Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In today's article, editor Dom mulls over Nintendo Switch's big sales milestones and how Nintendo needs to adopt new tactics to stay relevant in the months to come.
So there it is, another brilliant milestone reached as Nintendo Switch overtakes Wii U’s global lifetime sales. It’s an amazing achievement, surpassing in a mere 10 months what it took Wii U to reach in five whole years. That success comes off one of Nintendo’s most successful quarters, selling 7.23 million Switches, bringing the current sales total ot 14.86 million units thus far. Nintendo has had its quarter results since 2009, and its stock has soared as a result. Its market value has grown a staggering 175%, effectively healing wounds suffered during the dark ages of Wii U.
Nintendo Switch is the success story that keeps writing its own subsequent chapters. It feels less like a bubble in danger of bursting and more an organic progression, one where a piece of hardware’s success is based off industry confidence and user adoption. It’s a progress chart more akin to PS4’s early years than Wii’s - a console with a future rather than a gimmick with legs. The question is, what does Nintendo need to do once it’s passed most of the major sales milestones? How is it going to make the rest of 2018 as big a success, and how will Nintendo adequately quantify that success to the mainstream?
These are big questions, and ones that are becoming more and more apparent as we wrap up from the honeymoon period that’s been Switch’s first year. Now we have to consider how Switch remains the major player in an industry so passionately enamored with processing capabilities and VR support. Switch is an anomaly, to a certain extent, so it gets to operate outside the rules that govern its competitors (mainly because it isn’t trying to compete), but there are still some key boxes the console needs to tick to keep itself heading upwards and onwards.
Ports are going to become an issue. Not the sheer number - unlike other consoles, Switch is benefitting from having older or more familiar games, mainly because any game that’s never been ‘portable’ is instantly elevated by simply being on Switch and supporting handheld mode. It’s the equivalent of the early days of the ‘HD remake’ on Xbox 360 and PS3, where getting collections of old PS2 games actually made sense (at least until it started taking over release schedules).
The issue ports bring are the triple-A, multiformat ones. Nintendo Switch has so much innovation built into its DNA, but in the end it’s not a piece of hardware that can compete with Xbox One or PS4 in terms of raw processing power. When it comes to annual sports releases, having regular Switch versions gives the console a special brand of authenticity, but it’s one that defeats itself if those ports are always launching in bad shape. NBA 2K18 might be working now, but it was a mess when it first arrived on Switch. WWE 2K18 is still a burning car wreck, and it’s yet to put out. Even if developer Blind Squirrel manages to get it working properly, the stain of a borked port stays in the air like a bad impression, and it damages the console’s reputation in the long run.
Which brings me quite neatly into the next area that Nintendo needs to invest in: Switch-specific licenses and IP. Sure, there’s no reason why we couldn’t have an Assassin’s Creed, a Call Of Duty, another FIFA, a Madden, a Fortnite, whatever. It just needs to built with Switch’s capabilities in mind. And that doesn’t mean just HD Rumble, and motion controls and split Joy-Con co-op. It means developing games with its processor and GPU in mind; building online experiences with Nintendo’s online infrastructure (something I’ll get to in a sec) and creating something that feels intrinsically linked to the console.
It’s a risky investment. That kind of development is expensive, and not the throwaway turnaround times we saw taking prevalence during Wii’s era, where every Tom, Dick and Harry was throwing together any old tosh with support for motion control. But we need to see innovation and investment from double-A and triple-A studios and publishers. We need to stop seeing PS4, Xbox One and Switch announcement and more exclusive to Switch reveals. E3 2018 could well be the platform for this shift, but as I said, it’s a risky one and if there’s one thing publishers hate in games, it’s leaving money flapping in the winds of fate.
Then there’s one of the biggest issues Nintendo needs to address, and one I believe is damaging Switch the longer it goes unsorted: online infrastructure. We know that the Nintendo Switch Online service is coming in 2018, but it’s something the Big N needs to hit the ground running. Requiring users to pay for the privilege of playing online isn’t going to down the console - it's an expected part of the modern gaming experience that’s so commonplace you couldn’t even call it ‘premium’ anymore. The question comes down to how robust this infrastructure is.
Online play needs to become a more important part of how Nintendo Switch operates. Local ‘couchplay’ is a wonderful thing, but retains a niche aura that could stunt Switch’s mainstream persona in an industry ruled by online experiences. Games such as Overwatch, PUBG and League Of Legends continue to remain relevant for a reason and Nintendo needs to recognise this. Local multiplayer and online play can co-exist quite comfortably. It’s the need to give developers a framework that enables them to build online experiences that work on Switch. Leaving these building blocks to developers isn’t the way forwards.
In short, Nintendo needs to have faith in its hardware, in the involvement of the industry’s biggest players and embracing the modern characteristics of gaming. We need more Nintendo craziness, but for every Nintendo Labo we need something just as tangible for the mainstream. Ports that work; IP built with Switch in mind; online support that suits what gamers want in 2018 and beyond. This is the year for the console to continue to soar, but it needs to do so with a new playbook.
