Topic: Nintendo Switch 2

With the Switch 2 Settings being revealed days ago, it still showed a Themes tab in the System Settings.

I know I still have hopes for themes to return, but the most likely scenario will be it’s just white and black like in the Switch 1.

Do any here think that the Switch 2 will be their last console, I was contemplating this lately with the cost of PC hardware having risen so steeply in recent times (and my PC beginning to show it's age) I would probably still buy a PS6 or the Microsoft equivalent simply because I won't be able to shell out the cash a high end PC rig and all it's bits and pieces would cost & I too think that graphics tech has reached such a level now that unless you examine everything with a fine-tooth comb (thanks Digital Foundry!) the differences between console and PC are negligible. It's gonna be all about the games in the future and Nintendo already has something of a foothold here, Sony and Microsoft's offerings feeling pretty lackluster lately certainly with it's first party by comparison.
So will you be buying again and if so/or not for what reason.

Switch is my last console. For example I waited 6 years and got Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC for 20 bucks. Meanwhile Breath of the Wild is 8 years old and still the same price. Nintendo lost a customer that's been with them since 1985.

@Dhaladog I could imagine the generation lasting as long or longer than Switch, but it won't be the last.

We'll have to wait and see. For now, what we know is that the results of Nintendo Switch 2 match base PS4's level when docked, slightly beyond Steam Deck when docked but inferior to Steam Deck in handheld mode. The 10x more powerful than Nintendo Switch claims have been discarded by Digital Foundry. When the console is out, we'll be able to read the teardowns and watch Digital Foundry's comparisons and that would be very interesting when eventually a current-gen (no cross-gen) game is ported to Switch 2, because the games that have been shown so far are last-gen, with a few of them using lighting tricks from the current generation. Even some of those PS4/Xbox One ports run under 30fps on Switch 2. The problem is that now is the time when games are no longer cross-gen, but current-gen, which means no more PS4 and Xbox One versions. Both Valve and Microsoft are planning a new handheld/hybrid (besides the rumoured Asus Xbox-branded handheld) that can take advantage of the latest mobile technology, so it's likely that Switch 2 will be left behind, not meaning lack of third-party support but technologically, with Nintendo obviously making the most of its own hardware, as they did with Nintendo Switch. In any case, I can't wait to see what Nintendo Switch 2 is capable of and how the results compare to the last and current generation of consoles. Assassin's Creed Shadows is a significant example.

@Banjo- You do know Digital Foundry is basing their assumptions on leaked specs while Nvidia is the developer of the chip, right?

How have they 'discarded' anything? Lmao.

Digital Foundry have literally been making opinion pieces and have been the laughing stock of every thread that actually involves tech heads on forums because they've continuously been wrong about the Switch 2. I understand they have a lot of viewers but please stop quoting DF as if youre quoting facts. They are making opinion pieces on presumed specs, nothing more.

Edit: I read my comment and can see how you can interpret this as mean-spirited before you even respond, so I'll just add here that this is not a dig at you specifically, it is me being tired of having to explain that DF aren't the end all be all of tech discussions. There are people far smarter out there who do not make bank off YouTube, and they have been disagreeing with DF the whole way through. What DF have been doing is making opinion videos clouded in bias after having spent near a decade of covering broken ports on the original Switch. They do not get to decide how powerful this system is and contradict Nvidia before the system even launches.

@Varkster That's your opinion. I would say Digital Foundry is the better of that bunch, especially the three that has been analysing Switch 2, such as Richard Leadbetter, one of the most respected in the industry. Nobody (obviously, excluding manufacturers and Nintendo) has the real hardware in their hands nor Nintendo nor Nvidia has disclosed the full specifications, so everyone, not just Digital Foundry, but everyone else you are referring to, are judging what has been shown. Digital Foundry has used confirmed or deduced data such as the power consumption in handheld mode, the technology of the chip (old 8nm) and equivalent chips underclocked to match the battery life of Switch 2 to estimate the technical capabilities. That's a great job, even if it contains a certain degree of speculation.

