Nintendo Year in Review

Wow, getting that Nintendo Year in Review email always feels a bit like a report card for my gaming habits! This year, seeing my 204 total hours splashed across the screen, with 11 total games played, really got me thinking. My top game, Disney Dreamlight Valley, alone clocked in a massive 187 hours – that’s some serious dedication to gardening with Goofy! And let's not forget the hours spent racing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or exploring the dark humor of Cult of the Lamb. But beyond just reminiscing about my adventures in Hyrule or the Cozy Grove, these numbers sparked a whole other thought, especially with all the buzz around the Nintendo Switch 2. I’ve been seeing whispers and discussions online about how Nintendo might prioritize dedicated players for Switch 2 pre-orders, possibly based on their longest playtime. Could all those hours I poured into Adventure and Role Playing games actually give me an edge? It’s an interesting concept, right? On one hand, rewarding long-time, loyal fans who've clearly invested a lot of time (and money!) into their Nintendo Switch seems fair. If anyone deserves first dibs on the next big console, wouldn’t it be the people racking up hundreds of hours on titles like Disney Dreamlight Valley, or even niche gems like Death's Door and Windbound? The data from my own year-in-review.nintendo.com summary certainly paints a picture of someone who uses their Switch extensively. However, how would Nintendo even define "longest playtime" or "dedicated player"? Is it purely total hours, like my 204? Or is it consistent play over years? What if someone just started gaming on Switch last year but played intensely? Would they be overlooked? It also raises questions about accessibility for new players or those who might not have as much free time but are still huge fans. Imagine if someone who just discovered the magic of Bright Escape or started their journey with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe last month misses out because their total hours aren't as high. That feels a bit exclusionary. Personally, I'd love for Nintendo to recognize the passion of its community. If my years of supporting the platform and dedicating hundreds of hours to its games mean I get to secure a Switch 2 pre-order sooner, I wouldn't complain! It would feel like a little thank you for all the joy and entertainment I've received. But I also hope they find a balanced approach that doesn't alienate any part of their fan base. What do you all think about this? Have you checked your Nintendo Year in Review? How many hours did you log, and do you think your playtime should factor into getting a Switch 2 pre-order? Let me know if you believe your "Adventure" or "Role playing" hours make you a priority player!