Nintendo Plans 'More Ways to Have Fun' on Switch and Anticipates Momentum Into 2018

Crazy that they expect Switch to meet Wii U lifetime sales in its first year. Says a lot about how poorly the Wii U sold.

Year 1 has been a banner year and technically isn't over until March. That being said, I'm excited for what will follow. Nintendo has been pulling no punches.

@JHDK WiiU flopped pretty hard, I still love it though.

There is a rumor that says they will announce a Netflix app along with a Nintendo series on Netflix, sort of Castlevania series with Konami.
That would be interesting.

No one should ever count Nintendo out! Such great news that Nintendo was able to revise its expectations to become much higher!

This is great news that will hopefully lead to more Switch refinements (cloud storage/backup game saves to a MicroSD). And of course more Switch sales will mean more games so that NintendoLife can make yet another YouTube video complaining about there being too many games on the system.

I really like my Wii U, and kind of miss the map on the controller while playing. However, I wonder how many switch sales will be multiple purchases in the same home. With Splatoon 1, me and my wife could never play at the same time. I mean, we have enough televisions to do it, but it seemed like a waste to put two big tvs side by side to play. I never seriously considered 2 wii u. However, 3 days after I got my switch, I bought her one. Yesterday we spent 3 hours side by side on the couch playing Splatoon 2. I'm proud of her, she is a new player and in turf war she was the best player 80% of the time and went 28-22 in her matches. She's going to be elite. haha

Great. I hope that means they'll put a web browser on it, release Virtual Console games, some apps and generally flesh out the barebones plain vanilla look it currently has.

I still curious about Paid Online Service on year 2018.

I bet! I`m still finding more ways to have fun with my Wii.

More ways to have fun? Does playing games just count as one way? Because I'm pretty happy with that way. I don't need it also function as a Frisbee or something...

...I...I can't start thinking about 2018...

@tourjeff Where did you hear that?

All the Nintendo is doomed keyboard warriors are eerily silent

@tourjeff Can you give me more info? I've never heard of this rumor.

@isaiahhoyt
@tamantayoshi

Sure thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVMd4i6G_oU

@Hikingguy Well Nintendo likes to try different things unlike Sony and MS who pretty much release just a stronger console each gen.

Some are hits and some are misses.

VR headset coming afterall?

Nah, probably not. Though I have no doubt the screen on the system could do 90fps, and with 1080p or 1440p bicubically downsampled to 720p, the image would even be acceptable.

But this would all require the games visually very simple.

Is it bad that I already want a Mario Odyssey sequel or some DLC? I could play this game for many, many, months as is, but this game is SO so so good that I would love more. There are just so many cool things they could do and expand upon.

The Switch is fantastic. I adore it. Thank you for this amazing experience, Nintendo.

My guess is a "Switch" line of games similar to the Wii Fit, Wii Play, Wii Sports, etc.

We already have 1-2 Switch. Expect more of that.

I bought the game because I always like trying out the demo game that showcases the system features but I can assure you I will not be buying any future games like that going forward. 1-2 Switch was a waste of money.

Hope we get news on what to expect on the Switch in early 2018 before the year's up. Yoshi and/or Kirby are possibilities but we don't have anything with exact 2018 dates yet, and I'm sure those picking up a Switch this holiday would like to know what first party offerings are coming from Jan to March/April.

@JaxonH Was it that bad? I almost bought at launch and still wonder if the wife would enjoy it.

@justin233 I expect Odyssey DLC next summer with a huge set of extra challenging levels/worlds. Kind of like they done with Luigi U.

@JaxonH I was at the London Comic Con last Saturday. They were still trying to sell people on the game by demoing it on a large telly in-between games of Mario Kart, Splatoon 2, Mario, and ARMs.

@tangram Its done wonders for blind gamers so it can't be all that bad. I was explaining it to a friendly person on the train who happened to be blind and he was very interested in looking into getting a Switch just for that game.

@OorWullie That would be absolutely fantastic and very welcome.

Super Luigi Odyssey is now my most wanted game to the point you may have ruined my ongoing enjoyment of Mario Odyssey. Thanks.

@Angelic_Lapras_King One of Yoshi/Kirby was hinted at being a Spring release with the other coming in the 2nd half of the year. So we don't know anything of what they have planned for the first few months.I doubt we'll be waiting much longer to find out though as I'm expecting a November Direct with loads of announcements.

