Well, with the official unveiling showcase around the corner - let's add all updates and impressions here for this little machine. I know I'm excited to see more :)
https://twitter.com/nintendoamerica/status/788900063833493504
(http://i2.wp.com/cdn.bgr.com/2016/10/nintendo-switch.jpg?w=952&quality=98&strip=all)
10 minutes to the reveal of the trailer can't wait
Video is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5uik5fgIaI
Coming March 2017 - didn't expect that! Better get a couple pre-orders in.
Also surprised they showed Skyrim - but nice to have some 3rd party games confirmed.
The name is epic the nintendo switch ^^
edit:
L_E_T rename the tread to "switch" instead of NX :D
Oh I did - but maybe it didn't save. Changed. shot of the controllers and stuff here too:
(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--BMWinwvB--/sjrtq9b6z3k660docony.jpg)
I feel optimistic about this one though - what do you think FW? price will need to be sensible, but I'll get one for Zelda as long as it's under £400 with the system and game.
So this is my $0.02
It's a very PS Vita type design, and sort of what the Vita tried to be, with the ability to play away from the PS3 or PS4 system.
They are moving to cartridges to try and reduce piracy.
System will more than likely be region locked, just based on my current feelings of how the company wants to go (no hard proof of this)
I am curious what the mobile mode battery life will be for those little controllers and tablet (I suspect 3 to 6 hours)
I imagine the screen repair business is going to thank Nintendo for all the business, because kids will drop and abuse such a large touch screen (the 3DS screen is smaller and harder to break)
I wonder if this is going to replace the 3DS in the end (I think it will, sadly)
Yay, more small parts and accessories to lose and be charged extra for :D
Quote from: L___E___T on October 20, 2016, 07:14:53 am
Oh I did - but maybe it didn't save. Changed. shot of the controllers and stuff here too:
(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--BMWinwvB--/sjrtq9b6z3k660docony.jpg)
I feel optimistic about this one though - what do you think FW? price will need to be sensible, but I'll get one for Zelda as long as it's under £400 with the system and game.
At the moment, the only time i have for playing games is on the train to and from work. I previously looked at the 3DS, but the graphics are quite poor and found them hard on my eyes. So in the end, i went for a PS vita which i have been thoroughly enjoying but have sadly missed my nintendo games.
I'm definitely a nintendo loyalist, but do like and respect the Playstation series also. It is great to see nintendo on the leading edge, rather than play catch up to sony and microsoft. The switch is really what the wii u should have been.
I was worried about recent rumours that the switch would not provide full mobile gaming, but instead some cut down BS mobile version of a game for mobile play while enjoying the full game at home. Thankfully that was not true as it would have killed nintendo's console business for sure!
The question is, will sony and Microsoft turn their consoles into the same form factor? Could be the dawn of a new era in console turned mobile gaming.
Overall, i am so excited for this release and will be buying one. I will definitely get a limited edition console if available at launch.
Also, i heard the vita is great for running nintendo emulators, so i might keep my vita for retro video gaming on the go... Unless we get a flash cart for the switch. 8)
I'm pretty excited about this one, it looks great 8)
Just like I thought! A portable console with a docking station for playing on the TV. I guess it's the natural evolution of the Wii U. But I thought the docking station would also have an optical disc drive for backwards compatibility with Wii U, but it doesn't look like that in the trailer.
Cartridges are more suitable for a portable device so I don't think it's so much about piracy. It's using cartridges for the same reasons that the 3DS is doing it.
I wonder if it has any advantaged when docked besides ability to hook up to the TV.
Quote from: P on October 21, 2016, 07:20:27 am
Just like I thought! A portable console with a docking station for playing on the TV. I guess it's the natural evolution of the Wii U. But I thought the docking station would also have an optical disc drive for backwards compatibility with Wii U, but it doesn't look like that in the trailer.
Cartridges are more suitable for a portable device so I don't think it's so much about piracy. It's using cartridges for the same reasons that the 3DS is doing it.
I wonder if it has any advantaged when docked besides ability to hook up to the TV.
Having an optical drive will just make it more bulky and fatter and also more expensive because in order for them to have backwards compatibility with the wiiu they will have to put wiiu 's cpu because they are running on a different architecture . Think of it how the first models of ps3 had some ps2 components in order for the console to be able to play ps2 discs .
I meant an optical drive for the docking station only, not for the portable part. That way you could play Wii U discs at home.
Yeah PS3 is too different from PS2 for backwards compatibility to work well. But the Gamecube, Wii and Wii U are all using the same PowerPC family of processor architectures so that's why they are capable of such accurate backwards compatibility. However, I haven't heard what hardware Nintendo Switch will use yet, I read somewhere that the GPU is apparently going to be Nvidia.
I'm definitely buying one!
The only downside will be the online service which will be a monthly-subscription starting Fall. They are following Microsoft and Sony footsteps there but hopefully it'll be cheaper (and better than Sony's, but that ain't hard I guess ;D)
Yup, pre-ordered this morning before they sold out, mainly for Zelda at launch and this:
(https://media.eventhubs.com/images/2017/01/13_sf2-new06.jpg)
Looking forward to online multiplayer-enabled NES and SNES games though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ti9rFafwTw
Notable points:
Price Japan: 29 980 yen
Price America: $299.99
Region Free!
Joy-Con:
Two removable wireless controllers
Joy-Con L: Up, Down, Left, Right, Analogue L-Stick, Minus Button, Capture Button, L, ZL, SL, SR, Acceleration Sensor, Gyro Sensor, HD Rumble,
Joy-Con R: A, B, X, Y, Analogue R-Stick, Plus Button, Home Button, R, ZR, SL, SR, Acceleration Sensor, Gyro Sensor, HD Rumble, Motion IR Camera, Amiibo Reader/Writer
Each controller also has a SYNC and Release button, but I don't think they can be programmed, so they don't really count. Also 4 LEDs indicating players.
The grip seems to have no functionality besides being ergonomic.
The analogue controller sticks also doubles as buttons, like the analogue joysticks on Dualshock.
No real D-pad? The directional buttons seems to be individual buttons so that it's possible to push two opposing directions at the same time. I guess it's to make the controller more compact so they can be used like normal face buttons as well.
The rumble motors "HD rumble" are quite advanced and can simulate the feeling of holding a glass of ice or water.
The SL and SR shoulder buttons can be used when holding each controller like a Famicom controller. They seems to be inaccessible when the Joy-Cons are docked to the base unit or the grip since they are placed on the rail.
The Pro Controller seems to have all buttons of the Switch controller except SL/SR and the directional buttons is a real cross button D-pad. I guess it doesn't have all the sensors though.
There are the Joy-Con Strap that can be slided on to each controller, and adds a strap and two bigger SL/SR buttons.
