Originally this was supposed to be up a few days after the initial reveal. Alas, real life reared its ugly head and those plans come to a jarring halt. Now, after having seen more of the Console at Jimmy Fallon and knowing the exact date of the complete reveal in January, I think its high time I finally finish this and post it here. In hindsight the delay may have been for the better, as it allowed me to rethink many points and to get an impression of the general consensus about the switch.
Oh, yes, this is going to be one of those “Wall of Text” Posts, so ill include TL,DR: lines under each segment!
TL,DR: My thoughts on the Switch, TL,DRs under each segment!
A clear concept
Don’t get me wrong, I love my Wii U, but I think many will agree with me if I say that its not easy describing that console. I often end up pointing at the games and offering a direct demonstration as it usually is much easier to understand the console that way. Where do you start? Of course there’s the gamepad, but what does it do? Off-TV Play, Asynchronus Multiplayer, Additional Information, sometimes nothing at all…
This almost random use of the gamepads possibilities is one of the biggest problems of the Wii U, not because it makes the games bad, but because it makes it irritatingly hard to describe whats actually awesome about the console, because theres no consistency. Yes, being able to access map and inventory directly is awesome in games like WWHD, or Darksiders 2, but you cant do all of that in Xenoblade X. But its awesome in there too, because they put some other features there. No, not like in Lego City, that’s more like one of those Games from Nintendoland. Wait, what were we talking about again?
Now try explaining the Switch: It’s a console that you can take everywhere, but it has the power of a homeconsole and can dock directly to your TV.
Done.
The Switch focuses on one big Feature/Gimmick that has a clear and easily understandable way of use, that will be the same across all games. You don’t even have to explain it anymore, just show the first 30 seconds of the switch trailer. It explains itself. Show somebody the first 30 seconds of any Wii U trailer and they’ll just be confused: “So, its like another accessory for the Wii or what? ... Wait what? I don’t get it, that’s not what they just showed”…
and so on and so forth…
And this simpler and better concept is paired with another very important point!
TL,DR: The Switch has a simple and understandable Concept that stays the same for all games.
A shift in marketing
As much as we all decried the often horrible Wii U Marketing, the previous segment describes pretty well why it was no easy job. The Wii U simply wasn’t easy to market right. Don’t get it right on the first try and it becomes even harder.
While we have barely seen any Switch marketing there are already positive signs:
No kids in the reveal trailer! Because, lets face it, Nintendo never needed to appeal especially to kids. This is the one Part where there Image as the Kiddy-Company helps them. Kids, and Parents looking for something for their kids, almost always look at Nintendo at some point. Children still know Mario and Luigi, even if its just from a few rounds of Mario Kart at a friends. Nintendos Brands and their Image are both strong on their own. Shifting the main marketing effort back to young adults could go a long way for getting back many people that left after the Wii and DS Days.
The other instance of marketing we’ve seen until now was when Reggie visited Jimmy Fallon and brought the Switch with him. Showing the Console there and seeing Jimmy completely geeking out about it, is another prime example how Nintendo seems to try to move away from the “for kids only” stigma and back into a more mainstream audience, while also making sure that people now about the console and why its so cool from the beginning.
TL,DR: Marketing targeted at an more mature mainstream audience instead of kids.
An unintrusive main-Feature/Gimmick
Technically this could have been part of the first segment, but I think it deserves its own because its very easy to overlook.
The Switches main concept, the ability to play nearly anywhere, however you like; is completely gameplay neutral!
This is very easy to overlook, but I’m guessing Game Designers everywhere are very thankful at Nintendo for going this route.
What it actually means is simple: The Switch Concept has no influence on the Gameplay and Mechanics of the Games that are played on the console, meaning nohing extra needs to be added to any game to run on it!
