Does the Nintendo Switch 2 stand a chance in this new era of portable gaming?

Source: WallpaperSafari

With recent speculation of the new Nintendo Switch 2 releasing as close as early 2024, there are some important aspects that this new Switch to take into account if it wants to remain on top. The main point doesn't come from the new Switch hardware itself but the games that are actually playable on the console.

Is Exclusivity Enough?

The Nintendo Switch is home to some of the most profitable and recognizable games in the industry. Franchises like Mario, Metroid, and Zelda help keep the Nintendo Switch afloat with the numbers they bring in every release. Now, with the suspected release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder releasing this year, those numbers are expected to rise well into the launch of 2024. It is Mario after all and a true return to form with the classic side scrolling gameplay. There is certainly an audience for it and would be enough to turn an easy profit for the Switch console. This is even just one mention of an exclusive that is to be released soon, if the reports of a Metroid 4 are true then that's just one more game fanbase to fuel the fire of the Switch 2's expected turnout.

However, Nintendo's games do come with their own problem that other portable consoles don't have to face. That is value and quantity.

Steam Deck Support

The Steam Deck has been out for over a year now and is still going strong in playability. There are now a plethora of Steam games that outright "verified" or at least are "playable". That exact number is estimated to be over 7,000 games. With the Switch having an estimate of about 4500, it's clear that the Steam Deck made a huge first impression. This doesn't even include off-brand emulation that is available on a traditional pc.

The Steam Deck was built using pc specs and interfaces in mind much like many Steam games. So, there is a more diverse selection of the kinds of games you want to play. While, the Nintendo Switch is most known for their "Nintendo" releases, hence why their games are the ones to boost sales dramatically.

The price of the Steam Deck is more than the Switch but starting out at only $100 more. This is not that bad of a deal given the more games that support it and the diversity of those games.

The Takeaway

While, the hype of the Switch 2 with it's improved features is certainly there for it's respective audience. The fact is that it's going to take more than a bigger screen and standard SSD storage for the Switch to keep up with the bombshell drop of the Steam Deck (it launched with those parts, given a higher tier bought). The release and handling of Switch games needs to be addressed for the Switch to survive in the environment that it popularized. With the notoriously low prices of Steam games thanks to sales, charging full price ($60) for a 4 year old Mario game Isn't going to cut it anymore (Mario Maker 2).