Topic: "Nintendo Switch 2" what improvement's should the next Console have?

Alarmo is already confirmed to be releasing in Australia and New Zealand in March 2025 so yes, an announcement for a global rollout will probably follow.

That's not to say that they couldn't announce the Switch 2 in the same time frame, but it's looking increasingly likely that they'll be stringing us along until well into March.

To be fair, figuring out the different ways you can use tech to make interesting software solutions is why I joined these forums. It also happens to be my job, and I guess one of my hobbies. I'm also fairly dogmatic in my belief that you don't create a Rube Goldberg machine when a switch is simpler, more reliable and more usable

So when you come in here talking about how they need to physically re-invent the Switch to have an interesting device it doesn't sit right with me. Because I'm sitting here thinking the Switch is fine as it is. The controller setup is fine. Could they add things? Sure. But they don't need to reinvent it

All Nintendo's platform needs is an hardware update it to make it easier for developers to continue to make compelling software. That's interesting enough. And it appears as though that's what will happen

I don’t really see anything that the switch needs to be improved on. One thing though is that the current price is way too much for its age.

@NinChocolate
The comment I made there is in response to two inter-related things said I don't really agree with. The first was that backwards compatibility won't have any value because games are best played on their original controllers. I suggested that the controller is unlikely and appears will not change in a way that renders backwards compatibility awkward meaning that wasn't really a concern. So it was then suggested that if the form of the Switch does not significantly change there is no reason for new hardware

Also I made a post at the end of the previous page that went into some of the likely directions they might go for input updates. None of which subtract from the current Switch controller setup. I quite like some of those rumours/patents/theories/leaks personally so it's not like I'm here shutting down discussion

I just think it's incorrect to say that it has no value if it's "just more power". Because most of Nintendo's new console generations have been more or less "just more power". And all of them still had fairly interesting libraries even when the hardware was just "now in 3D" or "now it's portable" or "and it has a handle"

@skywake
"Doesn't sit right with you"?

Geez, dude, we're talking about a video game console.

@rallydefault
Frankly I think you're reading into my posts a tone that only exists in your head. Doesn't sit right as in doesn't make sense or doesn't align with my understanding of it

@skywake I think it's normal to be questioning the validity of a Switch 2 concept that's just a more powerful Switch because Nintendo's avoided that kind of stuff for 20 years now regarding new generations (DS in 2004 was the start of a new era). The current theories about Switch 2 sounds instead more like a New 3DS style revision intended to extend the current Switch's lifespan than a new generation.

@Grumblevolcano
One of the points I was making earlier was that aside from the Wii and DS Nintendo hardware has always been iterative. They innovate around the edges but fundamentally the new generation inherits the previous generation's form

You can argue that the Switch 2 as it is sounds like the New 3DS to the Switch's 3DS if you want. But you could also argue that the Switch is nothing but a portable Wii U, the 3DS is nothing but a DS with 3D and the Wii U is a Wii with a tablet

But you'd be wrong to say that because ultimately what made these platforms interesting was the software. Not the shape of it or the number and placement of buttons. But the fact that the 3DS could do decent versions of Wii games and the Switch actually got support from across the board. It was the games that their predecessors lacked which made them worthwhile

Switch 2 is going to be a modern console. It resolves the biggest weakness the Switch has continued to accumulate across it's long time at the top. Those more modern features? That'll reduce the friction for both developers and players. That's enough, that's all it needs to do

@skywake Don't forget that big gimmicks don't necessarily have to be forced, a very good example is that 3D was the big 3DS gimmick yet you can turn the 3D slider completely off and treat it just as a more powerful DS if you want to.

That's the kind of gimmick I think we'd see from Switch 2 if it was a proper new generation rather than a revision to extend Switch 1's generation. If you like cool new unique gimmicks that Nintendo hardware has to offer, there's something in that form which makes Switch 2 special. But if you want to ignore all the gimmicks and just treat it as a more powerful Switch, you can do that too.

