Games Inbox: Does the Nintendo Switch 2 have enough good games?

The Thursday letters page still has a very mixed opinion about the recent Nintendo Direct, as a reader feels sorry for the head of Xbox.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The wrong games
I’m not surprised to see the mixed reaction the Nintendo Direct, including from GC, as personally I thought it was a very weak one. On paper there was lots of games, but very few from Nintendo themselves and almost no surprises. Personally, I’d say that Fire Emblem, Xenoblade, Splatoon, and Wii Sports were amongst the least interesting Nintendo franchises, even if they’re probably a lot more popular in Japan.

The problem, as has been said, that there’s nothing else to go with them. Usually you’d get those games and something more mainstream, now you’re just getting them. Whether Nintendo thinks its made a mistake or not is a question I doubt we’ll ever get answered but they certainly don’t seem to be in a hurry to change their approach.

But, and this is something GC picked up, it’s the poor staging of the Direct that surprised me. Opening with Rhythm Paradise Groove was a terrible idea and so was only showing five seconds of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time.

With the price rise coming up I think there’s a real question as to whether the Switch 2 has enough good games to justify the purchase, especially when you’re talking about Nintendo games, and despite all the games at the Direct I don’t think any of them are most people’s idea of a system seller.
Zeiss

Fair summary
Quite a range of opinions on the latest Nintendo Direct. I think if you only own a Switch 2 it was probably a pretty exciting show, but if you thought that such a lengthy Direct would see a strong focus on first party games then it’s hard to see it as anything other than a mild disappointment.

Ports, remasters, more ports, Wii Sports… Splatoon Raiders looked like it should be fun, and I’m sure some people will be buzzing at the announcement of a new Xenoblade game (my backlog in that particular series already stretches back to the Wii).

The Zelda: Ocarina Of Time tease was disappointingly short, but I suppose from Nintendo’s point of view that’s just the initial announcement. Overall, I thought it was jam-packed with content but not a huge amount that I’m really interested in. In contrast, the PlayStation and Xbox shows had fewer games but did a better job of showing off their big hitters in my opinion.
Magnumstache

Impossible mission
I’m sure she’s being paid a ridiculous salary but I still kind of feel sorry for the boss of Xbox. Talk about being handed a poisoned chalice. I don’t how on earth she’s supposed to turn around Xbox considering not only is it practically dead as a hardware business, but the entire console business is in danger of extinction – as she seems to realise.

We all said Phil Spencer should’ve gone years ago and the situation Xbox is in at the moment shows exactly why. All he was doing was digging a deeper hole and now someone else has got to find a way out and it may be impossible. It’s grim times, given how many companies Xbox owns.
Korbie

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Direct your anger
I thought that was one of the worst and embarrassing Nintendo Directs for a long time. There are lots of people saying that it was jam-packed and very varied and had something for everyone. But if you think about the context, it’s the big summer one, there’s about to be a massive price increase, there hasn’t been any really big first party announcements for a very long time, and not many at all for the Switch 2; it was awful.

The majority of announcements were ports or games for very young children. It’s a slight joke there has yet to be a new 3D Mario or a new Metroid and slightly ridiculous that the new Zelda is a remake of an old game. For me personally, there was nothing that was exciting and it seemed like half the games had already been announced in the PlayStation State of Play or Summer Game Fest.

It was particularly telling that it started off with a rhythm game and then proceeded to spend a disproportionate amount of time on that. And then it seemingly didn’t get any better.

I was really looking forward to it. I came away actually quite angry, which I know sounds very irrational.
John

Consumer doubt
I don’t know who Microsoft is trying to fool with this Gears Of War: E-Day exclusivity. They’re caught uploading a video with the PlayStation 5 version in it and then they pretend they never intended to make it. Whatever.

We’re all used to Xbox being economical with the truth, but this latest nonsense just makes them look incompetent. Especially the bit about people buying an Xbox console to play Gears Of War. People haven’t cared about the franchise for 15 years and I don’t think remaking the same game again, except this time they’re in civvies, is going to push anyone over the edge.
Boz

Regular releases
Got to say, I personally felt the Nintendo Direct was a bit of a disappointment. I do think however, that it’s not entirely clear cut as to whether or not Nintendo are dropping the ball at the moment.

