I'm pretty much baffled by the Nintendo "NX." First of all, they finally gave it an official name: Nintendo Switch. HUH?!! Not much about that English word screams Nintendo to me. Isn't the word/name Wii kind of quirky or creative? I would've been fine if they just kept calling it "The NX." On the other hand, I don't think it would be cool if GameCube had ended up being "The Dolphin."
It's weird calling this thing a "console," or even a "hybrid," because most of the functionality that would set it apart from XBox or PlayStation screams MOBILE and PORTABLE to me. Then again, it's not quite the same as a touchscreen phone or any kind of iPad/tablet.
From what I can tell, this thing is several different pieces. There's a "dock," which looks kind of like a hollowed out U that stands up. By itself, I'm not sure if that can do much of anything.
They showed a screen, with just a thick, generic black bezel (not sure if there's a camera) - not even a NINTENDO logo.
After that, it gets a little complicated (at least to me). If you followed the rumors, one was about detachable controllers. Well, apparently, they're real. These things are called "Joy-Cons." In the video, they slide on either side of the screen component. I'm not sure what you can do when the whole thing is assembled like that (possibly play anywhere, sort of like if you took a Wii U GamePad out of the house). The thing that stood out to me was, even in that "GamePad" form, it's not really a Wii U GamePad. The right analog stick was shown in a lower position, with the buttons flipped towards the top (still a four button "diamond" layout). On the left side, instead of a "D-pad," I see what looks like a version of the C-button cluster from the N64.
There's probably one more weird component. It seems like the Joy-Cons can also slide onto something else, which would turn that object into a generic controller. I think people were describing the design as something that made them think of a Dreamcast controller (although, obviously, those weren't modular with the sticks and the buttons).
Finally, I'm not sure if it's included with the system or not, but there's ANOTHER "Pro" controller. What annoyed me was how it looked like a ripoff of XBox or XBox One, which is (just my opinion) maybe the ugliest controller in modern gaming. I haven't held that many of them to know if they're comfortable. The Wii U sort of had a controller like that already, but this one continues that theme of moving the right analog stick to a different position.
Basically, I don't know what Nintendo are thinking, other than having multiple ways to use controllers. In fact, that seemed to be a theme of the preview video. Somehow, when the tablet piece travels with you, those detachable Joy-Cons can be used by one or more people. For one person, I don't know why you wouldn't just hold something that resembles the Wii U GamePad. There's an option to use a kickstand (on the screen part, I guess) and then they showed either one or two people holding the Joy-Cons. Can you imagine trying to hold something that tiny? It would basically be one edge of a Wii U GamePad. The stick must be mandatory (no D-pad), and then I guess a shoulder button on the side (??), plus the four button diamond part (which looks like C buttons on the left side).
The only "negative" comments I really saw so far were about battery life. How would everything be powered, and how long would it stay powered on? You would think that the Joy-Cons have batteries if they detach. They might recharge or use the screen's battery if they're not detached.
I was thinking about how either mode ("console" or "portable") compares with what already exists (Wii U and 3DS). Sadly, I'm finding negatives or LESS functionality!
The only time I saw a game being played on a TV was when the screen/tablet component slid into the dock like a slice of toast. Wouldn't that give you LESS ability than the Wii U? Where would be your second screen? Would you have to go back to pausing, entering menus, and unpausing? Would games that worked best with touch not work on the new system? I could be wrong, but I didn't see a slot for DVDs or Blu-rays. That seems to mean any Wii or Wii U games would be digital downloads, or you'd have to buy the new game format: tiny cartridges. Assuming those older games worked with this machine, how would you control them? Are Wii remotes or the Wii U GamePad going to be compatible? Even if you were able to use the screen and Joy-Cons together as a controller for console mode, I mentioned not seeing a camera (did that really matter for Wii U?) or a stylus for touchscreen games. That sounds like it would be problematic for bringing DS or 3DS titles to an updated Virtual Console.
If you view this new contraption as a cool "mobile" device, how does it compare to the 3DS? From what I can tell, it wouldn't have 3D images. I haven't played enough 3DS games to know if the 3D made a big difference, but at least with that system, you could turn the effects on or off. Doesn't 3DS also have a camera on the front? I think it has at least TWO of them on the back, for taking 3D photos (but what would be the point, if this new screen is 2D only?). It looks like the Joy-Cons would provide at least as many sticks and buttons as a 3DS. It's still just ONE screen, though!
For me, looks are a big deal for a Nintendo system. I love the design of the NES. The Super Nintendo was weird or even ugly (except for the mini redesign). I realize Wii is basically a DVD drive and a plain white shell. Wii U at least added some curves and a glossy black finish. With Switch, it seems like they fell in love with a matte finish (kind of like the inner parts of 3DS?) and it's all this BLEH dark charcoal gray scheme that looks too generic to me. The Joy-Cons are kind of a lighter gray.
