While the Switch 2 has now been officially revealed, the trailer just included the hardware, and we have no concrete idea what the launch lineup of the system will be. Launch lineups generally are an important factor in how well a console sells upon launch. In the past, a strong launch lineup has propelled sales and caused consoles such as the original Xbox to gain momentum in its respective console race.
The Wii had the iconic Wii Sports at launch, that title almost single-handedly sold systems (it was also bundled with the console). We don’t know if the Switch 2 will have a ‘killer app’ at launch, although a new 3D Mario has been heavily rumored. Then there’s the question of how far third-party publishers and developers will go to support the console. Will the Switch 2 be powerful enough for AAA multiplatform games?
Third-party games on previous Nintendo systems
When a Nintendo system doesn’t sell well, the third-party developers and publishers migrate away from the platform. This occurred with both the GameCube and Wii U. While the GameCube had an awesome library of first and second-party games, unfortunately, I think it can be argued that the Wii U didn’t. Nintendo is in a slightly perilous situation at the moment. After a successful system, the next Nintendo console has been known to fail (or not live up to expectations). This was the case with Wii to Wii U, and SNES to N64. It seems that Nintendo has played it safe with a design that is reminiscent of the first Switch, and a clear, appropriate name. The Switch 2 will initially attract third parties. Considering the success of the original Switch that is not in doubt. However, as time goes by, if the Switch 2 doesn’t sell well then slowly those third parties will migrate away from the system. Only time will tell but Nintendo has had an up-and-down relationship with third-party developers.
Switch
My impression of third-party support on Switch is that the console has received a lot of high-quality gaming experiences from previous generations, often with a “remastered” tagline. Games like Red Dead Redemption, BioShock, and Borderlands are examples of this. However, the eShop is so clogged with shovelware that it’s hard to find any gems (which is a separate issue from what I’m discussing here). The Shadowman and Turok remasters are examples of even older games getting remastered for Switch.
The diversity of quality titles on Switch is honestly a great asset for it. The situation of third parties supporting the system has arisen because of the Switch’s huge install base. Third parties will also reproduce content that originally appeared on more powerful gaming systems. Most AAA new games do not hit Switch because of how underpowered it is. Third parties are always keen to jump ship to earn a profit so Nintendo shouldn’t take their presence for granted with Switch 2.
Switch 2’s Power and multiplatform games
It may be that Switch 2’s third-party success hinges on how powerful the system will be. Estimates currently state that the Switch 2 will rival the PS4 Pro in power (and even that may be optimistic). For comparison, a PS5 is much more powerful than a PS4, with faster load times, more memory, and more graphical power. However, many AAA multiplatform games are still being released on both PS4 and PS5, so the Switch 2 might just pass in terms of whether it will be able to run AAA multiplatform games.
One thing I don’t want is the new eShop to be littered with shovelware like the current Switch eShop. We live in a new era now, and digital downloads may mean that the launch lineup could be filled with ports of old titles that have been remastered.
Conclusion
With a Nintendo Direct confirmed for April 2, we have a few months to speculate what the launch line up will be. We may get an amazing 3D Mario with tight platforming gameplay at launch. Traditionally, Nintendo systems launch with a Mario game. However, there is also the chance that Nintendo attempts to attract the casual audience. The Game Boy launched with Tetris and the Wii with Wii Sports. Both of these titles attracted the casual audience and this helped to make the systems that they released on a success. However, we don’t know what kind of game this hypothesized “casual” game will be.
Hopefully we also get a Zelda remaster around launch. I’d love a HD version of Ocarina of Time, but I think an Oracle of Ages/Seasons remake or a Breath of the Wild remaster are equally likely. Echoes of Wisdom was great, and I’m glad that Grezzo had the chance to develop their own Zelda game. Now, Zelda needs to move on and do something new. There will also be some third party games at the launch of the Switch 2. There may be even be some third party exclusive games, designed specifically for the Switch 2. However, what’s more likely are HD remasters of old games. Its an exciting time to be a Nintendo fan. We may be due for a summer release for the Switch 2. We will find out on April 2, 2025.
