ResetERA revealed that SciresM, a well-known game hacker and data miner, discovered information about a new Switch code-named [Aula], and this Switch is likely to be the previously disclosed Switch Pro. The new hardware version will obviously use Mariko SoC, and still support handheld/host mode.
And this new Switch will support HDMI output 4K video signal, but the display of the host does not support 4K playback. However, it is understandable that the handheld cannot take into account multiple situations at the same time.
Although only a little information was excavated this time, it made the players excited. Nintendo, which has been absent from the host war, does need some better and updated products to impact the player market this year, and what players are looking forward to is this fully upgraded Switch handheld. This generation of Switch handhelds has lags far behind the other two in terms of performance. It can still be supported by unique exclusive games and creative gameplay with Nintendo characteristics. If the situation is true, what kind of changes this new Switch needs to be Stand out in the host wars of the next era?
Urgent need to upgrade handheld functions
Switch is often complained by players about its scum function and scum picture quality, but players also know that this is the limit for handhelds, and the size is a gap that handhelds can never cross. Nintendo does not have any hardware advantages over Sony and Microsoft, so the development of the console is also based on creativity. The cross-epoch detachable handle design gives it entertainment that the other two consoles can’t compare, and therefore overcomes the disadvantages of hardware devices.
Initially, players also ridiculed Switch as the launcher of “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”, because the backward function does make players lose the motivation and desire to buy, and the most important game presentation will be greatly reduced. Even with the flagship “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” at the time, players reaching the foggy forest scene always trigger severe frame drops, and the number of frames will basically drop to 20 frames or less. This is just a cartoon rendering of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, let alone some more demanding games.
Nintendo’s philosophy has shaped the functions and design of the current Switch. It’s better to improve the host’s various functions than without starting up. They seem to be more willing to put the gameplay first, which makes the Switch portable while also designing two features. Remove the handle. In their opinion, the gameplay blindly presented through the performance screen will largely cover up the problems of the game itself, resulting in a game with chaotic game logic hidden under the exquisite screen, EA’s violent death of “Anthem” Is the best example.
But it is not the reason why the Switch function is still stuck in the past, and even many people are wondering why the handheld performance of a game is even better than some smart phones that are not on the market? Nintendo has always been adhering to the use of simple and pure graphics, the richest gameplay to enhance the player’s play experience, but this time it is indeed out of touch with the times. Even the games produced by our own IP can’t run smoothly. In addition to the consistent frame drop problem in the recently released “Zelda Warriors: Apocalypse”, the degree of tearing and blurring of the screen has already caused discomfort to players. Feel it.
Nintendo, where the gameplay has reached its peak, should also consider the performance upgrade of the handheld. The Switch helped them win a turnaround that year, but it does not mean that the Switch’s performance can last for long. The start of the host war is also a warning to them of hardware upgrades.
The next-generation improvement of the handle experience
PS5, which has the upper hand in the console war, has not many games to play, but it has conquered many players with its powerful console performance and cross-age handle design. In particular, the DualSense controller for PS5 can be said to be the best game controller currently available.
If the powerful motor of the Xbox controller can give players an explosive gaming experience, then the motor of the Switch controller is the most subtle vibration, and the DualSense controller of the PS5 combines these two to a large extent, making the vibration experience the ultimate .
PS5’s first game “Cosmic Robot Wireless Controller Guide” introduces the various functions of this controller in detail. In the game, players can experience the graininess of sand blowing, the roaring vibration of spraying flames, and the gradual tension of dragging ropes. Sense, vibration is extremely subtle. The trigger button is even more amazing. This time the handle is also equipped with an independent motor to make the trigger feedback more realistic. Not only can it increase the resistance of the pull to simulate the shooting scene, but also increase the trigger vibration to truly reproduce the sense of presence. All aspects of progress make the DualSense controller the best game controller today.
The progress of the DualSense handle also allows us to see some of the Joy con handles of the Switch can be improved, such as the weak trigger button feedback. Still because of the size of the handheld, there are not many configurations that the Joy con handle can carry, but the sparrow is small and complete. However, the feedback of the trigger button is too thin and cheap. Pressing it down feels that it is not much different from a normal button, and it does not reflect the special meaning of this button. If the damping of the pressing feeling and the depth of the pressing keys can be strengthened, the game experience will be taken to a higher level, especially for games with bow and arrow shooting elements like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”.
Of course, the drift problem of Joy con handle rocker also needs to be solved urgently, and the touch of the rocker also lacks polishing. You can increase the rocking resistance appropriately to enhance its real feeling. But the problem with all of this lies in the size of the Joy con handle design. Even if there are more possibilities, it needs enough space to configure it. At the very least, it must break through the current idea of the handle design and the handheld configuration.
The trade-off between 4k screen and handheld
The graphics are not the main selling point of Nintendo. The games on the Switch basically have their own characteristics. The limitations of functions make it impossible to achieve a lot of fine game graphics, but it can more simply and purely complete the purest experience of the game. Whether it is “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” or “Super Mario: Odyssey”, to a certain extent, it has proved that the image quality does not represent everything about the game, and sometimes the simple style of painting can also bring a different experience. .
But I believe that many players have had a lot of bad experiences when using the screen projection function on Switch. The game screen problems are infinitely magnified, and frame dropping and freezing are commonplace. Currently, the Switch does not support 4K output function, which makes the rendering of many games appear to be greatly reduced. The beautiful scenes that should be beautiful will eventually cause serious jagged game screens due to functional limitations.
Therefore, the need for 4K graphics is necessary for the Switch. This is the last link to complement Nintendo’s games. Even if the gameplay is put in the most important position, the rendering effect of the game cannot be ignored. In this era of rapid technological progress, Nintendo should let go of its hands and feet to boldly try new technologies, and gameplay needs to be well presented to develop.
The size of the handheld has always been the proudest and most troublesome issue for Switch. Nintendo does not want to release home consoles to participate in the Sony and Microsoft console wars, but the mistakes of the previous generation consoles have left them too far behind the two companies. If they want to break through the two consoles, they can only choose the most experienced console. Conduct research and development. Facts have proved that Nintendo’s decision is correct. The portable handheld gives players a new impact. The shape and size of the handheld gives it a different gameplay from the PS series and Xbox series, making it the most competitive element to carry around. .
However, the small size also increases the difficulty of development. The current technology has not yet achieved the ability to compress various parts into the size of the Switch. If you want to improve the handheld performance, the price may be to weaken the portability. Selling point.
Nintendo is not without trying on the size of the handheld. The more portable version of Switch lite is an example. The Joy con handle design has been cancelled and replaced by a lighter body and a smaller shape. Although the functions are weakened, the thinner and lighter design still attracts a group of light players. After all, not all players need the features of Joy con. Therefore, the volume design of the new Switch may be the most important consideration. What kind of balance should be made between game performance and handheld portability is very important for Nintendo.
summary
Nintendo’s new Switch plan is still worth looking forward to for players, because its excellent gameplay and creative gameplay can overcome functional limitations, presenting amazing full-point games to players. But the performance problem will always be a flaw. If you can make some progress in this area, this will make a qualitative leap for Nintendo games. So we still have expectations for Nintendo, because it can walk its own way through many difficulties. In this new year, we also hope that all players can break the game like Nintendo. In 2021, I believe there will be more beautiful things to look forward to.
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