Why the Nintendo Switch Continues to Succeed

Nintendo released its new gaming console the Nintendo Switch on March 7th, 2017. During the system’s unveiling in 2016, I was not impressed. After owning both the Nintendo Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS, I was feeling a little fatigued with Nintendo consoles before the Switches announcement. I was disappointed with the number of quality games the Wii U received and I was bored with my 3DS after owning it for six years. To my surprise, the console shipped over 14 million units worldwide within its first year. It sold more than the Wii U did in its entire lifespan. Finally, in December 2017 I decided to pick up a Nintendo Switch myself see what the excitement was all about. After spending some time with the console, I want to break down the reasons I think the switch is such a big success.

The flagship feature of the Switch is its portability. It allows you to play high definition console games both on your TV and on the go. During the announcement of the feature, I initially didn’t see the point of it. Now that I have had time with the console I love the portability. I can take the console in the car with me and play it in places like waiting rooms. I love playing games with the power of a home console without having to connect it to my TV if I do not want to. I can only imagine how convenient a portable console is for college students and people who have free time away from home.

The next feature that I think is helping the Switch sell well is the first-party support. For those who do not know, first-party games are games developed for a console by a console manufacturer such as Nintendo. Within the system the first year, Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. Both games were received well by audiences The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild winning game of the year during The 2017 Game Awards. It is common for consoles to lack quality games soon after launch and I am glad Nintendo chose not to make that mistake. The Switch also launched successful games such as Splatoon 2, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Fire Emblem Warriors during its first year. When a system has a steady stream of quality titles, customers are more likely to invest in it.

The final reason for the Switches’ success is the price. The Switch is currently $299 making it cheaper than both the $399 PlayStation 4 and the $499 Xbox One. The price makes it appealing to consumers that are looking for a less expensive entertainment device. For example, a cheaper portable system is very appealing to parents buying gifts for their children or college students on a tight budget. While the Switch may not include all the multimedia features that its competitors have, its affordability is a deciding factor for many.

In conclusion, I believe the Switch has a long shelf life ahead of it. Many new titles for 2018 have already been announced such as Kirby Star Allies, Blazblue Cross Tag Battle and Bayonetta 3. As long as the game library continues to grow, the Switch will continue to be a success. The ergonomic design and the price give the console potential for game development going forward. Often Nintendo is ridiculed for not adopting the same technological innovations as its predecessors. Nintendo took a risk with the Switch and I believe that risk paid off.