Nintendo has announced that the Nintendo Switch will cost Australians $469.95 when it launches on March 3.
In an email after the official presentation, Nintendo announced there would be two special Zelda: Breath of the Wild bundles available.
The first comes with the games soundtrack, an A3 poster, coin, physical map, and Master Sword figure. The second, termed the Limited Collectible bundle, has the same items sans the A3 poster.
Nintendo also revealed more details about the online infrastructure, including details about a smartphone app that would be used for messaging friends.
The console will support online Wi-Fi multiplayer gaming. Nintendo also unveiled a new online subscription service that will begin with a free trial at launch. The service includes a smart-device application available in winter 2017 that will let users invite friends to play online, set play appointments, and chat with one another as the play compatible games. The fully featured paid service will be available in spring.
Nintendo reaffirmed that the Switch would support up to 8 Switch consoles in multiplayer over Wi-Fi. They also outlined that both JoyCon controllers would ship with the HD rumble functionality, while the left JoyCon controller sports a capture button for "taking instant screenshots of gameplay".
The release did not mention the ability to record or save gameplay on the Switch, echoing indications from the conference earlier today that the Switch would not ship with such a feature at launch.
Nintendo also outlined a range of first-party games and their localised release dates, which is as follows:
- 1-2 Switch: A series of local multiplayer party titles, 1-2 Switch would be available alongside the new Zelda on March 3.
- ARMS: a third-person brawler, ARMS will ship "this autumn".
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: a re-release of the Wii U classic with new courses, the ability to carry two items at once, 8 player local co-op and all of the DLC, MK8 Deluxe will release on April 28.
- Splatoon 2: As announced during the presentation, Splatoon 2 will be out in the Australian winter.
- Super Mario Odyssey: The new 3D Mario, which features the ability to throw Mario's cap and the ability to travel between worlds with Mario's airship, is due out around the Christmas season.
- Snipperclips: A game not mentioned during the conference, Snipperclips is a solo or co-operative puzzle game that will be released on the Nintendo eShop in March.
Another thing confirmed this evening was the presence of the NBA 2K series, Minecraft, The Elder Scrolls and FIFA. The release did not mention Skyrim specifically, although the game was directly quoted by Todd Howard during the Switch presentation.
As reported before, it was also reiterated that the Switch would not be region locked, allowing consumers to import third-party titles from overseas even if they are not released in Australia. The Switch can also be charged through the USB-C slot with the provided AC Adapter; it was not outlined whether the USB-C port could be used for additional functionality, like external storage or external capture devices.
For those who buy the entire package at launch, the Switch will ship with the following: the console, left and right Joy-Con controllers, a Joy-Con grip, a set of wrist straps, a Switch dock, AC adapter and a HDMI cable.
You can also see every other game announced during today's Switch presentation, from Nintendo's first-party developers and the third-party offerings, in our round-up.
For more details about the Nintendo Switch:
Nintendo's Online Service Includes A Free NES Or SNES Game Each Month
Nintendo Demos The Switch Controllers
Nintendo Announces Xenoblade 2 For Switch
Comments
Ugh. A tad more than I was hoping for. Might still grab it at launch if I can get another fun launch game to go along with LoZ.
I'm surprised people think the price is high.
Last edited 14/01/17 8:37 amA PS Vita is what, $300?
A 3DS XL is $250, how did people think the switch was going to cost less than a pair of 3DS units?
the issue is not the price its the price to power ratio. no matter what nintendo say's this is meant to be a replacement of the wii u and possibly the 3ds. with that in mind there 2 generations behind in power it's weaker then a ps3/360. i have a $99 phablet that has a 1.5ghz octa-core processor and 7in 1080p screen that can do the same or better graphics. so the switch should not cost more then $150. there putting a serious mark up on the controllers. nintendo is dead after this just like sega and there mistakes. thankfully this will mean well get zelda and mario on other consoles.
So you're telling me you can play the ubisoft game Steep on your phablet? That's impressive! For real though, you got a source for the 'weaker than a ps3/360' bit? All things seem to indicate that it's more powerful than the Wii U, which was more powerful than the ps3/360. I hope this was an innocent mistake and not just you being a dishonest hater.
I guarantee you your tablet is a lot slower. What chip is it?
I agree, although I still would prefer if it was $400, plus have you seen the rumoured prices of accessories and the games themselves? It's bullsh*t!
A Tegra K1 tablet is around 250 aud delivered from Amazon. I have one.
Last edited 15/01/17 9:47 pmWhat? How did $299USD turn to $469AUD?
Do they realise 1TB PS4's (which kick the Switch's ass in every area apart from: no Ninty games, no portability) are $350?
Even better - while US$299 comes to AU$400, 30k Yen comes to AU$350.
Wonder how cheap you can ship them from Japan :P
Biggest issue with shipping from Japan etc is warranty. Nintendo is well known for having local only warrantys.
I've never had a Nintendo product fail on me. Would be worth the risk.
shipping to australia adds like 40 - 100 blame australia post our post cost more then any other country.
Not shipping from another country to here. Au to anywhere, yeah that's expensive.
It's actually about on par with Royal Mail and USPS when compared to the average wage. Shipping in Asian countries costs peanuts though.
