At this level, the code identify “Swap 2” is just about burned into all of our minds. Rumors have been swirling round for a while now, and we’ve solely just lately obtained official affirmation from Nintendo that the brand new system exists in any respect. Actually, it’s being introduced throughout this fiscal 12 months, which implies we’ll on the very least know its identify earlier than March 2025. Within the meantime, we figured it’d be a great time to consider Nintendo’s subsequent console and a number of the options we’d most wish to see on it.
Higher controllers
This one is a should. The Swap’s Pleasure-Con are a neat concept in principle, however they’re considerably missing in execution. Their management sticks are infamous for drifting, which makes enjoying video games with exact motion (or any sport in any respect, actually) very tough. Pleasure-Con drift is maybe the most important subject with the Swap, and one which hasn’t been straight addressed or outright mounted by this level. The Swap 2 completely wants higher management sticks on the very least, lest they run into the identical downside once more. That being mentioned, the controllers do have one benefit, and it’s one we’d wish to see retained on new {hardware}: they’re separate from the console itself. Again within the day, for those who broke the Wii U GamePad, you’d must ship the entire thing again to Nintendo – and you may’t do quite a bit on the Wii U with out the GamePad. Within the Swap’s case, you may ship the defective controller again to Nintendo and pop on a spare. Removable controllers are each handy and customizable, and we’d like to see a Swap 2 maintain this function.
Slightly bit extra character
In comparison with its predecessors, the Swap’s person interface is type of plain. The Wii U and 3DS had music for the whole lot – the chums listing, the information feed, system settings, the eShop, and way more. There’s no such equal for the Swap, nevertheless; all of those are as an alternative silent and don’t have any distinctive sound results. That uniqueness is one thing we’ve come to know Nintendo by, and we’d wish to see a bit extra of it in Nintendo’s subsequent console. This isn’t even mentioning the “additional” apps the Wii U and 3DS had – issues like Swapnote, the Web Browser, the Nintendo Badge Arcade, the theme store, and others. Talking of themes…
Themes
How haven’t we obtained themes on the Swap but?! The Swap has a devoted system settings part only for themes, and but the one choices obtainable are Fundamental Black and Fundamental White. Themes can be a good way to customise your console (and perhaps earn Nintendo a bit of additional cash). On the 3DS, themes not solely modified the looks of your private home menu, however the music that performed on it as nicely. Nintendo can pull from a ton of various franchises and characters – there can be one thing for everybody. If themes actually do make their return on Swap 2, we’d additionally wish to see the return of the theme shuffle function from the 3DS. This allow you to resolve a pool of themes that the console would randomly load each time you accessed the house menu.
An improved eShop
When you’ve used the 3DS or Wii U previous to attempting out the Swap, then you definitely’ve in all probability seen that the Swap eShop is a little bit bit missing in options in comparison with the shops that got here earlier than it. The Swap eShop has a very outstanding subject with its approval course of. Video games usually go on sale for mere cents to realize greater visibility; others use what’s clearly AI-generated artwork on their retailer web page, and there are tons of video games with questionable content material that randomly pop up throughout searches. Gone are the times of the 3DS and Wii U eShop’s ranking techniques, so it’s tough to inform which video games are legit with out having to do a little analysis your self. That’s not even mentioning how sluggish and laggy the Swap’s eShop feels at occasions – plus it doesn’t play any music! We’d like to see a straight improve right here that brings again a number of the Nintendo eShop attraction we’ve been lacking.
Extra Nintendo Swap On-line platforms
It’s in all probability a secure guess that Nintendo’s present Nintendo Swap On-line infrastructure will carry over to the following console, no matter that finally ends up being. Actually, Nintendo itself has particularly confirmed that its Nintendo Account construction will carry over to the Swap’s successor. Hopefully which means we’ll have the whole Nintendo Swap On-line library from day one, and received’t have to begin over with a couple of NES video games for a 3rd time. It’s no secret that the majority followers wish to see a GameCube platform – we do assume that’s considerably unlikely, nevertheless. Tremendous Mario Sunshine was already obtainable through Tremendous Mario 3D All-Stars, and maybe extra importantly, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Yr Door, Metroid Prime Remastered, and Pikmin 1 + 2 are all already on Swap as standalone releases. A GameCube NSO must exclude all of those prolific titles, so we expect there’s a better likelihood that Nintendo opts for extra ports and remasters sooner or later as an alternative. Nonetheless, the chances don’t finish there! The Wii U Digital Console introduced again Nintendo DS video games, and that’s actually a risk right here even with out a built-in microphone. Whereas we’re at it, let’s carry again particular person buy choices for Digital Console titles on Swap 2 as nicely.
