5 Ways Nintendo’s Switch Is Different From Everything They’ve Done Before

PARTNERING WITH NVIDIA

One of the Wii U’s biggest blunders was its lack of power. Performance has been a hot topic of current generation consoles, and Nintendo’s decision to set their sights low no doubt played a role in the system’s dismal financial success. When rumors of a home/mobile hybrid began to circulate, many worried the issue of power would continue plaguing the company’s platforms.

While Nintendo has no plans of outperforming the PlayStation 4, or Xbox One, they do plan on delivering a dependable product. Well known tech company, Nvidia, has announced its role in the production of the Switch, providing a customized Tegra processor to be used by the console. It isn’t exactly clear how much power this processor has, but associating with a trusted name in performance like Nvidia is a step in the right direction for Nintendo.

CHIPS FOR CONSOLES

Trailblazing has always been a vital role in the video game industry. Few companies embody this logic better than Nintendo, and that mindset bleeds into the emergence of cartridge-based console gaming.

Seeing Nintendo’s unwillingness to drop beloved or cult classic features has always been a draw to their systems. However, space is going to be vital to the Switch, and we won’t be seeing the classic discs on this console. Rather, small chips will be carrying large game experiences, supposedly much grander ones than those of the 3DS and its similar media. 

STRONG THIRD PARTY SUPPORT

One of the biggest attractions of any Nintendo console in history has always been its first party content. They have been responsible for some of gaming’s most famous characters and mascots. While not all are cultural phenomenons, their approach to game design has undoubtedly been altered by this first party success.

Nonetheless, age old titles can’t sustain the company, and it looks as though they are switching up the formula with a large list of third party developers and publishers. Details on just how deep this third party support goes are currently cloudy at best. This renewed interest in outside creativity isn’t what many expected from Nintendo, but has helped spark a firestorm over this next console.

A New Level of Mobile Gaming

The world of gaming has recently exploded with Nintendo interest after its reveal video of the Switch. While the new console is still shrouded in mystery, it is already clear Nintendo is venturing into new territory.

If you’re excited for what Nintendo has planned after that first announcement, you’re not alone. At first, it seems like a simple adaptation of the Wii U gamepad, but then it becomes clear that the Switch is packing its own punches. The company is leaning on what they know best, handheld gaming. The Switch is designed not only for use as a home console, but also can be used on the go. Full console gaming on the go seems to be their angle thus far, a new venture for both Nintendo and the gaming industry.

GOING AFTER MAINSTREAM PLAYERS

Nintendo has always been a hub for generally family friendly content. Past consoles, like the Wii, have made small efforts in attracting more mainstream players, but these attempts tended to fall flat before being widely accepted, particularly because of limited hardware and a weak lineup. Although this trait has followed the company for years, they are taking clear steps away from the stigma.

Increased third party support hasn’t been the only clue of Nintendo’s maturing ambitions, and the details are even as small as the Switch’s new pro controller. The latest iteration of their conventional controller offsets the joysticks to a design closer to the Xbox One controller, which many consumers use even on the PC. This new focus on a solid player experience rather than strange gimmicks is setting the Switch apart from its Nintendo predecessors.

A clear line in the sand has been drawn between this system and those before it. Although the reveal was followed with general positivity, the world will have to wait until January of next year for any more concrete evidence of the new console’s step in the right direction.