Both Joy-Cons and Straps comes in other colours. That's good I think the matte black looked really boring on the Switch.
In other words lots of gimmicks. I love that! :)
Screen: 1280 x 720 progressive, 6.2 inch, multi-touch, light sensor (automatically adjusts brightness)
Resolution on TV: Up to 1080p
Internal Storage Memory: 32 GB (partly used by the system), expandable via SD cards.
Seems like Nintendo got ahold of more third-party developers this time around? That bodes well.
Super Mario Odyssey looks fun, and of course Zelda!
They got Söderlund's name totally wrong. It should be ソーデルルンド and not ソーダランド! Amateurs!
Another disappointing underpowered console by Nintendo...
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 05:14:18 am
Internal Storage Memory: 32 GB (partly used by the system), expandable via SD cards.
Talking about the storage. Why adding less storage and make it hard for the player. the GC games size are 1.5 GB, Wii: 4.7 GB / 8.54 GB, Wii U: 25 GB, Switch
expect 25-35 GB.
They seem to throwing every gimmick possible at the thing. I was fairly sure it wouldn't have a touch screen, because of the whole docking station thing, but there you go. I'm worried all those gimmicks will just mean the system lacks a clear focus, since some of gimmicks are mutually exclusive.
"HD rumble" sounds like the most pointless thing ever. But then, I always turn rumble off for gamepads if at all possible. Don't care for it personally.
It's amusing how Nintendo has gone completely off the hook with separate parts. There's the console. The dock. Two Joy-Cons. Two Joy-Con Straps. The Joy-Con Grip. Back in the FC days it was just the console and you couldn't even remove the controllers. Now there's tons of parts to lose track of...
Lookit that, they managed to resurrect Wild Gunman yet again!
Major props for being region free, though.
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 05:14:18 am
Seems like Nintendo got ahold of more third-party developers this time around? That bodes well.
Wii U had plenty of third-party devs "signed up" when the system was revealed, but most never actually did anything with it. Give it time.
Quote from: Mo-hd on January 13, 2017, 06:59:15 am
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 05:14:18 am
Internal Storage Memory: 32 GB (partly used by the system), expandable via SD cards.
Talking about the storage. Why adding less storage and make it hard for the player. the GC games size are 1.5 GB, Wii: 4.7 GB / 8.54 GB, Wii U: 25 GB, Switch expect 25-35 GB.
You're not going to be installing the games to it, though. The storage is for user profiles, save files, virtual console games, DLC, etc. Still a really small amount, mind. Cheaper for them to put in 32GB and let people buy their own SD cards.
Quote from: Mo-hd on January 13, 2017, 06:59:15 am
Another disappointing underpowered console by Nintendo...
We don't know the specifications yet. Storage memory is like the least interesting parameter.
Quote from: Ghegs on January 13, 2017, 09:57:25 am
"HD rumble" sounds like the most pointless thing ever.
Yeah I also have trouble figuring out how this could be meaningful in a game. But I like Nintendo's spirit of inventing, and I think most of the earlier gimmicks like the Wii's nunchaku remocon and the DS touch-screen was great ideas. Although I don't think every game needs to use them. Some games are best played using traditional controllers.
Quote from: Ghegs on January 13, 2017, 09:57:25 am
Major props for being region free, though.
Finally! ;D
Although the suggested price here is much higher than in Japan at the moment, so I might still be importing the console as it looks now.
Quote from: Ghegs on January 13, 2017, 09:57:25 am
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 05:14:18 am
Seems like Nintendo got ahold of more third-party developers this time around? That bodes well.
Wii U had plenty of third-party devs "signed up" when the system was revealed, but most never actually did anything with it. Give it time.
I see, the system just never took off enough for developers to make anything. But still Nintendo's portable consoles has always been popular, so I think Nintendo will have a better chance this time. It's like the sequel to the DS/GameBoy series.
Quote from: Ghegs on January 13, 2017, 09:57:25 am
Quote from: Mo-hd on January 13, 2017, 06:59:15 am
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 05:14:18 am
Internal Storage Memory: 32 GB (partly used by the system), expandable via SD cards.
Talking about the storage. Why adding less storage and make it hard for the player. the GC games size are 1.5 GB, Wii: 4.7 GB / 8.54 GB, Wii U: 25 GB, Switch expect 25-35 GB.
You're not going to be installing the games to it, though. The storage is for user profiles, save files, virtual console games, DLC, etc. Still a really small amount, mind. Cheaper for them to put in 32GB and let people buy their own SD cards.
Yeah and since the games comes on cartridges instead of optical discs, installing games is totally pointless. Accessing the cartridge is probably not any slower than accessing the SD card or internal storage memory.
I always buy the cartridge version of 3DS games (save for the ones I got for free in campaigns), as I think the download version is just a ridiculous waste of space and too risky if my SD card breaks after Nintendo's download service has ended so I won't be able to redownload them.
Download versions of games and download exclusives will probably still be available though, like on the 3DS.
Quote from: Mo-hd on January 13, 2017, 06:59:15 am
Another disappointing underpowered console by Nintendo...
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 05:14:18 am
Internal Storage Memory: 32 GB (partly used by the system), expandable via SD cards.
Talking about the storage. Why adding less storage and make it hard for the player. the GC games size are 1.5 GB, Wii: 4.7 GB / 8.54 GB, Wii U: 25 GB, Switch expect 25-35 GB.
I think most of nintendo's consoles have never been the market leaders in power, but so what? For me, 720p is fine, especially on a small portable screen.
Since nintendo have unified a portable and home console into one I think it guarantees success. Also, having the joy cons split into two separate controllers is great for social play. I think these are the two most important features of the system and will be the game changer for nintendo.
I never bought a 3DS, because the screen was too small and graphics weren't good enough so i was forced to get a ps vita. The vita is good, but have a small game library due lack of support from sony in the west, plus i don't get nintendo games on there :p I only get a chance to play games on the train so the console must be portable. For me, a nintendo switch is exactly what i need. I have preordered the switch for day 1 pickup with zelda and am looking forward to it.
Quote from: GreenKoopa on January 14, 2017, 01:43:04 pm
I think most of nintendo's consoles have never been the market leaders in power, but so what? For me, 720p is fine, especially on a small portable screen.
Yeah with the exception of Super Famicom. It had a slow CPU with only 3.58 MHz in the best cases (PC Engine had 7.16 MHz and Mega Drive had 7.67 MHz) but was otherwise very powerful.
The Gamecube was also powerful, more so than the PS2, but it still didn't stand a chance against Sony. Then came the Wii and PS3 and this time around the PS3 was the more powerful and was the one to loose to Nintendo (it started to sell later though). So yeah powerful hardware can't be that important.
