Thoughts - Does the Switch 2 suffer from the "iPhone effect"?

Transfer your data and then forget it is new?

It has been a few days since launch of the new Switch 2? How are we feeling? Kinda ok? Meh? Not caring anymore about the new hardware? Or fully excited by all its little extras and gimmicks?

(Or upset by the joy con drift and hacking news?)

I call the meh feeling the “iPhone effect”. :)

If you already have a Switch and are very familiar with it you may be affected by the iPhone effect. Or maybe you are not and if not please share. :)

Essentially when you receive the Switch 2 you go through a set up process where you select your language and add your wifi password. After a quick software update this is then followed by the ability to transfer your data from your original Switch if you already have one. This is the moment I joked with my other half that maybe the Switch 2 will have the “iPhone effect”.

The buying and unboxing is fun and exciting. Feel the texture of the new finish and how it is different to the Switch. The new screen and sound and beeps and boops. But however different the hardware is, it is similar enough, that when you set it up the same as your old phone and you forget about it being new and special after a week, as nothing has really changed. You might have a slightly bigger and brighter screen, corners may be rounded but the UI is the same and what you use it for is the same, and it just becomes a normal item.

Will the Switch 2 suffer from this? While we have a couple of new games and ports, I have not seen anything revolutionary. And of course we knew this is really just an evolution rather than revolution in the first place.

And building on the revolution that the Switch started is completely valid and welcomed by me. I am a handheld gamer and it makes sense to me, so I am more than happy to see a bigger and more powerful version of the Switch and embrace it.

I do wonder how soon the buzz we see on social media will be over though as everyone gets used to the Switch 2 being their new handheld gaming consoles.

I also think the “iPhone effect” is a valid reaction to upgrading and maybe even desired by Nintendo. What do I mean by that?

Nintendo was clever in providing this service of moving your data and set up from Switch to Switch 2. The transfer was so smooth and simple and having to learn a completely new user interface would be draining when you are just excited to start playing your favourite games or new ones. So being able to create the iPhone effect is a good thing really. It brings the focus back to gaming.

The next thing I am looking forward to is the customisations. When will we see different colours of joy cons and accessories? Who will add a skin to their Switch 2 and personalise it? Those are the things I am looking forward to seeing next. I am already bored of all the black Switch 2s. I hope the cozy gamers come through and find some great personalisation items. <3

Personally I have bought a carry case from Tomtoc - my go to for slim carry cases, and will look at some thumb stick customisations.

So how are we feeling? Meh? Or still excited? 💚