Reggie Fils-Aimé on Switch 2 launch titles: "When I First Saw That Line-Up, I Scratched My Head a Little Bit"

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'When I First Saw That Line-Up, I Scratched My Head a Little Bit': Former Nintendo Exec Reggie Fils-Aimé Shares His Thoughts on Switch 2 - IGN

Former Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has said he "scratched his head a little bit" after seeing the company's first line-up of Switch 2 software.
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Former Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime has said he "scratched his head a little bit" after seeing the company's first line-up of Switch 2 software.

Speaking to The Game Business, the ex-Nintendo veteran shared his thoughts on the company's handling of the Switch 2 this year, as well as Nintendo's position in the video game market overall compared to Microsoft and Sony.

Discussing the dominance of PlayStation, Fils-Aime, who left Nintendo in 2019, said he expected the company to continue to thrive alongside Nintendo as the latter would never position itself as a direct competitor. As for Xbox, Fils-Aime expressed surprise that Microsoft hadn't already released more games for Nintendo's new console.


Reggie Fils-Aimé. Image credit: Samantha Burkardt/Getty Images for SXSW.

"From a business perspective, when I first saw that line-up, I scratched my head a little bit," Fils-Aime said of Nintendo's decision to fill Switch 2's first six months with Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby's Air Riders, a new Hyrule Warriors game and two cross-gen titles: Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

It's not a threadbare line-up by any means, but it lacks the big one-two punch of a new 3D Mario and Zelda that the Switch received during the same time period, alongside a breakout new franchise: Splatoon.

"Certainly, what I underestimated was the enhanced Nintendo Switch 1 content, which I think has been compelling," Fils-Aime continued. "The stuff that you get for free as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, I think that has helped drive some of the momentum. And then certainly, [Donkey Kong] Bananza was a key driver for them."

Fils-Aimé was more complementary about Switch 2's potential to act as a platform for the biggest third-party games, though said that Nintendo needed to ensure it was enabling other developers to take advantage of its hardware potential in the same way it did — squeezing enormous games like Tears of the Kingdom onto a tiny cartridge through intimate knowledge of the Switch's innards.

"But let's be clear," Fils-Aimé stated, "Nintendo, in my opinion, will never position themselves as a direct competitor to PlayStation. It's not in their DNA. It's not how they think about the business opportunity. However, would they welcome some of the latest core gamer-type of content, whether it's the latest Assassin's Creed or Call of Duty, onto their platform? Absolutely. Do I think that there's a player base there for those games? Absolutely.

"The key, and this is something that the team there thinks about every day, is making sure that third-party developers have the tool sets so that they have the full capability to bring the best of their games onto Switch 2."

One company that has notably held back from going all-in on Switch 2 is Microsoft, which launched a couple of games on Switch 1 (including Grounded and Pentiment) but is yet to discuss any future plans for Nintendo's platform.

"I'm surprised that Xbox has not yet fully embraced Switch 2 from a software perspective," Fils-Aimé noted. "Certainly some games could easily be ported over to Switch 2. And I'm surprised that we haven't seen more of that. I thought there would be much more, especially during this timeframe leading into the Holiday. All through the fall, I was fully expecting some dedicated announcement," he continued. "And I'm surprised it hasn't happened."

After bringing Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush to PlayStation 5, Nintendo fans have been waiting patiently for Microsoft to confirm those games, and others, for Switch 2. There's also the small matter of Microsoft's previous pledge to launch Call of Duty on Nintendo hardware — though there's no sign of that happening for this year's Black Ops 7. Perhaps 2026 will finally see Microsoft make its intentions clear.

Ultimately, Fils-Aimé said he had "enjoyed" playing his Switch 2 so far, though noted: "the company did not send me one for free."
 
Switch 1:
Muscle Doge GIF by Shibetoshi Nakamoto
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Switch 2:
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That's the benefit of launching a follow up to a very successful console with cross-gen as a development consideration.
 
As a happy Switch 2 owner, I agree. There's some great stuff, but the system lacks real heavy hitters and any release momentum. I bought Xenoblade X hoping for a 60 fps update - still waiting. Age of Imprisonment is lovely, Bananza is amazing, and Kirby Air Riders looks wild. But the system really needs something bigger and bolder - a new Xenoblade, a proper 2D Metroid, better-looking Pokémon, or a major exclusive from Capcom, Platinum, or Monster Hunter.

