Nintendo Switch Successor Announced

[Helmsly]

3 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said:

Interesting rumours cropped up over the weekend.

Our favourite leaker weighed in on the conversation

I hope there aren't gonna launch the thing with an enhanced BOTW port.

Nintendo had an enhanced version of BOTW running behind the scenes at Gamescom in September last year, running at 4k and 60fps:

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/09/rumour-switch-2-gamescom-demo-supposedly-had-zelda-botw-running-at-4k-60fps

So that code name might just be that demo, or they really are going to release a full on enhanced port.

When reading this yesterday I learned that Mario 3D Worlds code name was RedCarpet with the Switch version being called RedCarpet-S, Mario Kart 8 on Wii U was Turbo and TurboS on Switch.

Edited May 13 by Helmsly

[Ashley]

There was a Nintendo that had a game

And U-KING-O was his name-o

U-K-I-N-G-O

U-K-I-N-G-O

U-K-I-N-G-O

And U-KING-O was his name-o

[darksnowman]

48 minutes ago, Ashley said:

There was a Nintendo that had a game

And U-KING-O was his name-o

U-K-I-N-G-O

U-K-I-N-G-O

U-K-I-N-G-O

And U-KING-O was his name-o

UK Ingo --> Zelda film has English accents.

U King Hippo --> Little Mac talking smack in New! Punch-Out (99).

[Hero-of-Time]

I'd go with Zelda (only if it's classic style and not in the style of BOTW/TOTK), Xenoblade, Punch-Out and Mario Kart. I'd keep the spare dollar.

[Julius]

38 minutes ago, Hero-of-Time said:

I'd go with Zelda (only if it's classic style and not in the style of BOTW/TOTK), Xenoblade, Punch-Out and Mario Kart. I'd keep the spare dollar.

Ooo, love things like this  my $15 would get spread like...

Zelda ($5) - haven't really talked about what I want exactly from the next Zelda at this point, but I think an open world a quarter the size of the land of Hyrule with a much heavier emphasis on setting, mechanics, traditional dungeons, and characters would be the way I'd go. While BOTW and TOTK both drew heavily from Princess Mononoke, I'd want something closer to the film's scale: a major hub town, a couple of smaller settlements maybe, dungeons and battles spotted about with forest and desert, but in a much more focused area to really saturate the goodness. I feel like shorter distances between points of interest tied with the mechanical ideas of BOTW/TOTK would allow for an interconnectivity between different locations that neither of those games ultimately offered. I'd want to feel like I'm having an impact, too, after the lack of that feeling going from BOTW to TOTK. Oh, and more prominent music, for sure. 

Donkey Kong ($4) - I don't know why but I just think there's so much that you can do with a 3D DK that modern Nintendo hasn't even attempted and which I'd love to see come to fruition. Fills the 3D platformer idea for me. 

Star Fox ($3) - do something - ANYTHING - new and interesting with the IP. Having not played any of them myself for any serious length of time, most Star Fox games look the same to me from the outside looking in, and I think it's just an IP ripe with so much potential both in and outside of gaming (rides, animated shows, etc.). Galaxy-wide lite-RPG with an upgradeable ship, ground and flight missions, maybe a lite-strategy mode for some easier large scale space warfare which you can hop into at a moment's notice. 

F-Zero ($2) - technical showpiece and Mario Kart stand-in while we're building up the install base. 

Rhythm Heaven ($1) - a quirky little rhythm game to give off the impression that Nintendo could revive any other smaller IP at a moment's notice...but then don't. Give them hope and not the reward, that's the genius of it 

Edited May 14 by Julius

[S.C.G]

4 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said:

I'd go with Zelda (only if it's classic style and not in the style of BOTW/TOTK), Xenoblade, Punch-Out and Mario Kart. I'd keep the spare dollar.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate + ($5) - The plus is the DLC characters plus all spirits from time-limited events unlocked in the main game, plus a brand new "Ready, Terry, Go!" mode... it's basically Terry from Fatal Fury VS anything that moves, and he starts off at full power. (Are you OK?-BUSTA WALF! POWA GUYZA!) *throws hat away* "OK!"

Mario Kart ∞ ($5) - I mean... I've been saying it for years already, just take the "8" and turn it on its side, Mario Kart Infinite... it has everything from MK8DX including all DLC tracks, except... Baby Rosalina is swapped out for Poochy, and Coconuts Mall is swapped out for a brand new track... Airship Fortress from Mario Kart DS... perfection!

