How would you feel if the next Nintendo console is a VR headset similar to Oculus Quest?

[thomasmahler]

Been wondering about this for a while.

I think one of the reasons why Nintendo did Labo VR was to get their feet wet with VR so that they know how to do this stuff if VR indeed takes off big time at some point. If you look at Quest, it's a 399$ consumer device, so by 2022, Nintendo could probably make a 299$ or 349$ headset. They already have quite a bit of experience with motion controls as well, so it all kinda makes sense.

Ever since the Wii, Nintendo has done well whenever they tried to approach the console market from a different angle and if they come out with Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Mario Kart and so on in VR, I think that's when we really talk about VR becoming accepted by the masses.

So, yay or nay? Would you care, as long as the games are fantastic?

EDIT: Adding my post below, cause Nintendo going the GearVR route could also be a real possibility:

I'd guess that Nintendo will keep working with Nvidia on a new chipset, so there's 0 reason why this thing wouldn't support all your Switch titles. They could literally just do the GearVR thing where you slot the tablet portion into a headset using those JoyCon rails and also support JoyCons and handheld-play, while ensuring developers that everyone has access to the VR functionality, so that it's not just a gimmick or a peripheral that only 20-30% of the userbase has access to.

Nintendo has shown that they love this stuff before. The Virtual Boy, the 3DS,... and by 2022, the Tech would be cheap and powerful enough to make a device like that.

 

[Kalentan]

I would at least check it out considering the Switch can only support the most barebones VR stuff.

 

[PlanetSmasher]

I would skip it completely if VR was its primary or only input method. VR makes me sick 90% of the time and even in the rare occasions where it doesn't, I can only play it for like 20 minutes before I need to stop.

They'd have to give that shit away for free for me to even consider touching it.

 

[Zalman]

I would probably play if the games are good, but it's not my preference. I'm not a fan of VR in general, and I'd rather see them spend their resources elsewhere. VR is exhausting for me (more so than 3D ever was).

 

[cnorwood]

VR isn't really liked here so you will get a bunch of nos. If they took the switch philosophy but comibed it with the gearVR/daydream philosophy but with 6dof tracking they would have a hit

 

[Sander VF]

As a Switch SKU that Switches between VR mode and TV mode via a funky dock? Fuck yeah.

As a whole platform? NOOOOOOOPE.

 

[Mathieran]

I skipped the Switch, but I would buy this.

 

[Chie Satonaka91]

Not interested in VR, so I would skip it no matter what. And I'm a huge Nintendo fan who buys most 1st party releases.

 

[Sander VF]

VR isn't really liked here so you will get a bunch of nos. If they took the switch philosophy but comibed it with the gearVR/daydream philosophy but with 6dof tracking they would have a hit

Click to shrink...

I think OP would face less dissent if he framed this as a Switch or Switch 2 variant, rather than a different platform.

 

[cnorwood]

I think OP would face less dissent if he framed this as a Switch or Switch 2 variant, rather than a different platform.

Click to shrink...

Yeah the Half Life VR thread shows people here really dont like VR exclusives

 

[darkness]

I love VR, but I don't want a VR-only console from Nintendo. An accessory to a console is fine, though.

 

[jariw]

Why would Nintendo start to clone existing concepts already on the market?

 

[Grettir_the_Swole]

I don't hate VR by any means. The PSVR rendered me speechless in a game for the first time I can recall in ages but I really can't play it long term. If Nintendo really emphasized VR I would hope they'd still cater to people who only like to play the old fashioned way as well, such as they are now.

 

[Raide]

As an potential add on to a Switch 2. Sure. As a standalone? Hrmm, not sure I trust Nintendo not to cheap out on tech and make it a horrible experience to use.

 

[p3n]

If done right it could be my first Nintendo console without byer's remorse. VR needs more games and less experiences. Just imagine Moss with the gameplay depth of a Zelda game + all the additional fun stuff it offers as a VR experience.

 

[WhtR88t]

Metroid Prime in VR would be amazing, as would a 3D Mario game similar to Astro Bot.

 

[Lant_War]

I'd only be interested if it's VR only. If there's one thing you can trust Nintendo to do, is to support their products.

 

[thomasmahler]

I think OP would face less dissent if he framed this as a Switch or Switch 2 variant, rather than a different platform.

Click to shrink...

I'd guess that Nintendo will keep working with Nvidia on a new chipset, so there's 0 reason why this thing wouldn't support all your Switch titles. They could literally just do the GearVR thing where you slot the tablet portion into a headset using those JoyCon rails and also support JoyCons and handheld-play, while ensuring developers that everyone has access to the VR functionality, so that it's not just a gimmick or a peripheral that only 20-30% of the userbase has access to.

Nintendo has shown that they love this stuff before. The Virtual Boy, the 3DS,... and by 2022, the Tech would be cheap and powerful enough to make a device like that.

 

[Duxxy3]

No thanks.

 

[Gobias-Ind]

This is kinda my dream!

