Live data from Hacker News

Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

theverge.com

221–230 of 380 posts

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#221

I wonder why they made the dock so bulky... https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MDlcmzBowKNZ425oxRfyJ1-bMBM...

Surely they made it bulky so that it doesn't fall over.

a quick photoshop with the same footprint: http://i.imgur.com/Z3QVKRK.png

edit: oh, maybe that bottom part I reduced is full of weights. Not making the actual switch stick out further on the top might be a simple design decision than. They could have squeezed half of that in the back half of the thing though.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#222

Now I can take Zelda with me wherever I go — not some limited version, mind you, but the full console Zelda experience. I can play on my TV, pick up the tablet from its dock, and continue the game without skipping a beat or compromising the experience. Continue... where, exactly? Modern mobile games work because they can be picked up for a few minutes in a line at the grocery store and put back down when you get to t…

If I recall, a number of studies showed that most people mostly play their portable gaming devices at home. I suspect the portability of the Switch for big games like the Legend of Zelda are largely about accommodating this use case (comfort, extra screens in the home, multitasking).

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#223

Personally, I am a fan of the setup. I like the idea of having multiple TV bases so that the switch can be moved between rooms easily. My kids are at the age where they do a lot of family RV trips and we'd be able to get a base for there too. I'm much more interested in the Switch as a family console than a personal. I grew up an only child and played A LOT of online games by myself. Ever since college I've had a sta…

It feels like Nintendo is really gouging people on the peripherals though. Each docking station is $90, which seems pretty expensive for what's essentially an HDMI port and USB charger, especially just for the convenience of being able to play it in any room at any time. It doesn't take very many of those before you've basically paid for a whole new Switch.

The games aren't really cheap either. $50 MSRP for something like 1-2 Switch is ridiculous to me.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#224
post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe I'm a glass half full kind of guy but I'd like to believe they spent less effort on duplicating features that fulfill needs most buyers can already meet with other devices and more effort on features germane to the console itself, like the matchmaking and account services you mention. I could very well be wrong.

The Switch is basically a high-powered tablet with proper gaming controls. I'd love it if it could actually replace "real" tablets. As it is, we're going to have two separate classes of tablets: those that are actually good at gaming (Switch), and those that are good at everything else (iPad, etc.). That said, it's easy to see why Nintendo's focusing on gaming: it's their core competency, nobody else in the tablet sp…

I already have a tablet. I certainly don't want to browse anything with shitty Nintendo software. They should focus on games.

Hell, this is the best sign yet that the switch will have SOME value beyond "you can play the latest Mario here"

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#225
post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe I'm a glass half full kind of guy but I'd like to believe they spent less effort on duplicating features that fulfill needs most buyers can already meet with other devices and more effort on features germane to the console itself, like the matchmaking and account services you mention. I could very well be wrong.

For something portable like this, it would be appealing to have Netflix on the go on it. It could be the best screen you have with you, and multifunction means that you can potentially leave some other device at home.

With just wifi? Why not use a tablet, which is going to give better video playback with a regularly updated app anyway?

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#226
post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fair point. But is that necessary at launch, or can it be a few weeks or months down the road? I'm guessing it will be.

I think the larger point is, anyone else would have had it at launch, because it would have been both a no-brainer and no big deal. Netflix is generally pretty good about supporting ports of their client to anything that can run it. There's also no Virtual Console, the eShop isn't available for review yet... and Nintendo has a terrible track record on online services. The Wii U was even further behind on such matters…

If Nintendo hadn't shipped a shitty Netflix app and instead got the console to work better it would have been worth buying.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#227

Now I can take Zelda with me wherever I go — not some limited version, mind you, but the full console Zelda experience. I can play on my TV, pick up the tablet from its dock, and continue the game without skipping a beat or compromising the experience. Continue... where, exactly? Modern mobile games work because they can be picked up for a few minutes in a line at the grocery store and put back down when you get to t…

According the US Census in 2013, 5% of commuters used public transit and nearly 10% carpooled. [1] I know I would enjoy occupying that time with some Zelda!

[1] https://www.census.gov/hhes/commuting/files/2014/acs-32.pdf

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#228

If someone can answer that question for me: Why has Nintendo shifted towards producing underpowered consoles? I used to play the Super Nes when I was a kid, and it was the most powerful console of its generation. The N64, the GameCube, the Wii and subsequent offerings were all underpowered in terms of graphical abilities and raw power after that. I hear people say "But the gameplay is what matters", which I agree wit…

I believe this allows them to be more profitable than Xbox/Playstation where they try to squeeze in the best hardware. I also think it aligns well with the younger target audience. The graphics restrictions has also given us some of the more interesting graphics styles in modern Nintendo games.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#229
post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would I buy a switch to play HTML games? Honestly this argument seems a stretch to me.

> Why would I buy a switch to play HTML games? A portable, dockable tablet with a built-in reliable controller? If it had a browser, I'd be surprised if people didn't specifically write some games to target it.

3DS has a browser and a built-in reliable controller. I haven't heard about any HTML game for 3DS.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#230
post #36

The more I learn, the more I want this as a 3DS replacement. The TV aspect doesn’t interest me as much. It looks like it might deliver on that promise as they work the kinks out.

> The more I learn, the more I want this as a 3DS replacement.

I don't know if that's even possible. The 3DS has pretty good third party developer support and a huge back library.

The true worth of any system is how many high quality games are on the system and whether they're the games you want play.

Outside of the obvious "must have" first party titles, I can't see a whole lot of system-selling "must have" third party titles. If you're not into Nintendo's own games, you pretty much have no compelling reason to get a Switch. And if Switch hardware sales aren't strong enough, third party developers will stay away.

It also doesn't help (especially for parents on a budget) that Switch games are around $20 more than 3DS games.

Post reply on HN