graphically, have a large variety of games, and price cuts. Meaning, you can buy a PS4 or Xbox One $50 cheaper and bundled with each of the system’s best games. Here’s hoping for Nintendo that the novelty of a new system as well as the unique experience it offers compared to the other two systems provides it with its own market. Smartphones — Since the Switch is half portable, games for smartphones have to be part of the conversation. Sure, the games on these phones are largely poor quality and shallow experience, but you — Many people believe the holiday season. This way, Nintendo woud get more time to develop a solid launch lineup of games, just in time for Christmas. Imagine the new Super Mario, Zelda, updated Mario Kart 8, and other titles from outside Nintendo coming out the same day as the system. But, for whatever reason, Nintendo wants it out for spring. It’s great but the problem is that the games are slim pickings. Luckily, Nintendo’s most critically important franchise is one of those launch titles, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” However, you would expect more than three retail games for a system launch that means a lot. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but Nintendo needs to restore faith in its fanbase and create new ones. Online component — Nintendo has always been behind when it comes to online functionality. Yes, you can play epic matches and race with friends from around the globe, but that’s the bare minimum in this day and age. Consumers expect a large online presence where a community is created and it’s easy to find your friends, see what games they are playing and communicate with them easily, even if there’s a fee. Nintendo has offered little of that. Worst of all, there’s really very little information on the Switch’s online plans. Can you download classic games for free with a monthly fee? Can you indeed talk to your friends? Will it be seamless with a clean interface? More questions than answers after launch isn’t ideal. Graphics — If there’s anything the video game industry has taught us over the years, it’s that the hardware with the best graphics doesn’t always win the war. That’s good news for Nintendo, which hasn’t matched other systems graphically in quite a long time. It wants to get you with new ways to play games. However, pretty games matter to gamers. It’s an easy sell to show off your friends how beautiful textures look in a game. Nintendo can make great-looking games, but in a different, cartoon-like style. Those that want realistic looks are going to stick with Sony or Microsoft. Too late? — Let’s say the Switch is an excepgraphically, can’t deny the smartphone’s place in the market. People spend tons of money and dollars on these games, and they reach Nintendo’s coveted casual gamer audience. Will people be intrigued? Launch titles Switch should’ve come up close to the holigraphically, holitional system that fires on all cylinders. It’s innovative and Nintendo rebounded from its last blunder in the Wii U, which for all its flaws, still had great games. Is the writing already on the wall? Has the American market moved on from the company that brought games back to the country in a big way? Is there only room for Sony, PC and Microsoft? Perhaps if this system had been the original Wii’s successor, fans and executives would feel more at ease. Time will tell. Overall, I think this system is a solid step in the right direction that will keep the company in the game for years to come. Will it replicate the Wii or original Nintendo? No. But it’s a new world and the good news is that there’s plenty of room for the company. QNS.COM SPRING 2017 19
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