Dec 24, 2024
Oct 18,2024
Selling over 143 million units, the Nintendo Switch is easily one of the most successful consoles of all time. Whether you play handheld or mounted, it's a versatile console that continues to push the boundaries of entertainment.
Home to iconic franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon, the Switch is a portal to some of our favourite games of all time. And while the rumour mill is working overtime on all things 'Switch 2', now is the perfect time to reflect on the last seven years of gaming magic.
Without further ado, let's take a brief look at some of the iconic moments that defined this generation of handheld gaming. And while we're at it, let's manifest some features we hope will appear in its ambitious successor...
The launch title of all launch titles: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
As launches go, the Nintendo Switch played its best hand first with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breathe of the Wild. As the winner of virtually every industry award in 2017, the game was instrumental in building up the excitement and expectation of the console. Selling over 33 million copies and counting, it's safe to say it did just that – and more.
Exploring an open-world Hyrule was exciting, and innovative gameplay mechanics were ground-breaking. And even to this day, with the release of the sequel Tears of the Kingdom and spin-offs like Echoes of Wisdom, gamers still hold a grá for the title that kick-started this era of handheld gaming.
Tinkering with Nintendo Labo
Released in 2018, the Nintendo Labo was (and remains) one of the most exciting, ambitious and revolutionary accessories on the gaming shelf. It taught gamers elements of engineering and programming while tapping into the tactile mechanics that only the Switch console could provide.
Games kits could be manipulated and assembled to interact with content on screen. From a piano to a fishing rod, remote-controlled cars and motorbikes, Nintendo Labo pioneered immersive gaming and was well ahead of its time.
Subsequent kits explored virtual reality, robotics and computer programming, and many titles offered compatibility updates to allow gamers to apply their creations to games. With any luck, the future Switch 2 will have something equally inventive to test the creativity of a new generation of gaming inventors.
Coping with a pandemic through Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Selling over 45 million copies (and counting), Animal Crossing is one of the defining games of the Switch era. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, it gave the world a unique opportunity to stay in touch while staying apart.
Everything from birthday parties to graduation ceremonies, weddings and funerals were held in-game. People went mad on Twitter, looking for new connections and the best weekly Turnip prices. It seemed we were all united in our love of designing islands and our hatred of the pesky Tom Nook.
Unfortunately, a lack of updates to keep this magic going is perhaps one of Nintendo's missed opportunities. With any luck, the game will have a total reinvention on the Switch 2 – and, hopefully, enjoy a lifetime of updates and new content.
Easy multiplayer revolutionises classic couch co-op games
The Switch is thee party console of our generation. If you have family or friends over, getting everyone set up and playing together within minutes is very easy. The fact that joy-cons can be split up and handed out means you can have as many players involved in the action as possible.
The Switch reinvents classic multiplayer experiences. Everything from Overcooked and Rayman Legends to co-ops like Cuphead and It Takes Two are given a new lease of life. That's not to mention the endless array of Nintendo exclusives, like Pikin 4, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Super Mario Party, that many friends and family can wage war on.
Reviving old classics for a new age
One of the joys of the Switch is seeing old staples come back into the fray. And as the world enjoys a retro revival, Game Boy and 3DS-era heroes are returning fresher than ever.
Take the iconic Metroid Dread, for example. The game earned critical acclaim and is considered one of the best games of 2021. This success hopefully allows more of our favourite retro heroes from Nintendo's long lineage of consoles to make a surprise, polished comeback.
As well as remaking old titles, the Switch often pays the ultimate homage to retro classics. From Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster to Sonic Mania, the controls help recreate the nostalgia of these games like only a handheld console can.
Putting a twist on the iconic Pokémon series with Pokémon Legends: Arceus
One of the most precious Nintendo exclusives is, of course, Pokémon. And in the franchise's 28-year history, developers have changed very little about the classic collect/turn-based format. Why fix something that isn't broken, right?
Well, Pokémon Legends: Arceus well-and-truly flipped the script on what we've come to expect from Pikachu and friends. It was ambitious and experimental, introducing open-world exploration for fans to enjoy. And the risk paid off, as the new action-orientated gameplay injected new life and excitement into the franchise.
