Ian is joined by Geoff Schumacher, who has had his Switch for about five months. There's a lot to unpack here, from specs to controllers to the games themselves. So settle in and enjoy!
Hardware
00:01:05 | Switch Specs
Technical Specs – Nintendo Switch Official Site – System hardware, console specs00:01:59 | Storage & File Management
Storage spaceOnly 32 GB of storage space.From what I remember, when asked about this, Reggie Fils-Aime (CEO of Nintendo of America) noted that they wanted to keep the price <= $300, and having that 32GB of storage space was needed for that.Can handle microSD card slots of up to 2TB though, and that’s where the software needed to run the game will live.How game software and safe files are stored:Game cartridge (doesn’t matter if you have microSD card or not)Software to run game is on cartridge.Save files are on the Switch.Digital copy of game & no microSD cardSoftware to run game is on SwitchSave files are on SwitchDigital copy of game & microSD cardSoftware to run game is on microSD card (as long as there’s room)Save files are on SwitchCANNOT BACK UP OR TRANSFER GAME SAVE FILESSeriously, what the fuck?Nintendo Technicians can supposedly transfer from one switch to another.Micro SD card is formatted for just your switchAs a gamer: frustratingAs a Nintendo fan: disappointingIf you could back up/transfer your save files, I’d probably buy games like Yooka Laylee and Sonic Mania on the Switch.00:15:01 | Battery Life
According to Nintendo, ~2.5-6 hours.Thanks for the vague answer guys!So intensive games, like BotW, would be much closer to the 2.5.BotW is ‘supposed’ to get about 3.5I cannot remember how much BotW playing time I got from single charge of the switch.From what I remember, it took ~2 hours to go from empty to full on the dock while not playing on it. Nintendo claims ~3 though. It was a while ago that I tried this though.Comparing to that of the DS:“A common complaint was the 3DS’s battery life; Engadget reported to get 3 hours of battery life from the system, while IGN reported 2 to 4.5 hours of play.”Nintendo 3DS – WikipediaNintendo 3DS review00:19:03 | Kickstand
Flimsy as all hell.Feel like I’m going to break it everytime I use it.Should have had the entire back plate as one large kickstand.Not many people are saying this, but I have heard a couple of reviews praising Nintendo for the kickstand’s placement over the microSD slot.Bro, chill. They literally could have placed it ANYWHERE.Anywhere not over the microSD slot would have been dumb.00:21:06 | Bluetooth
Can’t connect a wireless headset to it.But it has bluetooth. Seriously, look at the specs. It has bluetooth because the JoyCons wirelessly connect to the switch via Bluetooth.There are third-party controllers that connect via bluetooth00:23:55 | Speakers/Microphone
Speakers get very loud, despite being on the back.Is there a microphone?00:26:02 | HD Rumble
HD Rumble is Geoff’s most underrated feature about the Switch.1-2 Switch demoes it really wellGeoff thinks it can be a great ‘little thing’ that could improve many games, so he hopes more developers will utilize it nicely.00:29:48 | Resolution
720p when not docked.1080p when docked.Plenty of people weren’t super happy about resolution at announcement. In my personal, biased opinion, people seriously need to chill when it comes to screen resolution in gaming.Makes me think of Yahtzee’s review of The Order 1886, when he complains about pointless, but very detailed room.00:31:23 | Networking
Up to 8 switches can connect wirelesslyNintendo’s bringing back the LAN party!Styles of Play
00:36:03 | Controller Configurations
JoyCon ControllersJoyCon GripPutting the two in the JoyCon grip works just fine. It is different though. The buttons are smaller, and the layout is different from your “standard” controller.Someone with large hands might not have a fun time with this.“Double fisting” (one JoyCon in each hand)I personally like to use one in each hand, as opposed to using the JoyCon grip or the pro controller.I honestly don’t know if anybody else does this.It honestly does create some quirks while playing games like BotW.I have personally chosen to adjust to this, and it works.For games like BotW, I think it’s actually recommended by Nintendo that you use the grip if not in handheld mode.I think if you take them off in game, a little prompt comes up.It works, but even if you have ‘average’ size hands, you’ll need to adjust how you hold them.Instead of having pointer finger over bumper and middle finger over trigger, use just point finger for both bumper and trigger.Someone with large hands probably won’t have a fun time with this.Using each JoyCon individually as a controller:A little awkward at first, since ‘off centered’/’asymmetrical’, but they work.00:50:41 | Cost of Peripherals
Joycons expensive if you want to buy more.$80 for a pair.$50 for a single JoyCon.Pro ControllerOverpriced at $70It your standard, regular, “normal” controller.Do Wii U pro controllers work on it? No, according to Nintendo Support Forums.
Wii U Pro Controller on Switch | Nintendo Support Forums
00:55:44 | Resolved Issues
JoyCon Connectivity
At launch, there were some connectivity issues with left JoyCon.That was fixed in a patch in the first two weeks after release.Frame Rate in BotW
At launch, there were some frame rate issues with BotW in situations with a lot going on on the screen.Also fixed in a patch in the first two weeks after release.00:57:17 | Nintendo’s Online Services
Online Service
Nintendo Switch Online – Nintendo Switch Official site – Online gaming, multiplayer, voice chatNintendo’s first attempt at this kind of stuff.Still not a lot known about Nintendo is going to implement this.Supposedly will feature “free game of the month”.Only available for that particular month. What to keep it? Then you have to buy it.By comparison, Xbox Live Gold subscription outright gives you the game for free.At moment, only online multiplayer games are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Arms, and Splatoon 2.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a port from WiiU, and they just left the online aspects of that game as was.Arms doesn’t use mobile app, but has different/interesting implementation for lobby and setting up matches.How do you add friends?Do you have a public profile?Mobile App
Splatoon 2 is the first and only game that uses thisI don’t do the online multiplayer bit, but people don’t seem to like it.01:05:41 | Game Selection
Previous issue with WiiU was the lack of good games…and the lack of games in general.Take a look at the online store for the Switch:Switch Games – Nintendo Game StoreWide range of games for a wide range of prices.See full list here:Game Guide – Nintendo Game StoreNindy gamesNintendo Switch Nindies Showcase Announced – IGNRelated to previous point, WiiU also had a lack of 3rd party developersWhen switch was announced, many 3rd party developers hopped on board, some big names included like EA and Bethesda.Full list here:Nintendo Switch Will Have Full Third Party SupportMobile games are being ported to the Switch
5 Nintendo Switch Games You Can’t Play on Your TV – Up At Noon Live! – YouTube
01:12:30 | Speculation Corner
VR on the Switch?
VR on the switch?Matpat on Game Theory went farther to suggest AR on SwitchVia Matpat, Nintendo did file for a patent on a headset that appears to be made for the switch.Game Theory: Nintendo’s SECRET PLAN for the SWITCH! – YouTubeVR onf Switch buzz seems to be kicking up lately (see recent SwitchForce video)Somebody apparently found code for a ‘VR mode’Switch VR Uncovered and Voice Chat Built In?! – YouTubeImplication for the DS
Is this the beginning of the end of the DS?[Puts on tin foil hat] Dead man walking! Illuminati confirmed!Attributions
Free Music Archive: Beat Doctor – Organic (electric edit)This episode of Second Opinion has a Fringe episode. You should really listen to The Fringe #441: SO #27 — Switchwich!
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