From same reasons i wrote already, at one point Nintendo will not bother with older hardware any more and they will want that all previous Switch owners upgrade to new hardware (and best way to that is to cut completely support).
Thats good example, its similar with Sony and PS4 support, Sony will release some PS4 versions of games in next year too, but after next year I dont see an more PS4 version of games coming from Sony, offcourse there will be more games even after next year from 3rd party.
Having that example on mind, I will change 2-3 years support after Drake support, to around 3 years of Nintendo support after Drake launch.
Comparing with PlayStation and Xbox is pointless. Those are systems whose new hardware is directly tied in to AAA 3rd party “next gen” development.
Those systems rely mostly on new 3rd party game sales. Those systems sales rely mostly on what advancements 3rd party devs are putting on games over previous gen releases.
Sony will stop doing “cross gen” games as soon as the major 3rd party games on the system stop.
Nintendo consoles aren’t driven by 3rd party games, let alone “next gen” pushing 3rd party games…so they don’t fashion their 1st part development anywhere near the same as Xbox/PlayStation.
In my mind Zelda & Drake are definitely releasing together in May. Nintendo is likely quite nervous about launching a Switch successor because of the infamous Boom & Bust cycle they've been on, so they'll try to make it as similar to the Switch launch as they can.
Other Switch OG launch window sequels have already been released, likely because COVID threw the planning in disarray - Xeno3, Splatoon 3 and MK8 DLC (and stinky horse is finished, 1 2 switch's sequel). Zelda seems to be purposefully held back with the way it's being marketed, probably as the final Switch launch followup to help Drake.
thanks for reading my fanfic
Seeing the differences between BotW on Wii U and Switch there's definitely so many ways to spruce TotK up for Drake: resolution, draw distance, shadow quality, texture quality (BotW on Switch definitely had less conspicuous textures), reflection quality, particle amount etc. etc.. TotK was made for Switch primarily so stuff like loading masks when transitioning between Skyrule and Hyrule will likely stay in, but considering that BotW is still the best looking Switch game and it was made for Wii U I have no doubts that TotK will be stunning on Drake.
Most people will buy/play ToTK on the current Switch models. The minority will buy/play it on the relatively expensive Drake model.
So this is nothing like the BotW Wii U/Switch scenario.
I could see them being willing to release it earlier for a significantly big third party title, and I think, say, Resident Evil 4 is big enough to be that title.
I think they’re going to be making a big push for third party support with this system. It seems almost purpose-built to break down the excuses for not supporting the Switch. Not powerful enough for your PS4 games? Well, here you go.
Drake is designed to help Nintendo transition Nintendo games into 4K/DLSS development for the future.
That’s it.
They lamented they waited too long to get into HD development. They let Wii fizzle out and tried to transition to HD development with the Wii U launch. It hurt them in terms of output.
They have vowed not to make that mistake again.
This new model is a bridge to that, designed to release alongside continued success. To develop in tandem. All together.
Drake is in no way Nintendos “answer” to get some 3rd party support that some people think the Switch is lacking.
That’s why earlier I said I thought they could pair RE4 with a wide audience/blue ocean title like a minigame collection or something like Nintendogs. I don’t think Nintendo would release a new system and not have any first part title with it.
This isn’t a new system. This is an addition to the Switch family of systems.
They can pair it with any moderately known game that shows off the system. Doesn’t have to be a AAA game or casual friendly juggernaut.
Just like Metroid Dread was a good companion with the OLED. Not a huge seller, but it did its job.
Given whom Drake would initially sell to, I don't think Nintendo should overthink the "showpiece" title. I'm sure there will be one, but Zelda is what everyone wants regardless of demographic. Day one Drake purchasers only want one thing and it's disgusting: up to 4k, 60fps, and maybe some added visual flourishes. It's enough justification for them.
Who knows what the "proper" showpiece even would be. Given the audience, something like 3, 4 Switch or Nintendo Land 2 doesn't make sense. IMO it's gonna be the brevy of third party games that won't be on Switch but on Drake thanks to the new horsepower. Shit like Cyberpunk and Metro Exodus Enhanced
Naw. People who buy Drake will be people who want to play Nintendo games with better graphics/performance.
Not people who want to play Witcher 3 and Skyrim a bit better on a portable than their pc/Xbox/ps
Zelda TOTK is most definitely a showpiece title, especially if it ends being another GOTY candidate. People are going to want to play that game in its's best form at a reasonable price.
Most people who buy ToTK will be buying it for their OG Switch, Lite Switch, OLED Switch.
Hate to break it to you
Does Nintendo need a showpiece title to launch new Nintendo hardware? No, but rising inflation is putting pressure on consumer disposable income. So, launching expensive hardware with a system-selling title is a very good idea.
3DS XL was launched with New Super Mario Bros 2.
Nintendo Switch Lite was launched with Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.
Nintendo Switch OLED was launched with Metroid Dread.
The truth is, there isn't a more highly anticipated Nintendo game in 2023 than "Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom". Not Fire Emblem, not Donkey Kong. Even if they released Metroid Prime 4 in 2023, TorK is still way more anticipated than that game. If you're launching new hardware, you couldn't pick a better game to launch with than 3D Zelda.
Tbh, Nintendo doesn’t care how “fast” the Drake model sells.
They simply want it to be a Switch tier option to keep gamers who care about resolution/graphics/performance engaged in Switch gaming for the next ~4 years than they would have if no Drake model existed.
Nintendo isn’t planning on shifting their game development nor their services to be specifically “Drake centric” until many years from now.
This isn’t the same situation as Microsoft wanting everything to shift to the Series S/X and away from the Xbox one/X as soon as possible. Or Sony wanting that going from ps4 to ps5.