Major media outlets will not have Nintendo Switch 2 reviews at launch

Topher said:
How will folks like DF have day one videos of game performance if they won't have access to Switch 2 until after launch?
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"The games press will not be receiving Nintendo Switch 2 consoles until just before it comes out, The Game Business has learned."

There's hope for that.
 
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I wonder if the Eshop for the Switch 2 will immediately be loaded up with hentai games and questionable content, or if they may actually curate it this go-around. I assume they only care about $$$$ and if they get any money they will put all slop on the eshop.

Hmmm. Eslop!!!
 
BlackTron said:
Honestly I initially thought this was just about Switch 2 games, why in gods name are we even talking about a hardware review? Nobody ever cared except for people already not buying a Switch 2, who were probably never going to be convinced no matter what.

All the preorders have already sold out. If you aren't sure you want it, someone who rabidly does will get one of the 3 extra systems at best buy instead of you. And then reviews will be up one day later, weeks before you ever have a chance to get one. Oh boo hoo Nintendo is oppressing you.
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The internet needs constant negative Switch 2 news in its final approach to launch..

..No matter how stupid, false or inconsequential that "news" may be. In fact, the more false and/or stupid the better!
 
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Nintendo rightfully doesn't care about Media Outlets!

If these Media Outlets who are absolutely useless anyway want to Review the Nintendo Switch 2 than they can Preorder like everyone else a Nintendo Switch 2 for Free!
 
PaintTinJr said:
You are missing my point a little.

This is PR 101 and Nintendo are making a calculated marketing decision to accept appearing defensive, just like any form of media embargo on a product by stronger or indirect means like this.
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What I'm saying is that I don't think that matters at all, outside of gaming hobbyist forums like this. 99% of potential Switch 2 customers aren't going to know anything nor care about Nintendo "appearing defensive" around console launch marketing plans. The initial 15 million Switch 2s that will be sold in the next 9 months will sell basically as they enter the retail channel, and Nintendo knows this. It's sort of on their terms, and they know it. Rightly or wrongly, they know the market extremely well and they're not wrong to do it this way, from their point of view.
 
Nintendo should put put a simple statement blaming the tariffs and biased reporting and also blame refusing to use crunch to get units to different outlets, Watch the internet go nuts for a few hours.
 
"It's really frustrating," said one editor. "We will need to cover Switch 2 while also working across Summer Game Fest. How are we supposed to do that?"

Another added: "Anyone who can get hold of a console early from a dodgy retailer will have a head start in terms of coverage. I know the console will be sold out at launch, but what about all the other games?"

Is this the part where we're supposed to feel sorry for them? Commiserate? Empathize?

At work today, I responded to an overdose patient and gave narcan to a woman on "tranq" or xylazine and fentanyl. She refused further medical attention.

Then I responded to a social worker and a cop who had to take down an 18 year old female patient with mental health issues because she lunged for a knife.

After that it was onto a female patient who was assaulted by a male neighbor because she wouldn't give him a piece of her chicken. He struck her in the head with a baton and gave her a damn good laceration.

But hey, some people have to cover both Switch 2 AND Summer Game Fest!


Bryan Cranston Reaction GIF
 
Dr. Wilkinson said:
What I'm saying is that I don't think that matters at all, outside of gaming hobbyist forums like this. 99% of potential Switch 2 customers aren't going to know anything nor care about Nintendo "appearing defensive" around console launch marketing plans. The initial 15 million Switch 2s that will be sold in the next 9 months will sell basically as they enter the retail channel, and Nintendo knows this. It's sort of on their terms, and they know it. Rightly or wrongly, they know the market extremely well and they're not wrong to do it this way, from their point of view.
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I don't agree with that premise and think certain parallels with the 3DS that resulted in an Ambassador programme - after estimated 2-3m sales - are still in play.

