I'm gonna argue something: I think Switch 2 has the better launch lineup in comparison to Switch 1.
[snip]
I genuinely think it is okay that the Switch 2 doesn't have a secondary first party title that is to the scale of Mario Kart World, especially when you consider what is releasing alongside that of the console. Plus in comparison to Switch 1, the gap of Mario Kart World to Donkey Kong Bananza is much shorter for games made intended for the console in mind.
I agree with all of this.
NS2 is a lot stronger for
all titles, and that's really important for the system. Sure, there are many gamers who will
only buy Nintendo consoles to
only play Nintendo IPs, but that's actually not a large number of players compared to the many, many gamers who will buy first, second,
and third party titles just to play on the hybrid system (specifically handheld). Plenty of people
only own Nintendo consoles, or they own a Switch and have a gaming rig (where they can play the titles that come out on PS/Xbox without needing to buy those consoles).
Just because CP2077 has been out "forever" doesn't mean there aren't still plenty of gamers who haven't played it. We're two of those gamers, lol. And we're planning on buying Hades II on the Switch 2 and not our gaming rigs, because we love that series and want to relax in bed playing it on our tv.
Nintendo has
a steady stream of strong IP titles coming out for the rest of the year. That's something the NS1 struggled with in the first year or two of its life. The strong release schedule is the reason many people went ahead and pre-ordered the Switch 2, so they'd have it and not have to worry about shortages or tariffs later in the year, not necessarily to play Mario Kart. Some people only want SMB and LoZ, but saying that there's nothing else available in the next six months for Nintendo IPs just isn't true. It's bias based on that gamer's own taste in Nintendo IPs.
Not counting upgrades and NS2 editions (Kirby, Mario Party, Story of Seasons [which are Harvest Moon games, since they can't use the "Harvest Moon" title anymore]), Nintendo has Donkey Kong in July, Pokemon Legends Z-A in October, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment by Nov/Dec (they're on track to hit their "winter 2025" window), and Metroid Prime 4 at Christmas (that
will be the big holiday release for Nintendo; Prime 4 is done and ready to go--it's only being delayed for a holiday release). Fans knew they could preorder the NS2 for that and the other big games and get them in the next six months. That's a big deal.
Pokemon
alone would sell millions of copies (and NS2 consoles) and be a really strong holiday title following Mario Kart and Donkey Kong; "hardcore" Nintendo fans (and the usual gamer ragebait journos) just don't like to talk about that. But the franchise can move consoles as well as Mario or LoZ, so it's always considered a "big" release. People who aren't into Pokemon just have a really hard time envisioning the numbers these games do and how profitable that is for Nintendo.
Anyway, that's
four titles featuring major Nintendo IPs releasing within six months of NS2's launch. Nintendo hasn't had this strong of a release schedule
for their own IPs in the first six months of a console launch in a least two/three system generations--if ever. The gamers who are whining about not having a new mainline Mario or LoZ title are just complaining to complain (or get clicks, if they're creators and journos).
So.. not even counting third-party titles, Nintendo has some of their heaviest-hitting franchises coming out in some form in the next six months. Having top third-party developers actively excited to bring their new and existing titles to NS2, and showcasing those games already, just makes buying the NS2 at launch worthwhile for many of us.
There's no guarantee that availability will remain consistent, or that prices won't increase due to tariffs. Plenty got the Mario Kart bundle because it was a better deal overall, not necessarily because they are diehard MK fans. And there are many of us who are really looking forward to the free updates to NS1 titles that Nintendo is releasing--plenty of fans are buying pre-owned copies of those games to take advantage of the free performance updates (if they didn't own them already), or to get in on the $10-20 upgrades that add new content (pre-owned game sales are going crazy right now). Add in the great third-party launch and first year support and the Switch 2 is a
fantastic deal, imo.
(ETA: As for third-party release titles, Fantasy Life is a sleeper hit for sure. Cozy games do gangbusters on Nintendo consoles, and this game is one the cozy gaming community is
really hyped for. Wasn't sure if the NS2 edition would make it at launch, but it did! And seeing that the some of the only problems the very recently released NS1 title had were performance/fps issues, it's going to be great on NS2. Anyway, if anyone here likes Rune Factory or AC games--or cozy games in general--check out Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time on launch day.
)
We're really excited for this generation.