Nintendo Switch 2

[dimmerwit]

Also was the N64 definitively better than the PS1? They had very different capabilities but even discounting the CD v cartridge aspect there are some things the PS1 does better.

Those kinds of major differences have really gone. The Switch 2 doesn't really have any fundamental differences in how it renders things, it's just less powerful.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

SNES is debatable I guess but it had some features the Genesis didn't and the sound chip was generally better (easier to work with?).

the Genesis had clearer audio, even if it sometimes sounded very scratchy in some games, but the SNES had the same low quality audio problem the N64 had where games not made by Nintendo often sounded muffled. Which is kinda weird because the SNES had more sound RAM and 2 more audio channels.

Also, the SNES did have MUCH better color depth and it's not anywhere close.

However, in terms raw performance, the SNES lagged because of its CPU speed. Many multiplatform games had better framerates on the Genesis because of it.

Nerd Bacon Magazine – Super Nintendo VS. Sega Genesis – Specs

nerdbacon.com

 

[Smacktard]

the Genesis had clearer audio, even if it sometimes sounded very scratchy in some games, but the SNES had the same low quality audio problem the N64 had where games not made by Nintendo often sounded muffled.

bro what
SNES had some absolute banger tracks by 3rd parties. Anything by Squaresoft, basically. Genesis audio was extremely inconsistent. There was a lot more shit than good. Maybe the audio was technically clearer (?) but it still had much less range.

 

[VashTheStampede]

I was absolutely a Genesis kid but yeah, the audio on that system could be a problem

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Yes. The audio coming from the Genesis is clearer. Many games may sound like total ass (because people didn't know how to use the sound chip), but the audio is more clear.

Also, I don't know how many Square games hit both the SNES and Genesis, but if there were, I guarantee you'll notice that the audio on the SNES is more subtle and muffled.

Edit: Good example is Street Fighter 2. It sounds like total shit on the Genesis, but it is more clear.

Cool Spot is a better example of a game in which both versions have solid music, but the Gen version is more clear (though whether someone likes one better than the other is 100% personal preference).

 

[dimmerwit]

In other graphics news Nintendo have confirmed the specifics of their free upgrades to 12 games.

Nintendo Switch Games with Free Nintendo Switch 2 Updates - Nintendo US

Free updates to improve playability on the Nintendo Switch 2 system will be released for selected Nintendo Switch games.

www.nintendo.com

In classic Nintendo style it's not very specific but HDR support for some of them is nice. Some game share updates too. It seems Super Mario Odyssey is effectively online co-op?

 

[Tommy Boy]

In other graphics news Nintendo have confirmed the specifics of their free upgrades to 12 games.

Nintendo Switch Games with Free Nintendo Switch 2 Updates - Nintendo US

Free updates to improve playability on the Nintendo Switch 2 system will be released for selected Nintendo Switch games.

www.nintendo.com

In classic Nintendo style it's not very specific but HDR support for some of them is nice. Some game share updates too. It seems Super Mario Odyssey is effectively online co-op?

Them casually shoehorning Scarlet and Violet as different games when it's kinda pretty much the same thing lol

 

[Tommy Boy]

Also, I meant to mention that I did not get an email from Nintendo about getting to purchase a Switch 2 through them, so I guess I'm just gunna try my luck when it actually comes out.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Holy crap, they keep adding more stuff to Captain Toad making the Wii U version more and more irrelevant, even though it has stuff that is Wii U exclusive.

Disappointed that Princess Peach Showtime isn't getting any improvements because it could use a performance boost. Must be an Unreal engine thing.

 

[Fire Queen]

i just wish princess peach showtime was less of a tech demo and more of a game

 

[Fool's Requiem]

i just wish princess peach showtime was less of a tech demo and more of a game

I was just happy to see Princess Peach get her own game again, and it was as adorable as it looked in the trailers. It was the first game I bought at launch since Overwatch in 2016 because I felt that it would need all the support it could get to encourage Nintendo to make more games for their secondary characters.

It was functional, and occasionally fun to play. Worth it, IMO.

 

[Smacktard]

Edit: Good example is Street Fighter 2. It sounds like total shit on the Genesis, but it is more clear.

