@Feena: @johncalmc Oh by no means is one app a deal breaker but I think it can be added to the bullet point list that you have a mobile gaming device that might not have the same basic media apps my smartphone or tablet does. Defo one for the end of the list...
The online charge and only having a month to play is, in my mind, crazy. I believe these used to be called rentals or even demo discs back in the day.
Now I may be an idiot, but there's one thing I am not sir, and that sir, is an idiot
I know you can watch Netflix a million different ways but it's such a Nintendo thing to do. I think I lose interest more and more every day. I REALLY want to love the Switch they just aren't giving me a reason too. It's going to take some great reviews and word of month to get me on board.
@johncalmc: Nintendo for the past 2-3 consoles haven't had the BIG new AAA releases. They have lagged behind the other options in this area. The WiiU did get a few specifically built for the WiiU - like ZombiU that really didn't set the world alight - not like its own in-house games. I doubt many will buy the switch expecting Mass Effect, RDR2, CoD, Battlefield etc - certainly not the same standard or content. I really can't see Fifa being as content rich as Fifa18 and certainly won't look as impressive as on the PS4 Pro/Scorpio. Some of the big online games like CoD/BF are also really dependent on their community and size of that on respective consoles. Its almost impossible to get a game in some modes on Titanfall 2 because the user base is small.
Fifa is a game that can be played offline and could even offer linked (linking 2 or more Switches together) play which may appeal to some Switch users and whilst it may not have ALL the teams and players, it can still offer the 'football' experience. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a Madden too but IF these games are very important to you, to have ALL the teams/players etc rather than play just for 'fun', then you wouldn't be in the market for a Switch. That's not really the market that Nintendo are aiming for.
I don't want to use the 'casual/hardcore' definition, but those gamers looking to play CoD are likely to buy a PS4 (as that is the platform associated with CoD and 'professionals'), Fifa is more likely to appeal to Xbox fans as that as extra content but can still appeal to PS4 gamers as its still a complete football game, If you want to play the big AAA multi-platform games, PC, PS4 and XB1 already has that covered. Nintendo offer something different. Something that's hard to find on other platforms. Fun games that are highly polished! Games that can be played in a spare 10mins or so but also addictive and can also be played for hours on end. Games that often suit the 'mobile' experience - a game you can play on the bus, waiting at a surgery etc but addictive enough that you want to play when time isn't so restrictive. Some AAA multi-platform games are not possible to play this way. By the time the opening cut-scene has finished, you barely have enough time to reach the first check point. It can be difficult to follow the story if its broken up by having to get off the bus, go into see the Dr. A game like Mario Bros, you can complete a level or two in 10mins and carry on as soon as you get out of the Dr's or jump on the Bus. I know Zelda is a bit more involved - although I never struggled with GB or DSi Zelda games and OoT/Majoras Mask were 'home based' console experiences - whilst great, were not exactly as deep or involving as Oblivion or Skyrim for example.
Nintendo are, it seems, targeting a different audience and whilst there are 'cross-overs' - as in people that want what Nintendo and Sony/MS offer, they are not 'another' PS/XB - offering virtually identical line-ups with really only the 'exclusives' to separate them. There are a LOT of people that see owning both an Xbox AND PS as pointless because the majority of the games are the same. What Nintendo offer is primarily a different option and something uniquely different. When the Wii launched, it had motion controls that set it apart - at least until the others came up with their version (Move/Kinect). The WiiU wasn't that uniquely different by comparison and the 'screen' controller didn't really offer too much but the Switch has something the others can't offer - versatility. It has the Wii control option straight out of the box (no need to buy a separate/alternative controller like you do with PS move) but also works like a Standard controller. You can game on the go so no need to buy a GBA or Vita and/or separate games. Even if Sony were to make an updated Vita I doubt it would be 'cheap' and I doubt you could buy Horizon:ZD, God of War, ME:A, RDR2 etc and have the same fluidity - especially not if you buy Physical copies. You couldn't just pick up and carry on but would need to save, back up to the cloud, load up the game on the handheld, import the save and then carry on from the last checkpoint - point is I can't see it being as seemless. Additional controllers maybe expensive - are they more expensive than a pair of Move controllers and a new DS4 which is essentially what these are. Its not like you 'need' an additional controller at launch either as you already get a L and R Joycon which allows 2 people to play a lot of games and games like Zelda are only likely to require 1 controller (supplied) anyway. Maybe if 3 or 4 of you want to play Mario Kart or Splatoon split screen, then it could be expensive (not sure if a single Joycon can be used in Splatoon/Fifa etc BUT price up how much an extra 2/3 DS4's would be for 3-4 player splitscreen - let alone Move controllers if you wanted to play games like Dance Central or a Wii Sports style game.
Compared to current home consoles, yes it is expensive. I doubt those looking for single device to play the big multi-plat AAA games would be those looking to buy Nintendo - they are deciding whether to buy Xbox or Playstation. Those in the market for the experience that Nintendo offer, a second console that can offer handheld gaming at a standard well above the current handheld options as well as the ability to sit back on the sofa and have fun, will buy the Switch. The WiiU, also still expensive compared to PS4/XB1, isn't as versatile or flexible.
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@Shellcore: @Rudy_Manchego: Thanks a bunch. Honestly my dream job is just coming up with mean captions for pictures in video game articles. I would never get bored of it.
@Splat: Ugh.. didn't know that. I get the argument that other people are using, but I still think that Netflix on the go would've been a perfect thing. I rather drain my Switch battery when I'm commuting than my phone's. The bigger screen, while no 1080p, is still a plus in my opinion.