Consulting CoPilot and getting it to sales align Switch1 sales up to the 3DS Ambassador programme it estimate 7.5-10m in the same period, but given the SW2 is likely less popular in its launch with core gamers than the SW1, I think we might be looking at 6.5-9m sales before full core gamer market sentiment is tested, and on that basis I think them not giving the likes of DF a month with the device pre-launch to get full (info verification) videos done - which IIRC was how long they said it took with the PS5 - was a bad decision
 
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PaintTinJr said:
I don't agree with that premise and think certain parallels with the 3DS that resulted in an Ambassador programme - after estimated 2-3m sales - are still in play.

Consulting CoPilot and getting it to sales align Switch1 sales up to the 3DS Ambassador programme it estimate 7.5-10m in the same period, but given the SW2 is likely less popular in its launch with core gamers than the SW1, I think we might be looking at 6.5-9m sales before full core gamer market sentiment is tested, and on that basis I think them not giving the likes of DF a month with the device pre-launch to get full (info verification) videos done - which IIRC was how long they said it took with the PS5.
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PfBEFTs.jpeg
 
LordOcidax LordOcidax

I think overall the SW2 is more popular at launch, but mostly by high value Nintendo only gamers which like the 3DS couldn't sustain the product without Nintendo kissing the ring of core gamers and adapting their offering.

You've responded like I think SW2 is flopping out the gate WiiU style, which I clearly don't - and still love my WiiU.
 
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PaintTinJr said:
LordOcidax LordOcidax

I think overall the SW2 is more popular at launch, but mostly by high value Nintendo only gamers which like the 3DS couldn't sustain the product without Nintendo kissing the ring of core gamers and adapting their offering.

You've respond like I think SW2 is flopping out the gate WiiU style, which I clearly don't - and still love my WiiU.
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The Nintendo CORE audience growth exponentially with the Switch 1, Nintendo is way more popular now than when the Switch 1 launched + Is the Switch 2… That's why Nintendo is expecting to shatter all the records at launch and is going to have ready for the first year 20 million of Switch 2 consoles.
 
LordOcidax said:
The Nintendo CORE audience growth exponentially with the Switch 1, Nintendo is way more popular now than when the Switch 1 launched + Is the Switch 2… That's why Nintendo is expecting to shatter all the records at launch and is going to have ready for the first year 20 million of Switch 2 consoles.
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Well it will be interesting to see where core gamer sentiment is at in 3-4months and what the sales trajectory is like and whether 3rd party and brand new first party offerings - post Miyamoto - are maintaining sales momentum with the wider gaming audience.
 
LordOcidax said:
The Nintendo CORE audience growth exponentially with the Switch 1, Nintendo is way more popular now than when the Switch 1 launched + Is the Switch 2… That's why Nintendo is expecting to shatter all the records at launch and is going to have ready for the first year 20 million of Switch 2 consoles.
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Some on here fail or refuse to see how well Nintendo has not only built the Switch brand but Nintendo's own profile as well. The massive success of the Mario Bros movie should be a clue. ;)
 
Since PS4\XOne consoles I guess that it's not normal to console launches have problems

I mean, it's not 100%. But it's fair to say that we don't see much as PS360 or backwards
 
The media should have access to it a few days in advance to thoroughly test the machine and games and have articles and information ready for consumers before launch. If other companies did this, they would quickly be accused of hiding something.
 
Mozza said:
Like ev

The Switch has had loads of feedback from all the hands on events. These opinions are all over YouTube and social media. Again simply not a big deal.
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The hands on are very controlled experiences, it would be like buying games just with media "hands-on" events the publisher holds.
 
Like I have always said any videogame console or game should not need a review for you to buy it. The only opinion that matters should be your own. There is more than enough information out there for you to be able to make a judgement. If not you will have to wait until after launch.... simple.
 
Mozza said:
Like I have always said any videogame console or game should not need a review for you to buy it. The only opinion that matters should be your own. There is more than enough information out there for you to be able to make a judgement. If not you will have to wait until after launch.... simple.
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I get the whole "form your own opinion" mindset, and yeah, it's a noble stance. But let's be honest: not everyone has time to become a part-time game detective, combing through leaks, dev blogs, and 47-minute trailers full of cinematic fluff just to figure out if the damn thing runs.

Sometimes, I just want to know if a game is straight-up fire to play, or the kind of fire that might physically burn my house down because the console's pushing 200 degrees.

