Nintendo Switch 2 Won’t Include Huge PC & Console Feature

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Summary

  • Nintendo Switch 2 won’t have system-wide achievements, as seen in other platforms.
  • Achievements were absent from Switch Direct, even though long-awaited features were confirmed.
  • Zelda games on Switch 2 will feature app-exclusive achievements, but system-wide ones will be missing.

The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, following in the footsteps of its predecessors, will forgo a common feature found in contemporary consoles and PC gaming systems; Nintendo has made it clear that they will not incorporate achievement systems into their latest hardware.

During the PS3/Xbox 360 era, achievements significantly impacted gaming as completing tasks earned players small rewards from the system itself, such as notifications. For example, if you manage to defeat Malenia in Elden Ring or make a donation at the Dog Shrine in Undertale, the system will acknowledge your success with a mini-achievement.

In contrast to other gaming systems which incorporate achievements on a system-wide basis, Nintendo has consistently opted to allow individual games to include their own achievement systems. This practice remains unchanged as we move into the era of the Nintendo Switch 2, with Bill Trinen, Nintendo’s Vice President of Player and Product Experience, confirming that the upcoming system will not feature achievements.

The Updated Switch Zelda Games Will Have Achievements, But That’s It

During the initial presentation of the Nintendo Switch 2, a multitude of details were shared, yet there was no mention of any achievements system, even though other eagerly anticipated features like GameChat (Nintendo’s inaugural built-in video chat service) were confirmed.

The confusion arises because of the updated versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel. Only those using the Nintendo Switch phone app can unlock achievements through the Zelda Notes section of the app, which appears to be exclusive to these new Zelda games and won’t continue in future titles.

As a dedicated gamer, I find it quite astonishing that the Switch 2, Nintendo’s latest console, seems to lack an achievement system. Given the need for fresh content to distinguish it from its predecessor, one might expect such a feature. However, it appears that Nintendo prefers to steer clear of having players grind through every detail of their games in pursuit of unlockable notifications. Instead, we, as fans, must find our own satisfaction and enjoyment in exploring the depths of these games without the incentive of digital badges.

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2025-04-07 18:08