With the launch of Switch 2, analysts and consumers look to see how Nintendo can follow the best -selling domestic console in its history. Judging by the pain of trying to secure a switch 2 pre -order, it seems that Nintendo has nothing to fear – at least at launch.
However, on the line, concerns about prices, a constantly increasing cost of living and a saturated market could throw a shadow on switch 2. The penis Talked to analysts, journalists and a normal video game playing people to put the Switch 2 launch in perspective. The point to remember? Although the console will certainly have another beginning of blockbuster, its future seems much less certain.
The Wii U is much mentioned in the conversation surrounding the Switch 2, because this is the most famous example of a failure of Nintendo. “The Wii U, with its difier controller gadget, its slow user interface and its lack of large Personalized Robo Game was one of the worst flops in Nintendo, ” Game Author Stephen Totilo explained in an email to The penis.
It sold less than 14 million units, a spectacular drop in Wii, which sold more than 100 million. And while Nintendo expects to sell a million people of more than 2 units during its first year that the Wii U sold in its life, which is not necessarily indicative of long -term success. “The Wii U was nevertheless sold at the launch in November 2012,” said Totilo, “by firing sales that would have exceeded the American launch sales of the Xbox 360 and the PS3.”
By considering launching projections and sales forecasts, Mat Piscatella, video game analyst for Circana, warned that what a console does during her launch period is not an indication of what she will do overall.
“Sales around the launch period reflect the available offer more than anything,” said Piscatella. Another more important factor for a console launch is the public. “With everything related to games at the moment, we have to separate the market from mass market enthusiasts, because they behave very differently,” added Piscatella.
According to Piscatella, it is the enthusiasts who lead most of the Switch 2 media threw that we have seen, in particular since the last major console launches – the PS5 series and the X / S series – occurred five years ago. “We have not had new equipment designed for the masses for a long time,” he said. “So we have a big demand for something new.”
We note part of this request satisfied by the SWITCH 2. Pre-order frenzy. Day pre-orders opened its doors in the United States (after a few weeks late due to President Donald Trump’s Chicane rate), they sold in a few hours. GameStop organized pre-order events in stores that have seen people align the outdoor windows for hours to secure one.
But what will really determine the success of the console is how the biggest mass market reacts, the same that has made devices like the Wii and the original switch of such successes. Piscatella says that this group is waiting for its time right now, “looking at the free game and the content they already have.”
It is a delicate moment for the industry. The new successful titles are becoming more and more expensive to do. Consumers, in turn, buy less in favor of spending their time and money in established games, while making persistent layoffs, three years of racing makes it more difficult for new games in time. Add this to the unique and volatile United States pricing situation of 2025 and increased associated price, and is now a hell of a time to launch a video game console.
“A game console is for many people […] Unaffordable luxury, especially for families, ”said Keza Macdonald, video game publisher at The guardian And author of a next book on the story of Nintendo. MacDonald believes that most people who want a Switch 2 will have already pre -ordered one and that the real work of Nintendo will be to convince everyone that they want it too – a job that the company does not seem to do well.
Silvie Krekow, a player who works at Vox Media as a creative director, says that she knows “almost nothing” on Switch 2.. She does not frequent game websites or consumes gaming media, but she noted that it was strange that “a 33 -year -old player with a disposable income who has a switch, PS4 and Xbox One” did not succeed at least at least at least at least at least at least at least at least a few Switching 2 Information.
Other colleagues and “relaxed game relaxed” self-written to whom I have spoken expressed similar feelings. According to Macdonald, Nintendo manages this launch period in a very conservative way. “It’s like” we know that everyone will buy it anyway. We don’t have to sell you, “she said.” But I don’t know if it’s true. “
At Switch 2 directly in April, Nintendo showed a console with a slight quality of life and performance improvements. This can work for enthusiasts – they get more of what they already liked in the original. But without something more to attract consumers beyond pure and hard, the Switch 2 can find it difficult to find its audience.
“As for the [Switch 2 features] I am not particularly excited, “said Kushal Raval, director of operations at Vox Media.” The rolling controller seems interesting, but the vocal chat function seems a little useless. “”
Kushal has a switch, who, according to him, has not executed games like Fortnite as he wanted. And while the technical upgrades of Switch 2 will probably improve this, Kushal said: “With a price from $ 450 to $ 500, I look much more to get a steam bridge.”
The Switch 2 must also compete with the people contained with its predecessor. “I have a Lite switch that I bought during the pandemic,” said Jackie Noack, video producer at Vox Media. “My husband has the switch 1, and I don’t think we use them enough to justify replacing them.” For Noack, the console price is also a major factor. “$ 500 seems stiff!”
Switch 2 will not be a failure like Wii U, but it will probably not reach the heights of the original switch. The price and lack of definition of new features are two reasons, but perhaps the most important is that the circumstances that favored the success of the OG switch were incredibly unique.
“The switch really resumed during the pandemic with Crosspiece. It was a huge success, “said Macdonald.” And obviously, it was such a unique combination of circumstances, I am not sure that it could happen again. “Piscatella is suitable:” The switch is an aberrant success. I think [the Switch 2] It is unlikely that long -term switching figures. »»
The confrontation at the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been filled with such pressure accumulated from the anticipation of hungry players eagerly desired, which was exacerbated by prolific leaks and the typical Nintendo propensity for silence. With the official revelation of the console and the enthusiastic response of the dedicated fans, this pressure could not be higher – and with the launch to come next week, the Liberation Valve is finally about to open.
“Simply because of the logo on the box, it is sure to say that the Switch 2 is too nintendo to fail,” said Totilo. “At least at first.”
