This isn't a console war, it's a console mercy killing....

[Teberu]

Really the only reason to buy an Xbox nowadays is the retrocompatibilty, and even then you can just emulate that stuff on PC, but it really doesn't have any more to offer other than that. At least PlayStation has some weird weeb games on their store

 

[moonbits]

Really the only reason to buy an Xbox nowadays is the retrocompatibilty.

it doesn't support much but being able to play Ninja Gaiden 2 at 4K60 makes it worth it.

 

[BrawlMan]

it doesn't support much but being able to play Ninja Gaiden 2 at 4K60 makes it worth it.

And F.E.A.R.

 

[Teberu]

it doesn't support much but being able to play Ninja Gaiden 2 at 4K60 makes it worth it.

I find the selection of games supported so odd, there's no Armored Core but Doritos Crash Course runs perfectly

 

[Lokgamer]

My motivation to buy a console used to be its exclusives. Now I'm not interested in sony or xbox exclusives anymore and if there are exceptions, they will get to PC eventually, so I've decided to buy a PC. It's the best choice.

 

[bjork]

While its true that not every bet Nintendo made was fire, but it was a very different way of managing a company to what is now. Current leadership is all about investors' profits. Nintendo feels very different nowadays.

I don't go to other forums so I'm not sure if this view is present there as well, but there are a fair number of people here who share this view, and it's misguided. The notion that somehow 2026 Nintendo is more cutthroat and business-focused than Hiroshi Yamauchi's years is just laughable. It's a company. They exist to make a profit. If the game stuff didn't pan out for them, they'd be doing something else, as evidenced by the company's history.

What happened is, we all grew up and are more plugged in, so you see it now where before you might not. There are aspects now that didn't exist then, but markets change. So too do companies. If they don't, they no longer stay in business.

 

[JellyjamLu]

I think old games and PC is where its at now, each to their own and everything but what i'm about to say is gonna sound rude either way.. but if your excited for PS6 or whatever, fake gamer.

EDIT: Please don't take this as an attack/ pure hate thingy, i just personally don't see much value in the next-next gen outside of power.

 

[NOTthatHARD]

I don't go to other forums so I'm not sure if this view is present there as well, but there are a fair number of people here who share this view, and it's misguided. The notion that somehow 2026 Nintendo is more cutthroat and business-focused than Hiroshi Yamauchi's years is just laughable. It's a company. They exist to make a profit. If the game stuff didn't pan out for them, they'd be doing something else, as evidenced by the company's history.

What happened is, we all grew up and are more plugged in, so you see it now where before you might not. There are aspects now that didn't exist then, but markets change. So too do companies. If they don't, they no longer stay in business.

As someone very involved in the world of business and marketing, I can assure you that the whole world is getting greedier, not just nintendo.

 

[petran79]

And most parents are gonna buy their kids nintendo, because thats what we've decided is the kids console, culturally speaking. Sony will stay relevant just because of that, I believe. Nintendo could do literally anything and be okay at this point.

Xbox however... they're not getting the casuals or the hardcores anymore. They might be dead already, honestly.

Nintendo nowadays is way too expensive for most parents, especially as a kids console.

They are better off letting their kids play free games on toaster computers or mobile phones, which also can be played with their friends online.

 

[Kovlak]

I don't go to other forums so I'm not sure if this view is present there as well, but there are a fair number of people here who share this view, and it's misguided. The notion that somehow 2026 Nintendo is more cutthroat and business-focused than Hiroshi Yamauchi's years is just laughable. It's a company. They exist to make a profit. If the game stuff didn't pan out for them, they'd be doing something else, as evidenced by the company's history.

What happened is, we all grew up and are more plugged in, so you see it now where before you might not. There are aspects now that didn't exist then, but markets change. So too do companies. If they don't, they no longer stay in business.

I might be wrong, but Nintendo seems much more cutthroat now. Charging the price of Switch games + $20 for Switch 2 editions that barely have any new content (making those games cost premium $80), getting rid of budget editions of their games and not dropping price, charging 70$ for twenty years old Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, still not fixing their stick drifting technology and instead making people buy multiple joycons, charging for online gaming and for the expansion pack, making Gamecube games unavailable on Switch, not selling games that are on the expansion pack, charging premium for each piece of hardware outside of the console, making low budget games and charging premium for them (like Pokemon Z-A and its DLC)...

To me Nintendo changed significantly since the last days of Iwata and the release of the Switch. And the Switch 2 is selling less outside of Japan, where they have a budget version, than the original Switch from what I've seen since this underwelming november, december.

 

[BrawlMan]

To me Nintendo changed significantly since the last days of Iwata and the release of the Switch. And the Switch 2 is selling less outside of Japan,

Uhhh...sorry to contradict you, but.....

