In June 2025, the new version of Nintendo’s popular hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch 2, hit the market and quickly achieved unprecedented commercial success, selling more than 6 million units within its first three months. Given the immense popularity of its predecessor, the original Nintendo Switch – which holds the record as Nintendo’s top-selling home console to date – this outcome might not come as a surprise to many.
It’s worth noting that while the Switch 2 offers impressive exclusive games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, it’s hard to ignore comparisons to its predecessor, the original Switch. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the first Switch had some areas where it outshone its successor, with notable differences already evident. That said, given that the Switch 2 is still new in the market, Nintendo has the opportunity to address and enhance many of these differences in the coming days.
Innovation
The Nintendo Switch Completely Changed The Game
As a gaming enthusiast, I can vouch that Nintendo has always been ahead of its time when it comes to crafting groundbreaking hardware. In 2017, they took the gaming world by storm with the Nintendo Switch 1 – a game-changing hybrid console that bridged the gap between home and portable gaming. This innovation was revolutionary in allowing us to play our favorite games at home on the big screen or take it with us wherever we go like a handheld device. The success of the system can be attributed, in part, to this novel approach. It even sparked a new era for modern handheld gaming systems, inspiring creations such as the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally.
Instead of presenting something revolutionary, the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is essentially an upgraded version of its predecessor, boasting a larger size and enhanced power. This simple improvement is perfectly acceptable because it doesn’t require anything more – Nintendo has a keen understanding that their fanbase appreciates the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. In other words, as long as the new console performs in a similar manner to its predecessor, fans will be eager to purchase it.
Launch Titles
Breath Of The Wild Is One Of The Best Launch Titles In Gaming History
At a crucial juncture for Nintendo, when the company aimed to regain consumer trust following the disappointing performance of the Wii U, the Nintendo Switch was launched. Not only did they want to captivate gamers with the innovative hybrid design of their latest product, but they also wanted to entice immediate purchase by offering a robust selection of debut games. Among these, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild truly shone, rapidly establishing itself as one of the most significant and influential games of its era, while providing Switch users with countless hours of entertainment during the console’s initial months.
As a gamer, I wasn’t expecting Nintendo to pull out all the stops with the launch of the Switch 2, given their already established reputation. However, what they presented on release day didn’t quite make the same splash as some other console launches. Being backward compatible with games from its predecessor was a nice touch, but it wasn’t enough to create the same level of excitement. The flagship game, Mario Kart World, is undeniably fun and offers an interesting twist on the classic Mario Kart experience, but compared to the groundbreaking and immersive world of Breath of the Wild in 2017, it falls short in terms of innovation, addictiveness, and scope.
Tech-Demo Games
1-2-Switch Was (Somehow) Better Than Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
In contemporary gaming, pack-in games are becoming increasingly rare: it’s been years since Nintendo distributed consoles accompanied by free copies of games like Wii Sports or Nintendo Land. The initial launch of the Nintendo Switch received criticism due to this factor, as the game 1-2-Switch – designed to demonstrate the capabilities of its hardware and controllers – was sold separately.
An event comparable to the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2’s tech demo, called “Nintendo Switch 2 Getting Started,” occurred. This is essentially a tutorial game that was available for purchase at $10 separately. Unlike 1-2-Switch, which had its flaws but offered a fun gaming experience for several hours with friends, the Nintendo Switch 2 Getting Started is a rudimentary tutorial that arguably should have been pre-installed on the console from the beginning.
New IPs
ARMS Became A Nintendo Icon, While Drag x Drive Has Already Been Forgotten
Today, many individuals purchase Nintendo consoles primarily for their iconic series such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokemon. However, it’s intriguing to observe what innovative new intellectual properties this esteemed company will come up with next. During the initial year of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo introduced ARMS, an original fighting game that leveraged the motion controls of the Joy-Con controllers. The game’s distinctive control mechanism and vibrant character roster rapidly garnered a following among Nintendo enthusiasts, so much so that one of its characters, Min Min, was included in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a playable character in 2020.