The Switch built-in screen is 720p. On the TV it supports up to 1080p.
Oh and I discovered two more buttons: The analogue sticks also works as buttons when pushing them, kind of like the Dualshock's analogue joysticks.
Looks good to me. Release schedule is a little light. But the fully-loaded console launch is ever the elusive promise, so whatever. Holiday 2017 should be pretty rad, though.
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 10:54:02 am
Quote from: Ghegs on January 13, 2017, 09:57:25 am
Quote from: Mo-hd on January 13, 2017, 06:59:15 am
Quote from: P on January 13, 2017, 05:14:18 am
Internal Storage Memory: 32 GB (partly used by the system), expandable via SD cards.
Talking about the storage. Why adding less storage and make it hard for the player. the GC games size are 1.5 GB, Wii: 4.7 GB / 8.54 GB, Wii U: 25 GB, Switch expect 25-35 GB.
You're not going to be installing the games to it, though. The storage is for user profiles, save files, virtual console games, DLC, etc. Still a really small amount, mind. Cheaper for them to put in 32GB and let people buy their own SD cards.
Yeah and since the games comes on cartridges instead of optical discs, installing games is totally pointless. Accessing the cartridge is probably not any slower than accessing the SD card or internal storage memory.
I always buy the cartridge version of 3DS games (save for the ones I got for free in campaigns), as I think the download version is just a ridiculous waste of space and too risky if my SD card breaks after Nintendo's download service has ended so I won't be able to redownload them.
Download versions of games and download exclusives will probably still be available though, like on the 3DS.
I know that Nintendo make the console as less cost as can. but when i think about future games that may added to the VC make me a bit disturbed. even if they add the 3DS games sizes are 1-4 GB. the Switch Supports Memory Cards Up To 2TB so purchasing an SD for download games is must.
BTW i'm happy to see Xenoblade Chronicles 2 :star:
I seriously doubt it will be powerful enough to emulate 3DS games. Adding 200 GB flash would maybe almost double the price, and adding a mechanical hdd is out of the question for a portable device like this.
32 GB is the same as the Wii U Premium, and that is a non-portable optical disk based system that actually benefits from running the games from flash memory (although it also supports external harddrives). Unless there are games that save lots of data I don't think storage will be a big problem. A big SDXC card is probably nice to have though.
Yeah Xenoblade looks cool. Although it's the third game, they give it the number 2. They probably want to forget that X even exists.
BTW I think it's time for a new F-Zero!
Quote from: Ghegs on January 13, 2017, 09:57:25 am
They seem to throwing every gimmick possible at the thing. I was fairly sure it wouldn't have a touch screen, because of the whole docking station thing, but there you go. I'm worried all those gimmicks will just mean the system lacks a clear focus, since some of gimmicks are mutually exclusive.
"HD rumble" sounds like the most pointless thing ever. But then, I always turn rumble off for gamepads if at all possible. Don't care for it personally.
2 guys I know got to go to the NSwitch event in Paris and said the HD rumble was quite a good surprise. You may not like it but I'm certain it'll has its uses (and personally I like controllers with rumble)
I imagine it could be usefull in motion controll situations. Like when aiming with a bow it could maybe shift the weights to simulate the bow and string getting tensioned or something.
We'll just have to wait to see how good it actually is.
They better have good third party games or I'm going back to my disk system! AWA!
Quick check on our dear beloved forum - has anyone else cancelled their pre-order yet? I'm on the verge of scrapping mine.
Haven't cancelled mine, but the hype in me really died down a bunch.
With that said I'm still looking forward to opening up the box, setting it up, and playing with it.
It's going to suck having to fork over $60 for a game and maybe $70 for another controller to play with friends just because they couldn't include a pack in game. I'm actually really worried that when I get mine I'll have nothing to play on it.
It will suck if by the holiday 2017 season there haven't been any significant releases. I will get pissed if I buy Zelda now and then the only next justifiable game to purchase is Mario around November while they introduce a $50 price drop.
They need games like Resident Evil 7, Shenmue 3, Double Dragon 4, and random other ones like that that I would look forward to. If it's just Zelda, Mario, Mario Kart, Metroid, and Super Smash Bros like every other god damn Nintendo console of the last 15 years then I'm totally selling mine.
I agree - £50 for a game on an N Gage card is overstepping it by a lot IMO. And then £70 for a controller is nuts.
I only really want to play Zelda, and I could just get a cheap used WiiU to do that, at any point in the future right?
I've already decided I am not going to get one right now after all. I bought two pairs of designer shoes instead so I will just cancel my pre-order.
If anyone in the UK here is desperate for one they can have my pre-order at cost - it's already sold out everywhere.
Haven't cancelled since I never pre-ordered. I might wait a little until after launch and see if prices goes down.
But I'm not any less hyped than before, especially not now when they just anounced a whole bunch of new Fire Emblem games (although only two is for Switch and one of them is just a Fire Emblem-themed Musou game), and I still really want to play the new Zelda.
Quote from: Raverrevolution on January 19, 2017, 12:14:30 pm
Double Dragon 4
Haha yeah I always also wanted a modern Double Dragon title.
Quote from: P on January 20, 2017, 09:04:01 am
Quote from: Raverrevolution on January 19, 2017, 12:14:30 pm
Double Dragon 4
Haha yeah I always also wanted a modern Double Dragon title.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Dragon_IV :)
We need more games for the switch. games from the past. im happy to see the return of Double Dragon with Wonder Boy and Super Bomberman R.
What I thought you made it up! Cool! This needs to come to Switch!
Edit: Zelda will be dubbed and no dual audio boo! You can change the language but that means text will also be changed.
I'm getting a Japanese Switch just in case...
Also, DFC intelligence (apparently some company that guesses how much video games will sell, or something) is predicting the Switch is going to sell 40 million units by 2020 based market research and statistics. That would be nice, I'm tired of seeing people playing crappy smartphone games.
40 million isn't tons - I would hope and expect they could sell double that. Generally, the landscape says it's just priced too high.
In any case, I just cancelled my Switch pre-order. Having so much fun with NiOh and PS1 games. I'll grab one later in the year.
Yeah, 40 million isn't terribly much in this day and age. To compare to last-gen consoles, PS3 and Xbox 360 both sold about 84 million with Wii selling 101 million units. (Source (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_game_consoles#Home_game_consoles))
I'll wait and see how it goes. If it gets good third-party support, then I'm in. Nintendo's own games have never tickled my fancy that much.
Quote from: Ghegs on January 22, 2017, 07:50:56 am
'll wait and see how it goes. If it gets good third-party support, then I'm in. Nintendo's own games have never tickled my fancy that much.
Honest question: if you're in it mostly for third-party support, why go for a Nintendo console vs Sony or Microsoft?