Nintendo Switch 2 Was the Best-Selling Console of 2025 in the U.S. and Is Still Outpacing the Nintendo Switch - IGN

The Nintendo Switch 2 was the best-selling console of 2025 in the U.S., both in unit sales and dollar sales, selling a total of 4.4 million units in the U.S, and continuing its streak of selling faster than the original Nintendo Switch.

www.ign.com

The Nintendo Switch 2 was the best-selling console of 2025 in the U.S., both in unit sales and dollar sales, selling a total of 4.4 million units in the U.S, and continuing its streak of selling faster than the original Nintendo Switch over the same period.

This comes from Circana's full-year reporting on the U.S. games market courtesy of analyst Mat Piscatella, and shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. The Switch 2 has been at the top consistently since it launched earlier in the year, amid a period of decline for the steadily aging PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.

Nintendo Switch 2 sales reach 4.4 million units in the US

Nintendo Switch 2 remains the fastest-selling video game console hardware platform in 2025. According to recent reports from websites like Nintendo Life, Nintendo has reported 4.

tech.sportskeeda.com

 

[sysuah]

Because PC gaming is a fucking nightmare. That's why you buy a console. Consoles offer plug and play simplicity. On PC, there is always some sort of problem. Everything needs to be tweaked, settings need to be adjusted, you need to have the right software, the right updates, a powerful enough system, and even then things will always randomly go wrong forcing you to spend an hour google searching to try and fix it. Part of the problem is that Windows is a garbage, bloated operating system that is on its worst iteration ever with Windows 11, and Linux is so overly complicated that it's not worth the hassle to use.

Gaming on a PC ABSOLUTELY FUCKING BLOWS. Oh and let's not forget, PC GAMING HAS NO PHYSICAL MARKET.

PC ports generally suck too, like Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart which is plagued with nasty audio problems during intense fire fights on PC.

That's why consoles will never die because PC gaming sucks and it always HAS sucked. Frankly, even gaming on android devices like the Odin 3 or Ayn Thor is easier these days than gaming on PC devices like the ROG Ally X.

Spot on, most PC port are done by third party a majority of the time and the hardware they have might not be applicable for the general buyers could afford.
Windows 11 lately is such a mess from Microsoft putting their 'elite H1B human capital' from India to work that i've made the choice to intentionally downgrade my PC back to windows 10 and kept my laptop (which I ALMOST bite the bullet and update it to windows 10) stuck in windows 7 forever as a daily driver and easier time to use while not as fast as my beefy gaming rig, it's something nice to look back and maybe listen to music on
and the fact that most if not all of the playerbase of a game on PC some way has to rely on community patches to play the games (or to access it in someway) at all is alone itself a nightmare for new comers that doesn't have any tech know-hows

 

[bjork]

As someone very involved in the world of business and marketing, I can assure you that the whole world is getting greedier, not just nintendo.

Assuming this is how it is (I'm not in business or marketing) it would make sense that if the world were, so too would Nintendo. A company will have to keep up and evolve, even if it's in a bad way. Unless they went private and then they could do whatever, right?

I might be wrong, but Nintendo seems much more cutthroat now.

If you're not aware of it, go and read about price fixing and retailer bullying and exclusivity deals in the 80s. The only reason it seemed less so to you under Iwata is that he was a friendly face who did good interviews. I don't mean to say he wasn't a nice man as it seems he certainly was, but his job was to maximize profit, not make people go "awww" over Kirby or whatever. That's marketing's job and he just happened to fit what they were doing then.

 

[Kovlak]

Uhhh...sorry to contradict you but.....

Nintendo Switch 2 Was the Best-Selling Console of 2025 in the U.S. and Is Still Outpacing the Nintendo Switch - IGN

The Nintendo Switch 2 was the best-selling console of 2025 in the U.S., both in unit sales and dollar sales, selling a total of 4.4 million units in the U.S, and continuing its streak of selling faster than the original Nintendo Switch.

www.ign.com

Nintendo Switch 2 sales reach 4.4 million units in the US

Nintendo Switch 2 remains the fastest-selling video game console hardware platform in 2025. According to recent reports from websites like Nintendo Life, Nintendo has reported 4.

tech.sportskeeda.com

I'm not that much into sales number, but from what I've seen this youtuber, NintenDeen, seems to be pretty spot on his coverage of the Switch 2 sales data:

His point about Switch 2 sales numbers is that Nintendo generally posts the number of consoles that they ship to stores and not actually numbers on sold to customers. And when everything is taken into sccount with the dysmal Black Friday sales and the somewhat better december, the Switch 2 console numbers are predicted by him to be less that the first six months of the original Switch.

If you're not aware of it, go and read about price fixing and retailer bullying and exclusivity deals in the 80s. The only reason it seemed less so to you under Iwata is that he was a friendly face who did good interviews. I don't mean to say he wasn't a nice man as it seems he certainly was, but his job was to maximize profit, not make people go "awww" over Kirby or whatever. That's marketing's job and he just happened to fit what they were doing then.

