Nintendo recently officially unveiled its next console, the "Switch." It'll be released March 3, but with a meager launch lineup this is notable also for its complete lack of sports games, which historically have been proven to be a major factor in the success or failure of a console.
This realization is made more of a concern because of recent history with Nintendo hardware. Despite the Nintendo Wii's huge popularity, the only sport that sold well on the platform was golf, and even that died quickly with the family-friendly Nintendo audience once Tiger Woods' transgressions came to light. The Nintendo Wii U struggled to gain traction in the marketplace and third parties (including EA Sports and 2K Sports) abandoned it after the first year. It's fair to wonder whether the same fate may be in store for the Nintendo Switch.
There are a few sports games that have at least been announced for the Switch. EA Sports' "FIFA" will release later this year and "NBA 2K18" is slated for release in September. Those are the natural choices for any new system — even one with as many questions as the Switch — considering their sales strength and presence in multiple regions around the globe. There's also an intriguing new IP from Nintendo called ARMS that will be out in the spring. That's a boxing-like game that introduces the hook of fighting with extendable arms and motion controls.
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There are no plans for other high-profile sports games, including "Madden," to make the transition and no guarantees that the likes of "FIFA" will be around for long. In fact, in an interview with IGN , Patrick Soderlund, executive vice president of Electronic Arts, said the company will only "be there once the platform launches and takes off." Needless to say, that's not exactly a vote of confidence.
Third parties are hesitant to invest too much until the console is proven to be a success, not just in terms of system sales but whether consumers will purchase third-party software and spend money post-release on downloadable content and revenue-generating modes such as Ultimate Team. Not only will it be a challenge to sell the games, but an even bigger one to condition Nintendo users for spending additional money within the games they already own.
Nintendo is describing the Switch as a "home console" that can also be taken on the go. There is the ability to play on a TV through a dock or detached, or as a handheld device. That portability, which is a huge selling point, unfortunately may have hampered the potential of the system to produce high-quality visuals and run the most advanced game engines. The Switch is not nearly as powerful as the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, consoles which have been around for years and can be purchased for less money.
There's already a rumor that the upcoming "FIFA" game on Switch will be based off the last-generation (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3) gameplay engine rather than the one utilized (known as "Frostbite") on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. If true, it would be a devastating blow to the credibility of the system and potential for any sports games to find success there in the future.
Besides the $300 price for the Switch (higher than most anticipated it would be), there are hidden costs in the form of buying an SD memory card given that only 32 GB of storage is built in, an optional Pro Controller for $70, online play that will become a subscription service later in the year, and the lack of a packed-in game. The Switch will likely sell out of any launch quantity produced, but the question will be whether momentum continues (Wii) or quickly dissipates (Wii U).
It'll be difficult to justify buying the Switch version of a sports game over one on a competing system if significantly inferior, and those whose only console is the Switch will probably not be a typical consumer of sports games. The unique capabilities of the console could make for interesting innovation, but those who purchase these games aren't going to travel back several years worth of technological and gameplay advancements in order to take advantage of them.
In turn, developers may again decide to concentrate their efforts elsewhere. While there's a good deal of general interest in the Nintendo Switch, for sports fans it's very much a wait-and-see proposition.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.