Topic: Nintendo Switch --OT--

@Tasuki Oh dear, you've been converted.

I don't see that game ever running on the system. DOOM is one thing, this is another entirely.

This is when the inherent limitations of mobile hardware (And battery technology sadly) limit what the system with an amazing idea can do.

@YummyHappyPills Nah I haven't been converted, it's just that I find playing these big open world games easier in portable mode then on the TV, mainly cause I don't feel guilty of hogging the tv.

@Tasuki I guess that really depends on individuals and what games they prefer to play on the go. Personally I think the big open world games are better suited to where you game most and for more 'prolonged' periods of time. Games that may have slow progress are better suited to longer play sessions compared to games that may have more quicker progress better suited to shorter sessions. I wouldn't want to spend several minutes having a discussion with an NPC, then relatively long travelling to an area then have to switch off because my bus journey is over. In that time I could have played a level or two and made more 'progress'. I don't like rushing big open world games either and can spend an hour or more getting from A to B because I do a bit of hunting or investigate some area in case they contain some loot.

I do think Assassins Creed Origins benefits a lot from playing on a big screen - seeing all those details they have put in, the size and draw distance of the world also has much more of an impact too. Standing at the top of a building and looking out over the city, seeing the Pyramids a way off in the distance etc looks much more impressive on a big screen. I know you can connect the Switch up but I would still prefer to play on other consoles - especially the Pro/X on a 4k HDR screen

Like I said, that's my preference and I don't exactly have to 'share' my TV or game on the Go so the fact that I can sit and game for 12hrs+ a day if I wanted and in 4k HDR, may well be more influential on my preference where as you may find gaming on Switch gives you much more time to sit and get most from these big open world games because you don't get the opportunity to get so deep in to games on the other console(s) due to limitations on TV access. I know if I had to keep stop/starting these because others wanted to watch TV, I too may prefer the Switch where I don't have to keep stopping for others.

@Tasuki @BAMozzy This has actually been my rationale for never playing Skyrim.

Can I sit down and commit an hour or two to it? Hell naw.

@BAMozzy @YummyHappyPills Exactly that has been my problem with long games especially having a kid, which is why I had a hard time getting into games like Skyrim in the past. Yeah I have other tvs in my house, but who wants to go through the trouble of unhooking a system like a PS4 or Xbox 360 lugging to another room and hooking it up again? I don't. But with the Switch I can just grab the tablet and go to my room.

@BAMozzy while I do understand your point for being on a bus which I agree with and also the graphical power of a PS4 or Xbox One compared to Switch but when sharing a TV means having to give up playing or stopping to play the game, I rather take the hit to graphics then not being able to play it.

@Tasuki @YummyHappyPills @BAMozzy Taking Persona 4 Golden on the Vita aided massively in keeping my attention. I could play for 10 minutes before travelling to work (which is usually dead time) few battles on my lunch break, blast through the main story when my daughter had a nap (I never throw a console on as you never know when she will wake up) play the game whilst watching match of the day etc etc.

Its really hard to go back to a console once you have been given that much freedom in when to play.

Switch is very much that, liberating. The complete opposite of psvr, which I have found to be extremely difficult to make time for.

Of course playing on the main TV is preferred but the mobility does help.

@YummyHappyPills I tend to play big RPG's during the game lulls we get in a year as I don't like starting to play and before I have even achieved anything, I have to stop. In big RPGs, you can spend that time trying to get from A to B and spend all your time just 'travelling'. Other games, I could have completed a mission, chapter, level or two - felt like I have achieved something and made progress.

The last time I gamed n a handheld, it was the odd 20mins here and there - sat in a doctors/hospital waiting room so I had time to complete a level or two of Super Mario Bros, complete a world (get at least a gold star not all 5) in SM64, something along those lines.

As I don't have to share my TV and don't game on the go, IF I had a Switch, my gaming would still be on a TV so it them comes down to which console would deliver the 'best' experience and therefore any game that is on PS4/XB1 will always be played on which ever has the best performance, visuals etc. I certainly wouldn't buy Doom for example when I can play it at 60fps and at the closest visual settings that the devs created - the one that has been scaled back the least. Its no different from picking to watch 4k/50 football on SkyQ instead of 1080/24 on the HD channel or even the SD channel version. I never watch SD when I can watch the HD version and never watch in HD if I have access to 4k so I don't see why I would make gaming an exception.

Its not that I am more concerned about visuals than game-play because I will play XB360 BC games or even the OG Xbox games too but again that's because they are often the highest available visual quality of that particular title but if I have an SD, HD and/or 4k version, 90% of the time, I will pick the 4k version with the other 10% being the games that may offer a greater frame rate but only at a lower resolution.

Big open world games benefit more by being on a big screen - in fact most games do benefit on a big screen - assuming the resolution is a close match so little/no upscaling. Of course those retro looking 8/16bit games probably look better on a small screen - less blocky. ACO though is one of the best looking games of last year - and high res and HDR enhance those visuals even more but then I have plenty of time to sit down and play these, admire the quality of the visuals because no one is badgering me to access the TV.

