Nintendo's Switch plans are disrespectful to consumers

"I can’t tell you if Nintendo is incompetent, unintelligent, or just completely uncaring of consumer wants and needs. What I can tell you is that Nintendo is disrespecting us, the consumers, if they think this is the proper way to go about selling a console in 2017.

I love Nintendo, I always have, but the way the Switch is starting to line up has me considering taking my preorder and cancelling it rather than wasting my money on another failure like the Wii U." - Austin Griffith, Editor-in-Chief, LevelSave.com

[CocoaBrother]

"graphics will be lower than the episode of The Simpsons that will be airing Sunday night."

Are you actually comparing tv show animation to video game development? Both have vastly different development cycles with video game development obviously needing more work and time.
Plus: Gameplay>Graphics

"forcing us to purchase a micro SD card to hold more than one or two titles?"

Do you plan to only buy 8gig microSD cards or something? I spent $100 on a 64gig Sony proprietary Vita memory card; spending 40ish for 128gigs for the Switch is way better. The internal space only being 32gigs, yeah it's dumb but fitting 500gigs on a portable system isn't possible at the moment to my knowledge. I'm just happy we don't have to buy proprietary cards.

"See the consoles JoyCons at its side and separate from the screen on a grip? That is not included"

False. A grip is included; the charging grip is not. As it stands right now; Joy-Cons have a 20+ hour battery life. The charging grip should have been included in my opinion; however you are wrong in the article saying a grip in general is not included when one is.

As for online and third party support; wait and see. Reggie said in a recent interview that they have realized how bad their online was for Wii U so now we can hope they can make improvements. Voice chat through a phone app? Dumb too but let's see everything first.
Third party? Western is going to drop; I can feel it; however, Japanese and indie developers will be strong on it; especially Japanese cause of how popular Nintendo and portable consoles are in Japan.

[AustinG909]

Apologies, I'll correct my wording regarding the JoyCon grip. I understood that but didn't word it in a proper manner.

I believe that having to purchase external memory at all is ludicrous and backwards. I should be fine for a few months when I spend $300.

[CocoaBrother]

It's all good; just always want to make sure people don't get the wrong idea/news.
Purchasing external memory is something needed for all systems this generation. I have a 2TB external on both my Wii U and Xbox One and will soon buy a 2TB HDD for my PS4. Games take up way more memory than they used to

[conanlifts]

A few things regarding the memory. I read that switch might support hdd when docked.
Next unlike the competition switch does not require games installs. We also do not not know if save data/patches are stored on the device or the carts themselves.
But storage is less important on switch than a typical device and is only really an issue if you want to go digital.

[The 10th Rider]

Yeah, a big reason the other consoles have large internal memory is because the disk drive can't read data fast enough and games have mandatory installs. It's apples to oranges. Also, with mandatory installs you're basically forced to buy external memory for a 500gb PS4 and Xbox One at some point, so to say "I believe that having to purchase external memory at all is ludicrous and backwards." is pretty ridiculous considering many consoles and PCs basically require you to expand your memory. You can fit maybe 7-10 AAA games on a 500gb hard-drive once you account for the portion the console uses up. That's not much when you consider all games must be installed to the hard-drive.

[3-4-5]

SD cards are cheap. You can get a 128 GB one for like $70-100

[demonddel]

A Sony upset over a console he's not even planning on getting such insecure little kids

[Aenea]

You will be fine for a few months if you buy physical, they don't need to be installed like on X1/PS4...

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Then you must be upset with all consoles, then, because installing everything means even 2TB doesn't last long.
Installing is not an issue you'll run into on the Switch, meaning that 32 gigs will stretch longer than on other systems, but at this point I'd say extra memory is an eventual purchase regardless of console, for any gamer with a big collection of games.

[Zarock]

Up to 256gb storage Is possible on a portable device Ipads have done that but the problem would be the cost.
However when It's docked they should at least give you the option to connect an external HDD the same way as the WiiU.

[CocoaBrother]

Nintendo representation said 2TB microSDs will work but those aren't the cheapest at the moment. Still good though

Apparently the dock will have the option to plug in an external; however it seems Nintendo may need to unlock it or something in those regards.

[The 10th Rider]

Yeah, with how easy it is to insert an SD card, I'm not too bothered with the Switch's small internal memory. Consumers can just pick the speed and storage of the memory they want, if they need it. If games had mandatory installs it would be different, but the Switch doesn't and it's super easy to put an SD card in. I find storage to be the least of the Switch's problems.

[jonivtec]

Why people complain about the 32gig internal memory....games come on cartdrige and dont need installation....32 gig is more than enough for small apps etc....

