Nintendo Switch 2 finally revealed
January 16, 2025 8:36 AM Subscribe
After unbearable levels of speculation and leaks, Japanese gaming giant Nintendo finally announced the Switch 2 today, surprising nobody. Most of the leaked features were verified by the trailer, but in traditional Nintendo fashion the mysterious 'C' button was rendered blank. What could this little anonymous square be for?
I think the reason we've had so many leaks is that Nintendo has been manufacturing units for a while. They're building up stock and want to sell this in volume at launch. But that also means there's been enough time for production units to leak out.
posted by thecjm at 8:54 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by thecjm at 8:54 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
I won't get this at launch because I never do. The first year or so is going to be a lot of titles ported from the other consoles and Switch games with slight graphic upgrades. But when there are enough first party Switch 2 exclusive games I'll pull the trigger
posted by thecjm at 8:56 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by thecjm at 8:56 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
Incredibly Nintendo move to have a trailer hyping up the big kickstand and slightly textured surface and then to be like "okay see you in four months".
posted by lucidium at 8:58 AM on January 16 [15 favorites]
posted by lucidium at 8:58 AM on January 16 [15 favorites]
I haven't been a gamer since the days of the Genesis and SNES, so forgive my ignorance here. Since the games are all delivered digitally, I'm surprised and appalled to see that some games on the previous version of this device may not work on the new one.
That kind of stuff normal? It doesn't look like the control form factor has changed that much; would seem odd that the hardware would make a port that difficult, but what do I know?
(I know that's the kind of thing that keeps me from dropping money on new devices and getting back into casual gaming.)
posted by Ickster at 9:00 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
That kind of stuff normal? It doesn't look like the control form factor has changed that much; would seem odd that the hardware would make a port that difficult, but what do I know?
(I know that's the kind of thing that keeps me from dropping money on new devices and getting back into casual gaming.)
posted by Ickster at 9:00 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
If it's got a more powerful GPU (and it should) I will buy it day one for improved performance on existing Switch games that struggle just a little bit like BOTW or TOTK. Assuming my digital library carries over to the new device... which it should do (famous last words).
posted by lefty lucky cat at 9:03 AM on January 16 [2 favorites]
posted by lefty lucky cat at 9:03 AM on January 16 [2 favorites]
Ickster, I'm wondering if it's to do with use of niche hardware features on the Switch that haven't made it to Switch 2. Like, Switch 1 has a sneaky little IR camera on the controller - if that's not in the Switch 2, then games using it won't work.
posted by Hermione Dies at 9:05 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by Hermione Dies at 9:05 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
Backwards compatibility is a relatively new feature for game consoles. And yes while many games are sold digitally Nintendo physical carts will hold a lot a resale value compared to the physical discs for PS 5 or XBox.
posted by thecjm at 9:06 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by thecjm at 9:06 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
What could this little anonymous square be for?
Calling it now: Ultimate warp zone.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 9:06 AM on January 16
Calling it now: Ultimate warp zone.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 9:06 AM on January 16
I was under the impression that the Joy Con controllers were fragile and drifted.
Is it not a surprise that they weren't replaced? Or is the assumption that they've been improved, because replacing them would be too much change?
(Not anti-Switchist.)
posted by wenestvedt at 9:12 AM on January 16
Is it not a surprise that they weren't replaced? Or is the assumption that they've been improved, because replacing them would be too much change?
(Not anti-Switchist.)
posted by wenestvedt at 9:12 AM on January 16
The Switch 2: Now with bisexual lighting!
posted by overglow at 9:13 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by overglow at 9:13 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
this little anonymous square
Somehow, somehow, it's the return of the c pad.
posted by Hermione Dies at 9:16 AM on January 16
Somehow, somehow, it's the return of the c pad.
posted by Hermione Dies at 9:16 AM on January 16
Is it not a surprise that they weren't replaced? Or is the assumption that they've been improved, because replacing them would be too much change?
