Nintendo Switch 2: does it deserve the hate? Reader’s Feature

Cliff Notes – Nintendo Switch 2: does it deserve the hate? Reader’s Feature

• The Nintendo Switch 2 offers significant improvements over its predecessor, particularly in graphics and performance, despite criticisms of it being merely an upgraded version of the original Switch.
• While the Switch 2 is less powerful than competitors like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, its hybrid design allows for portability and accessibility, appealing to a broader audience.
• Concerns about a lack of games at launch are somewhat valid, but upcoming titles and Nintendo’s pricing strategies may alleviate these worries as the console’s library expands.

Nintendo Switch 2: does it deserve the hate? – Reader’s Feature

Is it overrated or underrated? (Nintendo)

A reader counters five of the most common criticisms against the Nintendo Switch 2, arguing that concerns about its pricing and lack of games are overstated.

I received the Switch 2 earlier this week after bagging myself a last minute pre-order. For the most part I’m pretty happy with my purchase. However, I’ve seen a lot of negativity online, most of it likely as a result of the prices of games such as Mario Kart World. I’d like to give my thoughts on the latest Nintendo console and whether I feel these criticisms are valid.

Criticism 1: It’s just a slightly better Switch 1

This is somewhat valid criticism but at the same time this of true of most consoles. With each passing generation the improvements get smaller and smaller. As someone who was lucky enough to get a PlayStation 5 on launch day, I feel the difference between Switch 1 and Switch 2 is far greater than the jump from PlayStation 4 to 5.

I’ve not played the game, but Cyberpunk 2077 is a brilliant example. There’s not a chance that game would’ve run on the original Switch. Immediately I feel Mario Kart World seems more advanced visually compared to Mario Kart 8. I think the biggest noticeable difference is possibly Zelda. I haven’t played Breath Of The Wild yet but Tears Of The Kingdom looks great and so much sharper.

Also, it might be the game where I actually understand why people bang on about frame rates. I never normally can tell the difference unless it drops below 30fps but playing the upgraded Tears Of The Kingdom it just seems so much quicker. Overall, I’m happy with the improvements. Having never owned the OLED version the screen feels immediately much better. It’s essentially an upgraded Switch but that’s exactly what I expected and wanted from it.

Criticism 2: It’s less powerful than PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

Expert, exclusive gaming analysis

Again, yes this is correct. But obviously the Switch 2 is far smaller than both these devices and obviously, being a hybrid device, I imagine the technology doesn’t yet exist to create a device that is on par with the most modern hardware and retain portability and affordability.

Again, given that Cyberpunk 2077 is a launch game, and includes the DLC only available on modern hardware, it seems that at least for a few years Switch 2 might have third party titles that are comparable to the versions on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

When you compare Switch ports of The Witcher, Batman: Arkham Knight or Mortal Kombat to the Switch 2 ports so far in Street Fighter 6 and Cyberpunk 2077 it seems like the Switch 2 is far comparable to other consoles than the Switch was to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The real test, I imagine, will be when the next generation starts.

Criticism 3: Just buy a Steam Deck

This, for me, is possibly the most ridiculous comment that I’ve seen repeated numerous times. I previously had a Steam Deck and traded it in for the more powerful Legion Go. And don’t get me wrong, I love the device. However, it isn’t for everyone. Firstly, it seems from seeing a few comparison videos that the Switch 2 seems to be outperforming the Steam Deck and performance seems comparable to more advanced handheld PCs, such as the ROG Ally and Legion Go.

Secondly, a handheld PC requires a degree of technical know-how and some people just want to be able to play without having to tweak certain settings first. I imagine some games will also run better for this reason. For example, I subscribed to Ubisoft+ for a month to try Str Wars Outlaws and I could not get it to run well consistently on my Legion Go. I’m interested to see how it’ll run if the Switch 2.

I don’t mind tinkering with settings but sometimes it’s nice to just play a game that’s already optimised. Also, let’s face it, most people buying the Switch 2 just want to play Nintendo games.

Criticism 4: There’s no games

Again, a somewhat valid complaint. Really the only new games are Mario Kart World and Welcome Tour, with one being a glorified tech demo. However, many launches are the same. The original Switch wasn’t as great as people remember. Sure, Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is arguably one of the best games of all time but it also launched alongside the Wii U version. Other exclusives, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, Splatoon 2, and Super Mario Odyssey didn’t release till later in the year.

There’s still Metroid Prime 4 later in the year and Donkey Kong Bananza in a few weeks’ time. And who knows what other games might be announced if the rumoured Nintendo Direct this month goes ahead.

Personally, I’m happy with the output that’s planned so far. I only hope it continues.

Criticism 5: Nintendo is ‘anti-consumer’

Some of this criticism is in response to pricing. I think the console itself is reasonably priced, especially when you consider both Sony and Microsoft increasing their prices recently. However, I am slightly miffed about the potential for £75 games as standard. I think though, it’s hard to quantify how many games will adopt this pricing structure.

The upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza seems to be priced a bit cheaper and is less than the standard RRP for other new games on other platforms. I also appreciate that Nintendo offer a discount on digital games. Increasingly, I think we are moving towards all-digital games and wouldn’t be surprised if the next generation of PlayStation and Xbox devices don’t come with disk drives.

So, to at least offer a discount is commendable, although I do feel more should be done to take the sting out a bit. More frequent sales with bigger discounts, money off for multiple purchases, bring back gold points for example. I think the issue of pricing is a wider issue and is only likely to get worse. Game development time and costs seem to be out of hand and personally I’d rather see smaller games to compensate for this.

Verdict

All in all, I’m pleased with my purchase. Is the Switch 2 a worthy successor to the original Switch? Perhaps? But it’s too soon to say. It’s a significantly bigger and better screen than the original, with updated tech and visuals and that’s what I wanted from it.

Could it have launched with more games? Possibly. But for now I think Mario Kart World has renewed my enthusiasm for the series, after not playing the previous iteration for some time. Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom feels like a fully-fledged remaster and feels like a significant upgrade and I’ve also played a bit of Street Fighter 6, a game which I wouldn’t normally enjoy but hope to play against my daughters with the two Joy-Cons.

By reader matc7884

Mario Kart World has come under quite a bit of criticism (Nintendo)

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