Quote from: UglyJoe on January 22, 2017, 08:11:47 am
Honest question: if you're in it mostly for third-party support, why go for a Nintendo console vs Sony or Microsoft?
Even third-party games can be exclusive to a single platform. I actually don't have any of the current-gen consoles, the newest systems I have are Xbox 360 and Wii. Neither PS4 and Xbox One have enough exclusives that would interest me, so I'm just waiting to see what Switch gets. If nothing, I'll just skip this console generation as well.
At the end of the day, I go where the games I want to play are. I do have a fairly high-end gaming PC so that covers modern, multi-system releases and 99% of indie games. If Switch gets, say, a new F-Zero (hopefully developed again by Sega, which would kind of make it a third-party game) then that's a system seller for me right there.
The Switch's portability would allow me to play games both in my gaming room and the living room couch with minimal hassle, that'd be nice and convenient, definitely a plus for me.
So I tried the Nintendo Switch at the UK Premiere, I liked what I saw and play pretty much. ARMS was a fun game for like 5 mins and then it lost my interest, it's just like boxing from Wii Sports or whatever they included and expanded it. 1-2 Switch was an awfully boring tech-demo with the best 'game' being the one where you predict how many balls you're holding. Yay.
The Joy-Cons are really small, it has normal buttons for a d-pad and the analogue stick isn't really that movable. Also, no analogue triggers. Very futuristic of Nintendo.
My favourite games that I played were Zelda:BotW and Sonic Mania. Zelda was amazing with the Switch Pro Controller - it felt like the Xbox One except with digital triggers which is strange considering if Nintendo ever decides to port GameCube VC there'll be games that won't work properly.
I also played Mario Kart 8: Deluxe and well, it's Mario Kart 8. Splatoon 2 was also a lot like Splatoon on the WiiU except now you use a traditional controller (the Pro Controller) or the Switch Tablet with the Joy-Cons. No more map on the GamePad.
Btw, Nintendo charging to play online.. yeah, no. Keep it, Nintendo. What's even worse is that their "free" games are only free for a month and then if you want to keep them, you have to pay. :mario: :mario: :mario: One last thing in regards to the online, the voice-chat is done through an app not on the Switch but on a smartphone. Wow.. Nintendo. :upsetroll:
Post Merge: January 22, 2017, 10:09:46 am
I pre-ordered the Switch from GameSeek for £198.50 and they seem to be honouring it so I'm happy about that. Besides the console, I also pre-ordered Zelda:BotW standard copy and limited edition for below their RRP. Aaand Mario Kart 8: Deluxe too.
The Pro Controller is really overpriced but with time it should drop to £40-45 or less. Hori will have its own Switch Pro Controller for £27.99 so if I like what I see, I'll get that. I couldn't stand playing Zelda with the crappy tiny Joy-Cons, just too damn small!
Quote from: Ghegs on January 22, 2017, 07:50:56 am
Yeah, 40 million isn't terribly much in this day and age. To compare to last-gen consoles, PS3 and Xbox 360 both sold about 84 million with Wii selling 101 million units.
I guess, but on the other hand consoles are going down in sales even in Japan nowdays. According to the link Ghegs posted, only the 3DS and PS4 even reached 40 millions in the last console war.
Quote from: Ghegs on January 22, 2017, 09:31:11 am
If Switch gets, say, a new F-Zero (hopefully developed again by Sega, which would kind of make it a third-party game) then that's a system seller for me right there.
Me too (well actually Zelda already sold me).
Quote from: FamicomRetroGamer on January 22, 2017, 10:06:48 am
Btw, Nintendo charging to play online.. yeah, no. Keep it, Nintendo. What's even worse is that their "free" games are only free for a month and then if you want to keep them, you have to pay. :mario:
I'm told Microsoft and Sony already did this nonsense for a while now. I don't get it, you buy games so you can play them anytime you have time and with no fear that the game will disappear right? Only arcades and rental games gets away with this, and things like Karaoke Joysound since that's more like a service than a game. I can't see why people would accept this kind of ridiculousness.
PS4 is still a relatively young console but has sold 53 million units globally, not too shabby.
Great pre-order price you got there FamicomRetroGamer - let's hope they stick to that.
In the end I'm glad I can forget about this for now, Nioh is right around the corner...
I also have bills to pay, a house move and many other things to pay for soon!
If the new F-Zero were developed by Bandai it would be great too. I'd like to see Platinum Games take a chance at making an F-Zero game despite that they usually only make action-adventure titles.
Been thinking about pre-ordering Super Bomberman but I dunno, I would probably only play for 5-10 mins and then change to Zelda or whatever game.
Call me crazy, but I'd love to see an F-Zero game made by SEGA's AM2. Have they announced something though? F Zero games don't sell well, I didn't think we'd see another.
I know there are more people that are a fan of AM2. Too bad that it's not selling though. I guess the series didn't hook on the younger generation.
Nothing anounced, we are just hoping one of the series we grew up with will continue to thrive. I mean Pikmin, Star Fox, Zelda and Mario all got new games in their main series so it's time for a new F-Zero IMHO.
Another series I'd like to see again is Eggerland.
Pikmin 4 seems like it was pretty much finished sometime in 2016 yet there are no news about it for the Switch. It would be unfortunate if Pikmin 4 became Pikmin 3DS (downgrading an HD game to SD).
I'm not a fan of the Joy-Cons but it'd be a game to make great use of it and the HD rumble would definitely make the experience even better.
Update 4.0.0 (http://switchbrew.org/index.php?title=4.0.0) apparently added compatibility with the Gamecube USB adapter for Wii U last week! It's an undocumented update so I guess it's mostly used for testing and stuff. But unlike the Wii U that only used it for Smash Bros, its inputs are treated like the Pro Controller buttons by games. In other words it works more or less with supposedly all games that uses the Pro Controller.
Of course as it's missing the motion controls, NFC-read/writer (not sure why you'd need more than the one on the right Joy-Con though), HD rumble, Minus button, Home button, Capture button and ZL button. The Gamecube Z button is conveniently mapped as the ZR button and Start/Pause is mapped to the Plus button. The Minus and ZL are used in games quite a bit though, so many games are limited with the Gamecube controller. Also I don't know if it allows games to read the analogue L/R sliders (does the Pro Controller have analogue triggers?).
Edit: Oh and the Pro Controller also have pushable joysticks. The Gamecube controller are missing those too.
This is great news to me anyway. I think the Gamecube controller is probably the most ergonomic controller there is, and although the button layout is a bit weird I think it's one of the best controllers and I was sad that the Wii U mostly dropped its support.
It's not replacing the Pro Controller, but it's good for people like me that already have a lot of Gamecube controllers and a Wii U adapter, and use with Mario Kart 8 or maybe an upcoming Smash Bros game.