Nintendo Labo....oh baby I want it and I'm 22.

So the gyro controls in the Joy-Con and IR Camera are used to monitor what you are doing.

So in the piano, the IR Camera catches tape on the keys when you press them...and the game reacts.

The giant robot uses motion controls and the camera to take your movements...and put them in the game.

That's so obviously simple but so cool. It's like...making and being IN the game.

People always talk about "gaming on the go" in relation to Switch, but honestly, the big appeal of Switch to me is being able to comfortably pick up the system and play a game anywhere instead of carving time out of my day to go through the ritual of playing on a TV. That becomes even more important if you have a lot of little distractions throughout the day that make conventional TV gaming inconvenient for you.

Which is why I like to emphasize the system's versatility over its portability. And, as themcnoisy pointed out, it's quite liberating for a number of us.

On the Switch, TV play is a choice I can make to enhance my experience. On home consoles, it's a requirement if I even want to play the game, which can put me off playing entirely if other things are going in the background as well, as they often are.

EDIT: Haha, Nintendo is making their own weird version of Google Cardboard.

Thanks, Nintendo, but I'm keeping my expensive gaming tablet and joycon controllers away from the feet of children.

@Tasuki @themcnoisy I completely understand that both of you have very different circumstances to me. My days of running around after young kids, having to share a TV and having t stop/start depending on others - whether that's my duties as a father with young kids, being a husband and helping out with the chores etc etc are behind me. When I want to game, I can and stop when I want - not because I have to get off a bus, family want to watch something, needing to cook, clean or the usual daily household chores of being a parent/husband.

All my gaming is done on a TV. Unless I end up back in Hospital, ALL my gaming is likely to be done on a TV. I don't have any limitations on when I game at all and have total freedom to game when I want and for how long I want.

My point wasn't meant to belittle the Switch at all and I do recognise that for some, the Switch represents that freedom I have, represents the opportunity to game for much longer periods for them or even snatch opportunities that would be impossible with a standard, static console. Therefore I also understand that for them, the Switch is much better for playing the big open world, slow progress games and their PS/XB is better for those games you can start/stop, make quick progress etc.

@Ralizah Honestly I have not taken my Switch outside of my house since I bought it. And honestly I probably won't.

@BAMozzy Nah I didn't think you belittled the Switch, in all honesty I wish I had the freedom that you do I am jealous 😂 I would prefer playing on a big screen always have but I am just glad that now I have the opportunity to play the big open world games like Skyrim where as before it was nearly impossible.

@KratosMD Referring to Nintendo Labo?

It's not aimed at the hardcore gaming community. It's aimed at appealing to a broader demographic.

It's a cute idea, I just... have to wonder what portion of the existing player base is going to buy into this? And is it going to be a pain to assemble? How durable are cardboard peripherals going to be?

It's like an evolution of the various gimmicky accessories on the Wii. Except more expensive (because children WILL destroy these things, and replacements won't be free). And cardboard.

@Ralizah I will sit my down and build a backpack just to run around as a giant robot.

It's as close to VR as I am medically allowed XD

@Tasuki My 'freedom' though does come with a high price. I am disabled and unable to work so I don't have those commitments or limitations. I have done my time with parental duties etc so fully aware of the way that can impact on your free time to indulge in any 'hobby' - let alone those that tend to take place in 'family' rooms.

If having the freedom to game when I want etc comes at the price of losing my freedom to go out alone, socialise etc whilst suffering from Pain at heavily reliant on medication to get through a day, I think I would much prefer to be in your situation...

@BAMozzy Now I feel awkward. Didn't mean to sound like a douche as I had no idea. What came to mind was a Bachelor with nothing tieing him down. In apologize for my previous statement.

@Ralizah @YummyHappyPills Please take the Labo talk to the Labo thread.

@Tasuki I didn't take it that way so no need to apologise. I too would be jealous of that 'bachelor' life style too but even that can have drawbacks. Anyway, this is a bit off topic - even though it may help to see why we all have different situations which may also help to explain why consoles - like the Switch - are sometimes a better fit for some people and not for others, why some may get more from it than others and not just 'on the go' as domestic situations may mean its perfect within a family situation with limited access to a main TV - such as yours. I agree its much easier to grab the Switch than move a console to set it up else where - that's valuable gaming time wasted LOL

@Tasuki I did. Don't ask after the fact, okay?

I know I said it'd be awhile before starting up another 100+ hour game after finishing XC2, but I just couldn't help myself and started up Breath of the Wild today!

Even though I've just started to dabble in it (just finished up the first shrine), it's already clearly a different beast than any Zelda that's come before. Not much to say on it yet, though I'm not so sure how I feel on the abundance of magitech. I know it's had a small place in Zelda for quite some time, but this is quite a changeup!