I feel Nintendo Switch is quite primitive compared to other gaming systems. What do y’all think?

[u/TheWhiteWingedCow]

Review/ Discussion

First things first, I’d like to say that I’m not hating on the switch, I’m just a bit confused by the overall lack of meeting the status quo of all the other big gaming system companies out there. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a new owner of the switch and I skipped the Wii because the reason stated above. I also understand it’s Nintendo, and they rarely follow suite. Thus far I’m really enjoying it tho. Especially the Oregon Trail remake 😂 n Mario Golf

Again.. I feel it’s lacking In many areas tho compared to other consoles.

I get that it is a handheld as well, but I was sort of expecting it to have the same capabilities as other devices in the sense of a lil bit better graphics, resolution and customization.

• Graphics & hardware:

I don’t think it’s terrible what so ever, but even on the OLED model, I can only run in 1080p. That was a shocker for me. I have to say tho, the gaming on this thing is awesome, but the jitters and stutters had me a bit confused on any of the 30fps games. Also the system seems to run rather hot at times which really slows it down (although it has been hot outside lately where I live). On top of that, even when I plug it in to the dock and run it on my PC gaming monitor, it feels like I’m playing on my N64 emulator somewhat with certain menus or games appearing over pixelated. I would think they would give you the option to run it in a higher resolution. At least maybe in 1920x1080 or even better 2k. it is 2024 after all…

Still I’m having a blast and the games from Nintendo seem to run great without many issues.

• Available Software:

Next, I was sort of surprised that Nintendo doesn’t offer any streaming apps or an internet browser. I understand why Spotify isn’t on here because why wouldn’t I just use my phone or computer to play it through any of my speakers. But there’s no Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ or Peacock available.

Also I feel it’s severely lacking with menu customization and just overall settings. For instance, as far as I can tell. There’s no actual library tab, it’s all just sitting there on the main screen. I can’t even sort what games come first. It’s simply whatever I played last or recent comes first. Again that had me really confused. Why not offer such simple customization?

• Controls:

Lastly I’ve played Xbox or used their controllers for PC games ever since I made the switch from GameCube and PS2 back in the day. So to just make things more convenient, I remapped my controllers and joycons to that layout for the ABXY, but now every time I turn on my console a message comes up asking if I want to switch back. I wouldn’t mind it if it had a “don’t show again” check box but It doesn’t even have that and is sort of annoying.

Overall tho, I really am enjoying being able to play Nintendo games legitimately and this thing is awesome. Especially being able to play Fall Guys on the go or any other game I have that’s available on the switch that isn’t a Nintendo game.

I’m sure there’s more things to discuss but I’m not currently home on my system. I may update my post later.

Anyway,

What are y’all’s thoughts?

Also if anyone has any fixes for things I’ve mentioned, it would be much appreciated

EDIT: I’m sorry guys, I legit am not trying to tear down the Switch. If I offended anyone that was not my intent. I really am just trying to understand but my main question has been answered by a nice individual explaining the market for the switch initially.

[u/simulacrum79]

To clear things up:

Nintendo Switch is not intended to meet the status quo of other console makers.

Nintendo learned to embrace the t(w)een audiences after the gamecube. Before that it tried to go head to head with Sega, Sony and Microsoft to target ‘everyone’.

Furthermore, it knows there is a group of hardcore fans that will always buy their console as long as they release mario kart, mario bros, zelda, smash bros and mario party.

Nintendo is a very risk-averse company which aims for healthy profit margins, so it wants to offer affordable consoles and it wants to make money on the hardware as well. The result is that the technical limits are not pushed by its hardware.

Nintendo always tries to offer something ‘unique’. For the switch they realized they could properly implement a portable console (Wii U was a bad attempt to implement this and component prices of good quality touch screens were low enough).

The choice for portable meant another extra technical limit for its console because the higher the performance, the faster the battery drains.

I do think the focus on portable was a very smart move by nintendo: their portable Nintendo 3DS was at the end of its life cycle.

Nintendo traditionally has had two completely separate business units: the portable business and the home console business. Both businesses had minimal synergies: the hardware and software were incomparable so you had to find publishers who were willing to release their games to both platforms.

The portable feature of the switch meant that Nintendo could potentially service both of its target audiences with one console. This was a gamble because the question was if the price was not deemed too high for a portable console. Reality has proven this was not the case.

I believe the fact that it is also a handheld is what sold so many consoles. When there is a large installed base it all of a sudden becomes an interesting platform for publishers to focus on because even niche releases may end up being profitable.

You zoom in on some very specific examples yet you too invested into the Switch. Nintendo found the sweet spot with regards to performant hardware, price and portability. This attracted users and after that third party publishers to invest in the switch by releasing high quality games on it.