The "wow" effect of big titles is definetly missing.
 
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I bought the Switch 2 just to play a lot of my Switch 1 games with better QoL and even that suck ass because everything is locked up behind a paid upgrade or not released yet lol
 
I have only 2 big things I like to complain about: Game Key Cards and paywalling graphical/performance updates of certain titles (Zelda). I think both practices need to go away quickly. I feel that buying the fucking console should get me better performance and slightly better graphics of older games, without having to pay extra for that shit. Otherwise, what did I buy the fucking console for? And while I don't have any data to back this up, I would claim that those people who buy physical versions of Switch games do so because they don't to deal with any online bullshittery. It's like buying a physical version of a PC game and only finding a steam code in the box. Might as well include another note saying "get fucked, bitch".
 
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Why anyone listens to Reggie anymore is a mystery. Not sure you could have anything bigger than Mario Kart to launch a Nintendo Console.
 
No new Mario or Zelda was surprising at first. But thinking on it, it is a big power move. They didn't need them to confidently shift 10M units in 4 months, the biggest console launch in history.

The one-two of Mario and Zelda in holiday 26 and 27 will be a powerful sales driver.

Yes Mozza Mozza Mario Kart is huge, but I always think of it as a staple rather than something new. It certainly worked though.
 
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Baemono said:
Who the hell made that ?

Flip Wars, Mario+Rabbids, Pokkén, Bayonetta 1, 2 and Dragon Quest Builders aren't first party games. And Snipperclips isn't probably too, but hard to tell who owns the IP.
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They are all games published by Nintendo in at least one market. Some like Bayonetta and Snipperclippers are published by Nintendo in every market so those are fully first party.

A game can be first party without the publisher owning the IP (like Spiderman 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle).
 
People idolize Reggie too much, under him NoA decided not to localize Xenoblade, The Last Story, or Pandora's Tower in North America.

Mario Kart's the biggest IP they have and it's not even close.
 
Woopah said:
They are all games published by Nintendo in at least one market. Some like Bayonetta and Snipperclippers are published by Nintendo in every market so those are fully first party.

A game can be first party without the publisher owning the IP (like Spiderman 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle).
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Nintendo publish some games for some reason, they even published GTA Trilogy at some point, it doesn't mean they should be added in that list.



And no, Bayonetta 1 is a third party title. Nintendo published the Switch version but Sega published the PS4 and Xbox One version.

It's like Bandai Namco publishing the Witcher 3 in Japan, doesn't mean it's a Bandai Namco game.
 
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FewRope said:
I bought the Switch 2 just to play a lot of my Switch 1 games with better QoL and even that suck ass because everything is locked up behind a paid upgrade or not released yet lol
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Absolutely ridiculous form and still why I haven't bought one.

How had XBX still not had an official patch after all this time? Did they find out about Switch 2 same as us or something. Ridiculous.
 
Woopah said:
They are all games published by Nintendo in at least one market. Some like Bayonetta and Snipperclippers are published by Nintendo in every market so those are fully first party.

A game can be first party without the publisher owning the IP (like Spiderman 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle).
Click to expand...

Baemono said:
And no, Bayonetta 1 is a third party title. Nintendo published the Switch version but Sega published the PS4 and Xbox One version.

It's like Bandai Namco publishing the Witcher 3 in Japan, doesn't mean it's a Bandai Namco game.
Click to expand...

These used to be called second party games. Whoever created that blurb is taking a bit of license calling them first party.
 
Baemono said:
Nintendo publish some games for some reason, they even published GTA Trilogy at some point, it doesn't mean they should be added in that list.



And no, Bayonetta 1 is a third party title. Nintendo published the Switch version but Sega published the PS4 and Xbox One version.

It's like Bandai Namco publishing the Witcher 3 in Japan, doesn't mean it's a Bandai Namco game.
Click to expand...

GTA Trilogy was only distributed by Nintendo. I don't believe they published it.

I agree that games like DQ Builders could be taken off the list. But the Bayonetta 1 Switch port is first party, even though the original game wasn't.