Is "audio's more clear" really a selling point when the vast majority of developers weren't able to use the sound chip to produce tracks that actually sounded good? I really like the Genesis sound when it works, but it does not work often at all. So sure, it MAY be more clear, just like the Saturn MAY be a 2D powerhouse.... But those features were seldom ever utilized to their max, meaning it's pretty pointless

 

[Crazy Jamie]

Maybe since the Wii era, but the GameCube trounced the PS2, and so did the N64, NES, and SNES for their competition.

That’s not my point really. I’m not saying that it’s not been about the specs since the Nintendo consoles became less powerful. I’m saying that the selling point of Nintendo consoles hasn’t, in the main, been about the specs, even when it was more powerful. I remember when I was in school that we had endless debates over which console was ‘better’ between the N64 and PS1. The choice in graphics between the two was a matter of opinion, but really those debates (and the choice of which you bought) came down to the games. Do you want Final Fantasy, GTA and Metal Gear Solid, or do you want Zelda, Mario and four player Goldeneye or Perfect Dark?

I think that’s always been the way with Nintendo. Sure, from the Wii onwards you had the additional practical gimmicks, but the selling point has been the gaming experience more broadly and not power. I think that explains the success, or not, of most, if not all of Nintendo’s consoles. There’s probably an argument that that holds true for the consoles wars in general, but I certainly think it’s always been Nintendo’s route to sales.

 

[Smacktard]

That’s not my point really. I’m not saying that it’s not been about the specs since the Nintendo consoles became less powerful. I’m saying that the selling point of Nintendo consoles hasn’t, in the main, been about the specs, even when it was more powerful. I remember when I was in school that we had endless debates over which console was ‘better’ between the N64 and PS1. The choice in graphics between the two was a matter of opinion, but really those debates (and the choice of which you bought) came down to the games. Do you want Final Fantasy, GTA and Metal Gear Solid, or do you want Zelda, Mario and four player Goldeneye or Perfect Dark?

I think that’s always been the way with Nintendo. Sure, from the Wii onwards you had the additional practical gimmicks, but the selling point has been the gaming experience more broadly and not power. I think that explains the success, or not, of most, if not all of Nintendo’s consoles. There’s probably an argument that that holds true for the consoles wars in general, but I certainly think it’s always been Nintendo’s route to sales.

Oh yeah, that's a fair point then. I agree with you 100%. The Nintendo experience has mostly focused on (first party) games and on couch co-op as the top selling points.

 

[Kat]

I don't know. If your console's only reason for existing is exclusive games which could easily run on any other hardware in existence, then maybe that console shouldn't exist. You need to have more than that.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

bwahaha, leave it to Sega Lord X to post a video to held me prove my point.



Don't even need to watch the whole video. Both Desert Strike and Madden are enough. Some developers were just able to get better results from the Genesis despite making the same exact game as long as they didn’t need the extra thousands of available colors that the SNES had.

 

[Smacktard]

I don't know. If your console's only reason for existing is exclusive games which could easily run on any other hardware in existence, then maybe that console shouldn't exist. You need to have more than that.

What benefit do most consoles have other than exclusives? Slight hardware differences aside, most generations' games could run on the competition's hardware. N64 v PS1 is probably the biggest exception I can think of, other than like Wiimote and Kinect-style games.

bwahaha, leave it to Sega Lord X to post a video to held me prove my point.



Don't even need to watch the whole video. Both Desert Strike and Madden are enough. Some developers were just able to get better results from the Genesis despite making the same exact game as long as they didn’t need the extra thousands of available colors that the SNES had.

I guess I'm learning that a lot of preconceived notions I had about SNES vs Genesis were way off. Didn't realize how much more powerful than Genesis was than the SNES considering it came out two years earlier. What a beast!

 

[Fool's Requiem]

The sarcasm was unnecessary and I didnt say that the Genesis was so much more powerful.

I'm merely explaining that the SNES doesn't completely beat the Genesis like you stated. The CPU runs after a faster clock speed, allowing games to perform better on the Genesis compared to direct ports on the SNES, and it also allowed the Genesis to run 3D graphics in racing and FPS games better without a helper chip, and even that helper chip on the SNES didnt help those games run well like the helper chip for the Genesis did.

The SNES had a massive advantagewhen it came to colors (something the NES failed when compared to the SMS), had stereo audio out as default via the component hook ups (the first Genesis had to use the headphone port to get stereo for some dumb reason), had mode 7 which allowed for Pseudo 3D graphical performance, and some games allowed for Dolby Surround.

The SNES allowed for better sound effects and music, but the Genesis' FM chip allowed for more clear output, so that when a developer actually made games sound good, they were really good.

