Why Marvel Rivals on Switch 2 is Crucial for Future Multiplayer Games

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There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the launch titles for Switch 2, with Mario Kart and Yooka-Laylee being strong possibilities. Additionally, Marvel Rivals could join them as a launch title for the upcoming console. Given the popularity of Rivals online at present, fans are eagerly anticipating improved online gaming experiences from Nintendo on this new system.

Previous Switch gamers may recall their frustration when participating in cross-platform games such as Overwatch and Apex Legends. The Nintendo versions ran smoothly, but they were confined to 30 frames per second, which was a significant disadvantage compared to PlayStation and Xbox users during competitive play. Engaging with fellow Switch players was acceptable, yet the instant disadvantage experienced during cross-platform matches was a substantial issue.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Switch 2 is poised to bring top-notch single-player and local multiplayer games, which are Nintendo’s signature offerings. They significantly enhanced their online gameplay experience during the original Switch, with the Splatoon series performing quite well. Yet, it’s crucial for more than just Nintendo’s online games to thrive, particularly if Marvel Rivals makes its way onto the system.

At present, Rivals stands as the most popular online game, offering gamers the same adrenaline rushes as their preferred shooter games but with a Marvel Comics flair. Since it’s a third-person shooter, players get to see their characters in action, which is highly attractive for fans who love these superheroes. Nobody would opt for Psylocke only to see her hands, so transitioning to third-person perspective was a smart decision indeed.

Instead of restricting Marvel Rivals as the only game coming to Switch 2, Activision Blizzard has made it clear they’ll bring Call of Duty titles to the platform as well. Given the vast player base of this franchise, it seems unlikely they would be content with interacting exclusively with other Switch 2 users. While it’s possible that the Switch 2 userbase could grow large enough to render cross-play unnecessary, Nintendo should strive for more than just that limitation.

We secretly harbor the hope that better online functionality will be implemented in fighting games since it’s been a challenge with the Switch too. It’s disappointing that games like Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and Samurai Shodown, which have rollback netcode on other platforms, don’t on Switch. This shortcoming is particularly troubling for online fighting games due to their chaotic nature.

Despite preferring Nintendo to maintain its unique identity, it’s crucial for it to excel in online multiplayer just as its competitors do. Regardless of the praises sung about the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, they typically offer robust online services. If Nintendo aims to attract players to their new system with more online games, they must match these competitors’ quality in this aspect.

Essentially, it wouldn’t be fair for Nintendo to limit the frame rate of Switch 2 games to 30 FPS when other consoles can offer more than 60 FPS. Cross-play with other platforms is a significant draw for gamers nowadays, and if Switch 2 users are forced to opt out of this feature, it could be quite disappointing. Gamers should have the opportunity to enjoy Marvel Rivals with players from other systems, and we hope the new system can deliver on this expectation.

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2025-02-17 15:42