Same Tegra chip that they plan to use in the next Switch model. Full compatibility with flat Switch games. The controllers could be plastic things with the tracking halos and maybe some analog triggers that the Joycon slot into. Ability to play flat games in theater mode. But the real kicker is that it'd include HDMI out and function as a docked Switch if you want the best of both worlds.

Nintendo could tack on VR modes to existing games like they've been doing and have an incredible day one lineup. And then it's all over when they release the Link to The Past VR re-imagining.

At $399 or less it would be an insane product. I think mobile, standalone VR at or around this price point, combined with killer apps and big IP integration, is the sweet spot for mainstream adoption. And there is no relevant player like Nintendo that already has the entirety of their ecosystem on mobile hardware. It's their market to take, imo.

Perhaps a partnership with Microsoft and their WMR tech could lubricate this a bit? They could dip their IP into the VR game without going whole hog on a top of the line console solution like Sony. "Switch VR: Powered by Windows Mixed Reality."

 

[logash]

VR in any way shape or form does not really interest me. I can see why people love it and I think the tech is really cool but I am just not interested in playing games in VR in its current form. Maybe if Nintendo presented something different or if the tech was more advance at the time of release I would change my mind. As it stands though, if Nintendo were to release something similar to the quest with maybe a little better specs, it would be a pass for me.

 

[givesyoustrength]

Hmm. I love my quest and I'd love to see what magic Nintendo could do with it. I wouldn't be surprised if they build a quest-like device in the future, but I don't see it happening until the technology is FAR cheaper. I don't really see it happening, but never say never I guess.

I can't imagine what sort of games they would create in VR, but they're a company that generally gets what "feels" good in a game so I'd love to see what magic they could work in a VR game.

 

[Sander VF]

I'd guess that Nintendo will keep working with Nvidia on a new chipset, so there's 0 reason why this thing wouldn't support all your Switch titles. They could literally just do the GearVR thing where you slot the tablet portion into a headset using those JoyCon rails and also support JoyCons and handheld-play, while ensuring developers that everyone has access to the VR functionality, so that it's not just a gimmick or a peripheral that only 20-30% of the userbase has access to.

Nintendo has shown that they love this stuff before. The Virtual Boy, the 3DS,... and by 2022, the Tech would be cheap and powerful enough to make a device like that.

Click to shrink...

I envisioned a Nintendo-branded Oculus Quest that is part of the Switch (or Switch 2) ecosystem, basically like Lite is.

 

[GokouD]

I'd hate it. VR is a headache/vomit machine for me, and it's just not a practical way to game when you have a family.

 

[Ultimate Bear Cub]

I guess you could say Nintendo's On top of their innovation. Bring back more Mario tennis or whatever so we, sports fans, can get in the game almost literally. That would be a creative revolution.

 

[Deleted member 49438]

As a replacement to a traditional console (how I am interpreting the thread title), it would be the first Nintendo console I pass on. As an accessory/peripheral that doesn't replace their traditional console, I'd give it a chance. Playing my favorite franchise, Fire Emblem, in VR, holds zero appeal to me, and the same would be true of most of the other properties in their catalogue. I would match rather play games tailored to VR in VR, rather than having an entire generation of Nintendo games shoehorned to work for VR.

 

[plagiarize]

I love the Switch. I love my Quest.

I'd love this. But, like the Wii U (which I personally loved) this would clearly be a bad idea for Nintendo.

 

[OrakioRob]

Got a wife and a 4yo kid. It's hard enough for me to game with a Switch, gaming in VR would be absolutely impossible.

 

[lemonhat]

Not really bothered if Nintendo makes VR games or a headset or not, but if that was their only focus going forwards I'd be pretty disappointed and not bother buying their next console. VR doesn't interest me all that much.

 

[cardboardboxer]

I don't like that the third option is "hates VR."

I like VR, I have a Rift S and I might buy a Quest.

But next generation I want a Switch 2, not some VR console or focus.

Based on LaboVR (which feels a lot like Starfox on the SNES)good VR support is like two or more generations away for Nintendo.

 

[Deleted member 15447]

Your poll doesn't cover everything.

I like VR on my PSVR and Quest and would play a Nintendo type Quest but not at the expense of Nintendo skipping a tv based console.

 

[Strings]

It would be horrifically disappointing to me honestly. Like the Wii or WiiU, but without the benefit of some games ignoring the aspect I don't like (motion controls / the gamepad).

I don't even hate VR games as an option... I just have zero interest in a platform built entirely around them.

 

[808s & Villainy]

It 100% sure won't nor would it make sense. I don't think the tech is advanced enough that Nintendo could get it costing $300 or less (which I feel is their upper limit price point they like to target). Plus unless they've found a novel way to solve the "social" problem of it, I don't think they'd be willing to make such a drastic decision like that

 

[Gobias-Ind]

I envisioned a Nintendo-branded Oculus Quest that is part of the Switch (or Switch 2) ecosystem, basically like Lite is.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, a three-tiered product lineup.