So that's Dom's hot take on Nintendo Switch's 2018, but what do you think? Clearly Switch is riding high, but where does it go next and how does it stay a success? We want to hear you take on this...
Comments 115
They need to keep the momentum going.
Daisy for Smash Bros will keep the momentum going for years to come.
A Hotel Mario 2 announcement would keep them on top for at least all of 2018.
Nintendo switch selling so what? Where is the 3rd party support. We in January and no new games came out on the switch. Xbox and Playstation owners have two AAA 3rd party game right now dragonball fighterz and Monster hunter. Switch have no games. The switch have only indies. And no Nintendo fanboys Indies are not 3rd party support. Where is Farcry 5, South Park, Monster hunter, Call of duty,. Prepare of software droughts.
@Paddle1 And no games
I'm definitely down on the "online infrastructure" part. I mean, Nintendo is pretty much dead last here, there is just no arguing about that. If they expect me to pay an actual recurring fee for the priviledge of using their service, they need to offer a quantum leap forward in terms of features and quality-of-life improvements.
I'm aware that it is impossible to even remotely catch up with the competion in one fell swoop, but yeah, they definitely need to hit the ground running, aka introduce signifcant and meaningful progress within any update when or before that service launches.
I'm not sure it's a life or death issue for the Switch, but it is an issue that will in part at least decide just how broad that appeal can ultimately get. It's the part of the Switch's future that worries me the most, besides the issue of the impeding PS5/Xwhatever, and how that my impact the multiplatform business. Still, that is an issue for the next 2+ years though. Online infrastructure is an issue very much for now, definitely this year.
I don't trust Nintendo to create a robust online infrastructure, I merely expect a bit of an upgrade that really doesn't address any problems and Nintendo merely just start charging for the privilege to play games online.
As for the games, that's the part that actually worries me the most. Right now there isn't anything that exciting or that will sell systems. Ports of Wii U games, Mario tennis Aces and Kirby are not system sellers.
I would love to be able to play splatoon 2 online with friends as easily as I can in overwatch. I hope we don't end up paying for garbage. If the online infrastructure is anything like the current situation then it will be garbage.
Fully agree , but they could also create new ips or nrw releases in their own ips by using indied or just help with development of new third party titles
@therealgamer - Do you actually copy and paste that very same response anytime you got a chance? Feels like it is an exact replica, which points to you personally not having any case to solidify your statements, and in extension have no real way to back it up.
The only way to make sure that the Switch succeeds is by putting SUPAH MARIO BRUDDAS 2 BABY on it
Personally, I'm just waiting on the 3rd parties. I feel like Nintendo did their part. 3rd parties wanted a popular, easier to dev for device? They got it. Your move y'all. The longer they wait the more those that do jump in now are going to benefit.
Besides Nintendo announced plenty last year and in the mini direct that is still on the way. I'm not getting where some folks are screaming drought beyond the normal nintendoomed mess.
I...I'm in for the Switch Pokémon. (Have you seen the leaked starters? I hope they are real!) In all seriousness, they will have planned out the next 2 years already. They showed what they can do in year one. No need to be anxious. It gets better from here!
We need paper mario cardboard smash
The Switch needs only Pokémon and Smash to win 2018
I think we will definitely hear more about what Nintendo's 2018 plans will look like in March, sort of like a 1 year anniversary Direct. That's where we will get the online/vc details (I'm betting that's why they're pulling the plug on adding Wii currency in March). It's also where we will get a taste of the big hitters coming this year.
@Paraka Seems like it. Every comment he posts is a troll post and is straight up bashing Nintendo for everything they do. Take a look for your self https://www.nintendolife.com/users/therealgamer/comments. I'm completely fine with criticism of Nintendo, they definitely deserve some, but the level this guy takes it to is just terrible. Also the only thing he says is "The Switch has no games" over and over...
@Paraka Hey, they’re a REAL gamer. Not like the rest of us idiots, staring at our consoles with no games while we hallucinate what it must be like to play fictional games like Super Mario Odyssey or Breath of the Wild.
I also have a ps4 and i think there games for the four months are much better. Shadow of the colossus remake in feb. Ni no kuni 2 in March, vs kirby?. god of war new version in april vs Labo?. Don't get me wrong kirby will be good but i can't see it beating Ni no kuni 2!. Its coming close to the console 1st birthday though and we usally have to wait for the next xmas when a new console launches for good games. But as it was out in March we got a load of good games for xmas last year. But we seem to be having a slow start to the year this year, but it is more than likely cause the system is still quite new. Wait untill the 2nd half of the year and then nintendo will show there true self have faith.
I am at a point right now where for the first time I am getting a bit bored with my Switch. I don't want to be, and I know any console will go through ebbs and flows, but all that I am playing right now is Enter the Gungeon and Rocket League.
The only games that I could see myself buying in the next 6 months (that I know or suspect will be out in that period) are as follows:
XC2
Project Octopath Traveler
DLC for Mario + Rabbids
Honestly my wallet can use the break, but it does feel ilke Nintendo fired all their guns and I'm not sure what their 2018 strategy is quite yet...