Some people, perhaps optimistically, are hoping those joystick's internals are replaced with hall effect sensors.
posted by pwnguin at 9:18 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
Some people, perhaps optimistically, are hoping those joystick's internals are replaced with hall effect sensors.
posted by pwnguin at 9:18 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
Unfortunately, last week my switch started making a horrible noise. After some investigation it appears to be the fan dying/being dead, which is not an uncommon point of failure but a pain in the ass to fix. I started replaying animal crossing a couple months ago and it has been a mental equilibrium life saver, so I really want to be able to play on the switch at least a little bit every day. If this had happened at any point in the past five years (or to my previous hand me down switch which was purchased at launch and is still trucking in the hands of its original owner that I no longer share this console with), I would have simply shrugged, moved some entertainment budget around, and bought another one. But now, the idea of buying even a refurbished one is ridiculous, and I’ve been waiting for an official announcement, hoping the new console will have backwards compatibility, and that I will be able to get one sooner rather than later. It feels bizarre to want to buy a new console at release, for a game that came out five years ago, but here we are.
Hopefully the fan on my current console will limp along for a few more months. After I gave it a rest after that horrible noise, it hasn’t come back, but it pretty much always makes a sort of chugging fan whirring noise now, which previously it only did occasionally. I looked into paying for a repair, and the cost is about the amount of buying a new switch lite. I’m just glad Nintendo online finally has virtual backups. For the amount of money I’ve given Nintendo over the years my expectations are shockingly low. I am brainwashed by the bouncy plumber I guess.
posted by Mizu at 9:21 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
Hopefully the fan on my current console will limp along for a few more months. After I gave it a rest after that horrible noise, it hasn’t come back, but it pretty much always makes a sort of chugging fan whirring noise now, which previously it only did occasionally. I looked into paying for a repair, and the cost is about the amount of buying a new switch lite. I’m just glad Nintendo online finally has virtual backups. For the amount of money I’ve given Nintendo over the years my expectations are shockingly low. I am brainwashed by the bouncy plumber I guess.
posted by Mizu at 9:21 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
The mystery button looks small and low, like something you only press very occasionally. I'm gonna guess uhhhh... voice control?
posted by lucidium at 9:26 AM on January 16
posted by lucidium at 9:26 AM on January 16
copilot
posted by Hermione Dies at 9:27 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
posted by Hermione Dies at 9:27 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
Nintendo's going to introduce an AI who will be Player 2 when your little brother refuses to play.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 9:30 AM on January 16 [9 favorites]
posted by RonButNotStupid at 9:30 AM on January 16 [9 favorites]
It's funny given how cheap the replacement hall effect analog sticks were that nintendo never bit the bullet and used them in the og switch. That also feels like a supremely nintendo move.
posted by Ferreous at 9:36 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by Ferreous at 9:36 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
As someone still playing Mario Kart 8 on a WiiU, I will get this at launch with MarioKart 9.
Believe it or not there are dozens of us Nintendo fans who never got a switch.
posted by CostcoCultist at 9:43 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
Believe it or not there are dozens of us Nintendo fans who never got a switch.
posted by CostcoCultist at 9:43 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
This looks great! I like the black with the colored accents.
As to backward compatibility being relatively recent... I don't know about that. Gameboy Color and PS2 come to mind (1998 and 2000, respectively), putting backwards compatibility closer to the Atari 2600 (1977) than to today.
posted by papayaninja at 9:44 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
As to backward compatibility being relatively recent... I don't know about that. Gameboy Color and PS2 come to mind (1998 and 2000, respectively), putting backwards compatibility closer to the Atari 2600 (1977) than to today.
posted by papayaninja at 9:44 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
I haven't been a gamer since the days of the Genesis and SNES, so forgive my ignorance here. Since the games are all delivered digitally, I'm surprised and appalled to see that some games on the previous version of this device may not work on the new one.
Can you clarify what you're responding to here? We know basically nothing about this console, and nothing in the video talks about backward compatibility one way or the other. My Nintendo-fan friends are all assuming that most or all games will be portable from the current system.
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:44 AM on January 16
Can you clarify what you're responding to here? We know basically nothing about this console, and nothing in the video talks about backward compatibility one way or the other. My Nintendo-fan friends are all assuming that most or all games will be portable from the current system.
