The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct highlighted plenty of interesting features and games for the Switch 2. While there's plenty to be excited about, a lot of what's been shown by far reminds me of the Wii U and how Nintendo's strategy for that console did not do as well as it could have. The company seems to be trying a similar route, but that doesn't mean the outcome will be the same.

Players eager to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 got announcements like a release date of June 5, but those who have been around long enough to the Wii U might not be able to avoid seeing some similarities. It's caused me to wonder what Nintendo's overall plans are and if we're going to see the company try and take on Sony and Microsoft in a more direct competition again.

Nintendo Switch 2 Is Focused On Third-Party Ports

Third-Party Is Coming To Nintendo In Big Ways

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct YouTube presentation spent a lot of time talking about third-party games and ports, which are games that were already released on other systems. This is an interesting approach from Nintendo and shows off the idea the company has for its newest console. By showing off so many third-party games, Nintendo made it clear that it wants to use existing popular titles to make the Switch 2’s game lineup strong right from the start.

This wasn’t just about a few big-name ports; it was a deliberate effort to show that the Switch 2 can play a wide variety of games, appealing to players who go to other consoles for these titles. Some of the third-party games featured include Hogwarts Legacy, Hitman: World of Assassination, Borderlands 4, and more, which add up to 21 total day one releases. The list was varied, mixing big-budget AAA games with popular indie titles. The fact that Cyberpunk 2077 was included seemed especially important, highlighting that the Switch 2 can handle graphics-heavy games.

It's a big deal that Nintendo is pushing games from this generation. Nintendo's consoles normally can't handle the generation they're in or downscale games heavily. This push for big games might convince players who usually skip Nintendo consoles because they think the hardware isn’t powerful enough. This strategy proves that Nintendo wants to compete against PlayStation and Xbox again by showing the Switch 2 can keep up with major game releases.

Relying too much on ports has both good and bad sides. On the positive side, having a lot of games available right away makes the Switch 2 more appealing and saves Nintendo money on development. But on the downside, it might make the console seem less original, turning away players who want fresh, exclusive experiences they can’t get elsewhere. Whether this strategy works depends on how well the ports are made. Bad ports could just make Nintendo Switch 2 look like an extra console, not a main contender.

The First-Party Lineup on Switch 2 Is Off To A Slow Start

It Isn't The Big Focus Some Expected

The first batch of games announced for the Nintendo Switch 2 at its debut Direct presentation is a mixed bag that makes me question whether Nintendo's approach may hurt early interest from players who aren't already set on buying a Switch 2. While the announcement featured a few eagerly-awaited sequels and new games in well-known franchises, the overall impact feels less impressive than past Nintendo console launches. I won't get into the prices, which opens another can of worms, but what's been presented feels a bit too predictable.

The standout reveal is Mario Kart World, which makes sense. Nintendo had already teased this one in the original Switch 2 reveal, and the Switch sticking to a souped-up port of Wii U's Mario Kart 8 meant a new game was well overdue. Donkey Kong Bananza, a 3D platformer set to launch in July, could be fun, but it won't generate the same overall market hype that a Super Mario Odyssey successor ready to wholly reinvent the wheel would.

Other first-party titles mentioned were Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to a GameCube game, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, another sequel. Improved versions of games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are also coming, but enhanced performance certainly isn't as exciting as an entirely new Zelda game would be. While these games draw on popular franchises, they might not drive mass interest like a big title typically would. These are just Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades and sequels to existing smaller Nintendo games rather than brand-new experiences.

... The Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to have a much more successful launch and long-term future than the Wii U.

One issue I've always had with Nintendo is that it doesn't innovate entire experiences as frequently as it once did. Breath of the Wild was a brand-new experience that Nintendo hadn't done before, but the company frequently focuses on new titles in standard Mario franchises like Kart and Party or experiences that tend to look like others but have a few new features. Nintendo needs to step up its first-party games and not rely on third parties to do the innovating. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and Princess Peach: Showtime! are great examples of what Nintendo needs to do more consistently.

It's hard to convince people to pay $80 for a kart game or a reiteration of a game they've played already. To me, all this price tag is doing is raising the standard and making me worry about Grand Theft Auto 6's $100 rumors. I am not convinced another arcade kart game is worth the $80, and more largely, it's not enough to carry a $450 console at launch without a strong lineup of other first-party titles.

Switch 2 Should Have A Brighter Future Than The Wii U

Just Because It Seems Similar, Doesn't Mean It Is

The emphasis on major third-party partners is reminiscent of the Wii U, which focused on major ports from publishers like Ubisoft as a large part of its brand. While its first-party became more and more impressive over time, the initial reliance on third-party ultimately backfired as publishers lost interest in the system. The Switch 2 is mirroring that launch in some ways, but its future should ultimately be different.

The Wii U, released in 2012, had an unclear identity. Nintendo tried to sell it as both the next step after the Wii and as a brand-new, groundbreaking console because of its unique GamePad controller. The GamePad, while creative, had problems like poor battery life and needing to stay close to the console, which would have been fine if it didn't look like a big portable console. On top of that, the Wii U came out when Microsoft and Sony focused on powerful hardware which the Wii U could not match.

I have to it, I actually thought the gamepad was an accessory for a while, and I'm probably not the only one. The advertising didn't differentiate the Wii enough from the Wii U. Nintendo isn't doing the same thing. The Switch 2 has much clearer marketing. Nintendo is presenting it as an upgraded version of the original Switch, which was a huge hit. If it can maintain an even relatively comparable level of momentum, the Switch 2's upgraded power should allow it to hold onto its third-party in a way that the Wii U couldn't.

With better hardware, smarter marketing, and a stronger position in the gaming industry, the Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to have a much more successful launch and long-term future than the Wii U. Nintendo has learned a lot over the decades, and however similar the third-party focus might seem on the surface, it's clearly not going to fall into the same trap it did with the Wii U.

Sources: Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 YouTube presentation