Poll of the Day > Just over a year later, the idea of a handheld/console hybrid loses its appeal

(+) Yeah! (+)

It's useful, if you decide to bring the Switch places, but you either play it on a TV, or play it as a handheld.

And Nintendo will never give up that gimmick, seeing how they merged both the console and handheld markets.

They should have made a 4K capable console more powerful than the Xbox One X, and with modern online gaming features, but they instead they went the more marketable route. Even though it has a shit battery life when playing it out of the docking cradle.

I'm still happy with my Switch.

If you don't want yours anymore, sell it to someone who will enjoy it, so our tax dollars don't go to waste.

Speak for yourself. No one needs a more powerful console at this point.
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I bitched about the portable bullshit as soon as it was announced. I want a GameCube 2. The only reason I got a Switch last year was because I had some special coupon for Walmart that gave me 20% off anything and figured I may as well use it on that so I'd own one when Pokemon came out.
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Maybe if you had a job, you'd enjoy it, ok?
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Go_Totodile posted...

No one needs a more powerful console at this point.

Go_Totodile posted...

Speak for yourself.

I've been surprised by how much I'm using its portability. It's not as comfortably portable as the 3DS was, but it fits well enough into my coat pocket or backpack that I can easily bring it anywhere that I'm expecting to be for a while. In particular, it's been really good for bringing to my girlfriend's place.
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The switch was a cool idea but I'm kinda glad the hype of it's design has die down. I really didn't want any other company even attempting that. It was never going to work.
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Go_Totodile posted...

Speak for yourself. No one needs a more powerful console at this point.

This^

TheCyborgNinja posted...

I bitched about the portable bullshit as soon as it was announced. I want a GameCube 2. The only reason I got a Switch last year was because I had some special coupon for Walmart that gave me 20% off anything and figured I may as well use it on that so I'd own one when Pokemon came out.

20% is pretty good!

adjl posted...

I've been surprised by how much I'm using its portability. It's not as comfortably portable as the 3DS was, but it fits well enough into my coat pocket or backpack that I can easily bring it anywhere that I'm expecting to be for a while. In particular, it's been really good for bringing to my girlfriend's place.

I do like to do the same. I thought I would probably only use portable when maybe watching something K could miss or on the go. But I play portable even when I didn't have to at all... Haha... And I usually bring it to my SO's place pretty often...

TallTamryu posted...

The switch was a cool idea but I'm kinda glad the hype of it's design has die down. I really didn't want any other company even attempting that. It was never going to work.

It seems to work well. I like having a console, but also be able to take it with me...

VioletMassacre posted...

Ive played it enough portable to justify it. Ive also had no problem with battery life. Username checks out.

No problems with the battery life for me, as well...
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I'm glad they killed the handheld-only market. I have 50" TV, why do I want to play the latest Zelda on a 4" screen on a device that is as powerful as something between the N64 and the Gamecube? I don't see them ever returning to a dedicated console or dedicated handheld again.

We've undeniably well passed the point of diminishing returns in the graphics department. Graphics have not made a massive leap in the last 10 years. With the Switch being between the Wii U and the Xbone/PS4, it's not really as underpowered as you make it out to be. Furthermore I'd be amazed if the Xbone/PS4 were replaced by a new Xbox or a PS5 at any point before about 2022.
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faramir77 posted...

I'm glad they killed the handheld-only market. I have 50" TV, why do I want to play the latest Zelda on a 4" screen on a device that is as powerful as something between the N64 and the Gamecube? I don't see them ever returning to a dedicated console or dedicated handheld again.

We've undeniably well passed the point of diminishing returns in the graphics department. Graphics have not made a massive leap in the last 10 years. With the Switch being between the Wii U and the Xbone/PS4, it's not really as underpowered as you make it out to be. Furthermore I'd be amazed if the Xbone/PS4 were replaced by a new Xbox or a PS5 at any point before about 2022.

It also helps that I don't have to buy both a home console and a handheld. Especially when a lot of the games were one or the other... Now, I have the one system that they can just make everything for...
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faramir77 posted...

I'm glad they killed the handheld-only market. I have 50" TV, why do I want to play the latest Zelda on a 4" screen on a device that is as powerful as something between the N64 and the Gamecube? I don't see them ever returning to a dedicated console or dedicated handheld again.