Theres ONE THING that they must do to maintain momentum-
Online play MUST remain free forever, and they should make a BIG deal about it
To the non-gaming masses, pay-to-play online multiplayer is a HUGE paywall, which is why F2P gaming has become so popular. And with the twin consoles nickel and diming their customers, all it takes is Nintendo to buck the trend for mass adoption.
However, Nintendo can put premium online features behind the pay wall- native voice chat and party systems, a streamlined friend request system, discounts and free games monthly. These things are exclusive to paying customers on other platforms, and they're not available on the Switch at the moment, so it'd feel natural for Nintendo to couple this in their upcoming service. But you'd still be able to enjoy online play without opening your wallet.
Everything Nintendo has done so far is on the money. We already know Pokemon, Metroid and Smash are inevitable. If they nail their online infrastructure, this thing will take off
Great column and from your mouth to Nintendo’s ears. Hopefully!
I’m really hoping for a GameCube virtual console. I would totally get Metroid Prime and F-Zero if that becomes available.
The Japanese weekly sales charts. C'mon, where are they?
But seriously, it needs a continuous stream of quality games. Yes, it had it last year big time, but that's because it relied on once upon a time Wii U games. It also needs quality new 3rd party games. So far, there's no major game announced or planned for this year. Certainly not anything to rival BOTW or SMO.
TBH I don't really see what's missing from Nintendo's current online setup (other than people yelling homophobic and racial slurs at you over voice chat). And the official launch of paid online is likely to be delayed again (fall 2018, according to their Italian site). My guess is that they gradually walk it back, or limit it to the Netflix-style Virtual Console service.
It's been said once, it's been said a thousand times: Virtual console, please!
That's the first time I've ever used that, and as cringey and copy-paste as it feels to say it, I want it. There's a ton of older stuff I wanna sink my teeth metaphorically into that I never got to, like a bunch of GameCube games.
VC aside, I agree with the article. I trust that Nintendo will deliver this year and in the future as well.
Head turning exclusives and a competent online. Mario + Rabbids is a good example of 1st/3rd party collaboration, but we need more Agreed, completely original, or even main series exclusives that jump to the Switch. Not enough can be said really. I'm satisfied so far and am patient, but there's people that swear by 3rd party AA/AAA experiences to get their fix and won't ber impressed by Switch until it happens.
What was the craic with the Nintendo and DeNA partnership? Was it just for smartphone games & apps or are they the reason the Nintendo Online service is basically in limbo? Still no launch date, or any clear indication of what it will include?
MyNintendo Switch rewards still coming soon... almost a full year on?! They desperately need to sort that end out, makes no big difference to me, I'm more than happy to continue paying a big fat zero for online play, but it's important to many & the longer it continues like this the more embarrassing it is, quite frankly.
@FatAlbert1
"However, Nintendo can put premium online features behind the pay wall- native voice chat and party systems, a streamlined friend request system, discounts and free games monthly. These things are exclusive to paying customers on other platforms, and they're not available on the Switch at the moment, so it'd feel natural for Nintendo to couple this in their upcoming service. But you'd still be able to enjoy online play without opening your wallet."
That wouldn't work at all in my opinion. The backlash stemming from that would be astronomical from the gaming community. It's one thing to say "Hey we don't have these features enabled currently, but everyone is atleast in the same position". It's another to say "The only way to prevent being smashed by a perfectly coordinated 4 player team in Splatoon is 20 bucks."
@therealgamer There have been a decent number of 3rd party titles announced, albeit most are from Japanese publishers, and we’ll see many more.
@therealgamer get you to bed son it's after 11pm, I know you're in big school now but you still need your sleep kiddo.
@FatAlbert1 Xbox and PS4 do fine with their online costing 60 dollars a year, switch will do fine with 20 dollars a year.
Well, personally I don't really care about the online system. Just bring good games! New IPs, a truly 2D Mario, rehash some awesome old IPs like Sin and Punishment (As I said on the comments on the other sales story) and bring back some good ports that appeared on other platforms (I'm looking at you Persona, Witcher 3 and Nier: Automata). As long as I stayed on my 3DS for the last gen, I don't care to see some of those ports appearing on the new and bright Ninty console.
@therealgamer My brain wasn't prepared for such horrible grammar and spelling. Ugh... >. <
Just wanna say as a writer myself, I really enjoy Dom's writing style. His articles are so well-done.
Also, while all of the above is important, the answer ultimately is always the same: the best way to make the switch soar through 2018 is by releasing amazing games.
Also, 3rd parties should realize that Nintendo fans were never looking for cutting edge graphics, just good games. So if they have to compromise some textures and effects to bring new and old ports, we would be more than happy. The Doom port is the way to go.
Animal Crossing, Smash, and Pokemon. Simple enough to me.
