A Potential No-Brainer Launch Title for Switch 2

It’s been just seven months since Nintendo teased the release window for the next-gen console succeeding the Nintendo Switch, but for the franchise’s die-hard fans, each day feels longer than the last. Over recent months, the internet has been buzzing with rumors about this mystery console, with tidbits surfacing from both credible and dubious sources. At this point, it seems nearly every detail about the so-called Switch 2 has found its way online, covering everything from its technical specifications and size to the design of its controllers. Despite the flurry of leaks and speculation, Nintendo has maintained an unusual silence about their new console, leaving fans guessing about what features to really expect.

A big chunk of the buzz centers around when we’ll finally get our hands on the Switch 2. While the console is slated for unveiling by March 31, 2025, fan theories abound with predictions. Some insist we might see it announced as early as January with a summer release, while others argue for a March launch. Regardless of when it actually debuts, it’s poised to come with a solid lineup of titles from various developers. A standout among potential launch games is the immensely popular Genshin Impact.

Now, Genshin Impact, an acclaimed gacha RPG by HoYoverse, is a game that doesn’t really need much introduction. It kicked off modestly, only to bloom into a billion-dollar juggernaut across multiple platforms—PlayStation 4, PC, and mobile devices—since its 2020 debut. In just a few years, it raked in a staggering $3.9 billion globally, putting the gacha gaming genre firmly on the gaming map outside of Asia, where it was already well-loved.

Even though Genshin Impact inspires today’s gaming industry, many might overlook that it owes much to Nintendo’s revered Zelda series. At its initial showcase at ChinaJoy in 2019, the game drew criticism for its Zelda-esque open world and gliding gameplay, with some even calling it a Breath of the Wild clone. Despite the similarities, Genshin Impact has carved its own niche, paving a distinct path in both gameplay and narrative while holding onto that unique Zelda magic.

Given how much it draws from a classic Nintendo saga, it’s a bit odd that Genshin Impact hasn’t made its way to any Nintendo platform yet. Announced for the Switch way back in January 2020, before it even launched, the game’s arrival on the console remains elusive. It has since expanded its reach with releases on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, while the Switch version remains in limbo. Although HoYoverse did confirm in 2022 that a Switch port was underway, the prolonged silence since and the impending launch of the Switch 2 might hint otherwise.

Despite its availability on mobile, Genshin Impact can be surprisingly resource-heavy, a challenge for the current Switch’s capabilities. The Switch 2, however, seems an ideal candidate to run this demanding title, given its expected jump in graphical power. If HoYoverse chooses to bring Genshin Impact to the Switch 2, they ought to make it a day-one release. After years of anticipation, offering it as a launch title would be a perfect peace offering to Nintendo’s loyal fan base.