Nintendo’s switch 2 sets an initial sales record. Its future is less

At first glance, Nintendo’s new switch 2 looks like a previous one – a handheld device that easily connects to your TV. It is slightly larger, slightly heavy and comes in a smooth all-black finish.

“In many ways, this is what I wanted,” said Toronto -based tech writer Steve Vegwari. “It is so familiar that it almost seems that I am playing a single piece of hardware that I was two weeks ago.”

It seems that the conservative approach has paid. The Japanese company says it has sold 3.5 million units in the first four days as Switch 2 went on sale on June 5, making it the fastest selling nintendo system.

But despite the initial success, those who monitor the industry say that the coming months are important to determine the long -term fate of Nintendo. With a high price, a small lineup of exclusive sports and a more crowded market for handheld gaming – including a major entry by Microsoft – are not as simple as the beginning of the original switch in 2017.

Reached sales chart with system Mario Cart WorldA racing game that features the company’s omnipresent mascot.

It is a follow -up for the original switch Mario Cart 8 DeluxeWhich sold more than 68 million copies more than 20 million compared to the best selling title, Animal Crossing: New Horizones,

“From a professional point of view, this is perfect step,” said the long -time sports journalist Jeff Gerasteman.

But this is a less exciting start than the first switch, which launched The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildFlipping that franchise on your head and earning praise as one of the best video games of all time.

Mario Kart World Trademark racing earned high praise, but reactions to the new “Free Rome” mode – where players can drive around a large world searching secret objects and missions, mixed.

Critics say that much is not to do or find, especially when other open world of Microsoft compared to racing game Forza horizon series.

John Warren, the founder of the gaming site Vgbees, stated that the soundtracks of the game specially shine, carrying on zaji and rock-based classic Mario songs that sometimes kicks in amazing moments.

“I rotated a mountain in the desert, and some (Super Mario Brothers 2) The music started playing, and then, shy people were swimming on the magic carpet, “he said, referring to both the 1988 sports and enemy creatures.

He said that it was “quiet” and triggered “extreme apathy” for the old game.

High price, more games are coming

Price of Switch 2 – $ 629.99, or bundle with $ 699.99 Mario Cart World – There is a lot to swallow, especially compared to your predecessor. The cheapest model of the original switch, the switch light released in 2019, currently moves to about $ 250.

Microsoft’s Xbox Series S ($ 449) and Series X ($ 729), and Sony’s playstation 5 (based on model) and playstation 5 Pro (a $ 959), it is also on the high end of home console prices, and also.

Ludi, a freelance games journalist based in Ireland, says that lovers are unlikely to blame only nintendo or other console-makers for high prices, when economic factors such as inflation or US tariffs are considered.

“If it is not out of contact with the nintendo consumer. It’s a huge global problem: why are these products and accessories that we use for entertainment (now taking so much share of our annual income?” He said.

Gamers that snatch a switch 2 can be waited to more than other than the medium-ninendo games and other than the curiosity Mario Cart World And Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour – An interactive instruction manual, which is, informally sold separately from the console for $ 15.

Donkey Kong BananjaProbably the most anticipated, set to launch in five weeks. Metroid Prime 4 And Pokémon Z There are also slapped for 2025, but will be playable on both old and new switch systems.

Game prices are rising from the last $ 80 standard: Banza Will cost $ 99 and Mario Cart World If you buy it la carte, it will cost $ 109.

Meanwhile, players have to fill their time with switch 1 game like Wild of the wild With smooth frame rate and additional game mode.

Third-party games that have been available on competitive platforms for a few years, such as Cyberpank 2077, Thanks to the beef-up technical glasses of Switch 2, the launch lineup is filling up.

Meanwhile, as Nintendo has created its games roster for the holiday season, the market is ready to be more complex.

Last week, Microsoft announced the Rog Xbox Ally and Rog Xbox Ally X, a pair of powerful handheld created in partnership with ASUS.

The ASUS already has a game-centric handheld PC on the market, dominating the steam deck of the valve in a high-end, relatively Ala market. Prices for those are similar to high-end gaming PCs compared to console, often well in north of $ 1,000.

Look Xbox reveals collaborative trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fivmyoiv1mq

The XBOX partner promises more mainstream appeal. The gerrstman has tampered with steam decks and low-known contestants, and says that his interfaces are very complex to attract wide audiences. They say that the experience of the collaborator’s cleaner Windows and recognizable Xbox branding can overcome it – but it does not immediately expect, they say.

He said, “(is ally) There are no large mainstream tools in this holiday season, but I think (Microsoft) continues to remove it and it will eventually reach there,” he said.

“You will lose the ability of Nintendo to play the first-sided games, but for some people it is an acceptable business.”