It's 2020, and Nintendo Needs to Finally Catch Up

Nintendo does so many things right. But nearly everything they do seems to come with a catch. It's 2020 - this needs to stop.

[ziggurcat]

I've been saying this for years. They need to get over themselves, and release a proper home console - one with power that can compete with MS/Sony, one that actually has an internal HDD instead of something that hasn't been top of the line since probably 1999, and one that has proper network infrastructure. It's not about being the same - they can still Ninten-do what Ninten-does best. Their games with actual power behind them have the potential of being absolutely mind-blowing.

[PhoenixUp]

“They need to get over themselves, and release a proper home console - one with power that can compete with MS/Sony”

Ever since GameCube Nintendo has learned it can’t go toe to toe Sony and Microsoft head on in head on method. That’s especially more true now since such high tech would require Nintendo to sell their console at a loss and that’d be an issue for them since unlike with their competition, gaming is their primary industry.

Nintendo used to boast having the best having powerful tech in the 3rd-6th generations. However after assessing how big Sony and Microsoft really are, Nintendo knows it’s better for them as a company to produce alternative methods to console gaming, hence why they stopped trying to come out on top in the hardware arms race from the 7th gen onwards.

[ziggurcat]

I'm not really arguing that they need to come out on top of the HW arms race, just put something out that's relatively comparable. By "compete", I mean something that's close enough in range that it makes it worth investing money, and at least allows Nintendo-only owners to enjoy major 3rd party titles without severe downgrades.

They can still sell HW at a bit of a loss even if gaming is their primary industry because they'll make that loss up in spades with software sales. Plus, the price per unit decreases as the generation progresses. It's not like Nintendo ever drops the price on anything, so they wouldn't be perpetually selling the HW at a loss, either.

[Neonridr]

It's not that it can't go toe to toe, Nintendo has a vault of money at their disposal and could honestly do whatever they wanted. It's that they pick and choose. The Japanese don't care about big boxes hooked up to their TV's, which is why the Switch has already outsold the PS4 in Japan in half the amount of time. Nintendo is a traditional company and while they care about worldwide success, I think they care more about their home territory more.

For them it's not about having 8k graphics or ray tracing or cutting edge hardware. It's about having fun. You honestly don't need all that flash to have fun, and having all that flash doesn't always amount to much (look at the Xbox One for example).

Besides, I can actually appreciate that Nintendo does their own thing. Sure I wouldn't mind some changes here and there, but I have a PS4 Pro and a gaming PC. I don't need another box that does exactly the same thing as those other two, I appreciate that it's different and unique.

[ziggurcat]

@neon you can still have fun, and have 4K/8k/whatever K. Nothing about my argument is saying they need to do what everyone else is doing. The counter-argument always, erroneously, goes straight to that.

I don’t see anything wrong with wanting something like Link’s Awakening, but 4K at a solid/locked 60fps, and improved lighting, particle effects, etc...

[PhoenixUp]

@ Zig

“I'm not really arguing that they need to come out on top of the HW arms race, just put something out that's relatively comparable.”

Like I said earlier, GameCube showed them there’s not much to benefit them from creating comparable hardware. Every console since the SNES had sold less than its predecessor. It’s extremely unlikely Wii & Switch would’ve been as successful if they had comparable hardware to the competition.

This “Lateral Thinking of Withered Technology" mindset has greatly benefited them in the handheld market against vastly technologically superior competitors for decades. When they neglected competing in the console arms race and applied this mindset to their consoles after
GameCube, they for the most part found some of their greatest successes that wouldn’t have been possible if they went with comparable hardware.

[darthv72]

There is no rule that says to be in this business you must do the same as the other guy. Nintendo caught on to that years ago and have been doing their own thing ever since. And you know what... it's worked out pretty well so far. All of a sudden, individuality is frowned upon???? Seriously its why I support multiple platforms, because i like how they approach things from different viewpoints.

Granted they all have the same end goal in mind (to make $$) but I like how each company has their own spin on their platforms. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[ziggurcat]

There’s no rule saying that they have to be 6 generations behind in tech to be “unique.” There’s nothing I said that implies they have to do the same as the others with a more powerful console. Basic functionalities like an internal HDD or Network infrastructure or just more capable HW isn’t homogeneity.

[King_Noctis]

Nintendo didn’t gain all of their success with things like consoles with “modern” raw powers. They were and are still are successful because they had been doing their own things separately from the other big two.