@therealgamer My Ps4 friends are complaining they haven't got Mario and Splatoon - they won't have Donkey Kong, or Yoshi - or Smash or Luigi's Mansion 3, or Bayonetta or Metroid - What's your point? They seem to be mired in Loot crate hell. ( fair play to Capcom for avoiding that pitfall with Monster Hunter world.!).
I'm playing Monster Hunter on PS4 - but it's the only ps4 game I'm buying.
I pretty much agree. For the Switch to continue it's roaring success it needs:
-Modern Online support
-A steady flow of quality first and 3rd party games made for Switch
But I also argue it needs:
-Support of modern apps like Netflix, YouTube, Crunchyroll, etc...
-Cloud saves
-Support for Legacy content (more than just NES and SNES era stuff)
This is why it needs Virtual Console. There are so many great GameCube, 64, SNES titles that many of us haven't played in years (or even ever) that it would be more than enough to hold the Switch over in the dry spells between major titles. And droughts are inevitable and will happen (until more third-party developers fully commit) as it is practically impossible to have a first-party title on the scale of Odyssey or BoTW release every month. I will admit though that all the great indies I've missed out on PC and PS4 that have come to the Switch are keeping me pretty busy.
@FatAlbert1 When I started reading your post, I wasn't sure if I agreed....then I got the idea! This is a great idea!!
@therealgamer
No 3rd Party ??
Tell me what are FIFA 18, WWE 2K18, Super Bomberman R, Puyo Puyo Tetris, LEGO games, Lost Sphear, etc ?
They are 3rd Party Games !
@therealgamer how long do you think games take to make?
I feel like a fake gamer now that I've learned that there is a realgamer around!
@cfgk24 You mean loot box hell. Loot Crate is awesome.
I haven't had a chance to play the Switch yet. Gawd!!!!! I want one!!!!
I love Nintendo. This last year I played my Switch more than PS4 and Xbox One combined. They had one of the most amazing years I've ever seen from them.
They've got a wave of new fans commuted and ready for what's next and everyone is really hyped on the Switch.
I don't think this is going to end well. What you have is a bunch of people thinking thia is Nintendo's new groove and expect it to continue, but the way development works it can't possibly.
We had almost no games on the Wii U at the end because they were holding on to games and building for the Switch. These games took years to develop and now they are out of heavy hitters.
Currently their line up is B Listers like Kirby and Yoshi, an overpriced Tropical Freeze port, and Tennis. To us hardcore fans we know this sounds like a good slate of games, but they can't hope to compare to what these new fans expect after last year.
We know nothing about FE so I'll believe 2018 when they give me a release date and Metroid and Pokemon this year is a pipe dream at best. Smash might be able to swing as a big game if it's a port, but if new game we wont see it this year either.
Personally I have plenty to play between my systems and I'm not worried about running out of experiences, but people expecting a 2017 redux are in for a real shock.
Drop the Indy scene like a bad habit or have some excellent QA making sure the eshop doesn't end up with mountains of crappy games. Maybe they should look back at what they did for the NES and SNES back then and do something similar. An over abundance of crap led to the console crash in the 80s and the way things are now it's only a matter of time before it happens again.
@GameOtaku Indies are their main strength right now. They need them.
@bones I mean, I played Shadow of the Colossus in 2005 and others did in 2011, are you happy to pay for a third remaster of the same game? And I'll bet you serious money that Kirby will comfortably outsell Nino Kuni
@JimmySpades Ah! lol - I wasn't knocking the Gaming Parcel Company
@SLIGEACH_EIRE The only Chart this week is Monster Hunter lol
PS4 - 140,000 units
Monster hunter World
1.35 million copies sold.
In Japan. ..
@MailOrderNinja
They can go to steam, the dumping ground of crappy games for less than $5. The switch will soon end up with pong 2018, another vertical space shooter dude and the like.
@therealgamer none AAA titles are possible to make in 10 months - let's wait and see.
@Paraka I can see why you'd think @therealgamer is copying and pasting his comments; after all it's just the same, appallingly uninventive trolling every time. But a closer inspection reveals new, appallingly abysmal grammar in each new comment, letting us know that they are all unique in form, albeit not in content.
So many games to play on GCN , Wii, WiiU...
The only things they need to do to keep momentum up is continue to have strong advertising and continue to have a consist stream of quality games, both first and third party.
@GameOtaku Yeah, but gamers know those are garbage and we still get tons of quality indies.
Just keep making great games, it's that simple.
They already made a killer platform. It's popular, people love it, and 3rd party games will just continue to build over time.
In the meantime as long as Nintendo is releasing 10 solid games a year on Switch, with 2 higher profile ones... that's all they have to do.
We've got Bayonetta 1 and 2, Hyrule Warriors, Kirby Star Allies, Mario Tennis Aces, DKC Tropical Freeze, Yoshi and Fire Emblem all coming this year (maybe even Pokémon? And handful of games yet to be announced in spring/e3), not to mention exclusives like Octopath Traveller, No More Heroes, The World Ends With You, SMTV, etc. and even multiplatform games that will be incredible on Switch such as Valkyria Chronicles 4, Dark Souls Remastered, DQ Builders 1 and 2, Wolfenstein 2, etc.