Metroid ($4) - I'm a simple man, give me a choice of Metroid and four other franchises which don't mean that much to me, and I'm going to pick Metroid, because Samus always wins.

Pilotwings ($1) - It's the perfect launch title, and I'd buy that for a dollar, one pound, or just include it with the console, heck... pre-install it on every machine and make a physical version for those who want it, but you can only buy it once you've bought a Switch 2, registered your Nintendo Network ID, liked the game, registered your interest, and then ask @Julius for an assist so that you can purchase it on the Nintendo Store, for a limited time. It'll come with a physical game, Pilotwings plane diorama featuring Wuhu island, a hidden Baby Face for @RedShell and an account-based achievements system for @Hero-of-Time but only for the physical version, and only for this one game, because Nintendo.

 

[bob]

I'd go for: 

 

Pokémon Beige (£5) - The latest and greatest Pokémon game, with all existing Pokémon all here on the Switch 2! Plus 115 brand new Pokémon! Set in the Pokémon version of North Korea, your have to battle your way up to defeating the Elite 4 (Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Il, Kim Il Sung, and Gary).

Pokémon Taupe (£5) - The exact same game again! But this one has 4 Pokémon that you cannot get in Beige! 

And finally, Pokémon Chartreuse (£5) - This one has Pikachu. With a new hat.

 

[Jonnas]

15 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said:

 

This looks like a fun game

5€ for Smash Bros. But not any Smash Bros, I want to see a new concept. Like, retool the roster to make it Nintendo vs. Sega, or something like that.

4€ for Metroid. Gimme some more 2D Metroid, baby!

3€ for Starfox. Throw the fans a bone. Or maybe do a spin-off like Adventures, but really good this time.

2€ for F-Zero. Whether it's a remaster, compilation, or brand new thing, I want to more of that!

 1€ for Rhythm Heaven. Why waste time with 1-2 Switches, when this could be the perfect mini-game compilation?

And because I assume the rest of the franchises are free, add Golden Sun and Mole Mania into the mix for a truly winning launch

Edited May 15 by Jonnas

[drahkon]

15 hours ago, Hero-of-Time said:

I'll just buy a case of beer, thanks

Edited May 15 by drahkon

[darksnowman]

Launch with: Mario (fleshing out the Bowser's Fury blueprint without the slumbering boss in the middle).
Few months later: Mario Kart (not open-world. Bring back missions. Run periodic events or something at a similar rate to Tetris 99 to go easy on the FOMO. No micro-transactions).
Later in the first year: Mario Maker 3.

Don't front-load it. Spread the rest out over the next nine years. Quality, not quantity. 

[Hero-of-Time]

 

 

[Ike]

Square Enjx is doing a DQIII 2D-HD panel at TGS on the 29th with Yuji Horii so something will probably be announced then. 

[Julius]

12 minutes ago, Hero-of-Time said:

 

 

Think this is the first time we've had anyone in the industry talk about whispers going around for something in September beyond mere speculation? So colour me curious. 

I want something left field which is going to drive people up the wall. Partner Showcase for the Switch 2 with absolutely no Nintendo first-party, anyone? 

4 minutes ago, Ike said:

Square Enjx is doing a DQIII 2D-HD panel at TGS on the 29th with Yuji Horii so something will probably be announced then. 

Ah yes, just in time to announce Dragon Questier III HDer-2Dest S: Definitivive Edition being in the works for Switch 2 

[Helmsly]

 

[BowserBasher]

If you say something enough, one day you’ll be right. 
Like I heard from my dogs best buddy that Nintendo will release on the Switch 2’s release date. lol and he works at Nintendo so it must be true. 
 

Who or what are the industry whispers? And isn’t that like Chinese whispers where by the end of the line of people it’s gone from “The big dog next door is very cuddly” to “Jet propelled bodies make lots of bubbles”

Ill just wait for Mr Nintendo to tell us. 

[Hero-of-Time]

20 minutes ago, BowserBasher said:

If you say something enough, one day you’ll be right. 
Like I heard from my dogs best buddy that Nintendo will release on the Switch 2’s release date. lol and he works at Nintendo so it must be true. 
 

