We have finally gotten a glimpse of the Nintendo Switch 2 and it’s a bit underwhelming. Maybe it’s because from a form factor, this is just a larger iteration of the original Switch or maybe the weeks of leaks soured the reveal. Either way, the console didn’t astound me as much as I hoped, but it made me see the potential of what could be. While the Switch 2 reveal was safe, I can see Nintendo pursuing different ideas that would excite many players.
Reviving the Nintendo DS
Back in 2022, Nintendo filed a patent application for a screen device that could have been for the Switch 2. Seeing what the system looks like now, this patent looks a lot like a second screen rather than the base version of the console. As Nintendeal pointed out on X, the screen could potentially plug into the USB-C port on the top of the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing it to play DS titles that players didn’t have access to before.
If this screen is real, it effectively brings dual-screen functionality to the Nintendo Switch 2. You would once again be able to play some Nintendo DS games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Pokémon Ranger, Mario & Luigi, and more. This second screen offers a lot of potential that Nintendo could use to its advantage by adding these games to the Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Switch Online. Giving players access to this wide selection of games will give them more of a reason to pay for Nintendo’s online service.
Of course, we don’t know for sure whether or not this second screen for the Switch 2 actually exists, but if it does, it would offer something for old and new players alike. Nintendo could go back to the olden days of crafting DS-style games in a new way on a new system. The developer could also add 3D functionality to bring back 3DS-style games in a new way.
Utilizing the mouse in the correct way
Let’s face it, Nintendo loves to use gimmicks in its games. After seeing the Joy-Con leaks, many (including myself) jumped on the idea that the Joy-Cons may be used like a computer mouse. My fear, however, is that Nintendo will force this gimmick into games just like you force a Gigantamax Pokémon into a tiny Pokéball.
My biggest hope is that the developers utilize the mouse feature in the correct way for games that require it like The Sims, Mario Maker, Disney Dreamlight Valley, and other titles that require precision. Using this mouse feature with a table will give you more control over what you are working on. If no table is available, you could rely on the motion controls that the Switch 2 will undoubtedly have to select items on a screen more accurately. Those who want to set up their system on a table and use the mouse feature could also utilize it for games like Splatoon or Metroid Prime 4 if it is first-person POV.
Some gamers value the use of a mouse, and it would be great to give them that option if they want to use one. Of course, there is the fear that Nintendo will force the gimmick into the next main-line Pokémon title or a future Mario platformer, which the company is known for.
Focus on community
Nintendo ultimately let fans down when the original Switch system was released without a party chat system or any means of communicating with fellow players. Later on, the company released a party chat system that underperformed and required a phone app to use. Players were better off using Discord if they wanted to chat with their friends. Needless to say, the Nintendo Switch 2 needs to rectify this mistake. How could this be done? Two words: The Miiverse.
Miiverse was a great social system that allowed players to create their own likenesses and throw them into a community hub where people could interact with one another. You could post about your favorite games, join communities to chat with other players and message others directly. Nintendo should take this a step further and integrate party chat into the system as well as other features like server creation and make it similar to Discord. Doing this would allow players to interact more freely with one another and make Nintendo a shining beacon of connection.
Expanding the NSO catalog and fixing the store
With the addition of a potential second screen for the Switch 2, we could see more games come to Nintendo Switch Online. The addition of DS could help expand the library of the Switch 2 but Nintendo should go beyond this and add the entire backlog of their games to NSO. Many have been asking for the addition of more games. For instance, there isn’t a single GameCube game on NSO at the time of writing this and it’s something that players have been asking about for a while. Likewise, there are very few N64 games on the platform.
Along with expanding the NSO catalog Nintendo needs to fix the eShop. Known for having poor functionality, giving the eShop an overhaul to make it more streamlined and less of a laggy mess would do wonders. Nintendo could also use this overhaul as an excuse to implement a more strict review policy for games that are posted on the eShop.
Introducing new designs
The design of the Switch 2 is a bit boring with the once vibrant colors of the Joy-Cons mainly replaced with matte black and slight colorful highlights. Thanks to this and the overall design of the console being extremely similar to its predecessor, many have said that the Switch 2 doesn’t stand out. Well, Nintendo has a chance to help this console stand out by giving it a bit of a makeover. How? By going back in time and taking inspiration from the N64. Nintendo could reach fans by releasing a line of Nintendo Switch 2 consoles with eye-popping colors similar to the old see-through N64 systems. These would offer nostalgic Nintendo fans something that they love while also making the system look interesting to younger audiences. While they are at it, releasing more collector editions of the console could go a long way.
Don’t waste this potential
Nintendo has a habit of creating something truly unique that ultimately gets wasted because it doesn’t utilize the console’s features in the correct way or the company ignores another key part of the system. For the Wii, motion controls needed to be in everything. The Wii U required everything to use the gamepad. In the case of the Nintendo Switch, large parts of the UI were ignored or implemented poorly from a freezing, laggy eShop full of clutter to the lack of a party system that was thrown together on a phone application. With the Switch 2, Nintendo has a chance to right the wrongs of the past and do something great by providing better gaming experiences alongside progressing its online services to be in line with other companies.