And we haven't even seen the tip of the iceberg for what's coming this year.
That's all they need to do. Keep the games coming. Every month can't have a Zelda or Mario. But there's an absolute metric ton of incredible games heading to Switch, and even ports and multiplatform entries are extremely desirable just thanks to the hybrid aspect itself. That's enough to keep it rolling.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Monster Hunter World sold really, really well.
That's all that matters.
Guys it’s way too early to be worrying about if Nintendo will release switch exclusives, it’s the first month of the year for goodness sakes, so many drama queens it’s ridiculous lol
Nintendo are not stupid, they have it all planned out, none of us or these writers no anything about how a corporation like that is run and what it takes to stay on top but I guess people love to put their 2 cents in.
If by the next direct or by summer June July time, if they have still not announced anything regarding exclusives, online, apps or virtual console then by all means I too would be a little concerned but the fact is even if all this come at the end of the year and all we eat are ports and indies they will still coast off of this. The only question is will they get complacent in this year and take their foot off the gas? It’s the only thing that can make it a bad year, at the very least they will have a good year if not great.
These articles are a good read but it really is too early to predict
So... just more of everything, basically?
no they need to do away with this whole pay for online jazz and just let it be free and good and drop the console price to 60.00 bucks and make each game 5 bucks then i will buy it
They need to avoid first-party software gaps, like the one we’re in right now that started in the beginning of December with Xenoblade and won’t end until Kirby shows up in March. 2018 is off to a slow start.
@therealgamer Learn to type.
online infrastructure is fine. Also check out Xbox game pass. More than 100 great games for one low price (10$/month). I wish Nintendo's online service would be as generous. But we all know it won't. Big N is greedy
@gortsi I was going to use my gift cards on Shadow of the Colossus remake, but your comment resonated with me. I think I'll be opting for Star Allies.
...Pokemon. That's what it needs to do.
which is to say, here's another article starting off with Wii U comparisons and here's another comment bringing up that the Switch is also tied with Nintendo's portable line.
I expect another Direct soon cause things aren't exactly exciting for the 1st half of the year just yet. More solid single player experiences is what I'm looking for, personally, I'm not concerned with online.
September 2018 Nintendo online services.
Mario kart tour coming soon 2019 smart phone app
I've always said Nintendo could make a statement if they plugged some areas with their own original IPs in a specific genre. Rockstar won't bring GTA to the Switch? Have one of your partner or young studios create an original open world GTA like game. How about try to create a baseball sim to compete with The Show?
I say all that fully understanding developing a game doesn't happen in a day. And money doesn't grow on trees. And you can't realistically do it all. I just think you should try to take the risk.
Keep the games coming Nintendo!
Just beeen told paid online is coming out September!
@GeeEmm What games?
They need more games that aren't simple/indie games. Nintendo switch doesn't have enough games that look like they were made in the last decade.
Mario Kart Tour will be a big boon for the Mario Kart IP. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will benefit greatly from the success of its mobile sibling.
The Mario movie should help too, assuming the movie is actually good...which I'm not 100% sure of...
@thesilverbrick
Agreed a drought til Kirby
@Anti-Matter
Pretty much all crap titles u listed. Very inferior to the other systems if there on one.
@therealgamer
As a Nintendo fan, I agree with you 100% . It's the truth. Indies/simple mobile games don't count as 3rd party support. Make some games that actually look like they were made in the last decade or so
@onex The remake is amazing. Kirby is....Kirby. They are ok, but no Shadow.
@MailOrderNinja Yes, I loved SotC on Ps2, but it's a fairly linear experience with little replayability. With the new Kirby game, we have yet another fantastic couch co-op game. Sure, friends' jaws will drop at the visuals of SotC remake, but once they're over that they'll be bored watching, whereas they'd be involved playing Star Allies. I dunno, I do adore SotC, but there are no surprises other than "ooh pretty". I guess it depends what they plan on charging for it.
@onex SoTC is $40. I get what you are saying with Kirby, but I don't think anyone would ever argue that they are masterpieces. Even the most hardcore of Nintendo fans may like Kirby games, maybe even love them, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it's their best game ever played.
I have heard that with SoTC.
But to each their own, it sounds like with your friends coming over it might be more for you than SoTC. Personally I still find great value in single player games.
That said I'm skipping it too. Picking up the amazing looking Ni No Kuni 2 next and then God of War next. Looks like my Switch will be purely portable indies for a while.
@Bliquid Normally, I wouldn't. But funds are limited at the moment, I'm using 2 GameStop gift cards to purchase one of them, so I must choose.
@MailOrderNinja The gf is adamantly anticipating the Hyrule Warriors port so we can waste our lives away yet again slaying swaths of Bokoblin. 😂
I'm definitely getting the next Red Dead entry for PS4, but until then.. unless Nintendo drops a nice surprise on us this month, I'll have to choose between Kirby and Shadow. Yeah, I know SotC is a masterpiece; I've played through that and The Last Guardian. I'll just ultimately have to decide on single versus more party material.
