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Zekkyou on 30 November 2017
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Wyrdness said:
Zekkyou said:

I didn't say they weren't competing, i said that saying they're currently doing so in a fashion more comparable to handheld vs home console is a fair position. It could end up being wrong, but it's not unreasonable based on what's currently visible. Even if we assume the Switch's effect on the home and handheld markets is evenly distributed, that would still mean it's competing with the PS4 to a much less significant degree than a comparably successful home console. I personally think the currently available evidence implies a bias towards handhelds though, which includes the usage data you mention (Nintendo themselves have shown that Switch owners are 50%+ more likley to use it primarily as a handheld than docked). The end result being i consider 'more comparable to handheld vs home console than the alternative' a reasonable position.

It is worth noting that the "Switch is a handheld" narrative isn't specific to other fanbases. That same argument has been used against me when I've compared the Switch and PS4's specs (which is already a compromised comparison; i could compare it to the X1X, another 2017 system). Sony, Nintendo, and MS all have fans that are willing to be flexible on what the Switch is depending on the argument :p

It's a hybrid plain and simple no one over the other the current evidence from Nintendo showed an even distribution in both portable and home use, it's competing against the PS4 as a hybrid console as when used as a portable device it's to play home console like experiences.

Portable aspects with the Switch differ from previous portables as the Switch is essentially a home console on the go which is a different experience from any other portable trying to say it's competing as only one type of hardware is flawed as it ignores the full appeal of the device which is gaming tailored to anyone's gaming habits the demand wouldn't be as high if it were just a portable or home console it's the hybrid concept that is driving it.

I'm not arguing about what the Switch is, i'm just making observations about where i think it currently sits in the market. Those observations have at no point lead me to claim it's 'competing as only one type of hardware' though. In-fact the post you're replying to is largely focused on highlighting the absence of that point, and the related reasons.

As for usage, Nintendo don't show an even distribution. They show about half of people use it for both, 19% primarily as a home console, and just over 30% primarily as a home console (50%+ more). In the absence of more specific details from Nintendo, that implies a handheld bias. The effect of that is up for debate, and I've expressed my opinion on it.