Analysts Fearful The Switch 2 Will Be Another Wii U

Summary

Analysts have predicted that the Nintendo Switch 2 may underperform and fail in the casual market.
Like the WiiU, the Switch 2 has only earned its name as a basic console redesign.
To actually sell units, more games and features need to be revealed regarding the Switch 2.

So far, Nintendo’s only announcement about the Nintendo Switch 2 has been an unceremonious first-look trailer. Despite this, many Nintendo fans are already hyping the console to be a massive success.

That said, if you’re out of the loop, it may be a bit questionable exactly how the Switch 2 plans to capture its stake in the market besides being a bigger and beefier version of the original Nintendo Switch. At this point, we’ve barely even been told what first-party releases to expect at launch.

How To Attend The Nintendo Switch 2 Experience Events

The Nintendo Switch 2 Experience will take place in April and May of this year, with locations in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

A few game analysts have gone on record with Gamesradar+, and according to their predictions, the Switch 2 may not be an instant home run for Nintendo, especially when considering the company’s past mistakes.

After all, Nintendo’s only other direct follow-up console, the WiiU, which succeeded the original Wii, was a massive failure for similar reasons.

While the Switch 2 is already massive by name, it’s important to remember that the WiiU also shared its name with the Wii, Nintendo’s best-selling home console. As the failure of the WiiU signifies, a well-known name isn’t enough to sell a console by itself.

Serkan Toto, an industry consultant, told Gamesradar+, “I can imagine ‘normies’ being a bit confused.” Sure, the Switch 2 makes a concrete distinction above the original with the numeric title, something the Wii U’s title lacked, but it nonetheless may prove confusing for the average consumer.

As Toto explains, the only notable aspect of Switch 2 is that it is a bigger version of the Nintendo Switch, with a more user-friendly form factor. Despite this, Toto “can imagine issues arising when potential mainstream buyers look at the new device.”

When comparing the initial reveal of both Switch consoles, you can see the follow-up lacks new, innovative features. Overall, it’s clear that Nintendo’s initial reveal was a relatively average first look at the console, and more information and games are truly needed to drive home success.

Untapped Potential Of The Switch 2

The main way Nintendo can ensure the Switch 2 doesn’t fail like the WiiU is by cramming the consoles with must-have exclusives. The only title revealed so far has been another Mario Kart, but even Mario Kart 8 couldn’t save the WiiU from disastrous sales.

WiiU titles like Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, and Pikmin 3 were fantastic, but they only served as safe sequels in already established franchises. The Switch succeeded for its innovative features, but Mario Odyssey, Breath Of The Wild, and Smash Ultimate pulled it to the finish line.

The Switch was Nintendo’s must-have console for multiple reasons. Despite the Switch 2 boasting aspects like possible mouse controls for titles like Metroid Prime 4, nothing new besides the console redesign has been shared thus far.

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Some may argue that the Switch 2 does look like a more powerful Switch, which can drive further sales. However, as Mat Piscatella stated to Gamesradar+, that “may not be enough to attract an audience outside of buyers of the original Switch.”

And with a supposed asking price rivaling that of a SteamDeck but the power level of a PlayStation 4 Pro, the Switch 2 is already failing to meet its competitors. But that’s the thing: Nintendo’s consoles, from the Gameboy to the 3DS and, of course, the Switch, were never powerhouses.

Nintendo has always worked off the angle of exclusives, and fantastic ones at that. But that only means Nintendo has a long way to go if they want the Switch 2 to outsell its predecessor. Hopefully, the upcoming announcements and directs will do precisely that.