Reaction: The Game Awards Left Us With One Big Question: Will Any Of This Run On Switch 2?

I'm also a compulsive commenter too. I just like doing things.

The real question? Should it work and if it doesn't, is it a big problem? The answer is no. In terms of game library (not counting the mobile and fake games that fill the Eshop), Switch has already become the most successful console. I'm sure Switch 2 will be successful in this regard as well.

Honestly I'm just waiting for someone to make a supercut of all the Statler and Waldorf appearances, that's all I care about.

I don't pay much attention to the game awards, nothing I've even played ever gets nominated or anything I'd be interested in. The most I do is nominate my favourites on Steam.

I think we will see some awesome first party and some great, “miracle ports” if the hardware rumors are true. Very similar to switch 1 I’m sure.

But my concern comes with the speed at which technology and gaming in general continue to advance now. Nintendo typically likes to run with their systems for a decent amount of time and I have concern about how long it can maintain at its slower pace.

However, if the rumors of delaying switch 2 are that it’s for stockpiling a massive release wave so that it is easy to find, I’m okay with the wait. Most of us would be waiting just as long to find one in the wild if it released now or first quarter 2025 anyway.

If it does, it does, albeit tailored for the console. If it doesn't, well.... shrugs plenty of first party content, which is the primary reason why I play stuff on a Nintendo console.

I mean as long as it runs on the Series S it might also run on the Switch 2

I want switch games which currently run at 30 to be able to run at 60 on the switch 2.

“Statler and Waldorf were on hand to reference last year's "wrap it up" criticism ”
Gotta love literal puppets being used for hollow self deprecating humor on this long corporate advertisement.

Switch used a Tegra X1 chip from year 2014 designed for 4K/60 media streaming on Android TV boxes.

Switch 2 will have a chip designed for gaming and not video streaming like the one for Switch.

It will most likely support DLSS, AI upscaling and whatever too. NVIDIA still have the best upscaler.

I would worry more about storage options on Switch 2 than being able to run newest games.
Did Nintendo get the memo that 200.GB +/- games will be more common from third parties?

I actually really enjoyed the show. There was a nice variety of genres shown along with stuff that is likely years away. With this being a transition year for Nintendo, I'm not surprised by their lack of awards.

If I had to offer criticism, I felt it was entirely too long. I also can't help but be disappointed, although expected, that Silksong wasn't shown yet again. Hopefully it's part of what Nintendo is cooking up for next year (launch title?).

Being a multi console owner I don’t care about the new big AAA games running on the switch 2.
Switch 2 for me is Nintendo, who's first party games like only Nintendo produce.

Switch 2 will be full of old third party games like RDR2 etc and probably not the new big 2025 and 2026 AAA third parties.

But that’s the Switch 2 and Nintendo for you and it works for them so that’s cool.

I would love to play both Metaphor and Baldur's Gate in the Switch successor. Long RPGs like those are better suited for a portable console for me.
Other than that Action RPGs like Elden Ring just play better in high-end tv consoles for me; Witcher 3, DS or RDR just feel off in Switch.

About the awards? Loved the Elden Ring, Witcher 4 and Intergalactic announcements, although I am a bit disappointed on the co-op concept of the first and don't expect the latter until a couple of years at least.

I believe all the games announced for Switch this gen will also work on the Switch 2 next gen cause the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with Switch games. That means Ninja Gaiden, Okami, Onimusha, Witcher, Doom, SaGa, MARVEL, Dragon Ball, etc., all should work on the Switch 2. Switch doesn't had Black Myth Wukong but at least it got Unruly Heroes which includes Wukong so that'll work too. The only way these games won't work on Switch 2 is if the games are coming for Switch 3 instead.

@link3710 that was the best thing about the whole show. Some bits were definitely adlibbed, Geoff looked a bit wounded after the Elden Ring dig.

I didn't watch it, but the Okami announcement is cool. I hope that one will reach the Switch 2.

I didn't watch it but besides the Capcom and Ninja Gaiden stuff the announcements were meh

I doubt Switch 2 will even be as powerful as competitor handhelds that serve Steam users. We're all only buying it for Nintendo IPs anyway.

I'm sure some will. If the Switch 2 is as popular as Switch 1, I think publishers are going to pursue it with zeal just like they did the Switch 1.