I think it's a nice surprise. I'm sure there'll be "DX" versions of Smash, New Super Mario Bros. and Mario 3D World too in time.
I also think we'll see some Gamecube games on the eShop before long. Including Melee and F Zero.
That is a really cool update, I'm all for it since I still have some GC controllers in storage.
I don't see much Switch talk on this site since it first launched. How many of you purchased one or are planning to? I bought one in September and am very happy with it. So far I have 8 games (4 digital, 4 physical). :mspacman:
I've been planning to buy it since launch but have been delayed for various reasons. I'm currently in the middle of a move to Japan for a job there so I'll have to wait until I'm settled. I don't want to buy a lot of stuff to bring there.
I plan to get a Switch with neon blue/red controllers, Pro Controller, some kind of pouch and screen protector because of the supposedly easy to scratch screen. Also possibly the neon green/pink joy-con set as extra because I like green, and maybe the charge grip at some point.
I'm not sure how big of an SD card I should get though. At first I thought 32 GB internal storage memory was very large, but I noticed that modern games are extremely large nowdays. All the free and non-free download programs and games I have on my 3DS is starting to fill up my SD. But SD cards are getting expensive at bigger sizes. A 512 GB SDXC is like half the price of the Switch and even a 256 GB is like $70 here (hopefully cheaper in Japan though). Maybe I'll just start with 256 GB and upgrade later if I need to.
For cartridge games I plan to get 1 2 Switch, Zelda, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Odyssey.
For download games I'm not sure but I have my eyes on VOEZ and FUZE Studio.
But I also have to get a Wii U some time soon, and then there's all those Amiibos. Oh well...
Quote from: P on October 29, 2017, 07:33:27 am
I'm not sure how big of an SD card I should get though. At first I thought 32 GB internal storage memory was very large, but I noticed that modern games are extremely large nowdays. All the free and non-free download programs and games I have on my 3DS is starting to fill up my SD. But SD cards are getting expensive at bigger sizes. A 512 GB SDXC is like half the price of the Switch and even a 256 GB is like $70 here (hopefully cheaper in Japan though). Maybe I'll just start with 256 GB and upgrade later if I need to.
I have yet to snag a SDXC card, but you'd probably be best to do at least 128GB to start. The internal drive is 32gb (I think ~26.1gb of useable space). I've also heard that newer games such as NBA 2k18 take up as much as 30gb of memory from the system.
In regards to the latter half of your message, be careful with memory cards depending on where you choose to buy them! The largest capacity card to date is a SanDisk 400GB, so anything at higher storage doesn't exist, is a fake card, etc. :crazy:
Yeah I heard there are some really large games out there, I'll definitely not buy the digital version of any game available on cartridge. I'll use the storage memory strictly for download-only games, apps and other data. I have more physical space than virtual.
And if the Switch offers as many free downloads as the 3DS does, it's going to fill the SD card quickly.
I understand that if they had added more internal flash it would probably have become too expensive to sell. It probably makes the most sense to make the storage size user-choosable via SD cards. But I don't like that save files are confined to the 32 GB internal flash. I guess they are afraid of hacking exploits or something.
Thanks for the warning! I'll be careful.
Quote from: Yelir on October 29, 2017, 06:10:36 pm
be careful with memory cards depending on where you choose to buy them! The largest capacity card to date is a SanDisk 400GB, so anything at higher storage doesn't exist, is a fake card, etc. :crazy:
Oh I noticed the Switch is using micro SD cards (despite being bigger than the 3DS which is using normal SD), I was looking on normal sized SD cards. Biggest micro SDXC is 400 GB although the SDXC format technically allows up to 2 TB. Good to keep in mind.
Also I was wrong about the prices. The 128 GB are like $70 and 256 GB are half a Switch. 512 GB is the price of a full Switch!
I think I'll settle with a 128 GB after all, unless SD cards are crazily cheap in Japan or something. It'll only be used for download exclusives, DLC and other data as said.
I think there are going to be a lot of download exclusives on Switch just as a heads up, and they will be large in size too if they are ports..
The cartridges seem expensive for publishers to buy, even before they try and sell them as full games. I think this is why SF2 costs a lot.
Ah yeah Nintendo has always made a lot of money on monopolizing cartridge manufacturing for their systems ever since the NES and late Famicom era.
Hopefully 128 GB will be enough, at least until SD card prices have lowered further.
Because storage memory manufacturers always "lie" 128 is probably really around 120 GB though.
I have read (http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/10/guide_how_to_use_two_or_more_micro_sd_cards_in_your_switch_for_limitless_storage) that you can use multiple SD cards. You need to completely power down in order to (safely) swap the cards, but it's possible. I'd rather snag a few 32gb or 64gb cards during sales than spend a bunch on some monster card.
It's an idea. I think that's technically possible on the 3DS too but would be really inconvenient as the SD card slot isn't so quick to open (the New 3DS apparently even requires a screw driver!) and you are limited on how you can merge files from both cards, it's really not recommended on the 3DS.
But on the Switch it looks like you just open the kickstand and push the SD card out, and according to that article it seems you can redownload games on your other card (save data is always present on the internal 32 GB memory) so you can have the same games on two cards at once?
I finally bought a Switch! :D
I got the Switch before any games arrived (besides 1-2 Switch which has almost zero singleplayer content) so I bought Arcade Archives Mario Bros from eShop to have something to play and to see how the new "Virtual Console" is on the Switch. It's a bit more than a standard VC game though as it has several modes. Original Mode is launching the (supposedly) original arcade ROM in the emulator, although I think the score can be uploaded to internet hi-score lists. You need to insert credits manually and all like in Mame. Then there are two more modes that changes the rules: Hi Score Mode and Caravan Mode. I only tried these very briefly. Caravan Mode only let's you play for a limited time so you have to try to get a high score early.
I'm missing all the preinstalled content that the 3DS have that I could play before my games arrived. The Switch has even less preinstalled stuff then the Wii had.
So then Zelda Collector's Edition arrived and I played the first two dungeons so far. It is kind of how I expected it from what I heard about it. It's fun to just run around and explore things, and the difficulty so far is finally pretty good unlike all other Zelda games after Link's Awakening. I mean that you finally have to be careful to not get killed by enemies again. Also falling from a high height often kills you instead of draining a fourth of a heart like in Ocarina.
I also downloaded Karaoke Joysound but the headset port doesn't seem to be supported as a microphone (not even 100% sure that it is a headset port like on the 3DS). Seems I need to get a Wii U microphone or other USB microphone.
I bought the Pro Controller as well, and while it's the most comfortable controller option I think Zelda plays totally fine with the Joy-con set as well. The grip felt a bit slim at first but it's not really anything that you think about when playing a game. I guess the Pro Controller is to be preferred in 2D games (Mario Bros plays fine with the Joy-con though), but now it's really just an extra controller to me.