@JaxonH
Pretty much everything you said. There's no reason to go and do anything crazy. Just like Sony did with PS4, Nintendo has struck gold with a system people like. Now all Nintendo has to do is provide good games and stay out of its own way by not overthinking things.
@onex I don't know how I missed you saying you've play SoTC. My apologies. Yeah, if you've played it it isn't necessary. Wait till it's cheaper.
Hyrule Warriors I'm very excited for.
Make more games people want (Metroid, Zelda, Starfox), and not games people don't want ( ARMS, 1 2 Switch, Snipperclips).
Switch is in a weird place. The third party support is disappointing if I'm being blunt as I really don't care enough about portability to justify paying full retail price for games that are upwards of 5 years old. The Switch has Doom as the lone AAA multiplat and given it was gimped to hell to even get working is concerning for future Switch multiplatform releases. Exclusive third party stuff is the way to go but outside of Bayonetta there isn't much on that front.
First party games are going to be the bread and butter but Switch in 2018 is look pretty light. 2019 is when Pokemon and Metroid will likely come out but 2018 is looking barren as Kirby and Yoshi, while fun aren't experiences you are going to keep coming back to long after you complete it.
Online on Switch right now is bare minimum and still isn't as good as Xbox Live was... in 2005, so color me a skeptic but I have 0 faith it won't still be crap when we get to pay for the privilege of still using friend codes for online and no voice chat unless we use the app.
@therealgamer
Hate to agree with the obvious troll but there needs to be a steady flow of games. Got the Switch for Christmas and January reminded me a lot of the Wii U days. Nintendo needs to splash the cash on more 3rd party deals like the Bayonetta one.
@Mgene15
Okay, dude.
3rd party or 1st part, who cares ??
As long the games are good, i buy it, play it.
3rd party or 1st party or Indie are JUST a Label.
Indie games are also still counted as 3rd party support. They are games, not a food or something else.
And i play Portal Knights (Great Indie games) from Keen Games a lot than other my Switch games.
"They need more games that aren't simple/indie games. Nintendo switch doesn't have enough games that look like they were made in the last decade."
Simple games are Needed for some peoples who need quick burst time. Games are like foods. There are Hors d'oeuvres, Main Dish and Dessert. There are Short games, Long games, Open Ending games. They have different Objections each other.
@westman98 @cfgk24 I know how everything performed, I posted the charts yesterday as soon as they came out.
https://www.nintendolife.com/forums/nintendo-switch/what_do_you_think_the_nx_is_poll?start=25300#reply-25320#reply-02
NL don't seem to want to acknowledge that, even though they had a Soapbox about Monster Hunter on Monday and its future with Nintendo.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/01/soapbox_monster_hunter_world_has_claimed_its_prize_but_capcom_shouldnt_forget_nintendo
They seem to pick and choose when they post the charts. They had no problem last week, I wonder why. They used to be posted every week, regardless. Even back when it was just Wii U and 3DS struggling along.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/01/almost_half_of_the_games_in_japans_charts_are_on_switch_mario_plus_rabbids_takes_top_spot
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
You seem more interested in accusing people of pro-Nintendo bias than the actual numbers.
Anyways, it will be interesting to see how well Nintendo Switch does during Q1 2018. Nintendo wants to ship 2.8+ million units during the quarter, which is quite an ambitious goal. If Nintendo actually hits that target, the Switch will be well on its way to shipping 20 million units during the next fiscal year.
@westman98 No, I post the numbers every week. And Nintendo need to announce some big games for this year to maintain momentum and reach that 20 million target.
We need LABO 2™.
I reckon they need to be more forthcoming about what games are in the pipeline and stop keeping their cards so close to their chest. They did that with the Wii U and it failed them.
One of the reasons the PlayStation brand does so well is that they announce what games are coming out for it early even if some of those games are years away. It gets people to invest in the system because they know great games are coming... greatness awaits or whatever.
I mean what's with starting 2018 with a MINI direct? Where was Retro's new game. How about some footage or concept art for Metroid, Fire Emblem or Pokémon. And what about third parties? They need to show the goods even if those games are far from release. It gets people wanting to invest in the system when they know good games are coming.
If people want more third party game they need to buy the ones that are out there to show the Devs and publishers Nintendo fans will buy their games.
L
I believe they need to announce a new 2D Mario game, chances are there will be one in the works, as it's been over 5 years since the last one if you dis-count Super Mario Maker. I just hope it's a slightly different formula to the "New Super Mario Bros"
As much as I prefer the 3D Mario games you can't deny that the 2D games do tend to sell better. You only have to look at the sales of New Super Mario Bros Wii in comparison to Super Mario Galaxy.
@therealgamer,
There are over 300 games on the switch that will appeal to the masses.
If people want a PS4 or Xbox One they should just go and buy one.
You comment demonstrates how little us hardcore gamers really understand the masses buying motivators.