Buddy messaging
Nintendo has by no means been nice with on-line options like buddy messaging. The closest factor we’ve acquired is Swapnote again within the 3DS days, and even that was discontinued far earlier than the net servers ever shut down. Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire truly had Recreation Chat, an possibility that allowed you to make use of the 3DS’ admittedly low-quality microphone to speak to associates whereas battling or buying and selling. The Swap doesn’t have a microphone, however perhaps the following one will. On the very least, we’d wish to see its successor introduce the power to ship precise messages to your pals on the Swap itself. It’s potential to ship buddy requests to folks enjoying video games like Splatoon or Tremendous Smash Bros., however from there it’s unimaginable to truly talk with them.
Cloud saves for each sport
Admittedly, this isn’t one thing we needs to be ready for the following console to get. Cloud saves are a key perk of Nintendo Swap On-line, as they help you restore your progress if one thing had been to occur to your Swap. Sadly, all the video games you’d need to restore your progress to don’t assist cloud saves. No major sequence Pokemon video games on Swap assist them, Splatoon 2 doesn’t assist them, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons doesn’t assist them historically. Positive, there are causes these video games don’t assist cloud saves – the in-game financial system and such – however these are all arguably a number of the largest time investments the Swap has to supply. When you’re paying for a Nintendo Swap On-line membership anyway, it is best to at the least get a little bit safety that your Pokemon assortment will likely be okay in case you drop your Swap and must get it repaired.
A extra detailed Exercise Log
The Wii U and particularly the 3DS had in-depth Exercise Log packages. They confirmed you your precise play time on every title, what number of occasions you’ve launched them, and your common play time. Sadly, Swap solely offers you a tough approximation of your play time in intervals of 5 hours and nothing past. When you don’t play a sport for a number of years, the Swap additionally seemingly takes hours away out of your play time – that’s occurred to us on a couple of separate events. We’d like to see an in depth exercise go online Swap 2 – not even for any sensible objective, however as a pleasant little time waster between video games.
Backwards compatibility
Luckily, the percentages are in our favor right here, and for a really particular purpose. Not too long ago, Nintendo has modified the packaging of its new amiibo figures to take away any point out of the 3DS, Wii U, and Swap. Although it technically doesn’t verify something, it does make sense that they’d make this variation if a brand new console is on the horizon. That might indicate that the brand new console helps amiibo, which implies the percentages are good that it helps Swap video games, too. Apart from, we discover it uncertain that Nintendo would launch a bunch of Mario video games on Swap (Tremendous Mario Bros. Surprise, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Yr Door, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD) just for them to be rendered unplayable on the following console. Area of interest theories apart, with a library as robust because the Swap’s, we’d like to have the ability to maintain enjoying these video games on Swap 2.
Handheld mode
This one’s positively apparent, however for us it’s a should that Nintendo’s subsequent piece of {hardware} retains its docked and handheld modes – and doesn’t simply stick to 1 or the opposite. It’s a superb gimmick, and it’s one that everybody understands (whereas one thing just like the Wii U GamePad wasn’t instantly apparent to individuals who hadn’t seen it earlier than). We don’t assume it requires a lot innovation or thought — so long as Nintendo’s subsequent console retains that signature versatility, we expect it’ll be off to a powerful begin.
What’s most essential to you on Nintendo’s subsequent console? Themes, backwards compatibility, higher management sticks, or one thing totally totally different? Be at liberty to tell us all of your ideas and visions for the Swap’s successor under.
As we talked about earlier, it is perhaps a short while earlier than Nintendo is prepared for a full reveal. That being mentioned, the longer they take, the upper the possibility their subsequent console is one thing even higher. Within the meantime, be at liberty to take a look at each Nintendo’s official site and our personal for additional information updates.