Nintendo Switch

[The Shoemaker]

I take the 3DS with me to my throne all the time. This is a big selling point for me.

Definitely. Based on my apartment layout, I could only sometimes play Wii U on the can, only if I sat sideways on the toilet.

[Kong Wen]

I could only sometimes play Wii U on the can, only if I sat sideways on the toilet.

Note that this is not recommended.

[The Shoemaker]

I could only sometimes play Wii U on the can, only if I sat sideways on the toilet.

Note that this is not recommended.

Which is why I played my Wii U so rarely Toilet comfort trumps all.

[The Shoemaker]

Anyone expecting one last Nintendo Direct or equivalent video before the system releases? Just to tie up loose ends like eShop support, UI, transferring VC games from Wii U 3DS, online info, will there be a day one update, ect. Seems like we have a vague idea of everything, but still a lot of looming questions.

[squishy]

Nintendo really seems to be releasing info at their own pace here. Less than a month away and it just seems to drop info here and there on social media. I'm interested to see what the paid online subscription will be. Price seems fair enough when compared to PS and Xbox versions. They teased GCN VC the other day. Apparently no video apps like Netflix on release but maybe down the road. That's not really a deal breaker like some are claiming online since you can get those on pretty much anything. Overall still a lot of question marks though. March 3rd should be interesting.

[The Shoemaker]

Nintendo really seems to be releasing info at their own pace here. Less than a month away and it just seems to drop info here and there on social media. I'm interested to see what the paid online subscription will be. Price seems fair enough when compared to PS and Xbox versions. They teased GCN VC the other day. Apparently no video apps like Netflix on release but maybe down the road. That's not really a deal breaker like some are claiming online since you can get those on pretty much anything. Overall still a lot of question marks though. March 3rd should be interesting.

Yeah, I doubt it's a deal breaker for anyone, it just doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the product.

I actually don't think they'll describe their online service before launch. I think it will be bare bones until basically Mario Kart comes out and that's when they'll launch the Smart phone app. But the way they're talking it sounds like the eShop will be very bare bones at launch too. I think we will get free monthly games before the service becomes a paid service. Would be a good way to keep people interested during a pretty calm launch season, and give people a taste of the service before paying for it.

[Kong Wen]

My Wii U is currently serving solely as a Netflix machine in my bedroom. I watch Netflix on my phone sometimes at lunch at work. The fact that we have other devices that do Netflix duty doesn't mean the Switch can get away without it. Much the opposite. It's a standard that's worrying in its absence. I have clocks on virtually all my kitchen appliances. That doesn't mean I'm going to be happy to buy a microwave without a timer.

Netflix and entertainment apps are only a symptom of the greater problem, though. Wii U was an unmitigated, colossal disaster, in large part because of Nintendo's utter failure to understand the market and to capitalize on the benefits of its weird hardware. Now the hardware is less weird (it's a tablet), but we're 5 years deeper into a society that expects simple online functionality to work. If Nintendo puts a motherfucking tablet on the market with online functionality that's behind-the-times in 2010 much less 2017, then their next several years in the console market are going to be unfortunate. This could be why they're putting out confusing, contradictory statements about the 3DS—if the Switch tanks as hard as the Wii U did, they know they'll need to continue the DS/handheld line to stay afloat.

I actually don't think they'll describe their online service before launch.

I don't think that's a very intelligent strategy, but I suppose it lines up with their other non-intelligent strategy of woefully misreading consumer demand at launch. Since they've pre-sold enough that some pre-orders are even being cancelled, they don't really have to market the system to get their first wave out the door. Still, revealing the online service and answering the endlessly echoes questions before launch would help temper early adopters' expectations, so they don't face too-obvious criticism in the system's first week.

Kind of like how they revealed there's no Netflix and no browser. It was much better for Nintendo to mention that in advance, to head off launch week reviews that say "Where the fuck is Netflix? Nintendo is acting like Nintendo again! #facepalm"

[The Shoemaker]

Turns out both Snipperclips and Fast RMX will launch on March 3rd through the eShop, both at $19.99 USD. Fast RMX looks pretty sweet, not sure if it's an expansion or a full sequel to Fast Racing Neo on the Wii U. This game got a lot of comparisons to F-Zero, not sure if anyone here played it?

Snipperclips also looks great to me. Something fun to play with my niece and SO.

[squishy]

Turns out both Snipperclips and Fast RMX will launch on March 3rd through the eShop, both at $19.99 USD. Fast RMX looks pretty sweet, not sure if it's an expansion or a full sequel to Fast Racing Neo on the Wii U. This game got a lot of comparisons to F-Zero, not sure if anyone here played it?

Snipperclips also looks great to me. Something fun to play with my niece and SO.

Fast RMX is Fast Racing Neo with all DLC included and I believe a couple of other new things. Also, Shovel Knight: Spectre Of Torment releases that day for $9.99 or you can get Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove which has the original game plus the expansions for I believe $24.99

[Kong Wen]

I sure hope you get lucky and your controllers actually work!