The Gamescom Opening Night Live event showcased a total of 62 games this year. However, one notable observation was the limited number of titles confirmed for release on the Nintendo Switch. Out of the 62 games presented, only 7 were confirmed for the Switch, with one of them being Genshin Impact, a title that has been announced for the platform but has yet to be officially launched.
In contrast, nearly all the games featured at the event have been confirmed for release on other platforms, especially on PC and the current generation of consoles. Only three games from the showcase—Monument Valley 3, Batman: Arkham Shadow, and Squid Game—are not coming to any consoles at all; the latter two are exclusive to Netflix, and the former will be a VR-only experience.
Further analysis reveals that 43 games are slated for release on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, while 41 titles will be available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. The strong presence of games on these platforms, in contrast to the Nintendo Switch, indicates a prevailing trend in the industry as developers focus on more powerful hardware capable of delivering high-end experiences that are increasingly in demand.
This trend provides an overview of the current state and future of the Nintendo Switch. Despite its widespread popularity and success since its release in 2017, the platform may be displaying signs of age as developers concentrate on more technically demanding projects. The limited presence of Switch titles at such a significant event could signal the industry’s shifting focus, potentially anticipating or awaiting a more powerful successor to the Switch.
In the coming weeks, particularly during events like PAX or Tokyo Game Show, we may gain further insights into whether developers are indeed preparing for a new iteration of Nintendo’s hardware. While the current Switch continues to have a dedicated fanbase, the gaming community eagerly awaits validation of the rumors surrounding a “Switch 2” or another next-generation Nintendo console.