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Topic: Switch's lack of games at launch (and general weird launch) kinda feels intentional

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kkslider5552000

I cannot think of a better, smaller title that describes how I feel. It's weird. This whole console is weird. It's hard to ignore that. And like both Nintendo's successes and failures, I don't think anyone is able to look at this past what the competition is doing and assuming that is the only way to succeed. It's not. I would've hoped 4+ years of indie devs giving the finger to every stupid assumption AAA companies have made would be proof enough of that but oh well...

But my point is, I can't help but feel this small launch is intentional. If you look at Nintendo's past handheld and console, it fits really well. Why did 3DS' launch suck? Because outside of maybe the novelty of Street Fighter IV on a handheld and the clearly a fad in retrospect Nintendogs, it had no big titles at or near launch (would like to see if they marketed those well). And nothing but N64 remakes until the Holidays. Also, because 2011 was a stupid year for Nintendo, where their big title was I guess Pilotwings Resort. What does Nintendo have for Switch? Breath of the Wild, the most anticipated Zelda in a decade, maybe more. Marketed like the biggest game of the universe, dominated E3, has everyone talking. Also, it had to compete with Pokemon B/W. Yes you can play that on 3DS, but people's first thought is they can get a new game on the DS that LITERALLY EVERYONE HAS instead of getting 3DS. Switch has to compete with a Mario sports collection you barely know exists.

Why did Wii U's launch suck? OH BOY LET ME COUNT THE WAYS. Let's ignore the abysmal marketing that Nintendo is already too late to even intentionally match, and the desperation to appeal to all types of gamers. First of all, not a game to make it look like the hot new console. Just inherently. The casual game was for hardcore Nintendo fans (even if I wish their crazy idea worked and Pikmin and Metroid were household names), and most Nintendo fans just played an NSMB game on 3DS (not to mention 3DS had good momentum at this point). But for 3rd party games, barring a couple of casual games, was heavily focused on ZombiU, a mixed reviewed new IP Zombie game. Also there were 3rd party ports that were mostly only acknowledged (post-E3 anyway) by trailers having the Wii U logo at the end. And they all competed with each other at the same time. While already selling themselves to the gamers who could play it on their consoles that combined sales destroyed even the Wii on its own. And were M rated and not even sold at all the stores because of being M rated on Nintendo. And Wii U had 2 games of note after that until August essentially.

So what is Nintendo doing? Releasing very few retail games at launch. Because if there's very few games, there's a far great chance more copies of some of them will be sold and thus Switch will have great sales vs console base for games beyond Nintendo's big IPs. Having bigger titles than Wii U's first year release consistently in Switch's first year. Giving you a schedule of when other games come out. Making sure the literal next month has a port of one of their biggest titles that could've been so much bigger on more popular hardware. And notice the relative lack of bigger M rated titles. That is entirely intentional. The weird thing about M rated games not being sold, I believe it, but I've not done the research to see if it's a real consistent issue. But that makes me think it really is. And with the quick releases compared to when they're announced nowadays, I have no idea how many we'll be seeing soon. I'm assuming some with those companies, but it's...weird. I have to assume there's been games they wanted and wanted near launch but it didn't happen. But that doesn't mean a lot of them. Everyone had forever to plan this. The release month has been what was expected FOREVER. This is not unplanned.

To add to all of this, I almost feel like this is like a more well thought out version of what happened with 3DS. Because it's coming out the same month it did. And 3DS actually recovered to the point of being considered a real success. It's not hard for me to imagine that they want to do that but better. So that if 3DS had an actual effective launch, imagine how much more popular it could've gotten by the holiday season. And really, if it did, I wouldn't be surprised if 3DS had ended up being even bigger than it was. But yeah, if Switch is or isn't a success in March is not as much of a disaster as if it happened at launch in the holidays. That I'm certain of. That screams "dead" to the game industry. And if something goes wrong, they have time to change something. If they have to lower the price, they don't have to wait for a second holiday season to market their lower priced Switch, for example.

