Nintendo Switch Hands-On: 10 Things We Learned
1. The Switch Won’t Replace Your PS4 Or Xbox – But It’s Not Intended To
One thing that was very clear at the show was the focus on providing a console the whole family can play together.
Almost all of the games shown had some form of local multiplayer, something PlayStation and Xbox have neglected over the years, and taking cues from the Wii regarding motion controls, as well as the Joy-Cons being able to be used as a smaller, smarter Wii Remote, show that Nintendo have the family gaming market firmly in mind.
ARMS and 1-2-Switch, the new IPs from Nintendo, are both designed with local multiplayer being the core component, and like Wii Sports, could become a staple of many house parties and family gatherings. Also, aside from pointing out the resolution differences while playing Mario Kart, there was no mention of technical specifications whatsoever.
This is in complete contrast to Sony and Microsoft’s strategies of having game libraries flooded with online shooters, sports games and others focused on the teen/adult core gamer crowd, and constantly emphasising the processing power and speed of their latest consoles.
Nintendo is, put simply, concerned with fun, first and foremost. They want you to gather around with the family and create some memories. People who compare the Switch to PS4 and Xbox One are kind of missing the point.
They’re not aiming for the same markets, but I hope that the Switch is successful enough that Nintendo can continue to provide the family-based alternative.
--
Are you excited for the Switch? Let us know in the comments!