Loekalization Blog

In the Japanese gaming community, the commentary on a new Nintendo console is as nuanced and layered as a meticulously crafted bento box. It’s an elegant blend of anticipation, skepticism, and the occasional “why does this exist” existential dread—seasoned, of course, with the salt of past disappointments.

Let’s start with the bemused reaction to the name, “Switch 2.” One user dryly notes that it’s “so un-Nintendo-like.” True, for a company famous for names like “Wii U” (which sounded like an ambulance for their branding department), this minimalist title feels oddly out of character. Some lament the lack of creativity, but let’s face it, after Wii U caused parents to ask, “Is this just an add-on for the Wii?” for an entire year, maybe “Switch 2” is Nintendo’s way of avoiding another public relations migraine.

Next, there’s the very practical concern about whether their current controllers—especially the beloved Pro Controller—will still work with the new console. This is Japan we’re talking about, where gamers treat their hardware like loyal companions on a lifelong journey. One commenter asks, “This will work with my current Pro Controller, right?” and you can practically hear the nervous gulp in their words. If not, it’s like saying goodbye to an old friend who’s been there for every Smash Bros. tantrum and Splatoon victory.

Ah, but here comes the inevitable longing for a simpler, more affordable console. “A regular home console, please,” pleads one commenter, suggesting the removal of the screen to save costs. Others echo this sentiment, lamenting the creeping inflation of console prices. You can imagine them wistfully reminiscing about the days when you could just buy a Famicom, slap in a cartridge, and call it a day—none of this “hybrid console with detachable controllers and a side hustle as a tablet” nonsense.

Then, there’s the pricing anxiety. “It’ll surely stick to the 50,000-yen line,” one user speculates with the nervous optimism of someone staring at their wallet. Another wonders aloud whether it’ll even be possible to find the console at launch, recalling the PS5’s infamous vanishing act. The collective sighs of gamers trying to decide between food, rent, or a new Nintendo console can probably be heard all the way to Kyoto.

Of course, no discussion would be complete without someone pointing out Nintendo’s infamous hardware quirks. “The exposed ports are so annoying,” grumbles one user, probably already envisioning the day when they accidentally snap a connector and are forced to endure the torturous repair process. Another quips, “Why are the bezels bigger again?” as if the Switch 2’s design team decided to bring back early-2000s LCD aesthetics for the sake of nostalgia.

The software lineup, or lack thereof, has also become a point of contention. One particularly spicy comment reads, “If Mario Kart is the highlight, I’ll pass for now.” Ouch, Mario, even your red shell couldn’t save you from that burn. Others demand Fire Emblem or Xenoblade Chronicles, while some hold out hope for entirely new IPs. But let’s be real—whether it’s Splatoon 4 or Super Mario Odyssey 2: Bowser’s Even Bigger Furry Adventure, most will still line up like it’s a Black Friday sale.

And then there’s the deep, philosophical reflection. “Switch 2 is more like Switch Pro,” muses one user, grappling with the existential crisis of incremental upgrades. “It’s just a more powerful Switch, and somehow that feels… underwhelming.” Another notes, “When I actually get what I’ve been asking for—a better Switch—I don’t know how to feel about it.” Truly, nothing embodies the duality of Nintendo fans better than this: eternally torn between what they think they want and what Nintendo actually gives them.

So, as the comments roll in like a never-ending JRPG side quest log, one thing becomes clear: the Switch 2 is already a source of fascination, frustration, and fierce debate. But come release day, even the loudest critics will quietly join the queue, because if there’s one thing Nintendo does better than anyone, it’s making us all believe that this might just be the console we’ve been waiting for… until the Switch 3 leaks start rolling in.

Source: https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2025/01/16/148548.html