Goodbye NX, hello Switch

[Aikouka]

I'm debating whether to go with Poyo Poyo Tetris in physical or digital. The latter is cheaper (only slightly with Best Buy's GCU), but... do we trust Nintendo's online setup yet? I recall it being kind of meh with the Wii and Wii U where you had to sometimes call Nintendo to get purchases transferred and stuff. Have they fixed that with this new Nintendo account?

Two ways to get that cheaper:

Hm, I'll take a look into that. I think I have an old, old Toys-R-Us gift card too.

Silicon Joycon covers - $8 at Wal-Mart and they make the device much more conformable to hold.

Is there any issue with these and a portable case? The cases seem to be designed to leave very little room.

Pro Controller - I can't even describe how much better it is than the Joycon grip. You will forever consider the Joycon grip to be a Madcatz controller once you have one of these.

Yup, I have a Pro Controller already. I bought it with the console after hearing how bad the JoyCons are for normal use.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I wouldn't really count on the online purchases yet. If you have the choice between digital and physical, physical all the way. You also need to remember how little space there really is on the switch's internal card (~25GB usable), and make assumptions that it will use another 1-2GB with the new features they are supposedly adding.

It also at the moment has no way to select storage (i.e. if something goes on the internal storage, or on the SD card), and no way to move/manage storage (i.e. swap something from a SD card to the internal and vice versa). The only method available is to remove the SD card, and download something which guaranties it is on the internal storage, but nothing you can do to make sure it installed onto the SD card...

Until basic storage management features are added, I would stay away from as much digital content as possible. We also don't have good rules yet on re-downloading games and how to deal with broken consoles. Heck, we already know people have lost save games when sent in for repair (Nintendo seems to have acknowledged this and has fixed it to an extent), but it would be so much simpler to simply give a storage management system to let us copy/move the save games and any/all content from internal storage to a SD card and vice versa. Then we would be able to manage our save games and files, and not have to worry about what happens with service/repairs.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yeah at least the PS4 and XB1 have cloud storage for your saves. Nintendo needs some type of solution like this.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I'm debating whether to go with Poyo Poyo Tetris in physical or digital. The latter is cheaper (only slightly with Best Buy's GCU), but... do we trust Nintendo's online setup yet? I recall it being kind of meh with the Wii and Wii U where you had to sometimes call Nintendo to get purchases transferred and stuff. Have they fixed that with this new Nintendo account?

I think it is 100% fixed (well except for not having cloud saves). I have transfered my account from one Switch to another and back without calling them or really any hassle. The Switch settings make it really easy to deactivate a Switch. It automatically installs games to a Micro SD when installed or the internal storage when it isn't.

I think Puyo Puyo Tetris is much better digitally because its fun to play in short bursts and always having it means it is THE game I use to show of the Switch to others as no one can turn down two player Tetris. Also I will say I have enjoyed the single player and the online portion works very well. I play vs a close friend almost every night in a private room, plus I plan randoms sometimes.

Hm, I'll take a look into that. I think I have an old, old Toys-R-Us gift card too.

If you go to the store they might give you one of their magazines and this months has a $15 off $75 coupon for instore purchases. I would call and ask.

Is there any issue with these and a portable case? The cases seem to be designed to leave very little room.

It's a tight fit but I have squeezed those into both of the two cases I have. You should be fine. The bigger problem with the cases is few allow you to carry the straps.

 

[Aikouka]

Since we've been talking about docks, it looks like Nyko will be releasing their own docks with HDMI out and such. They're due out in September, and will be far, far more portable than the existing one. They stated that they're also planning on a larger one with Ethernet built in.

I think Puyo Puyo Tetris is much better digitally because its fun to play in short bursts and always having it means it is THE game I use to show of the Switch to others as no one can turn down two player Tetris. Also I will say I have enjoyed the single player and the online portion works very well. I play vs a close friend almost every night in a private room, plus I plan randoms sometimes.

The fact that Puyo Puyo Tetris is a smaller, almost "smartphone-like game" is one of the reasons why I was considering a digital purchase. It seems like something I wouldn't want to remove Mario Odyssey or Zelda for, but I'd want to just play randomly. Although, I own puzzle games similar to this (like Lumines for the PSP and Vita), and they've always been physical. So, it's not too different for me.

It's a tight fit but I have squeezed those into both of the two cases I have. You should be fine. The bigger problem with the cases is few allow you to carry the straps.