[Zarock]

Not everyone buys physical copies of games.

[SegaGamer]

What about patches and games that aren't available on cartridge ? There are tons of games these days that don't get a physical release.

[jonivtec]

Nintendo games rarely need patch to work:)

[SegaGamer]

@3-4-5

SD cards are cheap ? No they aren't. You can get 1tb external HDD's for the same price. Let's just hope the Switch supports them because the last thing people want to do right now is pay out more money on this thing.

[PhoenixUp]

How does Nintendo try to market this to the Wii market but have practices that would deter that very market

[rjason12]

Because they're trying to market it to everyone.

[morganfell]

The article hosts these two statements:

"Nintendo's Switch plans are disrespectful to consumers"

"...but the way the Switch is starting to line up has me considering taking my preorder and cancelling it..."

But the writer has not done so. How disrespectful has Nintendo been? Not bad enough to make him cancel the preorder. So he is either a person that just takes insults and doesn't mind being stepped on or the article is invalid and he is making a mountain out of a molehill. Which is it?

EDIT: Just for clarification I personally find the entire Switch campaign abhorrent. I think Nintendo has done a disservice to Wii U fans who purchased their console and received minimal support. Instead of rectifying that problem - which did not occur overnight - they are throwing them to the dogs and moving on. Anyone that buys Switch is supporting this sort of fan treatment.

[Quicksand]

Just a guy that wants hits for his website

[AustinG909]

I haven't cancelled my preorder because I'm the Editor-in-Chief of a video game website. Owning the console is essential to that, so there are some other factors at hand.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Unless you're the only guy working there that has any plans of getting one, I doubt canceling your preorder would limit your access to one as much as you're alluding.

[Sirk7x]

What were they supposed to do about the Wii U though? I enjoyed mine while it lasted, but it's clear it wasn't making them any money. Fans didn't want it, and developers didn't want to make games for it. In hindsight you can say they never should have released it in the first place, but what's done is done. They had an idea, they followed through, and they failed pretty miserably.

[morganfell]

All they had to do was double down and act as any hardware manufacturer is expected to do. Put original IPs behind it. When they realized they were in trouble they should have organized and put together 5 Nintendo 1st party titles. Those would take 2 years to get out. So the stop gap is they then pay, yes PAY money to 3rd parties to get some major games on the platform. Ports could have been handled in less than 6 months.

Nintendo is the most risk averse of the big 3. They don't want to spend money to get things done because they are protecting the company. "They that seek to save their lives shall lose it." They are trying to do the right thing and not lay out big dollars but they are actually damaging the company in the long run. To make money you must spend money. And if the Switch fails, and as a mainstream console it will fail, Nintendo is done. They will become relegated to portable games and the 3DS universe. It is what they are doing with the Switch anyway in an era where more horsepower is demanded for new titles. I wish them luck with their endeavor but they are going to be this company that sits between phone games and high powered consoles and the PC.

With the Wii U, and I had one, they should have turned around more than just Mario and the promise of Zelda. But that's what Nintendo consoles have become. Mario Zelda machines. Now the Switch is a Mario Zelda portable. Nintendo has become the king of milk. Look at the Nintendo catalogue. Plenty to choose they could have pushed and didn't. What about some new IPs that didn't come from 3rd parties. If Nintendo didn't lay it out there and say we believe in this console you can't expect 3rd party big name publishers to do so.

Belief in your product requires a secret ingredient - action.

Watch what happens with the Switch... and I will say this now. The console will get a few big name titles like Skyrim. Older titles for the most part because it's low risk for companies like Bethesda. It will get a few more and the draw will be something tied directly to the feature of the Switch. The sort of things that at the end of the day do not change how much you enjoy the game. Its sleight of hand and a selling point. But most gamers won't care. Using the Wii U pad in Arkham actually didn't make me enjoy the game more. The fad will fade.

These major games will rapidly dry up because people won't be using the Switch to buy major 3rd party titles. When that happens Nintendo will start to port over 3DS titles. "Now you can enjoy your favorite 3DS games with enhanced features on the Switch!" They will make it sound like a positive thing and it isn't. And rabid Nintendo supporters will swear it is the best thing ever. No, just no.

[Gamist2dot0]

Not really. Gamers don't have to buy it. Maybe disrespectful to the fans.

[rataranian]

*sees Switch release presentation* ....yeah no.
Now if youll excuse me. Back to real consoles and my pc.

[Artemidorus]

Nintendo are milking it, mobile graphics which means the tech will be even worse in years to come.