Not even this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTZ1QjCL5-0" data-time="

You know you want one, when it goes on sale.

I wouldn't mind one, but it's a hefty price tag and I hate Windows 10. My buddy has a GPD of some sort (not a Win, one of the Android ones) and it's pretty nice.

Honestly I am happy they tried something different, I'm so apathetic with this generation of consoles
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Dude. The 3DS is like 6 years old at this point and it wasn't even that powerful at launch. It's tech is simply not up to snuff. Nintendo realized that they not only had to replace the aging console but also try and do something about the failure of the Wii U. Hence the Switch. Something that could be a viable heir to the 3DS capable of boasting basically 360/PS3 levels of tech while being portable and playable on big screens. The fact is that we don't need improved graphics at this point and even if they could magic a genie in that could make the Switch equal to the PS6 the console is limited by the small screen for its portable functions which is what Nintendo clearly wants to focus on over competing with the PS4/X1. It's a portable console with the advantage of being able to also play on the large screen, not the other way around.

The fact is that the home console market is at its limit right now. The PS4 and X1 are choking each other and PC gaming has become huge since Steam came around and distribution became viable. Coming in late nothing Nintendo could produce would be able to eek out a viable market at this point. However the portable market is uncontested since mobile games simply can't do what a dedicated system can (and touchscreens just don't work well for anything beyond basic games). So replace your aging hardware, charge into an uncontested market, then showcase your power and define a new marker in the hybrid console area to keep mobile games from overcoming you and make it so Sony and Microsoft simply can't muscle in without being at a massive disadvantage and having to potentially scrap their home consoles.
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Unbridled9 posted...

Dude. The 3DS is like 6 years old at this point and it wasn't even that powerful at launch. It's tech is simply not up to snuff. Nintendo realized that they not only had to replace the aging console but also try and do something about the failure of the Wii U. Hence the Switch. Something that could be a viable heir to the 3DS capable of boasting basically 360/PS3 levels of tech while being portable and playable on big screens. The fact is that we don't need improved graphics at this point and even if they could magic a genie in that could make the Switch equal to the PS6 the console is limited by the small screen for its portable functions which is what Nintendo clearly wants to focus on over competing with the PS4/X1. It's a portable console with the advantage of being able to also play on the large screen, not the other way around.

The fact is that the home console market is at its limit right now. The PS4 and X1 are choking each other and PC gaming has become huge since Steam came around and distribution became viable. Coming in late nothing Nintendo could produce would be able to eek out a viable market at this point. However the portable market is uncontested since mobile games simply can't do what a dedicated system can (and touchscreens just don't work well for anything beyond basic games). So replace your aging hardware, charge into an uncontested market, then showcase your power and define a new marker in the hybrid console area to keep mobile games from overcoming you and make it so Sony and Microsoft simply can't muscle in without being at a massive disadvantage and having to potentially scrap their home consoles.

There are games that have never been ported to PC.
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Every time I go to the airport, I chortle at all the kids who wish they could use their mOsT pOwErFuL cOnSoLeS while they wait for their flight (not to mention on the flight).

I'll take that any day of the week over better graphics.
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Muffinz0rz posted...

Every time I go to the airport, I chortle at all the kids who wish they could use their mOsT pOwErFuL cOnSoLeS while they wait for their flight (not to mention on the flight).

I'll take that any day of the week over better graphics.

I mean if literally all you do on the move is play video games, then it might be a good option. But for people with priorities in life, hobbies, etc. it's not really worth it. If you fly a lot or sit in the back seat of a car quite often, then maybe it's worth it, but for most gamers, playing at home is the norm.
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Honestly, the last thing Nintendo should have done is what you're suggesting. It sets itself apart from the playstation and the xbox and does a damn good job at what it's advertised to do. Check that with a stellar, growing library and it's really an amazing system.
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JanwayDaahl posted...

I mean if literally all you do on the move is play video games, then it might be a good option. But for people with priorities in life, hobbies, etc. it's not really worth it.

Apparently gaming isn't a hobby.
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Are you kidding? I adore my switch as a handheld.