The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 seems to be making waves even before its release, showing potential right out of the gate with a roster of impressive titles. While there’s a lot to be excited about, there are also aspects that need some fine-tuning.
Nintendo’s latest console is setting itself up with a diverse array of launch games, giving gamers plenty to look forward to. Recent updates from the Switch 2 Direct confirmed that some major hits are in store, including a new Mario Kart World, which will launch alongside the console. Fans can also look forward to Switch 2 versions of existing favorites and ports of big AAA games like Cyberpunk, which was a bit too heavy for the original Switch to handle. Moreover, Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled to drop just a month later, boosting the console’s initial offerings significantly.
And it’s not just Nintendo stirring the pot. Sega recently announced that they’re developing five new games for the Switch 2, further sweetening the pot and demonstrating broad support for the console right from day one.
Comparing the Switch 2 to its predecessors can be quite revealing. In terms of launch titles, the new console seems to be taking cues from the original Switch while also making new strides. The strategy of spacing out releases over the first year is reminiscent of how the original Switch rolled out hits like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Odyssey. Additionally, indie favorites such as Deltarune and Silksong are set to make appearances, showing a clear focus on robust indie game support just like its predecessor.
However, Nintendo seems to be approaching the Switch 2 launch with some new tactics, notably in its emphasis on powerful AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Split Fiction. This shift highlights the console’s improved performance capabilities. A key differentiator for the Switch 2 is its headlining exclusive, Mario Kart World, setting it apart from the Switch’s launch, which relied on a shared title with the Wii U, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, to attract new players.
Despite these promising features, some aspects seem to resemble previous missteps. The Welcome Tour, for instance, appears to be a tech demo similar to what we saw with the original Switch’s 1-2-Switch game, which many believed should have been bundled free. With Welcome Tour, Nintendo plans to charge a modest $5-10—a decision that feels somewhat paltry given the current pricing landscape for the console.
Although the Switch 2’s game lineup easily surpasses that of the Wii U in terms of sheer variety, certain similarities are hard to ignore. The Wii U, another sequel console from Nintendo, suffered from a high price with questionable value adds. The Switch 2 risks repeating this with its $150 premium over its predecessor, leaving some wondering if the exclusive $80 Mario Kart World is enough to justify the switch when some players are content with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Looking at the numbers, the Switch 2 sits comfortably with a roster of 21 launch titles—eclipsing the original Switch’s fewer than a dozen but falling behind the Wii U’s robust 30-plus games. This lineup resembles that of the 3DS more closely, which started with 18 games.
In all this, Nintendo is clearly aiming to avoid the pitfalls that surrounded the Wii U, aiming instead for a launch that offers strong appeal right from day one. While they’ve clearly upped the ante with strong first-party support and more nuanced third-party collaborations, the echoes of challenges past, particularly concerning pricing strategies, serve as a reminder to gamers and industry watchers alike that new beginnings often come bundled with familiar hurdles.
