What In The World Is Going On With Nintendo?

GB: "I’m hoping that they consider the response to their last few streams, and decide to actually let us have a peek beyond the curtain for a little while longer. Announce games that are more than a few months out, show off stuff that might be out next year, and build some hype. Get your fanbase energized again. Because there are almost 60 million owners of the Nintendo Switch at this point – unlike the Wii U days, Nintendo can’t afford to ignore fan expectations for too long, because they have literally four times as many eyes on them. So here’s hoping that they speak up again, and soon – and that they don’t put their foot in their mouth again when they do."

[FallenAngel1984]

You’d think with Nintendo having a platform that would foster their console and handheld titles there’d be a never ending deluge of first party titles

This gap is really disappointing as they’re not living up to their true potential

[--Onilink--]

They already released 3 1st party games in the first half of the year. Since when do Sony or MS release 5,6, 7 or more 1st party exclusives every year?

I dont get why people complain that Nintendo is not releasing games every other month, no game developer does.

As for the communication part, that is definitely lacking so far

[vfl523]

Because, unlike Sony and Microsoft, they are not as reliant on their 1st party studios as Nintendo. They get all the big 3rd party games while Nintendo doesn't. And I'll suspect that's only going to get worse with the transition into the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

[remixx116]

Also the titles they released this year come off as a bit smaller than those MS and Sony release. Combine that with the fact that a large large large portion of there releases are supplemented by ports and remasters, it just doesn't look as strong

They are still amazing but they definitely don't give that AAA feel so alot of people just don't see them

[King_Noctis]

So far this year they had released:

Tokyo Mirage Session FE
Animal Crossing NH
Xenoblade DE
Clubhouse Game
Paper Mario

5 games in the span of 7 months, I don’t consider that as a “gap”. Should they do better? Definitely. But you’ve got to realize that Nintendo has been hit hard by the coronavirus.

[Einhander1971]

Them titles may interest you but I want to see a new Starfox, some Metroid footage, more Mario, more Zelda, something to get really excited for.

[Tacoboto]

This gap is disappointing to us, meanwhile the Switch is selling better and faster than ever outside of holiday time.

Nintendo's doing the least marketing for the best return. Sounds like good business strategy! The Paper Mario rumor turned out to be true so if the other part of that is too - 3D Mario Remasters across the board - then they've got nothing to worry about.

[LOGICWINS]

"What In The World Is Going On With Nintendo?"

Judging by their sales figures....success.
I still have a huge backlog of Switch JRPGs that I know I won't finish until 2022. And I still haven't bought Three Houses or Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition yet.....not to mention the upcoming SMT Nocturne, SMT 5, BOTW 2, Bayonetta 3 etc.

I'd love to see the gamer profiles of people who criticize the Switch's lack of game releases considering that their premier titles tend to take 100+ hours to fully complete (Super Mario Odyssey, BOTW, DQ 11 S, Octopath Traveler etc.).

I assure you that most Switch fans are satisfied and our backlogs are huge.

[iQuasar]

Already beat Octopath, BotW, Xenoblade, and Baynetta on Switch.

You know what, I beat SMT 4 on other consoles. As well as most of the RPG game catalog on other consoles. If Nintendo wants to be that platform that copies remakes and re-releases like mobile phones and PC I guess they can do it. BUUUUT I will not be buying stuff because its on the new hotness console.

We hate Bethesda for it, why does Nintendo get a pass?!

[LOGICWINS]

Did you also complete Xenoblade 2, Mario Odyssey, Luigi's Mansion 3, and Three Houses?

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Look at the passes Nintendo generally gets:
1. Dated hardware
2. Expensive Games (including selling low budget games at an AAA price and a lack of price drops)
3. Poor netcoding
4. Dated Online Infrastructure
5. Lack of new IPs
6. Re-selling ports
7. Build quality
8. Selling and re-selling 2-3 versions of the same game.
9. Very dated visuals in some of their titles (e.g. Pokemon Sword and Shield)
10. Poor performance in some of their titles (e.g. Pokemon Sword and Shield)

[Zhipp]

@Sciurus_vulgaris
1. Switch hardware was not dated at launch.
2. I'll give you that one. At least it means you can resell them for a high price if you want.
3. They don't get a pass for this. People constantly complain about it. I think the only reason it's not an even bigger deal is the fact that, with the exception of Splatoon(which has solid netcode) their games all focus on local multiplayer.
4. Isn't this the same as #3?
5. New IP's are overrated. There. I said it. New IP != new gameplay experience, and new games in old IP's can still be innovative.
6. I'm guilty of giving them a pass on that one too, so touche.
7. Switch's build quality is the best we've seen from a Nintendo launch system to date, with the exception of those pesky joycons, which they are rightfully being blasted for.
8. Same as #6? Unless you're talking about Pokemon, in which case... yeah.
9 & 10. You should check the Pokemon Sword & Shield metecritic userscore. I think you'll find it enlightening.

