As much as the opposite may seem true, I hate complaining about things, especially the Nintendo Switch 2. I really want to be positive about Nintendo's new console, if only to have something to be genuinely excited about this year - as someone who feels indifferent towards GTA, the purportedly much-hyped new entry doesn't interest me. So, I went into the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct not with high expectations, but hoping to at least come out feeling generally excited about it and bursting full of ideas about how great certain features look, even if the whole package didn't look amazing.

Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to truly care - I really would rather write something more positive - I found the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct to be incredibly disappointing. It wasn't for a lack of announcements, as there were so many Switch 2 games revealed during the presentation. Rather, there was one main issue I had with how Nintendo handled the Direct and what that ultimately means for the Switch 2's launch that left me feeling deflated and promptly revoking my desire to pre-order it as soon as possible.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Was Disappointing

It Focused On All The Wrong Things

As much as I was elated at the prospect of a lengthy Nintendo Direct diving into everything Switch 2, I was also cautious. I'm very aware of the burden high expectations can put on something, and it's fair to say that the Switch 2 Direct was overhyped, if only a tad. However, while expectations were high, there are some basic tenants of a new console reveal - outside the initial trailer - such as explaining the hardware, displaying its launch lineup, or most of it, and, most importantly, conveying why it's necessary to buy it.

The Switch 2 Direct did only one of those things. The hardware is certainly impressive - not that it's shown in much of the first-party gameplay - and the additional Nintendo gimmicks thrown in, such as a bizarre Zoom-esque video chat function and the ability to use the joy-con as a mouse, are cool. For the sake of balance, I'm also a huge fan of the Switch 2 GameCube games that are being bundled into the NSO service. It is also great to see Nintendo reintroduce the game sharing feature from the Nintendo DS, as it makes its games more accessible.

However, while the demonstrations of the console's hardware reinforced my understanding of Nintendo's ability to craft compelling tech, it wasn't enough to get me to willingly pay the Switch 2's surprisingly expensive cost. To do that, Nintendo needed to deliver the console's USP, which, in this case, would be strong first-party releases. Unfortunately, it completely failed to do that as, bafflingly, Nintendo revealed two major first-party titles and otherwise relied solely on third-party games we've all already played dozens of times.

Nintendo Shouldn't Have Focused On Third-Party Developers

It Isn't A Novelty Anymore

The Switch 2 Direct's biggest flaw was its focus on third-party titles like Hogwarts Legacy, Elden Ring, and Cyberpunk 2077. I've spoken in the past about how it would be foolish for Nintendo to take this route, as handheld PCs have offered the ability to play these games on the go for a while, and the novelty of playing them on a Switch has long since worn out. Additionally, Nintendo Switch owners typically own a second console, with a 2020 report from Gamingindustry.biz finding that 60% of Switch owners also owned a PS4 and 51% owned an Xbox One.

Those numbers will have only gone up since then, with Sony itself believing in 2023 that half of PS5 owners also have a Nintendo Switch, according to The Verge. Of course, there will be some Nintendo Switch owners who've never played the 10-year-old Yakuza 0 or dabbled in the nearly five-year-old Cyberpunk 2077. Nevertheless, I suspect that a large portion of people who wanted to play these games already have in some capacity. Promoting a slew of pre-existing games that are going to be significantly cheaper on every platform except the Switch 2 isn't a selling point.

It is, however, a surefire way of making a new piece of hardware feel extremely old. I can't speak for everyone, but, at least in my case, I no longer care about whether a Nintendo Switch can run Cyberpunk 2077 because I've played it twice and can, at any point, purchase it for my ROG Ally, which costs only slightly more than a Nintendo Switch. With Xbox and PlayStation making handhelds, the excitement of playing third-party AAA games on the Switch has all but evaporated.

There Were Barely Any First Party Games Announced

There's Only One Major First-Party Launch Title

To Nintendo's credit, it did showcase some first-party games. Mario Kart World is intriguing, although I'm curious to see how rewarding exploring its open world actually is. Donkey Kong Bananza looks like a genuine blast, and its destructible environments are a genuinely good showcase for the Nintendo Switch's new specs. There's also the baffling Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a tech demo that explains what the console you just paid $449.99 does, which is ridiculously a paid digital game. Long gone are the days of console tie-in games like Wii Sports and Astro's Playroom.

However, these games don't really appeal to a broad audience. Mario Kart World looks good, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still exists and only recently finished its huge run of DLC which added 48 new tracks to it. Donkey Kong Banaza is a great example of a next Animal Crossing game that fans have been waiting five years for? Where are the Fire Emblems, Xenoblade Chronicles, Pokémons, and Zeldas?

It still doesn't feel like Nintendo has given an adequate reason to buy the Nintendo Switch on day one, and that's a shame. Of course, it isn't necessary to pre-order a console, and over time, Nintendo will release games within these franchises. However, as much as I am genuinely happy to wait, there's something special about being a part of a major moment in gaming history, and the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 should be that. Unfortunately, the Switch 2 Direct didn't give me a reason to want to be a part of that moment.

I sincerely hope that Nintendo pivots and starts revealing more first-party games for the Nintendo Switch 2, otherwise I doubt I'll ever really care about it.

Eagle-eyed fans may have noticed that I didn't mention the bizarre, monochrome, sluggish-looking experimental Nintendo title, Drag x Drive. In a Direct full of exciting first-party releases, this may have been appreciated more as a strange Nintendo experiment that a handful of people will play and love, like ARMS. However, when there are barely any first-party games aside from it, it's scrutinized and quickly forgotten for being lackluster. I sincerely hope that Nintendo pivots and starts revealing more first-party games for the Nintendo Switch 2, otherwise I doubt I'll ever really care about it.

Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube, Gamesindustry.biz, The Verge