Is Switch The Least Inspired "Generational Leap" By Nintendo?

[theRepublic]

Soundwave said:

theRepublic said:
I have no idea what definition of inspired you are going with. Nintendo is trying to change the very definition of a home console here. Least inspired to me would be a safe evolution from the previous incarnation. Ignoring the different versions of handhelds that came out within a generation, I would say that would be either the SNES, Gamecube, GameBoy Color, or GameBoy Advance. So that is at least four I would put ahead of Switch.

SNES introduced shoulder buttons (standard in every game controller today basically), the diamond layout face buttons (again standard), Mode 7 scaling, a large graphical leap, a helluva sound chip (thanks Sony), and the first "real" console 3D gaming with the Super FX chip. 

GameCube brought optical media, a large graphics leap, analog triggers and other new things. 

Switch does feel a little bit like the Game Boy to Game Boy Color or GBC to GBA leap though, I'd say one of those might be apt in comparison to the Wii U. 

SNES and GameCube definitely felt like full generational leaps right out of the box. 

How can you call graphical improvments "inspired"?  More like required, or standard, or expected.  Every generation has brought graphical improvements.  I'm tossing that right out the window since it happens everytime a new console comes out.

Shoulder buttons on the SNES I will give you.  More buttons...eh.  The Genesis controller was already out with 3 face buttons, so I don't think the jump to four is really inspired.  The layout did become a standard.

Optical discs were already in use by the Playstation and Playstation 2.  Analog triggers?  Yes, sure, I will give you that.

So you have a couple of controller tweaks for the SNES and GameCube.  Not a whole lot of inspiration there if you ask me.  Great evolutions of previous consoles, but nothing really that different.

Switch seems like a pretty big break from the Wii U.  Switching back to cartridges.  Tossing out the multi-screen play.  Attachable/detachable controllers for multiple configurations/on the go gaming/multiplayer gaming.  The whole mobilization of the home console thing.  Who knows if it going to be successful, but it certainly isn't a mere evolution of what came before.

To compare that to the GB to GBC to GBA is ridiculous on its face.  Adding color and then adding a graphical improvement with sholder buttons is just about the definition of straight forward.