Nintendo Switch release date, latest news: Nintendo president defends Switch's 'weak' launch lineup

When the highly-awaited Nintendo Switch arrives next month, the gaming console will only have at least 10 video games available to be played at launch.

Some of the games that Nintendo has confirmed to be included in Nintendo Switch's initial library are "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," "1-2-Switch," "Super Bomberman R," "Skylanders: Imaginators," and "The Blinding of Isaac: Afterbirth+."

This allegedly "weak" lineup has brought out worries and negative feedback from the gaming community, with many fearing that the upcoming game system will experience the same software droughts as its predecessors.

In response to the criticism, Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima has come into the defense of their company's hybrid gaming console. As reported by Gamespot, Kimishima spoke at the company's recent earnings briefing, during which he acknowledged that there are those who see the console's launch lineup as "weak." However, he also stressed that the launch is just the beginning for the hybrid console.

"Some of those who have seen this lineup have expressed the opinion that the launch lineup is weak," Kimishima said. "Our thinking in arranging the 2017 software lineup is that it is important to continue to provide new titles regularly without long gaps. This encourages consumers to continue actively playing the system, maintains buzz, and spurs continued sales momentum for Nintendo Switch," the Nintendo president added.

The growing concern regarding the Nintendo Switch from the gaming community is not completely unfounded, considering that software droughts have indeed been a problem for Nintendo in the past. For example, both the Wii U and the 3DS, in their early years, experienced periods of time during which they were unable to launch any new and compelling game releases.

Nevertheless, according to GameRant, Nintendo's long-term plans for the Nintendo Switch are preferable as compared to simply focusing all their efforts on pulling off a successful launch for the console. Moreover, the company has done well so far in promoting the Switch. With its own unique concept as a console, the gaming system could carve out its own niche in the gaming world.

The Nintendo Switch is scheduled to launch on March 3.