It is NOT clear cut, both systems had advantages and disadvantages.

Also, developers DID take advantage of the Saturn's powerful 2D graphical output.

Publishers just didnt see fit to give those games to us in the NA market because people only cared about 3D here.

 

[Smacktard]

The sarcasm was unnecessary and I didnt say that the Genesis was so much more powerful.

I wasn't being sarcastic.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

 

[Smacktard]

Also, developers DID take advantage of the Saturn's powerful 2D graphical output.

Back to this though. Saturn couldn't do transparency well. It's missing some effects that the PS1 versions of the Mega Man games can do.

And if we use Metal Slug as an example, its not clear that Saturn trounced PS1 there:


PS1 has fewer frames for same animations, but Saturn has way more slowdown and less visual clarity.

 

[Tommy Boy]

Got an email from Nintendo this morning...

 

[Fool's Requiem]

 

[dimmerwit]

There've been a few more drops here in the UK from Nintendo. I just ordered with a third-party retailer (Argos) because I didn't qualify for the initial Nintendo drop.

 

[dimmerwit]

TIL the Switch 2 is out today.

And I mean that literally. Until I got the delivery notification 3 hours ago I was under the impression it was tomorrow.

 

[Crystal]

View attachment 31662

TIL the Switch 2 is out today.

And I mean that literally. Until I got the delivery notification 3 hours ago I was under the impression it was tomorrow.

Enjoy!

 

[Fool's Requiem]

View attachment 31662

TIL the Switch 2 is out today.

And I mean that literally. Until I got the delivery notification 3 hours ago I was under the impression it was tomorrow.

there are people on the Smash Bros subreddit claiming that the Switch 2 improves loading times and lag in Smash Ultimate. I call "placebo" until comparison vids are posted.

 

[dimmerwit]

Also the photo shamed me into cleaning my desk. Who knew video games were good for chores?

 

[dimmerwit]

So I did the system transfer already. Pretty quick and painless all things considered, although you need two power adaptors.

First impressions are pretty solid. The system has a much nicer feel in the hand compared to the original, which never felt right in the hands to me. The magnetic snap on/off is a joy to use (pardon the pun), and the screen seems much nicer as well, not that it's much of a bar to clear over the LCD Switch models.

 

[Tommy Boy]

Hell yeah!!!

Still haven't heard from Nintendo so I'm just gunna start trying stores every morning. I missed out by one heckin hour at Target today, GameStop had a line of 75 people with one dude working, and it's really hot out today, so I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[Spiner202]

I saw on Reddit that people who pre-ordered from Walmart got a bottle of coke and a can of Pringles with their order. I'm sure that's a US-only thing, but that would have made my decision if I were trying to figure out who to pre-order from.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

now, I just need Switch OLED consoles to drop in price.

 

[Quagmire]

the Genesis had clearer audio, even if it sometimes sounded very scratchy in some games, but the SNES had the same low quality audio problem the N64 had where games not made by Nintendo often sounded muffled. Which is kinda weird because the SNES had more sound RAM and 2 more audio channels.

Also, the SNES did have MUCH better color depth and it's not anywhere close.

However, in terms raw performance, the SNES lagged because of its CPU speed. Many multiplatform games had better framerates on the Genesis because of it.

Nerd Bacon Magazine – Super Nintendo VS. Sega Genesis – Specs

nerdbacon.com

Of course, because the Genesis/Mega Drive had blast processing and the SNES didnt

 

[The Flame]

Does anyone know if it's gonna be hard to pick up a Switch 2 without a preorder? I figured it might be a little easier for me to just grab one at Walmart or something eventually since a lot of people were complaining about it, but then again it still took ages for PS5s to show up in stores despite that one not really having much to offer either... I don't think I've preordered anything in over a decade.

 

[dimmerwit]

So I'll write some quick thoughs on the system and a few games.

Firstly, the hardware. As I said, I prefer the feel of this one. With Switch 1 I was forced to get grips and custom joycons because I found the system unusable in handheld mode because it caused me such discomfort. Whilst Switch 2 is not the most ergonomic it is better in this regard. Of course this is personal preference.

The overall hardware impression is good. It's very solidly built and the magnetic joycon system feels cool to use and is secure and sturdy. The kickstand likewise is really nice, although I know they addressed that with later Switch 1 models (I have an original paperclip Switch with the shitty one). Also, the mouse stuff is hilariously weird and so Nintendo.

