It’s impossible to ignore Nintendo in a discussion about games industry innovation. The Japanese giant has never been afraid to push the boundaries with its handheld and portable consoles, resulting in smash hit successes like the DS, and the occasional mis-step such as the Wii U.
Nintendo isn’t afraid to gamble, which is perhaps unsurprising given its history. In the 1880s, Nintendo published a traditional Japanese card game called Hanafuda (flower cards), which has been historically linked to organised gambling. Japan is a country in which operating a casino, betting on horse racing and playing bingo is heavily regulated or illegal.
Nintendo’s biggest roll of the dice has come with its latest release – the Nintendo Switch- merging separate home and portable consoles into a single sleek device. The Switch uses detachable controllers, an integrated 720p screen and a docking station to seamlessly transition your game experience from hand to home.
As a concept, the Switch had always seemed like a dream device. Nintendo’s portable consoles have always shined, even when their static efforts have faltered. Merging the two should be a match made in heaven.
However, the gaming world moves fast and player expectations have never been higher. Anything that doesn’t hit the gold standard of 1080p/60fps is often regarded as a lesser product. It was easy to see the Nintendo Switch being left behind before it had even launched.
One month on, and the Switch is going through a transitional period of sorts. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was launched to universal acclaim, but many still feel that the launch line-up is too thin. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the next big title on the horizon, but that doesn’t launch until the end of April.
From a business perspective, spreading out the big hits ensures Nintendo maintains a steady sales pattern, and gamers can at least take heart that those games are coming in future – a major problem with the Wii U was a lack of strong software additions.
Interestingly, it’s the Switch itself that may be pulling players in, even without the big name titles supporting it. The console’s detachable controllers are a pleasure to use (aside from some high profile technical issues which have apparently been squashed now), and the screen is a delight for players who remember squinting at the original Game Boy in 1989.
It’s far too soon to label the Switch a success or write it off as a failure. Demand is high and production is slow, making sales figures a bit meaningless. Nintendo has announced that it plans to double production this year though, which is an encouraging sign.
By 2018, the Switch will have more high profile titles (Super Mario Odyssey, Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles 2), more third party support (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Minecraft, Rayman Legends) and a host of indie games, including the critically acclaimed, Overcooked.
However, right now, the Switch seems like one gamble that’s still waiting to hit the jackpot.
