Never owned an iPhone so can't comment on that ;) I think any hardware becomes... Just part of your life in a way? It can't stay all new and exciting forever, and that's fine!
Very glad that Nintendo made the switching (hah!) from the OG Switch to the S2 seamless. Well done on their end 💪
I guess if you look at form factor only, it could lead to the iPhone effect. But at the same time, if it works...why break it, especially if it is servicing the handheld gaming niche? I think it would be different if Switch came out with a new version every year as the iPhone does.
What would Nintendo's next revolution look like? Maybe VR/AR glasses? A hologram-projecting ring? You can probably bet on the fact that it'll be switchable (dockable and portable like the Switch) with an interface that's accessible to everyone.
And like you say, it pioneered handheld gaming. We can see how the market is scrambling to make something as easy to use with great games on offer that run well enough to have fun with.
I am enjoying my little dual set up with the Switch 2 and Steamdeck for now.
I am glad there is an element if familiarity with the Switch 2. :)
Honestly, the much bigger screen and joycons are a very real improvement that I can't help noticing every time I pick it up. I bought an og switch in 2017 and haven't made another hardware purchase until now, so the improved screen real estate is very real.
I do feel a touch of the iPhone effect with how most of the games I'm playing on it aren't even upgraded, they're just running on newer hardware (with barely perceptible returns on Xenoblade X DE), but overall it feels like a much different experience
iPhone effect, maybe, but it is also very convenient. The OG Switch hardware (apart from the OLED screen) was well overdue a boost. A percentage of games were being released near unplayable with skips, stutters and poor frame rates making it not a great experience. Yes, it’s an evolution but why would Nintendo radically change one of the most successful consoles ever. I certainly wouldn’t. Social media and commentators nowadays just amplify issues that aren’t really issues. If a person wants a Switch 2 and can afford it then go ahead, I bet they’ll be happy with it. If a person doesn’t want one or doesn’t like Nintendo then ignore and move on.
Very true! And actually I am a fan of the evolution and I have been finding this new switch 2 so much more comfortable than the switch. I’m absolutely happy with the screen, and the fact I didn’t have to faff with downloads etc is lovely. So I’m all for the ease of use in this iteration of the system. 🎉
I hope people can start to see it for what it is and also like you say, make an informed decision if they would like one or not.
Definitely, though I didn’t transfer my OLED. Can’t decide whether to sell it on or just keep it, at the moment I’m only using the 2 for dedicated titles like Mario Kart and for the games I own that have free upgrades like Pokémon Violet. The one thing that has annoyed me slightly is the lack of bigger capacity (and the price) of the new SD Express cards so I’ll manage my storage until they get a bit cheaper.
Oh yes good point about the SD cards. I’m holding off until I really need one. We’ve been spoilt with prices of the regular ones so I can’t stomach it yet haha
I really did my research and decided there wasn’t enough changes to really justify buying a Switch 2. I’m still happy with my old Switch. Plus, I want to play games in Steam. So I decided it was time for a gaming laptop which will do a lot of things that I need besides just playing games. 😊😊😊
That's awesome! I think that is a clever way to go. I saw a lot of the games in these showcases are releasing on both Switch 1 and Switch 2 anyways or even PC. I have a few friends with gaming laptops and they really enjoy them. They decided to get that over a steam deck a few years ago :D
I'm loving the console but flabbergasted about the discourse around it. A lot of people suggesting that an iterative design was 'lazy' and 'unlike Nintendo' when the SNES and the Wii-U were exactly that, not to mention Nintendo's handhelds.
The misinformation is unreal too, it feels like the rest of the gaming community is desperate for this thing to be bad, god forbid you don't get remasters of 2 Zelda games for completely free!
The I-Phone Effect is definitely real, I do feel it a little bit myself but the days of large console hardware jumps ended long ago.
Would definitely read a review of Mario Kart World if you're planning one :)
I stumbled on a YouTube called Digital Foundry which did a great tech talk review of Mario kart world. That team of people is so passionate and knowledgeable.
But yeah I don’t know why people want to hate on things. 😅
Also I think it’s not a necessary upgrade to do if you don’t want to and that’s fine. Gaming is gaming and it’s personal and people shouldn’t be so judgey around it. I think it’s a decent offering from Nintendo and I don’t really know what they could have done. Look at all the handhelds now. Even the new Xbox handled. It’s just another rog ally 🤣
Digital Foundry are excellent, I like their stuff too.