This doesn't excuse every issue about it certainly, but it fits so well as a reaction to the 3DS and Wii U that it has to be intentional on some level, and it seems pretty smart in that regard.

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jump

^you're forgetting to mention the 3ds having a price cut combined big games changed the 3ds' momentum.

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Alright, I gotta stop getting into arguments with jump. Someone remind me next time.

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Sisilly_G

I walked away with 3 games on 3DS launch day: Nintendogs + Cats, Super Street Fighter IV and The SIms 3. I also had Ghost Recon Shadow Wars that came bundled with the console, but I was never interested in that and I swiftly traded it in some time later. In the following weeks/months, I picked up Pilotwings Resort, Dead or Alive: Dimensions (my most anticipated "launch period" game, becoming one of my favourite games ever) and Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D, so there was plenty to play with until the arrival of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 during the holiday period.

And of course, the 3DS has backwards compatibility, so gems such as Pokémon Black/White and DS catalogue titles filled in the gaps. The Wii U had a similar launch drought (hell, it's had a software drought for the entirety of its lifespan!), but there were plenty of Wii titles to fall back on as well, so it wasn't all bad.

With the Switch, there is no backwards compatibility, so no Wii U or 3DS games to pad out the catalogue, and only 5 retail titles at launch (that I can recall), 3 of which are/will be available on the Wii U. Titles such as Fifa and last-gen ports such as Rayman Legends and Minecraft really needed to be ready right out of the gate for launch, and I feel that Nintendo really squandered a golden opportunity to have a killer launch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a few additional third party titles to keep the momentum alive.

While the console shows a ridiculous amount of promise (as did the Wii U, which ultimately never really fulfilled its potential), it's hard to get excited about what's on offer. I'm really, really, really hoping that there are still a few more launch titles yet to be announced as the current launch line-up (minus Zelda) is an absolute embarrassment.

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JaxonH

Ya know, I think it's intentional also.

They know Zelda Breath of the Wild is going to sell consoles. And tossing in a few extra launch games isn't going to change that fact. They know the biggest issue they face is droughts, not a thin launch lineup. And rather than toss in a few more games (only to see them lost in the sea of Zelda hype) they'd rather use them to space out the year 1 releases, ensuring we never go long without a new release.

Wii U went 9 months before it's next major release, Pikmin 3, dropped. In the first 9 months of Switch, we'll see Zelda (biggest game of the generation), Mario Kart (complete with battle mode and 48 tracks), Xenoblade 2, Splatoon, Mario, Fire Emblem Warriors and Arms (new IP). That's pretty good. Wii U didn't see a single one of those respective releases in its first year (aside from a Windwaker port). And leaked retailer listings and amiibo submissions indicate there may be even more in store (Pikmin World and Smash).

So ya, I think Nintendo is playing the long game here. Ya they're gonna take some guff over the launch lineup, and they know that, but in the end, they know Zelda would drown them out anyways and will sell consoles itself anyways, and they know far more important than tossing games to their death against Zelda at launch is keeping a steady flow of games throughout the year.

Wii U had a great launch lineup but nothing afterward (although it didn't have a big system seller at launch either). Switch has one big system seller at launch and a steady flow of games after. That's key. Alot of the people who take a wait and see approach, once a year passes by and they see the games just piling up month after month, they're likely going to start weighing their options. And say ok, Nintendo seems to be delivering here- no long droughts, games piling up quick... I'm in.

Edited on by JaxonH

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Grumblevolcano

For 3DS I bought it in August 2011 with OoT3D and the only other games I bought that year were Sonic Generations, SF643D, SM3DL and MK7. My 3DS broke in early 2012, had to be repaired and that really killed my excitement for the console until E3 2013. That event between the 3DS and Wii U, sent my Nintendo excitement to a major high for a few years.

Grumblevolcano

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LzWinky

Honestly I thought this too. While there are only a few games, when was the last time a Nintendo console had a spectacular launch? The Wii with Zelda? The N64 with Mario 64? No one remembers most games at launch because they're forgettable. So what would the point be with quantity?

