Nintendo's slow drip of Switch 2 games is a feature, not a bug
While the Switch 2's sales disproved that pessimistic read, the system's relatively thin selection of exclusives has continued to be a talking point in the ongoing discourse about whether the overall launch was exciting enough. But after a month of the Switch 2 being on the market, what do you know — there just so happens to be a new game for it out this week. Donkey Kong Bananza's arrival isn't at all a surprise because Nintendo told everyone exactly when it would be available. Being made to wait a bit might have rubbed some folks the wrong way, but in a world where we all have a back catalog of games that we've yet to finish (or even start in some cases), a measured release schedule kind of feels like a good thing.
Back in April when Nintendo first announced all of the Switch 2 games slated to come out through the end of 2025, you could see that the company was loosely following a monthly release schedule for its new exclusives. June would go to Mario Kart World and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour. And Donkey Kong Bananza would drop in July amid the releases of a couple Switch 2 editions of older games. At the time, Nintendo said that Drag x Drive would debut at some point in 'the summer,' but it has since pegged the game to a firm August 14th release date.
Currently, there's nothing on the docket for September, but the month could easily go to Kirby Air Riders, which is supposed to come out this year. And after Pokémon Legends: Z-A's release in October, the 'winter' will belong to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (and maybe Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which is also due out sometime in 2025).
Looking at Nintendo's roadmap for the rest of the year, it feels as if the company is trying to pace things in a way that gives people time to really sit with and enjoy its exclusives. For every hardcore gamer who prides themself on speeding through a title and being the first to uncover or unlock all of its surprises, there are far more casuals who prefer taking their time. Nintendo could have opted to flood the zone with more exclusives from the jump — a move that probably would have made the Switch 2's launch seem like a splashier beat in the console wars' twilight hours. But by spacing things out, the company is guaranteeing that there will be a steady stream of new stuff for people to dig into, and giving people ample time to decide if they're willing to pay the games' higher prices.
The Switch 2 is Nintendo's new flagship, which is to say it's not going away anytime soon and there will be plenty more games for it in due time. Had Donkey Kong Bananza dropped alongside Mario Kart World, neither game would have been able to take up so much space and command attention they way they could with some distance between them. Releasing new titles at a steady pace was a major part of Nintendo's vision for the original Switch, and that strategy paid off through the console's life cycle. Now it looks like Nintendo's sticking to its guns, and the Switch 2 will probably be better off for it.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Key of Shinee to return in August with first full-length solo album in three years
SEOUL, July 22 — Key of K-pop boy band Shinee is set to drop his third full-length solo album Hunter on August 11, SM Entertainment announced today. The album will feature 10 tracks, including a title song of the same name, news agency Korea JoongAng Daily reported today. Hunter also marks his first full album in three years since Gasoline (2022), and follows his third EP Good & Great, released last September, To kick off promotions, Key launched a teaser event inviting fans to dial a dedicated number (070-8143-0811), where a mystery voice hints at what's coming next. More details will be released in the coming days, the agency said. Key, whose real name is Kim Ki-bum, debuted with Shinee in 2008 under SM Entertainment. The group rose to fame with hits like Replay, Lucifer, and Sherlock, and is widely credited for shaping second-generation K-pop. Known for his sharp fashion sense, quick wit, and variety show appeal, Key made his solo debut in 2018 with Forever Yours. His return with Hunter is highly anticipated by fans for its signature visual flair and genre-blending style.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Running Man' host Yu Jae-seok, ‘Squid Game' star Yim Si-wan lead celeb support for flood-hit South Koreans
SEOUL, July 20 — South Korean celebrities are stepping up with donations to help victims of the country's deadly floods that have left at least 14 dead and 12 missing since last Wednesday. Entertainer Yu Jae-seok and actor Yim Si-wan each donated 50 million won (RM135,000) to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association last Friday, new outlet Korea JoongAng Daily reported today. 'My heart felt heavy with sorrow to see so many people's lives harmed by the heavy rain. I hope the damage doesn't get worse,' Yu, one of Korea's most beloved TV hosts known for Running Man and Infinite Challenge, was quoted as saying. Yim, who starred in Squid Game 2 and breakout drama Misaeng, joined him in donating the same amount. Veteran actress Lee Hye-young, known for Queen of Housewives and her fashion career, contributed 20 million won. More K-stars like singer-actress Kim Se-jeong followed suit. K-stars Yu Jae-seok (left) of 'Running Man' fame and Yim Si-wan who acted in 'Squid Game 2' each donated 50 million won (RM135,000) to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association on July 18, 2025. — Pictures from Instagram/jaesukkie1408 and yim_siwang The star of rom-com hit Business Proposal and fantasy series The Uncanny Counter, donated 10 million won last Saturday. Winner member Kang Seung-yoon, who also acted in Prison Playbook and released solo tracks like It Rains, contributed 12 million won. Celebrity couple Park Si-eun and Jin Tae-hyun, both known for their acting work and charitable efforts, gave 10 million won. 'We thank everyone who has helped us with their warm hearts. 'We will make sure to deliver such kindness to the people who have suffered,' the Hope Bridge was quoted as saying in response. News agencies reported torrential rain had triggered landslides and flooding across the country this week, with Gapyeong – a resort town northeast of Seoul – among the hardest hit. Two people were killed and two others are missing in Gapyeong, after a landslide engulfed homes and floodwaters swept away vehicles. The heavy rains, which first hit the south, moved north overnight and were expected to taper off yesterday with a heatwave forecast to follow, the news agency reported, citing the Korean weather agency.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Netflix's new psychological thriller movie is a twist-filled pressure cooker with an ending you won't see coming