A little bit of a misnomer there, you're assuming that shipping means you're shipping 1 single unit. You're not. They ship in bulk. They quite literally ship tens of thousands at a time there. The cost would break down far, far further than that unless you're specifically buying your single unit online, from overseas.
Last edited 13/01/17 7:02 pmYeah, but when you look at how much they're still selling (or trying to sell) the Wii U for, this isn't all that surprising.
Yeah, that was/is disgraceful. Like, this price isn't surprising, but I hoped Nintendo would you know, try better to be good and not shit this time.
1. Nintendo NEVER releases their console at a loss. Ever.
2. People complaining about the price compared to the US price. Learn about Australias Taxation vs Americas. They tax at the register, we tax before hand. Look at import tax. Then add shipping to the country. Then also address the fact that our Dollar a yo yo hitting a pile of shit.
3. the pro controller is NOT the same as the wii u Pro Controller. Its got motion controlls AND amiibo support. So its not the same piece of plastic.
4. There is no GREED, This is a portable console that is running on similar specs as current NON portable consoles.
Some of you people need to take a long hard look at yourself, as you are the epitome of the entitled gamer argument.
FFS.
i agree with you on point 2 and 3 (1 i dont disagree, but maybe they SHOULD sell at a loss because this is expensive).
But for point 4, from all the rumors (and some actual fact seeing as its made on some variation of the Nvidia tegra that has been used before) so far its weaker than the current (3+ year old) consoles when docked and going to be a fair bit weaker than that again when portable so its kinda incorrect to call it a portable console with xbox/ps4 power.
I agree - it's overpriced in the USA as well as here.
This isn't quite true. The Wii U was the first Nintendo Console to be released at a loss. Prior to that however, all Ninty consoles were indeed sold at profit at launch, helping them rule the console market generally.
And they are going back to the "we arent selling it at a loss" strategy.
We won't know that until we see the actual costs for production. Those arent made available til after launch. They very well may, but at this point in time, again, no telling.
1. XB1 and PS4 *also* aren't sold at a loss
2. People are complaining because the price is a rip-off mostly. The Australian price is a $30 markup from the US price and $90 markup on the Japanese price - IMO that's not *so* bad. But the US and Japanese prices are still stupid high.
3. Sure.
4. The closest non-portable console in terms of specs to the Switch is the Ouya ($99). Current gen home consoles are *vastly* more powerful than the Switch.
The Switch is, in terms of hardware pretty much identical to the AUD $250 nVidia Shield - which makes no commission on games. But the Shield has a bigger battery. And more games (admitedly they are probably much worse games, but the point stands).
Nintendo's pricing for this console are completely at odds with what they are offering. $100 USD cheaper would mean this console had the chance to be successful (still doubtful, but possible). At this absurdly high price (for what's on offer), the Switch is dead before it even begins.
And that totally sucks, because I, for one, really want Nintendo to be successful. They have awesome ideas and make really fun games, but I think it's clear by now that they can no longer make a good console.
The Wii was a massive hit, but it sold on it's gimmick and was clearly lightning in a bottle. It's the only one of Nintendo's last four consoles to be any sort of success (because the Switch definitely won't be).
Nintendo, just partner up with Sony or Microsoft and make your games on their platform, because that's what you're good at - games. This just cements the fact that you don't know how to make consoles.
For your username "not an idiot" you sure proved that you are.
One thing to add though is Nintendo build high quality gear. Look at the issues Sony and Ms have had.
You don't have many hardware or heat problems when your using underpowered gear from the last gen every time like Nintendo does.
299 is before sales tax.
299USD currently equals 399AUD
add 10% GST
~$438, that leaves only a $30 delta which isn't so bad.
That and PS4's came out over 3 years ago. Of course they're cheaper.
I don't think anyone is saying it's expensive compared to the USD price. Just that it's expensive.
A Tegra K1 costs 250aud with no Commission on games.
A ps4/Xbox is cheaper with better hardware. Doesn't matter when they released it, you'd Compare now to now.
Last edited 15/01/17 9:53 pmUSD 299.99 is currently just over AUD400
GST is another 10% so that makes it AUD 440
Considering the Aussie dollar has had a bit of a surge in the last few days, $449 to $469 is hardly anything to complain about.
It is only $20 more than the US price, and considering it is a powerful console, with its own screen, and you can play two player games without having to buy a second controller, it seems like good value.
Last edited 13/01/17 7:04 pmPowerful console? Get out, its a glorified Nvidia SHIELD, which is powered by a Tegra SOC, which whilst impressive enough for a mobile SOC, is woefully underpowered compared to even a XB1, let alone a PS4 pro.
The more and more of the switch gets announced, the more obvious it is overpriced garbage.
This. So far it looks to just be a sheild which isnt that impressive
If it's 'Garbage' ... just don't buy it then. No need to get upset.
No! I must yell at everyone and let them all know how unhappy I am with this! =P
agree let be heard. then enough people will not buy this junk and nintendo will finally build a descent console or become a software only company. hopefully the latter as 2 console companys is enough and i want to play zelda on my ps4,
I was being sarcastic =/
Ah yes, classical. The day a new Nintendo machine is disclosed is the day when all Nintendo haters come out of their holes to spew the venom they've been saving up for a while.
It's only things that are beloved by a group of people that cause such a rabid, unwarranted hatred in some.
