The Switch 2, as a console, represents one of Nintendo’s more iterative hardware advancements. Both devices share a sleek design with detachable controllers, alongside a considerable overlap in their game libraries. You might expect Nintendo to distinguish its offerings more in their marketing, but the Switch 2, like its predecessor, still comes in a red box.
While the box is smaller, the prominent “2” on the packaging can’t be missed. This has sparked discussions on X, where influencer Wood Hawker posted a photo comparing both packages side by side.
The post has gone viral, drawing attention from current and former retail workers who are well-acquainted with the kinds of customers purchasing video games daily.
“If you’ve worked in food or retail, you’d know the unfortunate truth,” stated Celia Bee, marketing director for Yacht Club Games, on X. “It’s definitely frustrating because there is a giant 2, but Wood does have a point.”
“You might think he’s exaggerating, but as both a game designer and a retail worker who has observed how average people think, he’s absolutely correct,” remarked an X user, ItsNeon2401.
The conversation has generated enough buzz that Wood, the original poster, shared a video to clarify his position amid the criticism. “The general public isn’t you,” Wood stated. “I said it’s ‘a bit confusing’—not mass hysteria or rioting in the streets.”
This situation echoes the challenges faced with the Wii U, a console that, despite some merits, was largely ignored. Various factors led to its lackluster performance, but Nintendo has acknowledged that the naming and marketing strategies contributed significantly. Many consumers found it hard to recognize that the Wii U was a new console and why it was worth purchasing compared to the Wii.
“We scaled back our marketing efforts, leading to consumers not fully understanding what was special and unique about the Wii U,” said former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata in 2013. “Because we aim to be different, it takes effort on our part to help people grasp the attractions of our products.”
That said, it seems unlikely that the Switch 2 will see sales anywhere near the level of the Wii U’s poor performance. Nintendo forecasts selling 15 million Switch 2 units within its first year, exceeding the total sales of the Wii U throughout its entire lifespan. The Switch 2 is expected to perform well, but retail workers may find the packaging a source of confusion and headaches when it launches on June 5.
