Nintendo Switch Presentation Thoughts

So Nintendo finally gave us a healthy dose of Nintendo Switch information in the form of a Nintendo Switch Presentation that aired earlier tonight.  I have to admit, it was very well presented.  I quite enjoyed the intro about how they explained that the Switch has borrowed "DNA" from all previous Nintendo products. What I didn't enjoy much was the lack of info on launch titles, but we'll get into that in a bit.

First, two bits of information if you haven't already heard.  We have a world wide release date of March 3rd.    We all pretty much knew it was coming in March, but I had no idea that it was coming that soon in March.  This doesn't even leave Nintendo two months to get through all the logistics of pre-ordering and shipping, world wide mind you.  This is serious crunch time for them.

Second, we have the price.  It will be 299.99 in the States.  Again, that didn't come as a big surprise, because all reports figured it would be somewhere around the Wii U's price.  Anything steeper would be putting it well over what the PS4 and Xbox One are going for right now, and that would just be a huge shot in the foot to Nintendo.  In fact, I'm leaning towards saying 300 is a bit too much as it is.

We also got a full break down on all the features of the Switch, including the Joy-Con.  Confirmed is touch screen controls.  That was pretty much a given, but the October trailer never hinted at it.  The main stars of the show were the Joy-Cons.  We got a detailed look at everything they could do.  We now know they have shoulder buttons, and there will be wrist straps that slide onto them, extending the grip of those buttons to make them more comfortable.  Accelerometers mean motion controls, and there will be an infrared port that's able to not only detect proximity of objects, but their shape as well.  That could make for some interesting applications.  What really interested me is the new "HD Rumble" they introduced.  Supposedly, you'll be able to detect more intricate rumbling for greater sensory feedback.

There's some great news, and some horrible news.  First, the great news.  Nintendo Switch will be region free.  Finally, a Nintendo system free of stupid region locking bullshit.  Now, the only thing holding back your enjoyment of importing Japanese games is your lack of understanding Japanese!  This is huge Nintendo!  Seems like you're finally learning....no, wait.  No you're not.  Apparently, it's too hard to keep making steps forward without taking steps backward.  So, the horrible news.  Near the end of 2017, Nintendo will begin charging for online services.

Now, they didn't go into detail about exactly what kind of services they'll be charging for, but I can only hope against hope that basic online play will be free.  If not, this has potential to hurt Nintendo severely.  Some people stuck with Nintendo when MS, and later Sony, began charging for their online play.  Will people cough up the dough to keep playing Splatoon 2?  Not if they don't improve how their games play, because Nintendo still doesn't understand basic online fundamentals like, match making and friend finding.

Now for the games... I'm just going to say I am a bit worried that more than half the time spent on their reveals were for games they could have waited to show off at E3.  I was waiting patiently to learn what launch titles would be available on day one, and although The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was confirmed as a launch title with an absolutely breathtaking trailer, the only other game confirmed for launch was.... a multiplayer mini-game called 1 2 Switch.  All it looks to be is a duel type game where you try to pull the controller out on someone before they do.  I'm sure that will be fun for about 1, 2 minutes...

ARMS looked to be an interesting title where you use your Joy-Cons as virtual boxing gloves.  The unique feature about this arcade boxing title is that the arms extend, like springs, so you can throw your punches literally across the ring.  Twisting your wrists allow you to curve your punches.  But honestly, I get the impression that this is nothing but a glorified Wii Boxing.  I can't see it being a substantial title.

There was also footage being shown for a Splatoon title.  Now, I saw a Splatoon game being played on the Switch in the October trailer, but I just assumed it was a port of the Wii U title, but it is in fact a full fledged sequel.  Looks like just about everything in the game will be brand new.  I'm a bit excited for it, but I only hope they make their single player campaign larger, because the original was fun.  Just wasn't long enough, and the online bored me.  I for sure will not be paying just to play Splatoon 2 online.

Everything else they showed off seems it was going to be well off into 2017.  We got a new Shin Megami Tensei, a new Fire Emblem, Xenoblade 2 (which looks FUCKING amazing) and a few other things.  There was a rapid fire teaser montage at the end that went by too quickly to really spot what was coming out, but I'm sure future Treehouses will go into detail about those.  Oh, there was the finally confirmed Skyrim, which should have just been confirmed by Bethesda back when we saw the game being played on the Switch... back in October.  There was a also a tease of Suda 51 saying a new Travis Touchdown game is in the works, but it has no title yet.  Come on... what else could it be other than No More Heroes 3?!  That announcement had me the most excited yet.  I simply love that series!

Then, we got a look at the new Mario.  It started off with a camera panning across a city and descending to street level where it stopped above a sewer lid.  I was thinking, "A new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game?"  Nope. Mario pops out!  It showed him running across this New York inspired city, and I was thinking, "OH MY GOD!  IT'S HAPPENING!  SUPER MARIO GRAND THEFT AUTO!"  Then the scenery changed. Rapidly.  Forest levels. Space levels.  Weird abstract art levels.  His hat also has a life of its own now.  This new Mario game Super Mario Odyssey looks weird and fantastic all in one.  And... it's not releasing until the holiday season.  Bad. Move. Nintendo.  You needed this at launch.

And this brings me to my closing.  Nintendo fell hard on their faces with this presentation.  Even though it was made well, it lacked critical information: launch titles.  So, all we know is that there's a mini game and Zelda.  Where is everything else? What other Nintendo games are going to be launch titles? Any third parties? I mean.. it can't JUST be those two? Can it? And what is the rest of the year going to look like? I know, it's too early for that information, but I am deeply concerned that we're going to see another four month game drought like we did with the Wii U.  Sure, we got Wii U and GC backwards compatibility, but that's through digital content only, pointless if you have the discs.  If you're going to buy a Switch just for Switch games, you're going to be royally screwed.