TheNintendo Switch 2’s launch lineup is promising a lot, with some heavy-hitting titles right out the gate. Though theSwitch 2’s opening pitch has a great deal going for it, there are areas for improvement.
TheNintendo Switch 2 launch titleswill be a varied bunch, and there’s a lot to look forward to. The Switch 2 Direct from earlier this month confirmed that the newMario Kart Worldwill be a launch title for the system, alongside Switch 2 editions of prior games and ports of major AAA titles likeCyberpunk, which were too beefy for the original platform.Donkey Kong Bananzawill also be releasing only a month after the console’s launch, making it a big part of the platform’s appeal on launch.
Switch 2 lineup:
Original Switch Lineup:
When looking at thehistory of Nintendo launch titles, it’s clear that Nintendo is trying to repeat the Switch’s success. Not only is the console seeding releases throughout the year for long-term success (doing withBananzawhat the original Switch did withMario Kart 8 DeluxeandSuperMario Odyssey), but the Switch 2 Direct propped up the upcoming console’s indie support in a big way withDeltaruneandSilksong, a strategy that paid off massively with the Switch.
There are also clear signs thatNintendo’s strategy has changed since the Switch, adapting for different purposes. The launch slate specifically highlights AAA releases likeCyberpunk 2077andSplit Fiction, demonstrating how much performance has improved in the gap between consoles. Moreover, the Switch 2’s major launch title being the exclusiveMario Kart Worldseparates the console from its predecessor. The Switch’s biggest game on release wasBreath of the Wild, which also released on the Wii U—but the Switch was trying to appeal to those who hadn’t bought into the Wii U (a demographic Nintendo sorely needed to win back). This time, Nintendo needs to get those who already own a Switch onboard, so its headlining game is fully exclusive to the new console.
On the other hand, the Switch 2 may be repeating some of the Switch’s mistakes. TheSwitch 2’sWelcome Tourhas all the trappings of a tech demo, but Nintendo will nonetheless be charging for it—a similar situation to the Switch launch game1-2-Switch!, which originally sold for $50. Most players agreed that1-2-Switch!should’ve been a free ‘pack-in’ game, like the Wii’sWii Sports, a sentiment that fans feel all the more towardsWelcome Tour. Given that it seems as ifWelcome Tourwill ‘only’ cost $5-10, this charge seems incredibly petty, especially considering the console’s existing price problems.
The Switch 2’s Launch Titles Far Surpass The Wii U, But There’s An Eerie Similarity
Wii U Lineup:
The Switch 2 finds itself somewhere between the Wii U and original Switch in terms of game count, boasting 21 games while the original Switch had just under a dozen and the Wii U had over 30. Size-wise, the lineup is most similar to the 3DS, which launched with 18 games.
It goes without saying that Nintendo isn’t interested in leaving a console out to dry on launch again, which is what happened to the Wii U. Compared to the Wii U’s extraordinarily limited first-party support on release, the Switch 2 is miles ahead. However, the Wii U remains an important console for comparison, as it was Nintendo’s previous attempt at a ‘sequel’ console. When looking through that lense, there are some unfortunate similarities regarding theNintendo Switch 2’s pricing.
Part ofwhy the Wii U failedwas its price hike, costing an extra $50 compared to the original Wii for very little extra benefit. Eventually, some incredibly solid first-party games would come, but the console’s main gimmick was poorly marketed—and its major launch release,New Super Mario Bros. U, did very little to stick out from its Wii equivalent while costing just as much. The Switch 2 is adding a whopping $150 to its predecessor’s price, and the $80Mario Kart Worldmay not be enough to entice fans that can already playMario Kart 8 Deluxe.
