With the festive season upon us, one might have bet their last quid that the 'Nintendo Switch 2' would be the undisputed star of the show. Yet, in a twist that would make any retail analyst scratch their head, the original Nintendo Switch hardware has comfortably stolen the spotlight this year.

It’s a peculiar turn of events, but digging into the chatter from both buyers and shop staff, it actually makes a lot of sense. It is a sobering lesson on why a shiny new console is nothing more than a paperweight without a library of games to give it some real muscle.

Nintendo usually enjoys a massive seasonal boost, but despite the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the market hasn't shifted much from last year. Simply put, consumers are still gravitating toward the original console's games rather than the new, untested ecosystem.

Shop insiders reckon the culprit is a glaring 'lack of exclusive titles' for the Nintendo Switch 2. Factors are piling up: the lukewarm reception of early titles, the split demand caused by simultaneous releases with the original Switch, and critical grumbling over third-party offerings for the new hardware—all of which have dampened the holiday spirit.

With many retailers clearing out stock at a discount, price-conscious shoppers—especially those buying for younger kids—are opting for the older, cheaper games. For the younger demographic, recognition and pure fun trump graphical fidelity every single time.

The struggle of the Nintendo Switch 2 feels eerily similar to the post-launch doldrums of the PS5. Once the initial hype of a new console settles, you need heavy hitters to keep the momentum going. Just as the PS5 eventually found its footing with masterpieces like God of War Ragnarök, the Switch 2 desperately needs its own 'God tier game' to turn the tide.

After a scorching Black Friday campaign that set November on fire, the PlayStation scene has gone suspiciously quiet. Despite ongoing holiday sales, some retailers are reporting a noticeable cooling off in hardware sales since the Black Friday fever broke.

Oddly enough, while interest in the PS5 and PS5 Pro remains steady, the supply of peripherals—once as rare as hen's teeth—is now surprisingly healthy. You can find the PlayStation Portal and disc drives sitting on shelves with ease, which speaks volumes about the current market appetite.

As for software, gamers are gravitating toward chunky, story-driven action titles like Ghost of Yōtei, Black Myth: Wukong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, especially when they’re discounted. Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 seems to have landed with a thud, with some retailers treating it as little more than dead stock.

While a few titles are slated for the back end of the year, the immediate outlook for January is bleak, largely due to a drought of physical console releases. With the Lunar New Year holiday falling in February, retailers are bracing for a rather sluggish start to the year.

Retailers have pinned their hopes on 'Resident Evil: Requiem' as the first major title of next year, thanks to Leon’s return. However, given the multi-platform nature of such releases, most players seem to be opting for digital pre-orders or sticking to PC, leaving physical retail storefronts out in the cold.