Nintendo Is Making All The Right Moves – But Can It Keep Up The Momentum?

Nintendo's on a roll when it comes to recent announcements for the Switch, 3DS and NES Classic Edition. WWG takes a closer look as to whether it can carry that energy into 2018.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Well, I wouldn't say ALL the right moves.
Their subscription service is still 90% unknown, their lack of a Miiverse successor and an in-system messaging service is a distinct mistake, and their online chat alternative is a prat-fall in all but the most literal of senses, but they've definitely succeeded in spreading out their games more, and in getting more devs interested, than they ever did with the Wii U, so the signs of it becoming a long-term success are positive.
What matters now is, once they've gotten their biggest names all accounted for, what will they do next, first-party-wise?

That'll be key to keeping momentum, and I'm thinking they'll turn towards reviving franchises they haven't revisited in a while.

Kid Icarus Uprising 2? A new F-Zero?
Or maybe, dare we hope for it... a collaboration with Squeenix for a proper Legend of the Seven Stars follow-up?

There's tons of potential, the Switch's stride is strong so far, and the ball's in Nintendo's court.
Time will tell.

[TheFirstClassic]

Mario rpg with the worlds and characters from that game? Like a legit sequel? That would be dope.

[Nodoze]

They are out of the gate quickly....but it is a long race. As mentioned the online infrastructure and services are giant question marks. As usual the first party offerings are fantastic. They just need to keep the momentum.

I would LOVE WiiU ports of
Starfox (with PROPER twin stick controls)
Xenoblade X
Bayonetta 1+2
All Zelda releases - re re released

[ibrake4naps]

It's gunna sell great like their other handhelds. I'm loving mine

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Yes. With
Super Mario Odyssey
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Pokemon
Metroid Prime 4
project Octopath Traveler
Yoshi
Kirby Star Allies
and ever exclusive and unannounced games for 2018

[SuperSonic91]

I hope Ninty don't put too much "violent adult" games on Switch for it will ruin the kiddie friendly image of the platform.

[Prince_TFK]

There had been adults game, and there had been kiddie games on Nintendo console. Even if Nintendo focuses on the young audience, that doesn't mean they neglect their older ones. While games like Mario Kart 8D and Mario+Rabbids might be appealing to younger audiences, there are always games like BOTW and Xenoblade 2 that lean toward the more mature ones.

[yellowgerbil]

clearly you haven't played Mario+Rabbids. that is the most hardcore game made this gen, it does a good job of preparing people for how difficult it gets, but the game is brutal starting at the Halloween world (halfway through the story). Even before that point there is some serious tactical challenge, and I'd say it is actually MORE robust than xcom with a lot of the mechanics

[TallonIV]

M+R is a difficult game, I don't see many kids beating it.

[Xenophon_York]

There are only two paths to success:

One. Same quantity output from the game developers responsible for the 3DS' success.

Two. At least seventy-five percent support from those developers that supply third-party titles for the PlayStation 4 and XBOX One.

Anything less will see the Switch become only a mildly more successful system than the Wii U. Despite the incredible start the Switch has had it's simply not going to compete with current generation without a relatively respectable amount of new games.

Seven Stars sequel is most certainly thinking in the correct direction. Maybe a Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles II, too.

[yellowgerbil]

"mildly more successful" it will practically overtake the WiiU in its first year. The system will sell a minimum of 50 million consoles, definitely more than the xbox will. No it won't break 100 million, unless this is going to be supported for the next 7-10 years (think they will come out with a new gen before it can really push up numbers)
Anyone who doesn't see it being a solid success is really out of touch with gaming. Everyone who plays the Switch LOVES it. It is a runnaway success