Low memory knowingly the size of games today are not small and require further money to spend.

Games are slightly more expensive because they didn't use discs but little cartridges instead.

Charging for the online ability using subscription based ways like the others.

It's clear Nintendo are not focused on premium ideas but rather find alternative ways to take money from people using cheapskate console ideas with Mario and Zelda carrying the cans.

[joab777]

This is the best article to date and exactly how I feel. But I must add this. They aren't disrespecting us or unintelligent etc. They are arrogant to the point of delusional! And we feed into this delusion.

It's like that hot blonde you fell in love with when you were younger. You let her seduce you, and in the beginning it was amazing! You put her so high up in a pedestal that she could never be brought down. Eventually, she started taking advantage of you, assuming you would always be there for here, expecting you to shell out more and more money while treating you like an a$$hole!

But, I have finally come to see the light. And after the WiiU, I woke up to everything that is going on. I have found someone new Nintendo. Well, actually a couple and they work hard for my affection and my money! And no matter how many times you knock in my door dressed in that sexy piece, you ain't coming in anymore! My house is full!

[sk8ofmnd]

Lol the comnents section in a negative nintendo article are comedic genius...

On topic:

Go on cancel your switch reservation, theres another dumbass that would gladly take your place. Go nintendo fans refute that comment... For every 5 positive switch article theres 5 negative ones rmto smear this perfect console you nintendo guys have been clamoring for

[Jayszen]

I guess Nintendo do not want to sell the hardware at a loss or at least wish to break even. Perhaps, Nintendo may also have decided that a loyal customer base ought to pay through the nose. I say this because I cannot otherwise explain the penny-pinching attitude of not enclosing a re-chargeable Joy-con Grip instead of the non-rechargeable one that is included. It would have cost them what? An extra $5 per unit, $10? Yet now I will have to pay £27.99 ($50 odd) for a one separately.

32gb internal storage in 2017? This alone is as ridiculous as it sounds. I know that comparing the Switch with say a PS4 is like apples to oranges but I can now get 1Tb with a PS4 Pro, so expecting 128gb or even 256gb on a Switch is not unreasonable in this day and age when game sizes are only getting bigger. Once again, Nintendo wants the consumer to pay, a lot more instead of just including mass storage that would ultimately add little than $15 to the cost of the hardware and could probably have been absorbed into the present unit costs.

Look at the UK charges for the accessories on Amazon - each and every one seems high for what we are getting. A Pro-Controller at £60 (it is actually priced at £99.99 on Amazon but this has to be incorrect or a placeholder). A pair of Joy-Cons (without the Grip) at £79.99. Even the prices of the games seem high when compared with other console brands.

When I bought my PS4 system, all I needed was in the box and I could do without buying any other accessories for quite a while. While I have ordered the Switch, two days later the desire for gaming goodness borne out of a nostalgic yearning to enjoy Nintendo games like I did on the Gamecube is being replaced with thoughts of whether or not I could do without another Zelda or Mario game.

[Petebloodyonion]

I can't say that I agree with everything the author says but some points are quite valid

1) Paying for online for a console not built around online play.
Let's be honest the main draw of a Nintendo console is Nintendo's own games.
But the majority of theses games are built around single player experience. We can also add the elements the author spoke about regarding chat and of course the poor offering of free games.

2) the Launch line up.
Now I know Zelda is a huge title but you can't release a system with only 1 new game that is also released on another platform, usually you want your platform to come out with at least a dozen titles and several exclusives.
Just look at the recent PSVR and even thought the system had no AAA titles it had several games for different tastes.

[Copat]

I plan on buying physical copies of Switch games, so the very low 32GB of storage doesn't really bother me. I definitely won't be paying for extra storage.

[smashman98]

Why does everyone keep bringing up that Zelda will be 13.4 GB and eat that much of your onboard storage. You won't even have to install it and if you're planning on switching to digital, then shouldn't you already be expecting to pay for the most storage you can get.

[OpinionSmasher]

1. I admit launch titles really are lacking in every shape and form, you will not hear me defend that disaster.

2. Storage space is confirmed to work with micro SD cards thus expandable storage. http://www.gamespot.com/art... (source)

3. Paid online service sucks I agree. But its not like your forced to get it. Nintendo is just following the sick trend of market greed.

4. PS4 Pro doesn't come with a free game and PS4 didn't launch with a free game. Ya it sucks but everyone else did it first, but that doesn't make it good.

5. Third party supports gonna be a tough one but with an easier way of converting games I believe you will see droves of companies porting their games to the switch. If your buying the switch to play call of duty don't bother.