Also, I mentioned elsewhere that the date is important too. How many companies release their games in March as opposed to November?

Current games: Everything on Switch

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Octane

@TheLZdragon Luigi's Mansion, Pikmin and Smash Bros. Melee on the GameCube! That's a launch everyone still remembers fondly, well, the few people that actually had a GameCube.

Octane

Ralizah

As long as no delays occur, Nintendo has a pretty darn nice lineup of first-party content for year one. As it stands, the Switch's launch day options are filling out a bit, and it has what is potentially one of the best games on the system launching alongside it. A major release every few months would be a fantastic improvement on how they operated with the Wii U.

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iKhan

You just have to look at the unambitious number of units shipped to find evidence of this. Nintendo knows March isn't a big time for video game sales, and therefore, they aren't blowing their load early. Instead, they are opting for consistency.

I think a better comparison is the Gamecube launch, which wasn't remarkable on it's own, but had a fantastic launch window and launch year. With a more appealing concept, this could bring a whole lot of success.

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rallydefault

It does make sense, logically.

The big opposite argument currently out there is that the Switch is being rushed, which hey - we need to acknowledge that very well may be the case.

But, like you said, we should never be subjected to a Wii U launch window ever again. That was terrible. To get pretty much nothing from Nintendo until Pikmin 3 in July or whatever was the absolute worst thing for a new console owner. NSMBU was probably better for me than most people because I never owned a DS or 3DS, but still... I had that thing 100% completed in a couple weeks. And then the waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

This is looking so much more positive. Zelda at launch (huge game with tons to complete, obviously) with 1,2 Switch (hey - I think my wife and I will have fun with it lol) for some fun in-between; freakin' Mario Kart Deluxe the next month, ARMS in the Spring, and Splatoon 2 in the Summer (EVEN if it is late summer, at least it's coming). And that rolls us right into the Holiday season with <fingers crossed> Mario Odyssey.

Dang. It's like night and day.

rallydefault

CanisWolfred

I actually think you've got a point, kkslider. This is much closer to what I wanted out of a Nintendo system's first year release strategy, and I'm really hoping it works out in the end. If anything, I think people need to remember that the third party games weren't announced all at once, and there are more options being announced for launch period that people outta take a look at. Maybe that's just my bais here, since out of the launch games announced, I would actually be happy with Zelda, Fast RMX [okay, I guess that's not actually confirmed for launch], Disgaea 5 Complete, and Super Bomberman R. And maybe I Am Setsuna. I'm still not sure on that one.

Edited on by CanisWolfred

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FGPackers

I think that Nintendo is doing it right. There is plenty of content to wait for a possible Switch Direct in April or May or even for E3: Zelda, Super Bomberman, 1 2 Switch, I am Setsuna, Has Been Heroes, Snipperclips on launch, then there's MK8, Shovel Knight with the new campaign, Disgaea, Sonic Mania, Lego City, Rime, Arms and maybe some unannounced games (indie or not) to wait for Splatoon to refresh summer. Then in the fall/holiday time the big number of games will come with FIFA, NBA, Skyrim, Xeno 2, Odissey, Project Sonic and much more.

And we don't even know when Xenoverse 2, Fast RMX, FE Warriors and Syberia 3 will come. I'm sure i'm even forgetting something, and more games will be SURELY announced.

I really don't get where's the problem. Instead of 9 games of NOTHING we will get a steady flow of releases, WAY BETTER than Wii U. And since the attention that Switch is receiving is very good, i think that Nintendo is putting the right bases for a good push. We just have to patiently wait

Edited on by FGPackers

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dtjive

I think in part the launch being this way is intentional. Nintendo want to ensure that the Switch doesn't follow the Wii U in having few games shortly after release and a drop off in sales after the first 3 months.

dtjive

BigBadJohn

Every time a new system launches I alway go crazy with the games by buying 5 or 6. Generally most of them aren't that good and one maybe two titles get the most love. ZombiU or whatever it was called probably got less than twenty minutes of game time and still sits on my shelf. This time I am exercising discipline. I've got Zelda and bomberman preordered and not going to get anymore until I've at least finished Zelda! Well I may get snipperclips coz that looks cool... and of course MK8 and Splatoon 2 because I loved the originals.... and perhaps ARMS for parties.... Damn it I'm doing it again!

