Topic: The Super Nintendo Switch Launch Games Speculation Thread

I have to admit I’m skimming some of the 4 paragraph posts! However, I think that we all need to recognize this is Nintendo. 4K doodads are nice but they may just choose to release “the Switch Pro-cket, an all new, 2.5 Inch portable gaming system!” or some such gimmick. Expect the unexpected! …And hope we get extended Splatoon support/a Splatoon spin off game.

@CaleBoi25 Lol. (I know you have your tongue in your cheek!) I think we are looking at a new Nintendo. Or at least a continuation of the Nintendo that gave us the Switch. They only have one console to lean on. I seriously doubt they'll deviate from it (especially as the concept is on track to be the best selling console of all time!) 'This is Nintendo...' or 'Nintendo will Nintendo,,,' is usually said by folk with zero appreciation for what Nintendo do... *The Michael Pachters among us lol.)

If they do have a new idea for a gaming console, then it would more than likely be a second pillar. They like their pilars with stuff like that.

@GrailUK That is a good point about having pillars!

I do wonder at times if Nintendo could ever really go back to the “one console, one handheld” system the previously used. We are spoiled with the hybrid setup of the Switch! I do think a Switch 2 could have something like that, but in a “Swicth 2, Switch 2 Lite, Switch 2 Home” sort of format with a hybrid, handheld, and console all from the same base.

@CaleBoi25 Nintendo can't compete in the home console race. It's all about AAA and a focus on the stuff Nintendo see as secondary. They struck gold. I don't think they will be in any hurry to undo it. But if they ever go through a difficult patch, we'll get something like the N64 mini or something. They have so mny 'break glass in case of emergency' things they can do.

@CaleBoi25 @GrailUK
I don't think a "second pillar" would make much sense. The Switch exists not just because it was some crazy concept, the Switch exists as a solution to a logistics problem. When Nintendo had two platforms they were effectively wasting resources. You'd make a Mario Kart game over here and you'd have to make another Mario Kart game for the other platform

As soon as mobile hardware advanced to the point where it could drive "TV scale" visuals to a level that was "good enough" Nintendo went to a single platform. It was inevitable. I mean think about it, the Switch is the first portable console that was more capable than the home console that immediately preceded it. GBA was no N64, GB certainly wasn't, DS was no GC, PSP was kinda "PS1.5", Vita was well under PS3, 3DS was GC-ish but ran at 240p. Switch outclasses the Wii U in every aspect. Once that happened, what's the reason for continuing with two platforms? Why spend resources making games twice?

In terms of the "gimmicks" and "hooks" people seem to think Nintendo always adds. You do realise that the Switch pretty much has all of them right? Motion controls, IR Camera, Touch Screen, Off-TV Play. Maybe this new hardware adds something new, maybe it doesn't. I don't think it really matters. Nintendo's hardware doesn't necessarily need a gimmick to sell

@skywake Me neither. I do think the Switch 2 will get iterative upgrades over time to keep it relevant (pro model etc)

@skywake That is true. I do almost wish it weren’t though because TBH a world with XBox -model name- PlayStation -model name- iPhone -model name- etc having “Nintendo Switch -model name- feels a bit bland! :/

@CaleBoi25 A singular brand name for a console’s successors is far more preferable than a totally different name that requires re-educating the target consumers of what you are selling. Slapping a number is far easier as everyone knows that’s a new console.

@FragRed Which is also true, but I like uniqueness

In terms of the 'what to do now that they can't rely on 59 million e.g. wii-u ports', I definitely agree on Nintendo branching out in some of their franchises. Bayonetta Origins is a good example even though Bayonetta is only partially a Nintendo franchise. Like the Peach game, I'm hoping they branch out more in their main IPs and we get more whacky Mario and Zelda and maybe Splatoon spinoffs as well.

That said, I think there will still be plenty of ports/remakes as (comparatively) easy games to produce. Like Another Code, I expect we'll see more IPs being completely resurrected.

