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It was actually a surprisingly easy decision to make.
Nintendo, with all its iconic characters and franchises, has played a huge role in most of my gaming experiences, influencing not only the choices I made when purchasing a new title, but the genres too.
It started with consoles such as the GameCube and 64, eventually expanding into a years-long hobby that edged on obsession.
From killing snowmen in Banjo and Kazooie, to saving Hyrule in Breath of the Wild, there’s almost no platform or game I haven't encountered.
However, a few years ago, I made the decision to end my long-standing relationship with Nintendo and switch to Microsoft instead.
Here’s why.
Repetitive Repetitivity
Upon releasing any ‘new’ games, it’s nearly guaranteed Nintendo is going to announce another trillion sequels and remasters of the same titles from around 10 years ago.
Although not exclusive to only one company, Nintendo is prolific in releasing new ports, remakes, and definitive editions of games that people often don’t ask for. This trend has become most obvious within the last decade with the rerelease of titles such as Miitopia, Luigi’s Mansion 2, Xenoblade Chronicles, and countless Pokémon games.
Sequels aren't safe either. ‘Tears of the Kingdom (TotK),’ the continuation of Nintendo's masterpiece ‘Breath of the Wild (BotW) in the Zelda franchise, is known among fans as being ‘low cost rehashed garbage.’
After failing to engage players with its sparse storytelling, adding few new items, and boring atmosphere, many are calling it a worse copy and paste version of the original.
Limited Game Selection
Nintendo is well known for keeping a tight iron fist around its Intellectual Properties (IPs), not allowing even the smallest details to go unpunished. Unlike other companies who expand their franchises by porting them to rival consoles, Nintendo continues to favour exclusivity over reaching a wider audience.
With a huge majority of Nintendo's games featuring their IPs, it shouldn't be a surprise that game selection can be limited when seeking variety. Although franchises including Persona and Final Fantasy had recently begun porting to Nintendo Switch, it still felt lacklustre in its selection of available games.
Nintendo eShop, the online store, seemed to gradually transform into a rather unpleasant experience matching that of Google’s Play Store, displaying content more similar to mobile apps than actual video games. Most infamous of these being the ‘Calculator.’ For an eye-watering $10, it provides no special features; it’s literally just a calculator. What a ripoff!
Too Expensive
Video games are notoriously expensive, but Nintendo certainly doesn't shy away from setting the bar high on nearly all titles. Combined with the repetitiveness and limited game selection, finding an original concept within budget became almost impossible.
Following in the footsteps of Xbox’s Game Pass, Nintendo created ‘Nintendo Online,’ implementing its own unique subscription programme to the Switch. As is with any gaming subscription service, it’s mandatory to sign up if you’re going to be playing online. However, Nintendo went a step further.
The original classics from consoles such as 64, NES, and Game Boy are completely inaccessible to purchase from eShop, forcing retro game lovers to pay an annual fee of $49.99.
When comparing Nintendo Online to Game Pass, there isn’t any competition. Whilst Game Pass is more expensive at $19.99 a month, it offers access to over 500 games and the flexibility between subscribing or purchasing titles individually.
The Game’s Over
Overall, since making the decision to step away from Nintendo, I haven't regretted it once. There were several off-putting factors that eventually led me to give it up for good, from grossly overpriced titles to the remake apocalypse, Nintendo was losing its appeal.
Whilst Nintendo and its loveable franchises shaped my relationship with gaming, I realised that it was finally time to jump ship and sail towards better horizons filled with engaging experiences.
Ultimately, it’s about finding the fit that best suits your gaming needs and expectations. For me, that means putting away Animal Crossing and embracing opportunities from exploring new platforms.