I still think that the key to Switch 2's ultimate success will be it's future 1st party games. Nobody is happy about the higher MSRP of the Switch 2, or the higher prices of their upcoming Switch 2 games, and that makes sense, particularly because the price of EVERYTHING is high these days, or higher then what they USED to be, up until recently I think amid the disappointment regarding the reveal of higher Switch 2 game prices, is a general oversight My proposal is that, MAYBE, the quality of the average 1st party Switch 2 game will rise in somewhat equal proportion to the rise in their MSRP, in relation to the older original Switch games. In other words, we haven't seen a fraction of the software that Nintendo has in the works for Switch 2. Software sells hardware, and Nintendo is NOTORIOUSLY stingy with information, to the point where that stinginess has seemed to harm their own best interests, recently. I think they probably have a ton of games in development for Switch 2, where, if they actually disclosed ANY info about these titles, AT ALL, it would substantially soften the blow about the initial news of all of these game price increases, and at the same time, increase excitement about the launch and release of Switch 2, BUT, since we're talking about Nintendo, even if it's to THEIR benefit, and makes total sense, and gives comfort and relief to their customers, they are likely to sit on most, or all information about these future and upcoming titles, until the LAST possible moment. That's my theory.
It's about having talented and creative developers, but Nintendo also has to give those developers the freedom to try new things, both with the old, tried and true IPs and with new IPs.
It's easy for a company to get locked into that routine of "if it works, do another version, and then another", but the challenge is in finding something new and innovative to put into that next version that makes it special and fun and a genuine improvement over the old version.
The exciting thing with Switch 2 is KNOWING that the developers at Nintendo have, hopefully, much more power, hardware wise, to really explore their ideas and bring them into reality.
They should be far less limited now, on the technical side of things. I don't know what it's like at Nintendo, internally, but I would want to have their people at least talking and in communication with developers worldwide, and even fans, on a global basis, to see what people really want, and what the expectations are, in 2025, for an awesome game, or an awesome game franchise.
One issue with Nintendo is that their strength MAY lie almost completely with a reliance on their internal, established developers, and they haven't reached out to external sources for talent and inspiration often enough.
I'm speculating, as far as that goes, but with hardware limitations out of the way, or at least greatly minimized, the only limitations that remain would be as far as talent and ideas. Nintendo has plenty of that, but I think it would be a mistake to not search beyond their established team for both new talent and new ideas.
I'm relieved that Nintendo finally unveiled SOMETHING official. They finally gave us an official name for the product, an official full look at the product, and an actual date for further information about the "successor".
Now I can strip the word "successor" from my vocabulary, if I choose to. I never have to use the word again, if I don't want to lol.
So now the wait is on for April, and then the real struggle begins, to actually preorder AND get hands on the system, once it's released.
I do feel like April is a long time to wait for actual information on the system, after we've all waited months and months, just to get this reveal video.
I can't complain though, because there is an ACTUAL date for a Switch 2 Direct.
Nintendo could have said, "There will be further information on the Switch 2 sometime between NOW and December 31st, 2025."
I'm actually kind of shocked at this point, after the way they have "handled" Switch 2 so far, that they didn't handle it in that way, this time, but I think they know what the constant delays and silence have done to some of us, up until this week.
I'm excited for the launch games, and excited to finally purchase the system and get hands-on time with it.
I look at it as a revision of the original Switch, with improvements and various fixes.
I think that it's fair to say that anyone that enjoyed playing games on the original Switch will have, at bare minimum, the same, or a similar experience with Switch 2, but with the promise of deeper, more detailed first party games, and probably a far greater variety of 3rd party modern games, so I think most people will be pleased with the final product, if not overjoyed.
Some here have mentioned the possibility of many of the leaks being completely false and made up, and the idea that Nintendo actually has this brilliant master plan in the works for Switch 2, that will blow all our minds.
I hope that this is true.
The one thing Nintendo is excellent at is game software, so even if Switch 2 is still underpowered compared to other current aystems, it will still be an unquestionable upgrade over the original Switch hardware, and nobody will dispute that.
So one of my original ideas was the possibility that Nintendo has been working on Switch 2 release titles for years, in anticipation of it's eventual release, even back when it was going to be like a "Switch Pro" type device.