In my current case, I've got the Hori stand, both straps, charger and 6-foot USB Type C cable, and it barely fits. I've had to ensure that things are placed in a certain way just to get stuff to fit.

 

[Ichinisan]

Stop with the tiny cases, people.

I’m telling you guys: Get the RDS / ALS “Deluxe Travel case.”

I like this case:
http://www.gamestop.com/nintendo-sw...ame-traveler-deluxe-system-travel-case/141878

It holds my dock. My Pro controller fits where the worthless joycon grip thing would otherwise go.

 

[purbeast0]

Stop with the tiny cases, people.

I’m telling you guys: Get the RDS / ALS “Deluxe Travel case.”



It holds my dock. My Pro controller fits where the worthless joycon grip thing would otherwise go.

The other cases aren't tiny, they are "normal". Your case is fucking gigantic lol. And it holds way more shit in it than necessary for many people. That wouldn't even fit in my book bag when I travel. When I take my Switch on the go, I don't need the dock, pro controller, grip, etc. I need the switch with joycons attached and a game or two.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Since we've been talking about docks, it looks like Nyko will be releasing their own docks with HDMI out and such. They're due out in September, and will be far, far more portable than the existing one. They stated that they're also planning on a larger one with Ethernet built in.

I am nervous that the design might be blocking the intake vent, but I am excited about a smaller dock. I would love to buy one just for trips. I will see what the reviews say.

The fact that Puyo Puyo Tetris is a smaller, almost "smartphone-like game" is one of the reasons why I was considering a digital purchase. It seems like something I wouldn't want to remove Mario Odyssey or Zelda for, but I'd want to just play randomly.

Exactly why I rebought Has-Been-Heroes despite having a physical version. I traded in the physical version just because I hated swapping carts just for a quick ten minute session.

In my current case, I've got the Hori stand, both straps, charger and 6-foot USB Type C cable, and it barely fits. I've had to ensure that things are placed in a certain way just to get stuff to fit.

Nice! I don't have a case that can hold the Hori stand.

 

[gorcorps]

Thinking of getting the Switch fairly soon when I can find one. I've had my Vita lying around pretty much doing nothing for a while, and Gamestop had some alright trade in bonuses for it. Got a bit over $160 for the Vita and a few games I didn't need. I was torn between also trading in my ps4 to just get a ps4 pro, but I don't have a 4k TV and probably won't any time soon so it seems like a waste.

The Switch might be more popular with the lady, and if she's on board with playing some of those games it'd be nice. I haven't owned a nintendo console in a long long time, so any remaster/remake type of thing will be new to me. I'm just worried that it will be mostly collecting dust waiting for those handful of decent games that I know are coming. I will definitely enjoy Mario and Metroid Prime, but those are a long (and very long) way off. I'll get Mario Kart hoping to play locally, but if she doesn't care for it then it's not the type of game I'd play by myself. Same thing about Smash Brothers whenever that comes out... fun in groups, not as fun solo. I'll play Zelda too, but I can wait till that's cheaper.

I guess I'm just torn on getting one as soon as I see one, or if stock will be good enough in the future to wait for an actual decent bundle price or something. With the terrible flow of product I doubt I'll see a bundle that includes Zelda, Mario Kart, or extra controllers at a discount any time soon, so if that's the case I might as well jump on it ASAP to get as much fun out of it while I can.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Zelda cheaper...? Won't happen, in fact I'd bet it will never be lower than $60. Nintendo is well known for overvaluing their product with games and accessories always priced the same with no deals to be had no matter how old it is. I remember people complaining about the WiiU never having a good deal on here with games that were over 2 years old still costing $60.

 

[zerocool84]

Zelda cheaper...? Won't happen, in fact I'd bet it will never be lower than $60. Nintendo is well known for overvaluing their product with games and accessories always priced the same with no deals to be had no matter how old it is. I remember people complaining about the WiiU never having a good deal on here with games that were over 2 years old still costing $60.

Yup, Zelda will not go down in price at all. Best bet is buying it used somewhere.

 

[Stg-Flame]

Nintendo doesn't have a good track record of lowering the prices on their flagship titles. Hell, Donkey Kong Returns for the Nintendo Wii was still $40 last I checked at Gamestop.

 

[CZroe]

You guys are all forgetting about the Nintendo Selects and Player's Choice series where games get cheaper. Pikmin 3 on Wii U was selling for $90 to $110 sealed when Nintendo re-released it for $20. When the New 3DS XL launched The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D was selling for $50 USED even though the MSRP was $40. Nintendo re-released that for $20 too. Nintendo DOES cut the price, from time to time.

