Thanks to the recent Nintendo Direct, details about theNintendoSwitch 2have been coming at full speed. As with any new console, most of the information regarding the Switch 2 has to do with the notable developments and inclusions that are coming with the system when it releases in June. What has stayed static with the newest incarnation of the Switch, however, is the emphasis that the console places on flexibility.
In that regard, it’s fortunate that an understated feature has been slated to return despite its somewhat niche use cases. Full touchscreen compatibility, while not a console seller on its own, is a feature that brings a layer of comfort and flexibility to a device that bases much of its appeal on those factors. Despite almost being cut from the console,touchscreen will be fully available for games and players to utilize on the Switch 2, preventing any unwelcome surprises from what would otherwise be a strange absence. The reason it’s here to begin with? Former Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata.
Nintendo Switch Almost Cut Its Touchscreen
Saved By Iwata
Full touchscreen compatibility is returning with the Switch 2, though not without a fight. In an interview with Switch 2 developers on theNintendosite, programmer Takuhiro Dohta stated that the touchscreen’s inclusion on the original Switch was thanks to an unlikely source:Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata personally vouched for its inclusionwhen its usefulness was called into question. While not a ubiquitous component of the Switch package, I’m relieved that the versatile feature made it onto the system.
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While some aspects of theSwitch 2 Direct may be disappointing, the return of the touchscreen continues a strong tradition. Part of the reason for the feature’s uncertain inclusion to begin with was the fact that it can’t be used in TV mode. Iwata took a different stance, stating, according to Dohta, that “I’m sure there will be some games that make use of it, so why not keep it.” It’s a statement that, to me,shows a central philosophy of the Switch family: play how you want.
The Nintendo’s Touchscreen Can Be Great
More Flexibility Is What The Switch Does Best
While not ubiquitous, many Switch titles do utilize the touchscreen. Popular roguelike games likeBalatro,Slay the Spire, andDarkest Dungeonhave full support for touchscreen compatibility. In the case of these games,touchscreen compatibility can fulfill a myriad of uses. For instance,with the ever-present issue of Joy-Con drift, it’s nice to have the ability to still play games flawlessly on the system. Similarly, losing or misplacing Joy-Cons can be a major issue, especially with their new $90 price tag. Touchscreen can offer a reprieve in such situations by still allowing for a selection of games to be played.
While not directly mentioned in the Direct, Joy-Con drift will, hopefully, be a problem left in the past with the newest version of the controller.
Beyond hardware issues, some players may also simply prefer touchscreen control to a dedicated controller.There’s a definite element of tactility and engagement with touchscreens, which is something that Nintendo, with the DS and Wii systems, seems to value quite highly. While this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, in the spirit of Iwata, there’s no reason to not include the feature for players to engage with.
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The same argument can be made for developers as well. As mentioned,touchscreens were used quite heavily on older Nintendo systems. As a result, many games on Nintendo software chose to utilize the feature. I have fond memories of the DS’s touchscreen and the various ways that games such as Pokémon used the feature to create a sense of tactility and engagement. While I’m not arguing that touchscreens should be forced onto developers because of a system’s design, leaving them as an optional choice gives developers more options when designing games and players more ways to interact with them.
Switch 2’s Mouse Function Is Another Cool Idea
Even More Options For Play
In a similar vein,along with the Joy-Con 2’s C button, the Joy-Cons will be receiving new mouse functionality. Once again, while I don’t foresee this feature gaining widespread appeal, it certainly tracks with Nintendo’s design philosophy. Mouse functionality plays a similar role to touchscreen in that it allows players to enjoy games how they want, and it allows developers to design games or mechanics around the feature.More creativity in this department is a welcome sight for Nintendo, as it allows for experiences on the Switch 2 which can’t be had on competitor consoles.
Other use cases can be game-changes as well. For games not originally designed for the Switch,the mouse functionality may offer a better user experience. For instance, takeCivilization 7, which will be ported onto the Switch 2.Civ 7has an abundance of UI elements to sift through in general gameplay, from multiple tech trees to city management. In the case ofCiv 7, using a mouse may be very much preferable to the alternative, assuming it launches with functionality for the feature.
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Ultimately, while the Switch 2 comes with substantial hardware upgrades, it still can’t compete with its competitor consoles in that regard. Mouse and touchscreen functionality, however,do a lot of understated work in making the Switch 2 a console that can excel within its niche of flexibility. For on-the-go gaming, on a couch, or in a bed, the Switch, above all else, is a console of options. More options, then, will always be the correct choice for a console that prides itself as a beacon of accessibility.
It’s difficult to say how many games will be developed with these features in mind, but I’m glad that the options exist. In the case of a missing or dead Joy-Con, I can still enjoy a selection of games at my leisure. If I want to end aSlay the Spirerun in a dramatic, card-dragging maneuver, I can do so. At the end of the day, and in part due to Iwata intervening, theNintendoSwitch 2has its options covered.