If it doesn't, no big loss yeeeeesh

what a strange question, Nintendo's president already announced that Switch games will run on its successor

I'm based in the UK so I certainly wasn't going to stay up til 3:30am watching it, especially when everything is served up in delectable bite-sized chunks well before my morning alarm even goes off.

it's clear like a crystal water, there is a new era and Nintendo need to understand. Nintendo Switch is old, simple, 2017 x 2025, 8 years

When the Switch launched the Vita was still in production. The Switch getting portable versions of full PS3 games was a novelty then. The so called ‘impossible ports’ that came as well, games running at lowest rendering settings of any platform but still optimized for Switch, were definitely given attention. However, I dont feel Switch 2 ports of that nature will attract the same curiosity, plaudits for just running, and forgiveness. Surely publishers are feeling with Switch 2 an ‘impossible port’ won’t automatically come with any spotlight and will probably not be seen as a positive pitch for their software.

Third party is probably going to align with the next Nintendo console in a more historical way: if the platform can’t run a game comparably, it probably won’t get the investment of a Nintendo port. Though I’m sure the doomed ‘unprecedented partnership’ statements will be there.

Nintendo will have to have more capable hardware than ever to repeat the success of the Switch.

I thought the live orchestra was amazing. Not just an afterthought, they gave it a lot of attention and the audience seemed to love it.

Anything at the show should be able to run on Switch 2, a console that hasn’t even been officially announced yet, when the games announced are being made to run on 4 year old hardware. Heck, a lot of the games also run on 10 yo hardware PS4.

Switch got Witcher 3 and Skyrim so Switch 2 should be able to get their sequels. Especially anything that can run on Series S.

Will it? Well I wouldn’t bet on that. When was the last time any GTA was on a Nintendo console? So yes it should be able to run it, but that doesn’t mean it will.

I feel like Nintendo has typically had a very small presence in most of the game awards (outside of that one where they announced Joker for Smash), so as a mostly Nintendo fan, this game awards was pretty much what I expected.

However, I do still have a PS5, and the idea of an Okami sequel was definitely the highlight for me.

As for Switch 2, we still know next to nothing official regarding specs, so until Nintendo actually reveals the thing and shares the hardware, I'm not expecting any of these games to come to Switch 2 until well after they're already out on other platforms. Kinda like how we've already seen with so many Switch games.

@Roger_Brazil I'd wager Sony and Microsoft are about to get the message that a lot of us see the diminishing returns of graphical fidelity pretty harshly. Which is probably why they are both making handhelds. That will put them in direct competition w Nintendo for the first time in a long while. Should be interesting, for sure.

The show was fantastic. Great pacing, humor, music, and a shocking number of really great game announcements. Even if most of the games aren't for me personally, I don't see how an awards show could be done better.

I hope Switch 2 can play Splitgate 2, Nightreign, Split Fiction, Stage Fright, and the "sequel" to Shadow of the Colossus.

My only big question is when are we getting official Nintendo news. I'm betting between 15Jan - 15Mar as the hot window.

@Serpenterror I doubt Wukong could even run on Switch 2 when it struggles running on PS5.

Tbh, I can see Elden Ring and Okami 2 coming to Switch 2. The others I’m not sure.

I doubt the new Onimusha game could run on Switch 2 though.

If any of these publishers intend to make money, then hell yes.

I really hope that we see a lot of ports. I want to play Cyber Punk, Elden ring, Baldur’s Gate 3… many others. If it turns out that the switch 2 can’t handle these games I’ll still be getting it - Nintendo’s first party offerings guarantee that - but I’ll probably also start looking into getting one of the other consoles. There’s starting to be too much I don’t want to miss.

Yeah they've already said Switch games would run on future hardware, plus if that weren't the case they wouldn't be investing in AAA material so late in the Switch's life.

I don't have nearly the technical knowledge to compare the theoretical specs of a 2025 Switch equivalent vs modern consoles to those of the original vs Xbox One/PS4, but given the rise of portable pseudo-consoles and Xbox's recent shift to supporting everything with a screen, I'd think there would be a much bigger emphasis on making games scalable than there was eight years ago. If it can run at a stable 720p 30fps without any other jarring cutbacks, then I and a massive swath of casual consumers will be perfectly content with that.

And the big answer to this question is probably No.
switch 2 tech spec is probably so old now based on when it went into production and prototyping to when it will finally be released. I imagine it would be 3 years behind current spec and considering current spec isn’t running most current games very well the chance switch 2 could run them is out the window.

