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Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

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321–330 of 380 posts

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#321
post #24

The wired review is much more negative, if you want a contrasting view: https://www.wired.com/2017/03/review-nintendo-switch/

ArsTechnica is also tending towards negative, with optimistic parts: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/03/nintendo-switch-revie...

Ars has been against the switch from the beginning. I was actually surprised by the optimistic parts.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#322

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…

Nintendo can't sell consoles at a loss the same way sony and MS can. You're also forgetting their portable lineup, their portables have always been under powered compared to their competitors.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#323

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Ah, I didn't even think about the height of the thing. That is curious.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#324
post #320

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but are you really being dissuaded from purchasing a Switch based on its lack of web browser and Netflix -- two things that run on half a dozen or more devices that the typical HN reader probably already owns? It's competing against those devices though. And not just for sales, but pocket/bag space. If I'm bringing a Switch somewhere, I don't really want to carry an iPad with me too if I want to watch something on…

> It's competing against those devices though. It's not, it's a game machine. If you want to play games take a switch, if you want to do other things then take them.

Not to be too uncharitable, but did you read the rest of their comment? The very next words are that they don't want to bring multiple devices.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#325
post #101

As a late Wii U owner, I'm willing to wait until the Switch proves to be a success. The horror stories of the Wii U's launch, combined with lackluster support and signs that Nintendo didn't know how to adapt to the Internet age haven't exactly been mitigated by what we know of the Switch so far: no web browser, no Virtual Console nor movie services like Netflix at launch. Everything smells rushed...in the meantime, I…

> signs that Nintendo didn't know how to adapt to the Internet age haven't exactly been mitigated by what we know of the Switch so far: no web browser, no Virtual Console nor movie services like Netflix at launch. The Wii (not Wii U but the original Wii) had all of that though. A web browser, multiple on demand services including BBC iPlayer and Netflix, an online store that allowed you to downloadable games direct t…

> The Wii (not Wii U but the original Wii) had all of that though.

For what it's worth, the Wii U also had that too (a web browser, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, etc).

I get the impression that most Wii U owners didn't use it much, and mainly used the console for gaming. But it's still there, and works.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#326

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…

Nintendo is competing against two competitors with impossibly deep pockets: Sony and Microsoft. They can't do a loss leading razer-and-blades sales model where they lose on the system but make it up on games. Thus every system they sell since the entry of both competitors has to be both profitable and price competitive.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#327

So I wouldn't buy a Nintendo console as my first console. But I have a PS4 that covers me for most of my gaming (and Netflixing needs) and the Wii U was a great addition to get access to all of Nintendo's stuff. So I'm excited to swap out the Wii U for a Switch -- although there's no rush for me. One thing that has changed my opinion a bit about Nintendo's products, though: Having a kid. Suddenly it's very clear what…

I believe this is squarely where Nintendo lives, in the family space. We have all of the consoles available to my kids. The only ones they play? Wii and Wii U. Don't care about Xbox or PS because of the Nintendo's first party titles.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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"

Do you really want to carry both an iPad and a switch in your bag, though?

I mean, do you really want to wear pants AND a shirt?

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#329
post #324
post #320

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's competing against those devices though. It's not, it's a game machine. If you want to play games take a switch, if you want to do other things then take them.

Not to be too uncharitable, but did you read the rest of their comment? The very next words are that they don't want to bring multiple devices.

Yes, but it starts out with the assumption that the devices have the same function, which they don't. In a similar vain, a laptop will not replace either.

Re: Nintendo Switch review: pure potential

#330
post #124
post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly...two things that are ubiquitous on modern devices, but aren't on the Switch because of what seems like rushed online infrastructure. Why should we have faith that Nintendo has successfully executed social matchmaking and account services, which are much more bespoke?

Something only 60s/70s kids will remember is the bubble in digital LCD clocks in the early 80s meant the average 80s kitchen had over 15 digital clocks in it, and keeping them set or covering the screen with electricians tape was an annoyance. I'm happy to be down to 4 digital clocks to maintain in my kitchen and I could achieve a mere 1 with some effort. I'm happy I don't have to install and maintain a netflix accou…

> Something only 60s/70s kids will remember is the bubble in digital LCD clocks

Even Nintendo was in on the action back then: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kj1iVgrpX4Y/maxresdefault.jpg

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