Nintendo Switch (Nintendo's next console)

Mr E · 14-01-2017 08:51PM

For those complaining about the price, it's worth considering that adjusted for inflation, the Switch is the 4th cheapest console of all time. I'm not sure how scientific or accurate that is, but it's an interesting statistic.

Now that an official release date has been set - March 3rd, 2017 - for the Nintendo Switch, a lot more details are online following the major presentation earlier in the week.

One of the key points about the Switch is the price point, which Nintendo have tentatively set at $299. Here in Ireland, Smyths Toys currently lists the Switch at €329.99, but for the purposes of this article, we're taking the US price into consideration.

IGN analysed the original launch price of other consoles and adjusting for inflation, the Switch came out as the fourth cheapest console ever made. In fact, two out of the three consoles cheaper than the Switch are made by Nintendo as well.

From entertainment.ie via IGN.

MilesMorales1 · 14-01-2017 08:53PM

We don't know how much the dock is going to sell for though. Might be like the gamepad and they just don't release it separately.

Osmosis Jones · 14-01-2017 08:55PM

MilesMorales1 wrote: »

We don't know how much the dock is going to sell for though. Might be like the gamepad and they just don't release it separately.

We do, it was announced at $90.

Atari Jaguar · 14-01-2017 09:00PM

ThisRegard wrote: »

500gb One S with game can be had for €259, 1TB with game for €319.

Where?

Retr0gamer · 14-01-2017 09:00PM

ThisRegard wrote: »

They're not really comparible, but it is with the Wii U, too much maybe. Which is why one of the other consoles may be a bigger draw. There's not enough, at the moment, over what the Wii U has and if people didn't go for them, why go for the Switch.

As it stands I don't see a Switch being anything more than a companion console or at best a 3DS replacement.

PC is the platform to own at the moment but it's also pretty much interchangeable with a PS4 or One. If you own any of those 3 the other 2 don't make much sense. The swtich will offer experiences those 3 can't offer but it remains to be seen if it will be a few worthwhile exclusives ala the WiiU or be totally essential like the 3DS.

The big problem is a lot of people will be happy with just a PC/PS4/One so a companion console is a luxury. If it becomes more like the 3DS then a handheld compliments a home console a lot better.

Andrew76 · 14-01-2017 09:01PM

MilesMorales1 wrote: »

We don't know how much the dock is going to sell for though. Might be like the gamepad and they just don't release it separately.

I've been pretty much offline the last two days and catching up on the news. So, the dock doesn't come bundled with the console? You have to pay extra for it?

And it's not coming with a single game included?

The monthly free game - presumably you get to keep the game indefinitely as long as you keep up the subscription?

(Apologies if these have already been answered.)

Atari Jaguar · 14-01-2017 09:02PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

It's a fancy HDMI cable :P

Really though I think that's one of the less egregious price points just based on the fact that I can't imagine too many people will want a second dock.

EDIT: Also does it not bother anyone that they're selling it either in black or with one red and one blue joycon? Why not a full red or blue set

If I wanted to play upstairs on my bedrooms TV I'd quite like a second dock at $89.99 rather than 330 euro.

Osmosis Jones · 14-01-2017 09:02PM

Andrew76 wrote: »

I've been pretty much offline the last two days and catching up on the news. So, the dock doesn't come bundled with the console? You have to pay extra for it?

And it's not coming with a single game included?

It comes with a dock, extra docks to have in extra rooms are $90. As of right now no package with a game has been announced.

ThisRegard · 14-01-2017 09:03PM

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

Where?

Argos, 259 for FIFA or Minecraft 500gb, 1 TB Gears of War or FIFA for 319.

Andrew76 · 14-01-2017 09:03PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

It comes with a dock, extra docks to have in extra rooms are $90. As of right now no package with a game has been announced.

Ah ok cheers.

Venom · 14-01-2017 09:04PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

It's a fancy HDMI cable :P

Really though I think that's one of the less egregious price points just based on the fact that I can't imagine too many people will want a second dock.