Show what's coming in 2018. I dislike the continual wait for direct/mini direct/conference/somethingelse pattern we get into when these conversations arise. We should know already. Its worrying that we haven't.
Games, it's been said here over and over, just top quality games. It's not a craft station or a mountain climbing simulator so it doesn't need a stonking-great plastic rockface peripheral, or whatever, it is a console - it just needs to do what Nintendo does best, and leave the rest of it to the rest of 'em. More stuff on the level of Odyssey and BOTW. Simple. A reductionist view? Perhaps, but Switch is at the crest because of those sublimely simple things.
@Anti-Matter,
And Doom...these people will never listen as they feel the whole videogame market reflects their own tastes etc.
When in fact people like ourselves that can be bothered to post on forums like this are in the minority,hell Neogaf at it's height had only 180,000 regular members so we are a niche buch of videogame tech heads.
The masses will buy things based on how cool something is and word of mouth,momentum is very important with any new electrical device and the switch will continue to sell like hot cakes.
In a years time when the switch is still knocking it out of the park these negative posters will still say a downturn is coming....just the way it is I guess.
@HauntingNostrils,
The Wii U had some pretty good games and call of duty from the start...........still did not sell all that well.
Not always so simple as you suggest.
@johnvboy - Very true, my friend, very true, but the switch is at the top of the crest right now - on its own merits - people could get COD on other machines other than the WiiU and it ran much better. And it's like you say - those launch games were "pretty good" but they were not BOTW and Mario Odyssey level, bonkers, outstandingness. That first sales hurdle is conquered now, they've got to show they can keep up the momentum to win the race - or at least finish in style. I see that being done with a continuous stream of what we've had thus far, stuff that people can't get anywhere else. Nintendo level GOTY stuff.
The Nintendo consumer does not buy those typical Sony/MS games. They don't even buy exclusives tailor made for the platform, even if there are 100 million Wii's sold, the few exclusives still didn't hit the million mark
http://www.vgchartz.com/game/85905/shin-megami-tensei-x-fire-emblem/?region=All
http://www.vgchartz.com/game/22383/madworld/?region=All
http://www.vgchartz.com/game/27320/tatsunoko-vs-capcom-cross-generation-of-heroes/?region=All
http://www.vgchartz.com/game/16284/red-steel-2/?region=All
http://www.vgchartz.com/game/70793/zombiu/?region=All
We should already be happy we're getting a new No More Heroes, because that wasn't selling great either.
What does sell?
http://www.vgchartz.com/gamedb/games.php?name=just+dance
For old gamers like myself (a.k.a not a lot of time for gaming) there is nothing like "software drought". With the releases of the past 10 months I could probably play forever.
Besides, I find a little delusional expecting big 3rd-party AAA titles (geez I hate this word) to be ported on the Switch. The console is simply not powerful enough for modern releases (ok DOOM is pretty decent...).
I would be happy with some tailor-made game however. It is also true that the more causal Nintendo audience is normally reticent to buy anything not Nintendo related so I understand big studios for being cautions with exclusives.
@therealgamer You are full of crap (and blocked).
1) Better online infrastructure (better homepage UI, better Eshop UI, more robust features such as easy friend adding+partying and clip streaming)
2) More 3rd party support, i would say ports would be enough if Nintendo plan to release the 2D line of their IP's on the switch through-out 2018, but if this is the plan then we should be getting word on it sooner rather than later, if this isn't in the plan then they need to buy out some exclusive support. - Nintendo are currently dominating the Indie scene, buying out exclusives and doing a great job, so just more of the same here.
3) More multimedia features such as Netflix, Youtube and the like
4) some out of the box idea's would also not go amiss, such as lending their IP's to do TV shows for Netflix would be good (i know this has been on the cards before), also maybe getting a monopoly access to all Pokemon content past and present (all movies) available for streaming on the Switch when paid service is available (this will please the kids and parents).
5) better mobile games and maybe taking some of their older obscure IP's onto the mobile platform, like Game&Watch, Nintendogs, Brain Training ect... And actually making them work well.
In terms of the games or lack of them this year, that can be fixed, Nintendo have enough 1st party games to justify not having to rely on 3rd parties, but this is granted only if they continue that steady stream themselves. we had big AAA hitters to open the console, we can now have the big AAA handheld hitters, a follow up to Paper Mario, Luigi's Mansion, A Link Between World's, New Super Mario Bro's 3 ect... will be just fine (this is also granted they have merged their handheld and home consoles together with the Switch)
If you fill in the gaps with good 3rd party ports like we have with Doom, Skyrim and La Noire and solid Indie exclusives like they have been doing, along with the solid Nintendo 1st exclusives (something Sony can't hold a candle to, as they have to buy out exclusives from 3rd parties, costing them an arm and a leg to do so), then the Switch will be just fine for games.
If they don't plan to do that though they need to buy out exclusives from those 3rd parties like Sony has been doing.