However, I know the hardware is not in anybody's hands, so I always add the part where I say something like can't wait for the teardowns and comparisons. You can't expect readers, watchers and gaming enthusiasts to not say anything about all this, because ever since Nintendo Switch launched, speculations about better hardware started. The last sentence of my comment is "In any case, I can't wait to see what Nintendo Switch 2 is capable of and how the results compare to the last and current generation of consoles". You are free to disregard the analyses that don't match your expectations and I am free to respect their work and talk about them.

@Banjo- The people I am referring to in tech sites and forums have been studying the variations on the leaked chip data for literally years now, and DF are nowhere near the professional experts you make them out to be.

I myself am not completely in the tech scene, but I do work a really comfortable position in IT and work with a lot of tech overall, I can see the distinguishers between a trustworthy source that explains the data they are discussing and people who are basing assumptions off what they THINK the numbers mean.

Digital Foundry have literally been on a streak being wrong about this particular piece of hardware, this is not my opinion, this is fact. They have come out countless times now red faced and admitted they were wrong.

My problem with you telling others DF debunked anything is that you're stating it as fact. It is not fact because DF have made educated guesses and assumptions without knowing much at all about the actual specs. You're welcome to love and respect them and whatever. Citing DF to less savvy and knowing people as if you're giving them a literal factual source is misleading.

@Varkster I think it would be better for the thread if you stopped arguing with me. You have said the same thing twice heatedly. You are free to have your opinions, it doesn't mean you're right and the rest is wrong, but I just don't think it's a good idea to create unnecessary squabbles.

@Dhaladog
I was thinking Switch 2 will be my final consideration after I get OLED edition of Switch 1 as I don't see bright future from Switch 2.
I might get certain Switch 2 games as long their cartridge really have game data inside, not the game key.
Also, I can consider the retro and other video games I have never played before and build their games library.
Still so many retro / other games I have never played before.
I can keep getting busy from older games I have never played before.

And I will keep building my PS5 games library with 3rd party kids games and if PS6 still have physical release and disc drive PS6 machine, I will consider to add PS6.

I won't say Switch 2 will be my last console, but PS5 and XSX are definitely my last power consoles. I was already losing interest in them due to being acclimated to the freedoms offered via hybrid gaming, and as more and more big 3rd party games make their way to Switch platforms and Switch 2 finally making competent, comparable versions a reality, any remaining interest I had is now all but gone.

I also think my PC (Nvidia 2080 ti, Intel 1100k) is the last gaming PC I'll buy. I just don't use it anymore. Steamdeck is the only way I play PC nowadays. So I'll probably get a Steamdeck 2 to compliment my Switch 2.

Reason being, I don't want to cut off my access to new games. And if I just played Switch 2 the rest of my life I'd be missing out on Switch 3 exclusives and 3rd party games that can't run on Switch 2.

@Varkster
And even Digital Foundry admitted it's indeed 10x in handheld mode. But frankly I see this whole number game irrelevant. The jump in performance is blatantly obvious. Whether the number is 5x or 10x it doesn't change how big the leap is to our eyes.

Also accounting for the fact Switch has way more RAM than Steamdeck, offers microSD Express ensuring all games are standardized to speeds exceeding SATA SSD unlike PC games, has less OS overhead and will have bespoke development optimizing for the hardware, I think Switch 2 will not only outclass Steamdeck in handheld mode in the end, it'll come remarkably close to PS4 Pro when docked.

We're just seeing the first batch of launch games that haven't even finished development and already games are matching Steamdeck performance (Cyberpunk can run at same framerate and resolution in handheld but the visual fidelity definitely exceeds Steamdeck, even despite the game offering a "Steamdeck" settings option in the graphics menu). Games are only going to eek more out of the hardware as time goes on.