@Hikingguy You never stop learning. Gaming habits change, so do trends, so what Nintendo said makes perfect sense.

@StuTwo Haha, sorry about that. It just popped into my head earlier but it makes sense for them to do something like that. I doubt Nintendo will leave Odyssey at just that and DLC is mostly purchased by the more devoted gamers (I hate to use the other term) so the demand for more challenging levels/worlds will huge. Luigi U was quite successful too.

I'm curious to see what they have planned. They came out swinging this year with Mario, Zelda, Mario Kart and Splatoon, so I'm curious where they go next in terms of big name games. Smash seems like a distinct possibility, and hopefully Pokemon will be done in time for next holiday.

@tangram

Ya, it was that bad. Although I have spoken to people who enjoyed it somewhat, I think the odds are against you liking it. Unless a person is not into gaming whatsoever, and you go into it knowing each mini game gets old after 1 or 2 tries.

Money better spent on Mario Kart, or ARMS... anything but 1-2 Switch.

@JaxonH It's still wild to me that 1, 2, Switch wasn't included with the system!

Really hoping they keep up momentum with real games in 2018. People aren't buying the Switch to play casual, Wii-esque software, and they really don't want to cultivate that image again.

well not with Yoshi, Kirby and a bunch of more retro games. They really need to fix online and get 3rd party to make actual Switch games and not just $60 dollars old ports like Novenber's line up.

@tangram It's great as a team party game. My wife and I have friends over for game night, and 1-2 Switch always gets played. Usually as a drinking game. We play first to 10 points, loser drinks and passes the sticks, winner just gets the points and keeps playing.

@Kalmaro
I love the Wii U too.

"More" fun? Streetpass functionality? Netflix? Proper Internet Browser? :/

@OorWullie Kirby was given a spring 2018 release in the most recent Direct

@JHDK still astronomically better than Virtual Boy, though, didn't it?

If Nintendo really tried to sweep VB under the carpet for PR reasons at any point, then all the "Wii U is worst selling Nintendo console" buzz may suggest it kinda backfired. ¯(ツ)/¯

@IceClimbers Ah alright cheers. I remember you mentioned it in the forum but I didn't realise it was actually confirmed. Good to know.

As long as Nintendo release plenty more great games, then it'll be a fantastic year for them.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I really don't want a Web browser on my games console....

Please let this mean that we'll finally get a browser and apps!

@cfgk24 You should petition Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft to remove their browsers from their respective consoles. The Wii had a browser more than a decade ago. We're supposed to progress with each generation, not regress.

Switch is life, is everything. Join us!!!

@Kalmaro Same with the Dreamcast I guess. It may not have sold well, but I enjoyed many games on it. I tend to prefer to look at the games that a system has to offer, rather than how well it sells, otherwise I'd be missing out on many fun games.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I'm concerned about how they would approach that. One of the selling points of the console is how fast it is to boot up and go straight into gaming. Part of this is due to how efficient the actual OS is.

Hopefully, it wouldn't be mandatory things added to the menu and players can choose if they want that stuff.

@Anti-Matter: Fingers crossed for an announcement like this from Big N:

"Thanks for doubling the value of our Company in 6 mos...online service is on us!"

I hope that means they are bringing background themes to the Switch! And maybe a stylus? And an art game and a drawing messaging app? That would be fun.

I’m not surprised. When we went to Walmart this past Saturday there were three of each of the normal Switch and three of the SMO bundle. Definitely easier to get one now. I can’t wait to see what comes out next year for the Switch.

@MeloMan I want streetpass to happen!

@SLIGEACH_EIRE
"We're supposed to progress with each generation, not regress". I agree. But you're forgetting that it's a matter of opinion or perspective (I like this word better in this context) in this case what is progress and what is not. I'm with @cfgk24 on this one.

I really like the Switch's utter focus on being first and foremost a streamlined gaming device. I never used the browsers on PlayStation or Xbox (navigation and handling too clunky) and only VERY rarely used the Wii U browser or the one on 3DS.

I know that you claim to be using the Wii U browser all the time, but I got a PC and notebook for that which allow me to browse the web with that much more comfort. To me, having this on a dedicated gaming device is just dead weight, taking up space and resoureces better used for a streamlined gaming experience. You know, like the Switch OS being really fast and all that. Not saying that it can't be improved, but including a browser to me is not such an improvement and really a waste of resources from my point of view.

