Nintendo’s newest console-handheld hybrid has been full of interesting features. The HD Rumble in the JoyCon controllers. The ability to play any of the games either from the comfort of your home or while on the go. But one of the key social features found in the Wii U and the 3DS, the social network known as Miiverse and the handheld feature StreetPass, will not be making the leap to the Nintendo Switch – among other things as well.
Speaking to VentureBeat, the assistant manager of PR at Nintendo of America David Young explained that it would play into the idea of the hardware as a home console. Claiming that removing something reliant on travel such as the Nintendo 3DS’ StreetPass would prevent confusion. Considering the underlying problems behind the marketing of the Wii U was not being clear about its function as a console, it makes a certain amount of sense. This is also in line that the company is still considering making a separate successor to its popular handheld.
However, when it comes to dropping Miiverse, it feels like a missed opportunity. The social network was implemented on both the Wii U and 3DS, and while it didn’t have the userbase as Facebook or Twitter, the implementation of personal illustrated images using the touchscreen helped give the entire service a warm and quaint charm that will be sorely missed on Nintendo Switch. While this will free up resources for Nintendo, in their official presentation they admitted they’ll allow word of mouth travel more widely used social media channels, it still marks the end of an era of seeing Spongebob memes plastered over maps in Splatoon.
The lack of both features could do down in the “does not excite” column for us, if you read Jake’s feature on why he’s both excited and disappointed about the Nintendo Switch, and for those of us who are still incredibly thrilled by Nintendo’s latest offering, here’s a list of all the confirmed games on the Switch.
Source: Engadget
