Nintendo Switch

Digital entertainment investment firm Digi-Capital thinks the NX is going to be a virtual/augmented reality system which encourages social play for the medium.

edited 28th Jul '15 1:37:15 AM by tclittle

So Dragon Quest X and XI just got announced to be coming to systems. Both of them are coming to NX(and PS 4 and XI is getting a 3DS version). The console has to be out before holidays next year unless it's just going to get ports of old games like the Wii U with Deus Ex and Batman.

edited 28th Jul '15 2:43:22 AM by LordofLore

More than likely going to be launch or launch window games. While I've never played any of the Dragon Quest games before, this is still exciting.

edited 28th Jul '15 2:50:10 AM by tclittle

The question is if it's going to get the 3DS version or the PS 4 version. If it's the PS 4 version the system is way stronger than they've implied thus far.

I think it's going to be the 3DS version because it uses both 2D and 3D gameplay so they could put the 2D gameplay on the Gamepad(if it's compatible with NX) and the 3D gameplay on the TV.

edited 28th Jul '15 3:01:11 AM by LordofLore

Someone else on another forum was pointing this out. If it can run Unreal Engine 4, then there is a possibility of a Kingdom Hearts 3 port.

More than likely not until a Final Mix version comes out.

Which, if it comes out in the US, is perfectly fine by me.

We don't know if it can run UE 4. We know it's getting a game that has a version that runs on UE 4(PS 4) and a version that doesn't that's on another Nintendo system(3DS). NX is supposed to be a merger of sorts of handheld and home console so I wouldn't be surprised if the NX version is the 3DS version with cross save between systems. The way they've talked about how the system won't compete with PS 4 in terms of specs is also a point against it.

And KH 3 won't come to Nintendo systems because the series didn't sell that well on their systems and SE already has a huge install base on PS 4(which is more than 80% of their current RPG buyers by their own numbers)and has already said that all of their new games from slightly before E3 to the future are all made with PS 4 as the target and other systems later to the point that KH 3 and FFXV are the last RPG games from SE on Xbox hardware and in the future their system will only get the western games like Hitman while PS 4 will get all games and 3DS will get all the handheld games(of which only a few leave Japan). Also they would've revealed it at E3 since the next events with KH 3 info and trailers are at Disney events where they're going to reveal new worlds etc.

edited 28th Jul '15 4:00:29 AM by LordofLore

And now it doesn't matter at all. It's sort of like with FFVIIR where it's coming to PS 4 first and they won't start on a PC/Xbox version of the game before the PS 4 version is out if they're even going to have other versions.

edited 28th Jul '15 6:01:38 AM by LordofLore

If that is the case, then it's a strange way to announce things. If it was a timed exclusive they could have easily mentioned the Xbox One as well. But they only mentioned NX, something that isn't even announced yet, instead of the other console that already exists.

I think they're trying to walk it back a little, but something tells me it's very much likely. There was really no reason to bring it up if they weren't planning something. They probably know more than we do, but Nintendo hasn't said anything, so.

edited 28th Jul '15 5:57:22 AM by edvedd

They're planning something but I'm guessing there aren't any dev kits yet so they'll wait for them to come out before starting work on the game(unlike with FFVIIR where they simply won't work on a Xbone version at all(hell, it's not even a sure thing it's going to even come out on other consoles) until the PS 4 version is out even though they have kits already). If PS 4/3DS version comes out in Summer the NX version might come out months later when the system is released I'm guessing. They want to try to make it a launch title but I'm guessing based on the other games that most sales will come from 3DS and PS 4.

Right now the launch line up based on rumors and comments looks to be a port of the new Zelda game like with TP, DQXI if they can make it and maybe a new Metroid game if the 3DS game sells well.

edited 28th Jul '15 6:03:41 AM by LordofLore

Well, this is interesting. I expected Dragon Quest XI to be 3DS/PS4 multiplatform, but I didn't expect any NX announcements at this stage. This tells us several things yet nothing at all. First, we still have no idea what the NX is like, as both X and XI are on 3DS and home consoles. Second, Nintendo has some sort of deal with SE if they're securing Dragon Quest on their platform already. Third, it implies the NX really is coming out 2016. Fourth, this increases the odds of games like Youkai Watch 3 and Monster Hunter Stories being cross-gen, and implies Nintendo is working with their Japanese partners to make sure they get third party support.

I do lean towards the NX version to take more from the PS4, as that will likely be easier to port based on the engine, and the Nintendo fanbase would be more likely to double dip in that scenario. We can't be certain of it yet though.

Despite SE's backtracking, these are definitely coming. They're not going to announce NX versions if they don't already have plans for it. Now whether this means SE talked too early, Nintendo wanted them to tease this, or something else I don't know. But unless there's some sort of catastrophe the NX will have Dragon Quest early in its lifespan.