[ZeroBlue2]

Because Nintendo gets a pass on everything. Never understood why.

[georeo]

Your backlog just seems like you don't have time. I don't need to tell you that you are damage controlling.

[LOGICWINS]

I’m not. The stats prove that most gamers don’t beat their games. Why would you ask for more food if your plate is still full?

[King_Noctis]

His backlog consists of a lot of rpgs. And you know how long an rpg usually is.

[Riku07]

I completely agree with you. I know not every gamer on the switch out there could have completed their backlogs. I have huge backlog just like you. And this just on switch and not counting the other system I owned. I am playing daemon x machina, grandia HD collection(I haven't even started it yet, just bought it), fire emblem 3H(very long game but I completed the side story dlc), dragon quest XI S(another freaking long game), octopath traveler(yes I know this game came out a while ago), the dlc story for xenoblade 2 but I completed the main story for xenoblade 2 a long time ago. And this isn't all the switch games I owned. If you want to exactly all games I have and what I am focusing on then ask me lol. The point is that a break from games releasing for a while is not totally awful for everyone. There will be a lot more games coming out. We just got to give developers more time to create. BTW I didn't list any of the Wii U ports for the switch because I already played most of them on the Wii U. I still have a couple of Wii U games I didn't finish yet

[LOGICWINS]

👍

[NotoriousWhiz]

Nintendo definitely should be releasing more games. It doesn't make sense. How many games have been rumored to be almost complete, including some by Nintendo's own staff? (Looking at you, Pikmin 4) This is not the time to be holding back. People are at home, people want more games to play.

[BloodyBorne]

“Most Switch fans are satisfied and our backlogs are huge.”
Got some receipts for that statement?
Quit being a corporate slave.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Nintendo has a tendency to slow down first party releases and coast of the strong sales of their games. The Switch will maintain strong sales due to existing strong, well reviewed Nintendo games and a general lack of competing handles.

[zugdar]

With Nintendo not dealing with two systems at once I was hoping for a more consistent release cycle for the Switch.

[computeSci]

That's what we were told per Iwata. However that idea of them merging handheld with console game divisions to produce faster first party output never became into fruitation.

[--Onilink--]

We are on July and they have already released 3 1st party exclusives. Thats basically one every other month. How on earth are you expecting more? Do you now want them to release a game every month and have 12 exclusives per year?

[computeSci]

12 exclusives per year, sure why not? It's not like they have the 3DS to worry about.

[King_Noctis]

“ 12 exclusives per year, sure why not? It's not like they have the 3DS to worry about”

You do know how long a game takes to develop, yes? This is not like the 3DS era where muddy texture and low quality asset are acceptable. Sony or MS could only produce around 2 or 3 good first party exclusive per year. You’re kidding yourself if you think any gaming company can produce 12 quality game per year, exclusive or not.

[computeSci]

I guess I'd say my expectations were just too high but I had imagine their new release schedule would be like them basically combining their Wii U and 3DS schedules under one platform and we will be getting new games from Nintendo all the time. I'd say we lost the portable half of Nintendo usual software output without a proportional gain in their home console output. Not Iwata's plan at all.

[zugdar]

@Onilink

Paper Mario and Animal Crossing are the only higher tier games so far this year going on 8 months in. Xenoblade DE and Clubhouse games are ok fillers and quality games for what they are but hardly stir excitement. If this was 3DS/WiiU pacing at their mid life we would have at least one more of each tier at this point. Also bare in mind that a strong number of the first party Switch games are ports of the WiiU or remakes. For a system in its golden years, this is when they need a steady flow of games to keep momentum or risk the drop that the Wii had. COVID can delay things for sure but sure seems barren considering the changes from within.

[gamer7804]

I just want to see what bayonetta 3 looks like

[hiawa23]

"What is going on?" Seems like they are doing fine to me.

[TeamIcoFan]

Hey, gotta deflect from that laughable Halo : Infinite demo somehow.

[hiawa23]

What does this have to do with Halo Infinite?

[King_Noctis]

The hate train for MS is slowing down. It is only natural that Nintendo is the next target for this place.

[hiawa23]

From what I see the MS hate is not slowing down..

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

The dislike of Microsoft has been pretty consistent the entire gen.

[refocusedman]

@vulgaris. Great point!!!!!! It absolutely boggles my mind that nintendo gets away with remakes, retooling games, and the occasional new releases. Mariokart 8 was released in 2014. Its was remade on the switch in 2017 and is still full price on most sites. If we dont expect better or demand better then we will continue to get shafted by Nintendos lame business practices. They're gaming library pales in comparison to the ps4 or xbox 1over the same duration of time.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

I’ve held off on buying a Switch due to its lack of competitive game pricing. I think the pricing of the system is fair, but the overall entry price is too high. Switch Pro controllers cost more their PS4 and Xbox One counterparts and aren’t packaged with the system. Nintendo doesn’t offer impressive switch bundles either.I also figured once I played the Nintendo exclusives that interested me, there wouldn’t be much use for the system. I had the same issue with the Wii U I purchased way back in 2014.