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kkslider5552000

I think the big unknown is the 3rd party games right now. But it's hard to say how much of it is an issue and how much is intentional. I'd be super unsurprised if at E3 (maybe even before) we heard of say, a Dark Souls collection, and bam, it's on Switch this year. Shadow of Mordor is one I'd want to see on Switch. OK FINE, IN 3 MONTHS FROM ANNOUNCEMENT. Just weird crazy stuff fits for a console whose release date was announced 2 months in advance (and Nintendo is continuing this trend based on that 3DS FE game). But at the same time, I won't be too shocked if that doesn't happen (at least not much of it)

I'm also certain this year's COD will be on it. Though I think it might finally be nearing its end as a dominant gaming brand...

Edited on by kkslider5552000

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Farmboy74

Now that all furore about the launch day games has died down a bit and looking at the known games upto the end of the year, I would say it's a decent list of games which are spaced out very well. Launching with Zelda makes sense as does with most of the other big games missing the launch period as not to get drowned out in all the Zelda hype. We get a steady flow of games throughout the year and hopefully a Nintendo direct or two, more importantly a successful E3 where any remaining big hitters for this year and next year are revealed.
As long as Nintendo avoids a Wii U software style drought and can keep the games coming from their own 1st and 2nd party studios then hopefully the Switch will succeed.

Farmboy74

JoyBoy

You really can't put anything big next to Zelda, it won't stand out. 1-2switch, say what you will, it does stand out. Arms will also be a great title to have there together with Zelda.

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FGPackers

Spanjard wrote:

You really can't put anything big next to Zelda, it won't stand out

That's the real point. They want to focus on Zelda, and to me they rightfully do so. Seems this game will take A LOT to finish it, in the mean time MK8D will come and other games too. Patience and wait for news, that's all i will do, meanwhile i'll just live another life in the next fantastic Hyrule!

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rallydefault

Spanjard wrote:

You really can't put anything big next to Zelda, it won't stand out. 1-2switch, say what you will, it does stand out. Arms will also be a great title to have there together with Zelda.

I couldn't agree more, and those are exactly the 2 games I have pre-ordered for launch day. Zelda for that engrossing single-player experience, and 1, 2 Switch to have some fun with my wife and friends. They can coexist and both still be awesome in their own ways - a pretty good pair for a lot of people, I think.

@Farmboy74
I love how you say "died down," because that's exactly what people always do: everyone freaked out a couple weeks ago about "nogamesomgomgomgomg," and now that we've actually had time to step back and view everything (and have more game announcements), people are starting to realize that there actually will be a pretty solid launch lineup.

rallydefault

Farmboy74

@rallydefault
I agree 100% with what have said. After the initial reveal I was saying to myself where the hell are the games after getting up at 4am to watch the presentation. I then spent the rest of the weekend on Switch overload of reading and watching all related content and watching the Internet go into collective melt down over the launch day line up and software beyond that. My wife did give me to Easter at the latest till I caved in and brought a Switch, but went and pre ordered one with Zelda for launch on the 19th Jan. Also looking to pick up Bomberman to play with the kids and the pro controller as well. Those two games alone will tie me over for quite some time by which time Disgaea 5 and Arms will be out before looking to pick up Skyrim and Mario Odessey at the end of the year.
But in the meantime there has been a steady trickle of game information and additional games added to launch day, we also had the Fire Emblem direct with two Fire Emblem games announced and overall I get a feeling of positivity about the Switch which the Wii U never got and why I didn't buy it at launch.

Farmboy74

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