As arguably the biggest and most important showcase of 2025, the latest announcements for theNintendo Switch 2revealed some key features that could help revive a longstanding, albeit underserved, genre within Nintendo games. While it had been anticipated that Nintendo would reveal more about theNintendo Switch 2throughout 2025, its recent Nintendo Direct in early April likely surpassed most expectations with a slew of announcements for new exclusive and partner games likeMario Kart World,Donkey Kong Bananza, andThe Duskbloods. However, alongside these announcements were new features and peripherals for the Switch 2 that could hide some untapped potential.
In contrast to other companies and their next-gen consoles, Nintendo has maintained a focus on unique selling points like portability, socialization, and creativity, with examples like its Joy-Cons' versatility or the 3D effects on the 3DS. Combined with an ethos centered around family-friendly content and positive lifestyles, this has led to a tradition among Nintendo’s consoles with games or “exergames” geared towards health and fitness, such asWii Sports,Wii Fit, andNintendo Switch Sports. Now that players know more about Nintendo’s next console and its features, theSwitch 2 could make or break this traditionwith its own range of social exergames.
Nintendo Switch 2 Embraces Social Gaming With Its New Camera and Game Chat
Just as social gaming had been a core principle behind the original Switch, it appears that Nintendo has revisited the drawing board in that respect when designing the Switch 2. In addition to its more ergonomic, versatile, and potentially durable Joy-Cons 2, Nintendo revealed several new features and peripherals that appear to push the social gaming envelope even further. For example, during the latest Nintendo Direct showcasing the new Camera and Discord-like GameChat, Nintendo even outlined how these features could enhance existing games, such as Camera-exclusive minigames forthe Switch 2 Edition ofSuper Mario Party Jamboree.
Nintendo Switch 2’s New Social Features May Already Face An Uphill Struggle
However, to what extent Nintendo plans to integrate these social features into existing Switch or new Switch 2 games will remain to be seen, especially whencriticism regarding the Switch 2’s priceshas already been raised. Similar to what happened to Nintendo Labo, it is possible that these GameChat and Camera features might not prove to be sustainable despite Nintendo’s ambitions with the Switch 2. So long as Nintendo continues to expand and refine these features, such as resolving potential lag and justifying the price of its Camera peripheral, then this potential might not go to waste.
Nintendo Switch 2 Needs Switch Sports And Ring Fit Adventure Sequels
Both among the Switch’s best-selling games,Switch SportsandRing Fit Adventurehelped maintain Nintendo’s console tradition of sports and exergames, with the latter experiencing a surge in sales and popularity in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and stay-at-home lockdowns. WhileNintendo’s flagship franchises likeSuper Mario,Donkey Kong, andMetroidwill draw in players for the Switch 2, it shouldn’t ignore the appeal and benefits these exergame series could have for the upcoming console. Especially if these games capitalize on the Switch 2’s new social features and peripherals, sequels toSwitch SportsorRing Fit Adventurecould help sell the console to a broader demographic.
Nintendo Switch 2’s Social Features Are Perfect For Its Next-Gen Exergames
Possibly one of the biggest challenges to overcome regarding health and fitness is the motivation to maintain any diet, exercise, or other lifestyle changes that people make. While the likes ofWii SportsandWii Fittried to tackle this through gaming alone, these games arguably fell short of the social aspect of exercise, such as the encouragement to keep going or recognition for meeting goals. By embracing theSwitch 2’s accessories and console featureslike its Camera and GameChat, prospective next-gen exergames likeRing Fit Adventure 2could incorporate socialization into their gameplay with group exercises, motivation from other players, and more.
