Official Nintendo Switch Discussion

[SubCog]

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

I'm actually looking forward to the release later this week.

[yt]ERAhGia6azE[/yt]

Looks like a Pokemon game built on the breath of the wild engine.

[Silent-Runner]

watched some streams, the game desperately needs AA and more details. People are already in the so called "endgame".

[Sasquach]

watched some streams, the game desperately needs AA and more details. People are already in the so called "endgame".

Is Nintendo gonna drop some DLC for this game?

Nowadays people seem to burn through games quickly.....
part of it is that the mainline story path iis pitifully short (like 5hrs) and filler is what makes up for extra time in game....

I guess the other part is difficulty and streamers just kind of play the game nonstop.....

[SirBaron]

watched some streams, the game desperately needs AA and more details. People are already in the so called "endgame".

This is why I switched (pun intended) from playing games on the OG hardware to emulation.

Matter of time before LOD mods start appearing that make the game somewhat "better" looking.

At least for now you can force the game to run in 4k.

[SirBaron]

https://gamebanana.com/games/15053

Here we go, they work fast

[Silent-Runner]

streamers also already get pissed whenever someone mentions the "underwhelming" graphic. Some even banned viewers for pointing it out

[Sasquach]

ok i actually watched a youtube clip of this and I can make some graphical complaints.

As mentioned before the game looks like Pokemon on the BotW engine, so it should more or less look like that....which it kind of does.....but something seems lacking.

To me the biggest issue that i could see is that some of the texture work in the game look very very plain. like the wooden buildings for example just look like lines for a building outline filled in with brown wood colour and lines to separate the individual logs......no fake shadow lines or bark ridges or any other details..

just very plain textures.

[Mangler]

Stop being a bunch of toxic haters, you are asking too much from a poor indie dev like game freak.

[SubCog]

So Switch is a massive success. According to vgchartz they've sold 103 million units. Compared against PS4's 116 million... despite switch launching several years later. It's easy to predict that Switch will end up outselling PS4.

So what's next for Nintendo? It's been a long time since we've seen 2 successful Nintendo consoles in a row (if ever). Will we get a Switch 2 or a Switch U?

Nintendo would be very foolish to change the formula again. It would be smart and obvious for them to do a more powerful Switch. There are some possibilities to explore though.

Clearly the Switch Lite is Nintendo's focus, for better or worse. I'd love to see them continue to lower the price for a low-tier model over time. 2DS became so ubiquitous at that sub-$120 price point. I know lots of families that had a 3ds/2ds for every member of the family. Switch Lite could get there too, if it could drop in price a little bit. $150 might do it?

I hate that the switch lite doesn't have HDMI out though. Even if you were stuck running games in lower resolution, it sucks that there's no way to play 4 player Mario Kart except on that tiny screen.

Nintendo could release a more powerful switch pro, which would be an obvious way for them to address a higher-end market while still maintaining their low-end base.

Otherwise they could go the Xbox s/x route, to modernize they're new platform and ensure that new games can target a higher cpu.

I'd also love to see them explore a really high-end option. Possibly ditching the portable form-factor so they can have much more powerful graphics hardware ... Or perhaps using a split-rendering solution where they put a beefier gpu in the dock?

I remember some discussion before the switch launched, that maybe they'd include a more powerful cooling solution the dock, to run the switch at the max-clocks for the SoC. Seems like a missed opportunity that they didn't do that at least.

[Sasquach]

So Switch is a massive success. According to vgchartz they've sold 103 million units. Compared against PS4's 116 million... despite switch launching several years later. It's easy to predict that Switch will end up outselling PS4.

So what's next for Nintendo? It's been a long time since we've seen 2 successful Nintendo consoles in a row (if ever). Will we get a Switch 2 or a Switch U?

Nintendo would be very foolish to change the formula again. It would be smart and obvious for them to do a more powerful Switch. There are some possibilities to explore though.

Clearly the Switch Lite is Nintendo's focus, for better or worse. I'd love to see them continue to lower the price for a low-tier model over time. 2DS became so ubiquitous at that sub-$120 price point. I know lots of families that had a 3ds/2ds for every member of the family. Switch Lite could get there too, if it could drop in price a little bit. $150 might do it?

I hate that the switch lite doesn't have HDMI out though. Even if you were stuck running games in lower resolution, it sucks that there's no way to play 4 player Mario Kart except on that tiny screen.

Nintendo could release a more powerful switch pro, which would be an obvious way for them to address a higher-end market while still maintaining their low-end base.

Otherwise they could go the Xbox s/x route, to modernize they're new platform and ensure that new games can target a higher cpu.

I'd also love to see them explore a really high-end option. Possibly ditching the portable form-factor so they can have much more powerful graphics hardware ... Or perhaps using a split-rendering solution where they put a beefier gpu in the dock?

