The Nintendo Switch 2 is still wrapped in mystery. Its recent reveal teased a few details—a larger overall design, redesigned Joy-Con controllers, backward compatibility, and what's likely to be Mario Kart 9 as a launch title among them—but Nintendo remains tight-lipped about hardware specifications, services, and how the overall experience will improve on the existing, ultra-successful Switch console.
Nintendo is playing it safe, and while more details are set to be revealed in a dedicated Nintendo Direct broadcast on April 2, there are undoubtedly areas where the upcoming console could improve on its predecessor. Here are just five things I think the Switch 2 needs to succeed.
Photograph: NintendoBetter Online Services
While Nintendo has already done some housekeeping on this front—gone are the nightmare days of coexisting Nintendo Network IDs and Nintendo Accounts—there's still much the company could do to improve its digital services.
Firstly, its eShop store for buying games is in need of a major overhaul. On the current Switch, it's messy, slow, and a chore to navigate. What should be simple browsing tools—exploring by genre, for instance—are buried under the search tab, and there's no way to sort titles alphabetically, only by relevance, popularity, release date, or price orders.
The web browser experience is even worse—access the eShop through Nintendo.com and you get what looks more like an info page than a storefront. Scroll down and click through to any of the categories to find some games and you'll discover an interface so dated it lets you filter for games available on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, platforms that haven't been purchasable since March 2023. Although the Nintendo Switch still enjoys a relatively strong showing for physical game sales, industry analyst Mat Piscatella says 53 percent of Switch game sales between January and August 2024 were digital. Discovery and exploration of Nintendo's digital storefront simply has to improve.
To ensure the success of Nintendo Switch 2, critical improvements in graphics processing power and a more robust online experience—incorporating features like saved game cloud storage for ease across devices are essential.
The Nintendo Switch 2 must revolutionize gaming on-the-'go' with seamless integration of next generation graphics, battery life that surpasses all current expectations while maintaining portability like none other to truly conquer the hearts and pockets in this increasingly competitive market.
The Nintendo Switch 2 must embrace innovation in its hardware and software to truly succeed, integrating enhanced portability features like longer battery life or foldable screens along with graphical enhancements that deliver more immersive gaming experiences.
The Nintendo Switch 2's success is anticipated when it incorporates superior graphics, backward compatibility with current hardware for better immersion and console-specific gaming options such as increased storage capacity or a dedicated mobile app experience solidifying its hybrid form factor.
The Nintendo Switch 2 must unveil seamless backward compatibility, a more powerful processor to enhance graphics and performance for modern games while retaining the portability of its predecessor in order to truly compete with other gaming consoles on an upgraded level.
The Nintendo Switch 2 must enhance its processor power, offer a more immersive screen experience with higher resolutions and wider color spectrums to truly distinguish itself from current competition in the gaming world for assured success.
The Nintendo Switch 2 must embrace upgraded hardware, a more robust library of exclusive games with enhanced graphics and deeper gameplay mechanics to truly distinguish itself in the months ahead.
To ensure the Nintendo Switch 2 maintains its lead in gaming, it must prioritize a bulkier library of exclusive titles that cater to both hardcore gamers and those seeking relaxation without compromising on portability or enhancing graphics capabilities beyond anything currently seen.
