this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2025
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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."

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

I think people are familiar with numbers

[–] [email protected] 8 points 10 hours ago

Unlike Microsoft's Xbox division

[–] [email protected] 11 points 13 hours ago

What's there not to understand? It's a better version of the first one. Isn't this what console makers have been doing since the beginning of time? Wii U was weird with the screen on the controller and everything. None of that with Switch 2. Just more of what made it good in the first place.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 13 hours ago

If the graphics are a good enough upgrade I might pick one up. My current switch only gets used when a new Zelda game comes out (or I get nostalgic for some bowling)

[–] [email protected] 41 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The Wii had so many peripherals and used naming like "Wii blah" so often, that WiiU was viewed as an attachment and not a new console. The name Switch 2 is very clear. I don't think it's comparable at all.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Also, the Wii was a fad. Nintendo and others wildly overestimated how many people would come back and buy another console after buying a Wii. Turns out most of them were rotting in closets. The Wii U could have improved on the Wii in every possible way and it wouldn’t have done well.

This isn’t the case for the Switch. I don’t think the Switch 2 will do Switch numbers, those were very artificially boosted by the pandemic & the novelty of the form factor. However, I doubt Nintendo will have any trouble moving units.

[–] stevedice 19 points 1 day ago

This was written by someone with a raging Nintendo hate-boner. I'm certain because I have my own Nintendo hate-boner and even I'm not that deluded.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It's like the switch, but 2. I just don't understand it. /S

--

The only thing I don't actually understand are what appear to be the exact same sticks as my drifty joycons, and the $70+ price tags on Nintendo games. If Nintendo can aggressively slash game prices on sale and fix their hardware issues, I might buy it.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

They are reportedly using hall effect sticks this time which cannot develop drift.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 hours ago

That's a welcome development!

[–] [email protected] 56 points 1 day ago (7 children)

If this was true the PlayStation 2, 3, 4 and 5 would have all failed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago

Yeah, I keep seeing articles like this, but a slightly different sized version of the same console isn't a radical idea. It baffles me, this isn't why the Wii U failed.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If parents weren’t confused by

Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox One Xbox Series S/X

Then the number 2 should be just fine.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 hours ago

I mean, they were. I have personally heard from people that couldn’t be bothered to understand the Xbox SKUs for the possibility of buying one because of how horribly Microsoft names things.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago

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

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[–] thatKamGuy 98 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (7 children)

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!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

The reason the Wii U failed wasn't because of its name. Sure, it didn't help the slightest but Nintendo's console iterations have struggled in the past because they hardly bring anything new. The Wii U brought literally just a gamepad (and stronger hardware, though marketing focused on the gamepad). Why pay so much for an incremental upgrade? The same fate nearly occured to the 3DS:

The Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan on February 26, 2011, and worldwide beginning the next month.[10][11] Less than six months after launch, Nintendo announced a significant price reduction from US$249.99 to US$169.99 amid disappointing launch sales.

After all, why pay money just for a 3D effect? Without continued support and selling at a loss, the 3DS would have bombed.

By the way, the Xbox One - despite its similary stupid name - never faced the same issues as the Wii U because people actually wanted it.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 day ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 day ago (2 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago

I find myself feeling bad for a lot of people's kids and the ones in this story are no exception.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If gamers can navigate Xbox -> Xbox 360 -> Xbox One -> Xbox X -> Xbox S, I think they can figure out Switch 2.

[–] thatKamGuy 8 points 1 day ago

Heh, glad you mentioned Xbox - they’re a perfect example of consistent inconsistency! 🤣

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Windows 7 8 9(lol) 10 11

Mac OS 7 8 9 X 11 12 13 14 15

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 day ago

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.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

When you see articles with "analysts say..." these days, it's often just a wordy rewrite of some guy's twitter post. Gotta be careful

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 47 points 1 day ago

Of all the things you can say about the Switch 2's name, 'confusing' isn't one of them.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 day ago

Calling people "normies" as if Nintendo products and video games in general aren't mass market items.

Ick.

[–] [email protected] 44 points 1 day ago

If "normies" are able to buy a Playstation 5 after having bought a PS4, 3, 2 and 1, Then I think Nintendo is going to be just fine.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 day ago

Really?

"Normies?"

looks around for telltale signs that we've entered 4Chan. Like shit streaks on the walls.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago

The reveal trailer has almost 20 million views BTW.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

Idiots. This isn't the Wii U, it'll be fine

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Here are this guy's other "predictions"

https://www.serkantoto.com/2025/01/10/global-game-business-2025/

Including stunning prognostications like this

Nintendo will not have enough consoles to sell Despite Nintendo’s pledge and best efforts, the new device will sell out very quickly and not be available for months in 2025. It will be even worse than 2017 when the Switch launched. Furthermore, the name will be Switch 2. I also expect deep price cuts for the original Switch in 2025.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Putting the "banal" in analyst.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago

The Wii U also suffered from it's weak library of games, though. Yes, you could argue that was partially due to Nintendo pivoting away from it earlier due to the slow start which was, in part, caused by the confusion over the naming and marketing...but if Nintendo commits to the Switch 2 and releases more bangers from big franchises it will be a long-term success. The "gimmicks" of the Switch are the best assortion and implementation the company has ever delivered and it has an amazing library of games. There is no reason why the Switch 2 can't deliver in those same areas (it already will with the retention of motion controls and portability).

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago
[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The console will sell but not better than the switch 1, I think cause the world is in one crisis after the another and gaming is seen as a luxury by many. When they see is like the 1 but only has a 2 some would not jump over ship.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Gaming is a luxury but it is also an escape. Alcohol sells well in any economy. When the market goes up, you sell champagne to celebrate and when it goes down, you sell beer to forget. Nintendo is firmly positioned as "affordable gaming".

Don't want to go out and deal with other people? Stay inside and game.

Tired of kids screaming homophobic slurs at you in CoD? Now you know why Nintendo limits voice chat.

Can't afford to take your kids to Mario Land at Universal? Bring Mario Land into your living room (on the Switch 1).

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