As with all ninty product it will run ninty software really well but struggle with everything else.

As for switch 2, I also expect to see a lot of AAA third parties opting for cloud versions of their games due to lower risk/gamble.
Even tho they flopped big on switch 1.

I think there’ll be the odd one that makes it over but I’m expecting a repeat of the Switch where current gen AAA games getting a port (especially on day one) will be the exception not the rule- certainly for Western developed games anyway. Not that that’s a bad thing, the Switch got by just fine on Nintendo exclusives, indies and tons of older third party games that got a new lease on life by being made portable.

This is all assuming developers don’t start to target Switch 2 as lead platform and port up to more powerful machines, though. Could help to mitigate ballooning development costs and make it easy to get games running well on all systems but I can’t see it happening, at least not for most games.

My only concern would be how impactful ports of Elden Ring etc. would be when devices like Steam Deck have been around for years now. Then again, handheld PCs are going for a totally different audience so Nintendo should be fine.

I would have probably enjoyed it a lot more if my sleep schedule didn't have me getting tired by 8:00 at night due to me having to start work at 6:00 in the morning (this being despite the fact that I am now on a five-day weekend starting today). I was legit fighting to stay awake by the end of it.

In any case, until the successor to the Switch (I refuse to call it Switch 2 until Nintendo themselves reveal the console's name; in fact, a GameStop employee told me that their Nintendo rep specifically told them not to call it the Switch 2 when talking about it with customers) and its specs are revealed, I am not holding my breath as to what games will be coming to it.

Yes, it would be nice to get The Witcher IV, but given how lifelike the game looks, I doubt the successor to the Switch would be able to run it. Then again, if the Switch can handle the Special Edition of Skyrim as well as The Witcher III, it's very well possible that The Witcher IV could come to the Switch's successor.

Only thing I care about right now is Okami 2, and that will definitely most likely run on Switch 2. lol

@Ironcore
yeah would be really cool if there were games which got patched to run better on switch 2 though i would love to see a system level boost feature so games which had performance issues could at least hit their target framerate easier (similar to running 3ds games on "new 3ds" or ps4 games on ps5)

I’ll bet my bottom dollar that Outer Worlds 2 will be on the next console. They just can’t say the name of it yet.

@AstroTheGamosian I’m hoping the difference here with games like Witcher IV is that they’re planning for Switch 2 from the outset, so even if it doesn’t come close to looking as good as other versions they consciously won’t make something that can’t scale down to it. I’m pretty sure Witcher 3 did well for them on Switch so I imagine they’d want to be on Switch 2 ASAP, along with other third parties who saw success with their ports.

Handheld PCs might actually end up being beneficial to Nintendo too, since as they get more popular developers might make more efforts to make sure they run on that lower end hardware which will hopefully help with Switch 2 ports. That’s what I’m optimistic for anyway.

Most of the announced stuff doesn't even look like it wouldn't run on Switch unless built to freeze, crash and brick the given device at the mere detection of 720p in the parameters. I'm not even kidding in the light of the hybrid queen getting big budget projects as recent as Hogwarts Legacy (only Witcher 4 might cause some apprehension, and that's mostly because of reported/alleged issues with Cyberpunk's optimization on pastgen machines - which CDPR themselves have claimed to have learned a lesson from IIRC). The successor's potential capabilities are often considered to have got a rough demo in Steam Deck with the mutually balancing footnotes of a lower pricetag (read: budget) limits on the one hand and a naturally more dedicated gaming hardware design (plus the allegedly more portability-friendly architecture) on the other. There's nothing unreasonable to expect a hybrid port of by default come Gen 10, if in part because only so many projects over the last decade have used laudedly bloated specs for anything but extra pixels/frames. PS5 Pro sounds (and, as some might argue, costs) like it should support a friggen Aincrad - and what has been its actual sales pitch, again?