Like I said, a matter of perspective. I find it to be progress to get rid of the dead weight that was the Wii U browser (or other console browsers). I'll never understand why in a day and age where everyone has smartphones for that kind of thing the Switch must have a browser as well. That said, if Nintendo decides that it's important enough (to enough people) to include it, I will not curse them for it either, heck, I might even use it once in a while, but it's really a "prefer the Switch without it" kind of thing to me (the same for other apps like Netflix or the like: sufficient other options).

@Ernest_The_Crab "One of the selling points of the console is how fast it is to boot up and go straight into gaming."

I love that. I pick up the joycons, hit home and it pops up on my TV. Click on the game you're playing and BANG. Instant.

Netflix, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, WWE Network, system level voice chat, a way to backup saves and maybe an achievement system are fun ways to enjoy the Switch?

In all seriousness I love the system, but I'd love to see any or all of the above implemented over time.

@JunkRabbit Oh man, typing messages on a console browser. Horrible. Even just doing Miiverse messages with the touch screen was slow and cumbersome despite its predictive text. It's like putting your name up on an arcade game.

@JHDK or it says a lot about how good Switch sales are doing.

About the browser debate stuff? I'm sure it will come eventually but I agree that I don't really want it.
I totally agree Wii U Browser was and IS awesome , and it's a very unique convenient way to browse the web, part of what makes the Wii U so cool in my opinion. But Switch is a different beast - putting a browser on it is like putting a browser on a tablet and there are millions of those, so I don't see that as a priority. I got Wii, Wii U and Switch all hooked up, I don't need any updates. Each with its charms.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE who said having a browser was progression?
Maybe removing the browser and decluttering is progression.

Just because something can be added to a console doesn't mean it needs to be. And honestly, what value does a browser add to a Switch?

And I also don't want to hear that it might be someone's only means of browsing the web. I'd call that a load of bologna.

@electrolite77 I’d say all of those sound pretty reasonable. And honestly, I’d be happy with that list as is. I do expect surprise or two in addition to those, though. I think Nintendo is going to be more aggressive with new IPs after the success of Splatoon and, to a lesser extent, ARMS. And I still want to know what the heck Retro is working on.

@cfgk24 Yaaaa..........right!

@Agramonte, look Lego marvel 2, FIFA, NBA, and WWE are not ports. Wolfenstein Ii is also not a port. Furthermore not all ports are 60 dollars.

@electrolite77 No, 3rd party games that are on the normal release date - or just not old games. You know the way it works on all other systems.

@dumedum IDK, PS4 sold 18 million in year 1 so I think it says more about how bad the Wii U was than how good the Switch is.

If people want an all-in-one media entertainment center, there are far better and already firmly established options out there, even on mobile. Sony and M$ have marked that territory for consoles. Let them fight over it. Nintendo should keep doing what Nintendoes best, and not try to emulate their competitors.

I want games on my Switch. That's it. I don't want to surf the net on it, I don't want to listen to music on it, and I don't want to watch movies on it. I want games on my Switch. Not mp4 files, not browsers, not apps. Just games. That's it.

@Agramonte I'm really curious how what day a multiplatform game releases affects its worth. Perhaps you can explain.

@ekwcll I have Wolfenstein 2 right now - by next year Bethesda Switch games should be coming out at the same time not a few month later. Just like SEGA is releasing SONIC at the same time. in 2018 It should happen as the norm - not randomly like now. Most 3rd party games have been old ports - November is just the worst offender.

Ha, Nintendo can easily acheave those goals if:

-They anounce a new HD pokemon game for the Switch, the amount of pokemon fans standing in line to grab one lol.

They anounce a new smashbros for 2018

Metroid, Fzero, more AA third party games etc etc.
also bring Kid icarus there are alot of fans. And more RPG games amd maybe some Great MMO games.

I hope one of those new ways to have fun is an Animal Crossing game on the Switch! That would be more fun than I can handle!

@WiltonRoots So wrong. I use the Wii U browser all the time. It's brilliant, miles better than using my smart phone. Honestly, It has a couple of disadvantages, like uploading stuff but typing is so much friendlier. I hate typing on smart phones.

@PanurgeJr You do not understand why someone would like to have a multiplatform game on on day 1?

@electrolite77
Smash for WiiU came out in 2014 so I think it may be to early for a new entry. I wouldn't mind a WiiU port with better graphics, new stages, and new characters.

