Nintendo announced on the 11th of June, just four days after the official release date of the 5th of June, that it has sold over 3.5 million Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. This is purportedly the highest four-day sales figure for any Nintendo hardware. This new release features upgrades to its screen, new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers, and an upgraded graphics processor. All of this was achieved despite the controversies surrounding the console.
Price and Associated Costs
The price of the Nintendo Switch 2 increased from the original Nintendo Switch price of $299 USD to $499.99 USD. However, that’s not the only price hike Nintendo gamers will be facing, with many games also increasing in price. Many gamers will also be forced to make a decision between buying the Switch 2 or another piece of hardware due to the simultaneous release of the Nvidia 5060 and AMD 9060. Some gamers are prioritizing these upgrades over the Switch 2. Switch 2 gamers are also facing yet another hit to their back pocket, as some are finding that many previous accessories may not be compatible with the new Switch due to physical changes to the console.
Planned Obsolescence
It also appears that the new Nintendo Switch 2 games are not going to be backward compatible with the original Switch, forcing those who enjoy playing the latest Nintendo games to purchase the Switch 2 or miss out. Unfortunately, Nintendo has not taken a leaf out of Steam’s book with their Steam Deck, which allows all games to be both backward and forward compatible thanks to Valves Proton compatibility layer.
Game-Key Card
Nintendo still faces controversy with its Game-Key Card system. Essentially, their games are not fully on the card itself, or at least require a download to be fully playable. This causes preservation issues for those who enjoy going through their old catalog of games. As the game is not actually in a fully operational state on the card, if, or more likely when, Nintendo decides to close its current version of the store or remove the game from its library, you will be left with no way to play your game.
Nintendo Can Brick Your Console
An update to the End User License Agreement means that Nintendo can essentially turn your console into an expensive paperweight if it decides that you have breached its license. This is something that we have not seen before and is a worrying trend for the future if manufacturers can simply brick your console.
Despite its impressive initial sales and hardware upgrades, faces significant hurdles. From the increased price point and accessory incompatibility to the lack of backward compatibility and the controversial Game-Key Card system, Nintendo is making decisions that could alienate a segment of its loyal fanbase. The most alarming development, however, is the updated End User License Agreement, which grants Nintendo unprecedented power to “brick” consoles. This move, if broadly adopted by other manufacturers, sets a worrying precedent for consumer ownership and digital rights. While the Switch 2’s technological advancements are noteworthy, the path Nintendo is forging raises critical questions about the future of gaming and the relationship between players and platform holders.