I Hate Nintendo and I’m Buying a Switch 2 IMMEDIATELY

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6 Feb 2025

For years, I have had a complicated relationship with Nintendo. On the one hand, I respect their immense contributions to gaming, their mastery of first-party franchises, and their ability to create some of the most iconic experiences in the industry. On the other hand, I have despised their stubbornness, their archaic policies, their reluctance to embrace modern gaming standards, and their frustratingly consumer-unfriendly practices. Nintendo has consistently made choices that infuriate me, from overpriced hardware and games to their baffling online infrastructure. And yet, despite all of that, when the Switch 2 is announced, I’ll be one of the first in line to buy it. This contradiction isn’t just hypocrisy—it’s a testament to the unique and infuriating brilliance of Nintendo.

Nintendo’s Unshakable Grip on Gaming Nostalgia

No other company has a grasp on nostalgia quite like Nintendo. Sony and Microsoft certainly have their legacy titles and franchises, but Nintendo has cultivated an emotional connection with its fans that is unparalleled. Games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Pokémon have defined entire generations. Whether you grew up in the NES, SNES, N64, or GameCube era, there’s a near-universal sentiment that Nintendo has been a part of your childhood. And they know it. They weaponize it. They exploit it. They repackage old games and sell them at full price while other companies offer remasters or even free backward compatibility.

Take, for instance, Super Mario 3D All-Stars—a collection of three classic Mario games with minimal enhancements, released at a premium price, and then arbitrarily pulled from digital stores after a limited time. It was the perfect example of Nintendo’s cynical business model: create artificial scarcity, force FOMO (fear of missing out), and rake in profits from their devoted fanbase. And despite my anger, despite my complete awareness of this manipulation, I bought it anyway. Because Nintendo games still feel magical in a way that few others do. And that is why, despite my grievances, I know I will buy the Switch 2 the moment it is available.

Frustrating Hardware Decisions and the Switch’s Limitations

One of my biggest issues with Nintendo is their outdated approach to hardware. The Nintendo Switch, despite being a revolutionary hybrid console, was underpowered at launch compared to its competition. While Sony and Microsoft were pushing 4K gaming with high-performance GPUs, Nintendo released a system that struggled with 1080p, let alone 4K. Third-party games often ran poorly, and ports were compromised in resolution, framerate, or both. The lack of power meant that developers had to optimize heavily just to get their games running at acceptable levels.

And yet, I still used my Switch more than my PlayStation or Xbox at times. Because despite the low resolution and the choppy framerates, Nintendo’s first-party games always delivered. The hardware was frustratingly limited, but the games were designed to work within those limitations beautifully. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a game that should have felt constrained by the Switch’s underwhelming power, instead became one of the most immersive open-world experiences ever created. Games like Super Mario Odyssey and Animal Crossing: New Horizons made me overlook the Switch’s many flaws. Even when dealing with painfully slow load times, joy-con drift, and a lack of meaningful online features, the system somehow managed to remain irresistible.

With the Switch 2, I know I am setting myself up for another round of frustration. Nintendo will undoubtedly cut corners in ways that will make no sense to me. The hardware will likely still be underwhelming compared to modern gaming PCs and next-gen consoles. They might continue using outdated networking technology, making online play a headache. And yet, I’ll still buy it, because I know that Nintendo-exclusive games will make it worthwhile. The mere thought of experiencing a new Zelda game, a proper 3D Mario sequel, or an upgraded Metroid Prime 4 on new hardware is enough to make me overlook all of the flaws I know are coming.

Nintendo’s Anti-Consumer Practices

If there’s one thing that makes my blood boil, it’s how aggressively anti-consumer Nintendo can be. They have a history of resisting modern industry standards in ways that actively make their players’ lives worse. Consider their approach to digital purchases. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, who have maintained backward compatibility across multiple console generations, Nintendo routinely forces players to repurchase their games with each new system. The Wii U eShop? Shut down. The 3DS eShop? Gone. The Wii Virtual Console? Dead. Every time a new console launches, Nintendo fans are forced to start their digital libraries from scratch. There’s no guarantee that a game you purchased on one system will be available on the next, and even if it is, there’s a high chance you’ll be paying for it again.

And don’t even get me started on their Nintendo Switch Online service. In an era where Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus offer incredible value with a constantly rotating library of modern and classic games, Nintendo charges a subscription fee for a handful of NES, SNES, and N64 games. Worse, their online infrastructure is still embarrassingly bad. Matchmaking is clunky, voice chat requires an external smartphone app, and connection stability is laughable compared to other platforms. And yet, we pay for it, because it’s the only way to play online. Nintendo has created a closed ecosystem that thrives on loyalty and lack of alternatives, and as much as I hate it, I am a prisoner to their ecosystem.

The Pull of First-Party Exclusives

Despite all my criticisms, the simple fact remains: Nintendo makes some of the best games in the world. Their first-party exclusives are the reason I put up with their nonsense. No other company can deliver games with the same level of creativity, polish, and charm as Nintendo. The Zelda series continues to redefine open-world gaming, the Mario franchise remains the gold standard for platformers, and games like Splatoon, Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles, and Smash Bros. offer experiences you can’t get anywhere else.

And that is why I will buy the Switch 2 without hesitation. Because I know, deep down, that as much as I complain, as much as I criticize, I will not want to miss out on whatever incredible experiences Nintendo is going to offer next. If history is any indication, the Switch 2 will launch alongside at least one must-play title—whether it’s Metroid Prime 4, a new 3D Mario, or an enhanced Breath of the Wild sequel. And no matter how much I resist, I know that I won’t be able to stay away.

Conclusion: Love, Hate, and the Inevitability of Nintendo’s Success

Nintendo is a frustrating company. They make choices that infuriate even their most loyal fans. They overcharge for old games, refuse to modernize their online infrastructure, and consistently release hardware that is behind the competition. And yet, they remain an unstoppable force in the gaming industry. Their first-party games are unmatched, their ability to innovate is undeniable, and their commitment to gameplay-first design keeps them ahead of the pack.

So, yes, I hate Nintendo. But I also love them. And when the Switch 2 drops, I will be there, ready to hand them my money once again. Because no matter how much I complain, no matter how much they frustrate me, Nintendo still makes games that are simply too good to ignore. And in the end, that is why they always win.

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