@Agramonte That wasn't my question. My question was, why would it a good thing for Wolfenstein to come to Switch now, but bad for it to come later? Why is getting Doom now bad, especially since on day one nobody outside of the hardware team knew what Switch was? Why does a delay for a multiplatform game suddenly make it worthless?

@SLIGEACH_EIRE My yacht sails better when it's neat, tidy, hull is polished, sails are trimmed and the weight across the body is balanced. . It's the same with Hardware - why do you want another browser in your hands to slow everything up and give Nintendo more work to do to keep up to date and safe. Clean up and speed up! Tom zoom baby!

These are great times to be a Nintendo fan. I’m quite excited for what might 2018 might bring.

And, totally unrelated to the article, there’s something that bothers me that is seen very often on articles, not only here but in many non Japanese sites...
Why do people keep using “-san” when referring to Japanese people? It feels so totally weird... For starters, since your writing in English, just user Mr. or Ms. or whatever is required. In Japanese you won’t see much “-san” being used on the written medium. When you refer to someone on an article or similar you just use the name, perhaps with “-shi” attached which is closer to Mr. than “-san”
Well, anyway it’s nothing really, but I find so weird reading English and finding “-san”s everywhere...

@PanurgeJr And you didn't answer mine. Why was it a big deal for my little cousin that the WiiU got BOTW right away?. And that he could play FE-W on the 3ds on day 1?

Why do people get happy when the movie theater near them gets the movie they been waiting for on release day?... or Spotify gets the album they want to hear when it drops?

Answer any of those questions and you have your answer.

@Agramonte You avoided my question first. So you get to answer it first, if you expect me to respond in kind.

@PanurgeJr I'm not avoiding your question... The question is nonsensical. Best answer is to remind the person of the reality of the world they live in. Again, any of those question would tell you why is there value in a consumer obtaining what they want on day 1. Basic human behavior.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I'm not a big fan of typing on smart phones either, but this little laptop I'm typing on right now is 10x better than the touch pad on a Wii U. I can rest it on the arm of my sofa and tap away to my heart's content.

I do believe that, bar any big delay due to unforeseen circumstances, Pokémon will be 2018’s flagship holiday title. And a mainline Pokémon game you can play on your TV is gonna be Wild.

2018 is shaping to be an interesting year.

@Phle I would love to use screen caps as Switch wallpaper myself.

If Nintendo can continue the beat of about 1 major first party title a month, with assorted 3rd party and eshop titles mixed in. I have no doubt it will keep doing this well.

Once we get the online services, if they add in virtual console, video streaming, themes, and maybe a way to message your friends directly, it'd be outstanding!

Needs more apps, like Netflix, then it'll sell even more.

@electrolite77 The article is about keeping momentum in 2018. So not really talking about what happened in 2017 with games like Doom or wolfenstein (also not thinking DQ will be out at the same time). But that in 2018 it would be great to start seeing more release parity in announcements - it is already happening in Japan for future releases.

For sure - super above and beyond that some publishers even did it this year. I'm supporting SEGA for trying - new game, feature parity, same day release and price... top it off with a Demo and pre-order extras.

Metroid Prime 4 ASAP. I don't care about anything else (except maybe F-Zero, Wave Race and a Rogue Squadron with missions from recent movies).

There is a lot they could do with the hardware.

Portable cheaper only version with no detachable controllers.

Updated version with a solid state hard disk, say 500GB.

Or even a switch 2018 with upgraded graphics. Imagine if they revved the capabilities of the hardware every year or two.

And lots of VR or AR potential.

Depends what they plan for the DS. Imagine all those Dev resources now focused on the Switch.

@JHDK ... And yet your comment was useless.

I just want the Switch OS brought up to the standard of Wii U's 2012 OS!

Hello, Nintendo! We're in 2017, you amateurs! Split your buttocks and pull out your heads!

Where is user password protection?
Wii U had it.

Where are public, global user identifiers?
Wii U had NNID in 2012, and Xbox had Gamertag in 2002!

Tell me this, folks: How do I with no doubt whatsoever identity Matt from Matt, or Tom from Tom, on my Friends List? I can't!

Wii U wins!

@DEZn00ts ?? Why are you being a jerk?

@JHDK there are also lots of stuff that never made it past anything.

@dumedum I have no idea what you guys are talking about. All I said was that the Wii U's awful sales are highlighted by the solid Switch sales.

@JHDK that's fine, it's just that Wii U still sold millions. What's highlighted here is Switch's great success.