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:44 AM on January 16
Correcting myself above: There's a disclaimer that "some" games may not be backward compatible. I think "how many" is really critical. This kind of legal CYA might apply to only a small number - if anything I think the bigger news is that this implies that most games will be playable, which is what we expect.
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:46 AM on January 16
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:46 AM on January 16
As to backward compatibility being relatively recent... I don't know about that. Gameboy Color and PS2 come to mind (1998 and 2000, respectively), putting backwards compatibility closer to the Atari 2600 (1977) than to today.
In fact, the Atari 7800 that ended up at our house instead of an NES (grumble grumble) was backward compatible with the Atari 2600 games.
posted by montag2k at 9:51 AM on January 16 [8 favorites]
In fact, the Atari 7800 that ended up at our house instead of an NES (grumble grumble) was backward compatible with the Atari 2600 games.
posted by montag2k at 9:51 AM on January 16 [8 favorites]
@Tomorrowful, if you skip to the last 30 seconds of the linked YT announcement, you'll see where Nintendo mentions backwards compatibility with Switch 1 downloads and carts.
Switch 1 compatibility was also confirmed by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa in November 2024.
posted by now i'm piste at 10:02 AM on January 16 [2 favorites]
Switch 1 compatibility was also confirmed by Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa in November 2024.
posted by now i'm piste at 10:02 AM on January 16 [2 favorites]
Mizu, my kid took my Switch with him on vacation over the summer and when he brought it back the fan wasn't working so it would overheat and shut down. I was thinking of bearing with it until the Switch 2 came out but realized that wasn't going to be until mid 2025 so decided to take matters into my own hands. I ordered a replacement fan and replacement battery online (might as well get my battery back to original capacity if I'm already opening up the Switch) and spent an afternoon performing surgery on my Switch. It's as good as new now. It wasn't easy but at the same time I'm not in the habit of disassembling electronics and I was able to do it without mishap.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:03 AM on January 16 [7 favorites]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:03 AM on January 16 [7 favorites]
Ickster, I'm wondering if it's to do with use of niche hardware features on the Switch that haven't made it to Switch 2. Like, Switch 1 has a sneaky little IR camera on the controller - if that's not in the Switch 2, then games using it won't work.
According to Polygon, it is indeed most likely to be for reason of the absence of the IR camera, and possibly also the absence of an NFC reader.
posted by spindle at 10:03 AM on January 16 [2 favorites]
According to Polygon, it is indeed most likely to be for reason of the absence of the IR camera, and possibly also the absence of an NFC reader.
posted by spindle at 10:03 AM on January 16 [2 favorites]
possibly also the absence of an NFC reader.
The Amiibo collectors are gonna be upset about this!
posted by thecjm at 10:09 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
The Amiibo collectors are gonna be upset about this!
posted by thecjm at 10:09 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
I waited for a couple of years on getting the WiiU and my wife bought me the Switch for my birthday a couple of years after it came out. I think this time around I'll just get it at launch. If they can release it in the late Spring/early Summer then I can get it for my kid's birthday and if it's going to have a Fall release then I guess it'll be an unusually big Christmas present.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:10 AM on January 16
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:10 AM on January 16
I suspect that the only games that won't be backwards compatible will be the ones involving peripherals, so namely the Labo sets (remember them ? ) and the Ring Fit.
But it's Nintendo no one will know for sure untill the full specs are broken down in April 2025.
I'd be very surprised if amiibo /NFC functionally isn't included. That was a hold over from the 3DS and the markup on cards / figures is a revenue stream that Nintendo would be foolish extinguish.
posted by Faintdreams at 10:17 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
But it's Nintendo no one will know for sure untill the full specs are broken down in April 2025.
I'd be very surprised if amiibo /NFC functionally isn't included. That was a hold over from the 3DS and the markup on cards / figures is a revenue stream that Nintendo would be foolish extinguish.
posted by Faintdreams at 10:17 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
Backwards compatibility is a relatively new feature for game consoles.
[Laughs hysterically clutching my Atari 7800, which turns 40 next year]
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:18 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
[Laughs hysterically clutching my Atari 7800, which turns 40 next year]
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:18 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
I'm kind of shocked to realize my Switch is eight years old!
