Nintendo’s new offering, Everybody 1-2 Switch, while imbued with a unique charm, falls short of the lofty expectations set by its predecessor and the celebrated heritage of Nintendo’s portfolio in social gaming.
At a cursory glance, Everybody 1-2 Switch exhibits the lively essence of a captivating party game. It adheres to Nintendo’s hallmark aesthetic characterized by vibrant visuals and whimsical characters, exuding an endearing sense of humor. The game’s premise is simple, inviting players to participate in competitive mini-games exploiting the distinctive capabilities of the Nintendo Switch’s hardware. The inclusion of a Smartphone Mode, capable of accommodating up to 100 players, is an admirable stride toward innovation, yet it is not without its flaws.
The mini-games, representing the backbone of Everybody 1-2 Switch, suffer from inconsistency in quality. Some games deliver moments of sheer hilarity, capitalizing on the absurdity of the premise, while others come across as lackluster, void of any substantial depth. The novelty of the Joy-Con’s features, once a major draw, now appears less enthralling with time.
Of the 17 mini-games included, each harnesses the unique features of the Nintendo Switch and in some instances, smartphone devices. Yet, they vary significantly in quality and depth, resulting in a mixed assortment of experiences. Games such as “Balloons” and “Relay Race”, although initially engaging, lack complexity and longevity, thereby undermining their replay value. Meanwhile, “Statues” depends heavily on physical dexterity, limiting its appeal to a broader audience.
The game’s eccentric humor is best showcased in “Hip Bump” and “UFOs”. However, their charm heavily relies on the players’ readiness to embrace the game’s absurdity, possibly alienating those in pursuit of a more traditional gaming experience.
The Smartphone Mode exclusive games, “Color Shoot” and “Ice Cream Parlor”, despite exhibiting the potential of smartphone device integration, feel somewhat cursory in implementation. Although they provide a novel way to engage with the game, they do not significantly enhance the overall gameplay experience.
The game’s lack of depth is further accentuated by its repetitive gameplay. The trivia and bingo modes come across as half-hearted attempts, falling short of sustaining player engagement. The primary mode, ‘Team Contest’, provides little motivation for returning gameplay, and the lack of a single-player mode curtails the game’s broader appeal.
The concept of mobile phone connectivity, while innovative, feels underutilized, with its implementation leaving much to be desired. The mini-games utilizing the phone’s camera and touchscreen fail to deliver an experience significantly different from those using the Joy-Con.
One of the major drawbacks of Everybody 1-2 Switch is its limitation for smaller groups. The team-based objectives and lack of a single-player mode substantially undermine its appeal for those without access to large gaming groups.
In summation, Everybody 1-2 Switch, while providing sporadic bouts of entertainment, fails to deliver a consistently engaging experience. The game is marred by a lack of depth, uninspiring mini-games, and limited replayability. Despite its lower price point and the novelty of Smartphone Mode, it is a sequel that falls short of the high standards set by Nintendo’s lineage of party games. Its shortcomings, unfortunately, overshadow the fleeting moments of fun and laughter it provides, making it a rather unremarkable addition to Nintendo’s social gaming repertoire.
Everybody 1-2 Switch is a new game from Nintendo that, despite its vibrant visuals and innovative use of the Nintendo Switch's hardware, fails to consistently deliver an engaging gaming experience due to the varying quality of its mini-games and lack of depth. Despite its lower price point and the novelty of Smartphone Mode, the game's limitations for smaller groups, lack of a single-player mode, and limited replayability make it a less than remarkable addition to Nintendo's social gaming repertoire.