People are guessing there were plans to have Iwata come up on stage and say "Coming to NX 1 year/later after initial release!" at the end but...

They've been teasing these announcements for months but mostly focused on the Playstation side of things("Buy DQH 1 and more PS 4 DQ games might be localized by us and Sony!" etc)and delegated the VIII Remake(that they're probably going to localize on their own) to streams and Joker to just a magazine.

This is btw the only Nintendo home console game SE are going to work on(if they decide to actually take it to NX if demand is high after the release). All other home console games from SE are confirmed to only be coming to PS3/PS4(and Xbone for FFXV and KH 3 but those games apparently run way worse on it).

Luckily Nintendo has the 3DS.

edited 28th Jul '15 10:15:17 AM by LordofLore

Playstation had Heroes, Heroes 2, and Builders (that I half expect to come to NX eventually). 3DS had DQ VIII and Joker 3. SE has been preparing for this for some time now. Wii U probably would've gotten something beyond X, but it is Wii U, so I can't blame Square for not bothering.

Assuming NX is getting the PS4 version (which is a premature assumption), then hopefully its a sign that it'll be easy to port to, which should help the third party situation for a couple of years at least.

But that's only if third parties are care enough to bother.

I mean, they could still decide to not try and develop for nintendo and just make up a new reason.

Square obviously seems to care. Capcom and Level 5 have their dominant franchises on 3DS at the moment, and if it's not a hassle they'll support the home console (at least Capcom would, not sure how much Level 5 is doing in that space). Activision currently has a decent relationship with Nintendo, and Ubisoft likes them. EA, Bethesda, and Take Two might ignore them due to bad blood or whatever, but a decent system can get some support at the beginning.

Alright then. I'm convinced.

But we'll see how things go when the NX is out.

SE is probably giving them their most Japan focused series new game(and that's it as far as NX is concerned for the future). This is good.

Only problem is they get it after the PS 4 gets it which will hopefully be in high demand in Japan by then due to the game, FFXV, KH 3 and all their other PS 4 games. If PS 4 isn't selling well by then in Japan most of the big 3rd parties there will most likely pull out of the home console business because none of their series will sell well if there isn't a good install base.

What kind of line up would NX need in Japan vs the rest of the world for launch day(not counting DQXI in Japan)?

I'm already boycotting those three evil companies completely. No PC Games, no nothing.

edited 28th Jul '15 11:30:57 AM by RainingMetal

Aside from Skylanders and the new Guitar Hero, Activision has no relationship with Nintendo. Really, they're persona non grata with all of the big western publishers except their small capacity with Activision, since the westerners don't give a damn about handhelds.

The future for Nintendo is to ignore third party completely because that's what's going to happen even if they try.

Japan won't see a large PS 4 sales spike because of DQ, especially if the games come out on the same day. More than anywhere else on the planet, handheld versions of games can be "good enough" for people to skip consoles releases for the smaller cousin. The PS 4 version is strictly for the overseas market, and you're going to see the 3DS version outsell it by orders of magnitude in Japan.

As for the NX thing, this seems like more evidence that the NX will (at least in part) be in part Nintendo's new operating system, since the NX is supposed to have something to do with both the 3DS and Wii U as well as future hardware if I recall correctly.

Since we're talking about third parties, we might as well look at each of them and speculate as to how they will approach the NX and Nintendo in the future. I'll start with the major Japanese publishers since I've read up more on them recently. Now first, I'll be making several assumptions.

• There will be separate handheld and console variants. Both will run on the same OS, making it easy, but not effortless, to port between them.
• The handheld will launch summer-winter 2016. The console will launch winter 2016-winter 2017.
• Japanese publishers assume the handheld will become the dominant dedicated device in Japan due to its eventual status as the Pokemon and Animal Crossing machine and Japan's preference for handhelds.
• Both will support various engines that make PC/PS4/mobile ports relatively easy such as Unity and Unreal.
• The handheld will roughly have the same power as the Vita. The console will be in the ballpark of the PS4.
• Unless otherwise noted, publishers will continue trying to make inroads into mobile, but are not comfortable in abandoning dedicated devices for now.

Now some or all of these could be wrong (especially the power), and it doesn't take into account factors such as Nintendo's backroom deals, launch games, gimmicks such as AR, etc. We have to work with what we've got right now.

Square Enix: Currently the only publisher with any announced games for the NX, Dragon Quests X and XI. The 3DS has received decent support such as Bravely Default, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy Explorers, Theatrhythm, and Dragon Quest. However, few of these games have come to the west on Square's dime. The Wii U received early support in the form of Dragon Quest X and Deus Ex, but that quickly dried up. For the Japanese games they will probably treat the handheld similarly to the 3DS, giving it several exclusive projects along with multiplatform games. The console will receive some support from the top JRPG franchises such as Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts. Various currently announced games like Dragon Quest Builders and World of Final Fantasy may make their way over to both form factors. For the console games like Kingdom Hearts 3 and Final Fantasy 7R have a good shot of making it over. SE will also port over one or two old western games like Tomb Raider or Deus Ex. These will fail to meet their expectations and will not continue until the console proves it can sell those games.

