Nintendo's Biggest Flop Gets a Surprising Sequel

Nintendo has announced the release of Everybody 1-2 Switch, the sequel to one of its lowest-rated games. The news came as a surprise to fans, especially after the company unveiled new Switch Joy-Con colors. While Nintendo has a reputation for consistently delivering quality games, 1-2 Switch was an exception. Critics universally panned the game upon its release in 2017, with many considering it to be not only the worst launch title for the Switch, but one of the most disappointing games ever released by Nintendo. Its Metacritic score of just 58 in 2023 is a rare occurrence for a first-party title from Nintendo.

Nintendo has announced the release of a sequel to 1-2 Switch on June 30, with a retail price of $29.99 - $20 cheaper than its predecessor's day-one price. The game's actual contents have not been revealed beyond the official description of party mini-games featuring various themes such as "balloons to aliens." The ESRB rating also mentions alcohol references, which were not present in the original game. Despite fans expressing confusion over the sequel, rumors of its development began in early 2022 due to negative feedback from playtesters and localization teams. There were concerns raised internally that the release of Everybody 1-2 Switch may harm Nintendo's reputation as a high-quality game developer.

The $29.99 price point of Everybody 1-2 Switch may indicate that the development costs were relatively low compared to other first-party Nintendo projects. While it remains uncertain whether the game has been refined since its rumored completion a year ago, the decision to release it suggests that Nintendo views it as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. Despite mixed reviews, the original 1-2 Switch still managed to sell 3.5 million units, potentially contributing to Nintendo's decision to move forward with the sequel.

Everybody 1-2 Switch launches June 30 for Nintendo Switch.

Source: Metacritic