The Allure of Swap 2: A Breath of Fresh Perspective on Its Intriguing Design
How do you utilize a console that has delivered over 146 million units globally? This is the challenge Nintendo is striving to solve with the Switch 2.
The Switch has become the top-selling Nintendo home console of all time by a considerable margin, easily surpassing the 101 million lifetime sales of the Nintendo Wii.
If it surpasses the 154 million sales achieved by the Nintendo DS, it will likely solidify its position as the best-selling Nintendo console in history. That would represent a remarkable achievement for the Japanese company—and one might ponder if it could ever be exceeded.
However, regardless of whether the Switch ultimately takes that title, the hybrid console will forever be recognized as the system that demonstrated Nintendo still had the capability. Its predecessor, the Wii U, sold a paltry 13.56 million units throughout its lifetime.
This was a disappointing result following the Wii’s rapid rise and raised doubts about whether Nintendo had compromised its success by not sufficiently differentiating the Wii U from the Wii in consumers’ minds.
For better or worse, Nintendo is certainly not repeating that misstep this time around.
In its brief announcement trailer, Nintendo prominently placed a large ‘2’ next to the Switch logo and revealed that the new console is something familiar yet different.
Like a snake shedding its skin, the Switch 2 emerges as a more sophisticated version of its predecessor. A distinctly ‘new’ offering that still feels instantly recognizable. New buttons, smoother curves, additional ports, and redesigned Joy-Cons that some observers consider hint at a spark of creativity are the immediate distinguishing features, but these enhancements signify evolution rather than revolution.
It’s certainly just another Switch
Nintendo has a history of this sort. The company regularly launches updated versions of existing technology. The Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Wii Mini all come to mind. Where the Switch 2 differs is in how it may initiate a new hardware cycle.
For years, we have become accustomed to Nintendo kicking off a new era with whimsical, unpredictable innovation. Quirky experiences (and delightful first-party games to match) that cannot quite be compared to the bulky consoles released by Microsoft and Sony. This time, however, Nintendo is joining its rivals in opting for a safer approach; promising more of the same, but enhanced, and hoping that will be sufficient to replicate past success.
This is a logical path considering the company’s past misfortunes, yet it feels distinctly un-Nintendo. It is entirely possible that the Switch 2 is concealing a few new surprises. Some keen-eyed viewers speculate that the redesigned Joy-Cons might function as mouse-like controllers, offering new gameplay options. However, Nintendo is unlikely to reveal concrete technical specifications for another couple of months, so that remains hopeful conjecture.
Reinventing the wheel is overrated–just ask 12,000 years of wheels
Considering what we do know, the Switch 2 seems predominantly beige. The vibrant color schemes of the new Joy-Cons have been discarded in favor of a uniform grey. A larger display promises a bit more usable area, but it remains unclear whether Nintendo will adopt OLED as standard. A new ‘C’ button has generated numerous theories, but it is likely wise to temper expectations regarding how much innovation can be crammed into a single input.
The fact that there is so much speculation about so little indicates that the change is struggling to reconcile itself with the notion of a Nintendo that is determined (at least for now) to tone down its adventurous spirit in search of what it must believe are guaranteed returns.
A recent mystery worthy of the likes of Poirot
As we have already mentioned, the Switch sold like hotcakes. A significant part of that success was how Nintendo managed to hit an attractive price point and gently iterate with the Switch Lite and OLED models, encouraging multiple sales within the same household. If it can replicate this again, one could expect a similar reception.
Nintendo’s first-party catalog has also been exceptional over the years, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (an enhanced version of the Wii U release) having sold over 64 million units on the Switch alone. It is no surprise that Nintendo has seemingly chosen to tease a new installment in the franchise alongside the Switch 2. Franchises like Animal Crossing, Pokémon, Super Smash Bros., Super Mario, and The Legend of Zelda contributed significantly, selling staggering numbers over time.
Beyond that, it is also crucial to consider the console’s broader impact. If imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, then Nintendo must feel like the belle of the ball. A wide array of hardware companies and platform holders have attempted to replicate the design element of the Switch in the eight years since its launch. The Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and many others all promise some version of portable gaming in a Switch-like package. Even Microsoft is openly discussing the creation of a handheld—a notable first for the company.
Herein lies the reality of the post-Switch landscape. It cannot be overstated just how impactful Nintendo’s hybrid system has been since its debut in 2017. For the first time in decades, here is a device that truly changed how we played by dissolving the barriers between handheld and home consoles.
Will I be disappointed if the Switch 2 is completely devoid of whimsy? Yes, there will be pangs of regret, but I also trust Nintendo to innovate in other ways. This is the company that transformed The Legend of Zelda into a physics playground with Tears of the Kingdom, introduced a mechanic called ‘Mouthful Mode’ just to let Kirby consume a whole vehicle, and developed an alarm clock named ALARMO since, really, why not? Perhaps we shouldn’t lose hope just yet.