[refocusedman]

My switch has been collecting dust for months. I basically utilize it as my vacation console. The cost of the console, game, and accessories are way too high to be such a niche device. The last time nintendo made a system with a quality library that was vast and diverse was the SNES. They've been getting by on the reputation of their name ever since.

[kayoss]

They're releasing a new console. This behavior is eerily similar to when the Wii U, right before they announced the Switch.

[franwex]

Rumor is that they are going to do something for Mario later this year.

Other than that-who knows. Zelda 2? Metroid 4?

[Shuckylad]

Nintendo has become a business prioritising maximum profits over the love of making great games the last couple of years. (Since the great mans passing). The more switches they sell the less they spend on game development. Why spend money making games when the system sells like hot cakes. I personally don’t like this practice but that’s what it appears to be from the outside looking in.

[PurpHerbison]

Nintendo games always seem to get such a massive amount of hype around launch then suddenly no hype at all overnight.

[MightyHealthy]

Whatsup with metroid

[Acecalibur]

Absolutely nothing.

[Father__Merrin]

nindendo have just sat back the switch is now the 3ds replacement its going to be filled with shovelware with few good games thrown in just like the wii wiiu 3ds etc. nintendo gamers have zero next gen console to enjoy

[46player]

You’ll be lucky if there’s much behind the curtain. You’ve owned other Nintendo systems recently right?

[46player]

So many properties they could refresh reboot, no progress. How about another Punch Out, Metroid, actual NEW Mario Kart the list goes on..,

[Weapon_of_choice]

What could they ad to the current mario cart to make it better? It's already as good as can be on their current hardware. Perhaps some new tracks...

[LoveSpuds]

Perception is a funny thing I suppose, I can't say that I ever worry about Nintendo releasing 1st party games but I feel like they have done a decent job, I guess, as a result of my backlog. I still have Three Houses, Xenoblade, Octopath, Animal Crossing (although I bought this for my daughter more than myself) and paper Mario all sat on my shelf. I also know I have avoided the likes of Pokemon etc so overall I just feel like Nintendo are keeping me with a healthy backlog.

I realise this is a consequence of me using the Switch as supplementaty to my PS4Pro where I spent most of my time, and my backlog there is even worse. I guess if Switch were my primary console I may well feel differently but as is stands, I am more than happy with my Switch..... Been playing the heck out of the 51 Games compilation with the family (we all love Mancala) alongside Mario v Rabbids.

[Weapon_of_choice]

Nintendo is like a record company, they just need to sell 4 hits/ albums a year to make crazy profits.

[Einhander1971]

For once I agree with an article, I'm a huge Nintendo fan but I'm fed up at the moment with all this silence. Surely they must have some big titles to show even if they aren't out till next year. Give us some hype.

[TheEroica]

I love my switch, but good god nintendo release some games! Not everyone resonates with Animal crossing.

[GrizToof]

I thought we don't like it when games are announced early in development? Not anymore? Oh okay. They seem to have a working strategy if you ask me, look at how well all their games sell. I still prefer it when a game is announced a few months from release because how many times is a game shown off and you don't see it for 6 plus years sometimes, or never again. I get it, Nintendo hasn't shown anything off in a while but there is something i can guarantee. There will be another Nintendo direct at some point and i can almost guarantee that you will hear about games coming out this holiday season. Add corona virus in to the mix and i'm sure like everyone else Nintendo has been affected by it and things have been delayed slightly. I say sit back, play your backlog and just imagine what Nintendo has in store for the future. Good day to you all.

[Riku07]

I completely agree. People just need to sit back and wait. Go back and play older games that you have never played on older systems. That's what I am doing.

[DefaultComment]

After reading this article I gotta say, Nintendo is just holding back this 2020. the 2 main reasons are simple.. the firtst one is the excuse of the covid-19 pandemic, they are aware that this year is a year to hold back many things and this is the perfect excuse to do it.
The second reasons is quite simple, the next gen consoles are launching this holidays, and Nintendo knows that they can't compete with a launch of a console, belive or now I'm very certain that people would rather spend cover 500 bucks to get the "new next gen console" and whatver big launch game is at than spending only 60 bucks on a game like Metroid prime 4 or bayonetta 3.
That all being said I'm not worried about Nintendo since all those games are there waiting for the right moment to be launched I would say next year and beyond, Not surprised if Nintendo does what they did 2019 every month a big game hitting the shelves from summer to winterm in fact I bet that's gonna happen.

[Bronxs15]

Nintendo is just trash. Not falling for them anymore. Switch is my last Nintendo console.

[K-Tuck]

How in the world did this story not get flagged as clickbait?