Who or what are the industry whispers? And isn’t that like Chinese whispers where by the end of the line of people it’s gone from “The big dog next door is very cuddly” to “Jet propelled bodies make lots of bubbles”

Ill just wait for Mr Nintendo to tell us. 

I think it's a few things just coming together. Rumours last month were circulating that Directs were hitting sooner than anticipated due to Nintendo speeding up the announcement of the Switch 2. Lo and behold 2 Directs were merged and aired.

You then have evidence that production is starting and this is when things tend to leak from production lines. Nintendo no doubt want to announce things on their terms without any leaks and the best way to do that is to get that message out early.

Earlier the better for me. I was fed up with all the rumours and speculation about the Switch Pro/successor and that was years ago. This announcement has been years in the making.

If Nintendo are planning on a Sept reveal, I wonder if TGS has anything to do with it? That happens at the end of the month and you have to imagine there are a lot of Japanese developers who are probably eager to talk about their Switch 2 projects.

On the flipside, revealing the Switch 2 this side of Christmas completely sweeps the legs away on the original model for the holiday season. I suppose they could give it a price drop and do some silly numbers during that peroid.

Edited 8 hours ago by Hero-of-Time

[killthenet]

I think that tweet about the manufacturer having such a big expenditure this quarter is the biggest indication that a reveal isn't too far away. As @Hero-of-Time mentioned Nintendo will want to get ahead of any leaks and once a product is in production it's hard to contain it - Sony fell foul of that again this week with the PS5 Pro design making the rounds on Twitter. 

I'll be pretty happy to finally see something, whenever we do get to see it, speculation and uncertainty is fun for a while but this thing has been talked about so much it's getting pretty tired. It's time to see some games!

[Dcubed]

If Switch 2 is indeed coming out in March 2025? This month is basically the last chance of any sort of announcement.

I'm personally not betting on it.  Timeframe is still too tight in my mind.  I'm betting on it coming out no sooner than July 2025 now (and more likely November 2025), making a January 2025 reveal the most likely timeframe for me.

As fed up as I am with the current Switch hardware and as desperate as I am to finally see Nintendo move onto something fresh, new and exciting? I can't see the announcement and release happening this year at this point.  And yes, I do think Nintendo have made a big mistake with waiting far too long to replace the current console, with ramifications that will be paid by sluggish launch sales; owing to allowing the Switch brand to lose valuable mindshare as it splutters and peters out.  The transition won't be a Wii-Wii U level disaster, but Switch 2 will struggle out of the gate I reckon.  They've allowed the iron to go cold, just so they can chase that stupid PS2 hardware sales record and stroke their own egos; a foolish mistake that will cost them.

Edited 7 hours ago by Dcubed

[Hero-of-Time]

5 minutes ago, Dcubed said:

It won't be a Wii-Wii U level disaster, but Switch 2 will struggle out of the gate I reckon.

Really? I can see it doing stupid numbers. People are dying for new Nintendo hardware, the Nintendo brand popularity is probably the highest it has ever been for the end of a console gen and Nintendo themselves have had more than enough time to get launch software ready. 

[Eddage]

3 hours ago, Dcubed said:

If Switch 2 is indeed coming out in March 2025? This month is basically the last chance of any sort of announcement.

I'm personally not betting on it.  Timeframe is still too tight in my mind.  I'm betting on it coming out no sooner than July 2025 now (and more likely November 2025), making a January 2025 reveal the most likely timeframe for me.

The Switch was revealed in October 2016 and launched March 2017, there was less than 5 months between reveal and launch. 

A reveal this month and release in March is clearly possible. Not saying it will happen but the past has proven it’s not a timeframe that’s “too tight”. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Eddage

[Julius]

2 minutes ago, Eddage said:

The Switch was revealed in October 2016 and launched March 2017, there was less than 5 months between reveal and launch. 

A reveal this month and release in March is clearly possible. Not saying it will happen but the past has proven it’s not a timeframe that’s “too tight”. 

Hell, I'd argue if not for potential production line and assembly leaks, they could announce the Switch 2 in January and launch in March. Hell, you want an extra month, you could even turn up in December at The Game Awards if you wanted to follow in the footsteps of *checks notes* the Xbox Series X. 

