The Nintendo Switch is not as powerful as the Xbox One and Playstation 4; there is no getting around that fact any more. While it is extremely high end for a portable system (which it also is), as a console, it falls far short of the Xbox One, let alone the PS4.
However, at this point, it is also clear that that no longer matters- the Switch is already primed to e a success, with pre-orders sold out worldwide, and Nintendo having to raise shipments as result. And it looks like many developers now agree- Nintendo doesn’t need the Switch to be a powerful system for the Switch to succeed.
“I don’t think it matters. Nintendo hasn’t been winning the graphics race since the N64,” said Artomatix CTO, Eric Risser in an exclusive interview with GamingBolt. “I think the Wii was significantly underpowered relative to the PS3 and Xbox 360 without gamers being too bothered by it. Nintendo finds other ways to offer an entertaining experience and I for one really appreciate their willingness to innovate.
“The one thing I’ll say is that Nintendo does take a big risk when they try something radical and new, sometimes it pays off (e.g. the Wii) and sometimes it doesn’t (e.g. the Wii U). They’re making a big bet that gamers will want a console/tablet hybrid thing, while also risking their relationship with 3rd party developers by making a console that’s weird and thus harder to develop for. The Switch could be a great success or a huge disaster… I guess it all depends on how well they execute on the concept.”
Third parties in general appear to be more appreciative of the Switch than they were of the Wii U, and the Switch seems to be brilliant execution of the core concept– unlike the Wii U, where things never came together. Will the Switch be a long term success after the launch hype peters out? That, for now, is hard to tell. But for now, at least, all the pieces are on the board. Your move, Nintendo.