Many of us here have our pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch locked in for March 3rd, 2017. Just a quick glance at Amazon or Best Buy indicates that many others do as well. If nothing else, for someone who does not own a Wii U it is an easy decision to immediately invest into Nintendo’s new console/handheld hybrid for one of the most anticipated games this generation: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, everyone, including new fans, returning fans, and diehard Wii U fans, should dive into this brand new Switch era cautiously optimistic.
Nintendo’s press conference and the last week of news have revealed a lot of information about the upcoming system, such as price, launch lineup, and a release date. These are all very important details, but it’s what hasn’t been told yet and the vague avoidance from Nintendo that has gamers so concerned.
Let’s start with the beloved Virtual Console. Released back in 2006 on the Wii, the Virtual Console has become a staple of Nintendo’s console and handheld ecosystems, providing consumers with access to 30+ years of gaming history. It easily trumps anything Microsoft and Sony have attempted to do with backwards compatibility in the past, so it is saddening that Nintendo hasn’t spoken a word on this important feature.
Branded a console that is an amalgamation of all of Nintendo’s previous hardware, it would’ve been a no-brainer to announce you’ll be able to play all of your favorite classics (or at least some) on a single system on day one. Our only hint that the Virtual Console will be available at some capacity is the description of Nintendo’s online service which says that consumers will receive select NES and SNES games each month. That’s nice to know, but that won’t be happening until later this fall. For a system lamented because of its limited launch lineup, it sure would’ve helped to know right now that we can play Super Mario World and A Link to the Past.
Related to the Virtual Console are purchases previously made on 3DS and Wii U. On Wii U, you had the option to transfer old Wii VC games for a discounted price. With the creation of the Nintendo Network ID account system tied across multiple systems, it makes sense for a similar approach on the Switch. Sony has its cross-buy, Microsoft has its Play Anywhere, but what about Nintendo? The ability to transfer classic games over to the Switch would be both a breeze and reward for dedicated fans, but we haven’t heard a peep, making us wonder if even a discount will be possible.
Breath of the Wild was recently announced to be about 13.4GB in size on the Switch, taking up 40% of the system’s 32GB proprietary memory. This number could be enough to cause digital fans to go out and purchase a physical copy of the game to save space. But, Nintendo has yet to say whether or not physical Switch games will require an install much like on PS4 and Xbox One. Now, this is unlikely due to the nature of the game cartridge but you never know with Nintendo until clarification is given. If an install is required, even physical games will necessitate an SD card purchase rather soon.
Weak launch lineup or not, Nintendo has learned from its mistakes with the Wii U and has a healthy sprinkling of releases scheduled for throughout the rest of this year. In fact, Nintendo has confirmed that over 80 games are in development for the Switch. The problem is, of those 80 games in development, only 1 game (the untitled Fire Emblem for Switch), has been announced for a release in 2018. Starting with Zelda and ending with Super Mario Odyssey is a sign of a good first year for the system, so concern should be pointed at launch and what's coming after this holiday season.
Third party software is a major key for the Switch to thrive outside of its core audience, but neither third party nor much first party support has been announced past this year. With Zelda, Mario Kart, Splatoon, Xenoblade, and Mario all coming out this year, Nintendo is already utilizing some of its strongest franchises, leaving us to wonder what’s next. A proper outline of this year and a quick mention of just a few titles or franchises coming next year would’ve went a long way toward cementing our hope for the Switch. The company could be potentially waiting until E3 to reveal these plans, but that would be a negative for a system coming out three whole months before then.
From here, Nintendo needs to move fast. Waiting until almost seven weeks before a brand new console launches to fully unveil it certainly generated unparalleled interest and attention across the Internet, but it cannot allow the momentum to stop here. The company has said they will reveal little tidbits between now and March 3rd, so it is imperative that it comes through on that promise with news regarding the Virtual Console, purchases, releases, and more or else face an extreme issue of longevity for the Switch.
This may have come off as rather negative, but we want the Switch to succeed just as much as you do and for that to happen, Nintendo needs it to come off as less of a breath and more of a storm.
Are you as uneasy as us about the future of the Switch? Maybe we’re overthinking it? Let us know in the comments below.
