this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2025
62 points (77.2% liked)

Nintendo

18792 readers
68 users here now

A community for everything Nintendo. Games, news, discussions, stories etc.

Rules:

  1. No NSFW content.
  2. No hate speech or personal attacks.
  3. No ads / spamming / self-promotion / low effort posts / memes etc.
  4. No linking to, or sharing information about, hacks, ROMs or any illegal content. And no piracy talk. (Linking to emulators, or general mention / discussion of emulation topics is fine.)
  5. No console wars or PC elitism.
  6. Be a decent human (or a bot, we don't discriminate against bots... except in Point 7).
  7. All bots must have mod permission prior to implementation and must follow instance-wide rules. For lemmy.world bot rules click here
  8. Links to Twitter, X, or any alternative version such as Nitter, Xitter, Xcancel, etc. are no longer allowed. This includes any "connected-but-separate" web services such as pbs. twimg. com. The only exception will be screenshots in the event that the news cannot be sourced elsewhere.

Upcoming First Party Games (NA):

Game | Date


|


Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition | Mar 20 [Switch 2 Direct] | Apr 02 Metroid Prime 4 | 2025

Other Gaming Communities


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Nintendo's Switch 2 reveal felt like a lightning bolt delivered straight from Zeus himself for everyone except, well, most people. In fact, since the console – which fans have spent years clamoring for – looks so much like its predecessor, some analysts predict it'll have trouble appealing to a general audience.

"I can imagine 'normies' being a bit confused," gaming industry consultant Serkan Toto tells GamesRadar+. "The device is bigger than the original Switch, but not comically large. The form factor, button layout, and overall design are very similar to Switch 1, so I can imagine issues arising when potential mainstream buyers look at the new device."

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works 99 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (7 children)

Some analysts are morons. The reason the Wii U failed was because it wasn’t clear that it was a successor console, and not just a weird add-on.

People have been conditioned to understand numerical console increases for over two decades now thanks to the PlayStation.

Edit: As an aside, are there any console manufacturers besides Sony who have had sequential model numbers consistently? I’ve been mulling this under the last couple of hours and nothing comes to mind!

[–] MolecularCactus1324@lemmy.world 30 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I can verify that. I am a video game fan, though don’t always follow everything that closely. I remember seeing Wii U for sale and not really understanding what it was. It seemed like just a Wii with a weird controller.

[–] MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net 25 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I had a coworker who was convinced that the whole thing was a scam. That it was just an upgraded Wii with a weird controller. So he went out and got a secondhand Wii U console. Just the console. Gave it to his kids for Xmas. Got mad when it didn't work. Eventually got a gamepad (and maybe the power brick? I don't remember if it's cross compatible) and ended up spending more than buying it new.

I'm pretty sure even he can follow Switch -> Switch 2.

[–] crank0271@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago

I find myself feeling bad for a lot of people's kids and the ones in this story are no exception.

[–] spitfire@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

I can see people buying used without a dock and getting mad the old one won’t work. But then there’s usb-c so you can at least charge I for handheld;)

[–] slimerancher@lemmy.world 18 points 1 week ago

Even if they don't buy consoles, it's how most thing works, phones are an obvious example. iPhone 14 comes after iPhone 13, but iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are just versions of 14.

[–] aeronmelon@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If gamers can navigate Xbox -> Xbox 360 -> Xbox One -> Xbox X -> Xbox S, I think they can figure out Switch 2.

[–] thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 week ago

Heh, glad you mentioned Xbox - they’re a perfect example of consistent inconsistency! 🤣

[–] MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net 13 points 1 week ago

People have been conditioned to understand numerical console increases for over two decades now thanks to the PlayStation.

And they even managed to do it while Microsoft counted to potato.

[–] icecreamtaco@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Windows 7 8 9(lol) 10 11

Mac OS 7 8 9 X 11 12 13 14 15

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Link@rentadrunk.org 58 points 1 week ago (7 children)

If this was true the PlayStation 2, 3, 4 and 5 would have all failed.

[–] kyle@lemm.ee 1 points 6 days ago

Yeah, I keep seeing articles like this, but a slightly different sized version of the same console isn't a radical idea. It baffles me, this isn't why the Wii U failed.

[–] MothmanDelorian@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago

The Apple IIe would never have caught on. Of course we all still use Windows 3.1 and do spreadsheets on Lotus 1-2-3 as we dont understand software generations either. /s

[–] garretble@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If parents weren’t confused by

Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox One Xbox Series S/X

Then the number 2 should be just fine.

[–] Katana314@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

I mean, they were. I have personally heard from people that couldn’t be bothered to understand the Xbox SKUs for the possibility of buying one because of how horribly Microsoft names things.

load more comments (4 replies)
[–] missingno@fedia.io 47 points 1 week ago

Of all the things you can say about the Switch 2's name, 'confusing' isn't one of them.

[–] Weebdeluxe@ani.social 45 points 1 week ago

If "normies" are able to buy a Playstation 5 after having bought a PS4, 3, 2 and 1, Then I think Nintendo is going to be just fine.

[–] JackbyDev@programming.dev 44 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The Wii had so many peripherals and used naming like "Wii blah" so often, that WiiU was viewed as an attachment and not a new console. The name Switch 2 is very clear. I don't think it's comparable at all.

