5 Things Nintendo Desperately Needs to Fix in 2020

Nintendo has made a lot of mistakes in 2019, and the game company needs to fix them in preparation for the next console war. | Credit: Reuters/Benoit Tessier

• Nintendo has made a fair few mistakes in 2019.
• The company needs to shape up and fix these issues.
• If it doesn’t, Sony and Microsoft could cause major problems for the company.

2019 is coming to an end, and Nintendo needs to make plans for 2020. The family-friendly game company has had more than a few missteps this year that still need fixing.

Nintendo Needs to Prepare for the Next-Gen Console War

Some might think that Nintendo will be just fine even with its problems, but that isn’t the case. 2020 will see the introduction of next-generation gaming consoles from Sony and Microsoft.

That means Switch can’t ride off of being the newest console on the block. The company needs to hammer out its issues to better compete.

1. Actually Make Nintendo Switch Online a Competent Service

Nintendo Switch Online is pitiful. It lacks major features, such as messaging, and relies on a companion smartphone app. The service also offers a lackluster list of NES and SNES games to subscribers.

Nintendo needs to fix this with loads of new features and games. The service should have never launched in its current form. It’s long past time for a change.

2. Bring Back the Virtual Console Already

As an extension of the Switch Online issues, I have to talk about the lack of Virtual Console on the system. I know Nintendo has given up on the brand, but it shouldn’t.

Microsoft has been doing a great job at supporting backward compatibility of late. It also looks like Sony is looking to do the same with PlayStation 5.

That means that Nintendo at least needs to be offering some sort of way to play older games outside of Switch Online. Reviving the Virtual Console is the perfect way to do it.

3. Stop Putting Out Horrible Mobile Games

Now we’re getting into the spicier stuff. Mobile games from Nintendo this year have been a downright travesty. Games filled with micro-transactions, as well as adding a monthly subscription to one, are not a good look for the company.

Nintendo needs to hammer home its values. It needs fun games that don’t treat players like a bank account. After all, mobile games are a perfect gateway for kids to the Switch. Best not to ruin their first Nintendo experience with micro-transactions.

4. Fix the Dang Joy-Cons!

Nintendo also needs to fix its freaking Joy-Cons already. I’ve had to replace the joysticks in mine before the company started offering a free repair service.

Adding to this is the fact that Switch Lite uses the same joysticks as the Joy-Cons. That means there’s going to be more complaints about drifting in roughly a year.

Nintendo needs to go back to the drawing board. It should release a Joy-Con 2.0 with completely redesigned joysticks. Then it needs to put those joysticks in the Switch Lite.

5. Force Devs to Put Full Games on Cartridges

The final thing Nintendo needs to fix in 2020 is cartridge abuse. There’s no reason for single-player games, such as the Spyro Reignited Trilogy or just about anything from Capcom, to require downloads.

Developers are being cheap by putting the games on smaller carts and forcing players to download the rest. We know this is the case since CD Projekt Red can fit the entirety of Witcher 3 (plus DLC) on a Switch cart.

Nintendo can easily fix this by taking a page out of Sony’s book. Its rival passed a rule late last year to combat this. Nintendo needs to follow suit with its own similar policy.