I remember some discussion before the switch launched, that maybe they'd include a more powerful cooling solution the dock, to run the switch at the max-clocks for the SoC. Seems like a missed opportunity that they didn't do that at least.

Theres been enough rumors of a switch 2 (i think the "pro" ended up actually being the OLED switch) that its the most logical next step. There had been various reasons for its "delay". Main reason seems to be the continued success of the switch line, and the words from the CEO or president stating the switch is only halfway through its lifecycle (mentioned about a year ago).

Maybe they can do what the detachable laptops (like Surface book) do. The switch 2 is like the current one, but more powerful SoC, and then a separate "switch power dock" or something where it has its own standalone CPU and GPU which will get activated when the switch is attached. So instead of the one SoC having 2 "modes" (low power for portable, and high power for docked) switching between portable resolution and docked resolution, you now have the portable SoC can fully drive the portable, and the dock SoC can fully drive the docked mode independently.

This could actually be a bonus for switch owners where the current switch could compatible with this new "power dock" so all we'd need to get is the new dock lol
That would assume that the hardware switching capabilty is already baked in from the beginning.

[Sasquach]

First Nintendo direct of 2022 has dropped, supposed to be 40mins of first half of 2022 titles
This so far is looking like a good direct, lots of surprise bombs.

-Fire Emblem Warriors - 3 hopes (dynasty warriors spinoff looks like)
-Advanced wars 1+2 reboot
-No man's sky (after researching this a bit seems like its a native port and not cloud based)
-New Mario Strikers Battle League (I loved Mario Striker's charged on wii!)
-Splatoon 3
-Front Mission reboot
-Disney Speedstorm (Disney mario kart)
-some remakes
-oh snap Crono Cross remaster (I have on PS1 and never played lol)
-Kirby and the Forgotten Lands (the big deal thing seems to be Kirby ate and became a car lol)
-MLB The Show
-Klonoa
-Portal 1 & 2
-Live a LIve (?) another square enix 2D-HD game
-I think alot of people actually wanted this but... a Wii sports "sequal" for Switch called Nintendo Switch Sports!
-New Taiko Drum master
-DLC for Cuphead and Metroid Dread
-Earthbound and Earthbound beginnings coming to SNES and NES online.
-Filler titles
-Oh snap looks like a DLC/expansion pass for Mario Kart featuring 48 remastered courses from older games (I guess this would mean Mario Kart 9 will exist as a title for the Switch successor). Also added as another perk for Nintendo switch online+
-Xenoblade Chronicles 3

[SubCog]

First Nintendo direct of 2022 has dropped, supposed to be 40mins of first half of 2022 titles

so far announced:

-Fire Emblem Warriors - 3 hopes (dynasty warriors spinoff looks like)
-Advanced wars 1+2 reboot
-No man's sky (no idea if its cloud yet....)
-New Mario Strikers Battle League (I loved Mario Striker's charged on wii!)
-Splatoon 3
-Front Mission reboot
-Disney Speedstorm (Disney mario kart)
-some remakes
-oh snap crono cross remaster
-Kirby and the Forgotten Lands (the big deal thing seems to be Kirby ate and became a car lol)
-MLB The Show

hmm... Some interesting stuffs there, but methinks I'd prefer them show some other stuffs:

• Zelda BotW2, for crying out loud
• Mario 3d collection updates: Mario 64 in widescreen, Sunshine at 60fps, etc. Maybe do something crazy, like include the DS version of Mario 64 where you can play Yoshi & Luigi, etc.
• Mario Galaxy 2.
• Mario Galaxy 3.
• Bring back a proper virtual console.
• Goldeneye.
• Switch Pro.
• Price cut for Switch Lite.
• Switch now runs 3ds games.
• Switch now runs Vita games.
• Free emulators for everyone.
• Iwata back from the dead.
• Mario is gay for Sonic.

[Mangler]

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/...-will-cost-90/

A tweet from the official Kingdom Hearts Twitter account confirmed that all games will be coming to the Switch on February 10, as cloud versions only.

This means players will need to have a permanent, fast and stable internet connection in order to continuously stream the games to their console.

Despite the games being cloud-based, Square Enix is charging between $39.99 and $49.99 for each of the three releases, with a bundle pack called Integrum Masterpiece costing $89.99.

[Sasquach]

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/...-will-cost-90/

Square-Enix being braindead as usual. (Knew about this after the Sora announcement for smash)
Just like the Final Fantasy pixel remaster series is only on PC and MOBILE currently.

KH3 i understand might not be able to run on switch natively, but the rest originally came out on PS2.....

[Alientank]

I'd really like a mario odyssey 2.

[Mangler]

I hope they scale down the shiny graphics in Xenoblade 3, I don't want another Xenoblur 2.

