Day: January 13, 2020

Diary Entry #3: Could We Possibly See a Nintendo Switch Pro in 2020?

With 2020 FINALLY here and possibly looking like it could become a BIG year for gaming with some new and upcoming console hardware with Sony’s PS5 and Microsoft’s XBox Series X, but is it possible that Nintendo will step up once again and put out a more powerful version of an already successful console at the start between a new console generation?

Let’s get into somewhat solid and less solid information that we possibly have about a new Nintendo Switch Pro!

Back last week, it was DigiTimes that reported that Nintendo is planning ro release a new model of the Switch within mid-2020. If the name, Takashi Mochizuki sounds familiar to you, he is a tech reporter and writer for the Wall Street Journal put out on Twitter on January 6th with this:

We have heard for a while now that Nintendo does want the Switch brand to be long and to be somewhat expanded even pass the current Switch and to an extent with the Nintendo Switch Lite. Of course we have seen both Microsoft and Sony do this with their half-step consoles with Microsoft’s XBox One X and Sony with the PS4 Pro. Nintendo wanting to get in on this path but obviously in their own way doesn’t surprise me. As said earlier, Nintendo has already started it with the Nintendo Switch Lite, but in a more smaller degree than a whole new revisioned console.

I think a lot of Nintendo fans are awaiting for a new version of the Nintendo Switch. It has been around for almost three years now, and it would be nice to see Nintendo try and balance a new Switch version especially with the new arrivals of the more powerful PS5 and XBox Series X.

So, that DigiTimes article, let’s break some of that down, shall we! Sadly, you need a subscription to look at the articles if your not signed in with DigiTimes already, but here’s what some of the article entails.

One of things being said within the article is that this new Switch will have a magnesium alloid body instead of a plastic body. It will also come with a better CPU,

Now, I do have to point out there have been times where DigiTimes (haha, pun) have had a spotty record when it comes to Nintendo rumors/leaks. So, just to let you know take this article still with a “grain of salt,” mentality obviously.

Though, it’s not just DigiTimes who has been hearing things about a new Switch version coming, there’s been a lot of buzz from a good bit of people within the industry whose been hearing a Switch is indeed coming.

Here’s another somewhat source, though this is more of a prediction than anything. Another name that has bought up the possiblity of a Switch version has been Dr. Serkintoto. For those that don’t know, he is an industry analyst and in his 2020 predictions, “Absolutely no doubt that a 4K Switch Pro is coming in 2020.”

So, it seems like a good bit of the industry are pretty much hearing and are saying the same thing. Now of course, we don’t really know what Nintendo is going to do. You should again, take this as rumors not an actual fact. Let get that out of the way. As far as Nintendo’s line up for 2020 all we know for now is that we have Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE coming later this week (which I’m personally am excited for), and some upcoming Wii U ports, but that’s basically what is known for now.

At this point, I’m anticipating that we could be getting a January direct hopefully for later this week, almost all signs have been pointing to one possibly coming soonish here at the time this post goes up. We HAVE to know more of their line up anyway.

Now, I do think we are going to eventually get another version of the Switch like the Switch Lite is already doing. Though I do think this new Switch is going to be a new full on from what it already is just more on a powerful scale. It’s probably not going to be on the same power level as the PS5 or the XBox Series X, and most of us fans aren’t really asking for that. We just want to make the Switch feel somewhat new again with maybe some better features. That’s not too much to ask from a new console is it? The way I look at the Switch Lite is that it’s a response to their handheld side of things while whatever this new revision for the Switch can be their response to the actual home console side of things.

The Switch has been around for a good while now, and it’s already got most of the big major tentpole franchises on there from: Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Kirby, Smash Bros., Splatoon name it and its probably there in some shape or form already. If we really are going to get something of a massive game, like Breath of the Wild 2 for Zelda, then maybe it really is time for a brand new Switch to take reign. It will still keep Nintendo in the conversation within this new console generation that’s coming, that’s going to push fram rates, resolutions, and insane games from both old and new IPs.

I think that something big is going on here, and the fact that so many people that seems to be in the know that are saying the same thing, maybe Nintendo is going to hold off and wait for the right time to reveal this thing. With most of the big hitters already on the current Switch, and being so successful with it already, maybe they really are looking at to see what more they could do with this brand.

Now, as far who do I believe more with these statements, even with their spotty record, I’m more so leaning with what DigiTimes is saying than I am to what Serkintoto is saying just because from what the latter is, it’s mostly just a prediction from what he thinks Nintendo might do for this year. To me the DigiTimes articles does hold a bit more weight and has more details as to what could be going on here. When you have big name new sites reporting on stuff like this, I do think this something that needs to be payed attention to. This isn’t some usual random fake 4Chan or Reddit poster or some Twitter leaker whose trying to back claims for some fame to have a track record.