I'm sure that the system itself is great, and I don't mind the $300 price either, but there are a ton of smaller issues that already plague the system. And a lot of them have to do with Nintendo's business decisions. Like the voice chat, who at Nintendo said; ''Let's do voice chat through your phone as well! No, wait. Let's remove the voice chat from the system and let's make it exclusive to your phone!'' The initial reveal was done so well, and they managed to shoot themselves in the foot several times over this week. I just don't get it anymore...
@Octane: If you are commuting, chances are you won't be able to access Netflix or get a great experience as it stops when you leave one wifi hotspot leaving you searching for another one to connect to. Phones use a Sim card to access the internet and therefore Netflix so its not so much of an issue. For some it may not be a problem, living in a big city with Wifi hotspots all over the place but I bet not a lot of people can easily access wifi hotspots on non-3G tablets and I bet the quality isn't that great either - not enough to watch something like netflix or even youtube.
I guess if you can link a Smartphone for chat, you maybe able to link the phone for wifi - maybe they will allow streaming to the Switch?
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A Nintendo representative provided the following statement to IGN:
"All of our efforts have gone toward making the Nintendo Switch system an amazing dedicated video game platform, so it will not support any video-streaming services at launch. However, support for video-streaming services is being considered for a future update."
@Kidfried: Honestly, if you write things to be thrown out in public long enough you learn to embrace the negative comments. I've had some beauties in my time. Real, personal vendetta stuff. People really do get mad when people on the Internet say mean things about a video game console they like.
@johncalmc: Quality article John, love the longer articles and that one is ace! Thanks for sharing.
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@Rudy_Manchego: True but you still need to download content when connected and save it to storage to watch when you are offline or can't access the internet. Its still not a primary reason to buy a console and chances are if you have Netflix, you are likely to have access through other devices. I would prefer to watch Netflix or any video content for that matter, on an iPad or similar tablet than a 6.2" 720p screen - even an iPad mini! Gaming on the go is probably better on a Switch as that's its primary function.
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@BAMozzy: Yes, I don't think anyone is arguing that people are buying Switch's for Netflix. Only that people have come to expect online media services/apps on both home and portable devices. At this stage, it is just a given and when they are absent it makes the system that little less relevant. A strong device with a great game line up and customer buy in is not going to miss them too much but a struggling device trying to find a place and appeal to new custom, well it is just one more reason not to buy. Certainly not a major reason but it is something else critics can use to hammer it with when even a £100 smartphone can do it.
Again, I travel a lot and I tend to take a tablet with me for media and a gaming device. I'd love to just take one .
Now I may be an idiot, but there's one thing I am not sir, and that sir, is an idiot
@BAMozzy: I often take two 30 minute train rides, and the WiFi is good enough to watch Netflix on my phone. Maybe the support for Netflix and other multimedia apps isn't that big of a deal, because so many other devices support it. But I think that because every device supports it, except for the Switch, just adds more negativity to the whole deal. It seems that the Switch, as a complete product, is kinda rushed.
@Octane Is the phone connecting to a wifi hotspot or using the Sim card to access internet services?? Could you watch Netflix on that Journey with just a wifi iPad or would you need a wifi+3G iPad? The Switch, at least not this version, is releasing with just a wifi option and so would need to connect to a router or hotspot to offer any online option. For a lot of people, the Wifi is not strong/fast enough to offer video streaming - especially not at a 'decent' and/or watchable resolution. Phones use their Sim card to access the internet over their mobile network. Those devices that don't use a Sim often struggle to receive a decent and consistent Wifi signal and certainly struggle whilst on the move. They only work in small pockets like a cafe offering 'free' wifi access but for most 'wifi-only' devices, they don't work well outside of the home and rarely whilst commuting. If you are 'lucky' to receive a 'wifi' connection on your 30min train ride, then fantastic but for the majority, they would not get wifi access at all. Come to where I live and outside the range of my Router, you won't find a free wifi hotspot for miles and miles around you. In a big City, chances are you may find more wifi hotspots but outside of that, wifi hotspots are very rare.
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@BAMozzy Nope, not using my own data for the internet connection, I often turn it off because I can get WiFi pretty much anywhere. It's not great everywhere, but our public transport has a pretty good WiFi network. I also understand that this option isn't available to everyone, but that's no reason to not support apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Versatility is great, it's the same reason why I would like to see voice chat support through the Switch itself and not exclusive to an app.
According to Nintendo, isn't Zelda the last game being developed for the WiiU? If that is the case, then the Switch is likely to be the only console offering 'new' Nintendo games. I wouldn't be surprised if some/all of WiiU's library comes to switch - maybe not Splatoon with 2 on the way or some of those that 'had' to have the screen controller to work of course.
I have my own concerns about Zelda - not console related - but if I really wanted to play it, not having a WiiU. I would probably buy a Switch. For WiiU owners, I can see why the Switch may not be a day 1 buy as they can pay two thirds of the cost of the game and still play it - maybe not at the same resolution on the big screen but the game isn't as complex or as detailed as something like Horizon or Uncharted for example. If it can hold 30fps - like the Switch version, and its not a game you intend to play on the go, is the £20 difference worth a bit more sharpness? Maybe for some people but some people were happy to play PS3/XB360 versions of games that had far greater differences than just resolution in some games and the costs were not so different either!
A pessimist is just an optimist with experience!
Why can't life be like gaming? Why can't I restart from an earlier checkpoint??
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@BAMozzy If I already had a Switch, the choice would be easy, but now it's €50 for Zelda on the Wii U or €60 for Zelda on the Switch + the Switch itself (€330). Yeah, better draw distance is great, and so is the more stable framerate, but in the end it's still Zelda and the gameplay will be the same. The only real system seller for me is Super Mario Odyssey, so I'll wait for a holiday bundle (or maybe wait even longer than that). I can wait, but Zelda can't, so I'll get the Wii U version.
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