[Elysian]

I poopoo'd the new OLED Switch, but we bought one after getting to Ohio and gotta say, I'm impressed by the improvements. I'm not sure it's worth an extra $49 over the OG Switch, but it's really pretty great. Should have just discontinued the OG Switch and put this one at $300.

[Sasquach]

[yt]44TRzEGPbfE[/yt]

Steam deck performance looks pretty good

Heres hoping that Nintendo uses a more up-to-date SoC than something that was 5 years old already for a Switch 2.

[SubCog]

Steam deck performance looks pretty good

Heres hoping that Nintendo uses a more up-to-date SoC than something that was 5 years old already for a Switch 2.

Yup, and methinks the Deck is just going to get better and better as they continue to develop the software.

Unfortunately, mine isn't coming in until after Q2.

I love my Switch, but Nintendo really should be thinking about launching a Switch Pro. At some point the Switch sales are going to slow down, and Nintendo should be ready to go with an upgraded version.

I remember when Wii was selling like gang-busters, and then sales stopped suddenly. Nintendo often has gaps between it's consoles, because they're unprepared for the future. There were gaps between the n64 -> gamecube, gamecube -> Wii, Wii -> Wii U, and Wii U -> Switch. Each time they had to float on their handhelds through the gaps. Nintendo's the only company to run their business that way... and I shouldn't have to remind people that if the Switch stops selling, there's currently no handheld for Nintendo to fall back on.

[Mangler]

I'm surprised that they never released a version with higher clocked memory, isn't one of the main bottlenecks of the switch the fact that the gpu screaming for more bandwidth?

[Sasquach]

I'm surprised that they never released a version with higher clocked memory, isn't one of the main bottlenecks of the switch the fact that the gpu screaming for more bandwidth?

The thing was already clocked down from even the Stadia (peak Tegra X1?) spec (2 times, one for handheld and one for docked mode) so there was a deficit there....and the battery life wasnt great. I think the only they could have possibly done was kill the battery life and enable the "stock" Tegra clocks. The gains may not have been worth it to them.

It was already a baffling decision to use the Tegra X1 over the X2 at the time.
They must have had a sweetheart of a deal with nvidia to use it.

Considering the X1 was at the tail end of its production run and the X2 was i think a generation or 2 old and was falling behind other newer mobile SoCs at the time, they could have fared alot better performance wise with the x2 (and i think that one actually supported DLSS...which could have helped even more)

[SubCog]

The thing was already clocked down from even the Stadia (peak Tegra X1?) spec (2 times, one for handheld and one for docked mode) so there was a deficit there....and the battery life wasnt great. I think the only they could have possibly done was kill the battery life and enable the "stock" Tegra clocks. The gains may not have been worth it to them.

It was already a baffling decision to use the Tegra X1 over the X2 at the time.
They must have had a sweetheart of a deal with nvidia to use it.

Considering the X1 was at the tail end of its production run and the X2 was i think a generation or 2 old and was falling behind other newer mobile SoCs at the time, they could have fared alot better performance wise with the x2 (and i think that one actually supported DLSS...which could have helped even more)

Nvidia: "Good news, we have a more advanced chip that'll have double the graphics capabilities and consume less battery!"

Nintendo: "How much does it cost?"

Nvidia: "That's the best part, it's only an extra 1¢ more per unit!"

Nintendo: "No thanks. Mario runs fine on the older chip."

[Sasquach]

Apparently Nvidia got hit with a cyberattack recently and it more or less continues to indicate the next gen Switch (Switch 2 or Switch pro?)
will likely utilize an orin based Tegra SoC with a chip code of T239 (I think current Orin is T234).

Its not really a new leak per se but its huge if it turns out to be true. Orin is significantly more powerful than X1 (its kind of like Tegra X4 with that nomenclature), uses the Ampere architecture and supports DLSS and ray tracing. All things the current Switch could use to keep up with other consoles power wise.

I guess the bad news is that its a circa 2019 chipset so by the time it comes out it'll be old hat again (I would wager a guess the switch successor gets released in 2023 or 2024...i doubt anythings happening this year) but should prove powerful enough to keep pace and should help with 3rd parties looking for raw power, especially since we're approaching the diminishing returns on graphical quality. (other rumored specs seems to think it'll have 8gb of ram and 128gb of storage))

[Sasquach]

HAHA Nintendo released a new update which allows you to group titles into "folders" now!

But Nintendo being Nintendo, its always 1 step forward...2 steps back:

The good:
-You can group titles now!

The bad:
-Its not pinned to your home/start screen...so you have to scroll all the way to the "all software" list to see it.....and then its an additional button press to even view your groups.....




Just like the government, they provide something good but implement it in such a way that its almost useless.

[Elysian]

Loving the new Kirby, finally started playing it this morning.