[–] shinratdr@lemmy.ca 0 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Also, the Wii was a fad. Nintendo and others wildly overestimated how many people would come back and buy another console after buying a Wii. Turns out most of them were rotting in closets. The Wii U could have improved on the Wii in every possible way and it wouldn’t have done well.

This isn’t the case for the Switch. I don’t think the Switch 2 will do Switch numbers, those were very artificially boosted by the pandemic & the novelty of the form factor. However, I doubt Nintendo will have any trouble moving units.

[–] adam_y@lemmy.world 34 points 1 week ago

Calling people "normies" as if Nintendo products and video games in general aren't mass market items.

Ick.

[–] stevedice@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 week ago

This was written by someone with a raging Nintendo hate-boner. I'm certain because I have my own Nintendo hate-boner and even I'm not that deluded.

[–] Evotech@lemmy.world 19 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I think people are familiar with numbers

[–] ICastFist@programming.dev 9 points 1 week ago

Unlike Microsoft's Xbox division

[–] TurboHarbinger@feddit.cl 18 points 1 week ago

Sales struggles may happen but not for the -title- reasons. I mean that's why it's called Switch 2 instead of Switch U, switch Pro or some other bullshit. Nintendo is very clear. It's the same, but next gen.

[–] xyzzy@lemm.ee 17 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Here are this guy's other "predictions"

https://www.serkantoto.com/2025/01/10/global-game-business-2025/

Including stunning prognostications like this

Nintendo will not have enough consoles to sell Despite Nintendo’s pledge and best efforts, the new device will sell out very quickly and not be available for months in 2025. It will be even worse than 2017 when the Switch launched. Furthermore, the name will be Switch 2. I also expect deep price cuts for the original Switch in 2025.

[–] crank0271@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Putting the "banal" in analyst.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] SirDankbud@lemmy.ca 15 points 1 week ago

I find these articles pretty funny and out of touch with every human being I know. I saw the media shit on the Switch 2, but it was exactly what I expected so I asked all my friends with a switch how they felt. Every single one plans on buying the new one at or near release. Many will be buying two so they can play with spouses or their kids. The tally for purchases in my small middle-aged friend group alone is over 50. Nintendo releases too many amazing exclusive games for us to ignore. I know I can turn to emulation, but I prefer to do that for older games that already made their profit so I can support the devs that make me happy.

[–] MothmanDelorian@lemmy.world 14 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I think Gen X parents and younger are familiar with how the newest edition of a computer is "better" than previous ones. I dont see this being an issue.

[–] DigitalAudio@sopuli.xyz 8 points 1 week ago

It also wasn't an issue with the GB and DS lines, and the Switch notoriously follows the handheld pattern quite closely, so I don't think this will be an issue.

[–] TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee 12 points 1 week ago

Really?

"Normies?"

looks around for telltale signs that we've entered 4Chan. Like shit streaks on the walls.

[–] realitista@lemm.ee 12 points 1 week ago

What's there not to understand? It's a better version of the first one. Isn't this what console makers have been doing since the beginning of time? Wii U was weird with the screen on the controller and everything. None of that with Switch 2. Just more of what made it good in the first place.

[–] Lanusensei87@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago

The reveal trailer has almost 20 million views BTW.

[–] Jimmycakes@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago

This bozo thinks it's just gonna be a picture of the switch on the box instead of a huge mario kart graphic. Kids will ask for switch 2 and parents will buy switch 2. That's the beginning and end of the decision making on getting it. It's gonna be wildly sold out no matter how many Nintendo can get to retailers.

[–] Ilandar@lemm.ee 10 points 1 week ago

The Wii U also suffered from it's weak library of games, though. Yes, you could argue that was partially due to Nintendo pivoting away from it earlier due to the slow start which was, in part, caused by the confusion over the naming and marketing...but if Nintendo commits to the Switch 2 and releases more bangers from big franchises it will be a long-term success. The "gimmicks" of the Switch are the best assortion and implementation the company has ever delivered and it has an amazing library of games. There is no reason why the Switch 2 can't deliver in those same areas (it already will with the retention of motion controls and portability).

[–] devfuuu@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago

Yeah, people really have a big problem understanding "I'll buy the latest, since it's the best, number is bigger" . Concepts like "ok, all previous stuff works but new stuff only works here". Such crazy concepts. The GBC was a flop because GB already existed.

[–] Wahots@pawb.social 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's like the switch, but 2. I just don't understand it. /S

--

The only thing I don't actually understand are what appear to be the exact same sticks as my drifty joycons, and the $70+ price tags on Nintendo games. If Nintendo can aggressively slash game prices on sale and fix their hardware issues, I might buy it.

[–] berti@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

They are reportedly using hall effect sticks this time which cannot develop drift.

[–] Wahots@pawb.social 1 points 6 days ago

That's a welcome development!

[–] Zoldyck@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago
[–] S_H_K@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The console will sell but not better than the switch 1, I think cause the world is in one crisis after the another and gaming is seen as a luxury by many. When they see is like the 1 but only has a 2 some would not jump over ship.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] icecreamtaco@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

When you see articles with "analysts say..." these days, it's often just a wordy rewrite of some guy's twitter post. Gotta be careful

[–] Kyatto@leminal.space 5 points 1 week ago

Are there people that can afford stuff anymore?

load more comments
view more: next ›