Granted, I still doubt you'll see them do that with Breath of the Wild or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. They also have a history of hiding the fact that Smash Bros and Mario Kart are in their value series, like when Super Smash Bros Melee and Mario Kart Double Dash were listed as Player's Choice on the website but only even new printings only said "Best Seller!" in the store... and were still $30-$50 instead of $20 like other Player's Choice-series titles. I recall a couple different retailers back then having 2 for $30 deals on PC-series titles and I went in armed with the website list to get SSBM and MKDD for half off. Sure enough, even the retailers did not realize that these were supposed to be PC-series titles and it required a manager's override.

Nintendo doesn't have a good track record of lowering the prices on their flagship titles. Hell, Donkey Kong Returns for the Nintendo Wii was still $40 last I checked at Gamestop.

MSRP has been $20 since it entered the Nintendo Selects value series. The follow-up game, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze for Wii U, is also $20 in the Nintendo Selects series.

Dogpile much?

 

[Stg-Flame]

I have no idea what this Nintendo Selects value series is because the last Nintendo console I actually looked into was the GameCube. I bought a Wii a few years ago to play some games with my girlfriend and when we bought the games for it (Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, etc.) they were all $40 for a new copy at GameStop, Hastings, and Amazon (I think Amazon was $34 but still high).

 

[CZroe]

I have no idea what this Nintendo Selects value series is because the last Nintendo console I actually looked into was the GameCube. I bought a Wii a few years ago to play some games with my girlfriend and when we bought the games for it (Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, etc.) they were all $40 for a new copy at GameStop, Hastings, and Amazon (I think Amazon was $34 but still high).

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Selects

DKC Returns has been a value title in Europe since 2013 and Australia since 2015 but it didn't enter the value series in North America until early 2016. The reason is because the 3DS game came out a couple years later for $40 MSRP and having the console title for half that price would hurt 3DS sales. Sucks that it took so long, but Nintendo is known for lowering the prices... eventually... sometimes. Also, $34/$40 is significantly less than MSRP for DKC Returns and Mario Kart Wii.

Did Mario Kart Wii still include the Wii Wheel like it did at launch? Wikipedia says that every copy included it and maybe that factored into the price.

 

[Stg-Flame]

No, my copy was just the game by itself.

 

[CZroe]

The other cases aren't tiny, they are "normal". Your case is fucking gigantic lol. And it holds way more shit in it than necessary for many people. That wouldn't even fit in my book bag when I travel. When I take my Switch on the go, I don't need the dock, pro controller, grip, etc. I need the switch with joycons attached and a game or two.

My luggage was stuffed to capacity and on the verge of being over the weight limit when I was getting on the plane last week. The ALS Deluxe case was supposed to be my personal item carry-on, but the Electronics ban on flights from Qatar meant I had to throw it into my luggage at the last second.
https://youtu.be/VnPrZPEmYbg
Luckily, the front pocket only had a shirt or something in it.

The "gigantic" one is the Switch Elite backpack ($50 MSRP).

 

[poofyhairguy]

Snake Pass is on sale on the eShop for anyone who wants it.

Also I have to say that Cave Story+ has quickly become my second favorite Switch game (to BOTW). I love the beautiful manual and the improvements made to the game (vs the PC or 3DS versions). It plays like a dream with the Pokken controller.

 

[RearAdmiral]

I bought two switches yesterday, gray and neon. One is for my BIL. I kinda like the colors, does anyone find the neon joy cons annoying / distracting before I give him the gray one?

 

[Dannar26]

Traded in a bunch of stuff to GameStop, and picked up the family friendly bundle. I also got a used pro controller and two other pre-owned games in a buy 2 get 1 deal. I ended up getting a gray switch, Zelda, MK8, Lego City, Cars, and a used pro controller for $53. I can live with that.

Some thoughts:

-The system, and its UI are very responsive. Much better than the lag time everything seemed to have in my old 360.

- It is as seamless as advertised going from dock to portable mode. You can put the system in sleep mode at any time and resume it at any time. This is super helpful during moments of wife aggro/child whining

-I feel kinda EH about the standard dock. The system doesn't really..."click" in or out. Its so easy to unseat, that I feel like I might screw up the connection when I take off the Joycons. There is almost no resistance to properly seating the console, and when you do it immediately goes to your TV.