My first console was a NES, so there is plenty of love for Nintendo on my side, but being blunt - can we just admit that nostalgia stops us from admitting that Nintendo is a terrible company that can't make a console to save its life and its game library has become tired rehashings almost entirely of Mario, Zelda & Pokemon, and that if it was any other company would have been laughed at and left to die the deaths they deserve by now.
Except that the Wii was a great, great success? Yes, you are going to reply with words like "gimmick" and "kiddy" and whatnot. Regardless, it makes your argument that they do not know how to make a console demonstrably false. In fact, through Nintendo's history as a home console maker they have had more huge hits (4) than failures (3). And of those 3 "failures" two simply failed to be great. On the other hand, Nintendo's record with portable consoles is impeccable, so the fact that this is, basically a portable console that can be connected to the TV is encouraging.
It is clear that Nintendo simply doesn't speak to you as it did back in your childhood. Zelda and Mario tire you (despite of their clearly innovative twists, and making the lists of the greatest games of their generation with very few exceptions) and you despise the "gimmicks" and new ways of play that they constantly experiment with (despite that almost every single one has gone to change the industry one way or the other. That doesn't mean that you should crap on the thing that makes so many other people happy.
If you think that the market can sustain THREE black or white plastic bricks sitting in front of your TV that do nothing but eating a disc and playing a game with their only differential being number of polygons and TV integration and a slew of features that are perpendicular to actual gaming, you have not been paying attention. It barely sustains two (ask Microsoft). It is important that the third competitor is a wild card that chooses not no enter the unending technical escalation, but rather, push the envelope and find a niche for itself.Who cares if it moves only 2 million units instead of 4 or 5? That's 2 million people that enjoy something that the competitors don't give them.
Gimmicks work when they are cheap. Not when they are $450.
The Wii U for example could have worked, but at about half the price. And is why the Wii worked with its $150 entry price.
Any other rationale you throw at it simply doesn't match reality. Its an underpowered console, with its gimmick being portability, but with woeful battery life. That is just the height of silly product design.
Last edited 14/01/17 11:13 amThe reason why I cannot take your doom predictions seriously is because I've seen them every little single time. Naysayers are especially strong when it comes to Nintendo and for decades they have been predicting the crash of Nintendo after every single hardware and major software release. Some times they're kinda right (never to the extent of their pessimism), but most times they're wildly wrong and more importantly, Nintendo keeps chugging along doing their thing.
It sincerely baffles me that you and so many other people want Nintendo to take the facile and cynically corporate road of just releasing another mini-computer in a sleek case with high tech specs and call a day. I personally would mourn such day were it to happen. Something beautifully different and special would have stopped existing in the world that day and for sure, a company that finally gave up their creative vision for an easy cash bonus would have that reflected in the games they produce.
Again, it comes down to price and market segments. The Switch IMO would have been better targetted at replacing the 3DS, and coming with no attachments, and hitting a $300 AUD price point.
As for the crash of Nintendo, Nin continues to exist due to mostly luck in the Japanese market.
As for innovation, what part of this is innovative? It's a console wanting to be a handheld, and due to a lack of power and lack of battery life, it serves neither purpose well. But being serious for a sec, have you played Xenoblade Chronicles in 4k thru Citra? The game looks freaking amazing. Thats the sort of experience we could have if Nintendo would just release something normal. Its game catalogue is strong, so why continue taking the risks with underpowered systems?
(replying to your message below)
You call it "luck" in the Japanese market, I call it knowing and understanding the rather exotic Japanese market and the quirky tastes of its gamers. There is a reason why the XBox has continuously failed in Japan and it is a lack of understanding that.
So, they have a massive Japanese following to which they can speak in their "language" plus a sizable (if not overwhelming) loyal following in the West, who "get" that language. Moreover, the Wii was the living proof that from time to time their little experiments pushing the envelope have the potential to go massive in the West as well. Why then, would they risk going the stale and "safe" XBox way, potentially losing their established userbase in Japan and the West who actually expect Nintendo consoles to be "different" just to risk entering into a direct competition with Sony without a significant hardware differential?
And don't kid yourself if you think that Nintendo can actually compete with Sony in their turf. Sony has huge pockets from their multi-national, multi-product corporate line to draw from for R&D plus the capability to initially sell a console at a loss. If Nintendo spent every single Yen in their arcs to make the next Nintendo console an HD powerhouse, you can bet that Sony could easily match that and sell it at an advantageous discount.
Lastly, Nintendo famous franchises are NOT games that really benefit from huge amounts of detail, as the go for either the colourful and cartoonish or the artistically stylised, which employ their systems' moderate grunt to produce a beautiful result in ways other than HD realism.
Yes, third-party games such as Xenoblade (or potential many others who simply don't exist because developers want to play with the highest quality toys) would benefit from higher specs... but would it truly be worth sacrificing what has made Nintendo (mostly) successful through decades? That's where we disagree. The things you care for would make you say 'yes', and the things I care for would make me answer 'no'. Yes, a super HD Xenoblade Chronicles X would have been nice, but if that meant removing the "gimmick" of the screen controller and preventing games like Mario Maker from existing, I wouldn't have it.