But seriously, I'm not kidding, and I've said this before – what exactly is there to advertise and message differently this time around? The concept is bulletproof, it's Nintendo so there could be something else to message which we haven't seen or heard of up to this point, but ultimately they've knuckled down as a business so hard over the course of this generation that while, yes, they still do very Nintendo-like weird ass things, they're typically run like a much more well thought out business than they used to be.

And yes, I'm saying that current Nintendo probably wouldn't come up with the Switch in the first place, but with it already existing? They'll juice it up and iterate, anything and anyone which gets in the way of messaging that this is simply a more powerful Switch capable of playing more demanding games needs to be thrown into a cannon and fired far, far away from Nintendo HQ. 

Show us the games, show us the juice and the sauce, there shouldn't be much else to show. Oh, and don't mess up the name this time around. 

4 hours ago, Dcubed said:

The transition won't be a Wii-Wii U level disaster, but Switch 2 will struggle out of the gate I reckon.  They've allowed the iron to go cold, just so they can chase that stupid PS2 hardware sales record and stroke their own egos; a foolish mistake that will cost them.

Struggle out of the gate by your definition, or by Nintendo's and the rest of the industry's? 

I jest, but so long as Nintendo don't take a double barreled shotgun to their own feet and face, this thing is a pretty nailed on success which will almost guaranteed eclipse the Switch's launch, which I don't really think is a big ask – it will sell out just like the Switch did, and there will simply be more Switch 2 units manufactured for the launch of this thing if only to say that it did better than the Switch at launch. Standard stuff, PlayStation and Xbox would've done the same with the PS5 and Series X|S, respectively, if not got COVID and the parts shortage when they both launched at the end of 2020. 

I really disagree on them letting the iron go cold to chase the PS2 sales record and am surprised you'd suggest that's what they're doing – there is very little about Nintendo today or for as long as I can remember which would suggest that they have any interest in breaking a record like that. PlayStation or Xbox? 1000% they'd chase it, and they'd probably never shut up about it either. Nintendo flexes their ego in a lot of ways - like Switch Online basically coasting by on legacy titles despite offering a subpar (to put it lightly) online experience in a good number of games - but this just doesn't seem like their sort of fight to me. I think the closest we'd see to them chasing the record would be a Switch price cut, but that's been long overdue by virtually every metric for the last 3+ years anyways, yet they've kept getting away with not doing that very thing. 

I seriously think that the wait now is down to them curating and perfecting their launch year plans to ensure that everything is in place for this thing to hit the ground running, both with first-party games and third-party titles. I think first-party games will still be treated as the tentpole releases that they rightly are for Nintendo, but after the explosive success of the Switch how many third-party games from the last gen are lining up at the door to be there in that first year, and who at Nintendo's third-party relations is now needing to help manage and curate things so that Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate III aren't too close to each other or a first-party game, or a port of GTA V or Red Dead Redemption II?

This time around it's just not going to be a case of Wii U ports and Indies propping up those first-party releases, but third parties are going to be doing some serious heavy lifting I feel. My goodness - Capcom can port the REmakes from last gen and potentially Monster Hunter World, you've got Bandai Namco sitting on Elden Ring but also the entire Dark Souls trilogy (as only the first game came to Switch), you've got them being friendly with Xbox still and so games like Fallout and the like aren't off the table, Square Enix no doubt want to do something with the Final Fantasy titles not already on the Switch, and it just goes on and on. Honestly, the more I type this out, the more I'm a little concerned about how indies are going to fare the first year or two when the Switch 2's catalogue could be getting swamped with the best third-party offerings of last gen. 

I agree with @Hero-of-Time, and think both of his points connect nicely: I am so sick and tired of Switch Pro-turned-2 rumours over the last 4 or 5 years that I just want to see a couple of games and I'm in, which I think is the case for many of the more hardcore who keep tabs on the industry like we do here, but I also think that the gap in tech that the lack of a Switch Pro allowed for is going to see this huge jump in performance and presentation with Nintendo's own first-party titles and also an incredible expansion in the games offered going from the Switch to Switch 2, and when combined I think these two factors alone make this a far easier sell than the PS5 or Series X|S were at their respective launches due to the mid-gen refreshes we saw with the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. 

Again, this is all trusting that Nintendo don't shoot themselves in the feet and the face and call the damn thing the Swiitch or Switch U. And goodness knows they've had a habit of doing that in the past, but surely not this time...

...right?