Nostalgia, fun, and FOMO: How Nintendo Switch 2 captured generational appeal
The Japanese company sold 1.6m units of its console in the US in June, the highest launch month for any console in the US, according to market tracker Circana.
That success of the Switch 2 has been mirrored in Ireland.
On launch day, June 5, and after a restock a week later, on June 12, the Switch 2 console and its bundle sold out within three hours, a Currys Ireland spokesperson told the Irish Examiner. It was a similar situation in Smyths.
The game has revived the fortunes of Nintendo. The new device, of existential importance to Nintendo, has been an instant hit with users in its most important markets.
The Switch is back in stock in Ireland and continues its strong sales. The basic Switch 2 console pack starts at around €469, and the Mario Kart World pack costing €35 to €40 more.
The Switch 2 is 'backwards compatible' for most games, meaning original Switch games can be played on the new device. The original Switch is believed to be the most successful game ever in Ireland.
Mario and Zelda
So what makes the Switch 2 such a hit? Research by GEM Partners in Japan found the average age of players of Super Mario was between 30 and 32, and players The Legend Of Zelda had an average age of 35. David Alton, a lecturer in marketing at the Business School at UCC, believes that this generational appeal that is key to the success of the Switch 2.
Super Mario features on an Irish postage stamp. The brand has generational appeal.
'The Nintendo Switch 2 appeals to multiple target markets and multiple generations," he said.
"If you look at the games that are associated with Nintendo, a lot of these are very, very nostalgic brands, for multiple generations.
"The key Nintendo games that are released would have been the Zelda brand and Mario Kart. Mario and Zelda are very, very nostalgic, and in many ways they are everyone's childhood games.
"If we look at the last survey conducted by Nintendo, 43% fell into the 25-34 age group and 20% were in the 19-24 category, and 20% 35+ so it really is multigenerational. People have affinity for those brands, and with Nintendo specifically."
Mr Alton said general cultural trends are also very important.
'A lot of Gen Z consumers aren't going to bars as much as previous generations would. So with technology, it's not necessarily replacing interaction, but it's changing how interaction is taking place.
"You can see that with the kind of features and functionality that's kind of built into Nintendo. They have got a hybrid design where they've got the home console and then you've got your kind of online 'take it away with you' functionality as well. And they're all built into the one platform.
"So this allows for multiple types of interaction — on one hand, you can connect with your friends or online communities who could be living in a different country or they could be living down the road.
"The interaction is more of an online one than an in-person one. But, because of the design of the product, you could also see a parent sitting down and playing with their child as well.
That is really important — a father can associate with Mario Kart and they can almost be involved in the play rather than feeling a bit of an outsider or having a bit of impostor syndrome.
Gaming has changed considerably from Nintendo's 1980s and 1990s early boom, with a cultural shift in gaming culture. Mr Alton notes that one of the fastest growing gaming apps in recent years was Twitch – effectively a Gogglebox for gamers.
'In 2024, Twitch received over 17.1bn monthly visits, with more than 2.5m people tuning in at any given time. If you said to someone 15 years ago that you are not going to be playing the game yourself, but you are going to be spending a lot of your time watching other people game, people would probably find that very strange but Twitch is one of the biggest platforms out there globally."
Nintendo's Switch 2 is a hit in Ireland as elsewhere, and set a new record for the fastest-selling video game device in US history. Picture: Noel Campion.
Gaming is no longer about the single front facing form of play. "The platform blurs the line between creator and audience, appealing to a generation that values participation, authenticity, and live experiences. It's all a constantly evolving ecosystem.'
The boom of the Nintendo Switch 2 saw midnight openings at stores in Ireland, some combined with in-store launch parties. The Nintendo Switch 2 launch nights were not unlike the rush for tickets for concert goers – and this has been another hallmark of the Switch 2 launch success.
FOMO — fear of missing out
Just like logging in and waiting in line for tickets for Oasis, Taylor Swift, or Coldplay, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch captured a very modern entertainment emotion: FOMO (fear of missing out).
Mr Alton notes on the Switch2Ireland hashtag on TikTok, one of first videos was one of a queue of Smyths outside Dublin, which in the week after the Switch launch clocked up more than 400,000 views.
'It's the nightclub situation. You're going to go to the one where people are queuing because that one's obviously better. It's the exact same idea here.
'The same fomo is created online where content showcasing queues results in more hysteria — fueling more consumerism.
"Younger consumers are lot less materialistic and are more about the experiences. So by seeing something that they can be involved in and to say that I'm one of the first people here that's very attractive to them, from a consumption perspective.'