Somewhat of a crazy idea I thought of in regards to the Switch 2’s storefront: Instead of Nintendo eShop, it should have the My Nintendo Store. Not only would you still be able to purchase games (in physical or digital format), but you would also be able to purchase hardware and other merchandise, explore sales and deals, and even redeem My Nintendo points for other rewards straight from your Switch 2. Basically something like how Microsoft Store on Xbox works.

But I originally did not realize there would be problems with that: Regions, and that Nintendo would have to be the proprietor of the My Nintendo Store in each region to be consistent.

On top of that, each My Nintendo Store region has different offerings, and it could also become a problem when one region has better offerings than another.

@MrCarlos46
You better type all the comments in one post rather than type 3 different comments in a row.

The gimmick I'm hoping it will be is "it's reasonably priced with a good selection of launch games and plentiful stock from day 1 onwards in a way that's been deliberately designed to lose scalping operations a small fortune".

@Anti-Matter Alright. Lemme merge them into one.

EDIT: Done

@skywake
If software is ultimately what makes hardware interesting and, logically, drives good sales, the Wii U would have been successful.

And you can't use the argument of the "dry spell" or whatever that people like to say on this forum; the PS3 and PS5 completely disprove that argument. Both of those consoles ended up becoming successful, the PS3 even "winning" against the 360 at the end of the day.

Hypothetically, to use your logic, if the Wii U was struggling along without Nintendo having Switch in the wings (and certainly not announcing it when they did), BotW would have driven insane amounts of sales for Wii U. BotW is like, top 3 games ever made. There is no way to truly know what WOULD have happened if we had 2-3 more years of Wii U and BotW released ONLY on it, but my educated guess would be a nice blip and then pretty much back to the normal struggle.

Why? Because hardware matters. A LOT. And the Wii U was a dud on that front. Nintendo fans drove initial sales, but the "portable" range of the gamepad was laughable, the TV/media integration with the second screen was... like... really weird, the patchwork range of controllers it had ranged from already-done (Wiimote) to pretty good (Pro controller) to the meme Fisher Price (gamepad). It wasn't compelling hardware. It wasn't tight.

Switch was tight, man. They nailed the hybrid nature. Dang easy to switch between modes. Joycon are a bit small when detached, but handheld feels great and the Pro controller "slaps," as they say. Hardware, hardware, hardware. It just makes sense. It does make you look like a moron in public when you use it. People loved it instantly. I know I was hooked. Just look at their initial sizzle reel commercials: Are they focused on the games? Hrm?

But the landscape has changed. Immensely. If they go with essentially the New 3DS approach like @Grumblevolcano said, I worry about their prospects. ESPECIALLY with Sony confirming they're gonna be back in the handheld gaming space for real in the future. Valve seems to have found a foothold and will only grow from there, knowing them. New 3DS ain't gonna cut it this time, boy-o.

@rallydefault Nintendo have spent this generation really pushing the Mario brand. Switch 2 willbe the Mario Machine (hence taking emulation seriously - which boggles my mind fiolk don't understand.) and folk will buy the machine for Mario's next gen adventures (can't wait!) But games also make a console userbase active. I agree, the hardware needs to capture people's imagination in that blue ocean. A Switch 2 (and to a greater extent whatever Sony and Microsoft are doing - which is why being first to market is so important - hence being so secreative) won't have the same impact. Hardware is particulalry pertinent to Nintendo's game development as they often use hardware to come up with new ways to play (or at least new gameplay for their franchises.)

Basically, I don't think it's a case of one or the other, it's that perfect storm scenario that Switch struck. For Switch 2 to hit it, they need a concept as ground breaking as hybrid that will make folk wonder why no one has done it before. Is scroll wheels it? Whatever it is, the games will highlight if it is or not. Games sell systems (no point arguing that) but they also sell 'gimmicks.' and the difference between thinking "genius" or "what have they done?"

