It's a Weird Time To Be A Nintendo Fan

With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo are currently in a pivot period in their companies timeline. The Nintendo Switch era is over and the Nintendo Switch 2 era is just beginning. But as a lifelong Nintendo fan. I want to talk about why it's currently a strange time to be a Nintendo fan.

Firstly lets talk about the Nintendo Switch 2. I wont go into too much detail as I have already made a lengthy blog post talking about my thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2's current state.

I want to talk about the general reception of the console. Because as I type this post, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the fastest selling Nintendo Console ever for a release period. That's an amazing achievement and has set up the Nintendo Switch 2 for success. My thoughts though point me in the direction of all the divided discourse i've seen from owners of the console and a disappointing review from IGN about the console. I've also seen Nintendo fans say they just don't like the console. I've also seen Nintendo fans saying it's their dream console. so which is it? I do not own the console myself as I am waiting for a revision on the console that will iron out the kinks of the base Switch 2, but I do like to keep up with the conversations surrounding Nintendo, hense why I made a whole Nintendo themed channel where I can talk about my thoughts on all things Nintendo.

Part of me thinks that the Nintendo Switch 2 is dividing people because of these factors currently:

• The Nintendo Switch 2 is too expensive.

  
  

• Nintendo are currently showing corporate greed because everything feels like it has a paywall (Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, Nintendo Switch 2 Camera).

  
  

• Despite Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World, There is a lack of a line up for the Nintendo Switch 2.

  
  

• The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't feel like a Next Gen console but an upgraded revision of the original Nintendo Switch.

  
  

• Game Key cards are showing that they will not replace cartridges with the full game on it.

  
  

• Third party games have under performed on Switch 2.

  
  

• Despite the consoles screen being larger and brighter, The screen is a backwards step to LCD instead of OLED.

  
  

• Nintendo Switch 2 is currently facing off with competition from other Handheld consoles, some which are far more powerful specs wise and have OLED Screens.

  
  

• The focus on remastering old games through Nintendo Switch 2 versions.

  
  

• Nintendo are blatantly holding back the Switch 2's capabilities so they can release a Switch 2 pro down the line.

  
  

• The Nintendo Switch 2 Battery Life.

There are a few more factors that I have not touched upon here. But honestly I think it's so interesting how the most hyped Nintendo Console of all time has lost a lot of star appeal to so many people so quickly.

Moving on I want to talk about Nintendo's Business practices recently. As a lifelong Nintendo fan I have always been massively grateful for the entertainment that a company all the way from the other side of the planet has given me. But as I've grown as a persone, I have come to see some very questionable choices made by Nintendo, Most recently the Palworld drama. Now I am in no way qualified to talk about this, but as someone looking from the outside on this lawsuit, I am concerned on the amount of power a company can have on smaller companies. Pocketpair (the Palworld developer) were taking inspiration from a hugely popular game series (I don't have to tell you which one). Yes okay maybe Palworld did fly a little too close to the sun, But for Nintendo to return with a receipt and outright sledgehammer and bully a studio into changing their games mechanics is kinda harsh. Part of me think Nintendo may have been a little scared on this situation. I've never played Palworld but I have a family member who swears by the game and currently prefers it to any of the most recent Pokemon games. Maybe this is a sign for Nintendo and Gamefreak to take some lessons and learn what needs to change for the pokemon series. Palworld is a blueprint that obviously worked. If Nintendo really wanted to show they are better than Pocketpair. They could have taken Palworlds formula and made it their own.

Next I want to move onto how Nintendo has changed as a company. I think we all need to recognise that Nintendo have changed. They are no longer solely a gaming company. Now they are Theme park, a movie studio and a gadget developer. Nintendo have replaced Disney for many people. Nintendo are moving with the times. The focus is no longer entirely at the games. Nintendo are on top of the world right now, They are coming off their most profitable era of all time and are walking into what is looking to be another successful era. Nintendo are not worried about their competition at all. Nintendo can do what they want. I really hope this does not lead to a cocky nintendo, we all saw what happened after the success of the Nintendo Wii and the release of the Wii U.