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 10:19 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 10:19 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
I'd be very surprised if amiibo /NFC functionally isn't included. That was a hold over from the 3DS and the markup on cards / figures is a revenue stream that Nintendo would be foolish extinguish.
Especially since the Super Nintendo World Power-Up Bands are also amibos.
Re: backwards compatibility - historically, this has happened when hardware architectures either line up or the predecessor tech is part of the new system. The reason the PS4/PS5 and XB1/Series X were so easy to make compatable was because they're basically heavily customized PCs running x86-64 architecture.
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:25 AM on January 16
Especially since the Super Nintendo World Power-Up Bands are also amibos.
Re: backwards compatibility - historically, this has happened when hardware architectures either line up or the predecessor tech is part of the new system. The reason the PS4/PS5 and XB1/Series X were so easy to make compatable was because they're basically heavily customized PCs running x86-64 architecture.
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:25 AM on January 16
I was under the impression that the Joy Con controllers were fragile and drifted.
Drift was an issue with some older Joy Cons, but it hasn't been an issue for about 3-4 years. Nintendo has done a pretty good job offering troubleshooting links and also replacing or repairing the Joy Cons. I'm not at all concerned about these controllers being more fragile or more buggy than my current Switch (which I've had zero problems with). Also the new version is rumored to be using a very different type of joystick hardware. (hall effect joystick)
posted by anastasiav at 10:32 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
Drift was an issue with some older Joy Cons, but it hasn't been an issue for about 3-4 years. Nintendo has done a pretty good job offering troubleshooting links and also replacing or repairing the Joy Cons. I'm not at all concerned about these controllers being more fragile or more buggy than my current Switch (which I've had zero problems with). Also the new version is rumored to be using a very different type of joystick hardware. (hall effect joystick)
posted by anastasiav at 10:32 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
hoping those joystick's internals are replaced with hall effect sensors
Why isn't this what every game controller manufacturer is doing? Is there some major drawback? They may be a little expensive but not much, given the price difference in 8BitDo controllers with and without Hall effect sensors.
Both my PS5 and my Switch are suffering from mechanical breakdown of their controllers. I don't play them very often, an hour a day at most, and I don't abuse the controllers. They're gently treated middle-aged-dude controllers. The $70 PS5 controller started drifting within a year. A Hall effect design would fix that problem.
posted by Nelson at 10:33 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
Why isn't this what every game controller manufacturer is doing? Is there some major drawback? They may be a little expensive but not much, given the price difference in 8BitDo controllers with and without Hall effect sensors.
Both my PS5 and my Switch are suffering from mechanical breakdown of their controllers. I don't play them very often, an hour a day at most, and I don't abuse the controllers. They're gently treated middle-aged-dude controllers. The $70 PS5 controller started drifting within a year. A Hall effect design would fix that problem.
posted by Nelson at 10:33 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
NotMyselfRightNow: "I'm kind of shocked to realize my Switch is eight years old!"
I'm not. The petulant demands that I stay up late to play with it are 100% on point for an 8 year old
posted by caution live frogs at 10:39 AM on January 16 [11 favorites]
I'm not. The petulant demands that I stay up late to play with it are 100% on point for an 8 year old
posted by caution live frogs at 10:39 AM on January 16 [11 favorites]
Would I buy a new console just for the latest Mario Kart? Yes, yes I would.
posted by furtive at 10:42 AM on January 16 [8 favorites]
posted by furtive at 10:42 AM on January 16 [8 favorites]
The PS2 was the first modern console with backwards compatibility, which Sony achieved by literally including the innards of the PS1 in every PS2. The Wii was capable of reading and playing GameCube discs (and could also use GameCube controllers, since the controls were so different), and I think the Wii-U could play Wii games. But there was a definite break after the PS3/Xbox360 generation, where the PS4 and PS5 still have trouble playing PS3 games—though Xbox has generally done better, I’m not sure whether the latest model plays 360 games out of the box.
I’d be a little surprised if some games will truly not work with the Switch 2—supposedly, the Switch 2 will support older JoyCons—and it’s more stating that these games won’t work out-of-the-box with only Switch 2 components. The architecture is supposed to be extremely similar (it also could be Nintendo covering it’s ass).
