Topic: *Switch 2: Nintendo’s Biggest launch ever?!*

@FishyS Wait a minute - and I first must admit that I've only "internetted" your post (by which I mean skim read it and ignored everything except the bits that directly support my pre-existing position) - but if I'm reading you correctly you're 100% convinced that Nintendogs & Cats & Budgies is going to be the big launch title for Switch 2. That's a brave decision Nintendo .

More seriously untested spinoff or new IP in a short 10-20 hour game designed to show off the new power and/or new gimmicks - sure. I'd almost be surprised if that kind of game isn't there.

Big Switch 2 exclusive first party single player game though... I'm not sure we're getting that at launch. I don't think it's possible to completely conceal something that big and impactful in 2025.

Completely conceal is a subtle question. We know a new 3D Mario is being made just like we knew a new Mario Kart was being made. And we know they are both comparatively close to finished. But do we know when those release dates will be? no. I mean, I suspect Mario Kart will be day-1 because Nintendo implied it, but I don't know when Switch 2 is coming out so same difference. We've had leakers for 2 years saying either 3D Mario or Mario Kart would be the launch game but 99.9% of that was likely guessing and even some of the most accurate leakers massively missed the Switch 2 launch date so I am skeptical of anyone having exact dates. If someone unquestionable is clearly claiming 3D Mario is not in the entire 12-month launch year I would be shocked, but most of what we're getting is the same noise we've been getting for a full year now of '3D Mario may have gotten delayed somewhat from original plans'.

On the other hand... there will be a secondary game at launch (maybe a mouse game?) and I think it's fair to say it's being pretty darn well concealed right now.

@FishyS I completely agree there's something out there for launch that we're not aware of that will take us completely by surprise. A smaller game designed to highlight new control features (like Snipperclips or ARMs were for Switch) is much easier to conceal - especially if they're not using any pre-existing IP and can be made by either a very small team (as Snipperclips was) or one very deeply embedded within Nintendo themselves (as ARMs was)

I'd say that ARMs was also a bit of a technical showcase of the consoles power too so I'm expecting something along those lines (though not an ARMs sequel).

Something like 3D Mario is a bit of a strange one though. We know it's coming because it's always coming and they have a general timescale (which is due). We know roughly what it'll look like... because they all pretty much look alike. It will be excellent and, as you do, I'd expect it before the end of the year.

When all of the noise says "3D Mario but not at launch" I'm inclined to believe it. Something like a 3D Mario game is a bit of a known unknown - we know it exists, we pretty much know who is making it. Really astute observers could probably put an accurate timeline on when it's arriving by watching when members of staff are posting holiday photos on Facebook.

More generally I also get the feeling that really big games like a 3D Mario game now kind of need that hype cycle to gain a little momentum over a longer period of time.

I'd be incredibly surprised if we don't get to see at least a little of it in the Switch 2 presentation but I don't think it's coming until later in the year.

Not to be totally cynical, but that 'noise' massively increased right after Nintendo basically told us it was true by heavily implying Mario Kart was the release game 😆 Having 3D Mario plus Mario Kart within the first few months makes sense, but having them both on the release day seems very unlikely. Also, as you pointed out, they like to hype up games like that so a lot of people also started thinking 3D Mario was less likely after it wasn't in a September/October Switch 2 reveal direct.

Exactly. And by (quite intentionally) sticking Mario Kart 9 footage in the first Switch 2 reveal, they've accomplished that very important first step to building up hype for such a massive title. Just search on Youtube - there are dozens, if not over a hundred videos with content creators talking about JUST Mario Kart 9, all from like 10 seconds of footage lol And by the time MK9 and Switch 2 actually launch, from top to tail, this will be about 6 months of hype time for the game.

If the next 3D Mario was coming at launch instead of MK9, things would've been very different in that Switch 2 reveal trailer. They're not just gonna do this Direct on April 2nd and say the 3D Mario is coming 2-3 months later - that would be an insanely small ramp time to release a likely top-5 selling game for the Switch 2 with your brand mascot.

And there's no way they'd release both at the same time. That would be just... yea. lol

They released a 3D Mario game and a Mario Kart only a month apart for the 3DS.

Mind you, that was at a time when the console was struggling and rushing MK7 to market early was part of a raft of measures, also including price cuts and the Ambassador Program, to get things back on track. So, not exactly normal circumstances.

@Matt_Barber @FishyS @StuTwo I think the only chance of a 3D Mario game at launch would by a remaster of Galaxy 2, if that happens (which I think is unlikely) then I think that means a new 3D Mario game isn't coming until 2026 and Nintendo have a different game in mind for the holidays.

I do believe Nintendo will have a very successful launch this year, would not be surprised at all if they break some launch sales records. The Switch 2 Direct will generate a ton of hype. Outside of GTA6, they really don’t have anyone else to share the spotlight with and they will seize on that opportunity. I do believe they may present the largest and most varied launch ever when you factor in their 1st party titles with all the potential 3rd party releases. Not to over saturate its launch but they won’t need to rely solely on their own AAA titles as there could be some major ports or exclusives to maximize their launch window offerings.

I do believe MP4 is a Switch 1 title but what’s to stop them from implementing something like mouse functionality in the Switch 2 edition? We all know Nintendo is all about ways to enhance gameplay. I know they always do prototype Star Fox when a new system launches so perhaps we see mouse functionality in a new Star Fox or can definitely see a pack in title. Imagine the possibilities of a new Warrior Ware title with the mouse! They’ll look to offer an engaging single player game but you know they’ll show off some multiplayer family friendly software. If it does launch with MK9 it’s a done deal, with 3D Mario in the wings for the holidays. If this is the case, Switch 2 will hard to find on store shelves.