Mario. Mario. And more Mario
No article on the rise of the Nintendo Switch would be complete without mentioning the world's most famous plumber, Mario. Over the last seven years, there has been no shortage of his adventures (both new and old).
There are simply too many titles to mention, but some highlights include the fantastical Super Mario Odyssey, the hectic Super Mario Party, the addictive Mario Kart 8, and the truly innovative game-making Super Mario Maker. Then there's the 'wonderful' side-scrolling Super Mario Wonder, the charming Super Mario RPG, and the classic Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remaster. There's also new territory forged in the brand new debut of Princess Peach in her very own spin-off game, Princess Peach: Showtime!
And while the world eagerly waits for news of a new console, it seems Mario isn't finished with the Switch just yet. This year alone, we can look forward to Mario & Luigi: Brothership and Super Mario Party Jamboree, both releasing in the coming months.
When the Switch edges the competition on so many titles
Multiplatform releases mean you can play a particular game on a variety of consoles. While choice is an amazing thing for any consumer, it did pit the Nintendo Switch against arguably more powerful systems like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series.
And yet, some games are undeniably the most fun on Switch. From mythological roguelite Hades, visual novel series Ace Attorney, and platformers like Ori and the Blind Forest to the iconic sandbox Minecraft, the Switch offers new ways to enjoy popular gameplay like never before. Sometimes, the underdog comes out on top, again and again.
The end of the console wars? LEGO Horizon Adventures harks a new era
Along with multiplatform titles, the Switch is just beginning to enjoy first-party games – from other consoles. This can be seen in the upcoming LEGO Horizon Adventures, which one YouTube commenter summed up best: "A PlayStation character on a Nintendo console. What a time to be alive."
The game will see the PlayStation staple Aloy appear in her own game, bringing the Horizon universe to the Switch platform. This has created quite a buzz in the gaming world, as Sony and Nintendo have seemingly dropped their guard and allowed for some collaboration. Is this the end of the console wars? Could we see more PlayStation heroes on the mythical Switch 2? I sure hope so.
The Switch 2: What could we expect? And when?
The Switch is by no means finished. Along with countless multiplatform titles, there are also heavy hitters like Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD scheduled for release in 2025 and plenty more surprise annocunements in the coming months.
And yet, with no shortage of games on the horizon, the world is eagerly awaiting any crumb of information about its fabled successor, the Switch 2.
Nintendo fans: "Cmon give us Switch 2 news please!!"
— GoogalyBoyThe10th (@GoogalyB) October 9, 2024
Nintendo: pic.twitter.com/c3oEo1sGDZ
While a formal announcement of the Switch 2 could happen any day now, reports from outlets like Eurogamer say we shouldn't get our hopes up of a release until at least March/April 2025, which marks the end of the company's fiscal year.
On the bright side, this gives Switch lovers ample time to brainstorm what new features will set the successor apart. And, with luck, Nintendo might be listening. Some of my hopes include:
1. Backward compatibility: The fact that we can't play games we own on so many modern consoles is a contentious issue in gaming. With any luck, the Switch 2 will have a suitable port that allows gamers to play their back catalogue of current Switch games. And while we're at it, why not throw in a 3DS port, too? We can only hope.
2. OLED screen: The upgrade from the Nintendo Switch to OLED was seismic. A bigger, brighter, clearer screen breathed new life into every game you played. Let's hope the Switch 2 uses this kind of technology from the get-go and not as an optional upgrade.
Nintendo seemingly won't tease the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 with another image of a super creepy Mario hiding behind a curtain, former staff have said. https://t.co/wgmxLM5mv2 pic.twitter.com/pup9BURLgc
— IGN (@IGN) October 17, 2024
3. Refined party mechanics: One thing desperately missing from the Switch is party chat options. It would be lovely to see some sort of Discord integration so gamers don't have to go to extra lengths to chat with their buddies.
4. Innovation: Nintendo needs to keep pushing the boundaries on handheld gaming. With the Nintendo Labo in the rear mirror, I hope there are still ambitious developers who want to push some quirky, zany, and outrageous accessories onto us.
5. Great price: Nintendo loves to undercut console competitors with an attractive price. And if the Switch is anything to go by, there may be different 'lite versions' of the new Switch 2 to afford gamers of every budget a chance to buy it. A win-win for all.
