they should be building out their app ecosystem on dominant mobile platforms. That said, the Switch looks cool. Really freaking cool. I just wonder if it'll be enough.

Maybe you missed the Super Mario Run announcement?

https://supermariorun.com

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#397

Post by tekklloneer » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:07 PM UTC

FullMtlAlcoholc wrote: post #385

emdowling wrote: post #8

It is so reassuring to see Nintendo create a modern gaming machine that doesn't try to be a living room hub or an iPad competitor. Going entirely by the video alone, every single design decision has been made with a clear focus on gaming. The simple docking action for transitioning it to the TV, the versatility and portability of the controllers, the reasonable size, etc all combine to make this (again, judging entir…

What's wrong with being a living room hub? Since cutting the cord, my PS4 has been the ideal set top box and is the only device attached to my TV. Blu Ray Player (that I never use), check. Plex client, check. DLNA client, check. Digital Optical Out, check. Netflix, Amazon Video check. Gaming machine, yup. It completely removes the need for a HTPC.

When I moved, I didn't build a "living room hub". In fact, I don't have a TV. I find it much more gratifying to hang out on the couch with my 3DS nowadays in hour long bursts.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#398

Post by slantyyz » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:08 PM UTC

qwertyuiop924 wrote: post #350

slantyyz wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't get me wrong, I actually -like- the system and it might very well be the first console I buy since the PS3. But practically speaking, I don't think the rest of the market will view this console as favorably as I do. Clarifications of my original response: By "me too" I was referring to the original post's point of going x86 in a traditional TV box in the way that XB1/PS4 did. By "struggle", I was specifically t…

>On the portable gaming side, phones and tablets have basically taken over the market. You say that, but phone games have an exceptionally limited capability without extra hardware (like a controller), and few phone games are designed to take advantage of a controller in any case. If you want to actually play good mobile games, you need a mobile console, and Nintendo's are some of the best. The Gameboy line defined p…

What you're saying is technically true, but for the vast majority of people it's about the convenience of not having to carry a second device.

In the same way that a real camera is better than a smartphone, convenience trumps quality.

>> If you're looking for something cheap to carry your retro games around on, might I recommend a GBA?

I have a 3DS because I wanted to play Street Fighter, Tekken and Dead Or Alive on the go. But I don't always bring it with me. In fact, I only bring it with me on vacations. And when I'm out on the go with just my phone, well, I don't play anything at all - it's not a huge loss. FWIW, you can already do everything you mention and more on a 2DS/3DS with the right "accessories" and a little bit of time.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#399

Post by ThatGeoGuy » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:09 PM UTC

tuccinator wrote: post #359

s3r3nity wrote: post #341

This might be a dumb question, but can someone elaborate on how you can get such good graphics like they were showing in the Skyrim and Zelda images on such a small cartridge (i.e. not a disc?)

My thoughts are that the small cartridge is relative to an SD card, or a USB flash drive. The reasons other companies don't use them is because they are expensive to use unlike discs. The speed of the cartridges are faster than discs as well.

IIRC this is basically the same way the PS Vita handles it. Although in that case you can definitely smell something fishy with the way those "custom" save cards are priced. It's only a tiny bit larger than a MicroSD card and has 1/2 the capacity of one? But twice the price?

Hopefully the cartridge usage in the Switch doesn't drive prices up too much because of it. I get that production is more expensive, but after a certain point there are definitely some questions about why standard flash storage solutions aren't good enough.

Re: Nintendo Switch – New Video Game System [video]

#400

Post by FullMtlAlcoholc » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 8:11 PM UTC

This looks like a very well designed console and I appreciate that Nintendo takes chances does try to offer something different with each console release.

The crucial element that is going to determine whether I purchase this or not is will it support location-based gaming? Touchscreens, gyros, and cameras aren't necessary, but location based-gaming and the spontaneous, real-world social interactions it generates was the only reason I played Pokemon GO. I do understand that designing games with this in mind and making it fun for all players is a difficult if not impossible problem to solve for those who don't live in dense urban areas

I'm also disappointed that Nintendo isn't developing for VR yet. While I respect them for not following the herd, if any developer is going to lay the foundational design patterns for VR gaming, it's Nintendo. Mario 64 and Zelda: Ocarina of time did this for 3D.

It'll be interesting to see if this becomes more than a gimmick.