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is doing well thanks to hits like “Mario Kart World” and “Donkey Kong Bananza,” but a new game from Nintendo called “Drag x Drive” has recently been introduced. Like “ARMS,” this game features an unusual control system designed to highlight the Joy-Con 2’s mouse mode, yet it hasn’t made much of an impression because of its uninteresting visual style, characterless characters, and a significant lack of content. It seems unlikely that the robots from “Drag x Drive” will feature in the next version of “Super Smash Bros.
Lack Of Game-Key Cards
The Nintendo Switch 2’s Most Polarizing Change
The Nintendo Switch 2 has introduced a new game format, Game-Key Cards, which is causing quite a stir among Nintendo enthusiasts. These cards are essentially blank cartridges with a key that allows for the download of a digital copy from the eShop. Although the idea isn’t inherently negative, it has ignited debate, with some fans viewing the Game-Key Cards as “pretend cartridges” and arguing that buying games directly from the eShop would be more straightforward.
In the early days of Switch 1, the majority of third-party games were physically available, but some large ones had to be downloaded separately, even though they came on cartridges. Game-Key Cards were created as a solution to this problem, but nowadays most third-party titles for Switch 2 are solely digital releases. Interestingly, neither Nintendo nor other publishers seem keen on optimizing their games for the new console’s physical format. However, Nintendo is gathering player feedback on this matter, hinting that they might address or even abandon this digital-only approach in the coming times.
Introductory Price
The Nintendo Switch Was Considered Cheap When It Came Out
Initially, the Nintendo Switch debuted at a competitive price point of $299.99 in 2017, making it more affordable compared to the PlayStation 4 ($399.99) and Xbox One ($499.99) upon their release. This pricing strategy was strategic on Nintendo’s part as they aimed to lure consumers following the disappointing performance of the Wii U. Additionally, the lower price reflected the hybrid nature of the Switch, as handheld gaming systems are typically less expensive than home consoles.
In April 2025, Nintendo faced criticism for setting a high initial price of $449.99 for the Nintendo Switch 2, as it was $150 more expensive than its predecessor. However, an interesting twist occurred when Sony increased the retail price of their main console, the PS5 (the Switch 2’s direct competitor and a more powerful system), from $499.99 to $549.99. This unexpected price adjustment by Sony inadvertently made the Nintendo Switch 2 one of the more affordable options currently available in the market.
Software Prices
$70 & $80 Games Are Slowly Becoming The New Norm
As a dedicated Nintendo Switch fan, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disheartened when the company announced that their upcoming flagship games, Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, would be priced higher than the usual $60. Frankly, it left many gamers like me feeling a bit frustrated, as we were accustomed to paying less for our Nintendo Switch titles.
It’s no secret that Nintendo, along with other gaming companies, has been increasing the cost of its games recently. However, due to its popularity and past affordable offerings like the original Switch console, this price hike has sparked a significant amount of criticism. Notably, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was priced at $70 upon its release in 2023, marking a trend that started during the final years of its predecessor and continued with the release of the Switch 2.
It Saved Nintendo During A Bad Time
The Switch Saved The Company After The Dark Days Of The Wii U
In recent times, it’s easy to overlook this fact, but the period spanning from the early to mid-2010s is often labeled as one of Nintendo’s most challenging phases. Despite the Nintendo 3DS, initially met with mixed opinions, eventually garnering significant success, its home console counterpart, the Nintendo Wii U, didn’t fare as well. The reasons for this include a dearth of strong exclusives, a complex naming scheme, and an intriguing concept that wasn’t fully exploited by many developers, including Nintendo itself. This led to poor sales, resulting in significant financial losses for the company.
The Wii U’s lifespan was surprisingly brief due to Nintendo’s swift recognition that they needed to alter their strategy in order to stay competitive. This led to the creation of their next system, which was groundbreaking, ambitious, and ultimately successful. The Nintendo Switch soon became one of Nintendo’s top-selling consoles and has been doing well for several years now. Unlike its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch 2 didn’t necessarily rescue Nintendo since it was already experiencing a prosperous period when it launched its latest console. Given its immediate success, it appears that Nintendo will maintain this positive momentum for many years to come.
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2025-09-13 05:35