I don’t know why we are all just sitting here speculating on launch titles. I get a funny feeling that a Switch 2 ain’t happening for at least another year yet if at all as the current system is still doing pretty well. Now if I
Was to speculate I think there would would be something with Mario, and Zelda and maybe a new animal crossing.

@Atomic77 What do you mean if it all!? It’s definitely happening. If nothing else, we know that Activision’s Bobby Kotick has said Nintendo showed the company last year and Ubisoft has said that Mario & Rabbids Sparks of Hope is getting an upgrade on the next Switch console. Also the sales for Switch are definitely dropping off.

@FragRed Pack it up, Frag. Switch 2 ain't happening. (/s)

To be fair, the "third pillar" marketing has always felt like a PR move to hedge their bets in case the new platform fails. I don't think they seriously expect to add new pillars to their business for the same reason why they folded console and handheld together when they can afford to, it requires extra resources that would split up their output too much. But if they want to introduce a somewhat different successor and they're not quite sure it'll succeed, they can call it a "new pillar" so they could phase out whichever of the two is less successful.

And speaking of Mario Kart, that's another IP where we need to talk about branching out. Mario Kart was coming out at a steady rate when we had two consoles, we had new Mario Karts regularly every 3 years while keeping them one per console to prevent cannibalization. But now that we're down to 1 console, 1 per console means gaps of 7ish years, so if they stick to the "1 per console rule" the gaps are going to be MUCH larger, and with the Switch's Mario Kart being a port the long gap hurts even more (we're literally staring down a literally decade without new Mario Kart content on console). Mario Kart's another IP that could use a second branch of games, having 1 core Mario Kart game and 1 subseries Mario Kart game per console instead of just 1 Mario Kart per console period is a much more reasonable output. As for what could work as a subseries, an open world Mario Kart, something like Forza Horizons or Diddy Kong Racing, would be a nice addition.

Wonder what the likelihood of Final Fantasy XIV is for Switch 2

Yeah well just look how long it’s been since Nintendo has made a significant announcement or released a new console. I would be so sure of anything till Nintendo shows us actual content.

As for specific games? Yeah, almost 100% pure speculation with some logic thrown in.

As for hardware? Given all the leaks seem to point to second half of next year, Nintendo certainly won't say anything until next year. Expect an announcement anywhere from early 2024 to summer 2024. Presumably when they announce the hardware there will also be game announcements. Information about hardware has to be passed around to a lot of vendors, so it tends to leak earlier than actual game information.

@Atomic77 If anything, the longer the timeframe that passes since the last console was released, the more likely a new system is to be announced. March 2024 will be 7 years since the Switch was released and the holidays of 2024 will see it at 7 and a half years which is approximately what you’d expect between console launches.

@FragRed yes you do have a good point but you have to remember all the changes Nintendo made to the Original Switch such as Oled.

I mean, even without rumors telling us, it's fairly easy to predict which IPs are next in line for a new game. Just look at which IPs haven't had a new game in a while (like, 3+ years) and what teams might be available and you have a pretty good idea of which IPs might be ready for a new game. For example, there hasn't been a 3D Mario game since 3D World + Bowser's Fury in 2021, and the last NEW game (i.e. the last game with significant resources put into it) was Odyssey in 2017. And the Tokyo team hasn't really done anything since Bowser's Fury. So it's a pretty safe bet that they've probably been working on a new 3D Mario game since at least 2021 (possibly even longer because they haven't done anything but low effort remakes since 2017) and that game should be ready to be revealed soon.

It's not an exact science and there's been some surprises and variances here and there, but in general if you do this kind of analysis you won't be terribly surprised by which IPs show up next (now it doesn't take ALL of the magic out of the new reveals, seeing what the games are actually like and some of the twists they might have up their sleeves is still entertaining and surprising, but you can see a mile away something like... whether or not a Mario game or a Zelda game or whatnot is the next to be revealed).