The Nintendo Switch 2 arrived not as a mere successor but as a comet streaking across the gaming sky, its brilliance casting long shadows over the eight-year reign of its predecessor. In June 2025, the air buzzed with the hum of renewed possibilities, a phoenix rising from the ashes of the original Switch, now equipped with raw power that felt like a dormant volcano awakening with new fire. Launch titles like Mario Kart World burst onto the scene, painting vibrant worlds on portable screens, while third-party giants Cyberpunk 2077 and Street Fighter 6 stood tall, promising a renaissance of cross-platform camaraderie. Yet, amid this triumphant parade, an absence lingered—a ghost haunting the corridors of the lineup, whispering of unfulfilled promises. Genshin Impact, that titan of action RPGs, remained conspicuously absent, its silence echoing like a forgotten symphony in a grand hall. How strange that after years of assurances, this $6 billion behemoth, announced even before its 2020 debut, couldn't find its footing on this more capable stage. Perhaps the gacha elements, intricate as a spider's web in a storm, tangled with Nintendo's storefront, or the game's ballooning scale strained against mobile confines. Still, the Switch 2's enhanced hardware and mouse controls seemed tailor-made to cradle its worlds, making the omission feel like a chasm in a lush garden. 
The New Horizon: Power and Promise
With a power increase that sent shockwaves through the industry, the Switch 2 didn't just step up; it leapt into a new dimension. The first-party lineup unfurled like a scroll of legends: Mario Kart World at launch, followed by Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. These titles, each a jewel in Nintendo's crown, promised adventures that felt as boundless as the ocean at dawn. But the real surprise lay in the third-party embrace—games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Street Fighter 6 landing right out the gate, a testament to Nintendo's newfound allure. Here's a snapshot of the launch highlights:
| Game Title | Type | Platform Exclusivity |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart World | First-Party | Exclusive |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Third-Party | Multiplatform |
| Street Fighter 6 | Third-Party | Multiplatform |
| No Man's Sky (Switch 2 ver.) | Third-Party | Updated for Switch 2 |
This robust support painted a future where barriers dissolved, yet the missing piece—Genshin Impact—hovered like a specter. Why did it vanish? The developers had teased a Switch port back in 2020, yet years passed with only whispers. Now, on the Switch 2, it should have been a natural fit, a puzzle piece sliding home. Instead, April's Direct came and went, silent as a tomb, despite Summer Game Fest's proximity. 🎮 😔
The Enigma of Absence
Genshin Impact's non-appearance felt less like an oversight and more like a riddle wrapped in mist. Its absence wasn't just notable; it was a void that swallowed logic. After all, the game had thrived on mobile and PC, raking in billions, yet the Switch ecosystem remained untouched. One could speculate that as the game grew—its budget swelling like a star nearing supernova—it strained against smaller devices. Or perhaps Nintendo's gacha integration proved thornier than expected, a labyrinth with no easy exit. The Switch 2, with its muscle, should have been the key. Think of it as a dormant volcano awakening with new fire, ready to erupt with possibilities, but here it stood, cold and silent.
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Reasons for the gap:
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Technical hurdles from the original Switch port efforts.
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Gacha mechanics clashing with storefront policies.
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Resource allocation prioritizing other projects.
Jumping ahead, it's hard not to wonder—what if HoYoverse refocused? The Switch 2's features are a canvas begging for strokes of color, and Genshin Impact could be the masterpiece. Without it, the launch lineup, though stellar, feels like a feast missing the main course. 🚀
A Personal Vista: The Future Unfolds
Looking ahead, one can't help but envision a future where Genshin Impact finally graces the Switch 2, its worlds blooming like cherry blossoms in spring, transforming portable play into an odyssey. As a seasoned gamer, I dream of wandering Teyvat on the go, the hardware humming like a well-tuned orchestra. Perhaps this delay is but a prelude, a seed waiting to sprout in the fertile soil of updates. After all, the Switch 2 is built for such epics—its absence now only deepens the anticipation. Here's hoping it arrives sooner, turning silence into symphony. 🌸