Nintendo: A More Charming Home
Nintendo: A More Charming Home
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
With this case study, I wanted to
challenge myself to reimagine the Switch
home screen in a way that brings back a
sense of charm and might once again tug
at a user's heart.
MY ROLE
MY ROLE
UX Design
Prototyping
Research
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Paper & pencil
DATE
DATE
June 2025
Problem
Problem
The current Nintendo Switch home screen is functional, but many users find it soulless.
It lacks the charm and emotional delight found in past Nintendo consoles like the DS or Wii.
The current Nintendo Switch home screen is functional, but many users find it soulless. It lacks the charm and emotional delight found in past Nintendo consoles like the DS or Wii.
“How might we reintroduce charm and delight
to the Switch’s home screen without sacrificing
simplicity or usability?”
“How might we reintroduce charm and delight
to the Switch’s home screen without sacrificing
simplicity or usability?”
Solution
Solution
A redesigned home screen that blends modern UI principles with nostalgic elements: playful
microinteractions, customizable backgrounds, and improved game navigation, bringing back the magic.
A redesigned home screen that blends modern UI principles with nostalgic elements: playful micro-interactions, customizable backgrounds, and improved game navigation, bringing back the magic.
A redesigned home screen that blends modern UI principles with nostalgic elements: playful
microinteractions, customizable backgrounds, and improved game navigation, bringing back
the magic.
Research & Insights
Research & Insights
Before diving into the design, I took time to understand Nintendo’s ecosystem:
Before diving into the design, I took time to understand Nintendo’s ecosystem:
I
II
III
Studied the Evolution of Nintendo’s UI
Studied the Evolution of Nintendo’s UI
From the DS to the Wii to the Switch
From the DS to the Wii to the Switch
Explored Community Insights
Explored Community Insights
Interviewed Nintendo fans and browsed Reddit threads
Interviewed Nintendo fans and browsed Reddit threads
Analyzed Nintendo Directs & Switch 2 rumours
Analyzed Nintendo Directs & Switch 2 rumours
Watched YouTube breakdowns and tracked early hardware updates
Watched YouTube breakdowns and tracked early hardware updates
My key findings pointed to Nintendo users desiring more from their consoles and questioning why they
aren't receiving it.
My key findings pointed to Nintendo users desiring more from their consoles and questioning why they
aren't receiving it.
My key findings pointed to Nintendo users desiring more from their consoles and questioning
why they aren't receiving it.
“How might we reintroduce charm and delight
to the Switch’s home screen without sacrificing
simplicity or usability?”
“How might we reintroduce charm and delight
to the Switch’s home screen without sacrificing
simplicity or usability?”
Where the Magic Happens
Where the Magic Happens
I began identifying areas of the Home Screen that could incorporate charm. From there, I began experimenting and landed on these ideas.
I began identifying areas of the Home Screen that could incorporate charm. From there, I began experimenting and landed on these ideas.
SECTION 01
System Info Bar
Animated Mii avatars that “fall asleep” when idle.
Animated Mii avatars that “fall asleep” when idle.
This small detail adds a playful and delightful touch to the experience reflecting the system state while making the interface feel alive.
This small detail adds a playful and delightful touch to the experience reflecting the system state while making the interface feel alive.
SECTION 02
Game Carousel
Game tiles inspired by the Nintendo game cartridge shape with a gradient blue glow on selected game with a scaling effect.
Game tiles inspired by the Nintendo game cartridge shape with a gradient blue glow on selected game with a scaling effect.
In this version, the background adapts to the dominant color of the selected game and features animated shapes.
In this version, the background adapts to the dominant color of the selected game and features animated shapes.
In this version, the background adapts to the selected game showing a still image relevant to it.
In this version, the background adapts to the selected game showing a still image relevant to it.
SECTION 03
Navigation Bar
Redesigned with smoother transitions.
Redesigned with smoother transitions.
Success Metrics
Success Metrics
Potential success metrics I would use if I could test my designs.
Potential success metrics I would use if I could test
my designs.
I.
I.
Users find UI layout
easy to navigate.
Users find UI layout
easy to navigate.
Users find UI layout
easy to navigate.
II.
II.
Users spend time on the
home screen.
Users spend time on the
home screen.
Users spend time on the
home screen.
III.
III.
The updated Home Screen does not
harshly affect battery life.
The updated Home Screen does not
harshly affect battery life.
The updated Home Screen does not
harshly affect battery life.
Learnings
Learnings
Hardware limitation shapes [past] designs. Nintendo’s focus is primarily directed towards gameplay and speed instead of their classic charming design.
Hardware limitation shapes [past] designs. Nintendo’s focus is primarily directed towards gameplay and speed instead of their classic charming design.
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for reading!