Should we consider Switch successor as 10th Gen?

[EricHiggin]

Pemalite said:

EricHiggin said:

Wii U would kinda be its own thing.

It's a hybrid.

A hybrid doesn't mean all Hybrids are the same.

A hybrid is a device that takes upon different aspects (Mobile and fixed home console) and combines them into one device... And often will have compromises or overriding dominant features.

The Sega Nomad from 1995 for example shares many similarities with the Nintendo Switch.
The Sega Nomad could play full home console (Genesis) games on the go, but also output to a TV.

It's still different from a Switch or a WiiU, but it was a Hybrid device.

Arguably, the Switch is more of a mobile handheld and the WiiU was more of a fixed home console, the WiiU sacrificed range, the Switch sacrifices power for mobility and battery life.

Part of my point was that Wii U was more console like, as how Switch is more handheld like, though I think you could easily argue that Switch is a far far better hybrid concept than the Wii U.

The Wii U didn't just sacrifice range, it also sacrificed performance, and since it was more console like, that wasn't really found to be acceptable without a worthy gimmick, like the motion controls of the Wiimote. Where it is acceptable for the Switch concept because of how much more mobile it is.

Pemalite said:

EricHiggin said:

Depends on how different Switch 2 will be, but so far the rumors sound like it's going to be a very similar full generational upgrade from Switch 1. That says to me that Wii U should be considered its own thing, or just left under home console still for simplicity.

Obviously the WiiU was a market failure, so there was very little financial incentive for Nintendo to release a WiiU 2.0.

The Switch on the other hand is potentially set to be the best selling console of all time... So how do you follow that up? Reinvent the wheel with something different and hope it's a success? Or you take that current concept and refine it which has less risk financially?

I wonder how much of the reason Wii U was a market failure because it was such a lousy hybrid? Again, I think in terms of what a hybrid should be, Switch basically nails it, where as Wii U didn't because it was way more console like, without being enough like a console, or a hybrid. It was stuck in between two classifications from my point of view, which is part of the reason it did so poorly. Hence the reasoning for it being it's own thing, or just an unsuccessful console.

My point here is that due to the, lets say, 'semi hybrid' approach to the Wii U, and failure of it, for the sake of simplicity, I'm saying it would make more sense to consider the Switch as the true proper hybrid approach, and that Wii U should be considered a console (perhaps with a hybrid gimmick). At least that's how I would refer to it when talking about Nin hardware through the generations. If speaking about all hybrid hardware ever created, Wii U could certainly be part of that topic however.

Pemalite said:

EricHiggin said:

This could turn out to be extra useful if the rumors that XB and/or PS are getting more serious about another handheld are true, since it would seem extremely likely that if they seriously pursue handheld, that they'll do what little extra work needs to be done to make it a hybrid since it adds such a huge benefit to the hardware for little extra cost.

Next gen we could end up comparing PS6 to XBSXS2, as well as SW2 vs PS6P vs XBSH (handheld/hybrid). That's if SNY and MS gave us separate hardware numbers, so we'd have to wait and see.

Microsoft is likely positioned a little more optimally to push into the handheld market... They have Gamepass.

But also the Xbox Series S, which has a hardware technology base that can easily be made portable, so that could potentially skip the developer issue entirely that would allow Series S games to run natively.

Nintendo has attempted to have one device, multiple screens, this is probably the best way to grow your market in a market that is static in size.

Sony will be an interesting case, the PSP was an amazing handheld, the Vita just lacked support... And video games are getting more intensive to build and support, so it's unlikely to be viable to support multiple platforms going forwards, Nintendo even struggled to do it.

Yes, I'd say it's more likely MS will do it for reasons like you stated, GP, and also because they're hurting more than PS is right now so they have more reason to try new avenues. MS also seems to be more lenient with losing money on idea's that may not pan out.

I can't believe that XB or PS wouldn't just copy the Switch hybrid concept. They'd probably have a few minor differences to try and differentiate themselves, but that's likely it. Just like you said earlier, why would Nin themselves make any major changes or come up with a new concept when Switch meets so many demands and sells so well? Though I can't help but see Nin wanting to do something a bit different, whether they would or not, since that's just how they tend to roll. They love to be extra creative. Sometimes too creative on occasion you could argue.

Pemalite said:

EricHiggin said:

Next gen we could end up comparing PS6 to XBSXS2, as well as SW2 vs PS6P vs XBSH (handheld/hybrid). That's if SNY and MS gave us separate hardware numbers, so we'd have to wait and see.

I just want Ray Tracing to be pushed in a big way. It's been a long time coming.

I agree, along with more consistent 60FPS. Though if the consoles are struggling, I can't see hybrids, even next gen, doing wonders with RT. Framerates may be decent depending on what DLSS or FSR can accomplish if implemented well and put to good use.

I'd also like to see Nin push for a GPU boost dock option, like an external GPU for laptop. This would basically give them the best of both worlds. They could have handheld performance that could be played on a TV with the stock dock, while also having console like performance for customers who wanted the optional boost dock.