A wide range of concerns have been raised about the Nintendo Switch since its full debut last Thursday. Fair points regarding its smaller sized launch library, in addition to its effort to revive motion controls, have been at the forefront of discussion. The ultimate question will be how these factors weight in on the console's performance
A Reddit user by the name of subscriptionskipper summarized these points in what has become one of /r/NintendoSwitch's most popular posts. It isn't necessarily how it brings up the points that has gotten it enough attention to accumulate over 14,000 upvotes, but rather how it relates the situation to a time in video game history that many might remember. The post reads:
God this console is going to fail. Completely. I mean, what the fuck Nintendo, your only game is Zelda at launch and you're relying on other companies to make ANYTHING for this fucking machine. And your first year looks terrible. I mean, who's gonna buy a game that is LITERALLY just the previous gen version of Zelda but with stupid gimmicks? Maybe they should have released it on the last console sooner. It has no power to compare to Sony, who, btw, is not a stranger to FUCKING OVER Nintendo… And then them basically going "Oh hey look we have motion controls in a game that looks like it's more suited for an arcade cabinet than a real console". And look at their first year. Basically nothing but shit games until Holiday with Mario. Think they can save the entire console with MARIO? Ugh. Anyway, that's my rant on the launch of the Nintendo Wii. Switch looks dope tho, preordered it and will be playing BOTW day one.
Remember the Wii? You know, the other Nintendo console that released with a Zelda game, had a rather unimpressive launch library otherwise, and focused on motion controls? The one that eventually sold over 101 million units? Yeah, that one.
Many would argue that one great launch game isn't enough, and that motion controls are no longer relevant, but Nintendo thinks otherwise. As of right now all we know is that there is demand for the console as pre-orders sold out worldwide within a matter of hours. Nintendo could have a hit on its hands, or maybe not. Time will tell.
Check Out More Nintendo Switch Coverage On GameRevolution:
- Should You Sell Your Wii U?
- The Unknowns of the Switch
- Complete List of Switch Games
- Switch Is Bringing Back Motion Controls
- A Look At the Switch's Smartphone Integration
- 5 Things We Learned About Super Mario Odyssey
5 Things About The Nintendo Switch That Shouldn't Make You Panic
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5 Things About The Nintendo Switch That Shouldn\'t Make You Panic
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Motion Controls
Many people (let’s call them “haters”) were upset that Nintendo continues to pursue motion-based controls with the Switch. While I wasn’t the biggest fan of how Nintendo revealed and dwelled on this aspect (showing how a JoyCon controller could feel like a glass with ice cubes in it isn’t exactly a console-seller), I don’t think that’s enough reason to write off motion controls entirely.
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rnFor all the Wii U’s failings, it had some truly great games, and many of them adequately made use of motion-based controls. It’s a gimmick, but gimmick does not automatically mean bad, and the use of motion controls doesn’t spell panic for me, just yet.
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rnAnd, many games, such as ARMS, will not require the use of motion controls, anyhow. So, if you don't like it, don't use it. -
Joy Con Charging Grip
A lot of headlines are being made right now about the Joy Con charging grip, a $28 accessory that charges your JoyCon controllers. The JoyCon grip that comes with the console does not charge the JoyCon controllers. Obviously, the prospect of having to pay upwards of $30 extra just to be able to charge the very things I need to use the console in any capacity should be concerning. So why aren’t we concerned?
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rnGameRevolution saw this story very early on, before it was being widely reported, and we weren’t impressed. Upon further research, the JoyCon controllers will charge when they are attached to the console itself (whenever it’s in handheld mode), and the battery life of each JoyCon has been reported as around 20 hours.
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rnWhile the JoyCon charging grip would be a nice accessory, it’s just that: an accessory. If Nintendo was asking that you pay extra for a necessary feature, we’d be just as upset as everyone else. -
Super Mario Odyssey
Sure, we already covered the lineup of the Nintendo Switch as a reason not to panic, but Super Mario Odyssey has been a surprising target of backlash at this point.
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rnThe chief complaint? “It’s just Sonic 2006!” Near as I can figure, though, the comparison is being made because they both have a city level … and that’s it. Really? I didn’t know Sonic 2006 had a patent on retro platformers in a city setting, and I certainly didn’t think that it would be so abiding that people look to it as the bastion of city-based retro platformers.
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rnIf I overlooked an element here, please let me know, but I am not impressed with any comparisons thus far, beyond one out of the dozen or so different levels sure to be in Super Mario Odyssey. -
Games Lineup
While the lack of titles specifically ready at the launch of the Nintendo Switch is concerning, the overall lineup of games announced thus far is actually rather impressive, with Shin Megami Tensei, Super Mario Odyssey, Zelda Breath of the Wild, Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
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rnThere’s also something to be said for spreading out your big releases to make sure you don’t flood the market immediately and leave people wanting more in the later months.
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rnThis is not to mention that it’s still possible that more, post-release game announcements are on the horizon, especially around the time of E3 and other like events. Give it some time (and maybe don’t pre-order it). -
Online Services (Not Yet)
As of right now, I’m tentatively giving Nintendo the benefit of the doubt about their online services for the Nintendo Switch. In keeping with the times, the Nintendo Switch will be charging for its online services, effective Fall 2017, after a several-month-long free-trial period. But, the negative spin is that they’re charging for it at all.
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rnAlso, it appears the only bonus that comes along with it is one free NES game that you only get to play for a month, as opposed to PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold that lets you keep the free games they give you for as long as you keep their service.
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rnWhile this is rather concerning, I’m reserving judgement until we get a price for it. If it’s $50-$60 per year, like PS Plus or Xbox Live Gold, I’m out, and I will be grabbing my pitchfork like everyone else. However, if it’s somewhere in the $20-$25 per year range, that’s probably a worthwhile cost. We’ll see.
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rnAlso, we can’t forget that the Nintendo Switch has local multiplayer, making the idea of using its online services optional in many cases.
