The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal reminded me how much I take my Xbox for granted

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Yesterday, I ended up watching the live stream of the Nintendo Switch 2, although I must admit I’m not exactly a dedicated Nintendo enthusiast these days.

Growing up in the 90s, many of my British friends and I struggled to afford Nintendo’s pricey games and consoles due to their high costs. In contrast, Sega’s products were often more budget-friendly, widely available, and boasted an impressive collection of exclusive titles like Gunstar Heroes. As a result, my fond memories of Nintendo are mainly limited to Pokémon and Metroid, but the mismanagement of their current games has weakened even those positive associations for me.

To begin with, let me clarify that the following thoughts are based on my personal viewpoint, since I don’t seem to be particularly drawn to the most recent versions of Mario Kart and Kirby.

My game backlog on Xbox and Steam is so huge that I’ll always have plenty to keep me busy – I found myself pondering, though, about the potential for innovation in the handheld gaming market from Nintendo, given Microsoft’s own explorations into creating an Xbox handheld device. This could be done both in-house (Microsoft internally) and through partnerships, as hinted by Project Kennan.

After observing the Nintendo Direct, I must admit, a hint of puzzlement crept in. A gadget that was once impressive in terms of performance a few years back, boasting “innovative” features now common on rival devices, and suggesting $90 as the new standard price for games, left me with a sense of appreciation for my Xbox that I hadn’t fully realized before.

$90 games are going to become the norm… not for me!

One major point of debate regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 is the disclosure that Nintendo’s top-tier games will be priced at $90 on physical discs and $80 digitally. This is a significant increase from the current standard price of $70, and in certain regions, it could cause prices to surpass $100 due to exchange rates, tariffs, and other factors.

For me, who doesn’t have much fondness for the majority of Nintendo’s series, it’s hard to imagine a situation where games like Kirby, Mario Kart, Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, or any others are valued at $90.

I’ve spent more than $90 on Collector’s Editions for my favorite franchises such as Diablo, World of Warcraft, The Witcher, and others, but for the standard version without any extra content or items?

Instead of spending the cost of three top-tier Nintendo games, consider investing that amount in a year’s worth of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate instead.

The XGPU offers a wealth of Microsoft’s latest properties, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, bonus features for free-to-play games, PC Game Pass subscription, numerous titles from third-party developers, and plenty more exciting content.

In the 90s, games were priced at $100. However, this doesn’t mean that prices should continue to escalate in 2025. Given that our salaries aren’t increasing at an equivalent pace, I firmly believe that gaming should not become an exclusive luxury for a select few. The value for consumers must always be considered.

Steam tends to prioritize consumers by offering exceptionally generous sales events and setting a relatively low standard price for premium games, even though some publishers are starting to catch up with similar pricing strategies.

Nintendo games often do not receive discounts very frequently, it’s true. Yet, the market operates in this manner, and many appear content with this state of affairs. However, at present, global buying power is not increasing rapidly.

Every contemporary Microsoft game includes Xbox Play Anywhere at no extra cost upon purchase. This means you only pay for the game once, and then you can enjoy playing it on either your console or personal computer.

More and more, those games are also being greenlit on Xbox Cloud Gaming as well.

For just $70, you receive significantly more value when buying an Xbox game compared to a premium Nintendo Switch 2 game priced at $80 or $90. However, if Nintendo decides to make this the typical price for premium games, it’s likely that Xbox, PlayStation, and other publishers will eventually adopt similar pricing strategies as well.

In this realm, Xbox and PC Game Pass are becoming increasingly enticing, reminding me constantly of the genuine worth I’m enjoying. It’s all too easy to overlook such benefits. As a gaming enthusiast, I find myself appreciating these services more and more each day.

Yesterday’s tech, today!

The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to cost around the same as an Xbox Series X, sacrificing raw power for the convenience of portability.

For just $439 (at Amazon), you can grab the Xbox Series X 1TB version. This package includes the game Mario Kart World, but if you’d rather not have a game, there’s an option available for $449. Regardless, many retailers are expected to stock this bundle, making it the go-to choice for most shoppers.

The Xbox Series S, priced at just $284 on Amazon, offers a comparable gaming experience to the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.

In no time, critics who once criticized 30FPS in games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring on the Xbox Series S might praise it as “perfectly acceptable” or even “suitable” for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Well, you know how carrying your Xbox Series X or S isn’t an option for those long travel days? In that case, when discussing the compact design of the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, it might be more fitting to draw comparisons with portable powerhouses like the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally.

It’s unlikely that the Steam Deck will be as potent as the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, especially when connected to a TV or dock. However, the ASUS ROG Ally with the AMD Z1 Extreme should have similar capabilities.

It remains uncertain how potent and competitive these devices truly are in practical scenarios until the launch of Nintendo Switch 2. However, it’s important to remember that the ASUS ROG Ally has been around for nearly two years now, while the Steam Deck has been in existence for three.

