The twilight years of the Nintendo Switch deserve more respect - Reader’s Feature

Growing old gracefully (Picture: Nintendo)

A reader looks back at the success of the Nintendo Switch and is impressed that it still has appealing games coming out in 2023.

In the console world, generational transitions are often associated with a decrease in the quality of the ecosystem surrounding it, both from first and third party developers and manufacturers.

However, this fiscal year has shown that the Switch is still going strong, despite Switch 2 speculations ramping up, even as its limitations are now obvious.

A game console is only as good as the games made for it, regardless of its age. So, it’s a good thing that 2023 was a blockbuster year for Nintendo games. From The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom expanding the world with no major compromises to Super Mario Bros. Wonder being a fun 2D Mario game in every way.

Nintendo proved that regardless of how old the Switch is, the games they make for it can thrive. Even the mediocre Fashion Dreamer finally gave casuals a solid fashion game in the absence of New Style Boutique.

However, the Switch’s 2023 miracle ports also inspired awe. Rockstar released a Red Dead Redemption port that gaming folklore deemed impossible on any console, due to alleged issues with the original code. Yet it runs perfectly (and natively) on the Switch, with good visuals and performance.

However, it was Hogwarts Legacy that was the real surprise as 2023 closed, as it jumped onto the Switch natively. Despite lacking in the performance and visual department, and jettisoning the open world, the gameplay and story is still addictive and engrossing and suited for portable play.

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

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