When it comes to features, Nintendo is annoyingly ADD

[KBG29]

I agree, the Switch is a massive let down for me due to the lack of all of these functions. I barley pick the thing up between massive games, because it offers nothing to do.

However, Nintendo is not alone in this. Sony are just as guilty. PS3 was a much more complete system than PS4. The only issue with PS3 was the lack of memory which made it slower to swap between apps, and use apps with a game running in the background.

The only company that has actually improved the overall feature set of their platform this generation is Microsoft. The XBO is basically the successor to the PS3 in that regard.

The appeal of consoles and handhelds for me has always been their ability to play games, and be a one stop device for all my Entertainment and Productivity needs. Sadly the market seems to be moving away from this, and pushing user in the direction of buying multiple devices to achieve the same functionality.

In many ways I feel like we have begun to loop back in technology. From 2000 - 2010, it was this amazing convergence of devices being combine into a single home and mobile device that covered everything you need. From 2010 - 2020, we have seemingly went the opposite direct, where now instead of having a single console that can do everything people need, instead they need a seperate speaker for a voice assistant, and a seperate camera for video chatting, and a seperate set top box for streaming. On the Mobile side, instead of having a single Handheld that handhelds everything on the go and at home, now people need a handheld for gaming, a smartphone for on the go, and a tablet while they are at home.

I really hope that with the next generation of Consoles and Handhelds that we get back to them being a one stop device, that continues to add features and value throught the generation. There is no reason PS5, XB4, and Switch 2 should not build upon what the current devices are doing.

In the end of the day, I don't want to see consoles fall to unsustainable levels as lesser devices like Smartphones, Tablets, Set Top Boxes, and Smart TVs become the be all end all. It is up to us as gamers to support these Gaming first devices, and utilize them for our non gaming needs. If we don't it will be our own fault when streaming, and non gaming devices overrun our medium.