Nintendo Switch

^ Yeah, and for you it probably won't be a big deal in that case, so really it isn't even a downpoint about the Switch. Personally Splatoon 2 is my most anticipated game for it so I definitely am going to need to be paying for the online play if I want that game.

In case you missed the release window of games here it is again.



If I get the Switch on release I will only get Breath of the Wild and maybe Super Bomberman R so that I have other game to play. I'm kind of surprised that Xenoblade 2 also seems to be coming out in 2017 for North America due to how long the Treehouse takes to translate games.

Switch is gonna be $470 here, which I'm pretty sure is more than what the Wii U was at launch... 

Honestly after this Switch conference I'm not looking forward to it at all anymore. Almost everything about it seems awful and the games announced so far do nothing for me. There's no way I'm paying for online so that rules out getting Splatoon 2, pretty much the only new game I was looking forward to it. The only positive is that it's region-free and that's it. 

I'm sure I'll pick it up eventually, but right now the Switch doesn't look like something I want to buy. That conference was really bad.

I'm definitely not getting it launch day, but depending on what the prices are looking like for the online service (aka not as high as PS4/Xbox) I will probably be getting the Switch the day Splatoon 2 launches, along with ARMS. At launch there is nothing that interests me other than Breath of the Wild, which is also on Wii U. 1-2 Switch looks like fun, but if it's a nearly full price separate game I don't think I'm gonna buy it. And a lot of those other games I can also buy on other consoles.

Nintendo has answered some questions about the Switch.

The following responses come from Nintendo...
Backwards compatibility and VC on Switch: 

The Nintendo Switch system is not backward compatible with games designed for other systems, and is not currently compatible with controllers designed for other systems. Support for certain controllers may be considered for a future update. We have nothing to announce regarding Virtual Console or other types of digital purchases at this time.
How if at all does the Switch connect to Wii U and 3DS owners’ existing accounts?
We have nothing to announce at this time.
Will the Switch be compatible with existing Virtual Console purchases?
We have nothing to announce at this time.
Will the Switch have its own library of Virtual Console games that starts from scratch, or will it bring over the Virtual Console library from 3DS and Wii U?
We have nothing to announce at this time.
How will SNES online functionality work? Which games will it support?
We have nothing to announce at this time.
For those concerned about the 32GB of storage, how will that work for playing downloadable games? How will it work for DLC and patches?
The Nintendo Switch system has 32GB of internal NAND memory, a portion of which is reserved for use by the system. The system’s internal memory can be easily expanded as needed using microSDXC cards.

The SDXC standard supports up to 2TB of storage. (Note that 2TB cards are not yet on the market, but Nintendo Switch will support them when they are.) External USB hard drives are not supported at launch, but we are researching the possibility of supporting them in the future.

If no microSDXC card is used, everything is stored in internal NAND memory. If a microSDXC card is used, game save data is stored in internal NAND memory while data that can be redownloaded, such as digital games, game updates, and DLC, is stored on the microSDXC card. Nintendo Switch game cards are non-writable; game save data is stored in internal NAND memory.
Is there a trophy or achievements system?
We have nothing to announce at this time.
On Switch game bundles
There are no games being bundled with Nintendo Switch

Every launch is different, and with each one we try to make the best decision for the consumer, marketplace and our company. We believe the hardware configuration at the price point we’ve chosen is a great consumer value. The consumer will have their choice of great software for the system..
How does the Share button work? Does it allow you to capture video as well as screenshots? Will it allow you to stream on Twitch or YouTube?
The Capture Button is located on the Joy-Con (L) controller and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and lets users grab screenshots from their games. They can then view, edit (add text of various sizes, colors and positions) and post them to social media. The original unedited screenshot is also saved. We are planning to add the ability to record video in the future.
Switch won’t have Miiverse - will there be Miis? Or any other equivalent?
While Miiverse will continue to be supported on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems, our approach with the Nintendo Switch system is to make greater use of other established, broadly used social platforms. For example, captured gameplay screenshots can be shared on popular social networks, and social features such as voice chat are possible with smart devices through our app.

There is a Mii Maker on Nintendo Switch. The software to create Mii characters is now located in System Settings, and no longer resides on the HOME menu as a standalone application. You can also create a Mii character from the Profile screen. Making Mii characters is similar to the method used on past systems.

Mii characters can be used to represent a user profile, but are not required. Users also have the option to choose a profile picture from an included library of Nintendo character images. Mii characters can still be used in games if developers choose to include them.

You can send/receive Mii characters through local wireless communication between Nintendo Switch systems, or use an amiibo figure to transfer Mii Characters from Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems.

Mii characters on the Nintendo Switch system are similar to past iterations, but they have some different options. More facial components and colors for hair and skin have been added, while the following attributes have been removed: creator’s name, favorites, birthday, copying, and “public.”
Will Switch support Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO Go, or any other streaming services?
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.
Will online stores be region-free or just cartridges?
The Nintendo Switch system is not region locked, but we recommend that players buy games within their region to ensure full service and support. The user will access the Nintendo eShop that corresponds to the country identified in their Nintendo Account. (Up to eight user accounts can be created on a single Nintendo Switch system.)

Coming from a Kotaku Q&A with Nintendo...
Q: Will online stores be region-free or just cartridges?
A: The Nintendo Switch system is not region locked, but we recommend that players buy games within their region to ensure full service and support. The user will access the Nintendo eShop that corresponds to the country identified in their Nintendo Account. (Up to eight user accounts can be created on a single Nintendo Switch system.)

Source

Wow.. No eshop to connect the older consoles with for the Switch? If they're not careful, it could kill a lot of interest in it impo. Still, this is a lot of good information to know before deciding to get one.

^ Well they said there was nothing to announce at this time, meaning they will give more details later. Honestly that probably means that WILL be there on the Switch.

Zero Revolution wrote:There was nothing to announce at this time, meaning they will give more details later. Honestly that probably means that WILL be there on the Switch.

I wouldn't go holding my breath if I were you.

Similarly to Wii U, the Nintendo eShop on Switch will be available day one! I am Setsuna has been confirmed to be available on that day, no others have just yet, but I expect more details once Nintendo reveals the new eShop.

I kind of expected this but it's nice to get confirmation. I hope to see some more cool eShop games available launch day.

At least it will be there day one unlike the 3DS. It would be nice to hear about VC soon as while.

Here's the new big overview trailer for Nintendo Switch!



This definitely shows off the system well, it's nice to see it's biggest games all in one trailer like this. Imagine if this had been the reveal trailer, I would've been a lot more excited for it when it was first shown off.

Here's how much it will coast for the yearly online charge and here is the Super Bowl ad.


Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima let loose with a new tidbit concerning Nintendo's online plans for the Switch. When it comes to pricing in Japan, the service is going to cost somewhere around the equivalent of $17.50 to $26.50 a year. That's certainly less than most were expecting! Let's hope that same price approach hits the rest of the world.

As for why Nintendo is going with a paid online service, Kimishima says doing so makes it easier for Nintendo to support online features like multiplayer and the download of classic games.

Source





Getting a Super Bowl ad is huge for the Switch's marketing and $30 is a good deal when it's $60 for a year of Xbox Live gold and Playstation Plus.

Awesome! So it could be around just $20 a year. I was expecting closer to $60 or even more based on the other consoles, I don't really mind paying $20 to be honest. It seems fairly cheap and obviously they need money to run online servers.

Here's a video of the Switch's UI 2 weeks ahead of it's initial launch date:



sauce