The one thing I don't like about the Switch so far is that it's tedious to turn it off. You have to hold the power button 5 seconds to access a special menu and then find the shutdown option hidden under a second set of options. I guess it's meant that it should always be in sleep mode, so much for saving energy.
Even though I never cared for Nintendo's latest consoles since I last had a Gameboy Advance (and yes, it was that long ago), I wonder if the Switch is any good or better, doing a better performance than the WiiU in terms of sales and that, where I heard that was a major flop. It's not that I'd ever get one as my days of gaming are long gone, I'm only curious about it in general. Besides, while there may be good titles here and there, there's still that saccharine casual crap that you see on the TV ads.
I think it's time to do some necroposting, since after numerous rumors, a new Switch revision, the Nintendo Switch Lite, has just been revealed! ;D
Soon there will surely be updates and new information about this new system but for now, what are your thoughts on it?
I was hoping for a Pro and a Lite. I was convinced they would announce the Lite first as it's the easiest to sell and most people play in handheld mode. I like that it has a D-pad, but I don't like the colours. So I won't get one.
I personally like the design and the addition of a D-Pad, but I'm not a big fan of losing TV connectivity, so that you're stuck on that small screen. I had been thinking on saving enough money for getting a Switch, but even after seeing this I honestly still prefer the original model.
The price point however seems a little bit tempting, so there are probably still lots of people who are buying this.
And yeah I think you shouldn't get one if you already have the original model, it's clearly intended to be a cheaper, alternative way of playing, not a replacement.
By the way is there really a reason to release a Switch Pro so soon? I mean it's not like the Switch is really underpowered.
I'm planning to get a Switch Lite, even though I have a Switch, mainly because I use my Switch as more of a handheld, and I could use a more portable Switch, and the actual D-Pad is a nice touch, even though I mainly use the analog stick for 2D games (Yes, I can hear the purists gasping.), The three colors are very odd, even with the context that this is geared more to younger audiences. (I'm personally picking turquoise.) Also, I've barely played 1-2 Switch or Nintendo Labo, so the removal of some of the Joy-Con features probably won't be an issue, except for singleplayer Super Mario Party, since it requires a single Joy-Con atm, no matter the way you play, However, this could be fixed with an update. Now I'm left with one (probably dumb) question, which is: Does the Switch Mini just have normal, non-HD rumble, or is rumble ditched altogether? Anyways, I apologize in advance if this reply turns out to be inconsequential and/or useless.
P.S. Should the Switch Lite stuff be it's own thread?
We don't need more threads Boye - resist the temptation.
Adori are you serious? The Switch is under-powered as a current gen machine for sure. It's closer to a mobile platform than console. Depends on what you're comparing it too, but I still feel my iPhone is more powerful.
I like Switch, I should play it in TV mode more. I used to play it a lot but fell back into FC & SFC.
Not sure they'll announce a Switch Pro so soon but I'm sure it's not too far away. Maybe next year.
Gonna stick with my OG switch. The lite is a good idea and low enough to he tempting but frankly I like the OG stuff. I was the same with the PS4. Until there is a graphical upgrade then the OG switch is good enough for me. ;D
Quote from: L___E___T on July 10, 2019, 01:36:32 pm
We don't need more threads Boye - resist the temptation..
I meant as in someone else creating said thread; I don't want more useless threads.
Quote from: boye on July 10, 2019, 02:32:30 pm
Quote from: L___E___T on July 10, 2019, 01:36:32 pm
We don't need more threads Boye - resist the temptation..
I meant as in someone else creating said thread; I don't want more useless threads.
I posted it here so we don't have to make another thread that also talks about Switch updates, I think it's better off the way it is now.
Quote from: L___E___T on July 10, 2019, 01:36:32 pm
Adori are you serious? The Switch is under-powered as a current gen machine for sure. It's closer to a mobile platform than console. Depends on what you're comparing it too, but I still feel my iPhone is more powerful.
Oh I am aware that the Switch is underpowered just like most Nintendo consoles at launch, and I do agree that it definitely needs some improvement, but my biggest concern is to release it so soon in the system's life.
I can't help but looking at it as a way of dividing the fanbase, since obviously in order to make the Switch Pro worthwhile there has to be exclusive games for it, and I don't like the fact that even if you own a Switch you can't play a game designed for a Pro system, I see it as if the company no longer considers your system as their main focus, and even developers have more things to consider when releasing software: As in " Should we make a game using rumble and Joy-Con features, knowing that it won't be compatible with the Lite model, or making it so that it can take advantage of the Pro model capabilities but offering an inferior experience for those who have the original model, or offering all of this for each system, knowing that it will take more time to adapt the game to work properly in each model?"
That's how I see it, but eventually an upgrade will be necessary, just that it should happen a little bit longer, a few years would be enough.
-No TV mode
-Joycon permanently attached (although separate Joycons and maybe Controller Pros are supported via bluetooth)
-No built-in HD-rumble
-Strange choice of available colors
-Only compatible with games that support portable mode (and table mode I guess)
I'm not impressed. I guess this is a budget version of the Switch like the 2DS models are for the 3DS. The only good thing about it may be the d-pad, but I have no problem with the G&W-style separate d-buttons and if the d-pad is like the Pro Controller then it isn't really a good thing at all.
Also how can you charge Joy-cons for it if there is no dock? I guess you need the Charge Grip and charge it directly using the AC-adapter.
As for a Switch Pro I'm with Adori, I hope it doesn't come anytime soon, since I don't want to buy another system now. The Switch is really too young to die.
If they don't have a fix for the awful Joycon sticks crapping out, similar to problems I had with the 3DS, then I won't ever buy one until it's too cheap to pass up.
What problems do you have with the joysticks and 3DS slide pad?
Googling I found out that they may be subject to drifting, registering moves without the stick being touched, due to dirt getting inside.
I was going to say. I have never had those problems with the switch or DS
I know you can replace the joysticks easily enough if there is a persistent problem.
Quote from: L___E___T on July 11, 2019, 09:20:34 am
I know you can replace the joysticks easily enough if there is a persistent problem.
Taking apart Joycons is a task in itself, not to mention it voids your warranty. Those shoulder buttons are really tricky to get back in just right. If they weren't such a hassle, I would have already put my Switch/joycons in one of those slick translucent casings.
The Switch Lite should be sub $200. I think $150-$175 would be a way more appetizing price point than $200. I see barely used Switches selling for around $200 with a game included on my local Facebook Marketplace.