In the meantime, I’m still extremely annoyed that it’s not called the Super Switch. Everyone in your marketing department should be fired, Nintendo.
posted by thecaddy at 10:47 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
I’d be a little surprised if some games will truly not work with the Switch 2—supposedly, the Switch 2 will support older JoyCons—and it’s more stating that these games won’t work out-of-the-box with only Switch 2 components. The architecture is supposed to be extremely similar (it also could be Nintendo covering it’s ass).
In the meantime, I’m still extremely annoyed that it’s not called the Super Switch. Everyone in your marketing department should be fired, Nintendo.
posted by thecaddy at 10:47 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
If you like the Switch ecosystem but hate its wretched eShop, Nintendo Life today unveiled their own version of the eShop that has filters, removes spam, improves speed and searchability, and is just generally better.
posted by JHarris at 10:52 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 10:52 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
Backwards compatibility has been something supported by Nintendo more often than you might realize. GB worked in GB Color, GBA worked in DS/DS Lite, Gamecube worked on Wii, Wii worked on Wii U, heck you could play Gameboy on SNES and GBA on Gamecube, with the right adapter.
posted by furtive at 10:52 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
posted by furtive at 10:52 AM on January 16 [5 favorites]
GBA on Gamecube, with the right adapter.
The right adapter, and the easily-loseable disk, which last I checked sold for more money than the actual Gameboy Player.
posted by JHarris at 10:56 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
The right adapter, and the easily-loseable disk, which last I checked sold for more money than the actual Gameboy Player.
posted by JHarris at 10:56 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
The PS2 was the first modern console with backwards compatibility, which Sony achieved by literally including the innards of the PS1 in every PS2.
Woah there. Take it easy with words like 'modern'.
Also, the Sega Genesis was backwards compatible with the Master System because each Genesis included the Master System's innards. You did need a physical adapter, but apparently that was only needed to read the cartridges. The Genesis is actually playing the games.
And as pointed out earlier, the Game Boy Color was compatible with the Game Boy and the Atari 7800 was also compatible with the Atari 2600.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:58 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
Woah there. Take it easy with words like 'modern'.
Also, the Sega Genesis was backwards compatible with the Master System because each Genesis included the Master System's innards. You did need a physical adapter, but apparently that was only needed to read the cartridges. The Genesis is actually playing the games.
And as pointed out earlier, the Game Boy Color was compatible with the Game Boy and the Atari 7800 was also compatible with the Atari 2600.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:58 AM on January 16 [3 favorites]
Super Switch
Yes. They've got such a deep bench of better options. Switch Advance. Switch U. Switch Color. Game Switch. Choosing a mere number is terrible missed opportunity.
posted by Hermione Dies at 11:00 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
Yes. They've got such a deep bench of better options. Switch Advance. Switch U. Switch Color. Game Switch. Choosing a mere number is terrible missed opportunity.
posted by Hermione Dies at 11:00 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
Woah there. Take it easy with words like 'modern'.
I didn't know that about the Master System/Genesis! Let's go with "disc-based", then, which also lets me sidestep philosophical questions about whether the Game Boy Color was really a separate console from the original Game Boy.
posted by thecaddy at 11:15 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
I didn't know that about the Master System/Genesis! Let's go with "disc-based", then, which also lets me sidestep philosophical questions about whether the Game Boy Color was really a separate console from the original Game Boy.
posted by thecaddy at 11:15 AM on January 16 [1 favorite]
Yes. They've got such a deep bench of better options. Switch Advance. Switch U. Switch Color. Game Switch. Choosing a mere number is terrible missed opportunity.