I see to many comparisons with the ps4 and xbone, but no one realising it's not designed to directly compete with them. It's a hybrid portable console. There was the same hate for the ps4 and xbone on their release because they weren't as powerful as desktop computers.
Last edited 15/01/17 11:59 amWorth noting that all advertised prices in the US exclude sales taxes as they vary from state to state, so if anything you should compare with AU price minus GST.
Edit: I need to learn to read, beaten to the punch.
Last edited 13/01/17 7:20 pmWell USD 300 is AUD 400 with today's exchange rate, plus another $40 for GST and then add a bit for wiggle room on exchange rates...
You should really be looking at the EU and U.K. pricing though, since we tend to be attached there (PAL region legacy and such).
$299USD is about $400, then add GST and you are at $440. So yes, a $30 difference but it's not massive compared to US pricing.
Last edited 13/01/17 10:15 pmIn the US prices do not include tax, in AU they do. The exchange rate plus state and federal taxes will bring the price within the ballpark in AU.
Australia tax.
Edit: Was meant to be a reply to @stickman
Last edited 13/01/17 6:28 pmNope.
Price in France is €349.99 = $496 AUD
Price in Italy is €329.99 = $467 AUD
Price in UK is £279.99 = $455 AUD
Price in Canada is $399.99 = $467 AUD assuming the 15% tax in Quebec (although other provinces might be cheaper)
Price in US is $299.99 = $440 AUD assuming 10% tax.
Australia gets a similar price as the rest of the world, and as usual the US gets it a bit cheaper.
And you can at least buy games from any region now, so the $20 or $30 for hardware isn't a huge issue in my eyes.
This is true, at least until you have to start paying GST on game imports (Jul 1).
$299 + 8% sales tax in usa = $323 in aud thats $430.
Pass.
I'll wait for the never ever coming price cut.
Your comment inspired me to check the price of the Wii U, how the hell is it still over 400 bucks at EB?!
Nintendo need to get their heads out of their asses.
Looks like my estimate of $430-$500 was pretty accurate. Had 2 pre-ordered for months (one for me, one for my son), just pre-ordered a second copy of Zelda (so we can have one each) 2 Pro Controllers (again one each) and a copy of 1-2 Switch (to share).
will be counting the days till the 3rd.
You are dropping some SERIOUS coin on club Nintendo man.
My only question for you is: how would you now feel if you'd done the same with the wii u?
I did buy a Wii U (though not at launch). But I s'pose if I'd dropped that much cash at launch I guess I'd be a bit disappointed that it didn't have a very long lifespan (although Zelda is still coming out for it, so Nintendo hasn't completely abandoned it). Some great games on the Wii U though (Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Mario 3D World, Wind Waker, Splatoon, Captain Toad etc etc).
They just priced me out of a purchase until there's a price drop, sale or deal of some kind. That is too much.
Nintendo. Sale. Price Drop. HAHAHA. Oh Wait. You're Serious? Let Me Laugh Even Harder! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (Edit: bit too long)
?
My wii u was like 100 bucks on a clearance sale if old skylanders bundle stock.
mine was $180 with skylander :p
Obviously you don't remember the massive price slash that the 3DS got after launch.
If I remember correctly, the N64 got a decent price cut too. I do recall that those who purchased the console at launch received a free game to compensate...I got stuck with Crusin' USA, but hey, it was free...ish :p
Going to be a lot of people interested in shipping prices now that we know there is no region locking.
Edit: Xbox One/PS4 shipping from USA to AU is in the range of $40-60.
Last edited 13/01/17 6:37 pm30k Yen is about 350aud, could be Japan starts seeing a lot of international orders
Unfortunately the savings would easily be eaten by shipping costs. The batteries inside it mean you cant use the super cheap options because they dont like em :P
Damn. That's way more expensive than I thought it would be. I would have bet on $399
I expected $450.
Funny how the extra $20 has made me a lot less interested. I'll just drop the cash on the Wii U Zelda instead, seeing as that is still the only thing that I actually want after seeing the games on offer so far.
Yeah I'm the same.
I was thinking even $450 would be ok but that $20 just seems to make it that bit too expensive.
Weird how that is.
Fuck sake Nintendo. So goddamn close to a home run on this one and you had to get greedy.
Greedy, really?
You get a console, and a HD screen to play the games on. How was it going to be any cheaper?
They didn't talk graphics, means it's less than Xbox/ps. And you know how many dollars a 720p screen costs? Approaching single digits.
An Nvidia shield, which is the same freaking console, will cost you $280 shipped to AUs.
Unless I'm mistaken though a Shield doesn't have two removable mini wi-fi controllers with rumble motors, accelerometers/gyroscopes and NFC/IR sensors - granted I find 90% of that to be completely useless personally but it is still a lot of tech that factors into the price difference, not just Ninty being greedy.
Last edited 13/01/17 11:00 pmPlus the shield uses the k1 chip not the x1 used in the switch. In raw grunt (flops) it's around twice as fast. Plus maxwell based GPU so the graphic performance is higher as well.
Last edited 15/01/17 12:08 pmI'm talking specifically about the "Australia Tax" added on to the console's price. $299 is a perfect price for America, $399 makes 100% sense based on conversion rates here.
I assume the "Australia tax" you speak of is the 10% GST included in the price?
Last edited 13/01/17 8:54 pm...you forgot tax.