As for a Switch Pro, I'd be way more into that. More space on the joycons so that the right stick was decently ergonomic would be high on my wishlist. Ideally I wish Nintendo could just make a dock that was somehow able to beef up certain things in a stock Switch via the USB-C port while concurrently giving it better ventilation and maybe a built-in gamecube adapter, but I don't think there would be a way to improve the processing power of the Switch just via USB.
When it comes to "splitting the fanbase" between the different iterations, Sony and Microsoft have shown that isn't an issue. Most games include 4K/HDR support as an option in the game settings and the base models just don't support it. Nintendo is really the only company to screw that up, considering their whole New 3DS line was only properly utilized with a handful of games, most of which weren't first party. If Nintendo would allow a little more wiggle room on changing certain game settings, I don't think that would be as much of an issue on Switch as it was with the 3DS.
Quote from: nintendodork on July 15, 2019, 02:38:00 pm
but I don't think there would be a way to improve the processing power of the Switch just via USB.
You could, if a GPU was built into the dock, and the external GPU overlaid its image over the normal Switch GPU. So, it isn't really increasing the Switch's power directly, but the Switch could send data to the external GPU through USB.
Yeah and the image is also already sent via USB-C, so I guess it's fast enough already as is.
QuoteTaking apart Joycons is a task in itself, not to mention it voids your warranty.
But if you still have warranty on the controller, taking it apart yourself shouldn't be your problem.
I'm not keen on bigger Joycons. They are a bit on the small side and not as ergonomic as the Pro Controller, but if they got any bigger, the portability of the console would take a blow, and it already is on the heavy side for a portable system. I guess people that thought the Wii nunchaku controller was hard to hold comfortably, might have similar problems with the Joycons though and would like them bigger.
I think more processing power is welcome though. Porting games from PS4 doesn't seem to be problem-free. The recently released Igavania game Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night seems to had problems with its Switch port, and DQ XI S will probably be technically inferior to the PS4 original (although not by much it seems, and it will be superior in content which is what matters anyway).
Quote from: nintendodork on July 15, 2019, 02:38:00 pm
considering their whole New 3DS line was only properly utilized with a handful of games, most of which weren't first party. If Nintendo would allow a little more wiggle room on changing certain game settings, I don't think that would be as much of an issue on Switch as it was with the 3DS.
The same thing kinda happened with the DSi, which had a decent amount of DSiWare exclusive titles (although most of them were lousy indie games with very few exceptions), but barely any physical releases (I think there were only 5 of them), making the DSi really not worth it if you were looking for great new exclusive games, and the removal of the GBA cartridge port didn't help either. If Nintendo made games compatible with all systems but offering more features for the Pro model and some exclusive games taking advantage of the new specs it would be a much better way of selling the Switch Pro (and of course I'd be a fan of waiting a few years for its release).
Oh, and by the way another Switch revision was also recently announced, which allegedly improves battery life, so that's nice I guess ::)
As for drifting Joy-Cons, it's apparently a much more common problem, common enough to file a lawsuit against Nintendo. https://gonintendo.com/stories/340387-switch-joy-con-drift-class-action-lawsuit-officially-filed
I think I experienced joystick drifting, although very brief. I was working on a course in Mario Maker 2 and the Mario cursor started moving on itself downwards. I tilted the right stick up a bit and it stopped. I hope it won't get worse. I usually use the Pro Controller in most games though, and only use the Joy-Con for Mario Odyssey (which only uses left stick), Tetris 99 (which hardly uses the joysticks at all) and games that requires the joy-con (like Super Mario Party), so it's the least used joystick that got the symptoms.
Now it sounds like Nintendo has finally admitted the problem and are going to fix it for free for everyone. Good to hear.
Quote from: P on July 24, 2019, 04:00:32 pm
Now it sounds like Nintendo has finally admitted the problem and are going to fix it for free for everyone. Good to hear.
If this were true, I wonder if there would be fine print to repairs. I have 6-8 Joycons and unfortunately they all have this issue at some point in gameplay... :-\
Quote from: Yelir on July 24, 2019, 05:55:45 pm
Quote from: P on July 24, 2019, 04:00:32 pm
Now it sounds like Nintendo has finally admitted the problem and are going to fix it for free for everyone. Good to hear.
If this were true, I wonder if there would be fine print to repairs. I have 6-8 Joycons and unfortunately they all have this issue at some point in gameplay... :-\
I believe they know they'll have to repair tons of Joycons, so I don't think there will be a limit on how many can you send for repair, as long as you bought them and have the warranty, it should be fine (or you could send them using different names and addresses in order to bypass the limit, in case there's one) :P
Okay, here we go again. A new Nintendo Switch has been revealed, this time around, it's the so-called "Switch Pro"! :o
Kinda. Its major selling points are a bigger, OLED screen, better audio and kickstand and a LAN port on the dock, all for $350, 50 dollars more than the base Switch model. What do you think?
For me it's a cool upgrade, although certainly not worth losing sleep on. All changes they made are definitely for the better, and it will be the definitive way to play Switch games from now on. All these changes were cosmetical and/or functional, better specs are pretty much out of the question, I wish we had gotten something a bit more powerful and up-to-date with next gen systems, but it's Nintendo being Nintendo I guess.
This is good news to me. I was worried that we would see a new DSi or New 3DS type of upgrade, but the only potentially software-affecting change here is the doubled storage memory, which probably won't affect software at all. So there is no risk of new Switch games not working with or having missing features on the old Switch. I have a late launch year model which I think will probably be the ideal model in the future since it has the unpatchable hardware exploit yet is possibly more stable than launch models (just guessing though).
We never know if a a real Switch Pro with 4K might come some time later though.
OLED technology seems to me to be very flawed with its burn-in problems. I know people who paid lots of money for an OLED TV which only lasted about a year. Not very good on a video game system. Better speakers is nice though and the stand is very poor on the original Switch so that is also a welcome update (but it sounds like it probably still can't charge while standing). An ethernet port on the dock is not bad either. I wonder if the dock can be used with the original Switch as well.
Quote from: P on July 06, 2021, 01:02:44 pmThis is good news to me. I was worried that we would see a new DSi or New 3DS type of upgrade, but the only potentially software-affecting change here is the doubled storage memory, which probably won't affect software at all. So there is no risk of new Switch games not working with or having missing features on the old Switch.
Exactly! This is what I liked the most about the new system, no "Switch OLED game exclusives" or stuff like that, just a functional update. I know some people are furious for not having a more powerful system but for me it's the wisest decision they could've made.
Quote from: P on July 06, 2021, 01:02:44 pmWe never know if a a real Switch Pro with 4K might come some time later though.
For me it's very unlikely, mostly due to the price. 4K handhelds (which are basically miniature PCs) are two or three times the price of a regular Switch, years must pass until something affordable can be done.
