Cliff Notes – Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth getting at launch
- The pre-order system for the Nintendo Switch 2 has received mixed reviews, with some praising the invite-only approach aimed at loyal customers while others express frustration over accessibility and scalping issues.
- Concerns have been raised regarding the pricing of games, with a call for clearer communication from Nintendo about game costs to alleviate customer anxiety.
- Despite some skepticism about the necessity of an immediate upgrade, excitement remains high for titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, suggesting strong initial interest in the console.
Games Inbox: Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth getting at launch?
Mario Kart World does look good. The Thursday letters page has mixed reviews for the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order system, as one reader decides to get a Meta Quest 3 instead of a Switch 2.
Sliding scale
I do love a new console launch, even and especially all the controversy over prices and pre-orders and whether it’s worth getting straight away. For me it’s a question for a new PlayStation but not really a Nintendo console. Well… there was the Wii U, but after the quality of the Switch 1 and the mostly positive Direct I’m committed to getting a Switch 2 at launch.
Mario Kart World is clearly great and Donkey Kong Bananza probably too, so I have no doubts that it’ll be worth it right from the start. Things can go wrong after but that’s the same for any console, it’s just one of the risks you have to take.
I’m not going in with eyes close though. The price of the games is definitely a concern but the third party games aren’t necessarily going to be that expensive and, let’s face it, Nintendo games don’t come out that often. Or at least not ones that they’re likely to charge £75 for – they’re not even doing that with Donkey Kong.
I think Nintendo did make mistakes at the Direct and a big one was not saying how much the other games are. If they’d made it clear that things like Hyrule Warriors and Kirby: Air Riders are only £50 or so (they better be) then I think that would’ve helped to make things look a lot fairer. Strange to see such a veteran company make mistakes like that but, well, I already mentioned the Wii U.
Robin from the poor
Although I wasn’t lucky enough to receive an invite from Nintendo directly, I have to admit that I am fully supportive of their approach to Switch 2 pre-orders, and I do hope that Sony and others follow suit in the future.
The invite system is a clear attempt to get consoles into the hands of their most loyal customers, rather than scalpers, and this is to be applauded. I was caught off guard by the online retailers on Friday and had a frustrating few hours trying to get orders through on various websites – well done to any ‘real’ people who got one but these systems are heavily biased towards bots and even as I was desperately trying to refresh a console into my basket I could already see that they were popping up on eBay for £650+.
Now I know that for online retailers a sale is a sale, and having had a similar experience with the PlayStation 5 a few years ago, I of course have to remind myself that scalpers are just modern-day Robin Hood figures really. Or at least they would be if the version they are reading involved Robin paying a fair price to the rich for the goods he is intercepting, then offering them to the poor for twice as much. But it’s OK, because Robin does give some of the money he’s fleecing from people to charity.
For the benefit of other readers, I would strongly recommend registering for updates from Currys, who along with Nintendo appear to be the exception to the free-for-all rule. Having been stuck at work last Friday, I feared the worst when I walked into the store at 9am the following morning but I was the only person there and within five minutes I’d managed to buy a Mario Kart bundle and Pro Controller with the minimum of fuss. It was a slightly anachronistic experience but entirely stress free and welcome!
Going forward, I only hope that other console manufacturers and retailers are brave enough to learn from this.
Wither thou goest, Switch 2?
Awful, just awful!
This has happened so many times before with the Switch, then the Switch OLED, so I shouldn’t really be surprised that it’s happening again with the Switch 2!
I’ve been a long-term Nintendo owner, from the barren Wii U years to the awesome Switch and Switch OLED years. I have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription with days of gameplay and I even got lucky with Switch 2 launch tickets too, but in some weird Nintendo way I didn’t get an invite from Nintendo Direct to buy one?
Instead, I’ve gone elsewhere to get one. I just hope this situation isn’t going to happen with the games. When the Wii U was a flop there were almost no third party games and there weren’t enough first party games to make up the difference, leaving a withering platform.
Stairway to heaven
With the news of a Universal Studios theme park coming to the UK, does that mean we can expect a Nintendo World in due time?
Would be a great way for Nintendo to capitalise on a chance to promote itself in one of its weaker markets.
In other news, with Rainbow Road being confirmed for Mario Kart World, and the new addition of driving to the next circuit, will we be seeing some kind of escalating highway to reach the spacey heights of Rainbow Road?
That would be a sight to behold as opposed to a barrel blast into space!
Any port in a storm
So, luck was on my side. Amazon has come through for me, as unfortunately I didn’t receive an invite to purchase the console from Nintendo. Still, I was very lucky indeed. As soon as I secured my pre-order it’s unavailable. That quickly it went out of stock, I’m still quite flabbergasted.
I also wanted to talk about some of the ports, that are being developed for the Switch 2. I appreciate Elden Ring and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. I’d also deeply appreciate a port release of the hardest title I’ve ever played, the legendary Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. It would drive sales further and I think it would run amazing on the hardware.
