Is The Hybrid Switch Design The Next Evolution In Gaming?

Nintendo's leap into their next generation of gaming consoles introduced an innovative hybrid design like the industry has never seen before. While under-performing compared to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the Switch offers a true feeling of playing console designed games on the go. With the continued success of Nintendo's revolutionizing design, should Sony and Microsoft consider making a move towards the hybrid market?

[anonymousfan]

I can already do remote play with my ipad and ps4... That's good enough for me

[Jin_Sakai]

Big difference. Switch is a native experience and has actual controllers and buttons. On top of that you have Nintendo exclusives.

[anonymousfan]

lol I use my DS4 which is better in every way than the controllers on my Switch and yeah... It's not like Sony's exclusives have anything to be ashamed of. Meanwhile I really love my Switch and yeah if I am gaming outside of my home it'll be my default option but otherwise the only point I was trying to make is that the PS4 or PS5 doesn't have to copy the Switch's hybrid design.

[Neonridr]

@anonymousfan - and what happens when you want to use your ipad where there isn't wifi?

I find it funny when people act like remote play offers the same experience when in actuality it pales in every regard. Give me a native experience over streaming any day of the week. I own a Vita and use Remote Play while lying in bed, but it is nothing compared to my Switch. It's buggy, network hiccups destroy the experience, too much depends on the internet there.

Reminds me of people who think that laptop gaming on a bus is the same thing as using a Switch, lol.

I can appreciate that it offers a similar experience, but the Switch works so much better in that regard. Pick up and go.

[Kumakai]

its a native experience thats worse than a streaming experience on xbox or ps4.

remote play gives you better graphics, more major AAA games and you can use a regular ps4 controller. and ms has xCloud which is just the full xbox library basically and also works with an xbox controller. No need for pared down graphics, sub par experiences etc. i literally gave my switch to my nephew, thats how crap i think it is.

[anonymousfan]

@Neonridr

I prefer my Switch for portable gaming. I do. Very much so. When I say it's good enough it is simply because I find the article stupid implying Xbox and PS should copy the hybrid design. That's my opinion but hey... To each their own. Meanwhile I agree remote play on Vita was shit. I bought one specifically for that and hated it. Now I use iphone/ipad with a much better home wifi and yeah it's like night and day. The only issue left is bluetooth range when DS4 is too far from the console...

[killswitch80]

as our internet infrastructure improves eventually you won't notice the difference with something streaming and native play and it could be boosted by a monster computer.

[Nintentional]

DS4 lasts 4 hours (maybe that’s what the 4 stands for). Switch Pro controller lasts 40 hours on a charge, so your DS4 is not better in every way. Also the sticks on the Switch pro controller are off centered, which is way more comfortable than the symmetrical sticks on the DS4. And have you tried HD rumble? Another thing the DS4 can’t touch, but I guess you guys have a light bar, so that’s cool right? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[fiveby9]

Sounds like a bad DS4. I get way more than 4 hours on both DS4 controllers I own. I

[jagermaster619]

@fiveby9
Uh no you don't lol nice try though. Everyone I know who has a ps4 always complain about the battery life on the controller, it's ok to be honest about some things you don't always have to have your face balls deep in Sonys lap.

[anonymousfan]

I was comparing the Switch in portable mode i.e. with joycons attached to using a DS4.... Lugging around a Switch plus pro controller is not as portable as snapping your phone onto your DS4.

[kneon]

For those of us without deformed hands, symmetrical is better, my hands are symmetrical, the controller should be as well.

[EddieNX]

Pro controller destroys ds4. End of discussion.

[Question_Mark]

In my opinion, the Pro Crontroller is the most comfortable controller I’ve ever used. If I could use one with my PS4, I’d probably never touch a DS4 again

[SierraGuy]

@eddienx, @question mark...lmao.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Dude I get way more than four hours you just have a faulty controller or haven’t really used one. The d-pad is trash on the switch controller compared to the DS 4 and more power to you if you like off centered sticks but I’ve never gotten that it’s just weird. I would rather have my sticks symmetrical just like a lot of things in my life

[SuperSonic91]

LoL maybe you got a bad DS4 unit.

[jagermaster619]

Ok playstation guy lol

[Dark_Knightmare2]

And your a Nintendo guy so what’s funny lol

[ECHOINFINITY]

Remote play is a great experience when it works properly, however the performance of a native device like the switch will always be better. I also prefer remote play with the dualshock for comfort but the performance and bigger screen on my switch are way better. A tablet or iPad is too large to mount to a controller so that doesn't even count lol

[King_Noctis]

I don’t know if you can differentiate between the word “hybrid” and “remote play”.

