Nintendo Switch (Nintendo's next console)

Two Fundamental Nintendo Switch Questions That Need Answers In The Next Month

It’s a little hard to believe that the Nintendo Switch comes out in just over a month. This has been one of the most unorthodox console release schedules in recent memory, from its non-holiday, spring launch, to the trickle of information about the system over the last few years that only recently has turned into something resembling a river.

And yet, questions still remain. Important ones.

Yes, there are certain things I would like to know about the Switch before launch. What its exact specs are, as we’re still missing a few key numbers, and it would be nice to figure out exactly what it probably is or isn’t going to play in regard to third party games. Also, what sort of Pokémon game, if any, is coming to the Switch, and how does this tie into the future of the 3DS as Nintendo’s primary handheld system?

There are more past that, but these are questions that either won’t mean all that much to the average buyer, or that can be discussed in the future. There are two specific questions, however, that I think Nintendo absolutely has to answer/elaborate on before the launch of the console in a month because they could affect the decision-making process of people thinking they’re going to pick up a Switch at or near release.


1. How Does The Online System Actually Work?

While Nintendo will not be charging for online play up front, it will be by the time fall rolls around, and it’s only fair that they give a more detailed explanation of exactly how this new paid system is going to work. So far, we have no idea how much it’s going to cost, and while we might estimate it could be in the $50-60 range like with PS Plus and Xbox Live, that’s not a guarantee. If it turns out that it’s somehow less, like $30, that could convince some on the fence that even if they have reservations about a paid online service from Nintendo, that hey, at least it’s going to be cheaper than the competition. But if it isn’t, consumers should know that as well, even if the paid aspect doesn’t kick in right at launch.

But beyond price, the past few weeks have had journalists trying to pry information out of Nintendo about how exactly the online system works. So far, we’ve managed to extract that yes, the Nintendo Switch seems to have no native ability to create parties or host voice chat itself. Instead, all of that will be done through a global app on your phone.

There are of course a ton of questions attached to this set-up. How fast would this drain battery life? Is there anything to worry about with data usage? The most fundamental question I’ve heard asked is that if you’re using a phone for voice chat, are you able to hear both game audio and voice chat audio at the same time? Is one device running sound to the other somehow, or are you making a hard choice between one or the other?

These are basic questions about an online service that need to be answered before release. The excuse that the service is free to try for the next few months and that’s how questions will be answered is not good enough. If the online service is too pricey or doesn’t have good functionality, potential buyers should know that ahead of time, as they will have to pay for it eventually.


2. What Is Going On With Virtual Console And Backwards Compatibility?

Here’s the second question that could potentially be make or break for Switch ownership. A Nintendo console that plays cool new Nintendo games is nice and might be worth a purchase. A Nintendo game that plays Nintendo’s entire back catalog of games is on another level entirely.

Virtual Console is one aspect of the Switch that Nintendo has not talked about really at all. Even as they danced around questions in Kotaku’s infamous, hilarious interview with them, when it came to Virtual Console, it was only “We have nothing to announce at this time.”

Well, the time has come to announce something.

It is an incredibly important selling point if finally, Nintendo account holders can carry over their VC purchases from past systems. Fans have been requesting this kind of unified account system for ages, one where purchases are permanent and not lost between hardware iterations, but it’s not clear at all if the Switch will finally begin that new era. Conversely, if that is not the case, consumers have a right to know that as well, given that it could discourage them from buying a new Nintendo product that hasn’t learned its lessons, and negates their past purchases.

Similarly, Nintendo is not being entirely clear about whether or not Wii U and 3DS games might be available on the Switch. They have said outright that the Switch will not be backwards compatible with old physical media, which certainly makes sense, but will the system ever offer digital copies of these games? It’s pretty standard for both Xbox and PlayStation to have some level of backwards compatibility/availability in regard to many 360/PS3 games, and the Switch not having that at all, and purely relying on the Virtual Console would not be a point in its favor. Either way, this is information that needs to come to light before potential customers are asked to make a purchase.

Both of these questions are pretty basic. Nintendo still has a month to go into more detail regarding both of them, and I have to believe they will, given how fundamental they are to the console’s functionality. But if not, it may be better to wait for answers than to rush out to buy a system with assumed features it may not end up having.

sligeach wrote: »

Nintendo Switch is now even lower on Amazon France, it's €299.99. They must be struggling to sell through the pre orders.

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B01M6ZGICT

If only a retailer in Ireland would give us that price. Fat chance!

Danonino. wrote: »

Then he had the item over 30 days. It's voucher only after 30 days or he had no receipt/proof through an account.

Their actual return policy is back to method of payment within the first 30 days if the item is faulty and you have proof of purchase (like sold through an account). Missing discs is 100% faulty and within 30 days he, you or anyone would have been offered method of payment back, you can choose to take a voucher.
They also do a two day goodwill change of mind (extended over the month of December) which IS only back to voucher which is what you might be confusing.

But yes if you pay cash and there is fault within the first 30 days you will be refunded in CASH.

Asking CeX and the reply you got sounds like a sales assistant in store not an official standing. The truth is they charge a higher selling point for one reason, supply and demand. They are priced at a price they will sell. The buy in price obviously raises with this, sometimes well above what the new price was.

I've worked for pretty much all the game retailers at some point and CeX are actually very honest and transparent. Sure staff can talk nonsense, confuse stuff or make errors (like anywhere) but as a company and how they handle warranty and refunds etc they are on the ball.

sligeach wrote: »

Nintendo Switch is now even lower on Amazon France, it's €299.99. They must be struggling to sell through the pre orders.

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B01M6ZGICT

If only a retailer in Ireland would give us that price. Fat chance!

Digital Solitude wrote: »

I know it's been asked at least a few times but Amazon don't take money until dispatch yeah?

nairy hipples wrote: »

Amazon.fr are doing a Switch for €299 or a Switch and Zelda bundle for €349. I don't think they deliver the bundle to Ireland but I'd love to see GameStop/Smyths offering a similar priced bundle. It's unlikely though as they seem to have no problem selling through their stock!

TrustedApple wrote: »

They do deliver to Ireland at a cost of 12 euros. Being honest it will prob come faster then from Amazon uk .....

Atari Jaguar wrote: »

Apart from the entire catalog of Wii games you can play, right?