The 2024 edition of the 'State of Switch' survey, conducted by Chris Brandrick and Switch Weekly, provides an in-depth view of how Nintendo Switch users perceive the upcoming Switch 2. The survey included responses from 1,500 participants and was fielded shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation in early April. While the results reflect the views of self-selected Nintendo fans, they offer useful insight into early consumer reactions to the next-generation console.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing

Switch 2 is set to launch at $450 in the United States. This price point was perceived as higher than expected by 52.5% of survey participants. However, only 6.3% of respondents described the price as “significantly overpriced,” suggesting that many fans consider the pricing acceptable, particularly for early adopters. Purchase intent among the survey group is strong. A total of 81.1% reported plans to buy the Switch 2, with 36.4% intending to purchase at launch, 35.0% planning to buy later, and 9.7% stating they had already pre-ordered. Only 4.9% expressed no intention to buy, while 14% remained undecided.

Player Sentiment on Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing

Most Anticipated Features and Improvements

Among the features highlighted in the Switch 2 reveal, “mouse mode” was unexpectedly named the most appealing by respondents. Though it may sound minor, hands-on videos have indicated that it adds meaningful functionality. Other enhancements that drew positive attention include improved performance, magnetic Joy-Con controllers, built-in Game Chat, and 4K support when the console is docked. These improvements suggest a focus on both gameplay experience and hardware refinements, and many players appear receptive to the changes.

Anticipated Games and First-Party Dominance

Game preferences among respondents indicate a continued strong interest in Nintendo’s first-party titles. Mario Kart World emerged as the most anticipated game for the Switch 2, with more than 40% of players selecting it as their top choice. Donkey Kong: Bananza followed with over 20% of respondents citing it among their most awaited titles. This data suggests that Nintendo’s core franchises continue to drive significant excitement and purchase intent for new hardware.

Player Sentiment on Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing

Ownership and Usage Trends for Switch Players

The survey also provides a broader look at how players currently engage with the Nintendo Switch. Respondents reported a median of 50 owned games, with an average library of 71 titles. Of these, 48% are digital downloads and 52% are physical copies. Most respondents—75%—stated they plan to keep their existing Nintendo Switch even after upgrading to the Switch 2. Only 13% said they would not keep their current console, with the rest either undecided or not current Switch owners.

In terms of usage, the most-played games in 2024 include Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom & Echoes Of Wisdom, Splatoon 3, Mario Kart 8, and Paper Mario. These titles are primarily first-party releases, with Balatro and Unicorn Overlord as the only third-party games appearing in the top ten. This trend highlights Nintendo's ongoing strength in developing games that maintain long-term engagement among users.

Player Sentiment on Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing

Subscriptions and Backward Compatibility

A significant portion of survey participants—78%—reported having a Switch Online subscription, and 60% of these subscribers use the more comprehensive Expansion Pack tier. This indicates a strong adoption of Nintendo’s online ecosystem, which is likely to carry over to the Switch 2.

One of the key advantages anticipated with the Switch 2 is backward compatibility. This feature allows users to carry their game libraries over from the original Switch to the new console, supporting the growing trend toward persistent digital libraries across console generations. According to the survey data, this approach aligns with the behavior of dedicated players, many of whom have accumulated extensive libraries over the years.

Looking Ahead

The 'State of Switch' survey shows that the transition to Nintendo Switch 2 is being met with enthusiasm by the existing fanbase. While pricing raised some concern, most fans still plan to buy the console. Interest is particularly high in first-party games and select new hardware features, with backward compatibility providing reassurance for players with large game collections. These insights suggest that Nintendo is well-positioned to retain its current audience while offering enough innovation to justify a new console generation.

Source: GameDiscoverCo