“In effect, Yuzu turns general computing devices into tools for massive intellectual property infringement of Nintendo and others’ copyrighted works.”

So, what’s the point of the Switch then? If all these devices can play any Switch game, yet Nintendo refuses to allow people to buy and run them on these devices, then it sounds to me like they’ve done this to themselves. I empathise for all the work developers have put into their games, but I have no sympathy for the executives who decide to make their games exclusive to an overpriced irrelevant piece of technology.

The switch platform was very unique when it launched. It has inspired a new category of gaming devices.

It’s also the most reliable and (easily) controllable portable gaming console that has significant new game support. PC, Xbox and playstation make it too easy for children to access online chats and adult content. The switch and by extension Nintendo ecosystem severely limit this.

It’s great for playing games with younger family members in person and online. Whereas the alternative platforms should only be used by young children when they are actively being monitored by an adult. It allows the child some independence without danger. Not just stranger danger, many businesses are desperate to directly communicate with children with no adult in between. It’s perverse we allow this type of advertising and targeting. The Nintendo switch severely limits this, and provides further limits in an easy to use app.

The customers of the steam deck wouldn’t tolerate this. They expect a fully portable gaming pc. Artificial limitations would only frustrate their user base. People already expect these limitations when they buy a Nintendo product so it’s less of an issue.

Nintendo always innovates on the hardware. The switch doesn’t appear as innovate now. But that’s only because the innovation was so good it was widely replicated. Supporting technology was also a factor.

If Nintendo make a switch 2 that only improves processing and screen resolution, it will be the least innovative console generation they ever had. But it would the standard affair for most gaming hardware manufacturers.

The protections incentives Nintendo to pursue innovation in gaming, in both hardware and software. Everyone else only does software, even the Steam deck is a follower. This approach is still risky with these protections. As not every hardware system is highly profitable, as we saw with the Wii U. The Wii U was great and very innovative but didn’t capture much market share and many great games didn’t sell as well as they should have (Nintendo remade many in the switch, but classics like Nintendo land can’t be supported on any other device easily).

If you don’t like this you don’t need to support Nintendo, there are plenty of games being released that don’t require dedicated hardware. More are being released than you could ever expect to play in a lifetime.

!The switch platform was very unique when it launched. It has inspired a new category of gaming devices!<

The switch is still piggybacking off The WiiU and PSP.