The big reveal of what is currently known as the Switch 2 is surely soon upon us. A revelation that is sure to spark a significant reaction after the success of the Switch. Much speculation on what the next Nintendo console’s biggest features could be, from a better handheld screen on launch to a robust console capable of playing games seen on rival consoles such as Red Dead Redemption 2. While these are features most of us desire and are likely to see, as why would the Switch’s successor launch with lesser specs? Here are some wish lists of features I hope to see outside of performance and display.
A Choice of Standard Controller or Pro Controller
Having two versions of consoles to choose from has been common in more recent releases. PS5 and Xbox both offeres a digital-only version, while Xbox also offering a more affordable console, although less powerful, with less storage. The Switch offeres their own two consoles to choose from, the main Switch for both TV and handheld play, and the Switch Lite, a handheld-only version, which is great for those who love gaming on the go.
Having two consoles to choose from is something I hope to see again; however, this time, the options should be more focused on their controllers, with one version featuring a standard controller, and another version that comes with a pro controller.
An issue I find with the Switch joy-cons is that they are small and don’t have any handle to grab onto, which can make competitive online gaming and hard games even harder, which led me to buy the official Nintendo Switch pro controllers for an additional cost.
Having a pro controller version would help resolve this issue from launch day and offer a better experience, helping to target both casual players and more experienced gamers alike.
Or a Smaller Switch Lite Version
Another item on my wishlist involves hardware. I highly doubt Nintendo will offer this along with a pro controller. So, if Nintendo doesn’t provide a pro controller version for their latest console, then I at least hope to see a smaller handheld version of the Switch Lite if they once again release a handheld-only version. One that can comfortably fit into your pocket, as the Switch Lite is still too big, which doesn’t help when gaming on the go. Having a handheld console closer in size to a PlayStation Vita would be much more desirable, as I still prefer to take my PlayStation Vita with me instead of a Switch Lite for this reason. It’s something I hope Nintendo will address with their next console.
Introduce an Achievement/Trophy System
One reason I’m more invested in playing on PlayStation over Nintendo is their Platinum Trophies. They add value and replayability to each game, making your profile more interesting and sparking conversations with fellow gamers who also enjoy collecting trophies/ achievements.
Similar to pro controllers, Nintendo having their own version of trophies/achievements would appeal to more experienced gamers without getting in the way of casual players. Games such as Zelda and Pokémon could certainly benefit from this addition.
Miis, and a Online Hub Community with Wii Sports-like Minigames
As of writing, the Switch is currently Nintendo’s second highest-selling console, only behind the DS. Yet, for me, I still find the Nintendo Wii to have had a bigger impact on gaming. Two reasons I find the Wii to have had a bigger impact are its better use of your digital avatar, called a Mii, and its launch title, Wii Sports—a collection of sports games that successfully showcased how games can be played with family and friends, making the Wii a great addition to any family home.
The Nintendo Switch also has Miis, although they feature less, and its own sports game, called Nintendo Switch Sports, which was released in 2022. However, its sales paled in comparison to the Wii’s edition, mainly because it was not sold alongside the Switch at launch. This is why the next Nintendo console should feature a collection of sports games at release. This time, it could work as a digital-only, pre-installed version, offering players a free game once again with the console. Additionally, to expand on its predecessors, instead of just being a collection of mini-games, it could serve as an online community hub where players can hang out as their Miis with other Miis. Each sports game could be within this online community space, giving Miis a better purpose and helping Nintendo improve its online presence, which feels lacklustre compared to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Physical Releases and Revamped Box Design
The debate over whether games should be digital-only is a topic for another blog. However, with the next Nintendo console likely still including physical copies, the focus here is more on how the box and its artwork should look.
Nintendo Switch cases currently resemble a smaller, slimmer version of PlayStation and Xbox cases, featuring a striking red color and white font down the side for all its games. While this looks nice on its own, the case and artwork have several flaws that Nintendo should address with its latest console.
Firstly, improve the box itself by giving it more width to make the text on the side bigger, as the current text is too small to read from across the room. Secondly, get rid of the red background color and offer publishers more freedom and creativity when designing their box art. Although the red does look nice, it gives the case a generic look that doesn’t stand out when placed next to other games, resulting in a dull, lifeless display on the shelf. Lastly, the worst issue is when you open the case to find no manual or artwork, and a game cartridge less than a quarter the size of the case, often with a plain white background. This is why Nintendo and its publishers should commit to their physical releases and at least offer double-sided artwork or a map/artwork inside to accompany the game, providing more than a digital copy can.
More importantly than anything though, if Nintendo is going to release physical copies with their next console, they shouldn’t sell a case with only a download code inside…
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, games are only as good as the controllers they are played with, playing on the go is only feasible when a console can be comfortably carried, multiplayer gaming is only enjoyable with a fun online community, and collecting games is only satisfying when the artwork is visually pleasing. While I doubt Nintendo will include all these features in their latest console, having one or two of them will certainly make it a day-one purchase for me. Until then, I look forward to the announcement and what is next for gaming with Nintendo.
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