Stop putting fighting games on the Nintendo Switch 2

I just got through writing about the upcoming Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage beta and got to the part where Sega said that it’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2 at one point and I immediately thought: WHY. BOTHER??

I have long wondered why fighting games get Nintendo Switch ports when those versions’ best reviews ultimately say, “Well, it was pretty good for the Switch.”

Wasn’t Super Smash Bros. Enough of a Lesson For Y’all?

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was made for the Switch. In fact, it’s not available anywhere else. Yet, Nintendo failed it. Ultimate didn’t have rollback netcode and the Switch’s terrible online service made the game laggy, frustrating, and inaccurate. It was such a jarringly different experience from playing Ultimate at a LAN tournament that all of the online tourneys that took place during COVID didn’t even count towards players’ LumiRank.

Despite Nintendo not even being able to support its own fighting game, other publishers kept insisting on throwing their own games onto the Switch, offering an inferior version to gamers on the underpowered console. Reviews of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat on Switch basically consisted of jokes about the horrendous visuals, laggy gameplay, and lack of features. Fighting games require reading incoming attacks and incredible reaction times, so playing on a console where the input wasn’t timed accurately removed all competitive integrity (and enjoyment).

The Nintendo Switch 2 has better capabilities than the OG, but it still isn’t good enough to warrant these games’ pilgrimage.

A review from Games Radar pathetically concluded in a Street Fighter 6 review for the Switch 2: “At the end of the day, having a solid version of the best fighting game of this generation, one you can take around and pop out at any time, is a good enough bonus as is. That’s what made the Switch so great in the first place, and it’s what will make the Switch 2 great for years to come.”

So… It’s not the ideal console for the fighting game, is even slightly uncomfortable and awkward to play, but you can play it on the go? I mean, great? If you are just some weirdo who likes to play Street Fighter 6’s single-player modes, I can see the Switch 2 being almost enjoyable. But beyond that, what is the benefit of playing the game on the Switch 2 compared to any other console?

Bandai Namco recently allowed Switch 2 players to compete in its official Street Fighter 6 circuit but I’ve yet to hear of any Switch players winning anything. I have a feeling this would be breaking news since it’s never happened.

I guess if you want to play a fighting game on the Nintendo Switch 2, it won’t be the worst thing that ever happened to you. But that doesn’t mean it’s worthwhile either. As even positive reviews continue to say, “It’s sorta neat you can do it, right?” Uh, yeah, I guess?

Anyway, Super Smash Bros. 6 when??