The details we have all been waiting for have been revealed. The Switch will be releasing in March, and for a rather reasonable price that will put it in direct competition with the current console choices. There are a few factors that will lead to the Switch’s success with the gaming market, and it doesn’t just have to do with the software...
The biggest cause for success with the Switch will be the timing of its launch. Nintendo seems to be going in-between the traditional console release cycles and offering up a unique experience that can’t be matched. It’s the new kid on the block, but it has no neighbors for competition. Most people who wanted a PS4 or an Xbox One have already purchased one and will likely have enough money for something new.
In the past, Nintendo had released their consoles around the holiday season. This was a hit-or-miss tactic with one of the main issues being the lack of software at release. With almost eight months for the Switch to mature and develop before the 2017 holiday season is upon us, the Switch will have more software such as Super Mario Odyssey, a probable price drop, and likely be atop many Christmas lists. It will be the 3DS all over again.
One of the key details that will lead to the success of the Switch is the hardware driving the console. Being a more portable tablet device, you cannot expect it to have the highest specs, which I think is a good thing. Sony and Microsoft are both moving into a world of 4K HDR gaming, while Nintendo is still perfecting 1080p gaming. Let me ask a general question; how many people do you know that own a 4K HDR TV? Probably not many. If so, send me their phone numbers, I need a few more friends like that.
When the Wii launched in 2006, there was about 1 HD TV for every 60 standard definition televisions. This is now the same for the current battle of 1080p vs 4K TVs. (1 4K TV for every 60 1080p TVs.) Nintendo has targeted the right market with their console, because there’s really no need to future proof a console when a new one comes out every 6 years or less. In 6 years we will definitely be wanting a 4K gaming console though, or maybe even 8K.
Overall, I think the Switch is a very promising new system. For many customers, it will be their new handheld, and for many other buyers, it will be their new home console. For most of us however, the system will be both. This hybrid attracts a larger market than ever before, and given the seamless ability to switch from one mode to the other, everyone can be happy.
About the Author:
Christopher Weil
The 2006 Time Magazine person of the year, born in Toronto, Canada, Christopher developed a passion for gaming at a young age. His favorite franchise has always been The Legend of Zelda, but he can also usually be found playing SimRacing games such as iRacing. He's in university studying mechanical engineering and looking to start his own 3D printing business.
