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

@Octane sorry, the list I got must have been incomplete since I missed Matroid Prime and Star Fox Adventures. I wouldn't count Pikmin or Eternal Darkness though, since those were new IPs at the time. I should have included Luigi's Mansion, Mario Party 4 and Metroid Prime though.

The point of my list was to show games we knew to be hyped for. I am looking forward to Snipperclips and Arms, but it is kinda hard to be hyped for something I know so little about. Most of Nintendo's known franchises can instigate hype by just mentioning the possibility of a new entry, which is why I tried (but kinda failed) to only include already established IPs.

@AlliMeadow I know, but the GameCube had one of the most underappreciated launches, just wanted to highlight that. Not sure why Pikmin and Eternal Darkness don't count though, I would definitely count ARMS as a launch year game. Snipperclips is a $20 eShop title, not to say that it won't be any good, in fact it's probably one of the games I'm looking forward the most. However, the older consoles didn't have any of the indie and download-only titles, so that's a bit more difficult to compare. Speaking of new IPs and ARMS, I hope there's more content than what we've seen so far. A single player or story mode wouldn't hurt that game, it definitely worked for Splatoon.

GCN had one of the best first years ever for major titles, anyone who says otherwise is a liar. Not to mention two peak year Tony Hawk games, the last single player Bomberman that mattered at all, a From Software game (borderline none of you know this, even if you played the game), the 2 best Monkey Ball games, the reason Nintendo fans got into Sonic and probably my favorite Star Wars game.

Was reading a statement from Kimishima, and basically confirms my suspicions that they wanted to have games flowing steadily without droughts, and therefore didn't want to expend their surplus just to impress at launch, followed by a drought (especially when Zelda will dwarf everything else)

"Some of those who have seen this lineup have expressed the opinion that the launch lineup is weak.

Our thinking in arranging the 2017 software lineup is that it is important to continue to provide new titles regularly without long gaps. This encourages consumers to continue actively playing the system, maintains buzz, and spurs continued sales momentum for Nintendo Switch.

For that reason, we will be releasing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, which is making its debut on the Nintendo Switch during the first half of 2017, and Splatoon 2, which attracted consumers’ attention most during the hands-on events in Japan, in summer 2017. We believe that these titles exemplify the concept of the Nintendo Switch, which is to be able to play anywhere with anyone and at any time, and will expand and invigorate competition between players."

It's not the best 1st party lineup ever seen, but...

Zelda Breath of the Wild
1-2 Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Arms
Splatoon 2
Fire Emblem Warriors
Xenoblade 2
Super Mario Odyssey

Isn't too shabby either, especially given this is actually in the first 3/4 of a year following launch, not a full 12 months. If they announce Smash and Pikmin, it will rival GameCube status. So maybe it's not the best ever but it's certainly not shabby by any means... and well beyond Wii U.

A port of Super Smash Bros. is also extremely likely to be released before the end of the year (if not during the first half of the year), which would explain the delay of the three missing amiibo figurines. I also understand why Nintendo would be reluctant to reveal it too soon as I'm sure that the 3DS and Wii U versions would still be selling in healthy numbers. I suppose they'll consider announcing it once those sales figures stagnate. It wouldn't surprise me if they release a "definitive" edition on all three platforms (3DS, Wii U and Switch) as DLC sales will almost certainly come to a grinding halt on 3DS and Wii U upon the announcement of a GotY-style Switch release.

@kkslider5552000 You're right! I didn't know Lost Kingdoms was From Software! O_o

Also, while the Gamecube had a great first year, it did have some noteable gaps in 2003 and 4, IIRC. At the very least, the E3 Star Fox Assault and couple others was apparently what Nintendo considered "the end of a dry period" back in those days...oh, if only we knew how lucky we were...

Of course, this is why having 3rd party support is good, because there were at least ENOUGH of the 3rd party games to play.

Multi-console games on GCN I remember, just from the top of my head:
-Burnout 1 (tragically, I don't think the beloved sequel/s though)
-Need for Speed games
-The other good Tony Hawk games (the first bad one was the Wii one)
-True Crime Streets of LA (spiritual predecessor to Sleeping Dogs)
-Sonic Heroes
-EA Sports when they weren't considered a waste of time (though this is when the NFL deal happened so this was turning point...)
-the actually fun EA Sports games (SSX, the criminally forgotten NBA Street etc)
-Def Jam Fight for NY
-Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy (these last 2 games you only remember if you were there)
-Beyond Good and Evil (the 2nd best Zelda game ever made when released)
-Rayman 3
-the later Spyro or Crash games (noted for name value more than quality )
-Pacman World 2 (someone got really mad at Namco for not making more of these instead of Pacman Championship Edition)
-Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
-Megaman X Command Mission
-Splinter Cell
-Soul Calibur 2
-Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance
-Freedom Fighters

(as a side note, I still miss when things felt more even for exclusives vs multiplatform instead of Xbox and Playstation are pointless and similar, Nintendo gets none of their games (Sony arguably eventually wins by eventually having exclusives eventually))

All that said, though, first party did feel exactly like the norm. Random games early in the year, maybe one other after, most of them from August to November. Nintendo's not the only one but y'know...

