BG’s reaction to the Nintendo Switch, and wishes for the future

Nintendo has a brand new console on the way with the Nintendo Switch. And of course, we’ve got a wish list of what we hope to see.

Time for a Nintendo Switch

*Loud clicking sound*

In case you’ve been living in a cave, the Nintendo NX has been revealed to officially be the Nintendo Switch. And as rumored, the game and hardware maker’s latest will indeed be a split system. So it’ll plug right into your TV, but then also disconnect and be able to function as a portable console.

There’s a lot going on with the Switch, including detachable controllers and the ability to function in multiple configurations. It’s honestly pretty exciting, though we’ve yet to see specs on what it can do. Still, right now there’s nothing to not be optimistic about… if Nintendo can correct a few mistakes of the past.

Musts, for me, are pretty simple.

For starters, the Switch needs to be able to keep pace with the current generation of consoles. The reason for this isn’t so much that I’m dying to see Madden (for example) on a Nintendo platform again, but that Nintendo needs third parties and big games to stay relevant. They can’t simply rely on Mario and friends to carry them. We’ve seen what happens there with the last half of the Wii’s run and the entirety of the Wii U’s life. It doesn’t work.

Second, eShop purchases have to carry over. Can we get out of the online-stoneage please? There’s no reason at all why I can’t sign into the Switch using my Nintendo account and not be able to download stuff that I played on my Wii U. Outside of actual Wii U games, which I understand not being compatible (maybe), legacy games should all work right off the bat.

And third, what’s the battery life on the Switch in mobile mode? I’ve played around with the Razer Edge, which was a gaming tablet PC, and the battery was ll but non-existent. Will that be the same story here? If I’m running console games in all their glory (which is what I’m hoping for), then I can’t imagine it lasting all that long on battery power. I hope I’m wrong, but I assume that the Switch’s mobile gaming will mean being chained to an outlet.

So those are my wants as to the Switch, but some of the rest of the BG staff wanted to weigh in as well. We’ve got some pretty big Nintendo fans on board after all, and we’re a picky lot. Quite frankly, there are a lot of thoughts post-reveal. Without further delay, here are some of BG’s writers’ thoughts on the matter.

Dylan – Staff Writer

The switch’s memory is a concern for me, but not because they’re bringing cartridges back. i’m sure full games could fit on carts in this day and age. What I’m talking about is downloadable games, and even save files and add-ons. Nintendo could have external memory options though, instead of having some things saved internally on the system itself. So that’s a though. Think DS games, or maybe even a form of memory card. I can’t imagine the Switch having close to the hard drive needed to download all that many full games. Could be an issue in my opinion.

The company is also aiming for a more adult friendly system, something that pushes the envelope for a new generation. Nintendo seems to be stopping with all the family, dance, and singing stuff, and that’s great. It’s time for them to think bigger, just enough to make a difference. But all and all they are Nintendo, and that’s why people come back to them. It’s what they love. So hopefully they don’t mess that up that magic.

Robb – Staff Writer

The Nintendo Switch is absolutely playing to Nintendo’s strengths of innovation.

It is a smart move to build on the Wii and Wii U concepts already existent, and create new ways to keep the console world fresh and new. Everyone has a tablet, and using the Switch’s functionality of moving your game from TV to Pad is absolute genius. It gives gamers a familiar feel while playing their favorite Nintendo titles.

The controllers are small and easy to fit in your hand, and they seem versatile enough to fit all gamers preferences. Split them up and use them in each hand, keep them connected to the tablet portion and play like a Wii U tablet; the possibilities are what make this system so unique.

While all is well, though, I do still have some questions.

In separating the Switch from its dock, what is the battery life like? A couple of hours or just enough to get a quick 20 minute game? With the controllers being so small, what would be the price point? I would be hard pressed to pay over $30 for the small remotes unless it was the pro remote.

Cartridges are a very bold move on Nintendo’s part, but what does this have to say about visual content? Presumably, whatever you see on your TV will show on your Switch screen flawlessly. Or does the picture stretch? Or will the picture shrink too much, where visuals will be hampered when they switch to the Switch screen?

My biggest question though, lies with the future of the DS.

What will happen to it now? Nintendo is known to be the King of the handheld world. Many have come, but none have usurped them. Will the Switch cause the king to usurp itself?

If I had a tablet version of my gaming console, why would I carry a DS anymore? When I can play a full-fledged Zelda or Mario or (please, oh please) a new Metroid wherever I go, why bother with a dedicated handheld? I’m sure we will hear more between now and March, but Nintendo has a LOT of explaining to do with not only these questions but where the state of their business is going in terms of the hand held market.

Valid points and some interesting questions there from both Dylan and Robb. I’m more than a little worried about the battery life myself.

Our resident Nintendo Editor Micheal had some thoughts on the new console as well. Ones that he broke down by heading. He points to some key wants that he feels will be make-or-break for the company and their new hardware.

Michael S – Nintendo Editor

Miiverse
I really want to see the continuation (and evolution?) of the Wii U’s vibrant (and artistic) console community. It’s constantly been updating with better organization and options, but I wouldn’t say no to more features. Color to add to those drawings? Better ways to look through past work? Further integration into the console? Whatever happens to Miiverse, I hope it comes with us to the Switch!

Virtual Console
It’s time for the Virtual Console to stop sitting idly by. Yes, it needs to expand at a faster rate and include key titles, and yes, all our Wii U purchases should carry over without issue. More importantly (we all know it), the Virtual Console should finally stop kidding around and launch with Gamecube titles on the Switch. They can start it off with Mario Sunshine, Luigi’s Mansion, Melee, and continue the trend they haven’t yet started by constantly updating the library with 3rd party titles and the full 1st party suite. Baten Kaitos, Custom Robo, and Ribbit King, please. What’s the right price for a Gamecube game? They’ve sold Wii titles for $20, so $13 to $15 doesn’t seem outrageous to me.

Risks and Returns
It’d be nice to see a Nintendo once again capable of pushing out titles that might not sell incredibly well, but still have the same level of care as some of their more important games. A plethora of franchises should receive a return (one for every letter of the alphabet, no doubt), a wait that could be alleviated by the Gamecube’s virtual console appearance (please?), and a plethora of ideas should be able to see the light of day.

Fire Emblem recently shed much of its niche statues to become a multi-million seller, showing that it just takes a little change and greater marketing to push silent franchises into the public eye. And Splatoon showed that new ideas are just as likely to capture gamers’ interest as Mario and crew. And, if neither risks nor returns come to the Switch, then let us at least hope that the staples have a bit more to satisfy than the likes of say, Mario Tennis Ultra Smash.