To give another example, the Wonderful 101 on Wii U is first party, as Nintendo published it everywhere. But the Switch port is third party.
 
He's not exactly wrong, which makes the switch 2 performance even more remarkable.
However, I don't play chart simulator, so next year, I hope they start kicking the ball a bit more
 
I have to find any reasons to justify a purchase. It's too expensive in my country - the console, a Pro Controller (which I need) and a game will set me back $780. And I don't have any interest in the exclusives released so far. That will obviously change in due time.
 
Woopah said:
GTA Trilogy was only distributed by Nintendo. I don't believe they published it.

I agree that games like DQ Builders could be taken off the list. But the Bayonetta 1 Switch port is first party, even though the original game wasn't.

To give another example, the Wonderful 101 on Wii U is first party, as Nintendo published it everywhere. But the Switch port is third party.
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You're right, probably.
 
Switch as a platform surprisingly lacks many popular titles. The 150 million install base deserves its own versions of Call of Duty or GTA.
 
Mozza said:
Why anyone listens to Reggie anymore is a mystery. Not sure you could have anything bigger than Mario Kart to launch a Nintendo Console.
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Zelda. Zelda is a system seller, systems are Mario Kart sellers. Many get Mario Kart, but don't buy the system for Mario Kart. I bought mine for my kid and we barely touched Mario Kart. We may play it over the holidays with family for a bit, but it has never been something we dig into. Same with the last one. I imagine that for a lot of people it is similar, it is the game you have to play with guests and maybe get through a few cups when there is nothing else to play. I am not saying that is the majority, just that the game sells so well that there are probably a significant number of people who buy it and play a little.
 
apple_of_enlightenment said:
No new Mario or Zelda was surprising at first.
Click to expand...

I think not having a new 3D Mario title ready to go on Mario's 40th anniversary was a bit odd.

Instead they released a bare bones re-release of the Galaxy games at an extortionate price.

I actually dread to think what they're going to charge for a the next mainline Mario and Zelda games. Probably £90 each with their new pricing system.
 
KungFucius said:
Zelda. Zelda is a system seller, systems are Mario Kart sellers. Many get Mario Kart, but don't buy the system for Mario Kart. I bought mine for my kid and we barely touched Mario Kart. We may play it over the holidays with family for a bit, but it has never been something we dig into. Same with the last one. I imagine that for a lot of people it is similar, it is the game you have to play with guests and maybe get through a few cups when there is nothing else to play. I am not saying that is the majority, just that the game sells so well that there are probably a significant number of people who buy it and play a little.
Click to expand...
Yet before BOTW the Zelda series has not sold massive numbers. Love it or hate it Mario Kart is Nintendo's most lucrative franchise by a country mile... It's simply one of Nintendo's most accessible titles.
 
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Switch 1 was a make or break for Nintendo, honestly if Switch 1 didn't work I don't know where Nintendo will be at the moment. God forbid.

Switch 2 is a different sitcom and it is clearly working like a charm.
 
I miss Reggie, man. That was a pretty fuckin rad Nintendo time. What's he up to these days? Consultant stuff?
 
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L*][*N*K said:
Switch 1 was a make or break for Nintendo, honestly if Switch 1 didn't work I don't know where Nintendo will be at the moment. God forbid.

Switch 2 is a different sitcom and it is clearly working like a charm.
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If SW1 had failed... Nintendo would 'survive' with Pokemon Licenssing, basically, and would be what disney was MANY years ago ('survive' with quotes because pokemon is by far the most lucrative brand in the world...). That's why, IMHO, Breath of the Wild is the most important game in Nintendo story, becuae it showed that the Switch concept could work (and it worked) and 'we are still here, motherf...'
 
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No Sea of Thieves on Switch is still the biggest "I don get it"
The games award is a possibility for announcement, for that kind of stuff though
 
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I guess Nintendo should have held back TotK for Switch 2 like they did with BotW on the WiiU and Switch, then Reggie could smile.
 
ADiTAR said:
Well, so far he's wrong so I would sit this one out.

As if he every got a choice in what the launch line up was.
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He was the one responsible for giving a free pack-in of Wii sports with every Wii, unlike a Switch 2 with Welcome Tour that you had to pay separately for, at the very least, so I'd say he had quite the impact.
 
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