After a recent presentation, Nintendo subtly revealed a whole new category of games. Called Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, they hasn’t been elaborated on, but based on precedents Nintendo has set, these titles will likely serve as enhanced versions of select games and be built specifically to take advantage of the Switch 2’s performance capabilities and new features.
One example of Nintendo releasing enhanced editions of games for a previous console is when the Nintendo Wii got “New Play Control!” editions of GameCube titles that were developed to be compatible with the Nintendo Wii Remote and Nunchuck. Players were able to aim in Metroid Prime with motion controls and play Mario Power Tennis as if they were swinging a tennis racket. Nintendo also brought many of their Wii U games to the Switch as well.
With this history in mind, it seems rather likely that Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games are just Nintendo’s latest attempt to cash in on previously released titles in their library, locking possible mouse controls, or a performance boost behind a pay wall. This may set off alarm bells for gamers who have seen how other console manufacturers have handled console upgrades and be a sign of Nintendo being willing to charge consumers to get any benefit of playing Switch games on their new console.
A different approach than competitors
Nintendo has historically been behind on certain trends in the gaming industry. This hasn’t always been a bad thing — after all, it wasn’t until the Nintendo Switch era that they started charging owners to access their online services, something Xbox and PlayStation had been doing for many years. But this time, if they’re choosing to refrain from a practice done by their competitors it may not be a benefit.
Xbox, for example, has a feature known as Smart Delivery. With Smart Delivery, players could upgrade Xbox One versions of their games the the Xbox Series X/S version for free. That means that Xbox owners could receive higher framerates, sharper visuals, more dynamic and intense lighting on their collection if they decide to upgrade their console — all at no additional cost. This decision ensured that consumers only needed to purchase a title once and could reap the benefits of progressively more powerful hardware.
Sony’s model isn’t quite as generous, charging an extra fee for gamers to convert their PlayStation 4 titles into the re-released PlayStation 5 edition, such as God of War: Ragnarök and Ghost of Tsushima. However, the company offered over 100 PlayStation 4 titles a free upgrade on the PS5 like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Horizon Forbidden West. In addition, the ‘Game Boost’ feature was available for select titles which allowed PlayStation 4 games to take advantage of the additional processing power of the PlayStation 5.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are notorious for their performance issues, including poor draw distance, inconsistent framerate, frequent stutters, and numerous other problems that lessen the experience for many players. Now, with a hypothetical Nintendo Switch 2 edition, you could benefit from a version of the game that is far more playable but requires you to pay an extra fee. Now Nintendo will possibly be able to sell the game to Pokémon fans twice if they want better performance. Players who desire a Breath of the Wild that runs a consistent 60 fps, those that want a version Pokémon Scarlet & Violet or Link’s Awakening with stability.
None of this is to say anything about what games will be selected for these “Editions”. Will Nintendo select titles that truly need the improvements, or will they focus on their most profitable games that players will be more likely to double dip on? Nintendo has never shied away from an occasional dubious practice, but the potential decision to avoid a native boost to their first party library in favor of gating appreciable (or necessary) improvements behind a pay wall is both disappointing and concerning.
We expect Nintendo will share more about Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Games in the near future, possibly even tomorrow during the Switch 2-focused Nintendo Direct set for 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET. Will games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet or the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A receive the Nintendo Switch 2 treatment? We’re still holding out hope for Nintendo to offer these upgraded Editions to owners of the Switch 1 games at a discount, possibly at $10-15. However, this is Nintendo, so be prepared for anything. Keep your eyes peeled and share your thoughts in the comments!
March Giveaway