The main thing is obviously the LCD. I know people are disappointed it's not an OLED and I get that, but I would say it's a decent improvement over the crappy display in the LCD Switch 1 models. The smaller bezels are more immersive, the display is crisper and the colours in bright scenes are more impressive. I can't really judge the HDR performance but I'm guessing since it has no local dimming it's only really going to enhance the colour gamut a bit and not much more - this I'm guessing is one of the main ways a OLED model will improve aside from the obvious black level advantage. Honestly since I play few dark or mixed lighting games I'm not too bummed, but I definitely still would have preferred the OLED. But frankly I don't have the patience for that, and since I don't have an OLED Switch I'm not suffering too bad from FOMO.

Performance is nice. The eShop in particular is much faster, loading in images quickly and scrolling smoothly.

Mario Kart World

Haven't played much, but I'm not yet convinced that Nintendo has fully innovated the open world bit. There's a few activities to do but it's largely seen in the races where you race from track to track. The basic gameplay is still fun, and online is pretty hectic. Overall I quite like it, but that might be because it's basically half price with the bundle vs. getting it separately.

Zelda TotK Switch 2 Edition

OK, this is a nice upgrade. 60FPS and a much higher resolution. Docked mode in particular is a massive upgrade, but the doubled framerate is obviously still a big upgrade for handheld users. It's not perfect since there's still aliasing and the HDR (in docked) is just OK at best, but it's still a huge upgrade to playability and really what I was looking for in the Switch 2 version. Lame that they charge for it unless you have the Online + Expansion sub. Also the phone app is pretty neat, if only to remind me that I've died 93 times.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Again, it's much better. It's ridiculous you need a $450 console to make this run acceptably and it still looks a bit shit, but it does at least run well.

 

[Ben]

Just be glad you didn't get yours from that one Gamestop on Staten Island (or wherever), where they were stapling the receipts to the box and accidentally puncturing the screen that's right flush up against the top flap.

I'm still not sold on needing to get one of these anytime soon. I just don't play my Switch enough as is, and I feel I could care less about the games they've got out for the Switch 2 now. I'm more likely to go buy a SteamDeck before I upgrade my Switch to a Switch 2.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Of course, because the Genesis/Mega Drive had blast processing and the SNES didnt

I watched a video that showed what Blast Processing was supposed to do. I don't remember much outside of the fact that its likely NO ONE used it.

Just be glad you didn't get yours from that one Gamestop on Staten Island (or wherever), where they were stapling the receipts to the box and accidentally puncturing the screen that's right flush up against the top flap.

I'm still not sold on needing to get one of these anytime soon. I just don't play my Switch enough as is, and I feel I could care less about the games they've got out for the Switch 2 now. I'm more likely to go buy a SteamDeck before I upgrade my Switch to a Switch 2.

Gamestop: Ruining video games since 2000. You want unremovable price stickers on your inserts and manuals? You got it. You want your "new" copies to be opened, thus making them no longer actually "new"? We can do that for you. You want 4 bucks on that trade in where you brought like 10 games on? Let's fucking go.

 

[Ben]

Gamestop: Ruining video games since 2000. You want unremovable price stickers on your inserts and manuals? You got it. You want your "new" copies to be opened, thus making them no longer actually "new"? We can do that for you. You want 4 bucks on that trade in where you brought like 10 games on? Let's fucking go.

It's hard to say how pulled the more dumb move, the store stapling receipts to the box (which people definitely don't want holes in their stuff) or Nintendo for not putting some protection between the screen and outer flap...

I'd assume plenty of them have to get banged up during transport, if it's really that close to the outside of the box with no padding buffer.

 

[dimmerwit]

Hell yeah!!!

Still haven't heard from Nintendo so I'm just gunna start trying stores every morning. I missed out by one heckin hour at Target today, GameStop had a line of 75 people with one dude working, and it's really hot out today, so I'll try again tomorrow.

Does anyone know if it's gonna be hard to pick up a Switch 2 without a preorder? I figured it might be a little easier for me to just grab one at Walmart or something eventually since a lot of people were complaining about it, but then again it still took ages for PS5s to show up in stores despite that one not really having much to offer either... I don't think I've preordered anything in over a decade.

