July 9th 2023.
Will the Switch 2 be a successful follow-up? This is a question on many Nintendo fans' minds as they eagerly await the official announcement. A reader points out that Nintendo has never had two consoles be massive hits two generations in a row, and this could pose a potential problem for Switch 2.
Nintendo is well-known for their quality in sequels. While other game franchises have only lasted a few years before going downhill, Nintendo's franchises have stayed at the top of the game for decades. However, this does not necessarily translate to success with their console sequels.
The NES was a revolutionary console and the foundation of the modern gaming industry. However, its follow-up, the SNES, was beaten by the Mega Drive in many areas. The N64 was also underwhelming compared to its predecessor and the PlayStation. The GameCube was an even bigger failure, leading Nintendo to rethink their approach and release the Wii, a massive success.
However, its sequel, the Wii U, was a disaster. This brings us to the question of the Switch 2. Nintendo has never had two consecutive home consoles that were uncontested winners of their generation. The reasons for the failures of each console are different, but the most relevant one is the Wii U. It was undercooked, released with very few games, and had no marketing.
The Switch 2 may have a tough time due to the current post-pandemic situation, with people having less money and components being more expensive. This could lead to a situation similar to the Wii U. Nintendo may also be struggling with what direction to take the Switch 2 in terms of form factor.
It is not guaranteed that the Switch 2 will be a success. Nintendo's track record with console sequels does not inspire confidence, and they may be constrained by the need to make it affordable and mass market. We still don't know what the game situation will be like. But knowing Nintendo, they will come up with something innovative and unexpected. We'll have to wait for the official announcement to know what direction they are taking with the Switch 2.
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