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Switch has seen a year of drought despite the unified development team. Why?

HotHamBoy

HotHamBoy

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
16,423
New games:
Kirby
Mario Tennis Aces
Pokemon LetsGo
Smash
Sushi Striker
Labo
Mario Party
Xenoblade 2 Torna
Splatoon 2 Octolings

Ports:
Bayonetta 2
Donkey Kong TF
Captain Toad

It's just year two and year 1 was front-loaded. Naturally 2019 is going to be bigger because development takes multiple years.

If any of the games listed disappointed or had niche appeal it doesn't matter. That has nothing to do with the amount of titles they released, which is pretty steady year over year.

People say drought but it's only because they don't want what is being offered.
 
Nights

Nights

Member
Oct 27, 2017
866
What even is this? A personal drought is not a "drought".

I've personally bought at least 15-20 games this year. There's games, just less big Nintendo games.
 
Vanillalite

Vanillalite

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
7,709
I sorta feel like they probably wanted Smash to launch in September in their original plans. Then Poke would drop in Nov. Smash needed a little more time so it got pushed til the very end of the year.

The flow of games would have probably felt better if Smash was already out as an early Fall game vs slipping til post BF.
 
StarPhlox

StarPhlox

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,373
Wisconsin
It's a weak year for sure and I think to say otherwise is a result of pure brand loyalty. I grabbed most of their output and it was all like 7/10 games at best until Smash Ultimate is out. Kirby paled in comparison to its 3DS counterparts, Mario Tennis had an anemic adventure mode and otherwise very light on content, LABO is a nice idea, Pokémon we will see I suppose, and Sushi Strikers came and went. The best exclusives were ports of Wii U games like Captain Toad and DKC. Overall it's far from a bad year but I think it is extremely likely to be the odd one out when we look at Nintendo output in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
 
justiceiro

justiceiro

Banned
Oct 30, 2017
6,664
Nintendo never promissed that unifying development would eliminate drougth, that was a strech that some took, spreading misinformation to those not familiar with nintendo philosophy of development.

The result of a strong line up last year was the result of a 2016 without any game for wiiiu. Actually, the last game that nintendo released that year (paper mario color splash) was finished since march, but nintendo decided to delay to have something for the holidays.

Also, don't get too hopefull. Nintendo consoles are frontloaded, expect that the next years will all be below the current one. That's how it has been.
 
Jbone115

Jbone115

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,739
kambaybolongo said:
1. Least hyped Pokemon in ages
2. Kirby is always a 2nd or 3rd tier release
3. Mario Tennis was an underwhelming game with a lack of content
4. Mario Party is Mario Party
5. Smash is pretty much the only big game this year

Yes, that's a really weak lineup.
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Labo should count as well. Also, don't discount major DLC expansions like Octo Expansion and Torna.
 
Flevance

Flevance

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,551
There was at least a game in every month since the beginning of the year and yeah I'm counting Wii U games

Sure, this year wasn't as good as the last year, but that doesn't make it any bad or "drought"
 
Spinluck

Spinluck

▲ Legend ▲
Avenger
Oct 26, 2017
28,430
Chicago
Games I'm not interested in = Drought.

Cartridge Games said:
I think basically are of EPD's studios were busy/just came off a big title.
Splatoon 2, Mario Odyssey, BOTW, ARMS, MK8D, and dlc for almost all of those.
Glad they helped 2017 launch so well, but maybe spacing things out would've been better.
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Spacing them better why...? I have beat Mario and Zelda last year, and still play Zelda, don't really touch Mario anymore.

Have MK8D, a game that is made to be played a bunch of times, same for Splatoon 2.

Still haven't bough ARMS but I am sure if I did I get a good amount of time and value off that game as well. Are games really just meant to be bought and played at launch because a lot of these games get content released long after their launch and are still played today. Hell, there are still some Switch games you haven't included on that list.

If someone has indeed bought most of the major Switch titles and played through them, I envy you. I admit I am disappointed FE got delayed and MP4 was shown too early for a Nintendo title. But I have a hard time declaring drought when there is a lot to play on the system.
 
Mikebison

Mikebison

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
11,036
Things like a port of Pokemon go and Mario party don't come into the conversation.

I agree though OP. Nintendo set a really strong pace with their lineup for the opening year and haven't maintained that whatsoever this year. However, from when Smash comes out in December to early next year, it picks back up again a decent amount.
 
Jbone115

Jbone115

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,739
I am actually blown away some people here consider 2018 to be a Nintendo first-party drought. What on earth do you expect?
 
