Hype Levels Rise Before Switch Media Embargo Lifts

With the embargo on switch console reviews ending tomorrow and game reviews following a few days afterward, Switch hype levels from around the internet have been stepping up. The zeitgeist can be best summarized with this Nintendo Switch Subreddit  post by user Satiie (language warning) – you can feel the hype in every inch of this thread.

I must admit I have succumbed the the hype myself, absorbed completely by last month’s big evenst: the surprise Jimmy Fallon reveal, the January event, the Super Bowl commercial. There has been so much hype about the Switch that I thought I was out of the job.

So here were are just days before launch and the hype couldn’t be any more amazing. Nintendo has yet to answer some remaining questions about the online functionality and specs, so we are closing in on the last week with a sliver of speculation working against 100% hype.

See you on the other side.

What does the NES Classic tell us about Nintendo Switch?

Preorder the thing! That’s the first lesson the Nintendo NES Classic Edition has taught us, that Nintendo either has a poor read on public reception or that they are using our torment for a bit of free advertising. There is so much legitimate hype surrounding this console that I’m certain they would have been a tremendous success without all the hanging out in front of a department store before sunrise. I have to think that they are increasing supply as we speak, but can there be more nefarious motives involved that would prevent them from doing the obvious?

What if, this really is a show of power by Nintendo meant to give a new generation a glimpse into their former glory and force our hand into preordering? What if, those ridiculously short cords make a living room install so difficult because they are not designed to be used with a large screen? What if, the NES Classic works best on a smaller HMDI compatible display–like the Switch screen! They had this planned all along… And those classic controllers–they are almost exactly the size of of the JoyCons. They are totally using our nostalgia to condition us like their new controllers!

There is certainly some evil-genius-level thinking going on somewhere here. Before Thanksgiving dinner last night I hooked up my system and had a bunch of family sitting on the floor reliving their childhoods with some Megaman 2, SMB 3, and Dr. Mario.  That’s some great advertising. Now if only they can all go out and buy one of these before the holidays that would be much appreciated, Nintendo! Also, Nintendo, you are killing me with some of these Star Tropics caves!

 

 

 

Mark Brown Hypes Nintendo Design Focus

Mark Brown at Game Maker’s Toolkit throws down a nice helping of hype with a well-researched piece describing the design philosophy behind some of Nintendo’s most popular games.

I found the piece through dreampeppers99’s Neogaf post, where you will find a refreshingly healthy (for now) discussion about the merits of the “form follows function” approach.

The hype here is that Nintendo will undoubtedly continue to prioritize gameplay and innovation with Switch games, something that we may have otherwise seen less of as big-budget games continue to chase teenagers with parents who don’t check their credit card statements for micro-transactions. That’s where I’ll stop. Hype trumps hate and there is plenty to be positive about in the run-up to what is likely to be the strongest Nintendo release since the Wii.

 

Hello From Switch Hype

Finally got this up! I’ve been thinking of starting a Nintendo-focused site for years, but I was never determined enough to even buy a domain–because who has the time to write and the energy to withstand the anti-hype!

But I got up early on the day of the preview trailer launch and thought this is it, I’m going to buy a domain. And here we are, Switch Hype is here and ready to bring order to the chaos and noise that is internet hype for the new Nintendo Switch system.

I’m way too tired from setting up WordPress to give you a real dose tonight, but the idea behind this effort is to pull together some of the most “hype” Switch content and treat user-generated hype with equal weight to branded hype, and to give recognition to the voices that are building the foundation to Switch world-domination. Only one strict rule–real Switch hype or get out!

Hope you, and I, enjoy whatever becomes of this!