On the one hand, whilst people lament the lack of triple-A exclusives that really showcase the Switch 2, Nintendo will still by the end of 2026 have released Pokémon Pokopia, Yoshi And The Mysterious Book, Nintendo Switch Sport Resort, a new Fire Emblem game, a new Splatoon game, and a remake of a beloved Zelda game. A new exclusive every two months on average isn’t bad output.

However, let’s face it, what people really want is a new mainline 3D Mario or Zelda game. The issue is that games take so long to make these days that we might only get one mainline Mario and Zelda game every decade. Surely, though, a Mario 3D must be well underway by this point, given it’s nearly nine years since Super Mario Odyssey?

Normally I’m not a fan of companies making an announcement years before release date (I’m looking at you The Elder Scrolls 6). However, given the recent scrutiny perhaps some kind of announcement even just a very brief teaser might’ve resulted in some good will.

I think for me the most disappointing part of the direct was the Zelda:Ocarina of time reveal. Despite being a teenager when released I’ve never played the original but Breath of the Wild is my favourite game of all time and I’m really keen to play earlier Zelda games. The reveal though was so lacklustre. I’d really hoped some gamplay would be shown even if only a few seconds.

I do think some of the issues Nintendo are having at the moment are overblown. You only have to look at companies like Rockstar, Naughty Dog, and CD Projekt Red to see how long the gaps between major releases are. The trouble is Nintendo no longer have as much scope to rely on plugging the gaps with re-releases and remasters like they did with the original Switch and need to come up with ideas for new or existing franchises that aren’t their more established IP.

As a Switch 2 owner I’m satisfied so far, but I do play most third party games on the Switch 2, as I’m happy to make accommodations to play games in handheld mode. So I recognise that some Switch 2 owners are understandably a bit more negative.
matc7884

Not-so-super bros.
I always try to keep letters as concise as possible. No need to ramble on and over analyse everything.

As I said previously, there’s never been a better time to be a gamer but, blimey, that was a poor show from Mr Nintendo. Load of guff, bro’!
Paul C.

Nintendo Fest
A bit late to the party, but I thought it was a good, not great, Nintendo Direct. I liked Star Fox getting a demo, as I’ve never played the original and the graphics look great but it’s been a long time since I’ve played an on-rails shooter, so I’m not sure if I’d get on with it.

Happy the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake rumour was true but, like many, I would’ve liked to see some actual gameplay of it, especially with it releasing this year.

The thing that impressed me most was the number of impressive looking ports of current gen games. Kingdom Hearts 4 on release day, Lies Of P, Lords Of The Fallen 2, and Devil May Cry 5 (a PlayStation 4 game but a very good looking one) all looked visually impressive, even if they’re not the sort of games I go to.

These and Resident Evil Requiem, 007 First Light, and Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight (when the latter two are released), suggest the Switch 2 is capable of delivering high-end current gen games.

My hope is that other developers take note because I was concerned how few games from Summer Game Fest, the PlayStation State of Play, and Xbox Showcase seemed to be coming to Switch 2. Maybe I’m misremembering, but Star Wars Zero Company sticks out as one that lacked a Switch 2 release, which was surprising because it doesn’t look that demanding (although I’m not a developer, so maybe it is) and I’d imagine the audience is there for it on Switch 2.
J-Sco

GC: It’s a shame because mouse controls would likely suit it well, but that game has been in development for a long time – long before the Switch 2 was announced – and the team probably wasn’t big enough to work on that as well.

Inbox also-rans
As a follow up to my letter – I mean in gaming terms they are doing poorly. Business is obviously booming for Nintendo.
Simon

I have to admit, the idea of playing Resident Evil 4 remake on the go has me very tempted to double dip on Switch 2.
Cleng

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Was the summer Nintendo Direct a disappointment?

MORE: Games Inbox: What will be in the Nintendo Direct today?

MORE: Games Inbox: Why is Gears Of War: E-Day not on PS5?

Comments


Add as preferred source