Ah damn you're right. Fair enough then.
I would have liked $450 mind you, but in the long run it's only $20. I think it being region free opens up the doors for much more savings moving forward.
Last edited 15/01/17 9:25 amAmerica puts tax on their items too. Only difference is they do so when you go to pay at the register.
What does this mean? It means that the USD $299 price is before tax. Taxes vary a lot state by state [as there are state taxes on top of federal!], but lets for the sake of the argument put it at 10% tax. This bring the price to USD $330. At current exchange rates [which are up and down like a yoyo at the moment], this comes out at AUD $446.
Are you really that angry over an AUD $33 dollar difference? Would you really prefer to have the USA's taxation and social structures for the sake of saving $33 on a luxury consumer appliance?
Regardless, it's been said a bunch before, but forex rates are in no way indicative of the state of a domestic economy. Sure, we pay an extra 10% on the purchase price of a console, but I can tell you that almost certainly the average wage in Australia is much more than 10% higher than the USA.
Welp, didn't quite hit the $500 high mark I voted for. But close enough :P
I think they are screwing this up. That's way too expensive to be competitive. The only must purchase apps are Mario and Zelda. The online service sounds terrible. The additional controlliare way over priced.
We bought 2DS's for the kids for $140 and it was great. There's no way we can replace them with a Switch.
I absolutely loved the Wii U, but I don't think I can support this at launch.
Will get a Switch, but not on launch. The price just seals the deal.
Who's this guy. Fetch the oar of thorns!
I was lost in the woods this whole time. WHY DID NO ONE COME LOOK FOR ME?! :P
Last edited 13/01/17 6:52 pmOh, yeah, about that, erm... ya see, the thing is...
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!
*runs away*
We thought you were off on an adventure. Didn't want to spoil the fun.
A point and click adventure.
That's how the wood outing began, that's true...
I plan to wait until the june-July toy sales. They're usually cheaper or have games attached to the bundles.
EB's updated their Switch page
Pro controllers have been downgraded from $119.95 to $99.95 and launch titles are 1-2 Switch, Just Dance 2017 and The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild.
https://www.ebgames.com.au/featured/nintendo-switch
Edit: Also, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is due on the 28th of April.
Last edited 13/01/17 7:00 pm$99. Bruh. It's just the WiiU Pro Controller in a slightly different plastic. FFS.
That may be so, but I just thought I'd let everyone know in case anyone was interested.
I wonder if I can just use my Wii U pro controller. They're pretty good with backwards compatibility on hardware normally
Hahahaha good one!
What? The Wii supported all the GameCube controllers, and the Wii U supported all the Wii controllers. There's no reason to necessarily think the Switch won't support any Wii U controllers.
The Switch pro controller and the Wii U pro controller aren't the same. The Switch one has motion controls.
Never said they were the same?
Also literally right below in another post I said just that to someone else :P
Last edited 14/01/17 1:22 amI didn't see that when making my comment.
Not entirely. This one seems to include the motion sensors, which the Wii U Pro did not. Also wondering whether it includes that IR motion camera too.
3 launch titles???? That doesn't sound ready for release at all.
Yes, but even if there were 15 launch titles would anybody seriously be playing anything but Zelda?
Variety is the spice of life. Not everyone will buy BOTW, however small that number may be. I'd prefer there to be another solid 1st party title releasing alongside BOTW, that would guarantee a launch day purchase for me.
As it stands I'm going to wait a couple of months after launch and see how this pans out. I can see initial console sales being mediocre before picking up during Christmas when the Mario title drops.
My comment was kind of tongue in cheek. I know I'll love Zelda, but it won't be for everyone. I agree they should've launched with another big 1st party title. They're really limiting their initial sales numbers by having such a small launch library.
Ah, my mistake, text doesn't really convey tone of speech :)
Yeah I think they'll have some growing pains in the beginning for sure. If I were to buy this on launch day I could see myself walking out the shop with the Switch, BOTW and maybe 1 2 switch since it reminds me a little of Warioware mini games.
As it stands I think I'll pick up the BOTW master edition and get the switch after Mario kart 8 deluxe comes out. Looks like they've fixed the battle stage issues that they had with the Wii U version.
That's not a good reason for so few titles. At least 8 would be more like it. Or 6. How long have they been planning this thing if they have almost nothing ready to go for it?
Yes, Zelda sucks.
The Nintendo 64 did great with three launch titles. Just sayin'.
As someone that loved his N64, I wouldn't say it "did great". In many ways it failed and was where Nintendo saw a mass exodus of third party developers the likes of which they haven't won back.
Great console but it had issues and the months following the launch was remembered by many as a drought.
Last edited 13/01/17 10:28 pmHaha. Lol. Back in the 90s when there was hardly any choice. Times have changed man.
Hardly any choice in the 90s? There were dozens of consoles released in the 90s.
WTF? Dozens? When the N64 came out? Sure. Shoot. Go ahead. Name a dozen.
OK from the 90's
Sega mega drive 90 (pal)
Sega Saturn 94
Sega dream cast 99
Nintendo snes 92 (pal)
Nintendo 64 96
Snk neogeo aes 90
Snk neogeo cd 94
Snk hyper neogeo 64 97
Sony Playstation 94
Phillips cdi 91
Atari jaguar 93
3do 93
Turbo graphix 90
Pioneer laser active 93
Those are just the ones I could think of off the top on my head then checked the dates. I'm sure there's some I've missed.