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Nintendo reports robust early sales of Switch 2, keeps full-year forecast
Nintendo sold more than six million units of the Switch 2 in the seven weeks following its June launch, the gaming company said today, pointing to strong early demand. The successor to the hit home-portable Switch went on sale in the midst of US President Donald Trump's trade war, testing Nintendo's supply chain management. "The six million units sold are a testament to the incredible pent-up demand for an update of the first Switch," said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy. The company provided the early sales volumes in an earnings update and said it was keeping its forecast of selling 15 million Switch 2 units in the financial year ending March 2026. Kyoto-based Nintendo said operating profit grew 4% to 56.9 billion yen ($378m) in the April-June quarter, beating analysts' estimates. It said US tariff measures and other changes in the market environment had no significant impact on its current earnings forecast. The Switch 2 was launched on June 5 with titles including "Mario Kart World" and upgraded "The Legend of Zelda" series with better graphics. Nintendo sold 8.67 million Switch 2 software units during the quarter with "Mario Kart World" frequently bundled with the device. "Donkey Kong Bananza" was released on July 17 and has a score of 92 out of 100 on reviews aggregator Metacritic, indicating universal acclaim. "Nintendo must use the momentum and the absence of blockbuster GTA 6 this year to carry the Switch 2 through to the holidays," said Toto of Kantan Games. "Grand Theft Auto VI" was slated to launch this year and was expected to provide a boost to consoles such as Sony's PlayStation 5 but its release has been delayed to 2026.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
New Mario game kept me up until 1am – it's a perfect multiplayer title for kids this summer or late nights with pals
A GREAT measure for a game is when it's so fun, you completely lose track of time. Ticking that box is Nintendo's revamped Super Mario Party Jamboree, which kept not only me but six pals awake until 1am. If you've got kids, this is an absolute dream family title. 11 Super Mario Party Jamboree is a favourite at home Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun 11 It's a brilliant Mario-themed party game Credit: Nintendo 11 The game has been upgraded for the new Nintendo Switch 2 Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun The game actually came out in October 2024, but it's just been upgraded for the new Nintendo Switch 2. WHAT IS SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE? This new version has some extra modes and mini-games, but it's largely the same game. Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo Switch 2), £66.99 And it really is a good game. If you're new to the Mario Party franchise, it's basically a giant collection of mini-games with very low barriers to entry. You can just pick it up and play. It's fine to play solo, although it's way better if you've got someone else with you. We had friends visit recently, and it kept us up late into the night. It's moreish, like spicy crisps. Or most other Mario games. If you've ever played Jackbox Games, Mario Party serves a similar purpose. It's packed with loads of Mario-themed mini-games. Some of them demand speedy reactions, while others will challenge your memory. And some even involve physical movement – like flapping your arms in the air while holding the Joy-Con controllers to fly. If you're alone then you'll play against the computer. The Sun tries new Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart before it's out But with friends, you can take on each other – or even team up – in a bid to win. SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE GAMEPLAY The good thing is that all of the games are very simple. There are dozens on offer, and you'll easily pick any of them up in seconds. And they're all bright, colourful challenges where you'll play as (and alongside) iconic Mario characters. 11 You'll explore Mario's world and enjoy loads of mini-games Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun 11 Playing with friends makes it even more fun – especially if you have the camera accessory Credit: Nintendo One fun game saw me collecting coins on shifting sands. Spiky bars rolled right at me, so I had to quickly sidestep or leap in the air to dodge them. Another had me yanking bread out of an oven – but only once it had baked to perfection. Too soon? No coins! You can enjoy a sort of 'Grand Prix' of mini-game series, so you'll earn points after a few rounds – and then see who came out on top. If you've got four people playing at once, it's very high energy. This is great for a child's party, or an adult's party for that matter. 11 It's bright and colourful, and extremely easy to pick up Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game has some clever upgrades. They're mostly tucked into a new section of the game called Jamboree TV. One of the main differences here is a set of games built for mouse-style controls. That's made possible by the Switch 2's upgraded Joy-Cons, which can be placed on a surface to work just like a computer mouse. Picture Credit: 11 It's fun for players of all ages – even if you've never really played video games before Credit: Nintendo But it's worth noting that mouse control games require a single Joy-Con per person and a surface. Oh, and you can't use the Pro Controller for those games either, as it doesn't have mouse functionality. If you have the Nintendo camera accessory (keep in mind, this is £50!), you can play three games that make use of it. It's a bit like the old Xbox Kinect camera system. One involves following physical commands, which is fun if you like moving around. Probably the best is Goombalancing Act, where you try not to drop Goombas balancing on top of your head. 11 There are dozens of mini-games to play Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun So what's bad? Well, there are a few downsides. It took me quite a while to actually get playing. I'd say there's a good five minutes of unskippable content before you can start. It's not the end of the world, but I'd rather have just been able to get going right away. As well as that, the game has a £66.99 price tag attached. So you'll want to make sure you're going to get enough use out of it. IS SUPER MARIO PARTY JAMBOREE WORTH BUYING? It's always tempting to just stick on Mario Kart. And the new Mario Kart World is very good. 11 Some of the games make use of the Joy-Con mouse feature Credit: Nintendo In fact, it's probably enough reason to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 alone. But Super Mario Party Jamboree is a great alternative with loads of variety, and sparks a bit more chat than a regular Mario Kart game. You're also far less