Topic: Nintendo Switch 2

@SuperEndriu
For sure exclusives will mostly determine its fate long term. But having great 3rd party support can make a huge difference, especially when its the only of the major platforms allowing any game purchased to be enjoyed as both a console and handheld version.

I remember Switch in early 2018, and while I personally was having a blast with the Bayonetta 2 and DKC Tropical Freeze ports, the 3rd party offerings were thin. If you didn't dig those games what were you really left with? What a difference it makes getting not just Mario Tennis Fever and Pokopia (as well as some NS2 Editions), but actual high quality 3rd party releases on the side.

Even if it doesn't get every 3rd party game, it doesn't need to. Nor is there even enough money to spend on all 3rd party games on Switch 2 anyways given how many exclusives get pumped out every year, which as you said before, are the bulk of what people prioritize buying.

I look back at Switch and what 3rd party games it had in its first year... L.A. Noise, Skyrim and... a pretty crusty Doom port (though it was fun with that gyro aiming!). Then I look at Switch 2 and it's like... woah.

@JaxonH Here's what happens when I click on the same image. I can see the quality difference in the two you posted. I personally use imgBB but since I'm most often posting (pixel) art or Picross puzzles, I'm linking directly to the original image instead of the thumbnail sized one the site generates. Doesn't work as well for you since screenshots are much larger and you may want to post multiple.

@JaxonH imo third party support was amazing. As someone who only owns nintendo consoles any port of an older game was kinda new to me. The only downside was the quality of those ports.

A quick google shows Switch 2 versions of multi-platform games still continue to sell very badly with the exception of Cyberpunk 2077. I personally don't think this will change. Fallout 4 Anniversary looks great on Switch 2 but its a £60 game on Switch 2 and I paid a fraction of that on PC and that seems like many, many years ago probably around 10 years ago. The thing is Fallout 4 will probably sell very badly on Switch 2 despite good reviews and effort put in and gradually publishers will lose interest in Switch 2. Yes older games will come that are easy to convert but newer games that need heavy optimisation to run on Switch 2 will likely not happen. However I don't think we need to worry about this, Switch 1 did brilliantly with only a handful of major multi-platform titles many of which were scaled back and not the full fat experience. The Switch 1 brought enhanced versions of 360/PS3 era games and the Switch 2 brings enhanced versions of PS4/Xbone games.

I feel like the Switch 2 experience will probably parallel the Switch 1 experience in many ways which will be both good and bad. Those who will be happy to throw money at their Switch 2 and just pay whatever the price will continue to do so but the majority will be more cautious looking for value in their purchases and consider all variables. I'm in the second camp being cautious about what I buy on Switch 2 based on the games performance level and price value.

Fallout 4's been at or near the top of the eshop charts. If it's selling badly, then how little are the games on the chart selling?

There is always a core amount of gamers that want a new game so most titles launch with highish sales but its how the title continues to sell over an extended period. That is not to say Fallout 4 won't be a success on Switch 2 though as that has only just released. Here in the UK I view the Hotukdeals site and have seen so many Switch 2 games heavily discounted, mainly game key cards. I did a AI question about this and got this response;

Based on early reports following the Nintendo Switch 2's launch in mid-2025, third-party, multi-platform games have struggled to achieve high sales numbers compared to Nintendo’s first-party titles. While the console itself experienced a record-breaking launch, early data indicated that software sales outside of Nintendo's own games were "very low" or "below expectations" for many publishers.

Here is a breakdown of the situation regarding multi-platform games on the Switch 2:
Low Third-Party Sales: In the initial months (around June 2025), reports indicated that, with few exceptions, third-party games were selling poorly. One publisher even described the numbers as "below our lowest estimates" despite the console having a strong, fast-growing install base.
The "Mario Kart" Effect: A major factor in the slow sales of third-party games is that consumers are heavily focused on buying first-party titles, such as Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (or later iterations).

Performance vs. Other Platforms: While the Switch 2 is more powerful than its predecessor, many users still prioritize playing big third-party, multi-platform games on PS5, Xbox, or PC, rather than the Switch 2.

Exceptions: Cyberpunk 2077 was noted as a notable exception, performing well and standing out among other third-party options.

Future Outlook: Despite a slow start for third-party, the outlook for "prestige" games on the platform is considered brighter than in previous generations due to improved console performance and a massive install base.

In summary, for the initial phase of the console's life, multi-platform games have indeed struggled to sell well, continuing a historical trend for Nintendo consoles where third-party titles underperform compared to Nintendo's own releases.