The launch of the Nintendo Switch is fast approaching, and while fans are lapping up what could very well be Nintendo’s return to the top of the gaming mantle, there’s no ignoring the console’s light launch lineup.
With only Zelda: Breath Of The Wild standing as the console’s must-have launch game, the Switch’s appeal come March 3 will hinge on its lineup of upcoming games.
Nintendo has reassured gamers that the launch lineup is not the be-all and end-all of what the console’s capable of, and while Nintendo is certainly capable of talking up the Switch, the question remained whether it could actually delivery.
Turns out the potential is good, and publishers appear to be jumping on board.
Nintendo president, Tatsumi Kimishima, reached out to investors earlier this week, assuring them that a steady stream of games for Switch was indeed on the way.
He also confirmed that more than 100 titles were in development for Switch, spread out across 70 publishers. It’s obvious, then, that some third-party publishers are investing in the console with more than just one game.
“After the presentation on January 13,” Kimishima said, “we have continued to receive requests from more and more software publishers who want to develop games for the system.
“At the presentation, we announced that there were over 80 titles in development from more than 50 software publishers, but that number has now climbed to over 100 titles from more than 70 publishers.”
That makes for a hell of a lot of games that are yet to be revealed, proving to be a promising start for a console that seems initially light on publisher support.
Kimishima also spoke of Nintendo’s intention to space games out, something Nintendo Of America boss, Reggie Fils-Aime, has already spoken about.
“Our thinking in arranging the 2017 software lineup is that it is important to continue to provide new titles regularly without long gaps,” Kimishima said. “This encourages consumers to continue actively playing the system, maintains buzz, and spurs continued sales momentum for Nintendo Switch.”
As it stands, the first few months for the Switch seem appealing, at least for diehard Nintendo fans.
The console’s launching with Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe set to launch in April.
Then you have Arms and Splatoon 2 coming in the second half of the year, kickstarting what should be a steady stream of third-party support as well.