The Nintendo Switch has been a smash hit for Nintendo, selling approximately 80 million units in just under four years. It’s a phenomenon we have not seen since the Wii, which sold over 100 million units. People all around the world are eating up Nintendo’s smash-hit hybrid console. There’s a reason too. It’s no coincidence that in Japan, the UK, and North America, the top-selling games are Switch games. It’s no coincidence that in Japan, the most-wanted games are Switch games. The system has taken the world by storm, and although Nintendo’s had plenty of incredible consoles, the Nintendo Switch stands at the top. With its stellar lineup of games and third-party support, as well as its ability to play on the go, makes it the most versatile and dynamic console yet.
There are some great games that have come out for various Nintendo consoles over the years. Ocarina of Time is the greatest game of all-time, and that came out for the Nintendo 64. The Wii had Twilight Princess, the Super Mario Galaxy games, Skyward Sword, and so much more. Its motion controls were revolutionary, when utilized correctly. The unfortunate thing about the Nintendo Wii was that third-party developers didn’t understand how to optimize the technology. There were so many bad games on the Wii. The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have this problem. Almost every port is optimized for the Switch. Its first-party lineup is the best Nintendo’s ever had, and we’re only halfway through the system’s lifespan, according to Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has hit the world by storm, selling over 30 million copies in under a year. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the greatest fighting game of all-time, with over 80 characters spanning multiple consoles-exclusive games. Breath of the Wild is considered by many to be the greatest Zelda game of all-time. Splatoon 2 is the most innovative shooter and multiplayer game on any console. Pokemon Sword and Shield are the best entries in the series since Pokemon Gold and Silver. The system has an incredible lineup of RPGs, with Octopath Traveler, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, Bravely Default II on the way, and so many more. The Switch has also brought over many games from the Wii U. Though some may view this as a negative, it’s actually an enormous positive. The Wii U was a commercial failure, selling only 13.56 million units worldwide. It had some very good games though. By bringing those to the Switch, Nintendo has made those games accessible to a whole new audience. This not only benefits Nintendo, but gamers as well. We haven’t even addressed the fact that the Switch has the best lineup of indie games of any console. Software-wise, Nintendo’s put out some of the best content they ever have, contributing to the fact that the Switch is Nintendo’s best console. And there’s still more yet to come. We’re only halfway into the system’s lifespan.
The Switch’s hybrid nature takes the best aspects of Nintendo’s home consoles and portable systems. The ability to play it on the go is appealing; so appealing in fact that Nintendo made the Switch Lite, which is only a dedicated handheld device. The system also takes some of the best aspects of the Wii, namely its motion controls, and seamlessly integrates them into their games. Gyro controls have especially been prevalent on the Switch, and it works; it’s not forced like in so many Wii titles. The Switch takes the best of all of Nintendo’s previous systems and puts it into one package. The Switch proves that sheer power isn’t everything; a game’s fun factor is just as important. While Nintendo’s latest console isn’t as powerful as its predecessors, it doesn’t have to be, and this frees Nintendo up to do more creative and innovative things; it doesn’t have to worry about competing tooth and nail with its competitors.
It would be criminal if we didn’t mention the Super Nintendo. If the Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s best console, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is its second best. Its catalog of games is legendary, but the fact that the Switch is also a portable system gives it an advantage. It’s like combining the Super Nintendo and the GameBoy into one. It’s more dynamic which gives it the edge, although the Super Nintendo had so many classic, high-quality titles.
When it’s all said and done, the Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s best console. It has the high-quality games and the versatility of all previous Nintendo systems combined, handhelds included. It’s dynamic, fun, and the best is yet to come. It’s scary that the Nintendo Switch is only halfway through its lifespan, but, if it continues down its current path, it will be regarded not only as Nintendo’s greatest console, but the greatest console of all-time.