It’s been a while after posting a blog in here. My last one was involving my thoughts on whether I should get Nintendo Switch or not, and as time goes and finally I get my hands on it, I begin to enjoy it and it become my main gaming console ever since, even more than my New 3DS XL, PSP and Wii. But still, I was concerning on something in recent days. I did try to cover about that once, but now that there are some more details, let’s get to it!
Well, Switch Online service has kicked off by now, and the initial trailer video mostly sparks not-so-positive response, to the point that the video on official Nintendo YouTube channel gained more of dislike ratios than likes at the time I’m checking this, and I guess it’s one of the most divisive that I’ve seen after Metroid Prime: Federation Force.
Hoo boy, this trailer do blend well with the Switch Parental Controls video of before.
Personally, I do have some anticipations and concerns at the same time. At first, some may have been talking about some internet connectivity issues, and even I was concerned about playing online at times if I got some occasional connection error message (I know how it feels when on the Splatfest that covers Inklings VS Octolings), to the point I’m not sure if it’s on the server’s end or if it’s my internet’s. If it’s the former, I hope that the online experience can be improved after the online subscription is established. Especially after I read somewhere that Xbox thing was having same issues before Xbox Live Gold kicks in.
And speaking of Splatfest, I was concerned about Splatoon 2 the most because most modes outside of Octo Canyon and Octo Expansion (and possibly the thing in local wireless) would require you to use Switch Online subscriptions, even including Splatfest’s rewards as I personally found out. Maybe it’s because Splatoon 2 is the most online-centric game I ever see. This makes me thankful that I managed to somehow being able to buy a year subscription after finding that out, but still, I do wish other games wouldn’t lock something out if they didn’t play online and all, though.
Maybe Ninty could do something so that Splatoon 2 can still be accessible for those who didn’t play online, like for example, exchanging the power eggs they have obtained in Octo Canyon for some level ups or even in-game cash to buy weapons and some fresh outfits. That way they could progress in the game just like in any other games that I know.
Mmkay, let’s move on to the NES app on the Switch. I do hear that Switch Online is supposed to be the successor to Virtual Console, and hence they begin to showcase playing NES games on the Switch, and you can play it online, too. As for me, being able to play Super Mario Bros. or even some sports like Soccer in my Switch would be neat, but I think they should give more than just NES games, considering that some might prefer Modern over Retro (probs that’s why the recent Splatfest theme at the time I’m writing this is centered around that?
) so I think they should give the balance of old and new.
If they wanted to make Switch Online as the successor of Virtual Console, they should provide something more than just NES, like playing games ranging from good old SNES, Nintendo 64 to Wii which is quite modern in this time, so that players can have more fun just like what the Switch Online slogan says. There’s also PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold offers to compare with, but these will be covered later on.
Now on to the Save Data Cloud. Even though I understand that some games wouldn’t support cloud saving given that it has happened before on 3DS, Switch’s saving worked much different than 3DS if it applies to physical carts. By that, Switch saves the data straight to the system instead of on the cartridge like how it’s done on 3DS. So I think there should be a way to at least having anyone to backup save data like from let’s say, Pokémon games, in case when they wanted to restore their save data in case their Switch console breaks.
I think Nintendo should let them backup certain save data like Pokémon, but give some kind of limitation (some YouTuber suggests having 24-48 hours of cooldown after restoring save data) so they can still restore their save files in case of emergency. And previously I was having some concerns on what will happen on the cloud saves if someone forgot to renew the Switch Online subscriptions, but Ninty have clarified that there will be 6-month period to keep the cloud saves when the Online subscriptions expires, so there’s one of my worries solved.
As for Smartphone App, I heard they started to give more voice chat thing available, eh? Even though I mostly never used a voice chat, I hope they can add more support for certain games, while making sure there’s an option to have some parental controls regarding voice chat just in case.
Speaking of Special Offers, so far we got the NES controllers and Splatoon 2’s special gears. But then, I might want more than these if Switch Online is enforced. If I recall correctly, PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold provided some of the modern games. PlayStation Plus covers a mix of PS3, PS4 and Vita games, while Xbox Live Gold covers Xbox One and Xbox 360 games. So I think Nintendo should give some kind of special freebies as the reward for being part of the Switch Online folks, but not just on NES games, but also on some 3DS, Wii U and Switch games, or even some exclusive demo if they wanted to, so that the Switch Online service will be more worthwhile.
And finally, on to the subscriptions’ price range. So far it seems that Nintendo one is the cheapest of the bunch (I haven't checked the prices for Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus though), and I think the family plan is a HUGE deal in case you have 7 other pals/families you wanted to link with, which is definitely a good thing. Even though as for family deal, there's a catch because it needs credit card or PayPal account. And apparently credit card/PayPal is also required to even try trial mode too, which can be an issue if someone don't have both of them yet (myself included). So I think, that would be nice if there's an option to use eShop cash to buy the family plan if possible.
