Why doesn't Nintendo evolve their system graphics?

Why does Nintendo consistently fall short in the graphics department? Im not saying graphics are everything, but how awesome would it be to experience Nintendo's catalogue with next gen visuals or 4k for that matter...

@lupend86: I think they spent all their development money into the contoller, that's why they fall short in the graphics department

Because they focus on new ways to play games and generally have a "gameplay first" mentality.

Their graphics are never breath taking but they are adequate. Also when it comes to performance they tend to aim for 60fps and not graphics because their philosophy is more gameplay oriented. And they think\know that MS and Sony are competing in that space and there's little room for one more so they try to find their own niche.

I know, right? Playing MK8D or Arms on the switch and I'm not sure if I am on a new console or the N64.

and yet they have more 60fps games than the other consoles...

lol hold that L

It depends. Nintendo goes for balance. They aren't gonna go all out on a game not many play. And they aren't gonna build a console that does the same as everyone else.

Because they Aim for Cartoonish Graphics instead of Realistic Graphics.

They got beat by less powerful consoles three gens in a row. Decided to shift focus with the Wii and DS, and it payed off.

I realize that is an oversimplification of what happened, but this a forum post not a dissertation.

I'm just wondering why they don't shoot for 60 fps on the only game that matters it's Zelda

They could make a standalone system that only plays that one game at 1080p/60fps and charge double for it and I'd be happier

@KBFloYd: I'm clearly talking about "GRAPHICS" not FPS. It is indisputable that Nintendo lacks in this department. Yeah, they have more games that run on 60fps than other consoles, but Im talking about GRAPHICS. Gameplay is great and has always been on Nintendo consoles, but before I hold on to that L, I would like to see a graphical improvement from the GameCube..

Er, Nintendo primary focus is kids.

But fortunate to find adults who also like kiddy games, probably because of deprived childhoods.

@Random_Matt: LOL

I think a lot of ppl in this thread have some really poor memory, and aren't recalling just how much of a graphical improvement there's been from the N64, to the Gamecube and Wii, to the Wii-U and Switch.

Furthermore.... I don't really get what kinds of graphics you ppl are expecting? I mean it was Gunpei Yokoi himself who realized the difference between games with an emphasis on gameplay and games with an emphasis on cutscenes and fluff, and he strove to keep games more focused on gameplay. But for the past 2 decades ppl have just gotten into "size wars" over graphics. Go figure.

look at the other consoles....graphics comes at a cost of 30fps.

nintendo made their choice and i agree. they went with 30fps for zelda and imo zelda has rough egdes but is overall beautiful to look at.

The games look great to me, although botw could use some work. It still lags in Korok Woods and on occasion in fights.

Well, take the Joycon off of the Switch and compare it's size to all of its competition. I'd say the specs are more than appropriate. And when I dock it and play on my 65" 4K TV Zelda and MK8 are freaking gorgeous. Splatoon 2 days away. I'm quite happy with the Switch.

We already got two big console makers doing the graphics wars, don't need a third.

Seems the Nintendo fans who hang out on this forum, really understand the company. I have nothing else to add because everyone else nailed it :)

Nintendo is not interested in the graphics "arms race" like its competitors. Gamers who want the cutting-edge graphics will have to look elsewhere.

I will always be of the belief that you can have both. Yes, Nintendo has always been about the gameplay... but they need to start being about the graphics, too.

So you have clearly not played Nintendo since the Wii

@charizard1605: Clearly I was exaggerating...

Nintendo focuses on fun and gameplay. I'm glad they do cuz someone has to do it. Everyone else is going for realism but Nintendo doesn't want you to forget that you are playing a video game. Realism is not a priority for them....I mean their mascot is an italian plummer that saves a princess from a big dino turtle named bowser lol. Realism wouldn't make sense here.

@vaidream45: Uh, not sure where you got your sources but last time I checked Mario was Mexican and he liked it... As far as realism goes, you're right, it doesn't make sense for Mario to be realistic. I'm talking about having a console with a little more horse power so it can render smoother textures, believable worlds and characters; A console that can handle multi-platform games such as COD or WWE etc... in my opinion, the Switch is a great complimentary console that would second a PS4 or Xbox One.

@lupend86: Well unfortunately you are right about the multiplat thing. It's getting pretty frequent now to hear about how this game or that game won't be coming to the Switch, or might come to the Switch but with features missing. It would have been nice if Nintendo thought more about making allies with this console.

It also would be great if the Switch were powerful enough that Breath of the Wild has no slow-down or frame buffers or what-have-you. Maybe with more power the world of that game could look even more enchanted and fantastical.

Idk what to tell you. I mean Nintendo was going for the different approach, but even then I feel like they dropped the ball because they made a system with a short battery life (thus negating the whole portable concept.)

For now I look at it like, maybe in a few years there will be a nice library of games that I will really enjoy on this system. But for now it's an investment.

They're cheap...

@lupend86: are you blind

You cant even play most of the game cube game's in hd and there's definitely a jump in visual quality from game cube to switch

Mario Kart 8 would need down grades

not even sony could deliver that.

just look at the vita.

Firstly the graphics are better than their previous system, just not by a huge amount.

2ndly, Nintendo is actually a much smaller company than Sony and Microsoft. they have to be much more careful with their money.

Lastly, Nintendo adds extra expenses the others don't pay. let's look at the Switch. The system has a display built into it. It's touch screen. We have motion controls built into the joy cons and that thing that recognizes shapes and distant. The gyro etc:

It may look like all the consoles are even but Nintendo is lacking in power, when it fact - they have simply chosen to put their money towards features they believe may give a better gaming experience.

I think they've got good graphics now in the switch, the Nintendo games look great to me.. Zelda is a stunning looking game and the new Mario coming out looks great too..