Switch 2 Launch Lineup vs. Past Nintendo Consoles: A Comparative Analysis

The anticipated lineup of games for the Nintendo Switch 2 at its launch is quite impressive, featuring several high-profile titles. While the initial offering of the Nintendo Switch 2 certainly looks strong, there are aspects that could be enhanced.

The upcoming games slated for release alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 are quite diverse and exciting! The Nintendo Direct presentation held this month revealed that the new “Mario Kart World” will be among the system’s launch titles, along with enhanced versions of previous games and ported versions of popular AAA titles such as “Cyberpunk,” which were too resource-intensive for the original console. Additionally, “Donkey Kong Bananza” is scheduled to debut just a month after the console’s release, adding significant allure to the platform at launch.

Nintendo Switch 2’s Launch Lineup Compared To Prior Nintendo Consoles

The Switch 2 Is Following In The Footsteps of The Switch, And Making The Same Mistakes

Switch 2 lineup:

  • Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer
  • Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
  • Civilization 7 (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
  • Deltarune
  • Fast Fusion
  • Fortnite
  • Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Godess
  • Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition
  • Hogwarts Legacy
  • Mario Kart World
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
  • Nobubaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
  • Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
  • Street Fighter 6
  • Survival Kids
  • Split Fiction
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
  • Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut

Original Switch Lineup:

  • 1-2 Switch
  • Fast RMX
  • I am Setsuna
  • Just Dance 2017
  • Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove/Spector of Torment
  • Skylanders: Imaginators
  • Snipperclips
  • Super Bomberman R
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Considering Nintendo’s past launch titles for their consoles, it seems they aim to replicate the success of the Nintendo Switch. They are releasing games intermittently throughout the year, similar to how the original Switch launched with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Odyssey, in a bid for long-term prosperity. Furthermore, the recent Nintendo Direct presentation emphasized the indie support for the upcoming console, highlighting titles like Deltarune and Silksong, which was a successful approach with the original Switch.

It’s evident that Nintendo has shifted its approach since the launch of the Switch, tailoring it for various objectives. The initial lineup showcases big-budget games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Split Fiction, signifying significant performance advancements between consoles. Additionally, the main launch title for the Switch 2, Mario Kart World, sets it apart from its predecessor because it’s an exclusive game. Compared to the Switch’s first major release, Breath of the Wild, which also came out on the Wii U, Nintendo aimed to attract those who hadn’t purchased a Wii U (a crucial demographic for them). This time around, Nintendo is focusing on winning over existing Switch owners with its flagship game, which will be fully exclusive to the new console.

As an enthusiast, I can’t help but express my concerns about the upcoming Switch 2. While it appears to showcase some impressive features in its Welcome Tour, there’s a nagging feeling that it might repeat some of the mistakes we saw with the original Switch. The similarity between the pricing strategy for this tour and the launch game, 1-2-Switch, is striking, especially when one considers that many felt 1-2-Switch should have been a free ‘pack-in’ game like Wii Sports.

The upcoming Welcome Tour seems to be facing the same sentiment, as fans believe it should have been included for free with the console, given its demonstrative nature. With reports suggesting it will cost around $5-$10, this price tag feels particularly petty in light of the existing issues surrounding the console’s pricing.

The Switch 2’s Launch Titles Far Surpass The Wii U, But There’s An Eerie Similarity

Wii U Lineup:

  • Assassin’s Creed 3
  • Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
  • Chasing Aurora
  • Darksiders 2
  • Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
  • EA Sports FIFA Soccer 13
  • ESPN Sports Connection
  • Game Party Champions
  • Just Dance 4
  • Little Inferno
  • Madden NFL 13
  • Mass Effect 3
  • Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition
  • Nano Assault Neo
  • NBA 2K13
  • New Super Mario Bros. U
  • Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge
  • Nintendo Land
  • Rabbids Land Wiki
  • Scribblenauts Unlimited
  • Sing Party
  • Skylanders Giants
  • Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed
  • Tank! Tank! Tank!
  • Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
  • Transformers Prime
  • Trine 2: Director’s Cut
  • Frozenbyte
  • Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
  • Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper
  • Wipeout: The Game 3
  • ZombiU

The Switch 2 offers approximately 21 games, placing it between the Wii U (which had more than 30) and the original Switch (with fewer than a dozen). In terms of size, its game library is closest to that of the 3DS at launch, with 18 games.

It’s clear that Nintendo aims to avoid repeating the mistake of leaving a console unsupported during launch, as was the case with the Wii U. In terms of first-party support at launch, the Switch 2 significantly outshines its predecessor. However, it’s worth noting that the Wii U serves as a valuable point of comparison since it was Nintendo’s last attempt at creating a follow-up console. Viewing the potential Nintendo Switch 2 through this lens reveals some concerning parallels in terms of pricing strategy.

The primary reason behind the Wii U’s failure was its price increase, charging an additional $50 compared to the original Wii for minimal extra value. Despite eventually releasing some exceptional first-party games, the console’s unique feature wasn’t effectively promoted, and its launch title, New Super Mario Bros. U, offered little distinction from its Wii counterpart while still costing the same amount. The upcoming Switch 2 has a significant price increase of $150 compared to its predecessor, and the $80 game Mario Kart World may not be enough to attract fans who can already enjoy Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

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2025-04-07 02:04