Let's not pretend developers are out here giving us the full truth in pre-release material. They're not putting "Now with 37 known bugs and frame dips during cutscenes!" in the trailer. It's all marketing, polished and padded with buzzwords like "immersive" and "live service roadmap."

And yeah, "only your opinion matters" sounds deep... right up until you drop $70 on a hot mess and suddenly find yourself Googling, "Is it just me, or is this game actually trash?" Spoiler: It's trash.

Reviews aren't sacred texts, but they're helpful. They save time, money, and sanity. Plus, they fuel the kind of community convo that keeps the industry (somewhat) honest.
 
Idleyes said:
I get the whole "form your own opinion" mindset, and yeah, it's a noble stance. But let's be honest: not everyone has time to become a part-time game detective, combing through leaks, dev blogs, and 47-minute trailers full of cinematic fluff just to figure out if the damn thing runs.

Sometimes, I just want to know if a game is straight-up fire to play, or the kind of fire that might physically burn my house down because the console's pushing 200 degrees.

Let's not pretend developers are out here giving us the full truth in pre-release material. They're not putting "Now with 37 known bugs and frame dips during cutscenes!" in the trailer. It's all marketing, polished and padded with buzzwords like "immersive" and "live service roadmap."

And yeah, "only your opinion matters" sounds deep... right up until you drop $70 on a hot mess and suddenly find yourself Googling, "Is it just me, or is this game actually trash?" Spoiler: It's trash.

Reviews aren't sacred texts, but they're helpful. They save time, money, and sanity. Plus, they fuel the kind of community convo that keeps the industry (somewhat) honest.
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And how does a review from a third party tell you all this exactly. What if you do not agree with them.... What then?
 
Mozza said:
What if you do not agree with them.... What then?
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That's the thing, you don't have to agree with the review. It's not a court ruling, it's a perspective. A good review doesn't just say "good" or "bad", it breaks down why, and if they mention stuff you care about (like shit controls, pay-to-win mechanics, or the console crashing), that info's useful even if your taste differs.

You're not outsourcing your opinion, you're gathering intel. The same intel you say is already "out there," sure, but the source matters. On one hand, you've got devs and publishers whose job is to sell you the dream, so of course they're not highlighting the broken mechanics or missing features. On the other hand, you've got reviewers who aren't on the payroll and actually benefit from pointing that stuff out.

One throws the pitch. The other lets you know if it's an actual ball or a flaming turd headed your way.
 
Just think of all the incredibly useful '10 things you need to know before playing your Switch 2' articles we'll miss out on
 
Evil Calvin said:
I wonder if the Eshop for the Switch 2 will immediately be loaded up with hentai games and questionable content, or if they may actually curate it this go-around. I assume they only care about $$$$ and if they get any money they will put all slop on the eshop.

Hmmm. Eslop!!!
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Nice tag
 
Idleyes said:
That's the thing, you don't have to agree with the review. It's not a court ruling, it's a perspective. A good review doesn't just say "good" or "bad", it breaks down why, and if they mention stuff you care about (like shit controls, pay-to-win mechanics, or the console crashing), that info's useful even if your taste differs.

You're not outsourcing your opinion, you're gathering intel. The same intel you say is already "out there," sure, but the source matters. On one hand, you've got devs and publishers whose job is to sell you the dream, so of course they're not highlighting the broken mechanics or missing features. On the other hand, you've got reviewers who aren't on the payroll and actually benefit from pointing that stuff out.

One throws the pitch. The other lets you know if it's an actual ball or a flaming turd headed your way.
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I think you just explained in depth why reviews are largely pointless.
 
Mozza said:
So what do you think this whole storm in a teacup will lead to?
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People storming the Nintendo HQ like they did the Bastille?

Are you joking or flaunting the fact that this is yet another scenario users should care about and they do not? 😂… sorry, but your answers keep amounting to "do not worry, consume product, then wait to consume other product".
 
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I have no personal invested interest if people care about this or not. My only point was to suggest the masses won't be aware of any of this. You seem to be missing my point as I care very little if you buy a Switch or not.
 
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