Currently available on Amazon for $499, the ASUS ROG Ally is equipped with the potent capabilities of Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and other third-party PC launchers, offering games such as Genshin Impact.

This system boasts the same robust capabilities as Windows 11, working seamlessly with numerous compatible peripherals, game enhancements, and extensive customization options. Notably, the Steam Deck delivers a comparable experience at a significantly lower price point compared to the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.

Indeed, it’s clear that the user interface of Nintendo will likely be much more intuitive compared to Windows on the ROG Ally, which is an area Microsoft is actively trying to improve.

For the moment, Nintendo holds an advantage in terms of user-friendliness, particularly for children and older players who may not want to grapple with the peculiarities of Windows or SteamOS. This convenience is offered within a compact, portable console that can also be connected to a TV.

The Nintendo Switch’s user-friendly operating system is often described as being quite minimalistic, lacking some common features that are standard on other systems. For instance, features such as cloud saves and backups weren’t initially available with the initial release of the system, and even when they were added, not all games supported them.

As a user, I often underestimate the convenience of Xbox and Steam’s universal, free cloud save systems when I switch to other platforms. Similarly, Xbox’s straightforward social features are something I tend to take for granted.

The groundbreaking feature, “party chat,” originally introduced by Xbox, has made its way to the Nintendo Switch 2, and it includes a camera option with automatic green screen as an additional feature.

Xbox delivered this with the Xbox One and Kinect back in 2013 with Skype integration, of course.

The Xbox Series X|S comes with complete Discord compatibility, providing similar features, although it lacks the direct gaming integration options found in some games.

Compared to individual offerings like the ROG Ally, Xbox Series X/S, or even on its own, the Nintendo Switch 2 may not be as open, versatile, or powerful; however, it excels in combining portability and user-friendly design into a single device more gracefully than most competitors on the market.

Absolutely, Nintendo undeniably earned significant recognition for the groundbreaking design of the Nintendo Switch, which propelled it towards selling tens of millions of units and establishing itself as one of the most beloved video game consoles ever made.

In the year 2025, you’ll find numerous, frequently superior, and more cost-effective alternatives available. These options promise a virtually identical gaming experience, with many instances offering an even enhanced user experience.

But, is that enough?

But … it’s true that Xbox has no fun “exclusive” content argument now.

In reality, people tend not to purchase technology based solely on its specifications; instead, they opt for what feels intuitive or satisfying to them.

Nintendo consistently creates an impressive level of quality in their games, which is challenging for many other game publishers to achieve. This consistency capitalizes on the deep-rooted nostalgia that fans have accumulated over several decades.

There’s a fun factor to Nintendo’s products and games that is hard to put into words.

In 2013, Xbox included Skype with camera functionality, however, they didn’t go the extra mile to make it entertaining, much like Nintendo does, by seamlessly incorporating it within their video games.

As a passionate admirer, I can attest that the games themselves are simply captivating. Even without delving deep into their merits, the premium quality they offer could easily justify their cost, based on personal taste.

According to my co-host on the Xbox Two Podcast, “value isn’t appealing,” and this statement encapsulates the reality of Xbox Game Pass’ appeal in the broader market.

It appears that the number of Game Pass subscribers has plateaued around 30 million users, which isn’t insignificant. However, because it potentially reduces sales of full-priced games such as Call of Duty by $70 each, some question its long-term sustainability.

REMINDER – Hollow Knight: Silksong arrives day one on Game PassApril 2, 2025

Xbox’s social media posts hinting at certain Nintendo Switch 2 games joining Xbox Game Pass subtly suggest that the service may not have become as popular as Xbox initially anticipated.

If the falling hardware sales for Xbox suggest anything significant, it seems that users are more than happy to stick with PlayStation 5 and rival systems instead of the value proposition presented by the less expensive Xbox Series S and its $20 Xbox Game Pass subscription plan.

At the close of each day, time is limited, and it can be slightly overpowering for elderly gamers who now juggle multiple responsibilities such as parenthood, professions, and an increased need to unwind after work rather than immerse themselves in numerous video games.

Additionally, a significant portion of the unique content that Xbox provides via Game Pass is becoming more accessible on various other systems as well.

It’s being heavily speculated that games like Halo and Gears of War may eventually appear on PlayStation and potentially the Nintendo Switch 2. Additionally, it seems Forza Horizon will no longer be an exclusive title for Xbox.

Microsoft has had to compromise its well-known game franchises in order to stay competitive, due to a string of business missteps at the executive level over time. Unlike Nintendo, they’re more likely to accept higher prices for games ($90) and devices that offer incremental upgrades ($450), as these strategies seem less damaging to their brand.

Instead of merely purchasing the console, you are essentially investing in the enjoyment, the sense of self, and the unique experience that Nintendo provides.

Microsoft seems to have consistently missed this point, and likely always will. However, I can overlook their oversight as the overall market makes its own statement.

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2025-04-03 19:41