My thinking was that Nintendo was this cunning, strategic company, and, knowing that software is where their strength lies, that is where they've been pouring nearly ALL of their energy and resources the last few years and months, except, not into Switch, but into Switch 2.
It stands to reason that EVEN Nintendo realized at some point that the Switch was way underpowered, and maybe preventing Nintendo programmers from fully implementing many of their best gaming ideas, so at least some of their software teams pivoted away from Switch development, altogether, and they were directed to do nothing but devote their resources to next-gen/Switch 2 software development.
If this were true, and Nintendo has this stockpile of next generation games ready, or even somewhat near completion, KNOWING that each of those games, even if just a handful of titles, will be million copy bestsellers, million copy SYSTEM sellers, then that would explain a lot of Nintendo's hubris and behavior of the last couple of months.
It may be that the hardware doesn't matter at all, like some of you have mentioned, and that the launch titles and early titles are so killer that Nintendo KNOWS they can reveal the system at literally ANY time now, and the pre-orders and initial systems will sell out.
If this theory is true, it also would explain Nintendo's perceived fear of revealing Switch 2 in, or around December.
They KNEW it would be so awesome that people would want to immediately pre-order it, immediately tanking sales of the current Switch, and triggering returns of recently purchased current gen Switches, so they delayed, and delayed, and delayed.
This theory maybe gives Nintendo too much credit, but I believe it's plausible.
What if Nintendo has been intentionally holding back, the last few years, while, in secret, their best programmers have been locked away in a secret room somewhere, and given the freedom to just go nuts???
I like ANY analysis of Switch 2 that I can get, up UNTIL Nintendo actually says ANYTHING about the system, AT ALL, and I'm way past holding my breath and waiting for Nintendo to do a Switch 2 reveal. After all the reveal rumors, for weeks and months, I'm not believing anything else, about a reveal, until it ACTUALLY happens. I'm hoping for powerful, cutting edge hardware, but we know Nintendo WON'T use the latest and greatest tech, 1) because they are "thrifty" (CHEAP) 2) because they are concerned about the price of the system and how the price would impact actual purchases of the system. Nintendo doesn't need cutting edge hardware in order to make great software, so that's not really a concern. As long as the Switch 2 hardware is at least a modest update over the original system, and they make fixes and improvements where customers have requested those fixes, everything SHOULD be fine. Now, there's a question of what the launch titles will be, and how Switch 2, in general, will compare to the original, after Nintendo has let the hype boil and rise, for week after week, for MONTHS.
I'm grateful to the leakers/HEROES for finally giving us actual information on the system that is somewhat credible, if not even TOTALLY credible.
I've been information starved, as far as the "successor" is concerned, for weeks, even months, and no relief, of ANY kind, has been forthcoming from Nintendo.
To finally have actual pictures of the system, actual LIKELY facts about it, even people talking about the system and writing about it, that have possibly/probably laid actual hands on it, it's a kindness, this year, an act of mercy, that I can't even express my full gratitude for.
If SOMEONE were to go after the leaker/s I would even donate to their legal defense fund, because unlike the people from the actual company, the leakers have looked out for the fans that have been dying for information, instead of just constantly refusing and denying and remaining silent.
@-wc- I would be happy with just updated hardware that will run ALL current and past Switch games flawlessly, and allow some great ports of fairly recent 3rd party games. Nintendo is ramping up customer expectations with all the secrecy, and, if they CAN'T deliver, it will be a self-inflicted wound, and entirely of their own making. When you continually troll customers, repeatedly, for MONTHS, by saying, "We are NOT mentioning this thing, today, that we know you REALLY want us to mention", I mean, what should Nintendo expect the reaction to that to be? What is that "strategy"' called? You don't have to have much, to just say, "Oh the system is called 'X', and it launches in AROUND 6 months". That's all I have wanted. When you say, more or less, "This thing is so awesome, I can't even give it a name! I can't even speak of it! I literally can't even let you think about the system until EVERYTHING is COMPLETELY finished, and absolutely PERFECT!", that's you, as a company representative, jacking up expectations for this thing, and simultaneously frustrating your customers, at least SOME of them, and if it's NOT intentional, then it's really poor, really sloppy business.
