Is Nintendo Losing Its Magic?

 

I grew up loving video games. I had just about every game system in the 80's. While other kids played outside, I just wanted to game. But nothing could prepare me for that day back in 1985, when I held a Nintendo control pad for the very first time.

It was unlike anything I had seen. And the games? Pure magic! My first Mario, my first Zelda, my first time yelling at the T.V. because I couldn’t land a jump — those memories are golden. Nintendo used to be the company that made games fun first, money second. But lately… I don’t know. It feels like Nintendo has been hitting the dark side harder than Bowser on a bad day.

Switch 2: A Price Tag That Could Make a Nintendo Junkie Re-think Their Life

If the original cost wasn't enough, Nintendo raised the price tag considerably. Let’s talk numbers, because numbers don’t lie. The new Switch 2 costs $450. Then you'll want a decent memory card — say $60 — because apparently 256GB is just a polite suggestion. Then the first-party games? $80 each. So to play a “so-so” Mario title, you’re dropping about $600 before tax.

 For comparison, I can basically buy a PlayStation 5 and still have cash left over for snacks.

And here’s the kicker: Nintendo has a long tradition of never lowering prices. Switch 1 never dropped significantly. So waiting for a sale? Might as well hope a Shy Guy teaches itself to brew coffee overnight.

Games That Leave You… Mixed

Remember why we loved Nintendo games? Creative tracks in Mario Kart, tight dungeons in Zelda, wild boss fights in Metroid.

Enter Mario Kart World — the new “open-world” idea that replaces classic tracks with… long stretches of roadway between races. That’s right: now instead of zooming around Rainbow Road like a maniac, you spend ten minutes driving through empty scenery to get to the next race. It’s like a road trip… except your friends are invisible and the gas station only sells sadness.

And first-party games? $80 each, often with DLC that costs extra. You’re basically buying an incomplete game, then renting the rest.

Hardware Issues: Joy-Con Drift Lives On

Remember the Joy-Con drift scandal? The one that led to a class-action lawsuit, which Nintendo did win a dismissal on? Yeah, that wasn’t a dream. And Nintendo didn’t exactly solve it with Switch 2 — they just made a “good enough” tweak. Other companies have controllers that work reliably. Nintendo’s approach feels a little like expecting Yoshi to clean your room: cute idea, doesn’t actually happen.

Corporate Behavior: Sue First, Ask Questions Later

Nintendo has also become infamous for suing fan games, indie studios, or anyone remotely inspired by their IP. They’re basically the Thanos of video game law: snap your dreams away if you touch their characters. While I get the need to protect iconic IP, it’s hard not to feel that the company cares more about lawsuits than fun. They want you to love their characters and feel a connection to them, but then limit your fandom.

Fan Backlash

It’s no surprise fans are angry. There’s even talk online of boycotts. Just head over to youtube. The base feeling? Nintendo is prioritizing profits, not players. They’ve turned their beloved franchises into premium experiences — and not always for the better.

Can Nintendo Come Back?

Here’s the thing: Nintendo can still reclaim its crown. They have the talent, the IP, and the history to make unforgettable experiences. But they’d need to:

• Stop nickel-and-diming fans with DLC-heavy games.

• Fix hardware issues properly (yes, I’m looking at you, Joy-Con).

• Price games and consoles more reasonably or at least give value for the money.

• Respect the community without becoming a lawsuit-happy monster.

I want Nintendo to be fun first, not wallet first. Will I still buy the Switch 2? Yes, but the loyal gen x's are getting older. If Nintendo wants to keep fresh players in the game, they will have to go back to the original formula, and ditch their corporate money-grab schemes.