Nintendo Switch

I half expect they have an extra production order of new Switches on standby if they think demand looks good. Doesn't sound like a decision you make off the cuff.

edited 28th Oct '16 9:46:09 AM by edvedd

I don't know enough about supply chain logistics to know that. Could be that they over-ordered on the components but didn't order those components assembled, but manufacturing doesn't turn on a dime especially of a brand-new product.

@Watchtower: This may seem strange to hear in a Nintendo console discussion thread, but for a variety of reasons pertaining to living conditions, I make heavy use of digital game purchasing.

So if the Switch has real, proper accounts, I will be downloading many of my games. I'm nowhere near alone in that. And to people like me, anything about their cartridges being used to mitigate storage use is irrelevant. Also, you underestimate how large DLC can be for some games.

@Ace Of Scarabs: 3DS file sizes are only kept small because it's 240p and really weak, so any models are really scaled down, as are all other art assets. Wii U sizes are more relevant here.

edited 28th Oct '16 3:26:09 PM by burnpsy

As for me, I always buy physical copies, because I want to still own my games and all of my progress in them if my 3DS is stolen, lost, or broken. The only thing I download are small free things, usually data peripherals, that I wouldn't mind losing and could easily replace.

For people like you, storage space was really never going to be a concern.

Which is why I felt the need to chime in as the type of customer to whom this could be a dealbreaker if handled poorly.

I prefer physical only because it's cheaper. And even then I'm starting to lean digital more and more these days. Even without big new games there's still digital only games like the virtual console or whatever indies, and those add up over time. Plus Nintendo wants people to go digital more often, so anything that discourages that is bad for them.

Sometimes even with a physical copy you need some hard drive space for extra data. Plus My Nintendo isn't supporting physical copies at the moment (not that the rewards are anything noteworthy).

The only game from Nintendo that I know of that required extensive extra data was Xenoblade X. Aside from that, it's usually just update data. PS 4 and Xbox One physical copies tend to take up much more space on their respective hard drives.

Splatoon only needed about 300-500MB total for downloadable updates like all the not-on-disc FREE DLC.

Smash 4: 15.6 GB + DLC/Patches (2.5 GB)
Mario Kart 8: 4.9 GB + DLC (2.2 GB)

Splatoon's base game is 1.8 GB.

Just throwing these numbers out there for the record. If you really think about it, Splatoon really didn't need very much in terms of individual art assets compared to most other games.

edited 28th Oct '16 7:15:33 PM by burnpsy

I definitely understand why some people would want to be able to download everything rather than purchase physical copies. Even if the compatibility caps out at 128G, you might be able to get around it by having more than one card. Like if one fills up, just swap in another one.

Depends on where the SD slot is. If it's like the n3DS and you have to use a screwdriver, no. If it's like the normal 3DS and you can just remove it instantly, then it might work out.

I actually do this with the Vita. I have a 64GB card and a 32GB card. Though I have 351GB in Vita games, so easy PC backups are still key. I heard the n3DS lets you, so that's a good sign.

edited 28th Oct '16 7:42:28 PM by burnpsy

I feel like swapping SD cards like that would lead to some issues.

That depends on a ton of things, including the features of it and if Nintendo was expecting players to do that.

The Vita, for example, carries things like your account and most of your settings over. Basically everything except the stuff you went out of your way to download off their services.

On 3DS I could imagine the streetpass snafu if someone tried that.

One of the reasons people like to buy digital is so they don't have to switch cards/discs.

Though having a bunch of (actual) games on a card is still better than just one.^note only put the "actual games" there so that this isn't confused for a bootleg game mentality of "a buncha shit is better than one good game" like those "PCP Stations" that boast "52 games in one" that last three minutes each.

I honestly don't mind having to switch out carts/discs.

I've never taken issue with needing to get up and switch out a disc if I'm, say, watching a Sponge Bob DVD boxset. Or watching a movie on Laser Disc. Or playing a game on my 360.

Yeah, that's not the issue. It's storage and lugging them around when on the go that tends to do it for people.

In my case, it's that I'm attending law school an hour's plane ride (or 12 hours by car) away from home. Not only is retail here significantly more expensive than just getting the digital copy, I barely have enough space for the select titles I did bring along.

In which case, yes, only needing 2 SD cards is far superior to the room to fit multiple game cases containing cartridges.

edited 28th Oct '16 10:46:00 PM by burnpsy

At home, switching discs and carts is no problem.

On the go, well, it tends to be. I never carry cartridges and stuff outside of my home out of fear of losing them.

Anytime I go anywhere, I bring like, 2 or 3 games with me, and they fit fine in my pocket.

I'd be too worried of them falling out of my pocket every time I sat down anywhere.

You need deeper pockets.

It helps if you put the cartridges into a small plastic bag first; that's what I did with my DS / 3DS games. It keeps them all in one places and makes it less likely to fall out of your pocket.

...Are all of you too cheap to just get one of those cases◊?

It's really helpful for me for my handhelds. I just toss that into my bag.

edited 28th Oct '16 11:06:15 PM by burnpsy

I just put the game cases themselves in my bag if I'm ever taking more than one of them somewhere.

Ditto