The Swicked Switch of the Swest!
posted by JHarris at 11:30 AM on January 16 [7 favorites]
The Swicked Switch of the Swest!
posted by JHarris at 11:30 AM on January 16 [7 favorites]
Come to think of it, F-16 Fighting Falcon is the only Sega Master System game that's incompatible with the Genesis because it's secretly an SG-1000 game that makes use of the Master System's own backwards compatibility with that even earlier Sega console which the Genesis does not support.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 11:38 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
posted by RonButNotStupid at 11:38 AM on January 16 [4 favorites]
Swiitch.
posted by lucidium at 11:38 AM on January 16 [8 favorites]
posted by lucidium at 11:38 AM on January 16 [8 favorites]
2witch
posted by mittens at 12:05 PM on January 16 [2 favorites]
posted by mittens at 12:05 PM on January 16 [2 favorites]
My elementary school computer lab got Apple ii cards installed in all their Mac LCs so they could still use all the old Apple 2 software.
If you consider that the average Switch1 on has 6-8 games at $60 each they already have a lot more money in software than they do on the hardware. Having upgraded hardware that can still run your old games is great.
posted by CostcoCultist at 12:24 PM on January 16
If you consider that the average Switch1 on has 6-8 games at $60 each they already have a lot more money in software than they do on the hardware. Having upgraded hardware that can still run your old games is great.
posted by CostcoCultist at 12:24 PM on January 16
The right adapter, and the easily-loseable disk, which last I checked sold for more money than the actual Gameboy Player.
Holy cow $150ish on ebay! That disc might be the most valuable single piece of retro gaming I own. (well unless I ever find my Sympony of the Night disc (RIP)). Now to repair or replace my GameCube...
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:13 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]
Holy cow $150ish on ebay! That disc might be the most valuable single piece of retro gaming I own. (well unless I ever find my Sympony of the Night disc (RIP)). Now to repair or replace my GameCube...
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:13 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]
I immediately assumed backward compatibility was a go with the Switch 2 because on the Switch start screen lately there is feature box about moving your saved game and other content to a new device. I don't follow gaming news at all but given that I vaguely knew Nintendo was planning to release a new Switch soonish, I figured that's what that is all about (and that soonish was becoming soon).
posted by urbanlenny at 1:24 PM on January 16
posted by urbanlenny at 1:24 PM on January 16
I really like my Switch and have had one for a long time, but two years ago I went with a Steam Deck because a few of the big Switch ports were letdowns thanks to the hardware limitations. I'm not even much of a "big title" player, but the Steam Deck did a lot better with them, and I ended up buying more indy titles because they're cheaper and seem more likely to be available. So the Switch is permanently docked and seldom used.
I'm torn. The Steam Deck is bigger and harder to take along on trips, the Switch (Nintendo generally) is more approachable and even when things involve compromises it's not the same as the vast netherworld of things that "work okay" on the Deck but are not very fun (like Elite Dangerous, which involves a bunch of unreadable HUDs with no palatable affordances to zoom the UI, given how much information you have to juggle). So with the Switch I generally think "I'll be able to read the display, and the experience error bars are probably more to my liking."
I can see swinging back to a new Switch once the early adopters report back.
posted by A forgotten .plan file at 1:47 PM on January 16
I'm torn. The Steam Deck is bigger and harder to take along on trips, the Switch (Nintendo generally) is more approachable and even when things involve compromises it's not the same as the vast netherworld of things that "work okay" on the Deck but are not very fun (like Elite Dangerous, which involves a bunch of unreadable HUDs with no palatable affordances to zoom the UI, given how much information you have to juggle). So with the Switch I generally think "I'll be able to read the display, and the experience error bars are probably more to my liking."
I can see swinging back to a new Switch once the early adopters report back.
posted by A forgotten .plan file at 1:47 PM on January 16
Come to think of it, F-16 Fighting Falcon is the only Sega Master System game that's incompatible with the Genesis because it's secretly an SG-1000 game that makes use of the Master System's own backwards compatibility with that even earlier Sega console which the Genesis does not support.
Sounds like a situation much like what they've announced for the Switch 2: backwards compatibility, asterisk some games may not work. (Obviously the scale of "some" matters here.)
Is it not a surprise that they [joycons] weren't replaced? Or is the assumption that they've been improved, because replacing them would be too much change?
They have been replaced? The new controllers are the same basic shape/layout, sure, but they aren't the same controller. We have no idea to what extent they might share internals. The PS3 controller for example is much the same shape as a late-gen PS1 controller, but they're very much different controllers. The Switch 2 has new controllers in a similar form factor to the original joycons, that's all we know at the minute.
posted by Dysk at 2:43 PM on January 16
Sounds like a situation much like what they've announced for the Switch 2: backwards compatibility, asterisk some games may not work. (Obviously the scale of "some" matters here.)
