Ok, the Switch has been released and even though I didn't get to see it in action, from what I saw in-store the design is... pretty decent, but not as a big of a change from the WiiU.
Compared to the WiiU, it's very compact. Just think of the WiiU Touch Pad with the Wii Remotes attached. That's it. It's not a true handheld, nor was it meant to be; think of the difference between a tablet and a smart phone. Instead, it blurrs the line a little.
To go into more detail, everything seems to be contained in the WiiU Pad-like screen module, with the separate housing connecting it to the HDTV. Yes, like the WiiU before, it does HD, but it's supplied with an HDMI-cable only, so older TV's are out of luck. You don't need need one however thanks to the aforementioned screen.
The controllers, well... the best way to describe them is that it's actually a single controller, split between left and right designated + and - like electro-magnetic poles. The clever bit is that they can "Switch" functions between two standalone remotes, connected to the main console, or connected together via an extra piece like a classic controller, depending on what a particular game supports. It's like having the Wii Remotes and the WiiU pad all in one, hence me saying it's not that big of a jump for you WiiU owners.
The games I can't really comment on, but the selection is decent with some suprising entries: the new Zelda game (I believe there's a WiiU version as well), Bomberman returning despite Hudsonsoft's bankruptcy, Tetris x Puyo Puyo and even an indie game, "The Binding of Isaac". I have to say this in advance though: because of the Switch's portable nature Nintendo has returned to cartridges or "game cards" instead of discs, not done for a console since the Nintendo 64. At least loading times shouldn't be a problem anymore
At only $299.99 it's pretty cheap as is Nintendo's hallmark. What will hurt your wallet more are the accessories, especially for the controllers. Even though in theory it's a single controller split in two, the accessories for each side are sold separately, a pretty bad move. That's my only real complaint for now.
The Nintendo Switch's appeal is its inherent ability to "Switch" between classic console and (rather large) handheld, but don't expect it to be like a new 3DS or successor to it just yet. I'm gonna wait it out and see what happens when the hype dies down, but one thing will always remain: Nintendo isn't afraid to be different, to try new thing, and they don't rely on paw processing power alone.
The resident Rewind... well, half of one
- Jelze Bunnycat =:3
Looking for:
- TR Furos (Hardhead's head) and Crashbash (lost him
)
- PotP Punch head
- TR Galvatron right arm (the gun one)
- CW Brake-Neck/UW Wildrider, CW Offroad
- TR Twinferno & Grotusque
- Greenlight, Lancer and PotP Elita-1 (plus repro Victorion hands and feet?)
