We regularly hear about Nintendo's third party software issues which are legit but maybe not as bad as people think. How about the first party problems? Switch started off extremely well with Zelda: BOW and Mario Kart 8, but I am starting to sense cracks in the upcoming lineup.
Keep in mind, I'm looking at this from a sales perspective (I'm on VGchartz after all). I know I'll buy a Switch and love many of these games, but to sell 100 million Switches they need outstanding first-party software. Wii know they can do it! Let me know if I missed anything.
ARMS - seems to be having a so-so launch, I don't expect this to do much. It is nice to see Nintendo try a new IP, though.
Splatoon 2 - looks fine. I can't figure out what makes this better than the first game, but Japan loves it, and I think it'll be interesting to see if this can do bigger numbers on Switch than Wii U. I'm not worried about it.
Mario Odyssey - I am worried about this one. Nintendo really should be going 2D with Mario, the proof is in the sales figures. I was giving Odyssey the benefit of the doubt because Nintendo made great strides in open world with Zelda, but I think the game might have serious issues with the cornball theme song and strange mix reality and fantasy. Nintendo needs Mario to perform, they have no other guaranteed hits until Pokemon.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - This will add some nice variety to the lineup, but we know this isn't a system seller.
Fire Emblem Warriors - Good for Japan, but not a system seller globally.
Metroid Prime 4 - this will add some needed variety to the lineup, but I'm concerned to hear it's not coming from Retro.
Pokemon - nice, it will ensure great sales for a while as long as they deliver.
This is where it gets risky - does anyone think MP4 or Pokemon will be out first half of 2018? If not, what will carry momentum through next year? I have little faith in the 2017 game lineup to do that job (Zelda and Mario Kart maybe, but they'll be a year old). Ironically, I think Skyrim and maybe Rocket League will do as much to save Switch in 2018 than anything Nintendo has scheduled.
