Nintendo always looks at how players interact with their games. Usually every generation changes things up a bit to try to offer a new gaming experience to seduce players to try out the new thing. Let's see how interaction has evolved over the generations:
NES: D-pad, 2 buttons
SNES: D-pad, 6 buttons
N64: Analog stick, 4 player ports
GameCube: Second analog stick(C-stick), GBA Link
Wii: Pointer controls
Wii U: Wii U pad, Asymmetric play
Switch: Joycons (also linkable to Lite)
Gameboy: D-pad, 2 buttons (same for Color, so same gen for Nintendo)
GBA: D-pad, 4 buttons
DS: D-pad, Touch controls.
2/3DS: Circle pad.
Nintendo refers to the 'Switch2' as a new generation, therefore I expect them to have something new when it comes to interacting with their games. Now this does not mean I believe they are going to trow away the Switch Hybrid concept, but they are going to add something that the Switch cannot do or cannot do well.
So I have a theory.
Twice we have seen Nintendo introduce asymmetric play. With the GBA linkcable for the GameCube (e.g. Four Swords Adventures) and with the WII U pad (e.g. Nintendo Land). Both where commercially not successful. But I believe that does not mean Nintendo is not going to try again. I think Nintendo believes in the concept, just that the execution was wrong. So they are going to give it another try.
I believe the Switch2 will enable asymmetric play using other screens that you already have. Like other Switches (including Switch1 that is widespread now), but also other mobile devices like tablets and phones. You could say Everybody's 1-2 Switch was kind of a try out for that.
You can also use these other devices as a second screen. So e.g. imagine using a gen1 Switch lite as a controller, having the Switch2 docked to the TV. Launch games to utilize these features could be Nintendo land2. Ports/Remakes of games like Four Swords Adventures, Zombie Wii U and all kind of new party games could be made.
Additionally a simple $99 controller with a small screen could be bought separately, for people that don't want to give their tablets/phones to their kids or have no other switch devices around. This controller could even be a pack-in for Nintendo Land2.
What do you think? Or what other 'Gimmick' might the Switch2 have, or perhaps none at all?
Last edited by Tober - on 20 February 2024
