Nintendo refuses to say whether Switch has a touchscreen
After yesterday's triumphant Nintendo Switch announcement, there's a bit of confusion around one of its core features - that big ol' shiny screen.
Is it a touchscreen? Nintendo won't say.
DS, 3DS and Wii U all featured touch-controlled screens, and while we don't expect Switch to feature backwards compatibility out of the box it would be a surprise to see Nintendo ditch the usual touchscreen feature.
"We have nothing to announce on this topic," a Nintendo of America spokesperson told us overnight. "We will make additional announcements about the Nintendo Switch hardware later, before the launch of the product."
The Nintendo Switch reveal trailer focused on a number of controller options - using the Switch undocked with the mini Joy-Con pads attached to it, using the Switch docked with the Joy-Con pads attached to their Joy-Con grip, or the option of a Switch Pro controller.
Perhaps a fourth option - and a feature only suitable for specific games - would have been too much?
Touchscreens are great on mobile phones but for the kind of games Nintendo wanted to feature in its first showreel, such as Skyrim, a touchscreen might have been a distraction.
There's also the issue of how you would use touchscreen games when the Nintendo Switch is docked, and housed within its unit.
In other slightly confusing news, Bethesda has said Skyrim has not been confirmed for Nintendo Switch, despite the game featuring prominently in the console's reveal trailer.
Speaking to our sister site GamesIndustry.biz, Bethesda stopped short of confirming the game we've all already seen running:
"We're happy to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Nintendo on the video," a Bethesda spokesperson said. "While we are not confirming any specific titles at this time, we are pleased to announce our partnership with Nintendo and support of the Switch. We look forward to revealing specific games and details in the future."
2K has issued the same statement with almost exactly the same wording for NBA 2K17, which was also shown in the Switch's reveal.
Both companies may be waiting for the green light from Nintendo to announce their games, perhaps after Nintendo firms up other details of Nintendo Switch itself.
Honestly not fussed about weather it has a touchscreen or not honestly if it doesn't have a touch screen then the system will be alot cheaper when it comes to market
ReplyDeleteThough a touchscreen would help when entering passwords and using search filters
I dont think so. The screen is a mirror of the tv. And your tv is not touchscreen. Its not a 3ds either, it only has a main screen with buttons. Touch would be pointless unless you could run normal apps on it
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that it will have a touch screen and motion controls, however (learning from the Wii U), I think they're doling out information in waves, as the average person is (apparently) too stupid to understand something as simple as the Wii U, so with Switch, you gotta play it like you're getting chimps to understand it in order to get the message of what it is - and can do - across to people.
ReplyDeleteIt probably wont have touch screen for switch games as it would be hard to use if its docked and displaying on the TV. Now what would have been nice is to use the WiiUs gamepad with it.
ReplyDeleteIt very well could have a touch screen if ita backwards compatible with DS titles, just not operate with switch titles.
It's not that they won't say whether it has a touch screen or not. It's that they won't say anything at all at this point
ReplyDeleteAsk them for exactly what chip is in there and you'll get the same response...
I'll be surprised if it's not a touchscreen. But I'm not convinced it really needs one...
It Nintendo just makes a great game console then try and compete in the tablet market which they're doing anyway so unless they're going to bridge their mobile partnership with this device, just concentrate on making the best Nintendo game console, incredible 3rd party support and cut out any reason why someone wouldn't want this thing, just having a ordinary controller design that works with current titles might sound small but it will make a world of difference.
ReplyDeleteIn the trailer we see someone go out of their home and to the block next door and carries on the game (presumably). Does it have a longer range than the WiiU or will it run off cartridge? Sorry, way to lazy to wade though tech specs!
ReplyDeleteI hope it doesn't - what purpose would it serve? It would only act as another barrier to getting 3rd party developers on board, putting them in the same hole they were in for the Wii and WiiU.
ReplyDeleteI reckon no touchscreen, the controller would need it when docked and it doesn't look it has one? Plus look at PS4s touchpad, it barely gets any use now in games.
ReplyDeleteIf it's coming March 2017 they have all the hardware fixed. Only reason to not confirm it at this point is not having one and Thus revealing they are not supporting any ds or 3ds games.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing for basic UI navigation, it's going to have one. It's the basic interface most kids are raised on now. It probably won't be front and center, but I hope they make an effort to create distinct and fun On-the-go oriented titles.
ReplyDeleteIt is their new handheld too, after all.
Either way, this is exciting.
I was disappointed by this at first but if you always have controls on the device or in your hand I can't see ot being a huge issue.
ReplyDeleteThe games on it are AAA not mobile mini games so I can't see it being missed that much.
The PS4s touchpad is barely used..
Of course it will be lol �� but at this point I just hope it's beefy and third parties finally, and I mean finally invest in placing games on the Switch. You know what I mean guys. For example every year at E3 what do we always hear "released on Xbox, PlayStation and PC". We need to see and hear Switch on that list every time.
ReplyDeleteIt will appeal more to adults if it had a touch screen and ability to double as a mini tablet so it doesn't look like your carrying a games console around.
ReplyDeleteIf it does, 3rd party developer AAA guys will be scared away. If it doesn't, people will criticize it for not having it. Better to if it does, not to promote it in fear of scaring people away of thinking it is a necessary feature.
ReplyDeleteWell it's a 720p screen and I can already tell the games will be downgraded but they prob saying about the screen to stay safe
ReplyDeleteThe trailer left me with more questions than it awnsered. Hope they hurry up with their Nintendo Direct, it's starting to get annoying with all the rumors and little trailers here and there.
ReplyDeleteEverything is touch screen these days it would be stupid not to especially when DS virtual console and Wii U ports are bound to happen.
ReplyDeleteIs anybody going to actually buy this? I've been die hard Nintendo my entire life, even own a WiiU but no Xbox or PS, but I think they've finally drank the kool-aid with this one. Do they actually believe there are demographics like this?
ReplyDeleteNo need for touch screen.
ReplyDeleteI think this will be a better move from Nintendo. Leave the touch screen to mobile shitty games.
I never used it if I could on the wii u. So won't be missed. ��
Wow Remasters? no wonder the investors dropped out at the last minute this console will fail miserably.
ReplyDelete