Quote from: P on July 06, 2021, 01:02:44 pmOLED technology seems to me to be very flawed with its burn-in problems. I know people who paid lots of money for an OLED TV which only lasted about a year. Not very good on a video game system. Better speakers is nice though and the stand is very poor on the original Switch so that is also a welcome update (but it sounds like it probably still can't charge while standing). An ethernet port on the dock is not bad either. I wonder if the dock can be used with the original Switch as well.
Really? I thought OLED screens were pretty much as durable as LCD ones, and for a system you're supposed to use constantly, I hope people don't start complaining in some years their screens are having dead areas or flat out stopped working.
As for the dock compatibility, Nintendo just confirmed the docks are interchangeable and will work with either the regular or the OLED model, same goes for Joy-Cons.
The Japanese version is named the 有機ELモデル (Yuuki-EL Model) but 有機EL just means Organic-EL (Organic ElectroLuminescence) which is another term for OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode).
Yeah there have been talk about making OLED better for years, as it ages faster than any other display technology including CRT, LCD, plasma and non-organic LED-displays. But evidentially it's still pretty bad as the case of my friends with OLED TV-sets shows. In many games you often have a static HUD, and in single screen games like Pacman the whole screen may be static for hours without a screen-saver activating which can cause a burn-in on any type of display (one of my friends got a burn-in on his OLED from a HUD in a game he played a lot).
We can hope that OLED has advanced since and Nintendo is using a type that lasts longer. I would be happy to be wrong about this.
Edit: It sounds like the OLED model is compatible with the old dock, so I guess there is no reason the old Switch couldn't be used with the new dock with the ethernet port (unless they deliberately locked it out). Nintendo says the OLED model won't fit in all Nintendo Labo constructions due to the slightly different size. I'd guess things like Joy-Con are identical and fully compatible.
Yeah I guess 4K would be too expensive even if it's only for TV Mode. I only have a 15 kHz CRT and an LCD HDTV that only goes up to 720p and 1080i at most with no plan to buy a new flatscreen TV anytime soon, so I have little use for 4K myself (I can't even use the current Switch's 1080p feature).
So after a little over 4 years of owning a Switch, I finally ran out of space and bought an SD-card for it. I have over 10 cartridges and all my downloaded programs are download exclusives (including the Switch online emulators and all the Smash Bros DLC which is at 7+ GB). So in hindsight I can now say that the Switch lasts a good while with just the 32 GB internal storage memory, but you will most likely eventually need more space even if you don't buy the DL-versions of games that can also be found on cartridge.
I had been planning to pick up a 128 GB card all this time, but thankfully SD-card prices has fallen greatly since 2017, and now a 256 GB card is not too much more expensive per GB than a 128 GB card which in turn isn't too much more than a 64 GB card per GB. That little extra expense is really worth it if it allows me to avoid using multiple SD-cards, so I went ahead and bought a 256 GB card. :D
I learned that the Switch don't come with exFAT drivers (because Nintendo would have to pay a fee for including them) so they are instead installed with an update only prompted the first time you insert an exFAT-formatted SD-card. Even if using FAT32, I suppose it's a good idea to insert an exFAT-formatted card at least once just to nab the drivers sometime before Nintendo ends the Switch internet service one day.
I heard that Nintendo's exFAT drivers are buggy though and might corrupt the SD-card, maybe I should go with FAT32 after all...
4 years for constant use is quite a good statistic tbh. I've heard some people say 32GB will only last you about 6 months, but they don't seem to realize games and updates on Switch are smaller in file size.
As you say SD Cards are indeed coming down in price and are still cheaper than buying HDDs for typical consoles so I guess that's certainly an advantage of going all-digital on the system. It's something I wouldn't really do as I prefer cartridges but the option is there.
I suppose 6 months are for people that are going all digital which I didn't do. Cartridges are just more convinient and cheaper since you don't have to pay as much for SD-cards, even 256 GB would probably not last very long if I had downloaded all my 10+ cartridge games.
I do have one concern of cartridges however, as I learned that they supposedly don't use mask-ROM technology anymore but write-protected NAND flash-ROM in the 3DS, Switch and possibly even in some DS cartridges. Flash-ROM is susceptible to bit rot because of electron leakage, so the 3DS refreshes the cartridge and repairs any rotten bits using advanced error-correction when power is on to prevent this. Not much can happen with mask-ROM other than the metal or silicon itself deteriorating, because the data is stored in its architectural design rather than in electron charge.
Now I hear that they don't use flash for Switch cartridges after all so I'm not really sure.
Oh wow, I didn't know that, but I did hear some people were afraid of their 3DS cartridges getting corrupt and I didn't know why.
Whether Switch carts are flash ROM or not I don't think it's that of an issue to completely move to digital, they still represent the superior option storage wise, and if the console repairs the rotten bits as you said then it's just a matter of inserting the game onto the system from time to time.
Yeah well I think the main problem is that they have shorter life than mask-ROM. Programmable ROM (like EPROM, EEPROM and flash-ROM) are typically only guaranteed to not leak for around 10 to 20 years while mask-ROM should probably last at least 50 years (my own wild guess) unless stored in bad conditions (exposed to humidity, dust, static electricity etc).
SD-cards and the internal storage memory of course both use NAND flash-ROM technology and has similar problems as 3DS cartridges.
Thankfully these systems are hacked, ways to dump the internal ROM and encryption keys are found out, and cartridges and DL-exclusives are preserved by pirates and preservists. Hopefully DLC, updates and firmware versions are also preserved.
Oh I see, I thought they had the same working life. Always thought flash ROM was superior in every way to mask ROM. And as for preservation, yeah the Switch has been hacked in numerous ways so games aren't lost in any way, hope the same applies for DLCs, as I don't see the same interest in preserving those as
saving the full game.
Yeah and especially as there are so many updates and DLC everywhere for every game. Like those 3DS Fire Emblem DLC that requires certain, now discontinued, trading cards only sold in Japan.
It certainly were easier in the good old days when games could not be released if they were not complete and thoroughly tested (well in most cases), expansions were rare and mainly for disk-based systems, and any updates and bugfixes would require a second cartridge release.
That's ceirtanly something that was better back in the day, incomplete games were pretty uncommon, unlike today where there's no real incentive to 100% finish developing of a game if the missing content can be adder later, and even sold for an extra price. Al least some rereleases help preserve the DLC content if it gets included in the base game, making it easier to access.
The Switch has run its course for the five year length, so next year or so we should see an announcement of its successor.
That said, the Switch is a great Nintendo console, but the games no longer feel complete because there's either updates, dlc, or whatever that needs to be downloaded or else you're stuck with a version just somewhat playable.
Mario Strikers for example is a very barebones game and Nintendo intends on making it better with online updates... Um, okay.