Check Out More Nintendo Switch Coverage On GameRevolution:
- Should You Sell Your Wii U?
- The Unknowns of the Switch
- Complete List of Switch Games
- Switch Is Bringing Back Motion Controls
- A Look At the Switch's Smartphone Integration
- 5 Things We Learned About Super Mario Odyssey
5 Things About The Nintendo Switch That Shouldn't Make You Panic
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5 Things About The Nintendo Switch That Shouldn\'t Make You Panic
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Motion Controls
Many people (let’s call them “haters”) were upset that Nintendo continues to pursue motion-based controls with the Switch. While I wasn’t the biggest fan of how Nintendo revealed and dwelled on this aspect (showing how a JoyCon controller could feel like a glass with ice cubes in it isn’t exactly a console-seller), I don’t think that’s enough reason to write off motion controls entirely.
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rnFor all the Wii U’s failings, it had some truly great games, and many of them adequately made use of motion-based controls. It’s a gimmick, but gimmick does not automatically mean bad, and the use of motion controls doesn’t spell panic for me, just yet.
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rnAnd, many games, such as ARMS, will not require the use of motion controls, anyhow. So, if you don't like it, don't use it. -
Joy Con Charging Grip
A lot of headlines are being made right now about the Joy Con charging grip, a $28 accessory that charges your JoyCon controllers. The JoyCon grip that comes with the console does not charge the JoyCon controllers. Obviously, the prospect of having to pay upwards of $30 extra just to be able to charge the very things I need to use the console in any capacity should be concerning. So why aren’t we concerned?
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rnGameRevolution saw this story very early on, before it was being widely reported, and we weren’t impressed. Upon further research, the JoyCon controllers will charge when they are attached to the console itself (whenever it’s in handheld mode), and the battery life of each JoyCon has been reported as around 20 hours.
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rnWhile the JoyCon charging grip would be a nice accessory, it’s just that: an accessory. If Nintendo was asking that you pay extra for a necessary feature, we’d be just as upset as everyone else. -
Super Mario Odyssey
Sure, we already covered the lineup of the Nintendo Switch as a reason not to panic, but Super Mario Odyssey has been a surprising target of backlash at this point.
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rnThe chief complaint? “It’s just Sonic 2006!” Near as I can figure, though, the comparison is being made because they both have a city level … and that’s it. Really? I didn’t know Sonic 2006 had a patent on retro platformers in a city setting, and I certainly didn’t think that it would be so abiding that people look to it as the bastion of city-based retro platformers.
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rnIf I overlooked an element here, please let me know, but I am not impressed with any comparisons thus far, beyond one out of the dozen or so different levels sure to be in Super Mario Odyssey. -
Games Lineup
While the lack of titles specifically ready at the launch of the Nintendo Switch is concerning, the overall lineup of games announced thus far is actually rather impressive, with Shin Megami Tensei, Super Mario Odyssey, Zelda Breath of the Wild, Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
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rnThere’s also something to be said for spreading out your big releases to make sure you don’t flood the market immediately and leave people wanting more in the later months.
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rnThis is not to mention that it’s still possible that more, post-release game announcements are on the horizon, especially around the time of E3 and other like events. Give it some time (and maybe don’t pre-order it). -
Online Services (Not Yet)
As of right now, I’m tentatively giving Nintendo the benefit of the doubt about their online services for the Nintendo Switch. In keeping with the times, the Nintendo Switch will be charging for its online services, effective Fall 2017, after a several-month-long free-trial period. But, the negative spin is that they’re charging for it at all.
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rnAlso, it appears the only bonus that comes along with it is one free NES game that you only get to play for a month, as opposed to PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold that lets you keep the free games they give you for as long as you keep their service.
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rnWhile this is rather concerning, I’m reserving judgement until we get a price for it. If it’s $50-$60 per year, like PS Plus or Xbox Live Gold, I’m out, and I will be grabbing my pitchfork like everyone else. However, if it’s somewhere in the $20-$25 per year range, that’s probably a worthwhile cost. We’ll see.
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rnAlso, we can’t forget that the Nintendo Switch has local multiplayer, making the idea of using its online services optional in many cases.
