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.”
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.
I actually agree with the article, though I think it is premature. The Switch 2 trailer does nothing to attract normal people to buy the Switch 2. The trailer showed that the S2 is slightly larger, has a new JoyCon attachment, and implied that the graphics are better. None of that is a reason to throw away your Switch 1 and buy the Switch 2. Most people don’t care about top of the line graphics and those that do know that a PC or PS5 Pro is the top of the line and a high end phone will beat the Switch 2 for portable power.
Normal people want to hear the story about what the system offers. The Wii sold video games that made you more active instead of less. The Switch offered the same gaming experience at home and on the go. Every generation of PlayStation sells on top end graphics in a plug-and-play box.
What will be the unique selling point of the Switch 2? Hopefully we will know after the April announcement.
People will probrally say “bigger number better” and blindly buy it even though it probrally wont offer much over the Switch 1.
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.
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.
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.
I think the GB and DS Lineup was much more difficult.
Really?
“Normies?”
looks around for telltale signs that we’ve entered 4Chan. Like shit streaks on the walls.
If this was true the PlayStation 2, 3, 4 and 5 would have all failed.
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
They did all look very different from their predecessors though, especially the ps1 to ps2 jump was quite significant in terms of design.
deleted by creator
The reveal trailer has almost 20 million views BTW.
Calling people “normies” as if Nintendo products and video games in general aren’t mass market items.
Ick.
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.
Of all the things you can say about the Switch 2’s name, ‘confusing’ isn’t one of them.
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!
If gamers can navigate Xbox -> Xbox 360 -> Xbox One -> Xbox X -> Xbox S, I think they can figure out Switch 2.
Heh, glad you mentioned Xbox - they’re a perfect example of consistent inconsistency! 🤣
Also the touch component and motion controls were something of a turnoff for adults who bought previous generations.
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.
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.
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.
I find myself feeling bad for a lot of people’s kids and the ones in this story are no exception.
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;)
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.
Are there people that can afford stuff anymore?