Switch Lite as the entry level. Handheld only.
OG Switch as the flagship, handheld and TV
Switch VR as the premium VR and TV device.

Kinda same dynamic as PS and Xbox this gen (main device and premium device), except Nintendo's premium device adds a world of functionality instead of more horsepower. Which sounds like a "Nintendo" thing to do.

 

[RadzPrower]

I love my Quest and I love my Nintendo Switch, but this is a case of two rights making a wrong. I don't want NINTENDO games in VR. Nintendo's games almost exclusively are games that are generally too fast paced to be comfortable or playable in VR. A minor exception might be some version of Metroid, but even then it couldn't be a full-on Prime game either.

To that end, I'd prefer they go the mobile device route they have thus far and design some experiences for Quest, Rift, etc. as a form of cross-promotion and allow them to be VR centric experiences (like, the whole Metroid thing would be cool as hell as a smaller experience custom tailored to VR), but not as a primary delivery method of a mainline console...

...I honestly don't see that EVER being the case with any console because VR experiences have to be so fundamentally different from what you get from a traditional console game. Just like how we still get movies when television came to the home, I don't see VR (or mobile for that matter) completely replacing the gaming experience.

 

[partyhat]

A lot of the classic franchises like Mario, Zelda, Metroid and Mario Kart would not play well at all in VR unless you drastically alter the way they play. Not to say they can't make good VR games using those licenses in new unique ways.

 

[Falchion]

I would hate it if it was VR only, but a Nintendo VR headset that's standalone and at least as powerful as the Quest could be cool.

 

[Hybrid Rainbow]

How is Nintendo bringing VR to the masses if PSVR, Oculus, Vive already exist?

 

[Glio]

I'm not against having an option for VR, but that VR is the default would be terrible. Much of the appeal of Nintendo consoles for me are games like Mario Kart, Mario Party or Smash Bros with friends.

 

[Gobias-Ind]

The device would play all the Switch games, y'all! This would not be an abandonment of the console experience. Not a "VR only platform." It'd be the no-brainer version you buy if you're an enthusiast with even a passing interest in VR who plays a lot in docked mode.

If you HATE VR and want to save $50-$100, buy the flagship device. If you only care about handheld and want to save $150-$200, buy the Lite.

 

[lunanto]

I think it would be interesting for sure.

The problem I see is the conflict that would happen between the classic Nintendo notion of videogames as a tool to socialise and the solitary nature of the VR experiences, at least up until this moment.

 

[NeoSabin]

Imagine a wireless VR Headset that's doubles as dockable console 🤤

 

[Luckett_X]

Nintendo normally does things 10 years later than their competitors so I'm expecting Nintendo VR around 2026. Should be fun. Will be a bit tiresome to see forum posters and bloggers pretend they've innovated the medium after all the stuff that's going to have been done by everyone else at that point though.

A lot of the classic franchises like Mario, Zelda, Metroid and Mario Kart would not play well at all in VR unless you drastically alter the way they play. Not to say they can't make good VR games using those licenses in new unique ways.

Click to shrink...

Mario - AstroBot Rescue Mission
Zelda - Moss / Trover Saves the Universe
Metroid - Farpoint / Resident Evil 7
Mario Kart - Wipeout Omega Collection VR / The Actual Mario Kart VR Experience That Already Exists

 

[Hollywood Duo]

I get severe motion sickness so I would hate it if there was no option to play without it.

 

[Slamtastic]

I want to live in the Pokemon world and BotW's Hyrule, so yes please bring it on, take me there, goodbye real world.

 

[Gundam]

What if you don't hate VR but you just want Switch 2 for the sake of BC and want Nintendo to keep focusing on traditional games that don't inhibit future backwards comparability, like the game pad and DS have

 

[apocat]

It's not going to happen, but if it did it would have the potential to become one of my favourite consoles ever. I love VR, and Nintendo is a creative powerhouse. I'd love to see what they could do with a decently powered headset.

 

[Glio]

Nintendo normally does things 10 years later than their competitors so I'm expecting Nintendo VR around 2026. Should be fun. Will be a bit tiresome to see forum posters and bloggers pretend they've innovated the medium after all the stuff that's going to have been done by everyone else at that point though.



Mario - AstroBot Rescue Mission
Zelda - Moss
Metroid - Farpoint
Mario Kart - Wipeout Omega Collection VR / The Actual Mario Kart VR Experience That Already Exists

Click to shrink...

Yes, I remember the motion controls of 1996, by the time the Wii was released it was completely obsolete. /s

 

[thomasmahler]

How is Nintendo bringing VR to the masses if PSVR, Oculus, Vive already exist?

Click to shrink...

MP3 Players existed before Apple made the iPod.

 

[Protome]

I'd probably skip it. I really like Nintendo games and would be interested in seeing what they do with VR but VR for long periods of time sucks and there's so many situations I can't play VR in so it'd reduce the amount of games I could play.