Is it not a surprise that they [joycons] weren't replaced? Or is the assumption that they've been improved, because replacing them would be too much change?
They have been replaced? The new controllers are the same basic shape/layout, sure, but they aren't the same controller. We have no idea to what extent they might share internals. The PS3 controller for example is much the same shape as a late-gen PS1 controller, but they're very much different controllers. The Switch 2 has new controllers in a similar form factor to the original joycons, that's all we know at the minute.
posted by Dysk at 2:43 PM on January 16
Reminds me of when people first learned about the 3DS's Play Coins and assumed it was an achievement system. (Nintendo will never do an achievement system, because other companies do them.)
posted by BiggerJ at 3:33 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by BiggerJ at 3:33 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]
I saw this trailer and I recall the Switch launch trailer (for ad-hoc multiplayer gaming).
I've assumed that an update to the nVidia tech means Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and Machine Learning to provide photorealistic graphics without calculating photorealistic rasterised graphics.
posted by k3ninho at 3:49 PM on January 16
I've assumed that an update to the nVidia tech means Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and Machine Learning to provide photorealistic graphics without calculating photorealistic rasterised graphics.
posted by k3ninho at 3:49 PM on January 16
If you like the Switch ecosystem but hate its wretched eShop, Nintendo Life today unveiled their own version of the eShop that has filters, removes spam, improves speed and searchability, and is just generally better.
Some people are reporting that it's classifying indie games as shovelware.
posted by creatrixtiara at 8:35 PM on January 16 [2 favorites]
Some people are reporting that it's classifying indie games as shovelware.
posted by creatrixtiara at 8:35 PM on January 16 [2 favorites]
More instances of people not being happy about the 'shovelware' category
posted by creatrixtiara at 8:36 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]
posted by creatrixtiara at 8:36 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]
I'm excited. I've held off playing TOTK and other games because I knew they'd run better on the successor and I had enough other games on my plate.
As for the branding, Nintendo has developed this kind of "no, unimaginative is best" approach that already has not aged well - things like "New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe" that show how misguided the entire idea of the naming scheme was.
It's worth considering that Nintendo is not fun. They are not a fun company. They are a very serious company that is in the business of creating fun things. Somehow they manage to be shockingly boring in some ways and yet still create the most magical and original gaming experiences. No one understands it, I suspect least of all Nintendo.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 12:00 AM on January 17
As for the branding, Nintendo has developed this kind of "no, unimaginative is best" approach that already has not aged well - things like "New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe" that show how misguided the entire idea of the naming scheme was.
It's worth considering that Nintendo is not fun. They are not a fun company. They are a very serious company that is in the business of creating fun things. Somehow they manage to be shockingly boring in some ways and yet still create the most magical and original gaming experiences. No one understands it, I suspect least of all Nintendo.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 12:00 AM on January 17
The near 100% employee retention rate might help, but I think they understand.
posted by lucidium at 3:19 AM on January 17 [2 favorites]
posted by lucidium at 3:19 AM on January 17 [2 favorites]
Holy cow $150ish on ebay! That disc might be the most valuable single piece of retro gaming I own. (well unless I ever find my Sympony of the Night disc (RIP)).
My priciest bit of retro tech gear remains my GameCube component video cable, which I bought direct from Nintendo (as that was the only way to get one), and now goes for several hundred dollars.
posted by NoxAeternum at 6:43 AM on January 17 [1 favorite]
My priciest bit of retro tech gear remains my GameCube component video cable, which I bought direct from Nintendo (as that was the only way to get one), and now goes for several hundred dollars.
posted by NoxAeternum at 6:43 AM on January 17 [1 favorite]
creatrixtiara, ah, that's a shame. Maybe someone will come along and fix the fixed eShop?
posted by JHarris at 9:54 AM on January 17
posted by JHarris at 9:54 AM on January 17
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posted by mittens at 8:47 AM on January 16 [10 favorites]