Games Inbox: Will Nintendo Switch 2 games be cross-gen?

Multi-generational gaming
I think the most interesting thing from that Pokémon hack is the information that the next game is going to be cross-gen, which is probably the only substantial news we’ve had about a Nintendo Switch 2 game so far. Unfortunately, because Game Freak are known for being so backwards in terms of technology, it’s hard to know whether this will be commonplace when the Switch 2 comes out or if it’s just for Pokémon.

Given all the talk of backwards compatibility though I’m going to guess that it will be common and that, just like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, most or all games will be cross-gen for the first few years.

I can’t say I’m very happy about this, as I would’ve liked to see what Nintendo could do with more power, but unfortunately Microsoft and Sony has made this approach the standard now. You could also infer that maybe this means the Switch 2 isn’t going to be that much more powerful anyway, although that might be a bit of a stretch.
Tolly

Hacked off
I obviously feel bad for all the people whose personal details are now in the hands of weirdo fans but isn’t it weird how most of these hacks never actually reveal anything surprising? The fact that Game Freak are working on a new Pokémon game for Switch 2 is not much of a revelation, and while it being cross-gen is definitely interesting, that’s also something that could easily change before release.

Other than that, what was it all for? To know about a bunch of movies that may or may not happen. And remember, this is Nintendo we’re talking about there so they are going to go full ninja lawyer on whoever did this. The last person that crossed them ended up owing them $14.5 million and that was only for piracy. Imagine what they’re going to push for when it comes to these hackers, they’ll have them shot into space!

The only one of these that actually proper details was, not Rockstar, but Insomniac. Although none of these ever have dates attached to anything. Makes me wonder if publishers just decide that at the last minute, and don’t really have much of a clue most of the time.
Galston

Convenient excuse
It was obvious streaming would be the next thing Microsoft turns to, after it was clear that console sales were tanking, but I really don’t see how it’s ever going to become a big deal given what Wi-Fi is like at the moment. That means you can’t play your games on your move, you can’t play them at all if you’re in the country, and you’re probably going to have tons of lag and glitches even if you do live in London. Especially as, in my experience, Xbox Cloud Gaming works worse than other similar services like Nvidia.

But then I thought occurred to me, what if it is successful? What if, as you say, people just put up with it and after all these years of slowly improving specs, where 4K and 60fps are now almost a standard, we just start putting up with tons of lag, unreliable controls, and glitching views.

Sound unlikely? The main benefit of streaming is convenience and in my experience convenience means all other positives are always ignored. We destroyed the entire concept of buying games as physical media purely to avoid having to get up and change the disc. I’m worried what people will be willing to put up with just so they don’t need a console.
Purple Ranger

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PlayStation Wii
I understand where the Reader’s Feature, about the PlayStation 5 being the worst PlayStation console, comes from but for me I don’t think it’s anywhere near that clearcut. I think the most interesting thing about that the console is I have no idea how it’s going to end up.

I have no idea how long it’s going to last, how many exclusives will be released for it, and what proportion will be traditional single-player games. Can anyone claim to know any of these things? I doubt it, because I have a hard time believing Sony knows either.

The PlayStation 5 is an enigma: hugely popular but by the time it got to its halfway point Sony just gave up on it and went into minimum effort mode. There’s only one other console I can think of like that and weirdly that’s the Wii. A console that ended up being quickly forgotten and has one of the worst reputations of any Nintendo console.
Cody

Rumours from From
I know Shadow Of The Erdtree was this year but I’m still impatient to learn what FromSoftware are working on next. Do we have any idea at all? I’m not even sure what I’d like them to do, I just know I want more.

It’ll be interesting though, because this will be their first game since Elden Ring blew up and they really entered the big leagues. So if it’s going to have an even bigger budget, as it inevitably will, what will it be? Something completely different or what they have been doing turned up to 11?

I don’t know why I’m asking these questions, as I’m pretty sure nobody knows, but I can’t wait to find out anyway.
Bruce

GC: They were hiring for a new giant robot game, but it seems a bit late for Armored Core 6 DLC, so it’s probably a seventh entry – but that’s likely to be several years away at this point. There’s no clue as to what their next game will be.

On the buses
So, I was an excited and curious fellow, taking a second holiday in Norway. I’d just been to Turkey and hated the overbearing heat and uninteresting locations. At least my Steam Deck OLED kept me great company, until I left it stranded on a bus. I spent days hoping I’d hear from the bus company but luck wasn’t on my side. I purchased the system the first day the model went on sale and I vigorously used it, even more so than my PlayStation 5.

I was on my way to a fjord cruise when I accidentally left it behind and it still haunts me today. I’ve been careless enough to lose valuable items before: my college ID, keys, my wallet and bank card. But I always managed to replace them and learn as much as I can from my mistakes. This is my most expensive mistake and I can’t see fit to ever argue against the fact that I won’t see my lost system again. I can only replace the handheld with something stronger, faster, and overall more value for money.

I’ll be honest, as much as I did love and cherish my OLED it had its issues. From the disappointing performance of Hogwarts Legacy to Starfield looking like a PS1 game at low settings. That’s why I can fathom the fact that I may have to save for a more powerful system. So far, my heart is set on the ASUS ROG Ally X. I’ve heard great things about it but it is pricey, but an upgrade will always come at a price. Sony knows that better than anyone.

The lesson Valve need to learn is that they may very well have to upgrade their system as soon as possible. If I’m not even considering re-purchasing their system because of technical weaknesses that’s quite the flaw. One truth is certain though, I’ll purchase the Ally X and do absolutely everything in my power to never repeat my mistake ever again. At least, I can try.
Shahzaib Sadiq

No way out
I don’t know what’s worse for Bungie, if the Destiny mobile game flops or if it succeeds. If it flops then Sony will think Destiny is even more of a has-been franchise and if it succeeds then they’ll think that they can still make money off Destiny without needing Bungie. It’s a Catch-22 situation.

I worry that too much damage has been done already and that when Marathon is an inevitable failure, Bungie will be chopped up and made a support studio for other live service games. Sony has hinted as much already. And that’s assuming Sony even carries on making live service games after all this, as I’m sure there must be many questions as to whether it’s working out for them. It’s not a good situation.
Swany

Free to a good home
I’ve been clearing out my parents’ loft and have found my old N64, PS1, all the games I had for each, and a load of gaming magazines from the 90s. Wanted to check if any of the folk here were interested in any/all, and if so if GC were able to please help put us in touch?

The N64 and all games are boxed (excluding the three at the front of the photo, although I do have three different boxes, no doubt to a swap which became permanent!). The N64 also has the memory expansion, and I distinctly remember writing in to Digitiser to say how cheeky Nintendo were by not building this into the original console!

All the PS1 games are boxed, although the console itself isn’t (I bought it and most of the games second-hand from a mate).

Controllers/memory cards/cables, etc. are all there, happy to provide specifics to those interested. I believe everything works, but nothing’s been used for nearly a quarter of a century and I don’t have the technology to check.

All free to a good home.
Julian

GC: If anyone wants it, we can pass on their email to you.

Inbox also-rans
I always use ShopTo for my day one games. They even offer (I think) £5 credit back if it’s delayed. Only had one instance where I’ve had to use that!
SlideAway1983 (PSN ID)

I’m surprised that Hogwarts Legay has never had any DLC up till. I guess they got the developer working on the sequel ASAP. Curious to see how quickly that means we’ll see it, as you almost never see that kind of turnaround anymore.
Ansel

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.