2022 was a wonderful 12 months for Nintendo because the Change noticed a variety of genres come to the console. There appeared to be a gentle stream of releases all year long of first-party video games, although few titles actually held as much as Nintendo’s competitors, and some of the anticipated video games ended up being delayed.
The celebrities appeared to be aligned for Nintendo to have a fantastic 2023. There are already a number of thrilling first-party video games introduced, and the corporate is exploring methods to increase its hottest franchises to media outdoors of video video games. Though the 12 months for Nintendo seems to be shiny, there are a couple of necessary resolutions that have to be stored in the event that they wish to go above and past.
Don’t Delay Video games
Nintendo usually does okay with sticking to the discharge dates that they’ve introduced, however there have been a couple of cases these days during which they’ve wanted to delay video games or content material. In fact, typically that is mandatory in an effort to keep away from releasing damaged or unfinished video games, however in 2023 we would like Nintendo to make sure they will meet a launch date earlier than saying it.
The extremely anticipated Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was delayed from 2022 to Could 12, 2023, and to date we don’t know a lot in regards to the recreation although it’s alleged to be popping out in only a few months from now. It might be fairly disappointing if it will get delayed once more to the top of the 12 months after anticipating it to come back out a number of instances earlier than then.
Pikmin 4 is about to launch in 2023, however with out a extra particular goal window and solely a teaser trailer to date, that is one other recreation we hope makes it to our consoles this 12 months. For different video games that may finally be introduced for this 12 months, Nintendo must be sure they are going to be prepared earlier than they decide to these dates.
Deliver Digital Console to the Change
Many followers have been asking for Digital Console to come back to the Change for years, however this request is extra necessary than ever in 2023. That’s as a result of the eShop on the Wii U and 3DS might be completely closed this 12 months on March 27, bringing an finish to Digital Console.
All issues should come to an finish finally, however the Digital Console lineup on Wii U and 3DS is the one technique to buy tons of of titles from older consoles, from Sport Boy Coloration/Advance to Nintendo DS and even some third-party retro consoles just like the TurboGrafx-16 and Sport Gear.
We have already got many retro titles from NES, SNES, and N64 accessible on Nintendo Change On-line, however there are nonetheless tons of of video games that had been accessible via Digital Console which can be lacking. In 2023, Nintendo ought to discover a technique to both add these titles to NSO or just convey the Digital Console library to the Change for gamers to buy individually.
Launch a New 3D Mario Sport
There’s lots taking place with Mario this 12 months. Tremendous Nintendo World at Common Studios Hollywood, the interactive theme park that includes the Mushroom Kingdom, opens to the general public on February 17. The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film, the franchise’s first movie adaptation in 30 years, releases on April 7.
These are huge occasions, however to date, Nintendo hasn’t introduced a brand new Tremendous Mario recreation to tie in with them. This looks as if the right alternative for the corporate to market and launch a brand new recreation within the franchise.
It’s been six years because the final authentic 3D Mario (Tremendous Mario Odyssey in 2017), which is in regards to the common time it takes for Nintendo to launch that kind of recreation. We had Tremendous Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury in 2021 to ease the wait, however since that was a port with additional content material, we’re prepared for one thing model new. 2023 seems like the best time for that to occur.
Hold Supporting Older Titles
Nintendo is often good at supporting video games which have already been launched by including new content material over time, however these days, they’ve been dropping the ball with this one.
Certain, there are some exceptions to this, like the brand new DLC booster course tracks which can be being added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, however there are a variety of video games that may very well be receiving far more new content material than they’re.
One of many largest offenders of that is Mario Social gathering Superstars. This recreation launched with simply 5 boards to play on, which is lower than the Mario Social gathering earlier than it and three fewer boards than the very first Mario Social gathering recreation on the Nintendo 64. Because the boards in Superstars are simply remastered variations of older titles, there’s no cause why Nintendo can’t be updating the sport with extra.
Different video games like Nintendo Change Sports activities and Mario Strikers: Battle League have gotten new content material, but it surely’s been remarkably sluggish, and the updates have been boring. Nintendo would be capable of breathe new life into these titles in the event that they obtained attention-grabbing content material updates that will convey again older gamers and entice new patrons.
Announce New {Hardware} for 2024
Let’s face it: The Nintendo Change is feeling fairly dated at this level. The unique system is already six years previous, and whereas the OLED mannequin was a pleasant improve, there’s nonetheless much more that Nintendo can do to refresh its {hardware}.
It’s no secret that many video games from 2022 on the Change struggled with efficiency and graphics, and a part of the rationale why is as a result of limitations of the {hardware}. The excuse was that the Change is a handheld gadget, and that was holding it again, however latest competitors just like the Steam Deck proves that it may very well be doing a lot extra.
2023 is the time for Nintendo to share what the plans are to take its {hardware} to the following degree, whether or not that might be a brand new iteration of the Change or a successor console. Maybe this would be the final 12 months for the Change earlier than we lastly see what could be in retailer for Nintendo’s {hardware} in 2024.