Summary
- The Nintendo Switch's age shows in declining hardware sales, prompting anticipation for their next-gen console.
- The Switch Successor should include OG features from updates like recording, groups, and Bluetooth.
- The Switch Successor needs bigger storage for demanding games, party chat, and an achievement system.
The Nintendo Switch has gained ongoing support from Nintendo and various developers for 8 years. Every inch of the console’s potential has been showcased through multiple games, especially its first-party IPs. Its capabilities have amazed the market, producing exceeding sales numbers for many franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Metroid, Splatoon, Pikmin, and more.
The console’s age is becoming more noticeable with its lower hardware sales in its recent quarterly report. This encourages everyone to look forward to Nintendo’s next console, even the President of Nintendo, Shuntaro Furukawa. The company is very eager to move on to their official next-gen hardware as the audience anticipates its improved capabilities, and especially its new features.
12 The Added OG Features Return
Updated Features Not Included On Switch's Launch Day
The title “Switch Successor” states that the new console should have options on its launch day that were added later to its predecessor. Many of these features from the Nintendo Switch's update history must be included and improved upon for the next console, rather than forgotten:
- Switch Ver 4.0 - Recording released on October 18, 2017, for players to capture footage of eligible gameplay.
- Switch Ver 14.0 - Groups released on March 12, 2022, for players to organize games into customizable folders for easier searching.
- Switch Ver 13.0 - Bluetooth released on September 14, 2021, for players to use wireless audio devices.
11 Bigger Capacity
More Demanding Games = Larger File Size
The steady growth of games means that the Switch Successor requires bigger storage. The original Switch and Switch Lite have 32 GB storage whereas the OLED Switch has 64 GB of space. These are decent sizes for Nintendo’s first-party games, though other studios often have trouble developing within the restricted margin. Some games even require players to buy microSD cards to play.
It’s best to minimize these requirements by raising the storage space to at least 128 GB, although more storage would certainly be better given the storage space on Sony and Microsoft's consoles. The upgraded storage won’t just ease developers’ struggle in porting their games to Nintendo's console, but also ease the consumer worries about constantly deleting and reinstalling games to make space for newer games.
10 Online Connectivity
Hook Up With Friends More Often
Party Chat is essential for players to connect more online. The Nintendo Switch is very fun locally, but it should give more attention to connecting players online. It could be similar to Xbox and PlayStation in how players can group up with other active friends to tackle multiplayer games together.
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Party Chat should be integrated into the console, rather than trapped within the Nintendo Switch Online App. It’s underutilized with its limitations, such as the very few eligible games (Splatoon 2 + 3, Smash Bros Ultimate, Animal Crossing). There should be more options and resources outside the viable games as well, like sending online invites or short friend messages when away from the console.
9 Achievements
Completion Satisfaction
Nintendo already has a mission & reward system, but what’s lacking is an Achievement system. Xbox and PlayStation games have certain tasks that grant players a completion notice in the form of Achievements/Trophies. The hidden tasks for each game can be straightforward, like completing the main story, or more specific, like dealing 666 damage to demons. The goals are ranked based on difficulty and completion rates.
Achievements greatly encourage and satisfy players when progressing through games. It even makes the games more memorable and replayable, especially when completing rarer, more challenging tasks.
8 Greater Portability
A Feature To Make Nintendo Switch Easier To Carry
The Switch Successor should improve its portability with a fold model. The current Switch is good for travel, though its width can be cumbersome to carry. It can’t fit many pockets, and when it does, it feels awkward and limits the owner’s movement. A carrying case or bag is heavily recommended when bringing the Switch while traveling.
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Similar to the transition from Game Boy to Game Boy SP, a fold model would help to minimize the Switch’s size for players to travel with it more easily, without requiring a bag or dealing with theft concerns. It would also raise its durability and protect the main screen from damage.
7 Controller Audio
A Way To Immerse Players Into A Virtual World
A returning feature that would make Nintendo games more engaging would be Controller Speakers. The Wii Remote had a speaker that would play audio during different in-game interactions or moments. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, selecting a fighter would sound out their related voice over dialogue on the Wii Remote. Another unique moment occurs in No More Heroes when the protagonist receives a phone call, which is heard through the Wii Remote like a it's phone speaker.
How the developers, including Nintendo, would creatively use the speakers helps to make their games feel more alive for the audience. Sony's DualSense already does this, so Nintendo following suit would be in keeping with modern trends.
6 Returning Games
Bringing Games To The Switch Successor Day 1
Since the new console is the Switch's successor, its library should be backwards compatible with its predecessor. So many series from previous Nintendo generations were brought back updated, redesigned, or as a brand-new entry for the Switch. Players should have access to the huge library of nostalgic franchises through the Switch’s future generations with better visuals and specs Day 1.
These games’ data are connected to modern Nintendo accounts, which the President of Nintendo stated is the company’s main interest for its online system:
“The introduction of Nintendo Account made it possible to tie a user’s history to their personal account. This will be a foundation upon which Nintendo can maintain a lasting relationship with consumers; We will strive to further spread Nintendo Account and grow it into a vital business foundation for Nintendo heading into the future.”
The huge growth of Nintendo Accounts has encouraged the company to continue supporting it, which would include any digital games and online services attached to them.
5 Controller Viability
Backward Compatibility For Controllers Too
Along with making the predecessor's games accessible, Nintendo should do the same with the current controllers. This widens the accessibility and ease for users to jump in to the new console. There were some exclusive benefits from Nintendo Switch Online Membership for Nintendo members, including the NES, SNES, and N64 controllers, which would be nice to carry over.
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It's more consumer-friendly to allow the players to play the new console with their original Switch controllers. This addition would make it more convenient to play original Switch games, as the successor’s exclusives may include another feature that only newer controllers would be compatible with.
4 Controller Design
Drifting Away From Future Controller Issues
The new controllers should be properly designed, especially the joy-cons (or their replacements). Current joy-cons are designed with a tragic problem that allows dust to slip inside the controller. This greatly hinders its function, resulting in in-game characters having the sudden urge to move without the player’s permission. This is known as "controller drift".
The important fix to controller drift would be Hall-Effect joysticks, a mechanism that uses magnetism to calculate movement. This would make Nintendo the first of the big 3 consoles to make the switch to Hall-Effect, making them pioneers of the future of gaming once again. These joysticks would help significantly minimize controller drifting, relieving the frequent issue for company support. Other helpful additions to the new controller would be improved input delay and a small microphone for convenient communication.
3 The Reincarnation Of The Mii
Raising The Significance Of Every Mii
WaraWara Plaza was a place for created Miis to roam freely when the user logged into the Wii U. The user could see their own Miis and those of their friends with various posts and comments. The Miis on Switch don’t feel nearly as present, as they’re only viewable within the settings, making them mostly secondary.
Nintendo still finds work for the Miis by including them in titles like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Miitopia. The successor should bring more relevancy to them by raising their presence on the main menu. The company could renew the Miiverse as something unique to the system, especially with the newer Miis from Nintendo Switch Sports.