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In no particular order.

1.) The hybrid concept brought Nintendo's strengths together (finally their top end AAA "big boy" console games ... but in a format that allowed for portability, as Nintendo portables have outsold their console counterparts for a while now). It also completely bypassed the whole problem of "yeah but what is the new controller gimmick?". The hybrid concept through functionality finally put solid ground under Nintendo. Switch is something every gamer could understand and see the value in while adequately differentiating the hardware from the Playstation and XBox. Like the concept just works and it doesn't require Nintendo to keep thinking about upending the table every few years. The other thing is Sony/MS can't just as easily copy it, as stated, it's not that hard to rip off motion controls for example (kinda amazing they took as long as they did on PS3/360), but the hybrid concept would require an entirely different hardware line ... not so easy to copy that. 

2.) Better marketing ... more aimed at adults. Better hardware design, it doesn't look like a toy, it looks "cool". And yeah this does matter, it didn't help the Wii U that the tablet looked like a Fisher Price "baby's first tablet", the Switch on the other hand looks like something Batman would use. The multi colored Joycons still allowed for some fun and color if you wanted it but Nintendo wisely chose to market the black/grey model as the lead model and still today the Switch OLED is a slick looking black/white combo. This is really I think the first generation where Nintendo's market feels as professional and mature as anything else Sony or MS do, the marketing just doesn't have that usual "Nintendo derp" and that's refreshing. 

3.) Maturation of Nintendo's fan base ... people who grew up with the NES/SNES/N64 are in their 30s/40s now with families of their own, even kids that grew up with a GameCube or Wii are now adults. When you stack multiple successive generations on top of each other like that, eventually you gain a massive base following so you're not at the mercy on just "well these are the kids of 2018, have to win them over starting from scratch". The rise of Nintendo's business shifting towards adults is a big factor, they have a reliable base that isn't going anywhere, that is over 18 with their own disposable income.

4.) Strong launch titles ... Zelda: BOTW, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2 in the first 6 months of launch set the system up and then Mario Odyssey for the first holiday just gave the system momentum, Nintendo should aim to do the same with Switch 2. Switch had positive momentum practically from day 1 because of Zelda: BOTW and no post launch lull because of Mario Kart and Splatoon 2. And really ever since then it's been on cruise control. Working hard for the launch is more work sure, but in the big picture it's actually saving you a ton of headaches later on ... so my feeling is why try to do it any other way. Over deliver on launch, it will save you a lot of work and hassle later on, it's the difference between walking uphill vs. walking downhill, it's just so much easier. 

5.) COVID lockdowns were just a particularly fortuitous timing for Nintendo. It happened right as the Switch was in its mid-cycle strength, so it got a big boost from that. The biggest global disruption since World War II. Not only that, Nintendo had Animal Crossing ready for launch right as widespread global lockdowns were happening which was another lucky break. You couldn't really have timed it any better. 

Last edited by Soundwave - on 30 April 2023