[SirBaron]

[yt]_oXLxfifbs8[/yt]

Yeah just started it with my son on PC, as I don't use my switch hardware, (my son has it) anymore since games started to go sub 30fps.

60fps mod, dynamic res disabled and 3x docked resolution.

Good game so far.

[Chubz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oXLxfifbs8

Yeah just started it with my son on PC, as I don't use my switch hardware, (my son has it) anymore since games started to go sub 30fps.

60fps mod, dynamic res disabled and 3x docked resolution.

Good game so far.

It's so wild seeing Kirby at 60 FPS! I'm playing it on my Switch right now and although I've been enjoying it, the 30 FPS frame rate is a bummer and really hurts both the presentation and "feel" of the game.

Are you using the Yuzu emulator? If so, how has the compatibility and overall performance been? I know next to nothing about Switch emulation and what state it's in nowadays, but that video seriously has me licking my chops.

[Sasquach]

i tried the Kirby demo the other day and i was shocked at how fast the game loads.

None of my other switch titles loads levels as fast.

[A2597]

My son saved up the money for Kirby since it was announced, and just got it.
Really liking the game, one of the better Kirby entries, and love the Mouthful mode. Some good humor in it too.

[Dungeoncrawler]

Bayonetta 3 getting review scores of 10/10. Being referred to as flawless. Switch exclusive.

https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/...etta-3-switch/

[SirBaron]

Flawless maybe not, good game, more of the same, but has some tech issues. FPS is rarely stable, not a issue of Switch had VRR but it doesn't unfortunately.

I mean it's a 60fps targeted game, but goes into low 20's at times...

Switch 2 when?

[Sasquach]

Flawless maybe not, good game, more of the same, but has some tech issues. FPS is rarely stable, not a issue of Switch had VRR but it doesn't unfortunately.

I mean it's a 60fps targeted game, but goes into low 20's at times...

Switch 2 when?

switch 2 when they feel they need it.
right now as much as its needed, they dont really need it.

Theres been ongoing rumors of a new switch pro/2 over the past few years (including nvidia leaks and stuff) that a new one is in the works that is using nvidias latest Tegra "orin" variant.
Plus they'll need one sooner than later anyways because didnt nvidia say not too long ago that they were ending production of the Tegra X1 chip line?

[Nascar24]

Flawless Victory, I have had it preordered for $38 from Amazon for about 4 years. lol

[|MaguS|]

My Steamdeck has replaced my switch. It can play all the Switch games better than the switch.

[KAC]

First time ever brought my Switch with me. Got all 3 Bayonetta games and am playing through them. What an amazing game that should’ve been on all platforms.

Already played Bayonetta but started again as I forgot the story.

[Sasquach]

First time ever brought my Switch with me. Got all 3 Bayonetta games and am playing through them. What an amazing game that should’ve been on all platforms.

Already played Bayonetta but started again as I forgot the story.

You can thank Sega for bailing on the property after Bayonetta 1. Nintendo swooped in and bankrolled the other 2 games which made them Nintendo exclusive. I need to play through 1 and 2 (i started 1 some time ago) but i'd have to bust out my Wii-U for them lol. I dont like to double dip games if the games are not significantly different enough to justify them.

[KAC]

I paid a lot for getting my switch back up. Had to buy new joy cons, new power adapter, and 2 games. Thankfully Bayonetta code was free with 2. Games are amazing. First time I see myself finishing a game on switch lol.

[KAC]

Still pumping through Bayonetta. Had completely forgotten about it. My kind of woman. Speaks more innuendo than I am allowed to on these forums.

[KAC]

Bayonetta 2 is sublime. They improved every single aspect of the gameplay. Makes it a bit easier but honestly this is so bad ass. Can’t believe I held back so long. It’s not like the price came down to where it was 2 years ago when I could’ve bought and played the game. I am just glad I got the 3 games. This series is absolutely dope!

If you have a switch and you are not playing these games then you needs a head check.

[KAC]

So I finished Bayonetta 3. Game was good but didn’t feel like the first 2 at all. I was quite annoyed by some of the changes. Didn’t like playing as Viola at all and was also not a fan of the “gameplay variety” they added. Whilst I understand what they were trying to do it made for a more uneven game than I liked. The ending boss fights were awesome though. I really enjoyed them. And once the spoiler alert thing happened I couldn’t but have a smile on my face.

A series where I was genuinely sad at the end. Overall, it was well worth my time. Spent about 30 hours plus across the 3 games and it was totally worth indulging in.

Can’t say more for fear of spoilers. I give number 3 a solid 8.5/10. 2 is where the series absolutely peaked for me in terms of gameplay. 1 had the most intriguing story and 3 is sort of an in between.

If you haven’t played these games I strongly suggest you do if you like a good solid action game with quite some nail biting challenges especially on a bit harder difficulty.