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[Nintendo Switch] THIS THREAD IS DEAD! POST IN THE NEW ONE!
MNC Dover
Full-time Voice ActorKirkland, WARegistered User regular
Full-time Voice ActorKirkland, WARegistered User regular
The Switch is Nintendo's 7th home console 5th handheld newest hardware. After the Wii U's struggles over the past four years, especially with advertising and PR, this is Nintendo's comeback kid.
As the name implies, the Switch is a hybrid console, capable of going between standard TV play and on-the-go gaming. The console itself is actually just a thin, tablet-esque bit of hardware that's like a slightly smaller and less bulky Wii U gamepad. But don't be confused: whereas the gamepad was just a screen that streamed from the Wii U itself, the Switch is a fully independent console. It has a capacitive touch screen (a departure from Nintendo's preference for resistive), two slots on the side for controller attachments, Wi-Fi, and uses a USB-C cable to charge. Due to its mobile nature, it uses cartridges to play games. There are three main ways to play:
TV Mode
This the traditional couch playing mode. The Switch comes with a dock that uses an HDMI cable to broadcast the Switch to your TV. This is where the Switch acts like a regular home console, and there's not much else to say. You can play using the game's controller (Joycons) separated or together (there is a grip included in box to give the joycons a controller form factor, but it does NOT charge the Joycons), or you can opt for something more typical like the pro controller (Sold Separately).
Handheld Mode
The mobile mode, this is just taking the Switch out of the dock and playing on it. The Joycons slide on to each half of the console, giving you a more handheld experience. Battery life will vary based on the game and what you are doing, with estimates being a broad 2-6 hours. Breath of Wild was used as a benchmark, going three hours on a single charge. People are saying something like Shovel Knight can go as long as 7 hours. The general rule of thumb is that polygon-based games will drain the battery roughly twice as fast as ones uses sprites or less demanding graphics. Switches can also connect to up to seven additional Switches for local multiplayer purposes.
Tabletop Mode
Tabletop mode is basically handheld, but the Switch has a little kickstand that lets you prop it up. Each half of a Joycon can operate as its own independent controller, so you can use this mode to play games with another person. The Joycons also have an attachment called a strap that slides in and gives you better L/R button and a bit more grip. It's worth noting that ALL controllers work in this mode, including the pro controller, so you don't need a bunch of joycons.
Oh, and the Switch isn't region locked. You will have to make foreign accounts on your Switch for each market, AND switching markets in the eShop empties your wallet, but it is possible and easy!
There are two models of the Switch.
The Standard Switch retails for $299.99, and it comes with the following:
- Switch Console
- TV Dock
- Left and Right Joycons
- Joycon Wrist Straps
- Joycon Grip (NOT a charging grip)
- HDMI Cable
- AC Adapter
NOTICE: BUY THE LATEST MODEL. It has a fairly decent boost to battery life over the launch model at no other expense. This doesn't release until August 2019, but it will be worth the wait!
The Switch Lite retails at $199.99, and it comes with the following:
- Switch Lite Console
- AC Adapter
- That's it
Need more crap? Accessories are available if you got cash to burn. Remember that a lot of these won't work with the Lite. Do your research!
MSRP: $69.99
Want a more traditional controller? That'll be seventy bucks, pal. As a bonus, it comes with a USB to USB-C cable that can also charge the Switch itself, and the Pro can connect to your bluetooth-enabled PC with little difficulty. The Pro has most of the features of the joycons, including motion controls, HD rumble, and NFC support. I don't think it has the infrared scanner thing, however.
MSRP: $79.99
Additional Joycons can be purchased for a hefty fee. They do come with two straps, however.
MSRP: $49.99
Lose just ONE Joycon? Nintendo has got you covered, although they will charge you an extra ten dollars more than what they cost bundled together. Because business.
MSRP: $29.99
That pro controller sure was pricey, wasn't it? Well, for less than half the cost, you can just slap your joycons in this thing and get a similar experience while pretending it's a dog or something. This one also charges your joycons while they're connected to it, unlike the one that comes with the Switch because Nintendo is cheap.
MSRP: $14.99
Because you really want a wheel icon next to your name in Mario Kart. Slap a joycon in and race or just use it as a very awkward controller grip.
MSRP: $89.99
Breakdowns of the dock expose this thing as being hilariously overpriced. Please don't buy it.
