It's been on the backburner since the PS2 days. Online became the focus instead, so most games dropped local MP completely.

When I have friends over we're always playing local MP games on my Switch. It's a much bigger focus on the Switch, which I appreciate.

That doesn't mean you can't find local multiplayer in various games across various platforms

Offer it? Sure. Emphasis it? Almost never.
It would be one strange sight to see people suddenly bringing out their PS4's, PC's, and XB's along with TV's to coffee shops and friend's houses on a common basis.
Switch can do that without the need of carrying a TV.
That's what it means by bringing it back; it makes it simpler than it was back in the old days, not to mention these days, to play anywhere in person with buddies.

Especially now that portable docks are becoming a thing. Just one HDMI cable, and if your buddy has a spare TV, you don't need to split screens as much.
Though I think most would just use the systems' screen and be content with that too, since it's sizable.

Why does it need to emphasize a feature that's already present? If the mode is there and works well who really cares at that point?

Why would people bring their consoles together when the point here is local multiplayer? All you'd need is multiple controllers. That's never disappeared.

If you want to talk about not needing a tv then you're specifically talking about handheld gaming, and 3DS & Vita still offer plenty of local multiplayer games.

they should know that we are OG fans of VIII as it sold truckload as well. not as much as VII or X. I personally didn't like IX but X and VI are my personal fav.

Shadow Hearts 2 covenant is another game I love. I hope one day someone can make remake, I would be delighted

Final Fantasy VIII is great and you are always the first to defend it in the comments