Capcom: Currently their biggest series, Monster Hunter, is mostly exclusive to Nintendo platforms (aka the 3DS). This exclusivity will continue at first into the handheld in order to reap the incentives Nintendo offers (online and western marketing). Mainline Monster Hunter could make it to the console. Digital titles like Resident Evil remasters will come to any platform they can. Other small games like Resident Evil Revelations and Ace Attorney will also come where applicable. Street Fighter is currently tied up in Sony's hands, but some sort of project could come due to its history. Capcom will want to either put its games everywhere or strike a deal with the platform holder for the foreseeable future. Expect decent, but not strong support aside from Monster Hunter. Monster Hunter Stories could easily be cross-gen, and either Monster Hunter 5 or Monster Hunter X+ will show up within the first year.

Sega: Currently not too interested in dedicated devices, but they have not abandoned them yet. Sonic will continue appearing on both form factors due to Sonic's popularity with Nintendo fans. Rhythm games like Miku will show up for the handheld, but perhaps not the more niche games. Tembo the Badass Elephant skipping Nintendo platforms is worrying, but it's likely because it would not be very simple to port. Aliens will not show up unless the console proves it can sell those type of games. Atlus will continue to do what they've done, which means pump out regular titles for the handheld and possibly collaborate for console projects. Mainline Persona could make it to NX, but that's not something I can be confident about.

Konami: Very uninterested in dedicated devices right now, handheld or console. Their support for 3DS has been meager and nonexistent (aside from the VC) for the Wii U. Future Metal Gear and Pro Evolution Soccer games could make it to NX if once it proves it can sell those games, but odds are they won't be relevant in this space much more as they concentrate on mobile and other ventures.

Koei Tecmo: For now they've been successful in constantly pumping out 50 Musou games and other games from their main franchises. They're also fond of collaborations such as Hyrule Warriors, Dragon Quest Heroes, and Pokemon Conquest. Anything they can easily port to the NX (either form factor) will be ported initially. Expect more Nintendo/KT collaborations in the near future.

Level 5: One of Nintendo's strongest partners at the moment. They are very good at creating big hits that tend to die within a few years. Right now they're enjoying loads of Youkai Watch money thanks to its absurd popularity. They're also planning new franchises such as the multimedia Snack World (3DS/mobile) and an unknown PS4 game. Youkai, Snack World, and smaller games should make it to the handheld. Console support is unknown for now. Youkai Watch 3 could be a cross-gen launch title for the handheld, or 3.5 could be cross-gen.

Bandai Namco: Arguably Nintendo's strongest partner right now thanks to various titles such as Super Smash Bros., Pokken Tournament, Project Treasure, and Project X Zone 2. They're main gaming success comes from releasing 600 low budget games a year for whatever platform suits those games best. The handheld will likely receive the same support the 3DS enjoyed. The console will likely get some collaboration projects. Pokken will likely release on the Wii U, and an NX console release soon after would not be surprising. Mainline Tales will stay Playstation for now, though if they think the console will support JRPGs well, they'll put it there as well. Assuming they continue to commission FromSoftware for Souls or Souls-like games, they will not appear on NX unless it proves it can sell those games.

TLDR: Expect decent-good support from Square, Capcom, Sega, Koei, and Namco. Level 5 will support it well. Konami is lol. This is all just speculation their initial plans on the NX, and these could change as the NX becomes successful or fails.

Nintendo's biggest supporter might actually be Platinum Games. I mean, Platinum has done nothing but praise Nintendo and the Wii U is the Platinum Machine.

I think a KH game on a Nintendo home console is still possible. I remember reading in an interview with Nintendo Power how Nomura was open to the possibility of a game on the Wii. It obviously didn't happen and his opinion could have changed over the past few years, but I won't rule out any chance of an NX game until they say otherwise.

edited 28th Jul '15 2:38:01 PM by Karxrida

Platinum is just a developer. A very efficient, very talented developer that seems to be one of the few Japanese studios capable of getting a solid HD game out quickly, but it's still only a developer. They're guns for hire and will work for whoever pays them. They don't mean much in the big picture.

For Square, while I think Kingdom Hearts 3 and Final Fantasy 7R are very possible on the console, Final Fantasy XV will not appear there. Mostly because that game is a mess and will probably be very difficult to port. Don't look forward to that.

Isn't the same true for all third party companies not under a contract though?