If Nate is right Drake was supposed to release late 22/ h1 23, the sheikah slate almost definitely resembles that model imo.
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StarTopic Future Nintendo Hardware & Technology Speculation & Discussion |ST| (New Staff Post, Please read)
- Thread starter Dakhil
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Raccoon
Fox Brigade
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Pikmin 4 looks way better than 3. It's just a bit inconsistent; if you get hung up on the sore spots it looks comparable, but the environment detail, shaders, and materials mostly convey a huge step up.
Maybe the sore spots are just the reality of the Switch, but maybe like many Nintendo games they'll be cleaned up in the not much shorter than six months leading to launch.
Maybe the sore spots are just the reality of the Switch, but maybe like many Nintendo games they'll be cleaned up in the not much shorter than six months leading to launch.
JorgenRaft
Chain Chomp
You’re gonna be able to find a Switch Pro shirt in TotK because they forgot to patch it out after they cancelled the system.
Raccoon
Fox Brigade
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like, when people complain about the visuals of Pikmin 4 I feel like I'm looking at different footage than them. Most moments would work, but I timestamped one with a similar camera angle to 3. Do we really not think this is a significant improvement?
That said, there's some pretty nasty pop-out starting at around 2:39 lmao
That said, there's some pretty nasty pop-out starting at around 2:39 lmao
JorgenRaft
Chain Chomp
Honestly the only part where it looked iffy to me was when they were fighting the big disco bug. The Pikmin seem very stiff there, including when they get poisoned which was usually a much more dramatic animation. But it’s possible it’s just not done.
Raccoon
Fox Brigade
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the Pikmin animations are actually very stilted throughout. they often turn on a dime and stay in a perfect grid. hopefully that will be improved, but it could be in part due to the new action-oriented camera angle
Don't worry mate. I'm pretty sure that you have at the very least 12-15 months before a new console comes out, and another 1-2 years where most games will release on both machines.
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While that bundle makes sense for new versions sold, I'm pretty sure enhancements for 1st party titles will be free updates.
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I'm assuming this is a joke.
Aether
Kremling
Pikmin 4 is fine. Problem is that it looks softer because of more post processing effects (tilt shift, cromatic aberation), some see those less crisp aspects (and a handfull mid assets) and declare it worse. (I mean, maybe for them, some people hatevthose effects)
I... Really cant fathom, we know nothing about H2. After summer were blind, and with directs being 2-3 times, and them not doing e3... Whats the plan? Even for coasting you have to have something on the table.
First its clear that the smoth transition with a cross gen period is not happening... And thats a grave error in my book.
Second... Are thei either so confident that the second half will be fine if they just have a direct in june, or will they try to get a new platform out in fall?
I... Really cant fathom, we know nothing about H2. After summer were blind, and with directs being 2-3 times, and them not doing e3... Whats the plan? Even for coasting you have to have something on the table.
First its clear that the smoth transition with a cross gen period is not happening... And thats a grave error in my book.
Second... Are thei either so confident that the second half will be fine if they just have a direct in june, or will they try to get a new platform out in fall?
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That "smooth transition" will probably be the new console launching with primarily cross-gen games, just like Xbox, and lots of upgrades for pre-existing games, especially 2023 games.
Truno
Koopa
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We don't know nearly enough to assume that they won't have a smooth transition, especially when they've mentioned multiple times that it's a huge priority for them.
And yes, considering they dropped Advance Wars during H1 and freaking shadow dropped Metroid Prime Remake, we can assume that they got something cooking for H2
Aether
Kremling
there is still a chance, but would you not want to keep the momentum? announce 1 or 2 games from switch, keep the rest, and announce in the switch 2 presentation that those will release with a switch2 version/patch on the same day? Showing off how much better they look on switch2?
yohoopzcrazy
Cappy
Man I did not expect all this negativity from you guys when dipping in here lol
A new Professor Layton! I can't believe it. That fabled MP remaster finally came to light and it looks great, and unexpectedly not full price. Totk also looks great, even though we still haven't really seen what the game "is" - though, to be fair, I kinda do dig that, and wish they would just not say anything more all the way up to launch.
C'mon guys, let's enjoy the small things. At least we'll be here for a while still, through fire and flames, enduring this madness
A new Professor Layton! I can't believe it. That fabled MP remaster finally came to light and it looks great, and unexpectedly not full price. Totk also looks great, even though we still haven't really seen what the game "is" - though, to be fair, I kinda do dig that, and wish they would just not say anything more all the way up to launch.
C'mon guys, let's enjoy the small things. At least we'll be here for a while still, through fire and flames, enduring this madness
Arynio
Tektite
Why wouldn't they delay TotK if the succ is so close? I was team 2022 and then team 2023, but now I don't know...
