I've been a Nintendo fan for roughly a quarter of a century. From my first time picking up an NES controller and playing Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt on our 80's tube TV with my dad as a 5 year old, to being immersed into Xenoblade Chronicles X in its HD glory as a 30 year old, it's been a roller coaster ride and a love hate relationship with the company and its games - and while it's been more love than hate, many of their moves and their games in recent years has left a bad taste in my mouth. Wii U has been by FAR my least favorite Nintendo console to date (sans the Virtual Boy obviously - but that probably goes without saying), which is a large part of the reason for my absence from this website for the better part of two years.
After a mediocre, if not downright dissapointing last half decade, I went into watching the recent Nintendo Switch conference with much skeptisism - but I was very pleasantly surprised with what I saw for the most part.
The hardware:
The hardware just looks so damn cool.
I just love the versitility of the machine, love the idea of proping the thing on a stand and playing anywhere in a "tabletop" style, free from the shakles of the TV - and with seven other consoles no less, and love the fact that I can play the games on the go. One of the few selling points of the Wii U to me was the fact that the games could be played independently from the TV screen via the controller screen, though the fact that you couldn't walk more than 30 feet from the damn console always bugged me. I've envisioned a console having this functionality since well before the even the Wii came out, and it's finally coming to fruition. The limited portability the Wii U sported has been rectified for the Switch, and you can now play console quality games anywhere. Ive said it before and I'll say it again - Switch is what the Wii U SHOULD have been.
The various controller inputs are interesting, and I like that you are still given the option of the traditional pro controller, in addition to the Wii-esque "joycons" which can be used in a number of ways. The so called "HD rumble" (bit of a BS term I feel like - blast processing anyone?), nonetheless actually does interest me. I'm excited to see how developers utilize more specific tactile sensations during gameplay. You will now be able to feel the unique sensation and differenciation between firing a shotgun, sharpening a sword, and flying a jet. Overlooked, and perhaps a minor detail, but nonetheless one I find very cool. The whole VR thing I am skeptical of in general, but Nintendo's approach of approaching VR/immersive gameplay through the touch sensations and motion sensing rather than mainly a visual one and simply strapping clunky glasses on your head - is one I very much prefer.
The joycons overall look intuitive and easy to use, though with my hands being somewhat on the larger side, I do wonder how I'd do with playing these somewhat tiny controllers, with their odd configuration of having the joystick locatd so close to the buttons.
On the hardware side, we also have:
- No region locking
- The return to the more durable cartridges (and quicker load times). Love it!
The games:
The games revealed so far are a mixed bag that ranges from "holy shit that's awesome" to "meh.." but there is enough of the former for me to forget the latter.
Zelda Breath of the Wild - looking more fantastic and enchanting than ever. They completely won me over with the new trailer. Voice acting finally comes to Zelda, as I have felt it should, as it fits with the cinematic nature of the series. I love that they seem to have paid homage to the classic Zelda titles by returning to open world, action based gameplay rather than emphasizing the more corridor/puzzle-laden gameplay. The graphics and art style looks gorgeous. It looks like one gigantic animated painting, though at the same time doesn't go over-the-top cartoony like Wind Waker.
Splatoon 2 - looks fun and should be a great fit with the joycons, as well as the beefed up online. Enjoyed the hell out of the first, as it was one of the few bright spots of the Wii U. This is definitley a purchase for me.
Super Mario Odyssey - The name alone suggests one epic experience, and the trailer definitely made it appear that way. I love the divisity of the environments, as you have everything from New York to something that looks like it belongs in the world of Zelda. Some may see this randomness as a negative but I appreciate games that offer a plethora of different environments that give you a different feel. This isn't a 3D Mario game that tried to meet the oldschool 2D games half way ala 3D World - this is a true mainline Mario title and it shows. I love when Mario games break from the Mushroom Kingdom realm and provide us with new worlds to explore (even if that includes our own). That said - I do wish Nintendo would continue their more oldschool Mario series in the same vein as NSMB, and possibly release a brand new 2D game alongside this more grandiose title. I've always found the classic style Mario games more entertaining, and this will not change, no matter how epic they make the mainline Mario games. I also find it a bit odd seeing Mario running around in the real world, particularly when he's half the size of the people there, but I have faith Nintendo could make it work. And hell, Mario is from Brooklyn anyway! People often forget this.. I suppose you can look at is as he is TRULY going back to his roots. Overall, epic looking Mario game.