@NinChocolate "Nintendo will have to have more capable hardware than ever to repeat the success of the Switch"

This has been discussed ad nauseaum. They already have the most capable hardware to offer full portability in its price and battery life range, and they used it to make the hobby more flexible and accessible than ever before. Switch has got its 146+ million sales between the evergrowing crowd of older gamers with a life to slot video game sessions into and the likewise widening market slice of kids who are already used to portable everything but not yet conditioned to worship the placebo joys of Ultra HD and ray tracing. That's why the handheld PC market has seen a resurgence in the wake of Nintendo's success, with more and more people spoiled into playing previously TV-chained stuff like RDR, Civilization, Witcher 3 and Hogwarts at their own pace and in a location/pose of choice. And yet these PCs remain variably compromised (and mostly much more costly options as compared to a dedicated hybrid console). What the "wonder ports" of the last 7+ years, alongside first party mammoths like BotW and Xenoblades, have reaffirmed is the illusory nature of the modern games' dependence on spec creep, but they weren't created as "a positive pitch for the software" - they were created to bring in some extra money from the people who would have found (and, indeed, used to find) the "default" versions too gated and sporadic a pastime to invest in. And this is what one can reasonably expect the successor to thrive on as well - maybe not to the same amount of sales (such cases being infrequent in video game history overall), but by no means improbably ending up anywhere between GBA and PS4 numbers in the end.

I think it was a very good show. Could've done with more awards actually being presented but otherwise they did a good job balancing reveals, speeches and music.

I'm very happy that Astro Bot won GotY and I hope Sony learns lessons from it like how a varied lineup is important and that a Nintendo-like release structure is a much better approach than trying to chase live service.

Rather than look at Nintendo's absence at the event as a negative, I prefer to look at the positive side of it. Namely, no announcements gives the impression that a Direct is sooner rather than later considering there's currently no February 1st party game and nothing's been given a specific release date after March either.

i want Witcher 4, FF7, Assasin Shadow, Doom, some Mecha Robot
on switch 2 ( actualy just make them all on it )

I don't care about a single thing from that show.

I’m not really into the Game Awards, so…

I just watched the trailers when they were posted online. But glad it was a better event this year for those that enjoy it.

A pure 10. It was amazing.
If the rumors are true and the next Nintendo system is like a PS4, maybe PS4 pro(and I'm sure that's the max level), than history will repeat and again, Nintendo versions of the games will have big cut downs.
I don't care, since I'm playing a lot on PS5 and also Series X.

I didn't watch the show.
I will never ever watch game award.
It will be always a rubbish and will always be.
ZERO from ten.
And none of the games announced I like.
NONE of them.
Wholesome Direct before game award was the BEST part for me.
More cozy and cute games from Wholesome Direct.

@Toastmaster third parties got the memo from Nintendo, to optimize their games to run and fit on Switch, and will be the same case for the successor.

The short answer, is yes. All companies will want to jump on the bandwagon that the successor of the Switch is, so, of course most of those games will be in the successor.

Didn't watch. Too long, no time for that and I can just read the results.

I suspect some of these games will more than likely end up on the Switch 2 if Sony and Microsoft dont buy up every 3rd party developer in the industry.

All Nintendo need to do is strong 3rd party ports of games like Elden Ring, Black Myth, Boulders Gate 3, Dragons Dogma 2, a few others too, along with full indie support with games like Hades 2, Hollow Knight Silk Song (one day) and their own strong first party exclusive games and they'll do just fine with that. A few 3rd party timed exclusive will help too, like another MonHun game similar to what happened with Rise.

Basically same thing they did with the Switch.

Nintendo really doesn't need to do much because their own first party games are already in terms of sheer revenue, the most lucrative in the entire industry. Just need to look at the biggest entertainment franchises in history to know what I mean.

Nintendo are the only developer in the world capable of taking an old game they made 10 years ago, adding a few bells and whistles to it, adding no online features, not improving the gameplay or even the frame rates and somehow selling 15+ million copies of that game because plumber with mustache sells like hot cakes.

If you can think of any other development studio could do anything close to that, I'd like to know who 😂.

I love Nintendo but i am just tired of playing outdated games because of weak hardwear , and the exclussives does not cut it anymore for me !...

@PateloDim I wouldn't get so worked up over Nintendo's weak hardware, we're seeing a big shift in the industry now where games developed on brand new hardware with the latest and greatest graphics, are looking less and less appealing to make.

Too much risks and costs involved, nowadays it Takes 5-8 years to develop a average AAA game, look at how little games the PS5 actually has, especially when you compare it to the PS4 in the same period, the numbers are worlds apart.

The reality is we're now in the era of diminished returns, it's not worth spending so much time to make a game only for the game to flop. This is why even 4 years after Gen 9 starting, we're still seeing many games being made for PS4s and Xbox Ones.