I knew someone could point this out, but Nintendo changed a lot between the 80s and 2026. There have been between 37 to 46 years between those two time periods (almost 50 years). Some of its staff died (like Iwata), others retired, some left and most likely there are very few there from the 80s. So even if some practices do have precedent in the 80s, it's a very different company from the one that had those practices almost 50 years ago.

 

[BrawlMan]

I'm not that much into sales number, but from what I've seen this youtuber, NintenDeen, seems to be pretty spot on his coverage of the Switch 2 sales data:

Yeah, I've seen this too much like this guy's content and pattern, and a lot of this looks like is shallow click bait. I've seen too many of these Nintendo is click bait doomed/"fake numbers" nonsense pop up in my feed, and not touching that. I am not trusting him, nor others who do this shit. His channel has grifter written all over it. Everything in there is either overly negative about Nintendo, or complaining/mocking any part of the fan base. I have my problems with Switch 2, and the way Nintendo has been acting, but the console is selling great. That cannot be denied. Even when "just shipping" is taken into account.

 

[Kovlak]

Yeah, I've seen this too much like this guy's content and pattern, and a lot of this looks like is shallow click bait.

I am not checking his data, but looks well researched. And he did get right the slump the Switch 2 had these holidays.

But I was wrong about my statement, having seen part of that video again. He projects that the sales of the Switch 2 overall will be comparable to the Switch 1 in the next three months, as they slow down.

All said and done, despite selling well, the Switch 2 still seems disappointing to me. The bad holiday season, the lack of hype or actual games to look forward to, apart from Duskbloods that who knows when that comes out... No Mario game, no main Zelda, no new Xenoblade...

 

[dkpopman]

Nintendo nowadays is way too expensive for most parents, especially as a kids console.

They are better off letting their kids play free games on toaster computers or mobile phones, which also can be played with their friends online.

Switch 2 is cheaper than PS5, which is what a lot of kids are asking for currently.

 

[petran79]

Switch 2 is cheaper than PS5, which is what a lot of kids are asking for currently.

it is the games that are expensive.
parents really do not mind what cheap game it is, as long as kid is occupied

Majority play on mobiles and computers. From my nephews classmates and friends, only one kid had a Switch

Free games are surprisingly addictive as they use predatory methods on kids that would not be allowed on consoles

 

[dkpopman]

it is the games that are expensive.
parents really do not mind what cheap game it is, as long as kid is occupied

Majority play on mobiles and computers. From my nephews classmates and friends, only one kid had a Switch

Free games are surprisingly addictive as they use predatory methods on kids that would not be allowed on consoles

1. I'm saying that most kids are asking for PS5 over Switch currently, you either misread me or I wasn't clear enough. PS5 has Fortnite and Roblox.

2. Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox is where most kids MTX spending is happening, and those games are accessible on consoles.. They are absolutely allowed on consoles. I agree that most kids play on mobile, but PC is only if they have access. (you seem to know rich kids) Console is more accessible for them to acquire from their parents.

I don't think your points, or a lot of peoples points ITT, make sense. There's no need to make your preference a precedent. You don't need to try and justify what you want to do or don't want to do with your money. For instance, I have a room full of retro consoles, but if someone asks me where they should start to get into retro, I simply tell them to get an emulation handheld. Or use emulators on their PC if they have one. Hell, even modern stuff too, Switch emulation is pretty dang good now, and PS4 is catching up too.
They don't need to be like me.

Ignoring the market reality of these things is fine, but don't operate with ignorance as some kind of self-soothing justification for your positions.

 

[Kovlak]

2. Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox is where most kids MTX spending is happening, and those games are accessible on consoles.. They are absolutely allowed on consoles. I agree that most kids play on mobile, but PC is only if they have access. (you seem to know rich kids) Console is more accessible for them to acquire from their parents.

From what i've seen parents generally either give their kids a cheap tablet or a smartphone, some, especially babies, play on their parents' smartphone.

I don't see parents gifting a Switch 2 or a PS5 to their kids, unless they are well off or can at least eat the cost of the console, which becomes less likely in this economy. I think a homebrewed 3DS or even DS is more likely at this point, because once you bite the bullet, there are no more costs associated and there's a whole massive library of kid friendly games to explore.

 

[dkpopman]

I think a homebrewed 3DS or even DS is more likely at this point.

You are completely out of touch in thinking any normie parent is gonna get their kids a DS/3DS. That is wild.

This is exactly what I was writing about, you could have never came to that conclusion if you weren't operating with some level of circular reasoning.

 

[bjork]

I knew someone could point this out, but Nintendo changed a lot between the 80s and 2026. There have been between 37 to 46 years between those two time periods (almost 50 years). Some of its staff died (like Iwata), others retired, some left and most likely there are very few there from the 80s. So even if some practices do have precedent in the 80s, it's a very different company from the one that had those practices almost 50 years ago.