The Switch will probably be Nintendo's biggest step forward regarding online play since it actually added online services to its hardware. It seems like Nintendo is finally learning from its contemporaries, having all online stuff managed from your Nintendo account. Sadly, Nintendo is also learning from its contemporaries in that they're going to charge us just to play online. The good news is that the service is fairly cheap, being $3.99 on a month by month basis, or $20 for a year. Another popular thing to do is join in with other people on a Family Account, which is $34.99 a year for up to eight people. That's less than five bucks a YEAR, so I'd definitely go that route if you can find the people. Check out the chart to see what a subscription gets you versus being a plebeian who thinks online play should be a basic free service.
The monthly game downloads may have caught your eye. Nintendo is doing something new, and they're launching a Netflix-esque service for their catalog of classic games. While subscribed to Nintendo Online, you'll have access this library along with bonus features like online leaderboards and multiplayer. It's (currently) just NES titles, and they've been adding new titles each month. There's also been little bonuses for subscribers, like the free Tetris 99 game or a coupon to save $20 on two games. Nothing outrageous just yet, but something to keep an eye on.
What's the battery life for everything?
The Switch: 2-6 hours (Launch iteration), 3-7 hours (Switch Lite), or 4.5-9 hours (2019 iteration) depending on the game. As a rule of thumb, 3D games like Zelda or Mario will last about three-five hours. A game with sprites or 2D effects like Shovel Knight will last about 6-9 hours.
Joycons: 20 hours. Note that that do not draw power from the Switch when attached to it and in portable mode.
Pro Controller: 40 hours. The dock does have three USB ports that can be used to charge.
Is the Switch backwards compatible?
No, it uses carts and has no disc drive to play Wii U media. And no, it's also not backwards compatible with the 3DS, DS, or any other Nintendo system.
Do the carts really taste bad?
Yes, they are coated in denatonium benzoate, which is one of the most bitter compounds for humans. It's meant as a deterrent against children eating them. Don't lick the cart, dummy.
Can I go online in portable mode?
Yes. Also, while it has no browser, if you are at a place with Wi-Fi, there will be an applet that lets you pay/agree to their terms so you can get online.
Are there seriously friend codes?
Yeah, who knows why. The good news is that when you punch in someone's code, they'll get a request instead of playing this game of "Did you send it?" Furthermore, more options are set to be added like traditional friend requests through your Nintendo account, which...raises the question of why use friend codes in the first place.
Is the Switch region-locked?
Nope! Import to your heart's content. You can even switch regions on the eShop, BUT you will lose whatever current balance your account has in its current region. So spend your money first.
Can I connect to the TV using third-party USB-C cables?
No, for whatever reason the Switch must be docked to display on the TV.
Can I recharge the Switch using a portable power bank used for cell phones?
Depends on the amperage and voltage. There are now power banks specifically designed for the Switch, so I'd recommend those first. But those are pricey, so a phone one can work in a pinch. Just keep in mind that you will, at best, maintain battery while playing off a power bank. It just isn't strong enough to meet the wattage demands of the Switch. Power banks for laptops work better, but at that price point you may as well just get one guaranteed to work.
Which screen protector should I used?
Tempered glass. While plastic ones are cheaper, they themselves are prone to being easily scratched, which means you'll have to replace them every so often. On top of this, tempered glass feels better when using the touch screen, and they tend to be easier to apply (fewer bubbles). Tempered glass will set you back more cash, but you'll save more in the long run. Right now, amFilm is the screen of choice for most people.
How much memory does the Switch have?
32 GB, of which around 25 is usable. For reference, Breath of the Wild uses around 13GB. You can use micro-SD cards to expand the memory. Because Switch carts are so small, I recommend a micro-SD with plenty of memory, because Switch games will be large and it defeats the purpose of going digital if instead of 32GB carts you're just swapping 32GB SD cards. A Sandisk Ultra with 128GB of memory should last you a while.
Can the pro controller cable be used to charge the Switch?
Yes, the cable that comes with the Pro Controller can be used like any other USB to USB-C cable. Hook it up to power banks, charge your pro controller through your PC's USB ports: go wild.
Where's Virtual Console?
It's dead, Jim. There's been rumors of a VC successor, but as of E3 2019 only the Switch Online service offers classic Nintendo titles.
Does this mean end of the line for the 3DS/Wii U?
As of 2019, Nintendo has ended support for the Wii U and 3DS. Long live the Switch.
