Nintendo is about to release its latest home console, the Switch.
But sparse launch line-ups arent new for Nintendo consoles, nor are they necessarily harbingers of doom.
In fact, some of Nintendos better console launches have involved only a handful games.
Wii U-exclusive features were similarly underwhelming.
And back in 2001 they received a positive, yet muted, reception.
Its not a stretch to say that NES launch line-up actually saved video games in the United States.
But those games were amazing.
The impressiveness ofSuper Mario 64at the time cant be overstated.
And the analog stick really did feel like a brand new way to play these games.
Wii
Release date: Nov. 19, 2006
The Wii is a divisive console among hardcore gamers.
And the console was woefully underpowered at release.
But putting all that aside, it was hard to not get excited about the Wii at launch.
Then there was the pack-in game,Wii Sports, which became a cultural phenomenon.
It was just plain fun to use the Wiis controller as a baseball bat or bowling ball.
Hell, its still pretty fun today.
Even the ports of titles from other systems, likeMarvel: Ultimate AllianceandCall of Duty 3held up pretty well.
What really put the Wii launch over the top was the addition of the Virtual Console.
The jury is still out on how the Nintendo Switch will do in just a few weeks.
Chris Freiberg is a freelance contributor.
