Switch 2’s Launch Should Be a Second Chance for an Underrated Title

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2025 promises a significant leap forward for video gaming, particularly with the anticipated debut of the follow-up to the popular Nintendo Switch, frequently referred to as the “Switch 2”. There’s been quite a buzz about this potential console for a while now, fueled by various leaks and speculations. Initially slated for release in 2024, it seems that the launch has been postponed by a year due to unspecified reasons. This delay could account for the relatively sparse lineup of Nintendo-exclusive releases in 2024. Regardless of the reasons behind the delay, we can finally expect to catch our first glimpse of the Switch 2 in 2025.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been buzzing with excitement about the rumors swirling around the Switch 2. It’s being whispered that this new console will drop with a stack of first-party exclusives on launch day, but we don’t know the details yet. The talk of a fresh 3D Mario game being one of those launch titles really resonates, given that Super Mario Odyssey came out nearly a decade ago.

Folks have been brainstorming all sorts of possibilities: a new Donkey Kong adventure, a revamped version of Breath of the Wild, or perhaps even a sequel to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If these games do make it onto the Switch 2, that would be quite the lineup!

But here’s what I think would really set the Switch 2 apart on its debut: a follow-up to Arms, the overlooked fighting game. Now that would be something to talk about!

Arms 2 Would Be a Great Launch Title for the Switch 2

Arms Was One of the Switch’s Earliest Hits, But It Didn’t Have Much Staying Power

Although arms aren’t frequently discussed today, they stand out as one of the few new AAA IPs that Nintendo has introduced during this console generation. Co-developed by Nintendo EPD and Bandai Namco Studios, Arms was launched on the Nintendo Switch in June 2017, a mere few months post its system’s debut. In the primary game mode, as many as four fighters, each equipped with stretchable arms, engage in combat within an arena until only one victor remains. Unlike the majority of fighting games in the market, Arms is played from a third-person behind-the-shoulder perspective.

As a dedicated gamer, I jumped right into the world of Arms, hoping it would be a Nintendo classic. It started off promisingly, moving over 2 million units, but it didn’t quite reach the heights of their other masterpieces. The game’s waning popularity can largely be chalked up to its lackluster post-launch support. Sure, Nintendo did drop some DLC and content updates for Arms throughout 2017, but they pretty much abandoned the game less than a year after it was released.

It was rather unexpected that Nintendo chose to discontinue Arms so swiftly, given the game’s initial potential. Although Arms wasn’t a groundbreaking title, it established a strong foundation for a fighting game with possibilities for future updates and improvements. Regrettably, the game lacked the depth of content needed to maintain player interest over time. Additionally, its unconventional control schemes, limited stage options, and relatively shallow gameplay aspects hindered Arms from reaching the pinnacle of the fighting game genre.

An Arms Sequel Needs to Improve Upon the Foundation of the Original Game

Should Nintendo choose to develop an Arms 2 in the future, even though it’s not very likely, it should aim to enhance every aspect of the original game. A potential Arms 2 sequel should offer more modes, playable characters, and stages than its predecessor upon release. Crucially, it needs a multi-year content plan. Nintendo could mirror their approach with the first Arms by launching a sequel to the game around the release of the Switch 2. Arms 2 would make an ideal launch title for the successor to the Nintendo Switch, and it would provide a fresh opportunity for the currently inactive Arms IP.

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2025-01-05 22:33