- Pro controller > Joycon Grip > Individual Joycons

- The Joycon straps are annoying to take off. Make sure you visually line up the + or - on the strap to the controller. Even then it can be annoying to take off. They'll go on easily enough, even the wrong way.

- My 5 year old son has played in portable mode in the car. He's able to handle the Switch ok; he's average sized for his age. I should probably get a case for it like I do with my phones...

- I used an extremeguard screen protector. Their stuff is always super cheap, and super reliable. I've been using them for my phones for years now. You can usually google some discount codes for them.

- Still weighing my options for a travel case. Probably going to go with the butterfox one on Amazon. It holds something like 19 games and has a non-nondescript outer shell.

As a primarily PC gamer, I have to say I'm satisfied with the Switch thus far. MarioKart is quickly becoming a new family tradition, with even my wife (read: non-gamer) preemptively asking me to play with her.The kids also got a kick out of the whole Mii making process. Hopefully Nintendo keeps up the momentum with this thing. Based on E3, it looks like they'll have a strong start at least.

 

[Ichinisan]

I bought two switches yesterday, gray and neon. One is for my BIL. I kinda like the colors, does anyone find the neon joy cons annoying / distracting before I give him the gray one?

I prefer neon. I don’t know why.

 

[Ichinisan]

Traded in a bunch of stuff to GameStop, and picked up the family friendly bundle. I also got a used pro controller and two other pre-owned games in a buy 2 get 1 deal. I ended up getting a gray switch, Zelda, MK8, Lego City, Cars, and a used pro controller for $53. I can live with that.

Some thoughts:

-The system, and its UI are very responsive. Much better than the lag time everything seemed to have in my old 360.

- It is as seamless as advertised going from dock to portable mode. You can put the system in sleep mode at any time and resume it at any time. This is super helpful during moments of wife aggro/child whining

-I feel kinda EH about the standard dock. The system doesn't really..."click" in or out. Its so easy to unseat, that I feel like I might screw up the connection when I take off the Joycons. There is almost no resistance to properly seating the console, and when you do it immediately goes to your TV.

- Pro controller > Joycon Grip > Individual Joycons

- The Joycon straps are annoying to take off. Make sure you visually line up the + or - on the strap to the controller. Even then it can be annoying to take off. They'll go on easily enough, even the wrong way.

- My 5 year old son has played in portable mode in the car. He's able to handle the Switch ok; he's average sized for his age. I should probably get a case for it like I do with my phones...

- I used an extremeguard screen protector. Their stuff is always super cheap, and super reliable. I've been using them for my phones for years now. You can usually google some discount codes for them.

- Still weighing my options for a travel case. Probably going to go with the butterfox one on Amazon. It holds something like 19 games and has a non-nondescript outer shell.

As a primarily PC gamer, I have to say I'm satisfied with the Switch thus far. MarioKart is quickly becoming a new family tradition, with even my wife (read: non-gamer) preemptively asking me to play with her.The kids also got a kick out of the whole Mii making process. Hopefully Nintendo keeps up the momentum with this thing. Based on E3, it looks like they'll have a strong start at least.

Still my preference:
https://www.amazon.com/Industries-Nintendo-Switch-Traveler-Deluxe-Travel/dp/B01MY9JB2U

I put my Pro Controller there instead of the grip.

 

[gorcorps]

Just picked one up, found it at the local grocery store. Looking at accessories that I'll want. The pro controller is pricey, so I might not jump on that right now.

I did find this 3rd party charging grip that looks good though. It has an actual battery in the grip itself, so it seems more useful than the official nintendo one:
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Con-Char...7K/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1499564035&sr=8-10

 

[nurturedhate]

Just picked one up, found it at the local grocery store. Looking at accessories that I'll want. The pro controller is pricey, so I might not jump on that right now.

I did find this 3rd party charging grip that looks good though. It has an actual battery in the grip itself, so it seems more useful than the official nintendo one:
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Con-Char...7K/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1499564035&sr=8-10

If you have any desire to play it in docked mode please get the pro controller. It is by far the most needed accessory.

 

[cmdrdredd]

If you have any desire to play it in docked mode please get the pro controller. It is by far the most needed accessory.

I agree. I tried the joycon grip for all of 10 seconds before I put it back in the box forever. If I ever do two player games at home I would feel bad only having one pro controller lol. Thinking of grabbing another pro controller eventually. I usually have two controllers for all my consoles whether I use them a lot or not.