Nintendo are currently working on a live action adaptation of The legend of Zelda that is due to release in 2027. While I am looking forward to this, I am worried for the movie. The legend of Zelda series is a vastly complicated and lore heavy series. While it's obvious that the game will not be a direct adaptation of any of the games, I think it will pull from established lore and create a kind of best of story-line that will be digestible for its audiences. I have to be honest though, I am worried how well this movie is going to do at the box office. I do not think this movie will do the same Numbers as The Super Mario bros movie. Lets just say that the Zelda series is no where near the same level of house hold name as The Mario or Sonic Series are.

I also think Nintendo have made the wrong decision making this movie Live action. In my mind The legend of Zelda has always been more fitted to being an animated movie. Why? Well look at the games series and how many different art styles there are in that series. From the cartoony graphics of the Windwaker to the more serious art style of Twilight princess. The Zelda series has always excelled from it's surealism and fantasy inspired worlds. I just do not think live action was the correct choice because Nintendo are now restricted to live action practical and CGI when the series could of benefitted more to a Studio Ghibli, nothing is off the table kind of filmmaking. For example lets take inspiration from Disney's Peter Pan, An animated story that heavily inspired Shigeru Miyamato during the development of the original Zelda game. Disney's Peter Pan is a luscious and beautiful movie to look at with a surreal visual style and epic scope. Now lets look at Live action adaptations of Peter pan. Hook, Pan, Peter pan. These movies have their own strengths, but none of them compare to the original Disney animation purely because Live action just cant express the same imagery as well as animation can.

If Nintendo really are attempting to tread into Disney's footsteps. I think Nintendo should focus on creating their image within their movies. When you see a Disney movie, you know you're watching a Disney movie because Disney have their own style, a sort of certified polish, most famously within their animations. Now lets look at Nintendo games, games that are famous for their unique Nintendo polish style. Paralleling Disney's quality in their animated movies. Not all Disney movies are perfect of course. In recent years Disney have been plagued with box office failures. It is the same with Nintendo, not all Nintendo produced games are instant classics. But at least you know when you're watching a Disney movie or playing a Nintendo game. When i imaging a Zelda game, the Iconography of the series comes to mind and I feel that Live action just can't deliver on my expectations in the same way animation can.

There has also been rumblings that Hunter Schafer is going to be playing Zelda. A transgender actress potentially taking the iconic role of Princess Zelda has definitely shaken some feathers. I for one actually welcome this idea. Why not, If she is the right person for the job, then so be it. Does it really matter? she is a very talented actress and looks the part. I have faith and only time will tell if the movie will be any good.

In conclusion

Nintendo are in a huge transition period. I welcome these changes for sure. I love the idea that Nintendo will be bringing my favorite gaming I.P's to the Silver screen. I love that Nintendo are on top of the world right now. But I do not enjoy some of the questionable decisions being made currently by Nintendo right now. Its a strange time to be a Nintendo Fan in 2025. There seems to be no real clear goal at the moment for Nintendo. It feels like Nintendo as a company are letting their guard down a little and it's really starting to show because other companies are starting to think more like Nintendo. Do I have to Mention The Xbox Rog Ally X for this to be clear? Remember The Nintendo Switch 2 is the start of the Newest generation of consoles. It will be going up against potentially both Sony and Microsoft's next major console as well as many more knockoff handhelds. I question, Are we really in the next generation? Because right now it does not feel like it and Is Nintendo's sole focus even gaming anymore? After all Nintendo didn't start out as a Gaming company in the first place.

Only time will tell

Thanks for reading. Make sure you check out my Youtube Channel Switchbored If you enjoyed this Blog post.

link - https://www.youtube.com/@Switchbored

Sam