As far as specifications, they definitely went with an Nvidia graphics chip. I don't really know why, but I'm kind of partial to ATI (now part of AMD). This system I'm using should have an ATI card. My older desktop had two Radeon cards (not at the same time). I didn't use a Pentium 4 system as much that had an Nvidia card. For a while, I think ATI actually made the "better" cards, according to PC gamers. I would assume they're using 1080p for the "console" mode (now that it's probably HARDER to buy a 1080p TV set than it is to find a flood of "4K" models). As a portable, I think 1080p would be awful for battery life.
Then, it kind of comes down to the games, right? They confirmed something called "Skyrim." I guess you can tell how passionate I'd be about that, huh? The newest Zelda will be there, but I could also play that on Wii U, right? They showed updated footage of a "Mario Kart" game, and then a new 3D Mario with kind of an open world. I'm so backlogged on Mario games, it's not funny! I've collected every star in "Super Mario 64." I don't think I've ever PLAYED "Super Mario Sunshine." I have the disc for "Super Mario Galaxy" (it kind of makes me dizzy unless I tilt my head). Then I've bought "New Super Mario Bros. U," and "Super Mario 3D World" with the idea of owning a Wii U at some point. I cleared everything in "New Super Mario Bros. Wii." It's a pretty fun game, but I think the replay value drops after you finish World 9.
So, there you go. That's my initial reaction. I'm surprised most of the rumors ended up being true in one way or another (cartridges, hybrid, Joy-Cons, four buttons instead of a D-pad). I also remember being disappointed by the rumors as they kept leaking out.
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WWE 2K18 ROSTER & MATCH TYPES | ||||
If you see multiple of the same name, it just means different versions that can be in the ring together. Names highlighted in blue are Cruiserweights | ||||
1 Up Man Adam Cole Aerostar Aiden English AJ Styles Akam Akira Tozawa Albert Aleister Black Alexander Wolfe Andrade "Cien" Almas Andre The Giant Angelo Dawkins Animal Apollo Crews Ariya Daivari Arnold T101 Austin Aries B Brian Blair Bam Bam Bigelow Baron Corbin Barron Blade Batista '10 Beautiful Bobby Eaton Big Boss Man '91 Big Boss Man '99 Big Cass Big E Big Show Big Show '00 Bo Dallas Bobby Fish Bobby Roode Booker T Braun Strowman Bray Wyatt Bret Hart '97 Bret Hart '98 Brian Kendrick British Bulldog Brock Lesnar Brutus Beefcake Bryan Danielson Buddy Roberts Butch Cactus Jack '92 Cactus Jack '98 Captain Jobber Cedric Alexander Cesaro Chad Gable Chris Jericho |
Chris Jericho '00 Christian Col Sanders Cole Quinn Curt Hawkins Curtis Axel Daniel Bryan Dark Link Darren Young Dash Wilder DDP '92 DDP '98 Dean Ambrose Dennis Condrey Diesel Doc Louis Dolph Ziggler Donatello Drago Drew Gulak Drew McIntyre Dude Love Dusty Rhodes Earthquake Eddie Guerrero Edge El Mago Elias Enzo Amore Epico Colon Eric Young Erick Rowan Fandango Finn Balor Finn Balor Demon The Godfather Goldberg Goldust Gorgeous George Gran Metalik Greg Valentine Hawk Heath Slater Hideo Itami Hurricane Jack Gallagher Jake Roberts Jason Jordan JBL Jeff Hardy Jey Uso Jim Brunzell |
Jim Neidhart Jimmy Garvin Jimmy Uso Jinder Mahal John Cena John Cena '06 John Cena '10 Johnny Gargano The Joker Kalisto Kane Kane '98 Karl Anderson Kassius Ohno Kerry Von Erich Kevin Nash Kevin Owens Kevin Von Erich Killian Dain King Cuerno King Feck Kofi Kingston Konnor Kurt Angle '01 Kurt Angle '06 Kyle O'Reilly Larry Zbysko Lars Sullivan Leonardo Lex Luger Lince Dorado Link Little Mac Luigi Luke Luke Gallows Luke Harper Mankind Mario Mark Henry Matt Hardy Michael Hayes Michaelangelo The Miz Mojo Rawley Montez Ford Mortis Mr.205 Live Mr. McMahon Mr. Perfect Mustafa Ali Necroplasm |