Also, as consumers, we already got two similar consoles on the market. We don’t need another one that does things exactly the same as the other two. Let Nintendo do their stuff, if you want to play Sony or MS’s like-games, go play on those consoles.

[ziggurcat]

I didn't say anything about Nintendo making Sony or MS-like games. I've never argued that more power = Nintendo starts making games like Uncharted or Gears. I've always argued that more power = higher resolution + solid 60fps + better lighting/particle effects, etc... for games *they* do best.

I fail to see why anyone would be against that.

[King_Noctis]

“ I fail to see why anyone would be against that.”

You made a good point, however you’ve got to understand that if they go on full power, they would have to forgo the portable/hybrid aspect of their console, which currently is one of their best selling console ever.

With Sony bowing out of the portable console race, the only console that you can play AAA titles on in portable mode is the Switch. Taking that away, then what would be the option left for people who love portable gaming like myself? Cloud gaming? No thanks.

You could also then say “why not make the Switch more powerful?” Then you’ve got to realize that the technology and battery advancement is not there yet. Even if they are, how much would the Switch cost? Imo at least around or near 1K like most high-end smartphone nowadays (and most of those 1K phones don’t even have as much juice as the Switch).

[ziggurcat]

"You could also then say “why not make the Switch more powerful?” Then you’ve got to realize that the technology and battery advancement is not there yet..."

My argument/solution for that would be keep Switch's handheld mode exactly how it is, but put more robust HW in the dock so that when it's in docked mode, it's more akin to a "proper" home console. That would make it a true hybrid system, and wouldn't require any change in the battery life that they already haven't addressed.

[King_Noctis]

“ My argument/solution for that would be keep Switch's handheld mode exactly how it is, but put more robust HW in the dock”

As I had said, putting any more high-end components into the Switch would cause the price to rise up even higher. It wouldn’t be priced at $300 anymore.

Also if you make the dock exponentially more powerful than the console itself, then how can any games run well in portable mode? The developer would then have to pull double duties to make the game run good on both modes, which would then just cause more problems and longer development time.

Sure you can say “but the developer make different versions for the base PS4/Xbox One and the PS4 Pro/Xbox One X”, but then you’ve got to realize that those console can’t instantly switch from dock to portable mode like the Switch.

[ziggurcat]

"Also if you make the dock exponentially more powerful than the console itself, then how can any games run well in portable mode?"

The same way it currently works. And if MS can do it with X360 games running on the X, surely Nintendo can as well.

[Bwremjoe]

It's fine you have an opinion, but this may be the worst opinion in the history of opinions.

[3-4-5]

Nintendo is mostly fine....relax guys

[AK91]

Will if memory serves me completely they surpassed MS and might be able to catch up to Sony. Unless of course the PS5 slows down sales of the Switch.

[King_Noctis]

You’re right. I fail to understand the logic of articles like this.

[isarai]

They've outsold XBO in less than half the time, pretty sure they're not the ones that need to "catch up"

[TheHateTheyGive]

Switch is in the handheld and console market whilst xbox only has the console market, so its not fair.

[RosweeSon]

And that’s Nintendo’s fault Xbox are uninspired and unoriginal 🤷🏻‍♂️

[sprinterboy]

Tell that to the "stuck in the 80s" nintendo?
Nintendo lost me after N64

[Acecalibur]

Nintendo has been behind for 20 years. Don't look for that to change. It's Nintendo.

[RosweeSon]

Been behind yet introduced Analogue controls... motion controls and touch screens into mainstream gaming. Not to mention produced some of the best reviewed games of this generation on inferior hardware. Take all the power of the X and keep it as they’ve not used it and doesn’t sound like they’ll bother to use it at start of next generation with no next gen exclusives. But it’s cool cos Xbox live is the best online service nothing to do with them charging £40+ for 15 odd years whilst the others were doing it for Free. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷 🏻‍♂️

[jmtstan]

judging from the sales of Switch, it outperforms Xbox One. Sure it can't compete with the PS4. Hardware wise, Switch is not bad, just look at latest Witcher 3 update.

[QuePasa87]

As long as they keep a steady enough flow of the typical level of quality titles they'll be just fine

[SIANSLOW]

Best selling 2d platform game ever
Best selling 3d platform game ever
Best selling racing game ever
Best selling fighting game ever
Best selling rpg ever
Best selling sports game ever
Highest rated game ever

Who they trying to catch up to?

[DreadGara]

Solja boy