Nice work man! Impressed!
I don't know about you though but I was gaming back then and when the N64 came out it felt like the only options were really that, a Playstation or a Saturn.
You'd be upgrading FROM a SNES or a mega drive so they weren't competition. All the others you mentioned, yeah they existed but they weren't mainstream at all. I never even met anyone who had a Neo Geo. They were really expensive.
Nintendo thinks that the Wii U wasn't a bad enough of a failure, so they're ramming the point home with the Switch.
Nintendo driving themselves to console hardware extinction just got a step closer.
Heh. Haters have been predicting the death of Nintendo as a hardware developer since the Gamecube days. Keep on hatin' my dude, we'll keep on gaming and enjoying the hell out of it.
We would have gotten away with it too if not for that meddling Wii!
Nail in the coffin. Well played Nintendo.
$470 console
$100 controller
$90 games
I'm going to sit back and wait for a better bundle deal to come along or wait for the price drop in a year or two and then backlog the games I missed.
You might be waiting a long time. The wii u never dropped in price. Ever.
Not permanently, but there were always insane bundles that brought the unit cost down to like $200.
Well crazy Kmart had it for 370 at launch. Shame we probably won't be getting that again.
I picked mine up for half price when Dick Smith were clearing stock. Wouldn't have bought one otherwise.
Without a game, right?
470... *sigh* I'm out. Can't do it. Not til it comes down a little.
You're joking right? You realize this is Nintendo we're talking about?
Ayup. Which means you can read into my comment the obvious :(
Same here. After being burned with the Wii U and spending most of its life as a Wii emulator for myself I'm not going down that path again.
If they bring it down to $200 with a game (say Zelda) then they have a deal. But that price is insulting.
Wait for the toy sales. They happen halfway through the year. Big W and Target tend to drop the price of their consoles, or bundle them with 3 games for a little bit more. EBGames and JB will have deals to try and compete.
Not to mention, it's usually 6 month layby at Target and Big W
If they end up with a deal, say 2 games and the console, (which usually does happen?) I will definitely consider it, that's not a bad deal. That equals out to around say, 300 + 2 games. At which point, I always buy 2 games with a new console anyhow (stops boredom ;) at least you can swap the single game out).
I'm going to be watching all the sales myself and will probably post about it on tay
Yeah, pretty much. I've already got a PS4 Pro and a powerful PC, so I'm covered for most multiplatform games. I really, really want to play Breath of the Wild, but given it's the only game I want to play, I can't justify $560 to play one game. Maybe when/if they do a bundle with the console, BotW and a Pro controller or something.
Last edited 15/01/17 1:46 pmScorpio is coming out soon. They could cause PS4 Pro price drop near this level. Games excluded, and handheld, no one in their right mind would buy this over Scorpio/Pro.
Someone remind me why they are pulling a WiiU2.0?
To me it's about how much fun you have with it, not the power under the hood. I already have an Xbone, so why would I buy version 1.1. I think the Switch looks like a lot of fun, and has a lot of potential, granted the library is severely lacking from the getgo, but I'm sure it won't take too long to build a sizeable library of awesome games
Like the awesome library they built up for the wii u. Oh wait...
Plenty to like on the Wii U, unless you don't like any of their first party IP's. In which case I would say that the Switch is not for you.
I have a Wii U man. Bought it at launch. That's why i'm so down on it. I think it was a great console just totally let down by massive mismanagement. We needed more games. Full stop. There's not 'plenty to like'. I also have a PS4. You can't even compare the selection. And I'm not picky, I'm happy to play old SNES titles. There's hardly any there.
Great console. I play it every day. Just 15mins of mario or something like that. But it needed more support from Nintendo.
This definitely was the problem, the Wii U needed far more first party support. It felt unusual that Ninty didn't support it more :\
I have a Wii U, that gets 0 use. I own Smash Brothers (not as good as predecessors), Mario Kart 8 (probably best game on Wii U but got tiresome after a month or so), Splatoon (boring garbage, not sure why people like this), Mario Maker (LBP ruined this game for me, came out several years too late imo) and one or 2 others I cant remember. I actually regret buying the thing.
I know I'm not making that mistake again. The Switch looks like a glorified gaming tablet with a controller. And absolutely nothing they showed off looks like its worth bothering with at launch.
That's your opinion, and hey, if you don't like it, don't buy it, but I know I'll be enjoying the hell out of it.
Well have fun with that then :)
I will. Horses for courses.
When you think that a game is "boring garbage" and it's the thousands of people who greatly enjoy it the ones in the wrong, I think you may have a problem. Maybe Nintendo games just don't speak to you that well? I mean, getting bored of Mario Kart after a month?
Tbf I played MK8 all of twice (great spend that one) and never touched it again, I'd give him that one. But Splatoon on the other hand? Dude's crazy :P
I never said anyone was wrong for liking Splatoon. What I was saying was, I feel like the Wii U was a disappointment for me because the games I purchased for it were at best good, at worst boring garbage. If you like it, then fucking have fun with it, I dont care. Mario Kart was probably the best game they put out on the system, but it needs to be played multiplayer to have fun with imo. I dont have time or enough friends who own it to play splitscreen, and if online would even connect for me properly, there is no banter outside of the silly emotes Ninty chucked in. You dont interact with people, you just race, so it's basically just the same as AI racing.
