Nintendo Switch 2: Thread 01

[fishbowlhead]

I really think consoles like SteamDeck and the subsequent pc handhelds have taken the wind out the sails of Switch2 for people like us, as the SteamDeck oled is superior to the Switch2 already in almost every way, for everyone else they will be getting exactly what is expected, a better Switch, which is fine.

I just want to see the games now, as this is all getting boring now with Nintendo dragging this along for soooooo long.

[hudson]

It's always about the games. I want to see the next Mario game. I'll probably want/need it and there will be me buying another Nintendo console.

[wakka]

The new Mario is always the one for me too, especially more recently (past ten odd years). I bought a WiiU on the day 3D World came out and a Switch on the day Odyssey came out. No regrets. I love a mainline Mario!

[Dogg Thang]

The new Mario is always the one for me too, especially more recently (past ten odd years). I bought a WiiU on the day 3D World came out and a Switch on the day Odyssey came out. No regrets. I love a mainline Mario!

My first thought was that there hasn't really been a big Mario game for me since Galaxy but of course, yes, we got Odyssey, which was fantastic. I guess if we're getting a new Mario, I'd love it to be in the Galaxy/Odyssey scale rather than a Mario 3D World thing or Mario Wonder, if that makes sense. The former being big all-new games whereas the latter group felt like iterations of previous games.

[fishbowlhead]

3d Pokemon that doesn’t run like a blended d**k would be nice Nintendo.

[wakka]

My first thought was that there hasn't really been a big Mario game for me since Galaxy but of course, yes, we got Odyssey, which was fantastic. I guess if we're getting a new Mario, I'd love it to be in the Galaxy/Odyssey scale rather than a Mario 3D World thing or Mario Wonder, if that makes sense. The former being big all-new games whereas the latter group felt like iterations of previous games.

I really hope that the next Mario is a full balls to the wall Galaxy/Odyssey style one too. That's what I've got my fingers crossed for.

[Neon Ignition]

There's loads in here and I appreciate your thoughtful response. I won't respond point by point as we'd be all here day!

But to sort of try and synthesise where I think we differ is that I honestly do think you underrate the brilliance of the DS and Wii. You say they're gimmick-led, curveballs and existed in a 'bubble', but I don't personally think that's an accurate characterisation.

I almost get the impression - and correct me if I'm wrong - that you feel they were both kind of lucky breaks. But you don't trip over 100m and 150m (respectively) selling console designs in the street. We know from the history of the many well-funded companies who've released console flops that making a successful gaming platform is devilishly hard.

To your point that their innovations are simply reactions to their position in the games market - I don't see how that's a bad thing? Nintendo's position in the dying days of the Cube and GBA was that they had their backs up against the wall.

They were faced with a massively diminished marketshare, a lethally efficient new incumbent (Sony) and literally the then world's largest company also aggressively grabbing a piece of the pie (MS).

For them to recognise that position and to react by developing products which enabled them to dominate both of their competitors was pretty mindboggling to be honest. The vast majority of companies wouldn't have the creativity, expertise or simply the balls to go so dramatically against the grain and to do it so successfully.

Not only that, but they went on to repeat the same trick. Recognising that they had badly miscalculated the appeal of a Wii 2 - which I honestly don't think would have sold much more sans gamepad, maybe 20-25m instead of 13m - they again designed something radical and unique and again smashed the competition.

To look at that and say, well, they've had some lucky breaks but it's time to settle down and stick with what works, seems to totally go against all the evidence we have for why Nintendo are as relevant as they ever were today.

I think, with the Wii and the DS generation, they were great examples of being exactly what you describe - Nintendo uniquely changing direction to revive its fortunes. However, I think it's also equally notable that within 5 or so years the consumer market marched on by and left them behind. The whole Remote/Touch Gen playstyle was huge and it's impressive of Nintendo to have come up with that kind of approach to mark themselves out however they're very tied to that generation. If Nintendo were to base their business on that approach it would be like reinventing the wheel every generation.

I would liken it to how Apple are traditionally seen as an innovative company - but aren't remotely applying that to each new iteration of their most popular products. To be honest, I think it's also hugely in consumers interests that Switch 2 is a pretty conservative update as well. The market appeal of the Switch has shown that there is arguably not the most pressing demand for Switch 2 given how strong the tail life is for Switch 1 still and with Microsoft about to step out of the game in the coming years I'm not sure that the industry will have it in it for one of the Big Two to suffer a main console collapse.

The DS might actually demonstrate their best approach. Though it went on to be their next big handheld, Nintendo never intended it to be that. For a short while it was famously their 'Third Pillar' because they didn't want to risk damaging the Game Boy brand if it failed. The Switch 2 being a traditional successor (which the response so far seems to suggest will enjoy massive success again) doesn't necessarily rule out something else unique from the company if they can come up with the right idea.

[wakka]

I can see where you're coming from and I'm glad that I think you see where I am too.

The Switch 2 being a traditional successor (which the response so far seems to suggest will enjoy massive success again) doesn't necessarily rule out something else unique from the company if they can come up with the right idea.

Absolutely - if anything, a pretty by-the-book sequel is right in line with their usual playbook. I agree this one will be a success too, even if I don't think it'll ultimately trouble Switch 1's massive sales figures.

And if anyone can come up with that future 'right idea', it's Nintendo. I think there'll be many more innovations to come from them in the decades ahead

[fishbowlhead]

I can see where you're coming from and I'm glad that I think you see where I am too.



Absolutely - if anything, a pretty by-the-book sequel is right in line with their usual playbook. I agree this one will be a success too, even if I don't think it'll ultimately trouble Switch 1's massive sales figures.

And if anyone can come up with that future 'right idea', it's Nintendo. I think there'll be many more innovations to come from them in the decades ahead

Just look at LABO, great idea, tons of fun to put together and play, especially if you have younger kids, plus mega profitable for Nintendo, everyone’s a winner. A classic example of Nintendo being Nintendo and just boomeranging a left field idea out the blue that works on all levels.

[Asura]

I struggle to see the potential of a mouse for Nintendo to do something really wacky and creative in a Nintendo style, but it would be nice to be proven wrong.

One "mouse", it might be difficult to come up with something... But two mice?

Very few input paradigms have done that. I can imagine a bunch of interesting stuff, like if you've got a rope stretched between two pointers, or you're trying to catch something in a sheet, etc.

[Neon Ignition]

I'm not expecting anything from the mouse functionality, for a largely portable console it's an impracticle option and likely will go overlooked. The additional USB-C port is likely the real avenue they'll use to get the system to do wackier stuff

[Dogg Thang]

I want Sega to make Mouse of the Dead.

[QualityChimp]

Instead of buying the bigger Switch 2, I'm going to buy a Switch 1 and hold it closer to my face.

[randombs]

Instead of buying the bigger Switch 2, I'm going to buy a Switch 1 and hold it closer to my face.

Is that like sitting farther away from the TV to make DVDs look closer to Blu-Rays?

[QualityChimp]

Is that like sitting farther away from the TV to make DVDs look closer to Blu-Rays?

I just take my glasses off. Can't see high-def if you can't see properly.