EDIT: Also does it not bother anyone that they're selling it either in black or with one red and one blue joycon? Why not a full red or blue set

They have Joy-con matching sets for $80 from Youtube vids Iv seen about the presentation but $90 is nuts for just a fancy docking station. I expect 3rd party vendors to have one or at least a cable out pretty quick.

Atari Jaguar · 14-01-2017 09:05PM

Andrew76 wrote: »

I've been pretty much offline the last two days and catching up on the news. So, the dock doesn't come bundled with the console? You have to pay extra for it?

And it's not coming with a single game included?

The monthly free game - presumably you get to keep the game indefinitely as long as you keep up the subscription?

(Apologies if these have already been answered.)

No. You can just buy an extra dock for another room or if it breaks etc.

So far no, but when I bought my PS4 I was phoned up by GameStop who let me know of a bundle with either Knack or Killzone about 2 weeks before launch, so there's still time.

Apparently not. It's for the month and then you have to buy it. I don't think Nintendo have commented yet.

MilesMorales1 · 14-01-2017 09:07PM

1-2 switch should be free though. The vita had a very similar game (in concept) that came installed on every system, full retail for that is just mental. Maybe it'll go down before launch.

Atari Jaguar · 14-01-2017 09:08PM

MilesMorales1 wrote: »

1-2 switch should be free though. The vita had a very similar game (in concept) that came installed on every system, full retail for that is just mental. Maybe it'll go down before launch.

Like I said above, a few weeks prior to launch we'll get word of game bundles. There's no way there won't be something in the box, Nintendo aren't stupid.

Osmosis Jones · 14-01-2017 09:09PM

1-2 Switch will sell about 40 copies if it's not bundled with the console.

Atari Jaguar · 14-01-2017 09:12PM

Correct me if I'm wrong but Nintendo land was available for purchase day one at full retail - no?

MilesMorales1 · 14-01-2017 09:12PM

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

Like I said above, a few weeks prior to launch we'll get word of game bundles. There's no way there won't be something in the box, Nintendo aren't stupid.

The boxes are already printed though, sure doesn't look like there's anything in the box. Maybe something digital or a free download.

Atari Jaguar · 14-01-2017 09:13PM

MilesMorales1 wrote: »

The boxes are already printed though, sure doesn't look like there's anything in the box. Maybe something digital or a free download.

Yeah the vanilla boxes. Sure Sony had boxes printed with just PS4's and then they offered a game with it. Printing a couple of boxes and throwing a game in isn't a big deal.

Also there's the option that GameStop often take it upon themselves to offer some games with the system.

CiDeRmAn · 14-01-2017 09:14PM

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong but Nintendo land was available for purchase day one at full retail - no?

That's exactly the point, I suspect it will be a packin, they'd be crazy not to do it, like Nintendoland, show off the USP of the new format, create a buzz.

Venom · 14-01-2017 09:14PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

1-2 Switch will sell about 40 copies if it's not bundled with the console.

Even if it came free with the console its a damm weird game I just don't see catching on and definite not the next Wii sports.

Osmosis Jones · 14-01-2017 09:15PM

Venom wrote: »

Even if it came free with the console its a damm weird game I just don't see catching on and definite not the next Wii sports.

As soon as he said you play without looking at a screen I started screaming inside

Atari Jaguar · 14-01-2017 09:16PM

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

That's exactly the point, I suspect it will be a packin, they'd be crazy not to do it, like Nintendoland, show off the USP of the new format, create a buzz.

Aye yeah I thought so. Christ lads it's not necessary to print up new boxes just to throw in 1-2 switch, probably do like with Wii Sports just a cardboard sleeve or a digital download code.

Venom wrote: »

Even if it came free with the console its a damm weird game I just don't see catching on and definite not the next Wii sports.

You underestimate the power of free. It looks like a bit of a laugh for a half hour with your missus or housemates or whatever, hardly a game you'd sit and play for hours but still if they throw it in for nothing it's something.