Same here, I have no real interest in the PlayStation 5 but I'd prefer for it to do well anyway!
I've got some more thoughts on this handheld landscape which I'll leave for my own post but I feel similarly, it doesn't feel like a huge leap but I also don't know what they could have done better; it will never be as powerful as the PlayStation 5 for example because it is, at the end of the day, a tablet at its core.
oh cool! I look forward to reading your exploration and thoughts on the topic. I don't actually feel all that strongly, just curious I guess.
Since finding the steam deck gaming has made sense to me again and that is where my interest comes from. How to keep that going (if I decide I want to for many years).
I think you're exactly right and part of this is because Nintendo did something really special with the original Switch. Expectations might have been on the feeling of getting a Switch for the first time and the excitement of the portability when this particular launch was just a hardware upgrade of the same idea. In time I think we'll think of it more like the jump in Xbox or Playstation generations- just a new, stronger box. If there's one thing Nintendo will always have over their competitors its iconic franchises people show up for, and the lineup is already looking strong for the next year. Ironically I see this iphone effect in Xbox consoles as well so I love your take on this. Could be a growing tech industry trend.
Nintendo could have gone two routes - revolution or evolution. They've been known to completely revolutionise gaming, like they did with the Wii or DS, but that's a gamble - it could pay off, or you could end up with the WiiU (or Virtual Boy!)
They've also done evolution before, like their GameBoy and DS/3DS lines, which builds on familiarity. Yet it does lose that excitement slightly because it just feels like an upgrade. Think back to when the Xbox Series X was released, there was practically no difference, but it does provide a smooth on-ramp.
I think Nintendo made the right move overall. They could have redesigned gaming again but the Switch is too popular and already a great concept, why reinvent the wheel? What it lacks in excitement it gains in continuation, backwards compatibility of your vast collection of purchases is not to be ignored.
Interesting take man. Never thought about that it like that. You’re spot though. I do think Nintendo made the right move though because the switch is perfect. Its hardware deserves an upgrade and a final form. Good write up.
Never owned an iPhone so can't comment on that ;) I think any hardware becomes... Just part of your life in a way? It can't stay all new and exciting forever, and that's fine!
Very glad that Nintendo made the switching (hah!) from the OG Switch to the S2 seamless. Well done on their end 💪
100% the "switching" (I love it :D ) was so easy and seamless I have just been able to enjoy the console. Tech is wonderful nowadays :D
It really is! It makes me happy you're enjoying the shiny new toy!
I guess if you look at form factor only, it could lead to the iPhone effect. But at the same time, if it works...why break it, especially if it is servicing the handheld gaming niche? I think it would be different if Switch came out with a new version every year as the iPhone does.
What would Nintendo's next revolution look like? Maybe VR/AR glasses? A hologram-projecting ring? You can probably bet on the fact that it'll be switchable (dockable and portable like the Switch) with an interface that's accessible to everyone.
And like you say, it pioneered handheld gaming. We can see how the market is scrambling to make something as easy to use with great games on offer that run well enough to have fun with.
I am enjoying my little dual set up with the Switch 2 and Steamdeck for now.
I am glad there is an element if familiarity with the Switch 2. :)
Honestly, the much bigger screen and joycons are a very real improvement that I can't help noticing every time I pick it up. I bought an og switch in 2017 and haven't made another hardware purchase until now, so the improved screen real estate is very real.
I do feel a touch of the iPhone effect with how most of the games I'm playing on it aren't even upgraded, they're just running on newer hardware (with barely perceptible returns on Xenoblade X DE), but overall it feels like a much different experience
iPhone effect, maybe, but it is also very convenient. The OG Switch hardware (apart from the OLED screen) was well overdue a boost. A percentage of games were being released near unplayable with skips, stutters and poor frame rates making it not a great experience. Yes, it’s an evolution but why would Nintendo radically change one of the most successful consoles ever. I certainly wouldn’t. Social media and commentators nowadays just amplify issues that aren’t really issues. If a person wants a Switch 2 and can afford it then go ahead, I bet they’ll be happy with it. If a person doesn’t want one or doesn’t like Nintendo then ignore and move on.
Very true! And actually I am a fan of the evolution and I have been finding this new switch 2 so much more comfortable than the switch. I’m absolutely happy with the screen, and the fact I didn’t have to faff with downloads etc is lovely. So I’m all for the ease of use in this iteration of the system. 🎉
I hope people can start to see it for what it is and also like you say, make an informed decision if they would like one or not.