Jbone115

Jbone115

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,739
Mikebison said:
Things like a port of Pokemon go and Mario party don't come into the conversation.

I agree though OP. Nintendo set a really strong pace with their lineup for the opening year and haven't maintained that whatsoever this year. However, from when Smash comes out in December to early next year, it picks back up again a decent amount.
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A port of Pokémon Go? I thought trolling was frowned upon on ResetEra...
 
Vanillalite

Vanillalite

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
7,709
Zool said:
Pokemon and Smash are still not in stores, which means 10+ months for Mario Tennis, Mario Party and a Kirby. That's like N64 level of support...
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Like I said above. It feels like Nintendo probably initially wanted Smash as a September release, but they needed extra time for polish. So it got pushed to the last possible point before Xmas.

The year would feel better spaced out (IMO) if Smash had released in early Fall.
 
Diarrhea Day-Lewis

Diarrhea Day-Lewis

Member
Oct 27, 2017
20,756
Seems absurd to call Kirby, Pokémon, Smash, Mario Tennis, etc a drought

Especially when you include ports or exclusives not made by Nintendo but still good on switch like Octopath, Hollow Knight, TWEWY, hyrule warriors, DKC, and others
 
fiendcode

fiendcode

Member
Oct 26, 2017
24,910
Just to lay things out from a 1st party perspective:

2017
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U multiplat)
  • 1-2-Switch
  • Snipperclips: Cut it Out, Together! / Plus
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Wii U port)
  • Flip Wars (3rd party pickup)
  • Arms
  • Splatoon 2
  • Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (3rd party collab)
  • Pokkén Tournament DX (3rd party collab, AC/Wii U port)
  • Fire Emblem Warriors (3rd party collab, n3DS multiplat)
  • Super Mario Odyssey
  • Xenoblade Chronicles 2
  • Karaoke Joysound for Nintendo Switch (JP only)
2018
  • Dragon Quest Builders (3rd party pickup, PS3/4/Vita port)
  • Bayonetta (360/PS3/Wii U/PC port)
  • Bayonetta 2 (Wii U port)
  • Kirby: Star Allies
  • Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (3rd party collab, Wii U/3DS port)
  • Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit
  • Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit
  • Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U port)
  • Pokémon Quest (mobile multiplat)
  • Sushi Striker: Way of the Sushido (3DS multiplat)
  • Mario Tennis Aces
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Wii U port, 3DS multiplat)
  • Octopath Traveler (3rd party pickup)
  • Go Vacation (3rd party pickup, Wii port)
  • Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit
  • Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna, the Golden Country (standalone DLC)
  • Super Mario Party
  • The World Ends with You: Final Remix (3rd party pickup, DS/mobile port)
  • Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Evee!
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
  • Fitness Boxing (3rd party pickup)
2019+
  • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
  • Fire Emblem: Three Houses
  • Yoshi's Crafted World
  • Animal Crossing
  • Daemon X Machina (3rd party pickup)
  • Dragon Quest Builders 2 (3rd party pickup, PS4 multiplat)
  • Luigi's Mansion 3
  • Pokémon (Gen VIII)
  • Bayonetta 3
  • Metroid Prime 4
 
Doskoi Panda

Doskoi Panda

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 27, 2017
14,939
Mikebison said:
Things like a port of Pokemon go and Mario party don't come into the conversation.

I agree though OP. Nintendo set a really strong pace with their lineup for the opening year and haven't maintained that whatsoever this year. However, from when Smash comes out in December to early next year, it picks back up again a decent amount.
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Ok I don't like Let's Go... but it's definitely not a port of Pokemon Go, it's a remake of Pokemon Yellow with some Pokemon Go mechanics.
I hope you forgive me for nitpicking. As a token of goodwill I will acknowledge that yours is the best goddamn avatar on Era, makes me laugh every time.
 
fiendcode

fiendcode

Member
Oct 26, 2017
24,910
Just to lay things out from a 1st party perspective:

