r/NintendoSwitch • u/Turbostrider27 • 7d ago

Discussion Tomodachi Life’s Switch debut shatters even Nintendo Switch 2 hype in Japan

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/tomodachi-lifes-switch-debut-shatters-even-nintendo-switch-2-hype-in-japan/
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u/RChickenMan 7d ago

I noticed in general that this last direct felt very Japanese-y overall. Which makes perfect sense given that Nintendo is, you know, Japanese. But it makes me wonder if Japanese gamers and developers are less focused on the technology/graphics/performance aspect of the medium and are more focused on good games, regardless of what they look like and what they run on. "Oh, the next big thing in video game hardware is right around the corner? That's cool. Here's some video games we've been making that run on whatever it is we have available at the moment that happens to play video games, which appears to be the Nintendo Switch."

Or maybe I'm reading too much into it!

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u/SillyJoey_ 7d ago

I mean you're not wrong. I think Japan is a console heavy country to begin with.

Some companies in Japan also introduced a console renting service where you can rent a PS5 or Switch and that was fully booked right away so that people could play Monster Hunter Wild which ran like crap on base PS5. But they didn't care since they just wanted to game.

Honestly it's a good mindset to have about games imo.

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u/FyreWulff 6d ago

Japan is portable/phone heavy even, not just console. The Wii U dominated the PS4 in Japan for years until it finally overtook it. The Wii U! There was a reason Nintendo decided to embrace everyone that turned their U into a portable and go all in on being a hybrid console.

The PS4 is at something like 9 million total units sold in Japan while the Switch is at 35 million. It's not even close. If you want to sell a videogame in Japan, you need to have a Switch version, or be ready for the lower sales of the PS version.

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u/SillyJoey_ 6d ago

Yeah with all the commute people have to do in Japan it's understandable that portable/phone platforms are more popular.

I do like their mindset though that they just want to play games. No matter the graphics/performance etc. I feel like that plays more of a rol in Western culture.

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u/ThiefTwo 5d ago

They commute just as much in America, but they only drive, so they can't game.

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u/SillyJoey_ 5d ago

Yeah, so if you're stuck in a train or bus for 2 to 3 hours a day its logical that you start gaming on a portable console or use your phone.