Definitely, though I didn’t transfer my OLED. Can’t decide whether to sell it on or just keep it, at the moment I’m only using the 2 for dedicated titles like Mario Kart and for the games I own that have free upgrades like Pokémon Violet. The one thing that has annoyed me slightly is the lack of bigger capacity (and the price) of the new SD Express cards so I’ll manage my storage until they get a bit cheaper.
Oh yes good point about the SD cards. I’m holding off until I really need one. We’ve been spoilt with prices of the regular ones so I can’t stomach it yet haha
I'd never buy a spyphone but I did buy a Switch 2
Nice! How are you liking it for now? Did you own a Switch 1 before?
Yes and I'm quite happy with my Switch 2
I really did my research and decided there wasn’t enough changes to really justify buying a Switch 2. I’m still happy with my old Switch. Plus, I want to play games in Steam. So I decided it was time for a gaming laptop which will do a lot of things that I need besides just playing games. 😊😊😊
That's awesome! I think that is a clever way to go. I saw a lot of the games in these showcases are releasing on both Switch 1 and Switch 2 anyways or even PC. I have a few friends with gaming laptops and they really enjoy them. They decided to get that over a steam deck a few years ago :D
I'm loving the console but flabbergasted about the discourse around it. A lot of people suggesting that an iterative design was 'lazy' and 'unlike Nintendo' when the SNES and the Wii-U were exactly that, not to mention Nintendo's handhelds.
The misinformation is unreal too, it feels like the rest of the gaming community is desperate for this thing to be bad, god forbid you don't get remasters of 2 Zelda games for completely free!
The I-Phone Effect is definitely real, I do feel it a little bit myself but the days of large console hardware jumps ended long ago.
Would definitely read a review of Mario Kart World if you're planning one :)
I stumbled on a YouTube called Digital Foundry which did a great tech talk review of Mario kart world. That team of people is so passionate and knowledgeable.
But yeah I don’t know why people want to hate on things. 😅
Also I think it’s not a necessary upgrade to do if you don’t want to and that’s fine. Gaming is gaming and it’s personal and people shouldn’t be so judgey around it. I think it’s a decent offering from Nintendo and I don’t really know what they could have done. Look at all the handhelds now. Even the new Xbox handled. It’s just another rog ally 🤣
Digital Foundry are excellent, I like their stuff too.
Same here, I have no real interest in the PlayStation 5 but I'd prefer for it to do well anyway!
I've got some more thoughts on this handheld landscape which I'll leave for my own post but I feel similarly, it doesn't feel like a huge leap but I also don't know what they could have done better; it will never be as powerful as the PlayStation 5 for example because it is, at the end of the day, a tablet at its core.
oh cool! I look forward to reading your exploration and thoughts on the topic. I don't actually feel all that strongly, just curious I guess.
Since finding the steam deck gaming has made sense to me again and that is where my interest comes from. How to keep that going (if I decide I want to for many years).
Hit the nail on the head!
I think you're exactly right and part of this is because Nintendo did something really special with the original Switch. Expectations might have been on the feeling of getting a Switch for the first time and the excitement of the portability when this particular launch was just a hardware upgrade of the same idea. In time I think we'll think of it more like the jump in Xbox or Playstation generations- just a new, stronger box. If there's one thing Nintendo will always have over their competitors its iconic franchises people show up for, and the lineup is already looking strong for the next year. Ironically I see this iphone effect in Xbox consoles as well so I love your take on this. Could be a growing tech industry trend.
Nintendo could have gone two routes - revolution or evolution. They've been known to completely revolutionise gaming, like they did with the Wii or DS, but that's a gamble - it could pay off, or you could end up with the WiiU (or Virtual Boy!)
They've also done evolution before, like their GameBoy and DS/3DS lines, which builds on familiarity. Yet it does lose that excitement slightly because it just feels like an upgrade. Think back to when the Xbox Series X was released, there was practically no difference, but it does provide a smooth on-ramp.
I think Nintendo made the right move overall. They could have redesigned gaming again but the Switch is too popular and already a great concept, why reinvent the wheel? What it lacks in excitement it gains in continuation, backwards compatibility of your vast collection of purchases is not to be ignored.
Interesting take man. Never thought about that it like that. You’re spot though. I do think Nintendo made the right move though because the switch is perfect. Its hardware deserves an upgrade and a final form. Good write up.