2017
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U multiplat)
  • 1-2-Switch
  • Snipperclips: Cut it Out, Together! / Plus
  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Wii U port)
  • Flip Wars (3rd party pickup)
  • Arms
  • Splatoon 2
  • Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (3rd party collab)
  • Pokkén Tournament DX (3rd party collab, AC/Wii U port)
  • Fire Emblem Warriors (3rd party collab, n3DS multiplat)
  • Super Mario Odyssey
  • Xenoblade Chronicles 2
  • Karaoke Joysound for Nintendo Switch (JP only)
2018
  • Dragon Quest Builders (3rd party pickup, PS3/4/Vita port)
  • Bayonetta (360/PS3/Wii U/PC port)
  • Bayonetta 2 (Wii U port)
  • Kirby: Star Allies
  • Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (3rd party collab, Wii U/3DS port)
  • Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit
  • Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit
  • Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U port)
  • Pokémon Quest (mobile multiplat)
  • Sushi Striker: Way of the Sushido (3DS multiplat)
  • Mario Tennis Aces
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Wii U port, 3DS multiplat)
  • Octopath Traveler (3rd party pickup)
  • Go Vacation (3rd party pickup, Wii port)
  • Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit
  • Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna, the Golden Country (standalone DLC)
  • Super Mario Party
  • The World Ends with You: Final Remix (3rd party pickup, DS/mobile port)
  • Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Evee!
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
  • Fitness Boxing (3rd party pickup)
2019+
  • New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
  • Fire Emblem: Three Houses
  • Yoshi's Crafted World
  • Animal Crossing
  • Daemon X Machina (3rd party pickup)
  • Dragon Quest Builders 2 (3rd party pickup, PS4 multiplat)
  • Luigi's Mansion 3
  • Pokémon (Gen VIII)
  • Bayonetta 3
  • Metroid Prime 4
 
Egida

Egida

Member
Oct 27, 2017
4,378
Maybe not a drought, but for the people like me who loves Nintendo for their polished single player games, this has been a year to forget.

We bought too soon into the unified studios narrative. Last year I argued against people claiming Switch's first year was only possible because they starved WiiU too soon, now I'm not so sure.
 
Mikebison

Mikebison

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
11,036
Solid said:
Ok I don't like Let's Go... but it's definitely not a port of Pokemon Go, it's a remake of Pokemon Yellow with some Pokemon Go mechanics.
I hope you forgive me for nitpicking. As a token of goodwill I will acknowledge that yours is the best goddamn avatar on Era, makes me laugh every time.
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And for your good taste in avatars, I'll admit my statement was hasty. But what I mean is that it's not a full Pokemon game in the way people want at all. I think even a HD remake of yellow with normal mechanics would be preferable to most people.
 
Dizzy Ukulele

Dizzy Ukulele

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,013
I think it would have been better for all parties if Xenoblade had been held back for 2018. It did okay but got overshadowed by the stellar 2017 line-up whereas it would be a worthy Switch GOTY this year.
 

Deleted member 33

Account closed at user request
Banned
Oct 24, 2017
1,457
In my opinion, the issue is pacing more than anything else.

I warned about this back in early January - days before the Nintendo Direct aired. I said Nintendo's strategy for 2018 was to rely on third party stuff + ports of Nintendo games. And then they were going to unleash a ton of games in 2019.

People are overestimating how much 3DS development has impacted Switch development. The vast majority of recent 3DS releases are either ports or remakes of older games: Kirby Extra Epic Yarn, Luigi's Mansion 1 remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.

These aren't 3DS titles that require significant resources.

Assuming nothing gets delayed, 2019's Switch lineup is shaping up to be just as strong as 2017 (if not stronger). As a side note, yes, there's more Wii U ports coming in 2019 lol.
 
Noisepurge

Noisepurge

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,471
It can't be the Vita successor without first party stopping releases and becoming an indie-machine :D
 
Tavernade

Tavernade

Tavernade
Moderator
Sep 18, 2018
8,617
Did Sony have anything besides Spider-Man and God of War this year? Did Microsoft have anything (dear lord how out of touch am I right now, I genuinely can't think of any first party games they got this year)? Nintendo is having its two biggest franchises release back to back November and December.
 
Doskoi Panda

Doskoi Panda

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 27, 2017
14,939
Mikebison said:
And for your good taste in avatars, I'll admit my statement was hasty. But what I mean is that it's not a full Pokemon game in the way people want at all. I think even a HD remake of yellow with normal mechanics would be preferable to most people.
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I'd certainly prefer that. I gotta wait until next year for my Pokemon fix, though. At least it'll feel real good when it happens, if it lives up to expectations. Let's Go just ain't my kind of game. It's definitely a stop-gap title. Game Freak is leveraging several of the visual and technical advancements they're making toward Gen 9 to put out a game meant to draw Go players into the traditional Pokemon fold (again after years, or for the first time ever). It could be a wise decision but not one that appeals to me, that's for sure.
 
Vanillalite

Vanillalite

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
7,709
Emily said:
In my opinion, the issue is pacing more than anything else.

