As we delve into 2024, the Nintendo Switch seems to be nearing the end of its road—a console that remains functional but is increasingly strained by the demands of modern gaming.
While its decline isn’t dramatic, a sense of stagnation surrounds the device, particularly as many new titles expose its aging technology.
This console has now lived nearly eight years, a timeline reminiscent of the gap between the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the PlayStation 2.
Current State of the Nintendo Switch
Despite its advancing age, Nintendo has done a commendable job of keeping the Switch relevant as we gear up for 2025.
However, it functions on borrowed time, reminiscent of sitting in a DMV waiting room—full of anticipation yet lacking in substantial news.
Instead of introducing groundbreaking innovations, Nintendo’s focus appears to be wholey on the status quo, even cracking down on emulation and piracy to safeguard its platform from potential hacking threats.
The landscape of 2024 was notably quiet, marked more by the absence of exciting announcements than by significant developments.
Aside from vague whispers about the upcoming Switch 2—suggesting it will support backward compatibility—fans have had little to cling to.
Major titles featuring beloved characters like Mario and Zelda were sorely missed, with the year instead yielding smaller but enjoyable spin-offs.
The Switch itself has not seen significant enhancements, as exemplified by ongoing performance hiccups within the eShop.
The price, steady at $300 since its debut in 2017, seems increasingly stagnant.
Indie Gaming and Upcoming Titles
Amidst these challenges, 2024 has also been a golden era for indie gaming on the Switch.
Players have continued to revel in the vast world of *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom*, which has solidified its place as a high mark for the console nearly two years after its launch.
For newcomers picking up the Switch with anticipation before the rumored arrival of the Switch 2, the console still offers an impressive library that ranks among the best in gaming history.
Yet, the thrill of portable gaming has begun to wane, as newer technologies have emerged on the scene.
The performance gap between the Switch and newer consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S has widened, unveiling issues such as frame rate drops, visual fidelity concerns, and longer load times.
Competing handhelds like the Steam Deck and Asus Rog Ally deliver a smoother experience, often priced just slightly above the Switch.
Talk of a “Switch 2” remains a hot topic among enthusiasts, and while rumors suggest that it will provide a standard hardware upgrade, there are whispers of innovative features, like Joy-Con that magnetically attach to the screen.
However, such features likely won’t be the main attraction; the console may very well carry on the Nintendo Switch name.
Nintendo’s Strategy and Future Plans
This year, Nintendo did introduce an intriguing device called Alarmo, which is an alarm clock equipped with motion sensors designed to play nostalgic video game music.
However, fans will have to wait until early 2025 for its release.
In a delightful surprise, a new Zelda-themed Switch Lite was unveiled, potentially the most visually striking special edition to date.
Although the hardware struggles, the user interface has grown increasingly unwieldy.
Navigating the eShop is often frustrating, with sluggish speeds and a cluttered layout dominated by low-quality games trying to mimic popular titles.
An update in 2024 made it possible to download games during sleep mode, but this improvement felt rather modest.
Rather than innovating with the current system, Nintendo chose to focus on legal action against those facilitating Switch emulation.
A settlement was reached to stop the creators of the Yuzu emulator from operating, along with legal pursuits against individuals involved in piracy.
This reflects Nintendo’s desire to secure the upcoming console’s launch and avoid legacy issues stemming from homebrew scenes.
Nintendo Switch Online expanded its offerings this year, adding several classics from the Game Boy Advance for $20 annually, or $50 for the Expansion Pack.
The highlight of these additions wasn’t a game but rather a music streaming service dedicated to Nintendo soundtracks, raising some eyebrows over the overall value of the subscription.
Even amidst a quieter year, Nintendo cleverly maintains the illusion of major game releases, with the 2024 lineup featuring remakes and smaller projects, bolstered by a robust indie selection.
Though it lacked the blockbuster titles of earlier years, there’s still enough to keep players engaged, a notable feat for a console in dire need of an update.
Anticipated titles, including ports of *Donkey Kong Country Returns* and *Xenoblade Chronicles X* slated for early 2025, suggest that Nintendo may be holding its most potent offerings for the Switch 2 debut.
In this light, even a relatively lackluster year for the current Switch model has turned out to be more rewarding than one might expect.
Source: Kotaku