For one thing, earlier this year Nintendo's CEO has made a statement as part of an earnings call, that this year was mainly about preparing for the Switch "successor" launch, and getting the launch right, and when ask about it, be stated that Nintendo was NOT worried about the announcement of the successor having any kind of effect on the sales of the current Switch system. I think the sales of the current Switch dropped more quickly then Nintendo expected, so they backtracked on that earlier statement and went almost completely silent on ANY talk, or news of the successor system. I think, despite that statement, they opted to FURTHER postpone even the announcement of Switch 2, until AFTER December, and Christmas, out of an OVERabundance of caution. For me, and I'm sure, many others, it has been a super frustrating couple of weeks, and months, dying for Nintendo to release information on Switch 2, A-N-Y information, AT ALL. My expectation is that Nintendo will, at minimum, announce the official name of the successor, in January or February, and, heaven forbid, maybe even a PICTURE of the system, or an ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO. I'm not holding my breath anymore, at this point.
I am waiting desperately, sadly, for a Switch 2 reveal, from NINTENDO, of ANY kind.
Give me a name Nintendo! Give me the first letter in the name, ANYTHING. Tell me the color of the system, the weight of the system, SOMETHING.
Tell me the Switch 2 price range, not even the exact price, just the range. I'm desperate for ANY real Switch 2 news.
If necessary Nintendo, just lie to me. Give me a false Switch 2 "fact" that I can cling to, until you all are ready to give us a CRUMB of REAL info.
I'm dying out here. Starved of information on this thing. Tell me something about Switch 2 that I will HATE, as long as it's real. I'm begging you, NINTENDO execs. Have MERCY.
Comments 9
Re: Nintendo Defends Switch 2's Perceived Lack Of Innovation
I still think that the key to Switch 2's ultimate success will be it's future 1st party games. Nobody is happy about the higher MSRP of the Switch 2, or the higher prices of their upcoming Switch 2 games, and that makes sense, particularly because the price of EVERYTHING is high these days, or higher then what they USED to be, up until recently
I think amid the disappointment regarding the reveal of higher Switch 2 game prices, is a general oversight
My proposal is that, MAYBE, the quality of the average 1st party Switch 2 game will rise in somewhat equal proportion to the rise in their MSRP, in relation to the older original Switch games.
In other words, we haven't seen a fraction of the software that Nintendo has in the works for Switch 2. Software sells hardware, and Nintendo is NOTORIOUSLY stingy with information, to the point where that stinginess has seemed to harm their own best interests, recently.
I think they probably have a ton of games in development for Switch 2, where, if they actually disclosed ANY info about these titles, AT ALL, it would substantially soften the blow about the initial news of all of these game price increases, and at the same time, increase excitement about the launch and release of Switch 2, BUT, since we're talking about Nintendo, even if it's to THEIR benefit, and makes total sense, and gives comfort and relief to their customers, they are likely to sit on most, or all information about these future and upcoming titles, until the LAST possible moment.
That's my theory.
Re: Takaya Imamura On Nintendo's Future: Talented And Charismatic Devs Are "Crucial"
It's about having talented and creative developers, but Nintendo also has to give those developers the freedom to try new things, both with the old, tried and true IPs and with new IPs.
It's easy for a company to get locked into that routine of "if it works, do another version, and then another", but the challenge is in finding something new and innovative to put into that next version that makes it special and fun and a genuine improvement over the old version.
The exciting thing with Switch 2 is KNOWING that the developers at Nintendo have, hopefully, much more power, hardware wise, to really explore their ideas and bring them into reality.
They should be far less limited now, on the technical side of things. I don't know what it's like at Nintendo, internally, but I would want to have their people at least talking and in communication with developers worldwide, and even fans, on a global basis, to see what people really want, and what the expectations are, in 2025, for an awesome game, or an awesome game franchise.
One issue with Nintendo is that their strength MAY lie almost completely with a reliance on their internal, established developers, and they haven't reached out to external sources for talent and inspiration often enough.
I'm speculating, as far as that goes, but with hardware limitations out of the way, or at least greatly minimized, the only limitations that remain would be as far as talent and ideas. Nintendo has plenty of that, but I think it would be a mistake to not search beyond their established team for both new talent and new ideas.