D
Deleted member 645
Guest
Honestly nothing in the direct look graphically impressive to me. The best looking thing was totk but that’s to be expected to me. At this point I’m not playing a switch game to be graphically blown away. Even though I think LM3 is the best looking game of the generation. We will get switch 2 when we get it.
Goodtwin
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This is always the drawback to expanding a games scope. The areas in Pimin 4 are much larger than they were in Pikmin 3 and the camera in Pikmin 4 is zoomed out quite a bit more. We also have to keep in mind that Switch in handheld mode is basically on par with Wii U performance and the extra resources in docked mode are exhausted on the expanded scope of the game. I would argue the same thing happened with Bayonetta 3, they expanded the scope but the hardware just wasn't quite able to handle what was being thrown at it, and Bayonetta 2 is the better looking game.
I was thinking something similar. Imagine Retro working on the remasters while Bandai Namco is working on Prime 4. Nintendo sees Prime remastered looking very nice while Prime 4 is looking not so hot. Nintendo cancels Prime 4 development with Bandai Namco and decides Retro will take on the project. Retro continues to work on Prime Remastered as they begin to prepare for Prime 4.
I believe Prime 4 is going to directly build off the game engine used in Prime Remastered. I'm guessing this is the same game engine used in the original Prime games and has been modified to run on modern hardware. I believe the scope will be limited to areas about the same size at Prime 3. Trying to open things up beyond that could result in Prime 4 not looking better or even as good as Prime Remastered. At this point Prime 4 is a likely candidate for being the big release in November this year. After seeing Prime Remastered, I think Retro can put out an impressive game even on OG Switch, but hopefully it ends up being cross gen and also releases on Switch 2 in 4K at the same time.
Nintendo is holding these back for a 4K release. Not saying they wont make it over to OG Switch, but I feel they will wait until Switch 2 so they can really market the games at 4K. With Zelda TotK releasing in a few months, its hard to see a reason to release those old game shortly after their marquee game of 2023 releases.
D
Deleted member 887
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It's almost definitely the modern descendent of RUDE, the engine in Prime but also in the two Donkey Kong games
Truno
Koopa
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maybe this bit was a bullshot but how do people not think this looks incredible
This thread when we saw the first couple of Pikmin 4 screenshots: "This game looks so good, has to be a Drake game".
This thread when we saw gameplay of Pikmin 4, after multiple reports denied the possibility of Drake coming soon: "Game looks rough as hell"
I believe there was like one user who insisted those shots couldn't be done on Switch.
D
Deleted member 887
Guest
Reflecting on the direct the next morning, I'm realizing how much it looked like my half-joking prediction for the end of the Switch's life, back when we were fairly certain a Pro was coming. My thought at the time was that the original Switch could essentially become the 3DS in the tail end of it's life, serving up the sorts of games that tended to live only on the handheld space, while Nintendo pushed the "Big" games onto the successor.
Layton was the reason to own a DS for me, and having Level 5 back - a new Layton, a new Fantasy Life - really hits that feeling. But also a Kirby remake, Ghost Trick remake, plus the drop of GBC/GBA on NSO really makes it feel like they're targeting the fans who grew up with the handhelds.
Layton was the reason to own a DS for me, and having Level 5 back - a new Layton, a new Fantasy Life - really hits that feeling. But also a Kirby remake, Ghost Trick remake, plus the drop of GBC/GBA on NSO really makes it feel like they're targeting the fans who grew up with the handhelds.
Chrono
Rattata
I embrace the GC/DS energy so hard right now. Super happy with what's been shown. Can't wait for new Layton. I kinda feel like I manifested it somewhat buying a used Katrielle for Switch for the collection in January cause it was cheap. However, it definitely feels like we're at the final stretch. Still #team2023, baby (if not release then at least the announcement).
improving animation for many actors would be pretty cpu intensive. maybe it can be improved, but I don't expect it to be without tradeoffs like time slicing
roccerfeller
Rattata
Nintendo didn’t announce anything around the Mario movie which I thought a bit surprising
I wonder what effect the movie will have on switch sales, if any
I wonder what effect the movie will have on switch sales, if any
Goodtwin
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Its always relative to the hardware. Prime, Pikmin 4 and Zelda TotK all look like nice Switch games. You could argue that no Switch game was ever going to impress visually because PS4/X1 were already established by the time Switch came out. Switch 2 will not rectify this, by the time it comes out, developers will have been squeezing the PS5/X hard, and nothing on Switch 2 will be competing with those graphically. The next Mario Kart will look better than ever, same for all Nintendo's IP's, but in no way can ever expect Nintendo's hybrid console to blow us away when far more powerful consoles have been on the market for years.
