Why it is OK if the Switch primarily gets old games
A while back I read an article basically spelling the doom of the Switch. It criticized the graphics power and proclaimed that going forward it would primarily get indie games and old ports. And that this will kill it.
Here is the odd thing though. I don't think that this WOULD kill it. In fact. I think it is a part of the charm of the console. Not to mention, Nintendo first party titles will still come, and those have always drawn people in.
The magic of the Switch however, lies specifically in the old ports, and to a lesser degree the indie games.
Go read any review of Diablo 3 on the Switch or anything really which is older and has been ported to the Switch. Then try and find another port review for another game on another system. What you'll find is interesting. Switch port reviews often don't sound like reviews of ports. They typically mention that they are, but the reviews often read like a totally new game. Even if the game hasn't changed, the portability and form factor of the Switch changes the experience. And, some times the ports even put in a bit of effort to make some special for Switch owners.
Fortnite may be an even better example. The graphics are nothing but worse. Pretty much any other console or PC will give you better graphics, one of the first things ports get beaten up over, and yet, the reviews of Fortnite on Switch are overwhelmingly positive. The form factor makes it a whole new game. Makes it more accessible. Makes it new and fun again. And, perhaps most importantly, makes it worth buying again, or for the first time.
It is odd, but the Switch's underwhelming performance and unique form factor may have inadvertently made it more successful than it would have been had it either been more powerful or had a more conventional form factor. Because, if it had the power to rival the XB1 and PS4, or lacked the power but had the same form factor, the ports wouldn't get the attention they're getting and many may not have been made.
It turns out that people love the classics. But, they love them even more when they feel new again. I get the feeling we'll be seeing more high profile ports of old classics on the Switch. And I feel like it will continue to be successful. Much to my chagrin, as I had hoped to see prices go down.
Here is the odd thing though. I don't think that this WOULD kill it. In fact. I think it is a part of the charm of the console. Not to mention, Nintendo first party titles will still come, and those have always drawn people in.
The magic of the Switch however, lies specifically in the old ports, and to a lesser degree the indie games.
Go read any review of Diablo 3 on the Switch or anything really which is older and has been ported to the Switch. Then try and find another port review for another game on another system. What you'll find is interesting. Switch port reviews often don't sound like reviews of ports. They typically mention that they are, but the reviews often read like a totally new game. Even if the game hasn't changed, the portability and form factor of the Switch changes the experience. And, some times the ports even put in a bit of effort to make some special for Switch owners.
Fortnite may be an even better example. The graphics are nothing but worse. Pretty much any other console or PC will give you better graphics, one of the first things ports get beaten up over, and yet, the reviews of Fortnite on Switch are overwhelmingly positive. The form factor makes it a whole new game. Makes it more accessible. Makes it new and fun again. And, perhaps most importantly, makes it worth buying again, or for the first time.
It is odd, but the Switch's underwhelming performance and unique form factor may have inadvertently made it more successful than it would have been had it either been more powerful or had a more conventional form factor. Because, if it had the power to rival the XB1 and PS4, or lacked the power but had the same form factor, the ports wouldn't get the attention they're getting and many may not have been made.
It turns out that people love the classics. But, they love them even more when they feel new again. I get the feeling we'll be seeing more high profile ports of old classics on the Switch. And I feel like it will continue to be successful. Much to my chagrin, as I had hoped to see prices go down.
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