Why I Cancelled My Nintendo Switch Pre-Order

The Switch was going to be the first Nintendo home console I’ve ever owned at launch. The company’s original pitch wasn’t exactly solid on the details, though gave a generally good impression. Having never felt the need to buy a Wii U, here was a system that showed genuine promise, as if Nintendo had learned from its mistakes and could now go toe-to-toe with Microsoft and Sony.

Of course, with the PS4 Pro having been around for a few months and Scorpio due to be unleashed this holiday season, the Switch won’t be neck and neck with its two big rivals – at least not from a technical perspective. However, looking back at the Wii and its disappointing successor, raw power isn’t why gamers buy into the Nintendo brand. For many, it’s the raft of first party exclusives which rarely falter in their vibrant charm and quality. Nowhere else will you find a kart racer as polished as Mario Kart 8, nor a crossover fighting game as apt for party play as Super Smash Bros.

For that reason Nintendo is now our go-to for some side action, whenever we fancy a break from our PS4s, Xbox Ones, and PCs. Before cancelling my pre-order just days ago, I had a space reserved for the Switch in my snazzy new TV unit, though the excitement just wasn’t there anymore.

Over the Christmas period, I had been excitedly awaiting Nintendo’s big reveal in January. Although we had previously copped a quick look in November, this would be its chance to dispel any confusion surrounding the hardware, how much it would cost, and what games would be available at launch.

However, the live event failed to address major questions in a way that felt entirely succinct. In some massive areas, such as network capabilities and online services, Nintendo seemingly glossed over the details, retreating behind a vague forward plan. And while £280 sounded like a reasonable launch price, the confusing tangle of add-ons and accessories quickly saw the contents of my basket shoot well above £400.

The paltry launch lineup was another major concern for many. You may be surprised to hear that quantity wasn’t my main issue. We’ve only just reached February and already I’ve started to build a backlog of games released in 2017. However, as with any console launch, I’ve always been able to find at least 2 or 3 compelling launch games to whet my appetite.

With the Nintendo Switch, I wasn’t offered that luxury. There’s only one title available on release day that is worth buying in my eyes. Compared to Knack, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Ryse, and Dead Rising 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild looks as though it will be somewhat of a rarity – the first truly essential first party launch title we’ve seen in years. That said, if it’s just Zelda you’re after, then you could easily settle for a Wii U version of the game without needing invest so much money.

The only other original game being pushed at launch is 1-2 Switch. While novel, for a game that doesn’t even involve looking at the screen, it seems ridiculously overpriced and would hardly get any mileage beyond a quick mess around with friends.

The remainder of that first wave consists of digital games and ports we’ve seen elsewhere, some of them several years old and much, much cheaper on other platforms. Even when you look beyond this meagre initial offering, Nintendo isn’t offering that much.

Arms looks like a fun and inventive take on the fighting game genre but doesn’t seem to have much depth – or Legs, if you will – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, meanwhile, is a known quantity and easily one of the best Nintendo games, period. However, with the original Wii U version having such a big following, it’s hard to see how a few additional characters and tracks will convince fans to buy the same game twice on top of a brand new Switch on day one. Finally, there’s Splatoon 2 which looks a bit more appetising. The original paint-based shooter hasn’t been around that long, but the sequel looks to be making some clever changes while helping to push Nintendo’s fledgling IP out there.

Over time we’ll see smaller games drift in to plug some of the gaps in this lineup, but when it comes to third party multi-platform releases, the improved performance and connectivity of other platforms will make the Switch version less desirable, even with the added perk of portability. As someone who spends most of their gaming time sat in front of the big screen, I rarely feel the need to take a gaming system with me out on the road. When I do, it’s infinitely more convenient to whip out my phone. If I’m feeling a little more adventurous I may even take my iPad, PlayStation Vita, or New 3DS XL. Being able to seamlessly undock the Switch and carry on playing is an awesome feature but would be completely wasted on me.

Pre-launch hype is a crazy thing. If it sinks its hooks in deep enough, there’s literally no escape, even when confronted with the reality of what we’re actually buying into versus that initial image in our minds. In truth, I’m still riding that same hype train, I’ve just downgraded my ticket somewhat. I won’t be among the rank of first class passengers who disembark on launch day. I’ll be sat further to the back, intent on buying a Nintendo Switch in the near future, though currently dispassionate enough to stave off an immediate purchase.