Like you hardly expect Zelda to be thrown in, so this is something from them to say here look, have a free game, have a laugh. Yeah?

Obviously you'd still pick up your Zelda or whatever the same day but I can see it being thrown in for a half hour of play when you get home tbh even if that's all you play it for.

Venom · 14-01-2017 09:19PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

As soon as he said you play without looking at a screen I started screaming inside

Yeah it lacks the whole play with a group/family vibe thing. Also, needing to be able to hear an audio que since your not looking at the screen doesn't seem to fit with the party atmosphere there aiming for!

Venom · 14-01-2017 09:22PM

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

Aye yeah I thought so. Christ lads it's not necessary to print up new boxes just to throw in 1-2 switch, probably do like with Wii Sports just a cardboard sleeve or a digital download code.

You underestimate the power of free. It looks like a bit of a laugh for a half hour with your missus or housemates or whatever, hardly a game you'd sit and play for hours but still if they throw it in for nothing it's something.

Like you hardly expect Zelda to be thrown in, so this is something from them to say here look, have a free game, have a laugh. Yeah?

Obviously you'd still pick up your Zelda or whatever the same day but I can see it being thrown in for a half hour of play when you get home tbh even if that's all you play it for.

They had zero reason not to mention 1-2 switch would be free with the console at launch if it is indeed the case. Maybe I'm wrong here, but I'v personally never seen a game come free with a console that didn't have it plastered all over the box.

MilesMorales1 · 14-01-2017 09:22PM

I don't think it has to catch on, Nintendo Land didn't catch on like wii sports did. But a little wee tech demo is nice to have without having to pay for it.

Danonino. · 14-01-2017 09:24PM

For people who travel for work, or college etc the switch is filling a very unique void imo. It's an updated Wii U that doesn't need to be within 10 feet of the console and is self contained and really well designed.

We'll see.

I think they are on to a winner. The only doubt I have is if Nintendo will push hard and long enough to make sure it's essential or that they confuse the message or try compete against the home consoles which it can't, and shouldn't.

EDIT: or worse, release a new handheld and render it pointless in a way.

mdwexford · 14-01-2017 09:38PM

orubiru wrote: »

Yeah.

I think comparing the price or the specs (or both) to already existing consoles is pretty dumb but the reality is that this is the market Nintendo is trying to sell to.

Imagine you are marketing high end bicycles and every 2nd person you talk to complains because motorbikes can go faster and they can get a second hand one for half the price. Kinda feels like that's what we're seeing here.

I think that analogy is pretty dumb.

super_furry · 14-01-2017 09:39PM

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

Like I said above, a few weeks prior to launch we'll get word of game bundles. There's no way there won't be something in the box, Nintendo aren't stupid.

It is a few weeks prior to launch right now. Nintendo explicitly said yesterday that it wouldn't be and that it's £39.99. It's a really daft decision and no-one with any sense is going to pay that for a tech demo.

Osmosis Jones · 14-01-2017 09:43PM

There were a few things Nintendo said they'd have information on at a later date, as if they didn't realise how soon they announced the release.

druss · 14-01-2017 10:16PM

super_furry wrote: »

It is a few weeks prior to launch right now. Nintendo explicitly said yesterday that it wouldn't be and that it's £39.99. It's a really daft decision and no-one with any sense is going to pay that for a tech demo.

I'd be thinking that this will be a game discounted at an early date, either via the Account system or via eShop sales.

As a pack-in, it'd be grand to show off the capabilities. But on first sight, I certainly don't see it as a full price or even half price purchase.

Unlike Mr Jaguar, I can't see any chance of a full game pack-in, at this stage. There might be some even lighter tech demo shoved onto the eshop?

I'm still planning on buying the Switch on day 1, with Zelda and with a pro-Controller. Maybe one or two indies as well, depending on how things fall.

Nintendo Switch (Nintendo's next console)

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