The Switch has games, making it a true revolution in the industry. Oh, and in case you missed it: the Switch is not region locked. You can create separate accounts for other regions and access their eShops there.
G&T Approved!
The following games are almost unanimously praised by the community. If you need a place to start, make it here.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Snipperclips
Fast RMX
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
Blaster Master Zero
Puyo Puyo Tetris
Tumbleseed
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Disgaea 5
ARMS
Splatoon 2
Sonic Mania
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Pokkén Tournament DX
Fire Emblem Warriors
Mario Odyssey
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Doom
Steamworld Dig 2
Mummy Demastered
Has Been Heroes
Resident Evil Revelations I & II
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
But what other games are good?
There are a lot of games on the Switch and some of the good ones might slip past you. Not the obvious stuff like BotW and Odyssey, but the smaller gems that go unnoticed. With so many games getting released, it's hard to keep up. So the PA folks are gonna compile some mini-reviews of these great titles in the following format:
Name
Price (mention if digital only here)
Genres
Similar games
1-2 sentence review with pros and cons
For example:
Golf Story
$14.99 (eShop only)
Golf/RPG
Mario Golf GBA
A fun and addictive golfing game that has a lot of customization. Some of the NPC side quest stuff drags a bit, but not enough to ruin the fun. Highly recommended!
Penny Arcade mini-reviews:
Dresdenphile suggests:
- Kamiko
- $4.99 (eShop only)
- Action
- Zelda 1?
- This short indie game tasks players — who control the titular priestess Kamiko — to take down demons and complete puzzles along the way, racking up combos. With 3 characters to choose from, each playthrough handles differently.
Need a voice actor? Hire me at bengrayVO.com
Legends of Runeterra: MNCdover #moc
Switch ID: MNC Dover SW-1154-3107-1051
Steam ID
Twitch Page
Legends of Runeterra: MNCdover #moc
Switch ID: MNC Dover SW-1154-3107-1051
Steam ID
Twitch Page
MNC Dover on
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Posts
I think I had posted a while back that I finally got Cuphead? Well I gradually bashed my head against that for a while and managed to finish it New Year’s Eve. Really fun game, looking forward to more!
Also, Golf Story is awesome.
Also, also, Final Fantasy X is great on the Switch too. Especially for the sale price I get it for.
3DS: 1521-4165-5907
PS3: KayleSolo
Live: Kayle Solo
WiiU: KayleSolo
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Yes, if you like Dark Souls and know what kinda shit you're getting into.
Longest answer: Yes, if you like Dark Souls and know what kinda shit you're getting into, but aren't some kind of goddamn Souls purist who shits on everything that isn't FromSoft Souls. Does it have flaws? Sure. Is it good despite them? Yeah, it's pretty good. Also Str builds are OP as fuck.
Pretty much.
The new rumor I'm hearing is XMas 2020, with a new Zelda to drive sales. Pretty sure that's made up completely out of thin air.
I've seen some compelling arguments for one based on needing to keep up a minimal spec for PS5, XBox X ports in the coming years. There will never be a 1 to 1 port, but Nintendo should probably put a bit of effort into keeping up the same spec relationship that currently exists between the Switch and the PS4/XB1. Which is to say, it's in the realm of possibility to downgrade enough in a PS4/XB1 game to port it to the Switch, with enough effort and care.
Although I've also seen arguments that this simply won't be possible with the next gens emphasis on SSDs and hardware raytracing.
i was going to ask about a more powerful pro controller then realized that's not what you meant...i was thinking...are we going to run vehicles off the pro controller battery?
Blizzard: Pailryder#1101
GoG: https://www.gog.com/u/pailryder
Platinum Points are completely worthless. A kick in the balls would've been better and more useful.
PSN/Steam/NNID: SyphonBlue | BNet: SyphonBlue#1126
Twitch: KoopahTroopah - Steam: Koopah
At least I can get shitty wallpapers with PPs. Before it was 10% off shitty WiiU games and 3DS games that no one would buy for $40+ lol
Can't say I ever got a birthday e-mail from Microsoft or Sony offering me discounts or something on their services and products. Just the usual auto-mails that my annual PS+ and Gold subscription renewed.
Steam: TheArcadeBear
Ah geez. I really liked that game, despite how the whole Idol thing is very much not my thing, but I never finished it.