[SuperSonic91]

PSP beat Nintendo to it many years ag in regarda to this "hybrid innovation" crap.
Even lots of Android devices such as Archos and Morpheus game devices predate the Switch many years ago after the PSP.
Nintendo fans really want to grandstand how "innovative" Nintendo is denying the fact that they rip off many of their designs from other inventions.

[porkChop]

It's not a replacement for traditional consoles. But it's a cool idea that I hope Nintendo continues with.

[pcz]

Switch is the only true next gen console on the market right now.

PS4 and X1 are decades old ideas, only now with all singing all dancing graphics. a PS4 pro is considerably larger than even a NES, a console that even in the late 80s was mocked for being the size of a toaster. its all backwards. except the compatibility, in PS4s case...

but, all consoles are going to be a thing of the past soon when the next gen of gamer subscribe to Stadia in the billions. Only nostalgic, retro gamers will own consoles that have to be anchored to the television, only to be made obsolete with endless hardware revisions.

But yes, switch is the cutting edge for now.

[TheHateTheyGive]

PS4 and X1 are decades old ideas lol, while calling switch cutting edge with its decade-old hardware and their reliance on decade-old franchises.

[SierraGuy]

"switch is the cutting edge for now"

"Switch is the only true next gen console on the market right now"

Lmao...did I read that right?...vomit.

[Harryvok]

I can’t agree with this. Switch is basically a handheld (like the original gameboy that came out in 1989) that can output to a TV.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Leave fantasy land champ and join us back in reality

[agent4532]

Agreed. The consoles of today are inferior hardware wise to a PC. In the past as new consoles came out; the console was on par to that year high end PC. Then 2-3 years later the console was behind a PC. In many ways consoles going with AMD PC parts is a mistake.

[froy402]

Yeah, you lost me when you said (switch is the only true next gen console on the market right now) lol

[iplay1up2]

I love my Switch. I just wanted to point out, how small the X1X is, I have that too. The 1X, is Smaller than a Pro, it has no power bar, just a cord, and its Whisper quiet, all while being more powerful than the pro.

[PhoenixUp]

God no. The concept still has various limiting factors not present on stationary consoles for the hybrids to overtake traditional consoles

[Shiken]

It is the next next evolution for Nintendo. They have always dominated dedicated portable gaming, hands down. Even when the PSP was a success at 80 mil, the DS destroyed it by comparison. Nintendo has always had a presence in console gaming as well but has lost ground due to their philosophy on how much power they need.

Now they have molded the two into one, and solidified their next step in the industry for a strong existence alongside the competition. This is not the next step for Playstation or X1 though. They have their own path that allows to do things that the Switch cannot, just like the Switch can do things the PS4 ot X1 cannot.

My bighest problem with owning both a PS4 and X1 is that they are too similar and most games come to both platforms. Aside from occasional exclusives, what else does one offer over the other? The Switch does offer something more, and that is why it is selling so well.

I would rather have MS, Sony, and Nintendo all offering something different than just have them copy one another.

Just my 2 cents.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

The PS4 offers tons of exclusive games I can’t play on my xone that’s what it offers and the xone offers great BC and great value in game pass.

[agent4532]

No, get off the past. Smartphone technology is already on par to that of a console. The visuals for some not all mobile games is on par with a console. The next hybrid system could easily offer an 8 core or 12 core CPU with 8-16gb of ram, etc. Nintendo did underpower the switch but the next hybrid could be on par or better than a console. The convenience of playing a game anywhere without having to turn off a system is too good to pass up. Only those stuck in the past will like a traditional console but will be disappointed when the next consoles are hybrid systems and even more disappointed if they see a tv app of Xbox Live instead of a console

[TheHateTheyGive]

Nope, i dont like portable gaming. plugging switch to an hd tv makes all the games look like early ps 3 games, low textures and nasty jaggies. Nintendo needs to make a traditional home console

[TheEnigma313]

Nintendo would not survive with a dedicated home console; they are literally out of that market. The switch opened up a new market for them and it's working.

[SierraGuy]

Well they are trying with this half assed portable... because that's what it is.

[King_Noctis]

@serria

Half assed? Is there currently a better handheld device on the market?

[SuperSonic91]

New market?
It is still the handheld market Nintendo is on since the Gameboy.

Unfortunately that market has shrunk from the DS PSP era in favor of Mobile and Tablets.

[SuperSonic91]

Exactly.
Switch seals the end of dedicated Nintendo home console as the Wii U was the last one.

