Nintendo’s Ideal Chance to Rival Sony in a Key Area

These days, Nintendo stands out as a particularly intriguing player in the console landscape. While anticipation surrounds the upcoming PS6 and the next Xbox—in part because there’s skepticism about the modest technical improvements from the 8th to the 9th generation—the Nintendo Switch is consistently celebrated, both in media coverage and sales figures.

The Switch, despite being technically outmatched by its competition, succeeds by steering away from hardware complexity and sticking with no-nonsense functionality. Nintendo has carved its niche by focusing on producing compelling exclusive titles and a user-friendly interface. Even the biggest hardware update, the Switch OLED, prioritized enhancing handheld playability over introducing cutting-edge technology. As Nintendo looks towards what comes after the Switch, they’re expected to opt for more processing power and improved visuals. However, it’s crucial for their winning formula—prioritizing the player’s experience—remains central. They can maintain their edge against powerhouses like Sony by doubling down on features that made the original Switch unique.

The successor to the Nintendo Switch could significantly benefit by fine-tuning its HD Rumble feature, akin to what Sony achieved with the PS5’s DualSense.

Sony’s DualSense controller ranks among the PS5’s standout features. Initially dismissed by some as a novelty, its haptic feedback capabilities have proven transformative, elevating the gaming experience across both realistic and fantasy environments. Games like “The Last of Us Part 2” to “Astro Bot” have highlighted these advancements, cementing DualSense’s role in next-gen gaming.

Before the PS5 era, Nintendo’s HD Rumble was hailed for its similar merits. Developed by the same team that later contributed to the DualSense, HD Rumble offered a more detailed and sensitive form of feedback, going beyond traditional vibration mechanisms. Viewing DualSense as an extension of HD Rumble, the potential for “HD Rumble 2.0” could very well surpass it, with Nintendo reclaiming prominence in haptic technology.

To give the DualSense a run for its money, the Switch 2 would do well by innovating further in this space. Adaptive triggers, a core feature of the DualSense, should ideally become a hallmark in gaming controllers. Even if other manufacturers aren’t mirroring Sony’s gameplay, incorporating such haptic advancements into gaming’s most tactile components—like controller triggers—seems an intuitive move. For a hybrid console like the Switch 2, this could lead to even more engaging and immersive gaming experiences.

The technology behind the DualSense’s vibration isn’t all that different from what’s found in the Joy-Cons and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Both offer a dynamic range of vibrations for the game’s myriad scenarios. Yet, the DualSense stands out by employing localized feedback, allowing players to feel what their in-game character is experiencing directly. Adopting this approach to realism through haptics could significantly enhance the Nintendo Switch 2’s user experience.

It would be both surprising and disappointing if Nintendo veers away from its haptic innovations in the Switch 2. Though often overshadowed by the DualSense, the HD Rumble remains an impressive component of the Switch’s hardware lineup. With the PS5 taking center stage with its cutting-edge controller, now is a prime time for Nintendo to reassert its influence in this field.

The Nintendo Switch is a versatile console released in 2017, offering both handheld and docked-to-TV play. The Switch Lite, focusing solely on handheld gaming, arrived in 2019, followed by an OLED upgrade in 2021.