As for Digital Foundry, people do put way too much stock into what they say. Even their speculative opinions are now treated as gospel. That said, I also feel some have overly dismissed their opinions. They are certainly wrong at times but their opinions are usually in the ballpark and still offer quite a bit of value in my opinion. Keeping expectations in check by insisting the PS4 is the best point of comparison rather than PS5/XSS is a good example. Some fans were getting carried away with how powerful they believed the system to be.

Just seen a video Oblivion remastered on Steam Deck - I’m still not convinced it’ll come to Switch 2 though.

@FragRed I watched the full reveal here:

This is how you make a remaster/remake, with all the previously released content included and graphics, gameplay and audio all improved, with additional audio recorded, at a fair price. It looks and sounds wonderfully.

Just called my local GameStop. They are taking preorders in store on the 24th. As well as amiibo. They weren’t as sure about what accessories would be available (so assume what you see on the website.) I already blocked off time from work so I will update yall with how smoothly or not it goes.

@FragRed
Oh itll come to Switch 2. There's no reason for it not to. It will run just fine, and Skyrim sold millions on Switch. Even DOOM The Dark Ages was leaked for Switch 2.

Idk when it'll release on Switch 2, but I'm quite sure it will. Probably by year's end. I imagine they'll start working on the Switch 2 release now that the other versions are done.

It's gonna be such a crowded year for Switch 2 though as the Year 1 3rd party gold rush ensues, the real challenge may be slotting it in.

@FragRed I think Microsoft would prioritize Starfield over Oblivion. Releasing the upcoming 2nd expansion alongside a PS5 and Switch 2 port would have potential to create a Phantom Liberty effect where a divisive game becomes beloved.

@Grumblevolcano
Maybe. And that could be the issue right there- they likely already have so many games in development for Switch 2 it's hard to find the resources. Personally I never got into Elder Scrolls. Hated the weight limit. But I'll give it another shot when the Switch 2 version releases. Been telling myself I'd go back to Skyrim for 8 years now. Never did though. If they add gyro aiming in ES4 like Skyrim, I'd for sure give it a shot.

Can't say I'm that excited for Starfield either, but I'm absolutely thrilled for Halo MCC and Gears 5. Those are the ones I gotta have on Switch 2. And Call of Duty. Don't care how popular it is to dunk on. I like Call of Duty- I've always liked Call of Duty ever since I played Black Ops 2 on Wii U with motion aiming.

@Grumblevolcano @JaxonH Oblivion remastered was outsourced to Virtuos so Bethesda wouldn’t be too involved with that. I never considered Starfield, how well received was that game? Seems like there was a lot of disappointment when it launched but that’s all I know about it.

For those that are waiting until lets say Aug-Sept get a Switch 2, your first time experience will definitely feel more substantial by adding in Donkey Kong Bananza(Taking the top spot), Kirby & The forgotten Land (NS2 Edition), and maybe even Salamander III

Still no confirmed release date for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond or Marvel Cosmic Invasion, while Kirby Air Riders will probably drop in Q4 unless there's a delay. I could get the Switch 2 at launch, but I'm in desperate need of a new TV(65" S90F QD-OLED), but that's going to set me back, unless I decide to settle for monthly payments. Sigh. Another bill, just what I need!

@FragRed
Right but Virtuos is a commonly utilized resource for porting games and only has so much manpower, and is already likely chock to the hilt with projects. We already witness how Developers simply didn't have the resources to bring many games to Switch because the industry for so long had reached equalization without Nintendo platforms being factored in. The demand for developers far exceeded the supply so Nintendo switch ports had to compete for those resources.

That has slowly changed over the years as more and more developers account for Nintendo from the start And that's going to become even more true now that they have a competent platform that doesn't need bespoke versions built ground up, but it's also true the demand for development resources is going to Skyrocket now that Nintendo has a platform that can run the vast majority of games being made. So the point stands regardless of whether it's Bethesda, Virtuos, or any other studio they contract out to.

As for Starfield, all I know is it didn't live up to expectations but I have heard the game has improved considerably with post launch updates and added content