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. How much you'll get out of Netflix's new Korean thriller 'Wall to Wall' depends on your tolerance for slow-burning tension in the most mundane of settings. The movie follows an office worker who finally buys his dream apartment, only to discover that the real nightmare isn't outside but within the building itself. Strange, persistent noises from neighbors above and below begin to chip away at his sanity. If the idea of neighborly torment and creeping psychological dread in close quarters sounds like your kind of thriller, 'Wall to Wall' might just hook you in. It's actually refreshing to watch a thriller that doesn't rely on the supernatural. Instead, it leans into the claustrophobia of urban living. Thin walls, cramped spaces, and suffocating silence all become weapons in a slow-burning psychological war. The movie's real strength lies in turning all-too-familiar frustrations, like noisy neighbors, financial strain, and apartment life stress, into a gripping exploration of mental unraveling and social isolation. Now that 'Wall to Wall' is streaming on Netflix, here's everything to know about this slow-burn thriller and why it stands out in the increasingly crowded world of psychological suspense. What is 'Wall to Wall' about? 'Wall to Wall' follows Woo-sung (Kang Ha-neul), a diligent office worker who finally achieves his dream of buying a modest apartment in a bustling South Korean city. To afford it, he drains his savings, takes on loans, and even sells his family's garlic farm. But the joy of homeownership quickly fades as Woo-sung becomes tormented by mysterious, incessant noises from his neighbors above and below. Desperate to find peace, Woo-sung allies with his upstairs neighbor Jin-ho (Seo Hyun-woo), while the building's apartment representative, Eun-hwa (Yeom Hye-ran), tries to keep the fragile community calm. As the noise worsens, the relationships between neighbors unravel, revealing hidden fears and suspicions. 'Wall to Wall' is more than just the annoyance of noisy neighbors You wouldn't be wrong in assuming that 'Wall to Wall' is all about the experience of living with disrespectful neighbors, based on the premise alone. Even though the central idea is about a man being tormented by loud noises every night, this thriller aims to shed light on real-world issues in South Korea, particularly around housing and mental health. At its core is the claustrophobia of cramped apartment living, a reality for much of the country's population, where 84-square-meter units are the norm and housing costs continue to soar. Hence why the movie is actually called '84 Square Meters' in its native country. Woo-sung is desperate enough to use all of his savings, and even sell his mother's farm to get an apartment. 'Wall to Wall' zeroes in on the mental toll of inter-floor noise, a surprisingly common source of tension in Korean apartment blocks. As Woo-sung's dream of homeownership begins to fall apart, the story also shows the crushing financial pressures tied to property ownership and the illusion of upward mobility. Of course, this type of psychological warfare wouldn't be nearly as effective without Ha-neul's incredible performance. Known for playing Kang Dae-ho in 'Squid Game,' I already expected him to bring a commanding presence to this thriller, and he absolutely delivers. In every scene, you can see his frustration building without the need for much dialogue. Director Kim Tae-joon also knows exactly how to portray that kind of psychological torment. Most of the movie is set in darkness, since Woo-sung refuses to turn on the lights to save on electricity. The same goes for water as dishes pile up, empty bottles clutter the floor, and he even reuses the same bathwater for days. He's constantly sweating and sleeping on the hard floor, with all of it tied to his financial struggles. The first half of 'Wall to Wall' is especially effective at building tension. I found myself genuinely frustrated on Woo-sung's behalf once the noise started and neighbors began randomly blaming him. It's a tense, well-executed setup, and one that kept me watching, if only to figure out what was really going on inside that apartment complex. Unfortunately, the second half of the movie has less impact. There are plenty of twists thrown in to keep things engaging, and they're definitely compelling, but this claustrophobic thriller strays a bit too far from what makes it … well, claustrophobic. Director Tae-joon shifts into action territory, and while those scenes add intensity, they feel somewhat out of place. It's understandable why the movie leans into action in the third act (since many viewers may prefer that over the slow-burn unraveling of Woo-sung's mental state), but I actually found that quieter tension far more effective. I would've preferred the movie to stay focused on Woo-sung's spiraling paranoia and the way the noises became increasingly unbearable. That said, the ending is undeniably wild, and I'm sure many viewers will be surprised by how things unfold. I just wish it had a more satisfying conclusion and stuck to one genre. As it stands, it falls into the same trap as many modern thrillers: doing too much with a concept that was already strong on its own. You can stream 'Wall to Wall' on Netflix now You can stream 'Wall to Wall' on Netflix now, and it's well worth checking out if you're after something that has plenty of tension and a uniquely grounded sense of unease. It's not a perfect psychological thriller, but it adds a fresh layer by focusing on a fear that feels incredibly real, including what happens when your home no longer feels safe. The performances, especially from Ha-neul, carry much of the emotional weight, and the movie's cinematography does a great job making the apartment space feel both intimate and threatening. While the final act may not stick the landing for everyone, the journey there is gripping enough to make it a compelling watch. For those who appreciate slow-building psychological tension with a socially conscious edge, 'Wall to Wall' might just burrow under your skin in all the right ways. Stream "Wall to Wall" on Netflix. More from Tom's Guide 7 new Netflix shows and movies I'd stream this week Creators say 'Wednesday' season 2 will bring real stakes and fear Netflix just got Prime Video's most overlooked crime drama
