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Hi guys, I recorded a quick audio log of my thoughts immediately after attending the Nintendo switch hands on preview. The footage taken is from my phone and nothing special, just filler for the sake of showing what the event was like that is relooped halfway through.

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I also just saw the prices of the switch peripherals and games, frankly I was disgusted. I felt that I needed to record an extra ten minutes of audio to voice my concerns. The prices for the games and accessories for the switch are purely Nintendo gouging its fanbase. Nothing can justify the prices here, in my opinion if these prices are not lowered by a good 30% across the board the switch is DOA and will fail.

 

[geodeath]

Im definitely not disagreeing with you, the thing about Switch is that it has access to the portable and home console markets, seeing as how the new rumoured Pokemon game will be coming to it, Launch doesn't even matter, if marketed properly (with an appropriate price drop and a bundle) This machines launch will be insignificant, i feel Nintendo are rushing this console out for Q1 and Q2 just because they can, they know the hardcore fanboys WILL pay for those ridiculously high prices, but the mainstream will just buy the console for Zelda and wait on Mario. They want to capitalise on this to show massive jumps in popularity once Pokemon/Mario come out. This will increase stock, and I think that's why they're doing things this way.

That brings me to my next point, while Switch is definitely not as powerful as XBONE/PS4 one must keep in mind that their launch prices were much higher than Switch's instead we should compare mid gen switch prices with mid gen PS4/XBONE prices rather than Launch switch vs Mid gen PS4. Also, while switch is weaker it isnt massively, and im pretty sure a lot of people are sick of me saying this, BUT the UE4 presets indicate switch is running it at high showing there is some power behind it.

Next is support, right now it is too early to tell, the only third party devs that were at the event were Sega and EA (FIFA is somewhat big in Japan). This was because this was a Japanese stream for a Japanese audience, we wont be seeing that many Western games because of this as literally all the Games we say teased were JRPG's or first party titles, I think we should hold out our judgement until after e3 which will allow us to see a lot more western games on Switch.

This brings me to launch titles, I believe Emily Rogers has said that the reason it is so sparse is because they (Nintendo and some third party devs) didnt want to compete with Zelda at launch because it would be so massive. Thats why elder scrolls (If someone can confirm is it special edition?) will be coming September. Launch it seems is not Nintendos focus for Switch and as I had said it seems theyre trying to pick up momentum during Q3 and Q4.

I'd say switch is basically dead till Q3 with very few games until the floodgates open Q3. Nintendo are playing it well IMO, they seem to know what theyre doing, i for one wont be touching this console until next year but I have my hopes up and am Optimistic for e3 (Where theyll show off GC VC/ Mother 3/ Pokemon/ mario/ Metroid/ Third Party)

Also the grip has a battery in it, its different from the one that comes in the console as that one is just a holder.

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The switch pro controller, is expensive simply because it has the haptic rumble and motion controls.

I don't know, it might be as you say but in my opinion, launches do matter because they bring a wave of interest from people normally not interested in. This is why i downloaded Pokemon for my phone, just to see what it is all about. Obviously i lost interest quite fast and got rid of it, but in the meantime they benefited from numbers of downloads to show they have a good product. Of course a launch is not the end if it does not go well, but it is one of the points where you get to benefit the most. Launches, christmas times and summer releases are all important in the lifecycle of video games & consoles and by starting with high prices they turn many people away. Also, let's not forget that not all players are crazy enough to buy all consoles (i do) which means that once somebody buys a ps4 or an xbox one he might not have the money or the will to buy a second one, thinking it is too much to own 2.

You are right, when comparisons go, that we should compare mid market switch prices to the ps4 right now, HOWEVER and this is a very big however, they are going to be offered next to each other in video game shops, so parents and prospective buyers will not think like this, they will rather think what their wallet is going to look like after the purchase and what they are getting for it. Also let's not forget that usually, prices for consoles do not drop immediately or quickly. Usually it takes a good amount of time to get a drop.. I will definitely get one but i sincerely, sincerely wish (some part of me) that they will go the software route and show to the devs on other machines how it is done...

 

[TheDarkGreninja]

I don't know, it might be as you say but in my opinion, launches do matter because they bring a wave of interest from people normally not interested in. This is why i downloaded Pokemon for my phone, just to see what it is all about. Obviously i lost interest quite fast and got rid of it, but in the meantime they benefited from numbers of downloads to show they have a good product. Of course a launch is not the end if it does not go well, but it is one of the points where you get to benefit the most. Launches, christmas times and summer releases are all important in the lifecycle of video games & consoles and by starting with high prices they turn many people away. Also, let's not forget that not all players are crazy enough to buy all consoles (i do) which means that once somebody buys a ps4 or an xbox one he might not have the money or the will to buy a second one, thinking it is too much to own 2.

You are right, when comparisons go, that we should compare mid market switch prices to the ps4 right now, HOWEVER and this is a very big however, they are going to be offered next to each other in video game shops, so parents and prospective buyers will not think like this, they will rather think what their wallet is going to look like after the purchase and what they are getting for it. Also let's not forget that usually, prices for consoles do not drop immediately or quickly. Usually it takes a good amount of time to get a drop.. I will definitely get one but i sincerely, sincerely wish (some part of me) that they will go the software route and show to the devs on other machines how it is done...