I warned about this back in early January - days before the Nintendo Direct aired. I said Nintendo's strategy for 2018 was to rely on third party stuff + ports of Nintendo games. And then they were going to unleash a ton of games in 2019.

People are overestimating how much 3DS development has impacted Switch development. The vast majority of recent 3DS releases are either ports or remakes of older games: Kirby Extra Epic Yarn, Luigi's Mansion 1 remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.

These aren't 3DS titles that require significant resources.

Assuming nothing gets delayed, 2019's Switch lineup is shaping up to be just as strong as 2017 (if not stronger). As a side note, yes, there's more Wii U ports coming in 2019 lol.
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Bingo
 
ASilentProtagonist

ASilentProtagonist

Unshakable Resolve
Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,853
Egida said:
Maybe not a drought, but for the people like me who loves Nintendo for their polished single player games, this has been a year to forget.

We bought too soon into the unified studios narrative. Last year I argued against people claiming Switch's first year was only possible because they starved WiiU too soon, now I'm not so sure.
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I agree. It's a drought for me personally for this reason, but I also acknowledge that they've released plenty of titles this year.

2019 with the potential of SMT5, MP4, Bayontta 3, Pokemon RPG, Fire Emblem, and Animal Crossing is much more exciting for me.
 
Zool

Zool

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,233
Jbone115 said:
I am actually blown away some people here consider 2018 to be a Nintendo first-party drought. What on earth do you expect?
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More than 3 games from Nintendo the first 10 months. Also games in a way we like from Nintendo (quality).

Kirby wasn't a best of... same for Mario Tennis and Mario Party is fine but not my kind of game.
With that.. it was the worst Nintendo-output since uhm N64?
 
Hero_Select

Hero_Select

One Winged Slayer
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
2,008
I.. haven't felt like there was a drought. Not as many high profile ones as last year sure but as others have said - game development takes time. I've been satisfied with what has been released this year.
 
SAB-CA

SAB-CA

Member
Nov 30, 2017
1,159
Smaller Nintendo titles let the other 3rd party and indies thrive some. Considering Nintendo systems for the past 2 or 3 generations have primarily been 1st party primarily, 3rd party barely, this is actually pretty nice.

There's so, SO many over-saturated gaming marketplaces right now. I loved the old XBLA and XBLIG times, where each release seemed like it was a mini-event, and got serious consideration and conversation. Now there's an army of games on the PSN, XBLA, and Eshop that I've never seen actual casual conversation about. It's sad too, because there's a lot of games there that looked like they might have been hits, in another time.
 
internet rabbit

internet rabbit

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,613
Los Angeles
i wouldn't call Kirby, Smash, Pokémon, Mario Tennis/Party etc. a drought but go off. gamedev takes quite a bit more time than anyone expects!
 
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Mbolibombo

Mbolibombo

Member
Oct 29, 2017
7,043
Drought? That's... interesting.

9 new releases, 4 ports and 1 high profile third party exclusive that they did publish.

* Bayonetta 2
* Kirby
* Labo 1, Labo 2, Labo 3
* Donkey Kong Country
* Hyrule Warriors
* Sushi Strikers
* Mario Tennis
* Captain Toad
* Torna
* Super Mario Party
* Pokemon LG'
* Smash Bros
* Octopath Traveler

If that's a drought, sure. I'll take it.
 
Galava

Galava

▲ Legend ▲
Member
Oct 27, 2017
5,080
Developers actually didn't start development of new games (not counting ports) until they realised the Switch was succesful. We will see a lot of games starting summer 2019 is my guess.
 
Phendrift

Phendrift

Member
Oct 25, 2017
32,293
Emily said:
In my opinion, the issue is pacing more than anything else.

I warned about this back in early January - days before the Nintendo Direct aired. I said Nintendo's strategy for 2018 was to rely on third party stuff + ports of Nintendo games. And then they were going to unleash a ton of games in 2019.

People are overestimating how much 3DS development has impacted Switch development. The vast majority of recent 3DS releases are either ports or remakes of older games: Kirby Extra Epic Yarn, Luigi's Mansion 1 remake, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.

These aren't 3DS titles that require significant resources.

Assuming nothing gets delayed, 2019's Switch lineup is shaping up to be just as strong as 2017 (if not stronger). As a side note, yes, there's more Wii U ports coming in 2019 lol.
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What about.... Wii ports ;)

And good that there's more Wii U ports. NSMBUDX was the least exciting one. This pretty much means 3D Word, Xenoblade X, W101, or TMS is coming to the Switch, which is awesome.
 
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