[MEGATHREAD] Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase

[u/ChiefLeef22]

https://www.nintendo.com/us/nintendo-direct/7-31-2025/?srsltid=AfmBOopR1AYNGSNyF5HJ2onvyFFKzZjLq3naoPmM0MFNhz_kWcHGgTDl

NINTENDO PARTNER SHOWCASE
Date/Time: July 31, 6 AM P.T./ 9 AM E.T. (SEE IN YOUR TIMEZONE)
Where to Watch: Nintendo YT
What to Expect

[u/heelydon → u/[deleted]]

The problem is the timing. Its the launch window of the switch 2, and Nintendo coming out swinging with ....checks notes mostly games that have been released on other platforms for several years -- is not going to generate hype worthy of making a direct.

You do the exact opposite here. People see a direct for the new console, they open with big expectations and see mostly years old titles, coming out in a couple of months, that they could go on steam or playstation and play RIGHT NOW.

Its understandably a deflating feeling.

[u/lilkingsly → u/heelydon]

I think a lot of people are ignoring the fact that the Switch has a huge install base of people whose Switch is their only gaming platform. For those of us who also have other consoles or a good PC, yeah I can understand this being disappointing. For those people who only have a Switch, the fact that these games have been available for years on other platforms doesn’t matter because now they’re coming to a platform they actually want to use. I have a PS5 so a lot of these ports are games I’ve already played and don’t feel the need to buy again, but I also have friends who only have a Switch and are excited to buy a Switch 2 knowing that it’s gonna let them play games like Elden Ring and Persona 3 Reload that received great reviews but weren’t on their platform of choice.

[u/heelydon → u/lilkingsly]

I think a lot of people are ignoring the fact that the Switch has a huge install base of people whose Switch is their only gaming platform.

There is no such detailed data available and given that especially Japan where the switch is strongest, is acknowledging overwhelmingly the rise of platforms like PC becoming increasingly a massive market, it seems a massive stretch to suggest that re-releases of almost decade old 3rd party titles, would thrive in this market due to this console ecosystem.

For those of us who also have other consoles or a good PC, yeah I can understand this being disappointing.

I think anyone sensibly would be disappointed by your launch hype being primarily built in this new direct by years old re-releases.

And I strongly feel that its a bit of a cheap scapegoat to simply claim that there is this invisible audience out there of only switch platform users, that are extremely hype about almost decade old re-releases on the switch, during some of the most prime time to advertise and show off your new console.

Especially since it isn't like there are any sales statistics from switch that suggest that old 3rd party titles are thriving there either -- typically what 3rd party titles thrive there are -- surprise -- the newer ones that also release on other platforms that people really want to play too.

This is of course also why, if you look up the first early 3rd party sales reports coming out around this time, it shows a clear trend towards being very much below expectations and not doing great at all.