We never saw a port of Dark Souls 2 or 3 for the original Switch and, for me personally, only featuring the first game was disappointing. Sekiro deserves to be featured on Nintendo’s brand and, let’s be honest, they would jump at the opportunity to feature another title that is overpriced, just as Mario and Zelda are. A match made in heaven. I’ll keep the faith and my joy at securing a pre-order intact.
Capricious Day
I disagree with GC’s assertion that Nintendo erred by not delaying its Switch 2 Direct in light of the tariffs.
First, Trump had taken a capricious approach to tariffs since January. He announced tariffs on Mexico and Canada, then delayed them after getting some minor concessions; implemented them a month later before delaying most of them again a couple of days later. Reasonable doubt, then, that ‘Liberation Day’ would actually go ahead.
Also, the consensus from experts was that the tariffs were worse than expected. While the measures against China and the EU were not a surprise, those against Japan, Vietnam, and Cambodia were – and foiled Nintendo’s plans to avoid the tariffs against China.
Most important is the reputational damage a delay would have caused. While America is a huge market for Nintendo, there is worldwide interest in the Switch 2. Also worldwide is a growing anti-American sentiment, due to the administration’s rhetoric towards Greenland, Gaza, Canada, and many other places.
If Nintendo delayed its much-anticipated reveal due to American political machinations, they would have been judged as weak and kowtowing to America. Especially in their home country – let’s not forget that Japan has its own nationalist streak.
(Just as I’m writing this, I learned that pre-orders have been delayed in Canada, too. Further proving that delaying the Direct would have been pointless as key details on pre-orders and a possible price increase are still hazy one week later.)
I think Nintendo may silently be thanking Trump though, for taking some of the heat off them. If Americans suddenly have to pay $100-$150 extra for the console, the anger will be directed at him and only him.
GC: We’d say the reputational damage of having to delay pre-orders in North America is much worse than simply delaying the whole Direct by a day, but what’s done is done. We certainly pity the Nintendo bean counter that has to give advice on what to do now.
Missing out
I have had the complete opposite experience to TGN Professor. The Switch pre-order system has been a complete nightmare, I wish I had ordered from Amazon, as I usually do. The verification code sent to my email takes too long to arrive then doesn’t work. I’ve had five codes and can’t get in.
Nintendo customer service’s answer was basically ‘tough, keep trying’. I wasted a whole day on it yesterday and still have no pre-order. This is one of the only Nintendo consoles I won’t have at launch. I am one very unhappy customer.
GC: There’s still time, stores like Argos and Amazon seem to be getting new stock in pretty regularly.
Virtual upgrade
Finally, the Switch 2 reveal and Direct have come to pass. This successor looks the part but I’m not quite sure whether I actually want one just yet. I tend to wait until well into a console’s lifespan before taking the plunge and I see this as being no different after the Direct. It seemed akin to a new iPhone reveal, where the differences are purely incremental.
Nothing wrong with building on a proven success but it’s just not enough to warrant an early adoption. I’ll wait a few years until I’ve let everyone else put it to the test, before I decide an upgrade is worth it. There are still so many great games that I’ve yet to play on my current model.
I’m in full agreement with what reader Owen Pile wrote about on Monday, in defence of high game prices compared to the cost of an activity that may only last a few hours for much the same cost.
I did write in after the Batman: Arkham Shadow review, questioning whether it was worth getting a Meta Quest 3 to play it, given the price I’ve paid for a disappointing holiday. In light of what I’ve seen of the Switch 2 and the emergence of Alien: Rogue Incursion, along with existing titles like Resident Evil 4 VR and Saints & Sinners 2, I’m now almost definitely going to put the money I’d ring fenced for an impulse Switch 2 purchase towards the Meta Quest 3.
My PlayStation VR needs an upgrade and upgrading to PlayStation VR2 just can’t be justified, given that I’m still using PlayStation 4 along with the fact that Sony seemed to abandon it soon after launch.
I know VR isn’t for everyone but I’m very much a fan of it. I’ve started researching the Meta Quest 3 in earnest now and reviews are positive. I’d gratefully appreciate any feedback on the unit from any readers that own one, before I click on the payment button.
Inbox also-rans
Just a heads up that there’s hefty discounts on Jusant (£9), Cocoon (£12) and Gloomhaven (£15) on PSN at the moment, if you fancy playing something good without splashing too much cash.
Matt (He_who_runs_away – PSN ID)
GC: Jusant and Cocoon are great, we strongly recommend them.
Apparently the Switch 2 Enhanced Edition games contain the game and update on the cartridge, and are native Switch 2 games.
GC: We’ve tried to clarify this with Nintendo, but they won’t offer any confirmation or denial. Once there’s a definitive answer we’ll do a story on it.