Some of my favourite games of all time are Nintendo games. I own a 3DS and love the shit out of it. I love Fire Emblem, Smash Brothers Melee is in my top 10 of all time. So dont try and tell me what you think my opinion is or should be.
Note that it was not intended to be an insult or a look down on your taste. People change and so do their tastes. I was merely suggesting that if your opinion differs from the majority, it means that you're an outlier. And that's not a bad thing, it merely means that the game is not speaking to you.
I agree. I just don't think you and that demographic makes up enough of the console purchase market.
Yes, Nintendo are definitely not doing themselves any favours by having such a small library of launch games. Sure Zelda will sell a bunch of consoles, but it will definitely have a very slow start.
I think sales probably won't start picking up until at least the end of the year when Mario: Odyssey comes out.
Yeah, as a PS4 owner I'd probably be more likely to buy a Switch rather than just upgrade to a Pro.
The problem is that this price point is way too high for the Switch to be that "second console" that the Wii was for a lot of people.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the launch price for the Wii $400AUD? Granted it came with a game (Wii Sports), but it didn't have it's own screen, and you most definitely couldn't take it with you and continue playing. Furthermore, the Xbone and PS4 were $600AUD and $550AUD respectively at their launches. I really don't see what the big deal is.
The big deal is that the console is $470 and is significantly less powerful than consoles that can be readily picked up for $300. I wouldn't include the wii price in this, because wii sports was probably a once a decade phenomenon.
Yeah, the PS4 and Xbone are more powerful, and can be picked up cheaper, but not by that much. You can only get one for around $300 if you're buying second hand, brand new they're around the $400 mark. Also, they've been out for a few years, so of course they'd be cheaper than a new console. the Switch is a NEW console, with NEW tech and is completely different from the other two. If you're after pure grunt then yeah, obviously the switch isn't for you, but to me gameplay is king and the Switch looks like a lot of fun.
I bought my PS4 brand new for $300 about a year ago. It's not that uncommon for the price to dip that low. However, your argument about it being NEW is a total moot point - the console is new, the tech just isn't. In fact, its basically a Tegra with a dock, which costs about $280 AUD. Being new doesn't magically make this thing a good buy compared to other products, if older cheaper products outperform it.
I can't argue with what you think looks fun. I agree with you, its the games that matter at the end of the day. Personally, I think this was a total bust. I assumed that because Nintendo has released hardly anything for the wii u for last two years, they must have been focusing on this launch. I'm just not seeing that. The new Zelda looks good. There's a new Mario coming and a new Xenoblade at some point. However, I skeptical they'll be out this year let alone the launch period. The rest was over priced old games and waggle shit that the market has moved on from. To be honest, I'll probably still buy a switch at some point, but I'm not exactly going to rush out for one.
Edit: Forgot about Splatoon 2. To be fair, that will probably be well received too.
Last edited 14/01/17 10:55 amThe differences in the k1 chip in the shield and the x1 chip in the switch are pretty massive. In simplest terms both cpu and GPU performance are about double.
It will be like the Wii and the WiiU.
Everyone will talk about how good they are and how they'll get one...soon.
And they never will.
The wii was all talk, was it?
If you had the Wii Speak.
PDP headbanger all the way.
Four hundred and seventy dollarydoos? That's a bloody outrage that is!
1. Nintendo NEVER releases their console at a loss. Ever.
Last edited 13/01/17 7:35 pm2. People complaining about the price compared to the US price. Learn about Australias Taxation vs Americas. They tax at the register, we tax before hand. Look at import tax. Then add shipping to the country. Then also address the fact that our Dollar is a yo yo hitting a pile of shit.
3. the pro controller is NOT the same as the wii u Pro Controller. Its got motion controls AND amiibo support. So its not the same piece of plastic.
4. There is no GREED, This is a portable console that is running on similar specs as current NON portable consoles.
Some of you people need to take a long hard look at yourself, as you are the epitome of the entitled gamer argument.
FFS.
No one's feeling entitled here. Maybe the hardcore Nintendo fanboys who are lamenting the high price.
Everyone else is just comparing the console to the competition.
Well you are, with the "Games excluded, and handheld, no one in their right mind would buy this over Scorpio/Pro. " quote.
And the constant comparison to the other consoles of this generation.
But just like YOU did, people have complained about the AUD price compared to the American without knowing all the facts. People have complained about Nintendo being greedy. Complain about the console not being 'competitive' in pricing COMPARED THE F'n 2DS OF ALL THINGS.
Screw reality and facts, you feel something should be one way and complain its not that.
I hate how many times this news organization has gone on about gamer entitlement with game endings and other BS.
But theres no other word for this but, Entitlement.
Now in saying that, the people on here are no way AS BAD as the people on the EBgames facebook complaining that the console isnt $300 AUD. Because they dont want to pay more than $300 AUD.
God knows i wish the console was cheaper, but the moment the US price was $300 BEFORE tax. The console was going to be $450-$500 with the current exchange rate and taxes.