Nintendo's complete absence of anything for second half 2023 is suspicious. I expected at least one big reveal for late 2023 to be announced. If new hardware is coming late this year, Nintendo will be quiet about it until after Zelda TotK releases. What they have announced so far can certainly carry them through until the September Direct. If Switch 2 is coming this year, drop the teaser trailer early September and then highlight it in the September Direct. There is no need for a live presentation like they had with Switch, its a very well understood platform now. Bottom line is if new hardware is coming this year, we should be getting hardware leaks out of the factories by the end of summer. If there isnt some serious smoke by then, we will be waiting till 2024 for new hardware.
Ampharosophy
Rattata
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I'm really surprised they didn't announce a Zelda OLED here. Do they normally announce special editions closer to release?
Hosermess
Koopa
Yeah and based on recent history they usually tweet it out. They weren't going to announce both a Collector's Edition of the game and a special edition console at the same time.
Uh. It's $50 if you use a voucher instead.$70 for TOTK is cheeky but not totally unjustifiable. that's only the digital retail you can still pre-order a physical copy for under £50 here.
just over two hours before the Jensen Direct!
We don't know for sure they aren't connected yet.
But also, they've got options. The lack of announced games for H2 right now likely does not reflect an actual lack of games.
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I mean, what are the odds that Drake would have a global July launch? Has any game console hardware launched then to find success?
I know March was a one off after Wii U, and while it would make sense to launch the console as far away from holidays as possible I'm not entirely sold on the prospect (although, Pikmin 4 being the technical showcase game for Drake after all does lend some appeal).
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Trust me, I'm not holding out hope any past April
I've already given in to 2025 if it's not this year for hardware lol
Goodtwin
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I like the March launch. New consoles really dont need the holiday to sell out. If the launch doesnt go quite as well as expected when releasing in March, they will always have the holiday later in the year to recover and get back on track. A successful product can pretty much release whenever, but seeing as how consoles are always supply limited, selling to your hardcore fans first earlier in the year and then to the more general consumer during the holidays helps buffer the supply to demand situation.
What could get problematic is if no Switch 2 releases this year, but then the September Direct shows up and both Prime 4 and a new 3D Mario are releasing in second half 2023. These are great for maintaining demand for Switch, but we could quickly be running out of big hitters for a Switch 2 launch, meaning its farther away than we are hoping. Hard to believe they would release new hardware with no new 3D Mario or Zelda. Zelda is off the table and will be many years before we see a sequel. Realistically, if a new 3D Mario releases later this year with no Switch 2 in sight, Switch 2 is holiday 2024 at the earliest, meaning Drake was likely canceled?
What could get problematic is if no Switch 2 releases this year, but then the September Direct shows up and both Prime 4 and a new 3D Mario are releasing in second half 2023. These are great for maintaining demand for Switch, but we could quickly be running out of big hitters for a Switch 2 launch, meaning its farther away than we are hoping. Hard to believe they would release new hardware with no new 3D Mario or Zelda. Zelda is off the table and will be many years before we see a sequel. Realistically, if a new 3D Mario releases later this year with no Switch 2 in sight, Switch 2 is holiday 2024 at the earliest, meaning Drake was likely canceled?
Arynio
Tektite
Exactly. Maybe not to the same degree, but we've been here before many other years.
KeijiKG
Moblin
I choose to be a dumbass and will delude myself that the 70USD price tag on Zelda is because there's Dual Mode stuff running in the code.
The only thing that'll deconfirm this delusion is when someone datamines the game and I'll put a stop to the act.
I will not accept any other reason for this until the datamine says otherwise.
The only thing that'll deconfirm this delusion is when someone datamines the game and I'll put a stop to the act.
I will not accept any other reason for this until the datamine says otherwise.
Apopheniac
Monolith Soft action game truther
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- sometime in early 2022, inscrutable machinations delay Switch 2 from 2023 to 2024
- TotK was at one point planned as crossgen, but Nintendo decides it's better to just put it out on Switch and do TotK: Cry Harder Edition later as a Switch 2 exclusive
- Switch release content is closing in on done and crossgen stuff can be finished later, so Nintendo can move TotK's projected release from holiday 23 up to spring 23
- this might have the benefit of opening the holiday for something else and putting more space between TotK's Switch and Switch 2 releases, and having a quieter holiday 23 makes it easier to focus on hyping Switch 2 and its software
- WW/TP ports were planned holiday 22/spring 23, but TotK landing sooner pushes them out into limbo due to proximity and overlap
wrote this as a crackpot explanation of where the rumored Zelda ports are but now I'm wondering if it explains the price hike for TotK somehow
From what I gather, the price thing seems to be Nintendo bringing their US prices in line with other regions, where a higher price tier for certain games has already existed for a while. This is probably related to the vouchers coming back.
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I posted this on Install Base, but I will do it on Fami as well.
So I think this is the place to officially plant my flag regarding the future of Nintendo hardware. The quick and dirty is that Nintendo will have new hardware out by March 2024 and anything later likely means we will have a heavy software drought.
