2016 has come and past, and now we are only a couple weeks away from entering 2017, and the year of the Nintendo Switch. There were a mix of positive and negative experiences for Nintendo this year, ranging from the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition to the announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild being delayed into 2017. Speaking of 2017, what kind of things would we like to see in Nintendo’s world, especially with the impending Nintendo Switch release? (Editor’s Note: If there is something you would like to see that we missed, make sure to drop a comment below!)
Regarding the Nintendo Switch, it feels like we know next to nothing about what this console will turn out to be, and we are only three months until it’s official release. There have been a lot of rumors circulating the web, one of them being the reveal of two separate SKUs, similarly from what Nintendo did with the Nintendo Wii U. We don’t know much information regarding what the two different SKU’s will contain, but I hope that it doesn’t hinder the consumer, should they choose one over the other. One of the issues with the Nintendo Wii U’s launch was the 8GB Basic Nintendo Wii U, which offers next to nothing regarding free space after downloading the day-one update. What I would like to see is Nintendo push out two different SKU’s for the same system, but instead, have one SKU include a variety of gaming accessories and a free game. This way, you aren’t alienating your consumers from experiencing everything that the console has to offer.
While we are on the topic of the Nintendo Switch, let’s talk about its accessories. Specifically, the Joy-Con controller shipping alongside the unit. I’d love to see each Nintendo Switch attachment have a Bluetooth component to it; Letting consumers connect their devices to a variety of devices, such as your PC or mobile device. It would be a great little feature, especially with Nintendo expanding on their product lineup by offering up mobile games like Pokemon GO and Super Mario Run.
We don’t want Nintendo losing focus on the Nintendo 3DS. There has been a vast assortment of titles released on their handheld platform, including Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, released just recently and we don’t want the releases to slow down on their handheld. The Nintendo 3DS has had an excellent reputation, despite the shaky launch back in 2011. The handheld is backed by great first-party experiences, and a great mix of third-party titles to make the system more valuable for the average consumer.
Regarding software, there is a bit we would like to see come to the Nintendo Switch console. Before I go into specifics, though, I would like to address The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I played it at E3, and I have watched every single trailer to this date, but I don’t want to see more. One of the biggest problems with Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon is that all of the hidden gems and secrets were revealed before their official release date. I feel like Nintendo has been showing off enough of Breath of the Wild, to the point where I fear that telling more may destroy the end experience. For example, I ran into the Pokemon Trainers Red and Blue during the end of my Pokemon Sun & Pokemon Moon review, which would have given me such a nostalgic shock, have I known they weren’t already in the games. A lot of people could tell me not to watch the trailers, but working as a games journalist, that would be rather difficult.
Now, let’s talk about the software we want to see revealed during the Nintendo Switch event. Rumors have been pointing towards a new Super Mario 3D adventure, as well as a sequel to Splatoon. If you were to ask me, bringing a new Mario adventure, Splatoon, and The Legend of Zelda to a new platform, at least within its first six months, is good enough for me when it comes to first-party support. The biggest thing for Nintendo is to restore the third-party support that they lost with the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii U. Now, we all saw the Nintendo Switch trailer when several games, including The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, was shown being played on the new platform. While it is very dated software, especially for the current era of Video Games, it’s support like this that gets me excited for the Switch’s future. Getting these AAA publishers to develop for the Nintendo Switch could prove to be dangerous for other competitors like Microsoft and Sony, as Nintendo provides great AAA experience on a mobile level. Let’s see Activision’s titles like Skylanders, Call of Duty, and perhaps even Destiny come to the Nintendo Switch. How about Bethesda’s full lineup like Prey, Dishonored, and Fallout 4? It’s games like these that would bring Nintendo back into the core gaming arena.
Backward compatibility has always been a strength for Nintendo, with lots of flexibility coming to Nintendo’s platforms in the form of physical or digital distribution. As a Wii U consumer, I’ve purchased a variety of games digitally, including titles from Nintendo’s ever expanding list of Virtual Console titles. When the official reveal lifts on January 12th, I’d like to see Nintendo address the compatibility support for the Nintendo Switch and include support for all of the titles I’ve already purchased, at least digitally. Other support should include the ability to utilize the Gamecube Controller Adapter for Wii U, in games other than Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, to allow support for other classic Nintendo titles.
The only other piece I have to talk about is the Nintendo Wii U. Nintendo, I know your only announced title is coming to the platform is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but can I suggest something? Either bring the full experience of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, or drop the game on the Nintendo Wii U altogether. One of the biggest issues with multi-platform titles, especially games that run on current and previous generation hardware, is that the latter usually has features stripped, such as Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. No one wants a half-assed experience, especially with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and if the game is too ambitious to be fully supported on the Nintendo Wii U, I’d prefer it only saw the light of day on the Nintendo Switch. I realize that is an unpopular opinion for people, but either way, there would be complaints. You just have to weigh out the negatives. Release the game with features stripped or cancel the game outright?
Admittingly, there were a lot of things I discussed in my last article that didn’t necessarily happen, like the Nintendo Switch’s release date being announced for 2017 (I regrettably owe someone a brand new console in March, thanks to a bet.). I’d like to believe that Nintendo is developing the Nintendo Switch to be a center gaming hub for Nintendo platforms, by integrating communication between mobile games, Nintendo 3DS titles and more into one platform. Perhaps we will hear about a feature like this next month when Nintendo spills the beans on the details, but that is just a theory.