So there you have it. My thoughts, concerns and some stuffs that I wish they could improve after Switch Online is established. Even though I may have some worries and expectations about it, I hope Switch Online service would give better online experience.
And I hope all of you will have some fun, whether if you’re playing in online or offline.
Well, Switch Online service has kicked off by now, and the initial trailer video mostly sparks not-so-positive response, to the point that the video on official Nintendo YouTube channel gained more of dislike ratios than likes at the time I’m checking this, and I guess it’s one of the most divisive that I’ve seen after Metroid Prime: Federation Force.
Personally, I do have some anticipations and concerns at the same time. At first, some may have been talking about some internet connectivity issues, and even I was concerned about playing online at times if I got some occasional connection error message (I know how it feels when on the Splatfest that covers Inklings VS Octolings), to the point I’m not sure if it’s on the server’s end or if it’s my internet’s. If it’s the former, I hope that the online experience can be improved after the online subscription is established. Especially after I read somewhere that Xbox thing was having same issues before Xbox Live Gold kicks in.
And speaking of Splatfest, I was concerned about Splatoon 2 the most because most modes outside of Octo Canyon and Octo Expansion (and possibly the thing in local wireless) would require you to use Switch Online subscriptions, even including Splatfest’s rewards as I personally found out. Maybe it’s because Splatoon 2 is the most online-centric game I ever see. This makes me thankful that I managed to somehow being able to buy a year subscription after finding that out, but still, I do wish other games wouldn’t lock something out if they didn’t play online and all, though.
Maybe Ninty could do something so that Splatoon 2 can still be accessible for those who didn’t play online, like for example, exchanging the power eggs they have obtained in Octo Canyon for some level ups or even in-game cash to buy weapons and some fresh outfits. That way they could progress in the game just like in any other games that I know.
Mmkay, let’s move on to the NES app on the Switch. I do hear that Switch Online is supposed to be the successor to Virtual Console, and hence they begin to showcase playing NES games on the Switch, and you can play it online, too. As for me, being able to play Super Mario Bros. or even some sports like Soccer in my Switch would be neat, but I think they should give more than just NES games, considering that some might prefer Modern over Retro (probs that’s why the recent Splatfest theme at the time I’m writing this is centered around that?
) so I think they should give the balance of old and new.If they wanted to make Switch Online as the successor of Virtual Console, they should provide something more than just NES, like playing games ranging from good old SNES, Nintendo 64 to Wii which is quite modern in this time, so that players can have more fun just like what the Switch Online slogan says. There’s also PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold offers to compare with, but these will be covered later on.
Now on to the Save Data Cloud. Even though I understand that some games wouldn’t support cloud saving given that it has happened before on 3DS, Switch’s saving worked much different than 3DS if it applies to physical carts. By that, Switch saves the data straight to the system instead of on the cartridge like how it’s done on 3DS. So I think there should be a way to at least having anyone to backup save data like from let’s say, Pokémon games, in case when they wanted to restore their save data in case their Switch console breaks.
I think Nintendo should let them backup certain save data like Pokémon, but give some kind of limitation (some YouTuber suggests having 24-48 hours of cooldown after restoring save data) so they can still restore their save files in case of emergency. And previously I was having some concerns on what will happen on the cloud saves if someone forgot to renew the Switch Online subscriptions, but Ninty have clarified that there will be 6-month period to keep the cloud saves when the Online subscriptions expires, so there’s one of my worries solved.
As for Smartphone App, I heard they started to give more voice chat thing available, eh? Even though I mostly never used a voice chat, I hope they can add more support for certain games, while making sure there’s an option to have some parental controls regarding voice chat just in case.
Speaking of Special Offers, so far we got the NES controllers and Splatoon 2’s special gears. But then, I might want more than these if Switch Online is enforced. If I recall correctly, PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold provided some of the modern games. PlayStation Plus covers a mix of PS3, PS4 and Vita games, while Xbox Live Gold covers Xbox One and Xbox 360 games. So I think Nintendo should give some kind of special freebies as the reward for being part of the Switch Online folks, but not just on NES games, but also on some 3DS, Wii U and Switch games, or even some exclusive demo if they wanted to, so that the Switch Online service will be more worthwhile.
And finally, on to the subscriptions’ price range. So far it seems that Nintendo one is the cheapest of the bunch (I haven't checked the prices for Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus though), and I think the family plan is a HUGE deal in case you have 7 other pals/families you wanted to link with, which is definitely a good thing. Even though as for family deal, there's a catch because it needs credit card or PayPal account. And apparently credit card/PayPal is also required to even try trial mode too, which can be an issue if someone don't have both of them yet (myself included). So I think, that would be nice if there's an option to use eShop cash to buy the family plan if possible.
So there you have it. My thoughts, concerns and some stuffs that I wish they could improve after Switch Online is established. Even though I may have some worries and expectations about it, I hope Switch Online service would give better online experience.
And I hope all of you will have some fun, whether if you’re playing in online or offline.