Even if the 4K part does come to pass, let’s just be reminded, even with it being 4K let’s just remember the system being 4K almost means nothing it’s just going to make the games look better it’s not like its going to become this console that’s going advance a whole generation. Sony kinda already did it first with the PS4 Pro. It being 4K merely just means that its going to better the games that are already on the system and future games that would be coming out for the system. So, even if we do get something like a 4K Switch Pro just remember that it’s only an enhanced system. So, even if you still have the original Switch or the Nintendo Switch Lite or the new Switch, you could still play the games on which one you want! Which is the big picture here, to create and expand a brand that would appeal to all different sorts and kinds of new players.

They’ve already tapped into the portable, young kids and family market last year with the Nintendo Switch Lite, maybe it’s time to get into that hardcore fanbase to try and get some of that shine from Sony and Microsoft before their even able to get their own systems out of the gates. If their really is a Switch Pro for this year, then it would definitely come out before both, yes BOTH the PS5 and XBox Series X come. It’s already looking like those might be holiday consoles anyway for November possibly if I had to guess releases. Maybe we could see something in September like how they did with the Nintendo Switch Lite, and it would line up with Serkintoto’s prediction since he said it would come out after the summer holiday season and it would still fall into that mid-2020 release window.

So, that’s basically where I stand with this whole Switch Pro deal. Didn’t think it would go for this much, but seem like I did have some things to talk about. I do think we will get a beefed up Switch, now what it will entail I don’t know whether it would be 4K, or have major modifications. It’s already weird hearing something being 4K coming from Nintendo of all things, and it’s already something that’s not usually within their wheelhouse but, hey, Nintendo has surprised us before. I just think that a new, bigger, and better system after three years makes sense to come.

SOURCE

REVIEW: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX DEMO (Nintendo Switch)

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX was revealed last week in the most recent Pokemon focused direct with the full game coming to the Nintendo Switch in March.

Alongside with an open window release we were also given the announcement of a downloadable demo from the Nintendo Switch eShop. The demo itself lasts for about an hour long, so you are able to get your fill of the game in. While the demo may have only lasted an hour, it still left me craving for more of this deluxe version of the Red & Blue Rescue Team games. At this point, March can’t get here soon enough!

If you are a lover of Rogue-like dungeon crawling games, even if your not that familiar with Pokemon, I would still recommend this game especially if you were a fan of the previous Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games!

BACKGROUND

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX are remakes of the 2005 Nintendo DS games Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team.

For those that aren’t familiar with this particular Pokemon series, these Pokemon spin-off games were made by Spike Chunsoft, and is completely different than a usual Pokemon game that’s developed and made by GameFreak and Pokemon Company.

In this series, you are not a usual trainer, and instead you are an actual Pokemon. The Pokemon that you choose is merely up to you (it does gives a little personality quiz) and from that quiz, I surprisingly got a Squirtle, and I say surprising because I usually go for the fire types. So, I still went ahead and ended up with good ol Charmander instead.

After the quiz, here’s some lore or plot of the games. You haven’t always been a Pokemon, you’re actually a human, and you wake up in this strange land that you’ve found yourself in the body of these pocket monsters.

GAMEPLAY

Once you’re awake with your choose Pokemon, and become familiar with the setting, you start to rescue Pokemon who have become trapped in the dungeons.

The dungeons are mostly mapped out nicely and the boundaries fill in on your map as you explore. You can collect treasures such as coins ans consumable items. Each dungeon is split over with multiple floors, with it being more challenging the further you travel into the dungeons.

Combat is probably the most straightforward; though again, the challenges comes more so from the later dungeons. especially when you have to balance your health and hunger against the risk of pressing on further becomes paramount.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’ve been waiting forever for some kind of a new mystery dungeon game. I would’ve even taken a remake from the older games, and I got my wish with Rescue Team DX! From this demo, I really enjoyed exploring the dungeons and battling the enemy Pokemon. I also really liked the new Auto mode, where your Pokemon tram can walk and explore the dungeons and seek out items or having your Pokemon to stop at the first of another Pokemon so you can interact. It’ll make for an easier exploration when you start grinding for items and completing jobs for other Pokemon.

The art style is so gorgeous! 😍

Another thing I have to gush about is the art style! This game just looks so beautiful revamped from their DS and GBA versions of the games. It looks so aesthetically pleasing with this new refreshed art style. The game almost looks like it can be a story book with the new water-colored elements. It’s just gorgeous throughout. Even with a new art style, it still retains the old-fashioned charm from the DS and GBA days, Pokemon has honestly never looked this beautiful.

The demo doesn’t give you much about the plot of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, and then again, what Pokemon game gives you much about the plot?! Though, the demo does leaves you wanting and craving for more. I can see this becoming one of those games that you just can’t put down once you start playing it! It doesn’t try to over complicate things with it’s gameplay: you explore dungeons, rescue Pokemon, level up, and gain abilities. If you fail a dungeon you’ll lose money and items from your inventory.

It still has that same Rogue-like dungeon crawler that it was from 2006, and I can’t wait to replay though this game again in it’s entirety when it releases on the Switch for a new/old adventure!

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX will launch on March 6th on the Nintendo Switch. Again, a demo for the game is available now on the eShop.