Not sure I really feel like double dipping. Though it might help tear me away from Fire Emblem for a while.
Wait...
I’m going to wait and see how the implement some of the Gamepad stuff.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
And 8bitdo products.
Resident 8bitdo expert.
Resident hybrid/flap cover expert.
One concrete thing we have is that there is another model with the current Mariko variation of X1 appearing in the firmware that we don't know anything about yet. Let's for now imagine whether it could be for a "pro" console. Because its the same known chip, the only way that could go "pro" i.e. over 50% improvement, is with a box-only version with solid power draw and cooling that allows the chip to hit the same full clocks as the NVidia shield. With that kind of setup they could easily turn 1080p games into 1440pish and then upscale for 4K TVs. This wouldn't really do anything to keep up with third party ports on next gen, but it would let Nintendo use the same 4K buzzwords as everyone else, and even a smallish install base for this box can live fine off the shared software pool with its portable cousins.
Microsoft used to send people 250 Microsoft Spacebucks on their birthday.
Which was the equivalent to 25 cents
Which was literally offensive
PSN/Steam/NNID: SyphonBlue | BNet: SyphonBlue#1126
Don't rule out later; last year's was on February 13th.
I liked to call them "Billy Bucks," personally.
Like Mega Man Legends? Then check out my story, Legends of the Halcyon Era - An Adventure in the World of Mega Man Legends on TMMN and AO3!
250 points would have been a little over $3 technically. A 1600 point card was $20.
Doesn’t make it much better though lol.
Okay well whatever the point conversion was, it was equivalent to 25 cents.
Edit: just looked it up and yeah, it was 20 Spacebucks
PSN/Steam/NNID: SyphonBlue | BNet: SyphonBlue#1126
Thoughts?
I just watched the end boss on Youtube. I regret nothing. It took forever, with the guy cheesing skills and items in combinations I never would have dreamed of. I never would have figured that out on my own. If I'm going to be relying on a guide to beat the final optional boss of the game, I might as well as just skip the actual playing part and watch someone else beat it.
Reminds me of when I couldn't beat Super Mario Bro 3 as a kid, but I'd watch the kid down the street or my dad beat it for me.
3DS: 0473-8507-2652
Switch: SW-5185-4991-5118
PSN: AbEntropy
Steam: TheArcadeBear
I did it and I enjoyed it. It was a fun game I was glad to spend as much time with as I did. The final final boss is tough but doable with the right combinations of classes and tactics. If I remember right a lot of it comes down to managing the pips effectively for big buffs and such.
I'm a little worried that I have no idea where:
a) My copy of Dragon Quest IV is
b) My ziplock bag containing like 50 NDS/3DS games currently is, which is where my copies of Dragon Quest V, VI, VII, and VIII probably are
Ironically, I randomly found IX yesterday.
Yeah, here's the thing. They're pretty self-contained stories. It's the bread crumbs at the end that are pushing me forward tho. I would still recommend it especially knowing that these guys are working on the new Bravely Default. Worst case scenario, I die horribly at the final boss and just YouTube the ending.
Found my giant ziplock of NDS/3DS games, too.
So in the last couple weeks I've finished:
Luigi's Mansion 3 - Such a wonderful game. Closest I've ever felt that I was playing a cartoon.
Timespinner - Great game that basically rips off Symphony of the Night.
The Touryst - This game was a treasure and quite fun. Ending left open for a sequel that I really hope they make.
Life is Strange Before the Storm - That was a quick and decent romp. The ending was kind of a bummer knowing what happens in Life is Strange.
Only a few Pokemon away from being completely finished with Sword and Shield. I'm just about at a 100% completed pokedex.
About halfway through with Jedi: Fallen Order.
Part of the way through Final Fantasy IX and Star Ocean Last Hope.
Too many games.
Deciding to ignore Trophies from now on has been a godsend in working through my backlog a bit quicker than I had been doing.
Nintendo Network ID - Brainiac_8
PSN - Brainiac_8
Steam - http://steamcommunity.com/id/BRAINIAC8/
Add me!
One of my goals for the year is to have a color on each date of my fitness log in my bullet journal. A color basically just means I did something active, the color depends on what specific activity.
However, some days I just don't have it in me to go to a social place to exercise if I'm feeling especially introverted, so I thought Ring Fit Adventure might be a fun alternative to just doing a regular workout routine at home.
Thanks!