The word is that Nintendo has stockpiled a colossal number of units for launch. It was reported they sent 1.1 million units to the US in January and February alone. I obviously can't predict the future but I'm not convinced this will be a PS5-style odyssey with you against the bots. People are still reporting some stock left in retail for some parts of the country. Target are restocking tomorrow online.

The stock situation is good in the UK with availability having been pretty decent on launch day with restocks both for retail and online.

 

[Tommy Boy]

Does anyone know if it's gonna be hard to pick up a Switch 2 without a preorder? I figured it might be a little easier for me to just grab one at Walmart or something eventually since a lot of people were complaining about it, but then again it still took ages for PS5s to show up in stores despite that one not really having much to offer either... I don't think I've preordered anything in over a decade.

I think we're good. The lady at Target said I had pretty good odds of getting one tomorrow, and said the Nintendo rep sends out daily emails to the target locations with restock amounts. Looking pretty good! I don't have Walmart in NYC but I've heard good things for their stock too. On my various apps, I can see some in stock in Target in NJ across the river, and some in Best Buy in NJ as well.... so they're out there. I might have to wait a little bit considering my location, but I think we're fine without the preorder.

 

[Smacktard]

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, Which Everyone Thinks Should Be Free, Requires $95 of Accessories and a 4K TV for 100% Completion - IGN

Nintendo's $10 Switch 2 mini-game collection — the game that many fans believe should have been free — requires you own at least $95 of accessories in order to complete 100%.

www.ign.com

This is pretty gross tbh

 

[dimmerwit]

I'm pretty meh on that being an issue. It's designed as a tech demo rather than a game, so I get why they require say a camera for a tech demo about cameras. The real issue is that it's something that should have been free.

Whilst I doubt Nintendo fans really care about being completionist anyway, it's not true either - you can tap the Y button in a morse code pattern and unlock any medal if you really can't stand having missing medals on your file, a trick the game tells you about.

 

[Crazy Jamie]

The stock situation is good in the UK with availability having been pretty decent on launch day with restocks both for retail and online.

Yeah the scalpers have just been completely fucked over here, which is lovely to see. Full credit to Nintendo for make sure supply matches or exceeds demand.

 

[Smacktard]

The real issue is that it's something that should have been free

That's the main issue, in conjunction with the others. If it were free, I wouldn't mind there being games that require such and such peripheral.

Whilst I doubt Nintendo fans really care about being completionist anyway, it's not true either - you can tap the Y button in a morse code pattern and unlock any medal if you really can't stand having missing medals on your file, a trick the game tells you about.

Ah okay, fair enough, I didn't know that.

 

[dimmerwit]

Ah okay, fair enough, I didn't know that.

Not a surprise since everyone reported that. Another reason I'm not that impressed by games media.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

So, apparently Switch 2 backwards compatibility also improves the loading times and can lock games at 60FPS.



Video only includes a few titles, but it should be interesting to see how other games improve if at all. Diablo 3 had awful load times and the framerate would occasionally drop when there was a lot going on. I expect more people will be trying out all sorts of games to see how performance improves.

 

[dimmerwit]

In truth one big reason why I bought now was to play Zelda and Pokemon at 60FPS. On actual Nintendo hardware, that is.

Pokemon has gone from a 30FPS target, which was in reality more of an aspiration, to pretty much a locked 60 and with things like a much higher rendering resolution and less animation culling to boot. Zelda likewise is 60. And on the TV the experience is just dramatically better, and feels suited to the 4K 55/65 inch displays that a lot of people have these days.

Granted they aren't back-compat since they've both had patches, and the Zelda 60 one is paid. Relying on back-compat obviously can't breach a 30FPS cap or anything, which is a shame.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

More I depth look on BP performance. Seems games that are more GPU bound and have uncapped framerates will likely see the best boost.

 

[dimmerwit]

Did you get one Tommy?

Apparently the Target restock I mentioned lasted for several hours before selling out.

 

[Tommy Boy]

Did you get one Tommy?

Apparently the Target restock I mentioned lasted for several hours before selling out.

NYC is having a harder time than elsewhere, I guess. Nothing so far in any of the retailers, and most of them said don't bother until Monday-Wednesday next week, when they'll start getting new shipments in. It just kinda sucks that they have touted this launch as "the most prepared launch ever" but they're still unavailable anywhere. Probably just a logistical issue - like they have them in a giant warehouse but not in stores - but I'm still kind of annoyed I can't get one online still. I'm not in any rush, though. We bought all the peripherals in the mean time.