I agree. Also something quite interesting has arisen, Switch might be a quite a bit more powerful than rumoured to be (about 2x power) https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/5nynp4/foxconn_leak_was_definitely_true_guys/ thanks to those foxconn leaks a while back. Launches do matter, but, it seems Nintendo might be testing the waters with the Switch in terms of popularity for Q1, i feel its really more like a soft launch than a full launch, even though anyone can buy it, only a few will makes sense why Nintendo only want to sell 2 million by the end of March to see if it supersedes that goal or reaches it and if it supersedes it, they'll be marketing it less and trying to get as many games as possible and if it just reaches it I think theyll try to market it more and show off us much as possible to get the hype going again.

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

Jeez, thought you hated the switch?

Stop putting words in my mouth. I loved the Switch with the Pro Controller but loathed playing with the Joy-Cons as it was too small and imprecise.

 

[TheDarkGreninja]

Stop putting words in my mouth. I loved the Switch with the Pro Controller but loathed playing with the Joy-Cons as it was too small and imprecise.

I shouldnt say hated, but I remember mentioning the EG rumours being true and you were a little pissed. Change of heart?

 

[WiiUBricker]

There are some people who are disappointed that the Joy-Con don't have a real digipad. From your experience, how do the four buttons replacing a traditional digipad feel?

 

[mechagouki]

There are some people who are disappointed that the Joy-Con don't have a real digipad. From your experience, how do the four buttons replacing a traditional digipad feel?

Playstation owners don't seem to have ever had problem with it:

I played a great deal of Super SmashTV back in the day, it used the ABXY buttons on the SNES controller as a second D-pad for 8-direction shooting, never had a problem with, one of the best arcade ports on the SNES actually. Still play it occasionally.

 

[TheDarkGreninja]

Playstation owners don't seem to have ever had problem with it:

I played a great deal of Super SmashTV back in the day, it used the ABXY buttons on the SNES controller as a second D-pad for 8-direction shooting, never had a problem with, one of the best arcade ports on the SNES actually. Still play it occasionally.

But the playstation one isnt circular. Its not really an issue in most games, I'll be buying a pro controller along with it once mario odyssey comes out like many others.

 

[mechagouki]

True, the pad itself is actually one piece - slightly different tactile feedback, probably important in games like Street Fighter that require accurate 1/4 and 1/2 circle movements. that said, the contacts on the actual board inside are still just 4 separate switches.

C-buttons on N64 were used as second d-pad in some games. They even have directional arrows on them.

 

[TheDarkGreninja]

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/immersion-nintendo-bring-touchsense-tech-to-switch/
What the fuck is nintendo up to? This would definitely make $299 worth it.

 

[air2004]

Don't mind me fapping to your voice

That emoji is funny as hell Where did you get it ?

 

[Foxi4]

You do realize that the DS4 d-pad consists of one piece of plastic and only appears segmented? Moreover, you do realize that all d-pads are four separate buttons on the PCB? It's the plastic cap and the way it balances against those buttons that makes a d-pad, electrically both are the same, but the implementation makes them more or less useful in certain scenarios.

 

[mechagouki]

You do realize that the DS4 d-pad consists of one piece of plastic and only appears segmented? Moreover, you do realize that all d-pads are four separate buttons on the PCB? It's the plastic cap and the way it balances against those buttons that makes a d-pad, electrically both are the same, but the implementation makes them more or less useful in certain scenarios.

Umm, did you actually read my post?

True, the pad itself is actually one piece - slightly different tactile feedback, probably important in games like Street Fighter that require accurate 1/4 and 1/2 circle movements. that said, the contacts on the actual board inside are still just 4 separate switches.

 

[Foxi4]

Umm, did you actually read my post?

I clicked the reply button on the wrong post, it's my bad.

 

[mechagouki]

I clicked the reply button on the wrong post, it's my bad.

NP, I was surprised is all, your posts are normally informed and well written.

 

[AshleyCummings]

seems way to overpriced ..I'm Happy im not jumping im saving for a laptop not this thing x.x in the future if & when it gets a AC game then maybe so far no game has one me over I can get zelda on the WiiU ..

 

[FrozenDragon150]

Worth the money if it's gonna have all Nintendo games focused on it :3

Plus, all the controller features and settings are just *_____*

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Holy shit after price conversions Zelda is still >10 pounds more expensive than the US version

That's DEFINITELY a NoE problem. Since the Switch is region-free I'd almost suggest just importing games online

 

[Deleted-355425]

using a US account for digital purchases too from within the UK.

 

[TheDarkGreninja]

Holy shit after price conversions Zelda is still >10 pounds more expensive than the US version

That's DEFINITELY a NoE problem. Since the Switch is region-free I'd almost suggest just importing games online

Taxation on imports would equal the price, actually.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Taxation on imports would equal the price, actually.

If you're buying physical, no reason one couldn't buy off of the US store digitally (should have worded that a lot better)

But yeah, European physical buyers (GB, anyway) look like they're kind of getting screwed... Unless you can find someplace to actually import with super cheap shipping, I feel for you guys :c