Re: Reaction: Nintendo Pins Hopes On Familiar Fun With Switch 2
I'm relieved that Nintendo finally unveiled SOMETHING official. They finally gave us an official name for the product, an official full look at the product, and an actual date for further information about the "successor".
Now I can strip the word "successor" from my vocabulary, if I choose to. I never have to use the word again, if I don't want to lol.
So now the wait is on for April, and then the real struggle begins, to actually preorder AND get hands on the system, once it's released.
I do feel like April is a long time to wait for actual information on the system, after we've all waited months and months, just to get this reveal video.
I can't complain though, because there is an ACTUAL date for a Switch 2 Direct.
Nintendo could have said, "There will be further information on the Switch 2 sometime between NOW and December 31st, 2025."
I'm actually kind of shocked at this point, after the way they have "handled" Switch 2 so far, that they didn't handle it in that way, this time, but I think they know what the constant delays and silence have done to some of us, up until this week.
I'm excited for the launch games, and excited to finally purchase the system and get hands-on time with it.
I look at it as a revision of the original Switch, with improvements and various fixes.
I think that it's fair to say that anyone that enjoyed playing games on the original Switch will have, at bare minimum, the same, or a similar experience with Switch 2, but with the promise of deeper, more detailed first party games, and probably a far greater variety of 3rd party modern games, so I think most people will be pleased with the final product, if not overjoyed.
Re: Talking Point: Everyone Else Is Busy Revealing Switch 2 - What Gives, Nintendo?
Some here have mentioned the possibility of many of the leaks being completely false and made up, and the idea that Nintendo actually has this brilliant master plan in the works for Switch 2, that will blow all our minds.
I hope that this is true.
The one thing Nintendo is excellent at is game software, so even if Switch 2 is still underpowered compared to other current aystems, it will still be an unquestionable upgrade over the original Switch hardware, and nobody will dispute that.
So one of my original ideas was the possibility that Nintendo has been working on Switch 2 release titles for years, in anticipation of it's eventual release, even back when it was going to be like a "Switch Pro" type device.
My thinking was that Nintendo was this cunning, strategic company, and, knowing that software is where their strength lies, that is where they've been pouring nearly ALL of their energy and resources the last few years and months, except, not into Switch, but into Switch 2.
It stands to reason that EVEN Nintendo realized at some point that the Switch was way underpowered, and maybe preventing Nintendo programmers from fully implementing many of their best gaming ideas, so at least some of their software teams pivoted away from Switch development, altogether, and they were directed to do nothing but devote their resources to next-gen/Switch 2 software development.
If this were true, and Nintendo has this stockpile of next generation games ready, or even somewhat near completion, KNOWING that each of those games, even if just a handful of titles, will be million copy bestsellers, million copy SYSTEM sellers, then that would explain a lot of Nintendo's hubris and behavior of the last couple of months.
It may be that the hardware doesn't matter at all, like some of you have mentioned, and that the launch titles and early titles are so killer that Nintendo KNOWS they can reveal the system at literally ANY time now, and the pre-orders and initial systems will sell out.
If this theory is true, it also would explain Nintendo's perceived fear of revealing Switch 2 in, or around December.
They KNEW it would be so awesome that people would want to immediately pre-order it, immediately tanking sales of the current Switch, and triggering returns of recently purchased current gen Switches, so they delayed, and delayed, and delayed.
This theory maybe gives Nintendo too much credit, but I believe it's plausible.
What if Nintendo has been intentionally holding back, the last few years, while, in secret, their best programmers have been locked away in a secret room somewhere, and given the freedom to just go nuts???
Re: Tech Fans Have Gone Full 'Layton' In Analysing The 'Switch 2' Motherboard
I like ANY analysis of Switch 2 that I can get, up UNTIL Nintendo actually says ANYTHING about the system, AT ALL, and I'm way past holding my breath and waiting for Nintendo to do a Switch 2 reveal.
After all the reveal rumors, for weeks and months, I'm not believing anything else, about a reveal, until it ACTUALLY happens.