On the Wii U Game Designer always needed to find something they could do with the tablet, or with motion controls, or both, often making extensive reworking or addition of mechanics at the eleventh hour necessary. This came as a stark contrast to the other Platforms, that could pretty much be copy pasted without any changes. With the Switch Nintendo finally has an interesting central feature that asks for zero extra work from game designers. No need for any special controls or extra screens, just put the game on there, map the buttons and you can play wherever you want!
TL,DR: Games don't need to be changed for the Switch like they had to for the Wii U.
Overlooked Demographics
Okay, this is mostly theorizing on my part, but I think Nintendo could actually be aiming for several Target groups we never realized where there.
One of the big talking points shortly after the initial reveal was that Nintendo was, according to Analysts, aiming for the old Wii crowd, and that that was likely going to end up not that good. While I kinda agree on that one, the Wii Crowd, the blue ocean, has moved on, I think there is one demographic group in particular that has been missed!
Simply said, the people we see in the trailer.
No, seriously! Young adults, that are leaving their childhood behind them and take on responsibilities and jobs, which end up cutting their time short. Having started my Internship a few month ago I haven’t been able to game half as much as I’d like. The one exception? My 3DS during the commute via train! Except that I have hardly any games left that I have not already completed over and over again, not to mention the frustration of having tons of backlog that I CANT play mobile because its bound to my PC or my Wii U. Right now I’d kill for a Switch, just so I can finally play Xenoblade X again! (Assuming that game or a port ever comes to the Switch.)
People tend to underestimate how much time a job eats away, and how little is left for hobbies like gaming. Handhelds are nice and all, but they are seen as a kids product. The fact that they are much weaker than any Home console doesnt help either. But a Portable with the power of a Home console, that additionally can be a home console as well?
Thats a goddamn game changer right there!
And this would apply to people already owning consoles and feeling this frustration, as well as to those who didnt want to buy a console precisely because of those reasons!
So, yeah, I think there are quite some people who could see the appeal, especially if the console is priced fittingly!
TL,DR: People that don't have the time for traditional console gaming finally get an alternative with the Switch!
A solid start
The System will not be out till next year, but it is already very likely that the launch will be much better than the Wii Us. Yes, its shortly after holiday season, I get it, but thats literally the biggest problem as of now!
The first trailer and the appearance on Jimmy Fallon were widely circulated and most people liked them.
There is a clear message what the console is and what it isnt.
Launch Games are looking very good, with Zelda, 3D Mario, Mario Kart 8 Directors Cut, Splatoon Director's Cut, Skyrim SE and the likelihood of better third party support in general.
Its coming really soon, no 1+ year waiting time, its actually right around the corner!
There is competition launching simultaneously. The next new console to be released after the Switch will be the Scorpio at the end of 2017, and that is just a beefed up version of the Xbox. If the PS Pro is anything to go by, its not going to be that much of a big thing. Its definitely not a threat on the level of the original Xbone and PS4 when they loomed over the Wii U.
It comes at a time when interest in Nintendo is higher than in a long time, thanks to Pokemon Go, Mobile Games, the Theme Park announcements, and of course the now revealed mystery of the NX, not to mention the Hype wave from Zelda at the E3!
Hell, it actually did get a decent name! Despite being a Nintendo product!
The one possible Screw Up that Nintendo still could deliver would be completely fucked up/ non-existent marketing, and I am pretty optimistic in that regard. What we’ve seen until now looked quite good, and while it wasn’t much, that makes sense, considering that its holiday season. You don't start a big marketing campaign during holiday season for a product that doesnt release until after the holiday season.
So, yeah. Despite all our fears things are looking nice for the Switch.
Im not saying everything will be perfect, knowing Nintendo there will be some stupid stuff, and we’ll probably have to buy half of our games again, but compared to the general doom and gloom from one or two years ago, things are looking well!
TL,DR: A much better position to launch from compared to the Wii U.
So, that are my biggest thoughts on the Switch, what are yours?
Do you agree/disagree?
Lets discuss!
The new guy.
Sorry for possible mistakes, not a native speaker!