Now its just handheld for them and soon their journey to mobile will soon be complete.

[EddieNX]

Early PS3 games lol... Not even close, the games look somewhere between a PS3 and PS4. Skyrim PS3 is sub 720p whilst Switch version is 1080p with some.of the assets of the current gen remaster.

Hybrid design is the future of handheld gaming, perhaps not all gaming in general. Switch is absolutely brilliant.

[septemberindecember]

I was understanding of your opinion until you said they looked like early PS3 games.

Games like DarkSiders are 1080p docked and 720p undocked when, on PS3, it wasn’t even 720p (it was 648p) at 30fps.

It’s not as powerful as PS4/X1, but the Switch is able to play any PS3 game at around 2.5 times the resolution when docked.

[agent4532]

That's your opinion.

[Razzer]

Not at all. Too many sacrifices for portability. And it lacks versatility. The Switch could double as a tablet, but there is no web browser. How can such a simple thing that expands the capability of the device so much just be left out entirely? A browser on Switch makes more sense than it does on PS4 or Xbox One and yet those consoles have it and Switch does not. That is ridiculous.

[TheEnigma313]

They should have media apps also.

[Razzer]

Yeah....amazing Netflix and Hulu are still not there. Youtube is all you get. Hell.....give me Chrome and I automatically have access to Netflix. For all Nintendo's effort into being clever in design.......they are so short-sighted.

[Benjaminkno]

You do realize that web browsers and media apps are “gimmicks”

[Razzer]

@Benjaminkno

I hope that is sarcasm.

[TheHateTheyGive]

Switch owners dont like hearing the truth, Switch is the ONLY way to game portable to them. I can game just fine on my android phone if im really that board outside, i can pull my small tablet out and browse the net. i can play games on it with a ps4 controller. If sony did make a portable that can connect on to a tv i would jump to xbox , if they are both doing the portable thing then ill just invest that 399.99 on a GPU for my pc.

[King_Noctis]

“I can game just fine on my android phone”

I don’t know if you ever heard of the word “AAA gaming” or “Nintendo Exclusive”.

[Nintentional]

Hulu is on Switch*

[Razzer]

Ok. Thanks. I stand corrected.

[Kumakai]

i hope not. i honestly see game streaming being more successful. the switch makes too many compromises: outdated, legacy gpu power, even worse cpu, slow, old RAM and not a lot of it, controls are crap if you don't have the pro controller which is still crap compared to something like the xbox elite controller... or even the ds4.

If I had to absolutely have a mobile gaming solution, i'd just xcloud to my iPad, or remote play for my playstation games. far less compromises in gaming experiences and availability, and you still have a full power, local hardware when you don't have to stream.

[Einhander1971]

Don’t try and compare remote play to the switch experience. You really have no idea do you!! with the success the switch is having I’m almost certain Sony and Microsoft are thinking similar HYBRID functionality, not remote play.

[Razzer]

I doubt it. I believe Sony conceded the handheld market to smartphones and Nintendo a long time ago. Microsoft never even tried. Mobile is a tough gig.

[SierraGuy]

No they are not...it's just you.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Yeah neither one of them are thinking hybrid especially Sony

[Knightofelemia]

The Switch overall is a good console I like it but its flawed. It has half the horsepower of PS4 and XB1 Nintendo's online really needs to be reworked and the format for the games needs to be reworked. I would love to play a game like RDR2 on the Switch but I can't due to it's lack of horsepower, and the limitations of the cart. I am also not a fan of a game like Mega Man Legacy Collection fitting one half on the cart and the other half is digital.

[Father__Merrin]

Not for me thanks. I've yet to see anyone "game on the go" here in the UK if you were to crack out a switch on the train going to work it's likely you'd be seen as a freak if I'm being honest.

I can imagine most switch gamers definition of "on the go" is playing in different rooms if mom/dad wants to watch TV etc

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Lol right I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone out and about playing a switch and I live in a large place

[Automatic79]

Switch can handle current generation games for example,

Doom
Wolfenstein
Mortal Kombat
Starlink
Hellblade

The Nintendo Switch does have Hulu. I know I use it.

Personally, I love the hybrid nature of the Nintendo's Switch. Reading on the next generation rumors and possibility of two consoles I would love Xbox to design a powerful home console and a hybrid console. A hybrid console for on the go that can play all my digital games would be fantastic.

[TheHateTheyGive]

Doom and Wolfenstein are not demanding games, they both run at 60 fps on base consoles, mk 11 has not been shown, hellblabe looked like it was running at 480 p on the screen it was on, starlink runs horribly on switch.