I'm hoping for powerful, cutting edge hardware, but we know Nintendo WON'T use the latest and greatest tech, 1) because they are "thrifty" (CHEAP) 2) because they are concerned about the price of the system and how the price would impact actual purchases of the system.
Nintendo doesn't need cutting edge hardware in order to make great software, so that's not really a concern. As long as the Switch 2 hardware is at least a modest update over the original system, and they make fixes and improvements where customers have requested those fixes, everything SHOULD be fine.
Now, there's a question of what the launch titles will be, and how Switch 2, in general, will compare to the original, after Nintendo has let the hype boil and rise, for week after week, for MONTHS.
Re: PSA: If You're Into Switch 2 'Leaks', It's The Wild West Out There Right Now
I'm grateful to the leakers/HEROES for finally giving us actual information on the system that is somewhat credible, if not even TOTALLY credible.
I've been information starved, as far as the "successor" is concerned, for weeks, even months, and no relief, of ANY kind, has been forthcoming from Nintendo.
To finally have actual pictures of the system, actual LIKELY facts about it, even people talking about the system and writing about it, that have possibly/probably laid actual hands on it, it's a kindness, this year, an act of mercy, that I can't even express my full gratitude for.
If SOMEONE were to go after the leaker/s I would even donate to their legal defense fund, because unlike the people from the actual company, the leakers have looked out for the fans that have been dying for information, instead of just constantly refusing and denying and remaining silent.
Re: Video: Let's Discuss The Big Question: What The Heck Is Happening At Nintendo Right Now?
@-wc- I would be happy with just updated hardware that will run ALL current and past Switch games flawlessly, and allow some great ports of fairly recent 3rd party games. Nintendo is ramping up customer expectations with all the secrecy, and, if they CAN'T deliver, it will be a self-inflicted wound, and entirely of their own making. When you continually troll customers, repeatedly, for MONTHS, by saying, "We are NOT mentioning this thing, today, that we know you REALLY want us to mention", I mean, what should Nintendo expect the reaction to that to be? What is that "strategy"' called? You don't have to have much, to just say, "Oh the system is called 'X', and it launches in AROUND 6 months". That's all I have wanted. When you say, more or less, "This thing is so awesome, I can't even give it a name! I can't even speak of it! I literally can't even let you think about the system until EVERYTHING is COMPLETELY finished, and absolutely PERFECT!", that's you, as a company representative, jacking up expectations for this thing, and simultaneously frustrating your customers, at least SOME of them, and if it's NOT intentional, then it's really poor, really sloppy business.
Re: Video: Let's Discuss The Big Question: What The Heck Is Happening At Nintendo Right Now?
For one thing, earlier this year Nintendo's CEO has made a statement as part of an earnings call, that this year was mainly about preparing for the Switch "successor" launch, and getting the launch right, and when ask about it, be stated that Nintendo was NOT worried about the announcement of the successor having any kind of effect on the sales of the current Switch system.
I think the sales of the current Switch dropped more quickly then Nintendo expected, so they backtracked on that earlier statement and went almost completely silent on ANY talk, or news of the successor system.
I think, despite that statement, they opted to FURTHER postpone even the announcement of Switch 2, until AFTER December, and Christmas, out of an OVERabundance of caution.
For me, and I'm sure, many others, it has been a super frustrating couple of weeks, and months, dying for Nintendo to release information on Switch 2, A-N-Y information, AT ALL.
My expectation is that Nintendo will, at minimum, announce the official name of the successor, in January or February, and, heaven forbid, maybe even a PICTURE of the system, or an ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO.
I'm not holding my breath anymore, at this point.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (14th September)
I am waiting desperately, sadly, for a Switch 2 reveal, from NINTENDO, of ANY kind.
Give me a name Nintendo! Give me the first letter in the name, ANYTHING. Tell me the color of the system, the weight of the system, SOMETHING.
Tell me the Switch 2 price range, not even the exact price, just the range. I'm desperate for ANY real Switch 2 news.
If necessary Nintendo, just lie to me. Give me a false Switch 2 "fact" that I can cling to, until you all are ready to give us a CRUMB of REAL info.
I'm dying out here. Starved of information on this thing. Tell me something about Switch 2 that I will HATE, as long as it's real. I'm begging you, NINTENDO execs.
Have MERCY.