The One Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Game You Should Not Buy

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With the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 this coming week, numerous games will be available right off the bat. These range from exclusive first-party titles such as “Mario Kart World,” to third-party options like “Street Fighter 6” and “Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time.” Given that the introduction of a new console often involves significant expenses, it’s crucial for buyers to be selective when choosing software. While many find buying “Mario Kart World” on day one to be an obvious choice, deciding on a second game might not be as straightforward. If you’re planning to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5th, there’s one game I’d advise against getting, and that’s “Sonic x Shadow Generations.

The issues surrounding Sonic x Shadow Generations aren’t about its inherent gameplay quality; Sonic Generations was already an outstanding Sonic video game, and the introduction of Shadow Generations made it even more impressive. Sega excelled in porting this game to the Nintendo Switch, providing a top-notch gaming experience regardless of using less powerful hardware compared to PS5 or Xbox Series X. Interestingly, when Nintendo Switch 2 arrives, it’s expected to offer upgrades for some existing games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Party Jamboree. Even third-party games like Hogwarts Legacy might provide better graphics and performance at a reduced cost. However, Sega won’t be extending this upgrade opportunity to Sonic x Shadow Generations.

If you purchased Sonic x Shadow Generations for the Nintendo Switch last year, you might need to spend $49.99 again for the same experience when Switch 2 launches. This decision seems odd and appears unfair compared to the price reductions offered by Nintendo and WB Games for their upgrades, which range from $10 to $20. It’s hard not to see this as a money-grabbing move on Sega’s part, especially considering another choice they made: they won’t recognize previously purchased DLC either. If you spent money on the bonus content featuring Keanu Reeves, you’ll have to buy it again if you want it on Switch 2. While Sega will let players transfer their save data from the original Switch version, that’s pretty much where the perks end.

Last year when “Sonic x Shadow Generations” was launched, Sega provided a special edition of the game on its first day of release, featuring both digital and physical perks. The game came bundled with “Gerald Robotnik’s Journal,” an intriguing book detailing the story behind Shadow’s creation and Maria’s destiny. Those who bought it early were also given a downloadable skin modeled after Sonic’s look from the Dreamcast version of “Sonic Adventure.” In contrast, Sega has announced that the upcoming Switch 2 edition will not offer any advantages for pre-ordering or early purchases.

For fans of Sonic x Shadow Generations from last year, this latest development might feel like a letdown or betrayal. Offering an upgrade for $10 could have piqued the curiosity of many existing players to check out the enhancements on Switch 2. However, WB Games is providing a more substantial set of improvements for Hogwarts Legacy, even integrating the new mouse controls that come with Switch 2. In contrast, the Switch 2 version of Sonic x Shadow Generations seems only to offer sharper graphics and improved performance, which weren’t significant issues on the original Switch. Additionally, this release missed an opportunity to provide a comprehensive edition, including all previously released skins and DLC, similar to what’s being offered for Cyberpunk 2077.

The original Switch release of Sonic x Shadow Generations came on a cartridge. However, the upcoming Switch 2 version will be released as a digital key card, meaning the actual game content won’t be on the new cartridge. Instead, buyers will need to download the entire game upon its release. This has been a point of contention for physical game collectors who prefer traditional, “genuine” cartridges. While not everyone shares this preference, it could deter some from choosing the Switch 2 version.

As a follower of the Sonic series, I was genuinely impressed by the work Sega did on Sonic x Shadow Generations last year. They not only improved upon an already fantastic game and added extra content, but also dedicated considerable effort to the Switch version – something that many third-party companies haven’t done in the past eight years. However, it’s disappointing to see that Sega seems to have put minimal effort into the upcoming Switch 2 version (even though I haven’t had a chance to play it on the system yet). While the game itself should still be enjoyable when it releases on Nintendo’s new platform, it feels like a stripped-down version compared to what it could have been. Personally, I plan to stick with my original Switch copy from 2024.

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2025-06-05 14:39