Heh, I certainly remember them...

I'd chuck Timesplitters 2 on that list, spiritual successor to Goldeneye fits nicely on Ninty hardware.

Well it's definitely my opinion, but it's a view voiced by many across the internet. I mean, I wouldn't be saying all this if it were just me, because as I said before, who cares about "just me"? I'm just one guy. Me buying or not buying the Switch won't make a difference, at all.

I'm concerned about the general view of the line-up, particularly the first year, because the general view of the console in the public's eye is what will probably determine the success of the machine. If we're being honest, Nintendo has to win back the average consumer. And to be honest, I think the Switch has incredible potential. But looking at a long term view of the software, a purchase isn't justifiable—not to "just me", but to a lot of people on message boards across the internet. And I understand that what people say on message boards doesn't mean one thing or another. I'm just commenting on what I've seen.

I know Zelda alone is worth it in many people's minds, and I don't blame them for thinking that way, but as I've said before, I don't think there's any real way to justify a $300 purchase for one game.

With the gaps in first party content, I would have hoped there would be at least some new 3rd party titles. I'm seeing quite a few games announced for PS4 and XBO coming between now and summer, and none of them are coming to Switch, some of which I think are big games that the Switch should be getting. That's my big problem with the library right now.

@crimsoncavalier
The problem with your argument, for me, is that nothing you are saying makes sense. You say you are worried about the Switch's first-year lineup, and then you proceed to say "Zelda" as if it's the only game coming out in the first year.

Are you unaware of Splatoon 2, Mario Kart Deluxe, Sonic Mania, Bomberman R, Mario Odyssey, etc. or are you choosing to willfully ignore that those first-party games are, in fact, coming to the Switch in its first year, many of them even in its first months. Heck, if you're saying "first year," which to me means March '17 - March '18, you MAY even be able to include the new Fire Emblem game, depending on launch date when we learn it.

Also, whenever people on the internet try to use the internet as their source, I cringe. For example, you typed this: "but it's a view voiced by many across the internet," at which point a person like me loses a lot of respect for your argument. Because when you say that, you're immediately putting stock in a source that, in studies branching from the Pareto Principle, has been proven to be representative of less than 1% of any specific audience. Probably way less, because the accepted offshoots say that less than 1% OF THE 1% of people in any group actually voice their opinions.

So... please don't put stock in what people on the internet are saying. It's a terribly flawed way of approaching anything. Which I guess applies to me, as well. lol

What @rallydefault just said. And not only that. Who is the average consumer? In my experience the average consumer is the family that wants to buy their kids a new toy or casual gamers wanting a specific console game. There are plenty of people out there who are willing to buy a system for 1 or 2 games they know they'll enjoy with their friends and family. For many people Mario Kart is that game. When I grew up many of my friends had a 64, but most only had the packed in title (Super Mario 64) and Mario Kart 64 and most of them had 4 controllers. The same happened with the Wii, which many people bought, but they only bought Mario Kart Wii and a couple of more games. I know my experience isn't representative, still my impression is that most casual gamers buy a console to play a couple of games. If anything else comes along that catches their eye it's just a bonus.

@AlliMeadow
That is very true. I've known tons of people who own a console and only a few games for it, but they love those games and play them over and over.

And guess what? You're likely to NEVER see those people on the internet, let alone see them voicing their opinion on the internet. They probably don't even know what an "IGN" or "Boogie2988" even is lol

But they can make up a sizable chunk of your consumer base.

So what right does "just one man" have to speak for everyone else? Like some of the others are saying, you aren't making a whole lot of sense. You keep dismissing certain games because you think other might not care about it, but I can't even get a read on who "these people" are supposed to be. Random people on the internet? People tend say $#+! they don't mean all the time, especially on social platforms like Twitter or reddit, where if you don't say something quick and snappy, you'll be lost in the literal flood of text, and only the loudest and most obnoxious are rewarded with an audience. The internet is terrible for sample-sizing.

And you know, personally, I don't care that much about the public's opinion. It is important, mind you, since who is buying the thing and buying games for it will help to determine what kind of games we'll get as time goes on as the Wii and Wii U proved. However, that's a lot easier to discuss once its out in the wild and we can get a better grasp on what people really think about it, based on informed opinions, rather than just reactions.

Until then, as a random user of this particular website, who happens to be posting in this thread, I'd rather read about your personal take on the system, based on your opinions and analyzations. After all, I can at least associate something resembling a name and a face with your words, unlike the ambiguous grey goo that is "the public".

I hope that's not too much to ask for, at this point.

That was literally the first game I thought of after posting it.

Plenty more I could include tbh, just lazy. But even what I posted is definitely more support than what major 3rd parties gave Wii U.

The WiiU & PS4 have an attach rate of around 7, showing how true this is.

@mav-i-am I wouldn't be surprised. I was one of those gamers, and to some extent still am. I am buying the Switch because I know it will get the few key games I know will give me hours of enjoyment. The other games are just there to fill the gap and because I'm curious.