Which is why I said companies change with the times. The only reason they don't do those things nowadays is that they got caught and called out. So they found new avenues to make money. In 2026, that means $80 games and paid DLC or whatever. It isn't super complex.

Also, I don't think considering units sold to retailers as units sold is wholly disingenuous. If I'm Nintendo and Best Buy wants to order 500,000 Switch 2s, I just sold 500,000 Switch 2s. It's not my fault if Best Buy sends too many to Topeka, Kansas or something and can't sell through at the register. This kind of thing was what the original purpose of E3 was, to get buyers all in one place. Not for goofs to get in and get free keychains and post about it online (I was one of those goofs, mind you)

 

[Graves Ruinwalker]

• Blazing Chrome
• Neon Inferno
• Terminator 2D: Fate
• Super Cyborg

All of them and more do something different from Contra that works for them.


There are a lot of those, yet most of them are doing well or great with their target audience and beyond. So not much doom and gloom there.

• The TakeOver
• Final Vendetta
• Fight n' Rage
• TMNT: Shredder's Revenge
• Rushing Beat X
• Dancin Divas
• Double Dragon Gaiden
• Double Dragon Revive
• Ninja Saviors
• Final Knight

Nearly all of these games I listed play completely differently from Streets of Rage, or only take one or two aspects from Streets of Rage 3, and do their own thing (The TakeOver, Final Vendetta, and Fight n' Rage). I know RBX ain't out yet, and the franchise itself was copying both SOR and Final Fight back in the 90s, but this game plays nothing like SOR4, nor the other games in the Streets of Rage franchise. Play the demo on Steam. Dancin Divas is basically Ninja Baseball Batman visually, but more Tex Avery style, and plays only somewhat similarly to NBB.


Remember what we talked about? Not as bad, nor as big as a problem as you think the indie circle. Drop the cynicism and pessimism.

Thats why i should dwelve more into indie games nowadays .

I missed out alot of indie-games that maybe scratches my itch for some good experiences .

But some games that you listed , i played them already .

Blazing Chrome was great but i was done with this game in a few days after i played with all characters through on all difficulties .

The same with The Takeover . Great game but i was done with it after few days . Cool game but left me cold when i was done .

Many of the boomer-shooters had cool ideas but alot of them are pretty generic because it got oversaturated with either Doom Eternal clones (from arena after arena boredom) or oldschool boomer-shooters ala doom that were great to play but got exhausting pretty fast later on . Especially what happened with the train-accident of Ion Maiden 2 . What a huge dissapointment.

But as i mentioned , i need to get back on the indie-grind and update my view on it because im not so confident on it lately and saw some nice indie-games here and there too which could change my perspective entirely .

And i have my backlog to tackle on too .

 

[BrawlMan]

I am not checking his data, but looks well researched. And he did get right the slump the Switch 2 had these holidays.

But I was wrong about my statement, having seen part of that video again. He projects that the sales of the Switch 2 overall will be comparable to the Switch 1 in the next three months, as they slow down.

Still not trusting him, nor interested in his content. You do as you wish.

despite selling well, the Switch 2 still seems disappointing to me.

You're not the first, and not wrong for feelings this way, but that only further proves my point on the console selling well. Also, consoles slow down in sales at some point, but it's not much of a slow down from the looks of it. The other games will come out soon. It's why I never buy a console at launch.

But as i mentioned , i need to get back on the indie-grind and update my view on it because im not so confident on it lately and saw some nice indie-games here and there too which could change my perspective entirely .

Good.

I don't see parents gifting a Switch 2 or a PS5 to their kids, unless they are well off or can at least eat the cost of the console, which becomes less likely in this economy

I live in Michigan, and I still see plenty of parents or adults (who have niece, nephew, grand kids, god kids, etc.) asking and buying a Switch 2 or PS5 at GameStop, Wal-Mart, or Best Buy. Especially the Switch 2.

 

[Ikagura]

All said and done, despite selling well, the Switch 2 still seems disappointing to me. The bad holiday season, the lack of hype or actual games to look forward to, apart from Duskbloods that who knows when that comes out... No Mario game, no main Zelda, no new Xenoblade...

I don't want to sound annoying but people have complained about Nintendo making only Mario/Zelda/FE/AC/other big series and for once we saw an original Donkey Kong game since Tropical Freeze (and the first 3D game since DK64) as well as a new Kirby Air Ride game (which is the first big original game since 2022's Forgotten Land).

In fact I'd even say that they should continue to focus on the less popular IPs because we already have a ton of Mario and Zelda games to do (furthermore Hyrule Warriors is also a Zelda game and DK Bananza is part of the Mario universe so they technically count).