Fair enough, but I don't think my comment was very bleak/exaggerated at all. I basically just listed the confirmed and possible negative news that we've seen in January thus far. I even said this didn't affect most people, that Nintendo would probably ship more than 17M for the fiscal year, and that there are valid reasons for the moving of Mario Kart Tour. It just got interpreted as a Nintendoom comment or an overdramatic comment somehow when it really wasn't. I said I was a little depressed about the news, sure, but that's only because most of it was unexpected. I don't think I implied that any of this would have long lasting effects, or that this period of gloom would last long either, so it's about in-line with what you said when you mentioned that this is around the time a Nintendo Direct is needed. Either way, semantics, lol If you interpreted it that way that's fine, not really what I meant by it though.

Also, glad that the rumor is false. 

It can be frustrating, but I don't think it will actually affect overall lifetime sales. I kind of expected these to be the dates in which the games release, Yoshi in Late March and Fire Emblem in Late April/Early May. Hopefully Fire Emblem doesn't miss the date, haha. 

April/May for Fire Emblem would be good, I also really feel they should have Animal Crossing out for June/July, it's the perfect Summer game and I don't want them to squish it and Core Pokemon into the last 2 months of the year like they did with Smash/Let's Go in 2018.

I just feel like Nintendo's developing a bad habit of relying too much on Nov-Dec sales and not doing enough to maintain momentum during the first 10 months of the year.

That's an understandable sentiment, but it's hard to verify, so we don't really know if it's a trend. Remember: This wasn't the case in 2017, and it also wasn't supposed to be the case in 2018, where games like Fire Emblem and Yoshi were pushed back past their initial year of release. And I don't think it will be the case this year, since Yoshi should keep up momentum, and Fire Emblem - at least in Japan - should move units (as well as stuff like DQ11 and Yokai Watch 4). We could potentially see something like - Luigi's Mansion 3 (October) - Pokemon (November) - Animal Crossing (December). Which, I guess would be pretty top heavy. But something like - Animal Crossing (August/September) - Luigi's Mansion 3 (October) - Pokemon (November) is also realistic. The 2nd scenario is favorable to the first, I think. We also don't know how much or little Town matters in this discussion, I wouldn't bet on it just yet till we know more. And yeah, I think Animal Crossing would be a great Summer title. I've predicted that in the past but I don't really know where that one will land ... 

I think the more consistent and worse trend is the Mid December - Mid/Late March dry season. Although, it's somewhat softened for me because Smash lasted a long time, and well .. Tales of Vesperia is a fantastic game! 

Yeah the early year drought is a very annoying trend too. 

If Nintendo can get Animal Crossing out before October then this year will at least be more balanced than last. I forgot about DQ11 and Yokai, though I don't expect they'll have system selling power outside Japan.

Ironically, back on the Wii U where their overall management was awful they at least managed to put heavy hitters like Mario kart 8 and Splatoon in the first half of the year, ditto for BOTW in 2017. I just hope it doesn't become their new MO to piss away Jan-Oct on cruise control and only really try to push sales during the Christmas season.

So Nintendo posted these ads on their YouTube channel today.

If or when I become a father, I'm totally going to be that guy in the Breath of the Wild video, I actually do want name my daughter, Zelda! XD

Anyways, seems as though they are very much aware of which crowd the Switch is most popular with. 

Considering FFVII is in one of the ads, I can't help but wonder if we're close to an imminent launch of FFVII on the eShop. I'd like to think so

Oh my god ...

Final Fantasy 7 in a promotional Switch advertisement?

... CLOUD IN SMASH CONFIRMED!!! ...

Genesis 6 is live

https://www.twitch.tv/vgbootcamp - Ultimate
https://www.twitch.tv/vgbootcamp2 - Melee

Edit: Ultimate is really pulling in those views, 38k viewers.

This Direct drought is really starting to grate. It's approaching five months since the last general one. We have no release dates for any significant games at all beyond next month. We've still seen little or nothing of so many games; Bayonetta 3, Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Luigi's Mansion 3, etc. Plus there's gotta be a ton of 2019 games still to be revealed, both first and third party. There's so much they could show us to ease the wait. With nothing new to talk about it's just soooo fucking boring.

Nintendo Switch eShop Best-Sellers as of 2/2/2019

Highlights:

• WarGroove debuts at #2 in USA & #1 in UK
• Downwell debuts in the Top 15 in the UK
• Dragon Marked for Death debuts in the Top 15 in Japan
• Moero Chronicle Hyper debuts in the Top 10 in Japan
• Pikuniku cracks the Top 10 in the UK
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate & New Super Mario Bros. U DX remain in the Top 5 in every region