[King_Noctis]

So basically everything on the Switch is bad?

[Fishy Fingers]

It's an option. Like any medium there's no 'one size fits all'.

What works for one doesn't work for another.

[DaFeelz]

Hey man, if I could walk around with a portable PS4 or X, I would. No problem. Sign me up

[yomfweeee]

How is it the next evolution, if it has already been here for 2 years?

[ibrake4naps]

Future portables will probably have easy hookups to tv, and some will have accessories to play them in VR.

[Nintentional]

You just described the Switch bro 🤦🏻‍♂️😁 😁

Unless you were being sarcastic, which if so, touché 👏🏼

[EddieNX]

If people think game streaming is going to make Nintendo irrelevant , I've bad news for you. It's going to do the exact same.thing to PlayStation and Xbox.

Sonys IP aren't even a third as popular as Nintendo's , so once hardware is replaced by streaming services, Nintendo will presumably be three times more relevant as a game company. .

[TheHateTheyGive]

Yet with them legendary great ip's wii u failed miserably, it failed so bad nintendo left the dedicated home console market, they ran to their highly successful handheld market and created the switch gimmick, You can spin the switch to what ever you want to make yourself feel better, but in the end of the day the majority of the switch owners came from their 3ds fanbase. Switches main selling point is it being portable, the ads nintendo runs tell me this.

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Lol you mean to tell me the established ips hell the brand new ips they’ve released this gen aren’t popular. I’ve seen you on here commenting enough to know you’re a huge Nintendo fanboy but that’s ridiculous even for you. Almost every exclusive this gen for Sony has been a hit with multiple ten plus million sellers not to mention out of the last fifteen years Sony has the most goty winners with 4 and Nintendo comes in a distant second with a whopping 1. So gtho with them not having popular exclusives they have tons plus tons of dormant ones that people always asking to come back. Oh and Nintendo wasn’t even relevant a gen ago now they got some spotlight because of switch but since sony entered the game they’ve been the king of consoles at least sales wise and it’s not even been close

[FreeFallFrenzy]

I'm hoping the next PSVR is a hybrid HMD. Make it work like the Oculus Quest with all of its inside-out tracking and portability but have a jack on the side of it so you can plug it into the PS4/5 to take advantage of the more powerful hardware for the hardcore games. A little different than what they're talking about, but still "hybrid" in nature.

[Melankolis]

This isn't because of hybrid design nor it is an evolution. This is because Nintendo finally utilize the minimum standard of HD graphic. Our eyes are already accustomed to HD. Even when 3DS was released i thought the graphic was not good enough. Not ugly, but just not good enough.

This is Nintendo we always know. Using one-step-behind technology like they always do. But the difference is the people's necessity to play HD quality Nintendo Games on handheld now fulfilled.

No evolution. Just business as usual.

[Harryvok]

No thanks, I like higher end graphics and performance and don’t want that dumbed down when I play on a monitor/tv. Zelda looks a blocky mess on a TV (looks good on the small Switch screen). It badly needs antialiasing.

Not unless the console includes a dock that massively increases power and performance when docked. Then I’d be fine with it.

[Bandit50]

As backwards as Nintendo are there switch is a huge favorite of mine .... I have over a hundred games on the system and not one of them is a Nintendo exclusive... I have a ps4 pro for some exclusives and PSVR but sadly that system hardly gets turned on any more , only when a new update is out or a exclusive that I want to play has just been released .... can't wait for Days gone . I up graded to the one x day one and have been extremely happy that I did .. it's a awesome gaming machine and along with the switch gets used ever day .... would love to see Sony and Microsoft do something different with there next systems and not just the same old same old ... controllers are one area that lots can be done to give gamers a better experience . We all know that next gen will be powerful and that is much needed but is that enough... not sure it will be for me , I want more than just a more powerful system ... What that more is I'm not sure ... I do know that the same is becoming boaring and on the games frount back in the PS2 days the varitiy of games was huge .... can't say the same for this gen ..... it's been crap , the above are my opinions .... like they say , everybody has a bum hole .

[chris235]

you could not pay me the amount of money before i would use a hybrid gadget. from a technical standpoint they are utter crap. be it music, cars or game consoles. hybrids are not worth anything.

[agent4532]

Yes, who doesn't want to play God of War, Halo on the go and continue at home 😁

[Benjaminkno]

Graphics are good enough that they’re becoming irrelevant.

I want good games, not pretty ones.
If graphics is all I cared about I would PC.

[hiawa23]

Hope not as I want a traditional console on a big tv where you don't have to sacrifice technical specs making it portable.