I Like the Switch 2, But the Wii U Launch Was Way More Exciting

The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally out, and while it’s always exciting whenever a new console drops, I feel somewhat underwhelmed compared to previous Nintendo launches – even the Wii U. The Nintendo Switch 2 has become an immediate commercial success, with a great deal of praise for its advances over the previous Switch. But while the Switch 2 is an impressive machine, its launch lineup exclusives leave a lot to be desired.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has launched with five exclusives, one of which is a remaster of a 3DS game. Mario Kart World is the console’s standout launch exclusive, joined by fellow racing game Fast Fusion, glorified instruction manual Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Konami’s Survival Kids co-op game. Otherwise, the Switch 2 launch lineup is largely made up of games that have been out for years and so-called physical releases tied to Game-Key Cards.

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Mario Kart World is great, but Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is one of the worst games I’ve played this year, and the other launch exclusives are not exactly lighting the world on fire. The Wii U launch had a similar problem of recycled multiplatform releases, but it had a greater variety of big-budget launch exclusives. New Super Mario Bros. U was derivative of past entries, but it still gave Nintendo fans a brand-new Super Mario game to play through with 4-player co-op support. Nintendo Land made brilliant use of the Wii U GamePad and remains one of the most-unique local multiplayer experiences out there. And ZombiU was, in my opinion, the hidden gem of the Wii U launch exclusives, offering a challenging twist on the zombie game genre that also did a great job utilizing the Wii U’s unique features to their full potential. It’s one of my favorite Wii U games and a title that I think is highly underrated. The Switch 2 has one big budget launch exclusive in Mario Kart World, with its other launch exclusives being lower-profile games compared to what the Wii U delivered in 2013.

Wii U’s Launch Exclusives Were More Interesting than the Switch 2’s

The lead-up to the Wii U was more exciting than the Switch 2, primarily because of the differences in the launch lineup, but also because the Wii U did something new. The console’s name, Nintendo’s marketing, and significant content droughts obliterated the Wii U’s chances of coming anywhere close to the success of its predecessor, but it was doing something new. The Switch 1 was also doing something bold and different, combining the handheld and home console experience to deliver a radically innovative device that has had a profound impact on the industry. The Switch 2 is a souped-up, more powerful version of the Switch 1 concept, lacking the imagination that has gone in to Nintendo consoles since the Wii revolution.

Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. By playing it safe this generation, Nintendo virtually guarantees success for the Switch 2. The Switch 1 is on track to become the best-selling video game console of all time, and so it wouldn’t make sense for Nintendo to do something radically different right now. A more powerful take on the Switch 1 is exactly what the Switch 2 needed to be, but it has made for a launch that feels relatively safe and not as exciting as previous Nintendo console generations.

Brand

Nintendo

Operating System

Proprietary

Storage

256GB internal / MicroSD

Resolution

1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)

App Store

Nintendo eShop

Wi-Fi

Yes