1-2-Switch
{{Short description|2017 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = 1-2-Switch
| image = 1-2-Switch.jpg
| caption = Home menu icon, illustrating the "Table Tennis" and "Quick Draw" minigames
| developer = Nintendo EPD
| publisher = Nintendo
| producer = Kouichi Kawamoto
| platforms = Nintendo Switch
| released = March 3, 2017
| genre = Party
| modes = Multiplayer
}}
1-2-Switch is a 2017 party video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released as a launch title for the system.{{cite web |last=Workman |first=Robert |date=January 12, 2017 |url=http://wwg.com/2017/01/13/1-2-switch-announced-for-nintendo-switch/ |title=1-2 Switch Announced For Nintendo Switch |website=WWG |publisher=ComicBook.com |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226020717/http://wwg.com/2017/01/13/1-2-switch-announced-for-nintendo-switch/ |url-status=live }} The game uses the system's Joy-Con controllers, with players facing each other performing various minigames.{{cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Miranda |date=January 12, 2017 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/13/1-2-switch-announced-for-nintendo-switch |title=1-2 Switch Announced for Nintendo Switch |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711185428/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/13/1-2-switch-announced-for-nintendo-switch |url-status=live }} By December 31, 2022, it sold over 3.74 million copies, ranking 40th in best-selling games on the platform.
A sequel, Everybody 1-2-Switch!, was released in 2023.
Gameplay
1-2-Switch is a party video game in which players do not usually rely on what is happening on-screen, but rather make use of audio cues and the functionality of the Switch's Joy-Con controllers to play in several different games. It features 28 different minigames, most of which involve two players, who each use one of the Joy-Con controllers and are often encouraged to look at each other during gameplay. Aside from tutorial videos for each game, players mostly rely solely on audio cues and feedback from the Joy-Con's rumble feature to indicate how well they are performing.
Development
After Nintendo announced the game at the Nintendo Switch event in January 2017, Nintendo showed off six of the minigames to the public.{{cite web |last=Byford |first=Sam |date=January 13, 2017 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/1/13/14262624/1-2-switch-nintendo-hands-on-preview |title=1-2-Switch is Nintendo's weirdest party game yet |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227001612/https://www.theverge.com/2017/1/13/14262624/1-2-switch-nintendo-hands-on-preview |url-status=live }} The game was also unveiled to show off Nintendo's innovative Joy-Con capabilities, through the HD Rumble and IR Motion Camera features.{{cite web |last=Seedhouse |first=Alex |date=January 13, 2017 |url=http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2017/01/1-2-switch-will-let-nintendo-switch-liven-up-parties/ |title=1-2-Switch Will Let Nintendo Switch Liven Up Parties |website=Nintendo Insider |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116174936/http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2017/01/1-2-switch-will-let-nintendo-switch-liven-up-parties/ |url-status=live }}
As a way to promote the milking minigame and the Nintendo Switch, several representatives of Nintendo of America took part in a cow milking competition at a dairy farm in Woodstock, Vermont.{{cite news |last=Hongoltz-Hetling |first=Matt |date=March 30, 2017 |url=http://www.vnews.com/Nintendo-comes-to-Billings-Farm-for-milking-challenge-8970582 |title=Billings Farm Challenges Nintendo to Milking Competition |newspaper=Valley News |publisher=Newspapers of New England |access-date=April 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220053831/https://www.vnews.com/Nintendo-comes-to-Billings-Farm-for-milking-challenge-8970582 |url-status=live }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 58/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/1-2-switch/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=1-2-Switch for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916130328/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/1-2-switch |url-status=live }}
| Destruct = 4.5/10{{cite web |last=Whitaker |first=Jed |date=March 7, 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-1-2-switch-422668.phtml |title=Review: 1-2-Switch |website=Destructoid |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |access-date=March 7, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620000319/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-1-2-switch/ |url-status=live }}
| GI = 4/10{{cite magazine |last=Marchiafava |first=Jeff |date=March 2, 2017 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/1-2-switch/b/switch/archive/2017/03/02/1-2-switch-review-game-informer-nintendo-switch.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303020739/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/1-2-switch/b/switch/archive/2017/03/02/1-2-switch-review-game-informer-nintendo-switch.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=March 3, 2017 |title=The Switch Gets Its System Soiler - 1-2-Switch - Nintendo Switch |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |access-date=March 2, 2017}}
| GSpot = 6/10{{cite web |last=Dayus |first=Oscar |date=March 2, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/1-2-switch-review/1900-6416627/ |title=1, 2, Switch Review |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907150836/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/1-2-switch-review/1900-6416627/ |url-status=live }}
| NLife = {{Rating|6|10}}{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=March 2, 2017 |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/1-2-switch |title=1-2-Switch Review |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Nlife Media |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504190718/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/1-2-switch |url-status=live }}
}}
1-2-Switch received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.
