Everyone’s talking about it. On Thursday, Nintendo finally revealed the design of the new Switch 2. Specific details regarding a potential increase in power, which will likely be moderate, remain unclear. However, the company has discussed some of the main changes, which include the following:
- The Joy-Con controllers attach to the screen with magnets.
- The screen is noticeably larger than that of the LCD version of the original Switch.
- A system on the back allows the console to be positioned horizontally.
- Slight design tweaks give the console a sleeker look. The iconic colors are now only on the edges of the Joy-Con controllers and the bases of the sticks. The dock and the console feature more rounded designs, and the screen extends to the edges of the console’s body.
Overall, it’s not a dramatic change, right? Even the name is a seemingly conservative choice. Nintendo has simply added the number “2” next to the console logo on the back of both the console and the dock. Some of the more critical gamers may argue that the company has taken a safe approach with its sequel to one of its biggest hardware successes. However, this decision might very well be part of a thoughtful strategy.
Nintendo has a history of innovation. In fact, its success in the portable gaming market and the revolutionary impact of the Wii on home consoles prove this. Moreover, past products, including the Wii U, despite its commercial challenges, laid the groundwork for ideas that would later be refined with the Switch.
However, the Japanese company also knows how to adopt a conservative approach to fine-tune products that are already successful. This is evidenced by the many iterations of the Game Boy, which evolved tirelessly from the original Game & Watch concept.
If It Works, Don’t Touch It
The Nintendo Switch needed a successor. Its life cycle was starting to exceed typical timelines. It continues to perform well commercially, with recent successful releases like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. However, the market is unforgiving, and new hardware must be introduced to keep customers interested.
The strategy is straightforward. The new Switch will improve upon the fundamentals while incorporating changes that experienced players have been asking for. Nintendo has likely redesigned the Joy-Con sticks to minimize the issues seen with the original Switch. Additionally, a new magnetic attachment system for the Joy-Con aims to enhance convenience and speed. Performance when playing on TV, beyond the portable screen, is also expected to improve.
Nintendo’s recent Switch 2 trailer emphasizes this concept of evolution. In it, you can literally see the Switch transform into an upgraded version. It’d be surprising for PlayStation or Microsoft to announce a new console like this, opting for a focus on evolution and enhancement rather than complete novelty.
The recent announcement also clarifies that the new Switch will be backward compatible. Nintendo believes it can still leverage its vast catalog and a well-functioning gaming system that has once again revolutionized the industry. Without Nintendo, systems like the Steam Deck might not even exist. As such, the company has chosen not to overhaul its approach but rather to consolidate what it already excels at and continue to do what no one else is doing better.
Image | Nintendo
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