Bottom line, exclusives = hardware sales, nobody will be buying a Switch to play high quality 3rd party ports, both Xbox and Sony offer a better option for that, Nintendo need to sell their hardware on the merit of their own exclusives (either from 3rd parties or from themselves)
Side note: the Inverted version of this argument applies to Sony, they have NO 1st party exclusives, if 3rd parties refuse to make Sony exclusive games, Sony would be in big trouble.
@gortsi Yes but they say shadow is the best remake ever. Look at the review scores if you don't think so. Ye and kirby will more than likely sell more than ni no kuni 2 i give you that one.
@bones Like I said, shadow is a great game that I and a lot of others played either in 2005 or 2011. It's not exactly a game that needs to be replayed
@JoeyJoey95 - Its not even good trolling. Like it never strikes a nerve. A tired mantra of "No Good Games!" That is not even remotely true, which cannot even phase anyone.
People have to remember a lot of these major PS4 and Xbox One projects have been in development for at least two to three years before they formally get announced to the public. A lot of developers have maybe had their SDK's for a year at most.
Switch is bolstered by the fact it can run modern engines like snowdrop, unity, and unreal and also has a very pc friendly nvidia GPU, but it's still from a technical standpoint about halfway between a seventh gen and base-eighth gen box and that could limit the amount of third party support it can receive.
Being an indie darling is a good way to differentiate itself and also the portability factor is good too. We're still probably a good two to three years away from any sort of "true" next-gen PS5/Xbox Next set of boxes and I think more multi-platform projects will get a Switch port, but it may never be to the level of what both the PS4 and XBO get due to limitations.
@JaxonH "In the meantime as long as Nintendo is releasing 10 solid games a year on Switch, with 2 higher profile ones... that's all they have to do."
Why stop there? Nintendo on average publishes around 20+ games a year between handheld and home console. With 3DS development drying up, Nintendo can easily crank out at least 2 games a month. A big release, and maybe a download or budget release accompanying it.
No, we don't need "Switch specific spinoff series from major publisher franchises". Such spinoffs are not going to be full scale AAA games for Switch. The image of Assassin's Creed Rogue makes me think, well, AC Rogue, and Liberation. Liberation was the "spinoff" for Vita. While it was an "ok functioning game", it was not a fully fledged game, it was thrown together on the scale and budget of being a single platform release on a less powerful system for a franchise designed around multiplatforms and pushing visuals. Any "scaled back spinoff series" for Switch from the majors will simply look, feel, and play like a phoned in scaled back spinoff. A few gems will emerge, sure, but overall it would position Switch as, not the system that gets portable ports of X360 games, but as the system that gets dollar store ripoffs of real games. Scaled back spinoffs have NEVER gone down well in the industry. A lower budget game will always be a lower budget game, rather than a "unique" game.
What we need are more genuine ground-up excluisive FRANCHISES for the system from these publishers, expanding their portfolios, not shoehorning existing franchises, plus their actually multiplats where they can fit them. Mostly I think we have to accept that companies like EA, Activision, 2K are targeting PC, and consoles that can run PC games, and are not really going to target any other type of platform. "Mainstream" Western gaming and Switch are not going to be compatible any time soon. And that's fine. People buying a switch obviously bought it because what they wanted isn't necessarily something that's "mainstream", otherwise they'd be heckling Nintendo from the sidelines of the PS4/X1/PC forums on IGN and GameFaqs. Octopath is a beautiful example of getting it right.
And I'm not sure why there's so much emphasis on the "online infrastructure". Yeah, Switch downloads games like it's dialup, and P2P play sucks, but that's really what you get on PSN too. With less up-time. I get the feeling when people say "online infrastructure" they mean "voice comms" which only matters if you're actually into voice comms in the first place, which isn't everyone. Even in the MHW demo I played the non-voice lobby. It's just not my thing. Never has been. So far my PSN/NN experiences are equal....one doesn't really seem better than the other (and both are worse than XBox...) But for Switch's "online"....there's the issue that portable is a highlight. That means Couch co-op is much more POSSIBLE on Switch than on the other major platforms where only split screen is viable, and that's cause to highlight it. It also means Switch can't be relied upon to actually have net connection at any time. That adds some barriers that makes promoting online problematic.
@FragRed
I was pleasantly surprised that the WiiU Miiverse was pretty stable/reliable, hopefully Nintendo has brought in external experts for their online system - everything else about the Switch so far has been pretty spot on.
As for games, I also need to see more than Mario Tennis and Kirby (I think thats an American thing, it never seems to have been popular over here).
Most third parties have held back (not surprising after the WiiU disasters), but hoping that Bethesda's early commitment will be followed by more now Switch sales are sky-high. Personally can't wait for Wolfenstein after the delights of Skyrim and Doom.
I own PS4 and PSV, and I'll be buying switch not to play all those multiplatform titles, because we all can play them by different means. This is more true as both PS4 and XBox have more powerful hardware. I am buying Switch now, however, to play all those exclusives and that is, I believe, the major strength of Nintendo. I am overly excited to get my hands of BotW, I always wanted to try Pokemon and that's just the beginning of the list. No other platform can provide those (I know, emulators, however, I try to play legally and support the manufacturers)
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