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

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

#331

Post by mcphage » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:10 PM UTC

fsloth wrote: post #119

mcphage wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Dropping LMP isn't just dumb from a "fun" perspective, it's also a stupid business decision [...] By tossing it out, you're tossing away a major selling point for your system. It seems to have worked out pretty well for Sony and Microsoft—and the manufacturer that does still focus on LMP (Nintendo) is struggling. So I don't think it's actually a major selling point. I mean, I wish it were; that's one of the things…

At least several Xbox one titles seem to have local multiplayer. Skylanders is a good example.

How many of them are Microsoft published, and how many of them are cross-platform?

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

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Post by ChrisClark » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:11 PM UTC

city41 wrote: post #284

LargeCompanies wrote: post #267

I don't get it... what is exciting about a GameCube/iPad hybrid? Why not create a VR/AR console hybrid that lets you create things at home and then experience them in the real world... digitally graffiti your town at home then go out and check out your art work and or messages? Maybe that's an app already... leave your friends messages in certain locations seen via an AR app?

That's just not Nintendo's style. They pretty much always shun new tech and instead prefer to use established tech in new ways. And yes the 3DS has some minor AR, but that was just a tiny little gimmick/experiment.

Well, except for the Virtual Boy, and we all know how well that went. In fact, that could be the reason they don't do that anymore.

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

#333

Post by Raphmedia » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:11 PM UTC

shuntress wrote: post #67

Raphmedia wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But I also don't see us returning to gaming together in person either. Really? I gather with friends to play Smash on a gamecube every two weeks or so. Bring a few beers, play some good music, pass the controllers around and it's lots of fun. I also co-op a lot with my girlfriend.

I know theres something pleasant about the older smash games, but the new one is really just as much fun and supports 8-player matches. If you are already meeting >4 people bi-weekly get them to cough up some extra cash, or just buy cheaper beer for a few months and get yourselves a wiiu.

But why buy a new device when the old plays just fine? We can also all have a copy of the game and the console at home. Everyone brings their own controllers. It's fun and cheap.

Limiting to 4 players allows the night to be more than gaming night. If all 12 of us are there, it allows for some rotation (most of the time, we will be 4 to 8). While some of the guys/girls are playing, some others can be spectators or be at the kitchen table talking or having some beers. We can even rock both smash and board games at the same time!

The gamecube is really our main console... funny thing is none of us were gamecube lovers when it initially came out. Lots of PC, PS and Xbox players among us. Our only Nintendo time is when it's time to play together.

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

#334

Post by 6stringmerc » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:11 PM UTC

qwertyuiop924 wrote: post #289

6stringmerc wrote: post #260

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not bad, it's actually got some of the best game design and multiplayer options that the steep learning curve (or clunky / hard to play factor as you call it) for a console FPS shooter. A couple major faults (Oddjob) but great level design I think redeems it a whole bunch. I'll stand by it, because later I went on to be a Half-Life and Adrenaline Gamer hardcore player, and HLDM's complexity with the long jump an…

So was Quake. I maintain that HLDM stands amongst the best of Multiplayer shooters: Up there with Quake, Q3A, CPMA, and UT.

Yeah I knew a lot of the Quake and Q2 guys in our circle, definitely quite a high-tier game. We had fun with Q3 but it was definitely a less brutal take on FPS skill than Q2 in my opinion. I swear HLDM was the absolute best because at first when the Tau Cannon could splash damage through walls and arc around corners, there was no other weapon like it in any game. Later Valve patched it down and whatnot, which made it easier on (1)Player population but was frustrating as it mandated a playing style change somewhat.

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

#335

Post by joeax » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:13 PM UTC

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.

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

#336

Post by joeax » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:15 PM UTC

shuntress wrote: post #78

jmcdiesel wrote: post #47

So instead of a portable screen/controller like the WiiU that's separate from the main machine - the main machine IS the portable part that could easily be dropped/broken, now? Or am I missing something? Im failing to see how this design is superior to the Wii U's approach

The wiiu gamepad is only functional when it is within line of sight or about 15 feet of the home console. It isn't really portable. The advantage is that it can still be used while the TV is displaying something else. Yes, this device would have more opportunity to suffer physical damage based on the nature of its design but I think that cost is easily justified.

I have 4 kids and they like to drop things. The very first thing I'm doing is buying a case for it.

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

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Post by aphistic » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:16 PM UTC

GrumpyYoungMan wrote: post #82

Cyph0n wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which struck me as a brilliant idea.

I dunno. I'll grant that it's a clever idea but those half-controllers aren't going to have all the buttons that a full controller does, so games using that mode will be restricted in what controls they have. Plus, the ergonomics is not going to be as good as a full controller as well.

They looked like they're basically small Wii controllers.

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

#338

Post by qwertyuiop924 » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:19 PM UTC

mcphage wrote: post #329

blakeyrat wrote: post #171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Microsoft never dropped local multiplayer. Just as many kids younger than you have those same nostalgic memories about going over to a friend's house and playing 4-player Halo 2 or Rock Band. They might not "focus" on it (whatever that means-- it has the feature, it works, what more "focus" do you need?), I suppose.

> They might not "focus" on it (whatever that means-- it has the feature, it works, what more "focus" do you need?), I suppose. To me, it means many first party titles are designed around using it. For instance on Nintendo consoles: the main Mario series games, Mario Kart series, Smash Bros series, Mario Party series, Mario Sports series, Nintendo Land, Splatoon, etc, etc, are all designed with multiplayer in mind. I…

Indeed it is: Games like Halo heavily de-emphasize it, and games like Titanfall and Overwatch and such don't even have it anymore: Once upon a time, if an MP-only game didn't have Local Multiplayer on console, it would have been laughed out of the room.

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

#339

Post by revjx » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:19 PM UTC

TulliusCicero wrote: post #97

revjx wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Nintendo Shop on the Wii U is reasonable, actually. It's fairly easy to use, discoverability is decent. It's pretty basic but it's (in my opinion) their best attempt yet. Assuming they build on what they've learn from that, I'd hope the store for this system will be even better. My most-wanted feature for the shop is for them to stop forcing me to buy the 'classics' on every bloody Nintendo system I buy! I must o…

The Wii U shop isn't completely awful, but it's pretty bad. Both the 3DS and Wii U shops suffer from two major problems: 1. They're slow. 2. There are far too many screens/taps necessary to do things. Loading each new screen seems to take at least a few seconds, and there are way too many of them. I'd estimate you could remove like half the screens in the 3DS shop purchase flow through better UX design. Just compare…

You're right about the UI slowness. That is a problem for the system as a whole. When it was originally released, returning to the home screen (for example) was incredibly slow - it's marginally better since a system update, but woeful compared to the equivalent functionality on PS4 or Xbox.

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

#340

Post by jetpacktuxedo » Thu, Oct 20, 2016, 6:20 PM UTC

r-w wrote: post #185

dharma1 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

probably the same X1 SoC as Nvidia Shield? Or a new X2? Thought AMD would be their supplier before, but I don't think they have any mobile chips

> Thought AMD would be their supplier before, but I don't think they have any mobile chips What about the A[n] series? Not sure whether those include GPUs.

The A line is APUs, so CPU + GPU on chip. I wouldn't call those mobile chips, though. They drain waaayyyy too much power for that. The tegra line is arm + nvidia gpu on the same SOC, which has way lower power draw (and is already used in some tablets and a chromebook or two).