We wrestle to recollect a time that we considered the Switch as a ‘new’ console. Maybe again in 2021 with the discharge of the OLED and the pandemic recognition of Animal Crossing? Perhaps. For essentially the most half, everyone seems to be eager to leap on the “god, the Switch is sooo previous” bandwagon. The factor is, they’re proper and boy are we reminded of that at present.
That’s as a result of at present, third March 2024, marks seven years for the reason that Switch’s launch. As you learn this, the console is coming into its eighth. Seven years. Let’s let that one sink in for a second.
You do not want us to inform you how neat Nintendo’s little hybrid is. You already comprehend it. It’s the third best-selling console of all time. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is crushed solely by the pack-in Wii Sports for the Big-N’s high spot. We are nonetheless getting large hitters like new Zeldas and Marios. Blah blah blah. Hot take: Switch is sweet.
Even hotter take: seven years is a actually very long time. Babies have been born, potty educated, learnt to stroll, discuss and end Year Two of major faculty (first grade within the States) within the size of time that the Switch has been out.
Seven years is 84 months. 365 weeks. 2,555 days. 61,320 hours. Heck, that is 47 canine years for a medium-sized pooch, for crying out loud.
In that point, we now have seen PlayStation 4s flip into PlayStation 5s, Xbox Ones flip into X/S and iPhones change to a Roman numeral ordering after which again once more.
For the sake of comparability, the SNES had pushed the NES into retirement after seven years, the N64 had lengthy been succeeded by the GameDice, and even the Wii to Wii U was solely a spot of six years. As far as Nintendo goes, solely the Game Boy to Game Boy Color beats the Switch’s present life span (a nine-year hole sitting between the 2) however at the least we bought two residence consoles in that interval to tide us over.
Yet this Nindendog remains to be alive and kicking (by which we imply the Switch, not our precise Nintendogs — they have been despatched to stay on the farm a lengthy time in the past). 2019 introduced us the Switch Lite and 2021 the OLED, however the launch mannequin has managed to face the take a look at of time to the extent that many people nonetheless lean on the OG in 2024.
And what about that eShop? The Switch’s digital storefront is now residence to round 11,448 video games (at the least, that is one of the best estimate from the North American eShop, although regional libraries will fluctuate) and it continues to develop by the day. In quick, seven years has given us a heck of a backlog.
Things could effectively really feel like they’re slowing down now and an upcoming slate dominated by remakes and remasters has us (like everybody) trying in direction of the prospect of recent {hardware} with longing eyes. But, for at present at the least, let’s keep in mind that the little console’s genius. It is its birthday, in spite of everything.
Way to go previous sport, here is to many extra — however not too many. Please.