Legit though, what's your point. Ours is that $469 is insane and $299USD in USA is high.
No idea what you're ranting about us lying about facts, when we use facts. Yeah m8, I know about tax rates.
I mean Nintendo could release it at $800. Cool. That's the only place to buy Nintendo games, seems that's the entry fee. Are we 'entitled' or crazy for saying "damn bro $800 seems like a lot when I can buy a PS4/Xbone that plays games for cheaper".
This is a gaming publication posting details of electronics in a gaming market. There's a 'console' category. They give us detailed reviews and specs and tear downs. We're buying disposable shit to entertain us, not works of art that are technically priceless.
I dont see that $469 is INSANE for this. I really dont. For what the console could possibly provide. That price point is fair to me.
Not every hardware manufacturer should sell their console at a loss because Sony and Microsoft are willing to.
You complained on how does $299US = $469AUD. For someone who "knows about tax rates" Then why did you complain on the price discrepancy?
So now you ARE just straight up lying about facts.
Now you get into a BS argument because ive called you on your BS entitlement on consoles being a certain price YOU DEEM acceptable.
There is no "damn bro $800 seems like a lot when I can buy a PS4/Xbone that plays games for cheaper" There is "Games excluded, and handheld, no one in their right mind would buy this over Scorpio/Pro." There is constant complaints BY YOU that this console isnt cheaper because of the PS4 or Xbone Price points, and because Scorpio and Pro are coming, because of the US price point. Complaining about the Pro controllers without knowing the facts that they ARENT the same.
Yes. This is a gaming publication. Consoles ARE built to entertain us.
But they arent subject to your whims and expectations that have no basis in facts nor reality.
Are you kidding me? How has anyone shown that it equals $469? $440, yeah, but not $469. And you now call me a liar. Laughable.
Since your entire mentality is that I can't deem $469 and $299 to be unacceptable, then discussing anything with you is a moot point. Since no one can say what price is acceptable. Right? Right? Go have dinner and a beer ffs.
$40 is GST only. Then you have to remember the cost of living differences between Australia and the US. The current minimum wage here is 10.38 vs US $7.25
Then you have to address the Shipping costs with Japan and Australia vs Japan and USA.
You can deem those price points as unacceptable as i can deem the acceptable. the problem being is that you are basing their acceptable nature on a consoles 3 years old, that are sold at a loss. Something that has made either company need to sell ALOT of games and ALOT of consoles when the manufacturing gets cheaper to turn a profit, Where Nintendo can make a profit of a 'Not very good' Console like the Wii u.
Nintendo have always marched to the beat of their own drum. You expecting otherwise and deeming it unacceptable, is entitlement.
Edit: You can have the beer. I prefer the Green.
Last edited 13/01/17 10:08 pmI haven't heard the word "entitlement" used so much since abbot was PM.
First off you missed his point, he said that accounting for the GST there's still a roughly $30 difference. It's not a lot, but when you already think it's overpriced it's easy to see as a dealbreaker.
But I'm actually commenting because of your minimum wage argument, because it's one I hate. While there's a very slight difference in cost due to stocking at retail, it's nearly negligible to a company creating an RRP. They do like that argument though because countries with a higher minimum wage have more wealth and can afford more, so companies can gouge to their hearts content.
That's what people complain about when they complain about the Australia tax, so using it as an argument for why we should accept higher prices is a bit rich.
Most Nintendo "fanboys" I see in the thread are happy or at least willing to pay the price? The ones complaining are the ones who were ambivalent or the straight out haters.
I'm sorry but I have to disagree most strongly with your point. m2d2 definitely feels entitled and thinks that moaning will make us all see the inescapable logic of a lonely nerd
720p 30fps, 32gb onboard flash memory... Do these sound like the "similar specs as current consoles" to you? Sounds like a slightly upgraded Wii U to me, and at a generation behind the current consoles.
You do realise that alot of the console games are still getting put at 720 and 30fps right?
And the screen is 720. It can still generate 1080p when docked. And just like alot of current consoles, Zelda is going to run at 900p.
http://m.au.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/PS4_vs._Xbox_One_Native_Resolutions_and_Framerates
One game in this list doing [email protected]
One game does not make a lot.
As it stands it's a pass for me, I'll give it a year or two and see how well it does and if 3rd party support sticks around that long. If so then I'll grab one in 2019 I guess.
Hey everyone: all the info I've got should be in there now. Sorry if there was some weird formatting or quirks here or there. Was out having dinner when the email came through, and did it all on my phone initially. (And then didn't have reception because of course the building I was in was like that)
If there's anything else broken or out of place please ping me (here, Twitter, email, don't care) and I'll fix it up.
Sorry, but that's just not good enough.
Who the hell do you think you are, doing things like eating. Priorities man.
On firefox, the images are STILL huge. But no problem on Chrome. Weird.
Yeah, I'm getting giganto-images in Firefox although for some reason it turns up normal when I click through to page two of comments.
Yeah, I just opened it up on Firefox at home and got a enlarged picture of Arnie giving me the thumbs up.
I mean I'm OK with that, don't get me wrong, but I'm letting the dev team know.
Fixed now. Thanks!
Hi Alex. Nice article, but I spotted a pretty glaring error - it says that the Switch will be $469! That doesn't sound right - can you please fix it? :P
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