The main reason why I expect this is based on Nintendo's lack of games after July. Now, I know what people will scream at me. "Nintendo always keeps things close to the vest. They don't announce stuff too early." While that is very true, this feels different.
So I think this is the place to officially plant my flag regarding the future of Nintendo hardware. The quick and dirty is that Nintendo will have new hardware out by March 2024 and anything later likely means we will have a heavy software drought.
The main reason why I expect this is based on Nintendo's lack of games after July. Now, I know what people will scream at me. "Nintendo always keeps things close to the vest. They don't announce stuff too early." While that is very true, this feels different.
- After Pikmin 4, there are no more "2023 games". Every year in the Switch era, after the Spring direct there are games that at least have a "coming this year" release window. The slate is suddenly very dry.
- Nintendo's "new" first party announcements yesterday was the GB/GBA games and the
- After Zelda: TotK is released, there will only be Prime 4 left from the group of games that was announced a long time ago. Everything from Bayonetta to Advance Wars will have been released. There isn't any other game left that is "well, this game could release this year..."
- There are a lot of Nintendo groups and partner groups that have been quiet for quite a while. EPD 8 & 9, NST, Grezzo and Good Feel are just some examples. If we go even deeper, one could argue that a company like Next Level Games or Camelot might had another project on the side along with their recent Sports offerings. There are several teams that should be due to release something in the next 12~18 months, and normally some of those projects would have been announced by now.
Mekanos
Tattletale
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I'm 50/50 on Q1 or Q4 for 2024. I feel like Prime 4 as a crossgen title is what makes the most sense and it could be ready to go by Q1, but I also feel like Nintendo would want to launch a new console during the holidays. The Switch has obviously proven it doesn't need to in order to be a big success, but that was still not their original goal. Meanwhile I'm sticking to my prediction of a new 2D Mario being their headliner holiday title for this year. And I'm 99% positive Nintendo has a new 3D Mario in the pipeline to be a launch-adjacent title for Switch 2. I'd see it similar to how the GameCube's launch was handled, where the big holiday title was Melee but it didn't launch with it, per se.
I think there's basically two scenarios:
Q1 2024: launches with Prime 4 crossgen in March, 3D Mario around May-June
Q4 2024: launches with Prime 4 crossgen in November, 3D Mario that December
That said I think also Nintendo has learned the value of launching the Switch out the box with a flagship game like BOTW, so I'm not sure they think Prime 4 will fulfill that since it would sell much less than Zelda or Mario. But broadly, this is my prediction at the moment. If it's Q4 2024, I'm also not sure what Nintendo fills the first half of the year with. Can they coast on more ports and remasters?Maybe we'll get a new DK please god
As for holiday 2023, I'm not ruling it out, but I feel like there would be a lot more noise and rumors about a new hardware launch if we were getting it this year. I will say I am very glad we can definitively rule out H1 2023 as I never felt that was on the table, and going forward I can speculate a lot more openly.
I think there's basically two scenarios:
Q1 2024: launches with Prime 4 crossgen in March, 3D Mario around May-June
Q4 2024: launches with Prime 4 crossgen in November, 3D Mario that December
That said I think also Nintendo has learned the value of launching the Switch out the box with a flagship game like BOTW, so I'm not sure they think Prime 4 will fulfill that since it would sell much less than Zelda or Mario. But broadly, this is my prediction at the moment. If it's Q4 2024, I'm also not sure what Nintendo fills the first half of the year with. Can they coast on more ports and remasters?
As for holiday 2023, I'm not ruling it out, but I feel like there would be a lot more noise and rumors about a new hardware launch if we were getting it this year. I will say I am very glad we can definitively rule out H1 2023 as I never felt that was on the table, and going forward I can speculate a lot more openly.
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Source of the kickstand mockup is fwd-bwd's post here, and as @fwd-bwd would say, this is for entertainment purposes only.
I just want to reiterate how much I love this post. Brilliant
Just a little wood into the fire ...
Metroid Prime Remastered releases physically 2 weeks after its reveal, and yet it wasn't leaked by anyone from retail. They probably didn't know yet since it doesn't have a big marketing.
For new hardware, I can't think of any hard reason for why Nintendo would need more than 2 weeks between reveal and release.
There are a few, avoid factory leaks, allow proper pre-orders and marketing (and eat into their current sales), etc.
But it could technically be as little as 2 weeks.
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I don’t really have evidence to say otherwise, but that seem a bit hard to swallow. I agree they probably do want to condense the timeline as much as possible tho
I thought some were saying production needs to kick in months ahead, and it’s super unlikely to be kept under wraps at that point. On another front, consoles are relatively massive compared to games. One box can’t be far off from the volume of 50-100 units of a game - that’s a ton of shipment space. How many units do retailers need and how much time does it take for all of that to ship out globally to target a (near) simultaneous launch?
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