Upon the release of its initial trailer, several commentators compared the game to the WarioWare series.{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=David |date=January 13, 2017 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/1-2-switch-is-a-warioware-esque-game-where-you-face-your-opponent-directly/ |title=1 2 Switch is a WarioWare-esque game where you face your opponent directly |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030504/https://www.gamesradar.com/1-2-switch-is-a-warioware-esque-game-where-you-face-your-opponent-directly/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=January 13, 2017 |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/01/nintendo_introduces_1-2-switch_a_party_game_which_asks_you_to_ignore_the_screen |title=Nintendo Introduces 1-2-Switch, A Party Game Which Asks You To Ignore The Screen |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=Nlife Media |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903044035/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/01/nintendo_introduces_1-2-switch_a_party_game_which_asks_you_to_ignore_the_screen |url-status=live }} Ben Skipper of the International Business Times made note of the game's sexual innuendos.{{cite web |last=Skipper |first=Ben |date=January 13, 2017 |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/nintendo-switch-launch-game-1-2-switchs-cow-milking-mini-game-udder-filth-1600994 |title=Nintendo Switch launch game 1-2 Switch's cow-milking mini game is udder filth |website=International Business Times |publisher=Newsweek Media Group |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903044039/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/nintendo-switch-launch-game-1-2-switchs-cow-milking-mini-game-udder-filth-1600994 |url-status=live }}
Nintendo's decision to release the game separately from the system was criticized by several commentators, arguing that the game would be better off as a pack-in game, similarly to Wii Sports, although Nintendo stated that they opted to allow consumers to select a game to purchase rather than bundling one and increase the Switch's price so as to not disinterest consumers and compromise the console's sales.{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=January 13, 2017 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/13/14268204/1-2-switch-nintendo-switch-pre-review |title=1-2-Switch is not the killer app the Nintendo Switch needs |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903044025/https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/13/14268204/1-2-switch-nintendo-switch-pre-review |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=January 13, 2017 |url=https://www.vg247.com/2017/01/13/nintendo-switch-hands-on-with-nintendos-unique-and-pricey-new-console/ |title=Nintendo Switch: hands-on with Nintendo's unique and pricey new console |website=VG247 |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513222557/https://www.vg247.com/nintendo-switch-hands-on-with-nintendos-unique-and-pricey-new-console |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Madsen |first=Hayes |date=January 13, 2017 |url=http://twinfinite.net/2017/01/7-puzzling-switch-decisions-that-nintendo-is-making/5/ |title=7 Baffling Switch Decisions That Nintendo Is Making (Page 5) |website=Twinfinite |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103022752/https://twinfinite.net/2017/01/7-puzzling-switch-decisions-that-nintendo-is-making/5/ |url-status=live }} Cory Arnold of Destructoid criticized the lack of a true single-player mode, and said that the minigames were far worse than what was included in Wii Sports, arguing that they lacked any sort of progression.{{cite web |last=Arnold |first=Cory |date=January 20, 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/1-2-switch-is-not-the-next-wii-sports-413579.phtml |title=1-2-Switch is not the next Wii Sports |website=Destructoid |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |access-date=January 21, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903044031/https://www.destructoid.com/1-2-switch-is-not-the-next-wii-sports/ |url-status=live }}
=Sales=
By April 2017, Nintendo reported that 1-2-Switch had shipped nearly a million copies worldwide.{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=April 27, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-confirms-no-major-e3-event-this-year-reve/1100-6449651/ |title=Nintendo Confirms No Major E3 Event This Year, Reveals 1-2-Switch Shipment Numbers |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907141526/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-confirms-no-major-e3-event-this-year-reve/1100-6449651/ |url-status=live }} By March 2018, that number had risen to over two million.{{cite web|last1=Arif|first1=Shabana|title=Super Mario Odyssey Hits 10 Million Sales|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/26/super-mario-odyssey-hits-10-million-sales|website=IGN|date=April 26, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=September 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902165548/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/26/super-mario-odyssey-hits-10-million-sales|url-status=live}} By June 2019, total sales reached 3.01 million.{{cite web |title=IR Information: Sales Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units (Switch) |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |website=Nintendo, Co. Ltd. |access-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923080858/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html |archive-date=September 23, 2019}} The 2023 CESA Games White Papers revealed that 1-2-Switch had sold 3.74 million units, as of December 31, 2022.{{cite book |title=2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers) |publisher=Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association |year=2023 |isbn=978-4-902346-47-3}}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Year | Award | Category | Result | {{Abbr|Refs.|References}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | 2018
| rowspan="2" | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Control Design, 2D or Limited 3D | {{Nom}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web |url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/ |title=Nominee List for 2017 |website=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers |date=February 9, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180215172210/http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/ |title=Horizon wins 7; Mario GOTY |website=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers |date=March 13, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180314070824/http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/ |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |url-status=dead }} | ||||
| Game, Music or Performance Based
| {{Nom}} |
Sequel
{{Main|Everybody 1-2-Switch!{{!}}Everybody 1-2-Switch!}}
In June 2022, Fanbyte reported that a sequel to 1-2-Switch was in development. Tentatively titled Everybody's 1-2 Switch, the sequel was described as inspired by The Jackbox Party Pack series, featuring a collection of minigames that can be played with either traditional control methods or a smartphone. The game was reportedly received extremely poorly by playtesting groups, and while it was internally delayed for additional development time, empty game cases were already produced. While some within the company suggested including it as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, Nintendo executives planned to release the title as a standalone US$60 release.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Imran |date=2022-06-07 |title=The Wild Story Behind Nintendo's Unannounced 1-2 Switch Sequel |url=https://www.fanbyte.com/games/news/the-wild-story-behind-nintendos-unannounced-1-2-switch-sequel/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Fanbyte |language=en-US |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602050713/https://www.fanbyte.com/games/news/the-wild-story-behind-nintendos-unannounced-1-2-switch-sequel/ |url-status=live }}
Everybody 1-2-Switch! was officially announced on June 1, 2023, and was released on June 30, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=George |date=2023-06-02 |title=Nintendo Announces Everybody 1-2 Switch for Launch at End of June |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-announces-everybody-1-2-switch-for-launch-at-end-of-june |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605092626/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-announces-everybody-1-2-switch-for-launch-at-end-of-june |url-status=live }}
References
{{reflist}}