There are plenty of features fans would like theNintendo Switch 2to have. From folders to home themes, the Switch 2 has the potential to implement a lot of the most requested features that were missing from the original Switch. While Nintendo has yet to confirm any details about what the Switch 2 will look like, let alone what features it will have, fans are nevertheless constantly dreaming about their perfect versions of it.
Unfortunately, many believe that the Switch 2 may have themost boring console revealof all time thanks to Nintendo’s poor handling of it. However,the return of one feature could change everything and would likely get fans finally excited about the Switch 2 again. While this feature was present on the original Switch, it should definitely be given the spotlight and returned to its former glory on the Switch 2.
The Switch Almost Completely Dropped Miis
They’re Relegated To The Settings Menu
Miis were such an integral part of the Wii and 3DS era, giving players a meaningful way of not only expressing themselves but also interfacing with the games they were playing. A lot of games during these eras featured some form of Mii integration, allowing players to quite literally place themselves within a game in a way that, until the Kinect was introduced a few years later, was unheard of. This went beyond simply creating an instanced character within a singular world as players could put themselves in multiple worlds.
However, when the Nintendo Switch launched in 2017, it took a different approach to its beloved and iconic Miis. Rather than giving them their own dedicated software,Miis were relegated to an option in the settings menu. They no longer felt necessary like they did during the Mii and 3DS eras, and were integrated into even fewer games. Outside a singular game and inclusions inMario Kart 8 DeluxeandSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, Miis all but disappeared on the Switch. Nintendo eventried to replace Miisto an extent with the new custom characters inNintendo Switch Sports.
While it is unlikely that there is a secret plot at Nintendo to remove Miis,it does feel like a core part of the publisher’s identity is being stripped away. The Miis not only represented the players but had a personality of their own, with some of the most iconic ones remaining fondly remembered mascots to this day. There are severaltrends the Switch 2 must break, but the removal of Miis should be at the top of that list. If the Switch 2 resurrects one feature from the previous eras of Nintendo consoles, it should be fully-fledged Mii software.
The Switch 2 Needs To Bring Back Miis
They Allow Players To Express Themselves
There are many good reasons why the Nintendo Switch 2 should bring back Miis, but perhaps the most important and arguably obvious is the fact that it allows for a far greater sense of user expression. While the original Switch had many failings, its greatest was its lack of personality. Unlike Nintendo’s many consoles before it,the Switch lacked an eShop theme, meaningful Mii integration, and home themes. It felt like a functional console that prioritized a clean and easy-to-use UI over a fun one.
That’s not to say that the Switch’s approach to its UI is necessarily bad, especially as it has seemingly fallen in line with Nintendo’s competitors' platforms, as neither the PlayStation 5 nor, to a lesser extent, the Xbox Series X/S feature extensive customization options. However,it is a bizarre move, especially given the fact that the generation beforehand allowed for a far greater amount of personalization, with the PlayStation 4 in particular excelling thanks to the fact that its users could purchase unique themes from their favorite games to display on their home screen.
Why A New Zelda Game Is So Important To The Switch 2’s Launch Success
The Nintendo Switch 2 has many first-party games that could launch for it. However, for it to succeed, it might need a new Zelda game.
Frankly, many of theSwitch 2’s most requested featuresare centered around having more personality and allowing for more customization. As much as Miis need to return in order to facilitate an increased level of customization,they also need to return to give the Switch 2 a much-needed boost in personality and charm. Pre-made Miis that players faced in games likeWii Sportswere an integral part of the legacy they left behind. Nintendo is aware of this as itadded Matt toSwitch Sports, so it clearly understands their importance to some extent.
More Switch 2 Games Need Mii Integration
Barely Any Switch Games Featured It
Of course, if the Nintendo Switch 2 is to feature a greater and more meaningful implementation of Miis, then it will also need to better integrate them into specific games, especially first-party ones. As aforementioned, the Switch struggled to find a place for Miis in its line of video games, which ultimately rendered them pointless. While dedicated games likeMiitopiaaren’t specifically necessary - although they typically end up as niche yet extremely fun experiences in their own right -it would be great to see more opportunities to play as custom Miis in Nintendo-produced games.
TheMario KartandSuper Smash Bros.games are usually the best at this, especially with the range of costumes they have for Miis. However, it would be great to see Nintendo make more games likeNintendo Switch Sports,Wii Party,Wii Sports Resort, and even novel titles likeWii Music, all of which feature Mii support. These are experiences that are fun independently of the Mii element but are made more enjoyable thanks to their inclusion.It would also help flesh out the Switch 2’s party-game offering, which is something the original Switch lacked outside theMario Partygames.
The Best Thing About Zelda On Switch 2 Might Not Be New Games
Although the Nintendo Switch 2 will have a dramatic impact on new Legend of Zelda titles, its influence will also be seen elsewhere in the franchise.
While it is easy to get hung up on what thefirst-party Switch 2 gameswill be, or what third-party games will eventually be ported over, it’s also important to remember that consoles should be more than just a means to play games. The Xbox 360, Wii, and DS all perfectly encapsulated how consoles can be so much more, how they can serve to be extensions of players, and how they can inspire creativity. TheNintendo Switch 2should hearken back to those eras, not just by seeing the return of Miis, but by establishing its own personality.