@Magician

That’s a pretty low hype level for a new console! I totally understand ur concerns regarding the “Switch tax” and cartridge sizes. I mean it makes sense, if you’re sitting on close to 1400 physical games alone (impressive) your backlog is near undefeated so it could see why you might feel a bit hesitant at this point. Now I’m wondering where the heck you’re storing all this games! Hope you organize them alphabetically too! 😝

@StuTwo , @FishyS

I think it’s definitely fair to expect something new at launch. They have had a solid track record of introducing new IP with each new system. Sadly I don’t believe we’ll get an ARMS sequel but they’ll absolutely show off something new. I keep thinking a Wario Ware like pack in could help show off the systems features and gameplay options. Honestly all they’d have to do is show off the benefits of mouse functionality in a game like Animal Crossing, it could take customization in these kinds of games to a new level. Perhaps they show off how you can now customize your end Karts in MK9 with some Mario Paint like features. Just little things like that can go along way in differentiating Switch 2 from its predecessor

@Rainz

I own mostly standard copies, not many collector editions. So one book case has been enough...so far.

They're organized by limited print, followed by non-English spine, and then alphabetically.

It's a glorious wall of red, not unlike SicCooper's collection video he posted about a year ago.

Maybe they surprise us but I don’t like the silence with no rumors or anything. Obviously, we have gotten rumors but none of those games stand out to me. I really hope GTA 6 is confirmed at the reveal. They really need that. The industry needs that.

@Magician

Man that is just super cool! That’s an astounding collection of games. You have got to have one of the largest collections in the world! You should post a pic of that wondrous wall of red! Nintendo should send u a free Switch 2 gotdamnit! You’re going to need a new book shelve for Switch 2, thank goodness it’s backwards compatible!

@Qwertyninty
That’s another big one…can Switch 2 run a scaled down version of GTA6? Honestly I’d imagine we get a GTAV port before they announce GTA6 for Switch 2. As awesome as that would be I just don’t think it’ll be able to run GTA6. Red Dead Redemption 2 seems a more likely port as well. It would be a huge win if they announced GTA6 and Silksong for Switch 2 I’m not holding my breath. I really did enjoy GTA Chinatown Wars on my DS tho, GTA really works well with portability

I do get the feeling that one of the biggest and best surprises won’t be the games or controllers but the overall UI Switch 2 will have. I think Nintendo has an opportunity to revolutionize how we interact with our consoles, with each other and our games. Wii U hub was a nice blueprint but man they could really change things up with a new UI. That in itself will separate it from the rest. The simple act of just plug and play has been kind of lost on systems like PS5 , XBX S/X and even Steam Deck. With all the constant massive updates required , they’ve created more hoops to go thru just to play our games. I think Nintendo’s ease of access approach will go along way

@Rainz in this an age of game development I don’t believe the notion “X” game can’t run on a modern system. I say modern as in recent. Obviously, you wouldn’t expect GTA 6 to run on the original switch. But there isn’t a situation imo where GTA 6 can’t run on switch 2. Optimization is a real thing if it is used properly I believe we can get a competent switch 2 version.

@Qwertyninty
GTA6 is a different kind of beast altogether it’s hard to know if it’ll be scaled down and run smoothly without any major concessions being made. It might struggle to even hit 30fps but it can be possible. We’d have to really get an idea of just how much upscale Nvidia tech is baked into the system. Also there’s a potential issue with storage space on Switch 2 cartridges or the system itself. I’d love to see it ported to Switch 2 but we’d definitely be dealing with likely the worst version…and honestly having to always concede with blurry or the lesser versions of Switch 1 ports got tiresome. It would be a huge opportunity for Rockstar games to offer a Switch 2 version but I’m not surprised if it’s not announced for Switch 2

@Rainz will Rockstar takes tremendous pride for the most post in its games. They aren’t going to announce and bring it over without it being a competent port. The blurry days of switch 1 ports are a thing of the past. Switch 2 will have bare minimum the same amount of usable ram as the series S probably more. The GPU will be modern enough, the only potential issue is the CPU. I think they have enough great developers and with Nintendo and Nvidia help this could happen. Big fingers crossed.

@Qwertyninty
We know the CPU will be underclocked…Nintendo is pretty notorious for that. As much as I want to believe it’ll have atleast 12GB of RAM …again knowing Nintendo they could scale it back for cost savings measures too. I’m really hoping Switch 2 won’t be considered “underpowered” come the April 2 reveal but it’s never a bad idea to reserve expectations when it comes to rumours vs Nintendo being Nintendo. It would be cool if they did a Nintendo x GTA6 crossover in some form…just don’t expect to see Kirby with an AK-47 😝

I see a sellout success as the a Tubber has said the T239 isn't the Nvidia shield chipset but a totally new family line custom built for Switch 2. So no one besides the fabs/Nvidia and Nintendo knows what it is. People aka DF can talk all they want but they have no idea what this chipset is and what it can do at until Switch 2 is release or someone aka like March 2017 showscase a Switch v1 online for everyone to see before they got caught and it was taken back. This will tell everyone what it really has on the insides. I hope they have enough even for preorder or launch day for buyers whom want one or two but not for Scalpers.