Neville Nick Miller No Way Jose Noam Dar Noob Saibot Oney Locan Optimus Prime Otis Dozovic Papa Shango Pentagon Jr Pete Dunne Primo Colon Prince Puma R-Truth Randy Orton Randy Savage Raphael Razor Ramon Reptile Retro Rick Rey Fenix Rey Mysterio Rezar Rhyno Ric Flair '88 Ric Flair '91 Rich Swann Rick Martel Rick Rude Ricky Morton Ricky Steamboat '91 Ricky Steamboat '94 Rikishi Rob Van Dam '06 Robert Gibson The Rock The Rock '01 Roddy Piper Roderick Strong Roman Reigns Rusev Sami Zayn Samoa Joe Sawyer Fulton Scorpion Scott Dawson Scott Hall Seth Rollins Shane McMahon Shane Thorne Shao Khan Shawn Michaels '97 |
Shawn Michaels '98 Sheamus Shelton Benjamin Shinsuke Nakamura Sin Cara Snoop Dogg Stan Lane Starman Steve Austin '97 Sting Sting '88 Sting '91 Sting '98 Sting '99 Stormtrooper Stunning Steve Austin Subzero MKX Superman Sycho Sid Tatanka Tatsumi Fujinami Ted DiBiase TehJew22 Titus O'Neil TJP Tommaso Ciampa Tony Nese Triple H Triple H '01 Triple H '98 Tucker Knight Tye Dillinger Tyler Bate Tyler Breeze Typhoon Tyson Kidd Ultimate Warrior Ultimo Dragon Undertaker (Classic) The Undertaker Undertaker '00 Vader Vampiro Velveteen Dream Venom Viktor Voltron Waluigi Wario William Regal Xavier Woods Zack Ryder |
WOMEN | ||||
Alexa Bliss Alicia Fox Alundra Blayze Asuka Bayley Becky Lynch Beth Phoenix Bianca Belair Billie Kay Brie Bella Cammy Carmella Charlotte Chun Li Dana Brooke Ember Moon Emma Ivelise Velez |
Ivory Jacqueline Jade Kairi Sane Kharma Kitana Lana Lita Liv Morgan Mandy Rose Mariposa Maryse Mickie James Mileena Naomi Natalya Nia Jax |
Nikki Bella Nikki Cross Paige Peyton Royce Ronda Rousey Ruby Riot Sarah Logan Sasha Banks Sexy Star Shayna Baszler Sonya Blade Sonya Deville Stephanie McMahon Summer Rae Tamina Taya Valkyrie Trish Stratus Wii Fit Trainer | ||
VALETS & MANAGERS Anyone above can be a "manager" plus... | ||||
Bobby Heenan Lana |
Mr. McMahon Paul Ellering Paul Heyman |
Stephanie McMahon Ted DiBiase | ||
MATCH TYPES | ||||
*** ONE ON ONE *** Normal |
*** TRIPLE THREAT *** Normal |
*** FATAL 4 WAY *** Normal |
*** TWO ON TWO *** Normal *** 8-MAN *** Tag Team |
*** 6-MAN *** Tag Team *** HANDICAP *** One on Two Tag |
MATCH MODIFIERS | ||||
Pin & Submission Both, Pin, Submit, Off 2 Out of 3 Falls Iron Man |
Over the Top Rope On, Off K.O. Last Man Standing |
Perform Finisher to Win On, Off First Blood Climb out of Cage (Cage Match Only) DQ |
Rope Break (Automatic) On, Off Ring Out Elimination |
Falls Count Anywhere On, Off Time Limit Entrance Interval (Chamber/Rumble) |
SUPER SMASH BROS. ROSTER & SETTINGS | |||
Akira Alph Austin Powers Bayonetta Bob Ross Bowser Bowser Jr Burger King Captain Falcon Charizard Charlie Brown Chuck Norris Cloud Col Sanders Corrin Dark Pit Diddy Kong Donkey Kong Dr. Mario Dracula Drew Carey |
Duck Hunt Dumbledore Falco Fox Ganondorf Greninja Iggy Jr Ike Jacky Jigglypuff Joker King Dedede Kirby Larry Jr Lemmy Jr Link Little Mac Lucario Lucas Lucina Lucy Ludwig Jr |
Luigi Majora Mario Marth Mega Man Meta Knight Mewtwo Morton Jr Mr. Game & Watch Mr. Miyagi Ness Olimar Pac-Man Palutena Peach Peppermint Patty Pikachu Pit Popeye R.O.B. Retro Rick Robin |
Rosalina & Luma Roy Roy Jr Ryu Samus Sheik Shulk Snoop Dog Sonic Steve Urkel TehJew22 Toon Link Villager Wario Weird Al Wendy Jr Wii Fit Trainer Yoshi Zelda Zero Zerosuit Samus |
BATTLE TYPES TIME BATTLE: All characters battle for a set amount of time scoring one point per KO and LOSING one point each time they are KO'ed. STOCK BATTLE: All characters have a set number of lives and when they run out, they're done. When combined with a time limit whomever has more lives left when time runs out wins. COIN BATTLE: For 2-4 characters ONLY! Coins are knocked out of characters as they battle. After a fixed time limit whomever has the most coins wins. SETTINGS TIME LIMIT: Can be from 1 to 15 minutes. |