Nintendo have had the right idea for a while now, strong hardware doesn't make for a successful product. Look at the PS2, was the weakest of the 3, yet sold the most, look again with the Wii, was the weakest of the 3 but sold the most, even the PS1, was the weakest of the 3 but sold the most.

Actually throughout history, it's more often than not, weak hardware actually has the better experiences, proof of this is how pound for pound, Nintendo Switch actually has the most highest rated games on their hardware of any console, ever.

I wouldn't be so quick to write off Nintendo based solely on their hardware.

I feel like Nintendo has waited a little too long on announcing the Switch 2 at this point. So many games revealed during the game awards with not even the Switch logo in their console list was sorta making Nintendo feel a little irrelevant.

Honestly, as long as it can play the current-gen stuff without major compromise (i.e. Final Fantasy VII R-Trilogy, Elden Ring, etc.), I'm good. It doesn't need to be ready for PS6 or Xbox-Whatever stuff. We're Nintendo fans. We know it ain't gonna be cream of the crop graphics (though I maintain GameCube games looked WAY better than OG Xbox or PS2 games by and large). We just need it to run well and be fun.

@larryisaman Well, as long as the successor to the Switch can run Genshin Impact, I'm happy. I prefer to play that one on PC, and my iPhone 15 Pro can run it quite smoothly, but since I hate playing a game like that with touchscreen controls, if I am to take the game on the go, I'd prefer an actual controller, with joysticks and buttons. What'd also be nice is if the successor to the Switch had VR capabilities, more so than what they did with the Nintendo Labo VR set.

The two games announced for PC and consoles should be coming. As well as others who didn't put Nintendo on there list. Be nice if the new elden ring and the no show GTA 6 to come to Nintendo Switch Succesor.

Also no one knows the true power of Switch 2 yet.

If those leaked specs are anything to go by, the Switch 2 will actually be more powerful than people think.(using DLSS, stronger than PS4 and way more modern architecture) I think a good chunk of these games will wind up on Switch 2, especially the Japanese games.

The diminishing returns between PS4 and PS5 and the fact that devs. aren't even realizing the full potential of the PS5 leads me to believe the Switch 2 will get plenty of 3rd party support.

Let’s be real: This is less about “will it run on Switch 2?” and more “Will they actually try to port it?” which was the theme for most of Switch 1 life. Lot of games are not on Switch and it’s not because of the specs. Lot of developers and publishers wrote off the Switch period and didn’t change tune until way later into its life.

Only time will tell if there is greater effort right out the gate since people shouldn’t write it off as dead in water this time.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Muppets/comments/1hd6j8g/all_of_statler_and_waldorfs_scenes_at_the_game/

Didn't watch and chose to wait for any relevant Nintendo related news here.

@MontyCircus Thank you!

Only mildly interested as I am interested in gaming but I need Nintendo Switch related news here as that is why I am on this particular site. Really hoping Switcher 4 & Okami 2 gets optimised for Switch 2. Astro Bot would be cool on Switch 2. I dearly loved Tears of a Kingdom, tbf

@rjejr gta was on the Nintendo switch tho

Two GOTYs now have been platformers, but none by Nintendo.

Switch 2 was only successful because of big 3rd party support! If Nintendo wants the next gen system to succeed, it needs to stay relevant for 5-7years at least. During this time we will have a ps6 already, which means the Switch 2 will need to handle some re-made versions of PS6 games as well. The system needs to be very well designed! I don’t need 4K, but the games should focus more on handling 60FPS, and being able to process a lot of effects, complex AI, bigger draw distance and ray tracing. Also this gen Nintendo has a lot more competition today where Switch 1 had almost none in the handheld market. I agree that graphics don’t matter so much as fun gameplay, but seeing my favourite games like Arkham Knight totally butchered on Switch, this should not happen. Also most big games don’t even work without a download! That’s disgusting! If I buy a physical game, it needs to work out of the box, not with the need of internet- another great example was the Metal Gear Solid Collection vol.1, Doom 2016 (which doesn’t work also without an update), Wolfenstein NC, GTA DE, and more. I want to support Nintendo but along the things I have mentioned they also need to drastically improve the quality of analogue sticks! I have bought multiple Pro controllers and all started drifting just days after purchase and I take a super good care of all my devices( all my GameCube or PS2 controllers still work precisely as new! Switch controllers having issues brand new?! No Excuse!!!!! And it better have an Oled Screen.

From what games are the flower and the bird?