Since its release, the Nintendo Switch has proven that it can hold its own against its competitors. All Nintendo had to do was create a system that melded portable and at-home gaming without sacrificing quality. It showed that Nintendo never stops innovating on its technology. However, while it continues to focus on what makes the Switch special, it's equally important to make sure Switch owners have great games to experience, not just a unique console.
However, a recent interview with Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa indicates that the company may not be doing all it can to keep up with the competition. Furukawa indicated that Nintendo is not making cloud gaming a priority. However, this raises a lot of questions about how the Switch can compete without investing time and energy in this area.
While the Switch is primarily designed for Nintendo's own games and creations, cloud gaming expands its horizons. It allows gamers to play titles like Control, Hitman 3 and Resident Evil 7 on the Switch even though the console itself lacks the capabilities to run them on its own. A lack focus on cloud gaming would cut the legs out from under the system, losing it a lot of ground compared to PlayStation and Xbox consoles -- particularly their next-gen systems.
The reason that the Nintendo Switch can't run a lot of recent games locally has to do with the console's GPU and CPU. While other consoles have the power to download current-gen games and store them locally, the Switch can't. Cloud gaming creates a server where the games can be stored outside of the console while still allowing players to enjoy them. Without cloud gaming, the Nintendo Switch is left massively underpowered and unable to run technologically-demanding games, meaning those who only have a Switch cannot access popular new and recent titles.
Nintendo instead is focusing on what fans expect: creating new ways to have fun and putting different twists on its beloved titles. Because of that, some classic Nintendo franchises are making comebacks in new and improved ways. But while this isn't inherently a negative decision, focusing on cloud features would make the Switch even more flexible and able to hold its own against the competition.
So far, fans have responded well to the cloud options offered. While there are obvious improvements to be made, there has been a lot of positive feedback, especially from gamers who don't have access to other consoles and who, without cloud gaming, would have missed out on these titles.
Cloud gaming isn't going anywhere -- in fact, it will likely only grow as the technology that allows gamers to stream improves. The feature will stick around on Switch as well. The problem lies in whether or not Nintendo will give it the attention it demands with better games and consistent improvements. The Switch's flexibility and library of first and third-party games has helped it appeal to gamers even in the wake of next-gen. However, with games only getting more technologically demanding, cloud gaming is the only way Nintendo Switch will be able to hold a candle to the competition.
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