@rallydefault
Are you seriously suggesting the Wii U didn't have a software problem? It launched with New SMB, had to wait two years for Mario Kart, never got an Animal Crossing and the first original Zelda it got was when the Wii U launched. And because it failed to deliver out of the gate third party support, which was ok at launch, dried up entirely. It did eventually get some great first part software but by then the perception was set and third parties had already moved on

And your PS3/PS5 counter point dies out entirely when you stop and actually think for even half a second. The PS3 had a wonky start sure, but towards the end it and the 360 had become the base platform for third party development. And was also kicking goals with titles like Uncharted and The Last of Us. And the PS5 has access to the entire library of PS4 games, which matters because backwards compatibility matters

Honestly, I think you need to rethink how you discuss this topic. Because it seems to me you have a very firm belief that the Switch 2 must be one thing and one thing only and will twist and manipulate reality to bend in a way that supports your belief. Including wholesale dismissal of people valuing backwards compatibility, all of the information we know about Switch 2 and now even going as far as to suggest the Wii U didn't have a software problem

As a side note I got my Steam Deck yesterday, first time actually using one. A few things I noticed:

1. It's nowhere near as bulky as some people have made it out to be. If anything it feels a bit hollow and plasticy. I certainly prefer the more premium feel of the Switch OLED but Steam Deck isn't that bad at all

2. The extra power does impress. I have more powerful devices than this but there's something about cramming it into a small screen that just feels right. Switch 2 is probably going to land in a similar performance tier but with the additional NVidia bag of tricks. Get excited for that

3. A lot of what makes PC gaming a bit clunky is mitigated by the fact that this is a standardised device. As part of updates for some games you get precompiled shaders. Settings are often Steam Deck optimised. That sort of thing. Obviously a console takes this even further and will always do better in this respect but even so, Valve has closed the gap considerably

4. Nintendo can definitely do better than this. The OS is certainly nice but as much as we whine about the eShop, especially it's performance, it's at least more polished. And while snappy I think Switch 2 will be able to easily outpace it in terms of general console CRUD

5. NSO really needs Wii and GC. One of the things I messed around with was Dolphin and playing some of my old Wii games on it. They looked and played fantastic. Better than I was used to emulating them on my phone or on my desktop

6. Oh how nice it is to be able to have a full desktop mode with terminal and everything just wide open. Consoles will never have this for good reason but I do appreciate having it here

7. Touchpads! Come on Nintendo, copy this! Both Valve and Sony do it and it's great. Copy it!

@skywake The bulk is mostly what puts me off the Steam Deck - and by "bulk" I moreso just mean the overall size of the thing, not so much the weight. Personally I don't really like the touchpads (I don't like them on the PS4/5, and much less so on the Vita) so they just feel like a massive waste of space to me. And I remember the buttons and analog sticks just feeling a bit awkwardly spaced due to their inclusion. I'd personally hate for Nintendo to include such a thing on the joy-con.

Personally I'm in the camp that would be more than happy with just a more powerful switch. Both a spec bump plus some upscaling tech like DLSS to get more out of the new hardware. I'd be happy if they didn't change the controllers at all tbh - I think we have enough buttons in the modern controller, and I actually prefer digital triggers to analog for the most part (although triggers with adjustable travel as on the Xbox Elite 2 would be great).

Otherwise I'd like to see some minor updates to the OS (e.g. night mode) and an expanded virtual console (incl. some of the proposed solutions for DS: TATE mode or some sort of streaming to the dock).

Never thought of night mode

Maybe give UI night mode some music that fits with it (kinda like how the music in Super Mario Maker 2 becomes night versions when you change a course from day to night)

@Buizel
Honestly what makes the touchpads interesting to me is that they can be used as both a cursor and also a scroll. Not as good as a mouse with a wheel, and not as good as a touch screen or the WiiMote IR triangulation for a cursor. But fairly decent at serving both needs while still being compact

There has been some speculation that the ZR/ZL triggers might have some kind of haptic touch zone built in. They certainly look big enough from some of the leaked renders. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to that being added. Certainly seems like a better way to go than adding a scroll wheel

I know the only reason the Steam Deck has it is out of pure necessity for mouse compatibility. But I still think as an input it adds a lot. As long as they find a space for it that doesn't crowd out the controller (I agree with you that the Deck is a bit cramped to make space for it)