likely to see major skill differences on this versus Mario Kart. Rather than one person always winning, you might be good at one mini-game and rubbish at the next. 11 You'll recognise loads of classic Mario characters Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun There's loads of variety so you won't get bored. And it's simple enough for basically anyone to play – even people who aren't used to holding game controllers. This really is as close as it gets to "fun for the whole family". It's not exactly cheap at £67, but if you snap it up now, you'll probably get loads of play-time in over summer. And then again at Christmas. The Sun says: One of the best "family" games out there – but it's perfect for a night with friends too. A mini-game treasure trove that will hook Mario fans, and convert everyone else. 4.5/5 Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo Switch 2), £66.99 11 Nintendo fans will get hours of fun from Super Mario Party Jamboree Credit: Nintendo All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed. Always do your own research before making any purchase.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Nostalgia, fun, and FOMO: How Nintendo Switch 2 captured generational appeal
Nintendo's new Switch 2 console has been a blistering sales success globally, setting a new record for the fastest-selling video game device in US history. The Japanese company sold 1.6m units of its console in the US in June, the highest launch month for any console in the US, according to market tracker Circana. That success of the Switch 2 has been mirrored in Ireland. On launch day, June 5, and after a restock a week later, on June 12, the Switch 2 console and its bundle sold out within three hours, a Currys Ireland spokesperson told the Irish Examiner. It was a similar situation in Smyths. The game has revived the fortunes of Nintendo. The new device, of existential importance to Nintendo, has been an instant hit with users in its most important markets. The Switch is back in stock in Ireland and continues its strong sales. The basic Switch 2 console pack starts at around €469, and the Mario Kart World pack costing €35 to €40 more. The Switch 2 is 'backwards compatible' for most games, meaning original Switch games can be played on the new device. The original Switch is believed to be the most successful game ever in Ireland. Mario and Zelda So what makes the Switch 2 such a hit? Research by GEM Partners in Japan found the average age of players of Super Mario was between 30 and 32, and players The Legend Of Zelda had an average age of 35. David Alton, a lecturer in marketing at the Business School at UCC, believes that this generational appeal that is key to the success of the Switch 2. Super Mario features on an Irish postage stamp. The brand has generational appeal. 'The Nintendo Switch 2 appeals to multiple target markets and multiple generations," he said. "If you look at the games that are associated with Nintendo, a lot of these are very, very nostalgic brands, for multiple generations. "The key Nintendo games that are released would have been the Zelda brand and Mario Kart. Mario and Zelda are very, very nostalgic, and in many ways they are everyone's childhood games. "If we look at the last survey conducted by Nintendo, 43% fell into the 25-34 age group and 20% were in the 19-24 category, and 20% 35+ so it really is multigenerational. People have affinity for those brands, and with Nintendo specifically." Mr Alton said general cultural trends are also very important. 'A lot of Gen Z consumers aren't going to bars as much as previous generations would. So with technology, it's not necessarily replacing interaction, but it's changing how interaction is taking place. "You can see that with the kind of features and functionality that's kind of built into Nintendo. They have got a hybrid design where they've got the home console and then you've got your kind of online 'take it away with you' functionality as well. And they're all built into the one platform. "So this allows for multiple types of interaction — on one hand, you can connect with your friends or online communities who could be living in a different country or they could be living down the road. "The interaction is more of an online one than an in-person one. But, because of the design of the product, you could also see a parent sitting down and playing with their child as well. That is really important — a father can associate with Mario Kart and they can almost be involved in the play rather than feeling a bit of an outsider or having a bit of impostor syndrome. Gaming has changed considerably from Nintendo's 1980s and 1990s early boom, with a cultural shift in gaming culture. Mr Alton notes that one of the fastest growing gaming apps in recent years was Twitch – effectively a Gogglebox for gamers. 'In 2024, Twitch received over 17.1bn monthly visits, with more than 2.5m people tuning in at any given time. If you said to someone 15 years ago that you are not going to be playing the game yourself, but you are going to be spending a lot of your time watching other people game, people would probably find that very strange but Twitch is one of the biggest platforms out there globally." Nintendo's Switch 2 is a hit in Ireland as elsewhere, and set a new record for the fastest-selling video game device in US history. Picture: Noel Campion. Gaming is no longer about the single front facing form of play. "The platform blurs the line between creator and audience, appealing to a generation that values participation, authenticity, and live experiences. It's all a constantly evolving ecosystem.' The boom of the Nintendo Switch 2 saw midnight openings at stores in Ireland, some combined with in-store launch parties. The Nintendo Switch 2 launch nights were not unlike the rush for tickets for concert goers – and this has been another hallmark of the Switch 2 launch success. FOMO — fear of missing out Just like logging in and waiting in line for tickets for Oasis, Taylor Swift, or Coldplay, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch captured a very modern entertainment emotion: FOMO (fear of missing out). Mr Alton notes on the Switch2Ireland hashtag on TikTok, one of first videos was one of a queue of Smyths outside Dublin, which in the week after the Switch launch clocked up more than 400,000 views. 'It's the nightclub situation. You're going to go to the one where people are queuing because that one's obviously better. It's the exact same idea here. 'The same fomo is created online where content showcasing queues results in more hysteria — fueling more consumerism. "Younger consumers are lot less materialistic and are more about the experiences. So by seeing something that they can be involved in and to say that I'm one of the first people here that's very attractive to them, from a consumption perspective.' Additional reporting by Bloomberg
