They say no news is good news…this adage doesn’t seem as relevantly applicable when discussing post launch hype for a game console, however.

Don’t let the cheery mustache lead you astray: definitely seems like there have been some bumps in the road post launch

I wrote about similar feelings involving how underwhelming the Switch 2 launch has been after the fact a little bit ago, and not much has changed in my world as more time has passed regarding the matter. In spite of continuing to watch streams involving Mario Kart World, getting into discussions and following them about the game, and reading articles involving the Switch 2, dropping $450 just to play Mario Kart still feels too steep to me, all things considered.

Its definitely one of those hard to define anecdotal moments I can’t seem to better articulate or shake off, and ultimately I wish nothing but joy for those who did make the commitment to be there launch day for Nintendo, but if this console cycle (if we are lumping the PS5 and Xbox Series X in with the Switxh 2) is anything to go by, consoles may be selling well, but it’s definitely not due in part to inspired launches or killer apps, as this remains the first time I’ve sat out from all three major console launches, which feels wrong on so many levels.

I return to confronting the notion involving a lack of excitement over the Switch 2 for many reasons, as most of the mentions of the system seem to help me maintain a shaking head on a regular basis. Reading about how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet getting massive performance upgrades as a result of the patches to play them on the Switch 2 is all well and good silver lining, but people citing it as this amazing revelation for the series are lacking perspective. It shouldn’t take a new console launch, hundreds of dollars more and multiple years later for games to become worthwhile to play.

Reading about the new strategies involving MK World is also a head scratcher, as it just bring into focus how little has seemingly changed about what’s on offer with the new MK. People discussing “bagging” as some kind of new revelation within the competitive community leads me to believe they’ve played very little in the same realm, as the strategy has existed for eons before Worlds launch. I am familiar with the idea that the mention of bagging in reference to world is with the new 24 racer mode, and that scoring the triple mushrooms as items seems intrinsically tied to player position, but the same rationale, albeit scaled down, always made for relevant strategic maneuvers in days past. I suppose the fact that this seems to be of a pressing or relevant nature for the “it” thing to talk about in reference to MK World is, well, a disappointment on some level.

Lastly but not leastly, I’m quite surprised at all people are surprised at the lagging sales from third party games across the board for the Switch 2. This has been a constant issue for Nintendo the past 30 years outside of the portable realm, with really only the Wii providing any kind of respite for third party’s within the realm of Nintendo consoles. I guess since the Switch 2 is a hybrid, being half portable essentially, there is a little more nuance to the shock, but the big N has never been that great at courting third party support for their big consoles for a long time now, so this is line line with the rule, not the exception.

With all of that said, I am certainly looking forward to the day the Switch 2 starts looking like a satisfyingly viable offering, but that day doesn’t look to be coming any time soon.

-Pashford