1, 2 Switch - Interesting? I'm curious as to how much you can really know what's going on when playing directly looking at another player as opposed to looking at the screen, but I suppose that's where the sophisticated rumble comes in. I can see this being the "Wii Sports" of this machine, and it could certainly be a breakout hit. One of those "have some goofy fun with your friends at a party" type of games.
Arms - My first impression is essentially a more in depth Wii Boxing, but still rather shallow. Again, seems like more of a short bursts of fun at a party game, and certainly not something you'd play for long sessions on your own. But who knows? It could be more detailed than it appears. Going off what I've seen though, this is more of a rental, of purchase at a vast discount type of game. I do like that we've got a new IP though, however shallow it may seem.
Redout - Wish we saw more than like 4 seconds of it. But I dig the resemblance of F-Zero. I do wish they just would have made THIS game a new F-Zero, though I suppose new IPs are a plus as well..
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Hopefully we'll get some upressed graphics and additions (dlc included?) Otherwise this is a game I will wait for a discount. Though I was thrilled to see battle mode offered, as I usually only play Mario Kart with friends, and usually we only want to play battle mode when we play Kart.
New Bomberman? Ehh, was never huge on the series, but it could be a really fun multiplayer title, especially when utilizing the 8 player feature.
Skyrim - Portable Skyrim. Enough said. Will buy again just for this.
We also have Minecaft - great fit for a Nintendo console, especially one that is portable. Hoping for a Terraria port as well, as that would be an even better fit.
I love the emphasis on the sort of old school JRPGs as well with games like Octopath Traveller. JRPGs are best in 16 bit IMO, and we seem to have a sort of call back to that with some of the Switch's RPG lineup. Secret of Mana remians one of my all time favorite games, so I always welcome games like it.
Online/Pricing:
This is where I'm much more wary/cynical.. The online service from Nintendo will now be paid, at least after a few months. We also know very little about both the workings of this online service, as well as any sort of virtual console, rewards/achievement system, or unified account system. Until Nintendo releases more details on this, especially considering I must now pay for the service, I remain very skeptical.
I also think $299 for the Switch console is a bit on the pricey side. I suppose the controller functionality and relatively high-quality portable screen accounts for much of that, but the horsepower of the console itself doesn't seem particularly groundbreaking. Add this to the fact that there is (seemingly) no game bundled, and the highly overpriced $80 additional joycons, $70 if you want a pro controller, in addition to the online fees, and we're getting into Sony and Microsoft territory. Will the quality of the games and value of the machine and the online be enough to justify this? That is a major question mark, though I think ultimately it will be at least somewhat justified, particuarly once the prices go down and the library gets more fleshed out.
To sum up, I love what I'm seeing from this machine for the most part. I only wish Nintendo could get away with offering a robust online service for free, and that some of the prices could have been bumped down a bit. I also need to see more on how their online system, as well as any sort of account system for purchasing digital games will work. But many aspects of the console itself look solid. The games revealed ALREADY look to match what the Wii U has in total, if not SURPASS it. The library seems to offer a nice variety of games that cater to the more hardcore, casual, as well as the oldschool gaming crowds. The actual launch day lineup is rather weak, though the "launch window" titles are ridiculously good. In adition, I think people will respond to the unique features, as well as the convenience this machine offers in this modern day era of hectic schedules.. We're also, for the first time, seeing a combined effort of Nintendo's console and portable developers, which should make for one hell of a strong library with sky-high potential.
I didn't buy a Wii U until over a year after launch, and only purchased about 10 games for it in total. Assuming I can manage to pawn my Wii U and its games on Amazon to contribute to the heavy costs this console requries, I will be purchasing this day one, and there are already about 10 games I want for it.
Thoughts, Chartz/Gamrconnect?
"We hold these truths to be self-evident - all men and women created by the, go-you know.. you know the thing!" - Joe Biden
