Nintendo Switch: Thread 10

[Neon Ignition]

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Highlighting why a Pro was never needed once again

[dataDave]

What could they possibly launch with the new hardware, though? Even 2025 is going to be too early for a new Mario/Zelda.

They’re really pushing it with the Mario saturation this next few months. They need to be careful they don’t do a Disney.

[Neon Ignition]

The next mainline 3D Mario seems like the most likely candidate but one thing that online discussion has overlooked when debating backwards compatibility, is whether Nintendo has noted the protracted cross-gen periods on other platforms. It could be very possible that they launch Switch 2 with its launch games also being designed with Switch 1 in mind meaning they can maintain huge software sales for early titles. That would be notable as a gamer looking to buy a Switch 2 because given the simplicity of Nintendo visual design and how often they hit a 60fps target, the gains for early first party Switch 2 games could potentially be negligable with the most benefits resting on third party games - that would still be below rival platform standards. If Nintendo decides to smoothly transition the success of the Switch to its successor, the shockwaves of the new systems arrival might be much smaller than those who've been rabidly anticipating stronger hardware for years have been hoping for.

[DeathAdder]

New trailer for mameda no bakeru

Will this have any English support? I can't find it on the eshop to check.

[importaku]

Will this have any English support? I can't find it on the eshop to check.

At the moment it seems to be only in japanese sadly

[wakka]

The next mainline 3D Mario seems like the most likely candidate but one thing that online discussion has overlooked when debating backwards compatibility, is whether Nintendo has noted the protracted cross-gen periods on other platforms. It could be very possible that they launch Switch 2 with its launch games also being designed with Switch 1 in mind meaning they can maintain huge software sales for early titles. That would be notable as a gamer looking to buy a Switch 2 because given the simplicity of Nintendo visual design and how often they hit a 60fps target, the gains for early first party Switch 2 games could potentially be negligable with the most benefits resting on third party games - that would still be below rival platform standards. If Nintendo decides to smoothly transition the success of the Switch to its successor, the shockwaves of the new systems arrival might be much smaller than those who've been rabidly anticipating stronger hardware for years have been hoping for.

Interesting point and I think this is very likely.

Even after all the folderol about 'We believe in generations' Sony quietly released PS4 versions of almost all of its initial run of PS5 software. And of course Microsoft aimed to make the same idea a selling point.

Nintendo have never been shy about squeezing the maximum yen from everything that they do, and you can sense the investor anxiety about the generational transition in Furukawa's proactive reassurances about continuity of the Nintendo account system, etc. Ensuring current owners can play the next few years of major software would be an excellent way to keep the income from games high while the install base for the new machine is built up.

Essentially they can have their cake and eat it if the new machine is a hit - a massive resurgence in hardware sales as a segment of existing owners upgrade, and an undiminished, possibly even boosted, flow of cash from their pipeline of new games.

And if the Switch 2 is a slow starter instead, they won't have totally bet the farm on it and will still be able to shore up the balance sheet with game sales to Switch 1 users.

I would be surprised if they aren't aiming for most first party software to be cross-platform for the first couple of years.

[DeathAdder]

At the moment it seems to be only in japanese sadly

Damn. Cheers

[Neon Ignition]

Exactly, and backwards compatibility compromises their ability to prop up gaps in their release schedule with remasters and rereleases in the same way the Switch made use of its predecessors games. The absence of Mario Kart 9 in the early days would continue to be catered by allowing MK8D to continue to sell with its DLC. I'm hoping so anyway as whilst it means companies can take a relaxed approach to introducing new hardware, there's a timer before the need for regular new software kicks in and the less re-releases the better.

[wakka]

Yeah, I think the approach taken will be exactly the same as Sony and Microsoft's strategy. Fundamentally the same platform that plays all the same games, accessing the same digital store and using the same physical media, but with more processing beef, a zhuzhed design and lots of little upgrades and improvements.

I still think wireless docking is a possibility, broadcasting the game to an HDMI puck rather than slotting it physically into something. That would give it a cool, differentiating wow factor while keeping continuity with the Switch 1 in terms of features. But that is total and utter speculation on my part.

[Neon Ignition]

The dock should be simple to update, it's still a little odd that the Switch's Dock is so clunky. The third party docks for the Deck show how low key that can be and ideally the new one would look more like a stand rather than another one that risk scratching up the unit

[nonny]

Do we think they'll phase out the current switch entirely? Or perhaps they make the current OLED the base SKU and this new model fits in on top?

[Neon Ignition]

Purely me making nonsense up but I think they'll do nothing with the existing Switch until sales drop off enough to axe it in favour of Switch 2 - With the Switch 2 costing more than the OLED Switch.

But, in my fantasy mindscape they would discontinue the Switch-Switch Lite-OLED Switch and replace all three with a well priced Switch Lite OLED

This updated cheaper system would probably be run for 2 or so years as an affordable tail end system till Switch 1 software releases/sales dry up and the Switch 2 would be their primary focus

[wakka]

The dock should be simple to update, it's still a little odd that the Switch's Dock is so clunky. The third party docks for the Deck show how low key that can be and ideally the new one would look more like a stand rather than another one that risk scratching up the unit

This is more likely but less interesting!

Do we think they'll phase out the current switch entirely? Or perhaps they make the current OLED the base SKU and this new model fits in on top?

I think the Switch 1 will stick around in a reduced line-up. I think it's more likely that the OLED is discontinued and that the Switch 1 and/or Switch Lite continues to be sold as a budget option, probably to be discontinued around around 2 to 3 years into the Switch 2's life, at which point it would be replaced by a Switch 2 Lite as a new budget version.

[importaku]

Looks like preorders have opened for the switch adaptation of the first 2 game centre CX DS games. As someone who adores both the games & the tv series this was an easy buy but for anyone else who can use amazon japan that's interested here's the links.

standard edition

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/HAC-P-BCU9A/dp/B0CLTWL7WG/ref=sr_1_14?crid=3MO0NQKOKS5KP&keywords=%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BCCX+%E6%9C%89%E9%87%8E%E3%81%AE%E6%8C%91%E6%88%A6%E7%8A%B6&qid=1698403865&s=videogames&sprefix=%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BCcx+%E6%9C%89%E9%87%8E%E3%81%AE%E6%8C%91%E6%88%A6%E7%8A%B6%2Cvideogames%2C423&sr=1-14

Fancy special edition

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/BNEI-00116/dp/B0CLTYG7PM/ref=sr_1_12?crid=3MO0NQKOKS5KP&keywords=%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BCCX+%E6%9C%89%E9%87%8E%E3%81%AE%E6%8C%91%E6%88%A6%E7%8A%B6&qid=1698403865&s=videogames&sprefix=%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BCcx+%E6%9C%89%E9%87%8E%E3%81%AE%E6%8C%91%E6%88%A6%E7%8A%B6%2Cvideogames%2C423&sr=1-12

[Neon Ignition]

Depending on how things unfold I've already mulled getting 2 Switch 2's at launch, one for the kids who are already saying they want one and the other to put in a cupboard for when its inevitably cracked and I can mess with it because it'll still be on day one firmware.