BIG AAA TITLES TAKING A BACKSEAT
BIG MISTAKES THAT NINTENDO CAN MAKE IN 2018
We can all agree that the first year for the Nintendo Switch has been nothing short of fantastic. Over the past nine months that the new hybrid console has been out, not only have we received a brand new Zelda title, but we also got a new 3D Mario game, a huge sequel to Splatoon, the launch of a brand new IP (ARMS), Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and much, much more. The only bad thing that might come out of 2018 for the Big N is simply the fact there just might not be that many big games to release on the Switch, since it seems that Nintendo has exhausted their biggest franchises in the first few months. Will Nintendo make sure that the coming year is another strong one for the console? Or will the Switch suffer from a lack of big AAA titles?
The few first-party titles that we know are coming in 2018 for Switch include Kirby Star Allies and a Yoshi game. I don’t know about you all, but Kirby and Yoshi have never been the biggest franchises for Nintendo. Sure, I have no doubt in my mind that these games will do well, and the fanbase will enjoy them, but these titles will not make people jump for joy and run out to buy a Switch. To make 2018 as amazing as 2017, Nintendo will need to bring out the big guns; I’m looking at you Smash Bros.! I mean, even having that Pokemon title towards the end of 2018 would make it pretty great as well. Nintendo cannot lose the momentum that the Switch has gained over the past year, as doing so would only result in bad news for the company.
NO NETFLIX
BIG MISTAKES THAT NINTENDO CAN MAKE IN 2018
It is almost 2018, Nintendo. If I wanted to watch Netflix, I can literally use almost any sort of technology to do so – my television, my 3DS, my Vita, and even my laptop. There’s just one little console that, for some reason, does not have any other video streaming services besides Hulu, and that console is the Nintendo Switch.
The Switch has been out since March and we still have no word from Nintendo on when the application would be available for download on the eShop. The Switch being a portable device and all – makes it the perfect system to cuddle with on the couch and check out my favorite television series and films. Sometimes I don’t feel like playing video games on my Switch, which means that I have to unplug my Switch and turn on my PS4 or Xbox One to watch any type of television. I don’t think giving people a reason to unplug your system from their entertainment center is a good idea. For 2018, please make sure to not make a huge mistake and just give us Netflix – it’s only right. Don’t worry about Amazon Video or HBO Go, just focus on Netflix – I mean, you got Hulu on there right? What’s the hold up?
Talking about streaming services, Nintendo should also not make the mistake of forgetting to bring over other video services like YouTube and Twitch. There’s nothing more that gamers like to do than watch other people play video games. I use my PlayStation 4 so much just to check out my favorite Let’s Players or to see what’s one of the most popular games on Twitch at the moment. This seems like an easy feat for Nintendo, so we shall see what 2018 brings to the table when it comes to the Switch.
NO VIRTUAL CONSOLE
BIG MISTAKES THAT NINTENDO CAN MAKE IN 2018
I’ll take any excuse to buy Super Mario. Bros or A Link to the Past for the umpteenth time, but I do need an actual way to purchase these titles on my Switch to do so, which doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. The Wii had virtual console at launch, and even the Wii U had a soft launch of the service. But what happened with the Nintendo Switch? Almost a year after launch and we still have not heard anything about the service coming to the hybrid console. The only news that we have gotten about playing old games on the Switch is the upcoming online service that will provide subscribers access to free classic games like Super Mario Bros. 3 and Balloon Fight.
This online service seems great and all, especially hearing that the price per year will only be $20 a year, but will we still be able to purchase other classic games a-la-carte? Or must we be subscribers in order to play a limited selection of NES titles and nothing more? I want a dedicated virtual console service for the Switch that not only lets me buy NES games but also N64 and GameCube titles. The other fans of the Switch would surely be happy about this idea as well. It’s up to Nintendo to announce this service sometime in 2018, preferably in the first half, and show that they mean business when it comes to pushing the Switch to its full potential.
LOUSY ONLINE SERVICES
BIG MISTAKES THAT NINTENDO CAN MAKE IN 2018
Right now, we’re all able to enjoy the online services that the Switch has to offer for the low low price of absolutely free. We can play a quick match of Splatoon 2 or race a friend in a few rounds of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but soon, that will all be over since Nintendo will be launching a paid online service sometime in 2018 (maybe even late fall) that will be similar to PS Plus and Xbox Live. The price for the service will run users $20 a year, which is considerably less expensive than the other competitors.
Even though the price to play titles online will be very cheap, we are still going to be paying for a service, so Nintendo must provide us with something worth that amount if they plan on doing well in the new year. With the online services that the Switch already offers, I have no complaints when it comes to actual gameplay. But as for communicating with other players, joining parties, and figuring out how to play with friends, that is what Nintendo needs to fix if they expect people to pay without any objections. This whole new online infrastructure needs to be up to par and if Nintendo needs until the end of 2018 to launch the paid service, I would be totally okay with that. If I can continue to play games online for free on my Switch, then what’s the hurry? I want an optimized, streamlined online service for my new console, and if i’m paying anything for it, it needs to be fantastic and on par with the competitors.
Published: Dec 29, 2017 11:32 am