Talking Point: Could Nintendo Go Another Year Without A Switch Successor?

I'm scared to face it, but yes, I think they can and they might.

I really don't hope so. I love the Switch but that thing is old.
Games like XC3 or TotK really push the Switch to it's limit and obviously could run much better on better hardware which those games really deserve

I should think we will hear something at the end of March / begining of April, at the time of Ninty's year end; news of a successor will boost stock and fire up the hype train. We'd be lucky to see it launch in Q4 2024 mind you.

Nintendo is very conservative in that regard, so if they think they can milk Switch for another year, they will.

I think it's high time for a new console though, let's be honest here, Switch wasn't amazingly powerful at release, and that was more than six years ago.

By the way, awesome that we can now talk about a possible Switch 2 THIS year (;

Nintendo could go the next 2 generations with Wii U levels of success. They don't need to release something just because sales are declining. It's the normal life cycle of a console. Software sales go through the roof. They could easily milk the biggest install base (the hobby has seen for decades) with titles. They will announce a console when they have something. But the internet armchair analysts claiming they need to do something soon is just wind and not really grounded. Don't get me wrong, I will buy a Switch 2 day one, but I wouldn't be surprised if we get an announcement late this year for next year and a price drop or somthing (hard to say with inflation being so rampant) we go one last holiday season for the best console ever made. Metroid Prime 4 and an Ocarina of Time remake would be fine swan songs for the system.

Of course they "could", but they definitely shouldn't.
The Switch cycle is coming to an end.

Yes it can… 35% of switch owners bought the switch within the last 2 years. The only problem with the switch is that it limits Nintendos abilitys to make Even greater games that demands better hardware. But per today, they are still pumping out good games that is enough.

It's noteworthy that they haven't announced anything of TOTK / Mario Wonder caliber for 2024 yet. Yes there are some great things coming, but they're not quite as first-rate as a brand new mainline Mario or Zelda. Either because they're remakes (Paper Mario: TTYD) or just not as big (the Peach game) or both (Mario vs. DK).

So the next Direct will give it away, I'd assume. Big game announcement for Switch? They'll try to go another year.

Metroid Prime 4 is a curious case btw. Many seem to expect it for Switch still, and they might be right if the game was so far along in development that it's based on Switch technology. But it could do much much more for Nintendo if they turned it into a showcase for the upcoming system.

@GrailUK
That's a very good point you're making about the big and active install base and, as a result, the scope of software sales that Switch has managed to establish. New releases are selling in crazy numbers, way above what Nintendo has had before. That's not an ecosystem you kill off without a necessity.

Nintendo is losing some hard-earned market to the ps5 and mobile again, and if they want to keep 3d parties onboard they should go with the flow and release the next system this year.

Nintendo need to make a price drop on Nintendo Switch. It will sell like a beer on Oktoberfest!

Nintendo normally do a winter announcement and a march launch. It will be the same with Switch 2.

For the rest of this year? We still have a bunch of easy WiiU ports left like Wind Waker HD and Xenoblade X. Assuming Metroid Prime 4 is the big NS2 launch title they will have Prime 2 and 3 ready to ship on Switch at a moments notice. I’d be amazed if they weren’t already sat on their staging servers right now.

I’m not sure there will be any big Switch exclusives left in the bag. Prime 4 and Mario Odyssey 2 need to be the carrots for the next console. They night have a few GameCube ports in the bag as well to chock up the schedule a bit.

The question for me, is more like what a Switch 2 can offer to me personally. I'm a 100% handheld gamer these days and my Steam Deck covers a lot of ground with me not being interested in Nintendo's first party games (or PlayStation's or Xbox's).

I might wait a few years before I buy a Switch 2 anyway (but in the end it all depends on the games, doesn't it?)

Announced? Most likely. Released? Maybe it will, maybe not. We'll see.

Regardless of what happens, Nintendo better say something this year. With every passing year the system is slowly but surely showing its age. The fact that they keep shoving, remasters, DLC, and remakes down our throats lately is pretty telling.

This is my theory: the next Switch will be released in 2027.

It will mark the 10 year anniversary of the Switch and Nintendo can probably wait it out for another 3 years. After all, the console and the games are still selling well so there is no rush. We will probably hear an announcement in 2026.

If it happens sooner then yippee! But I feel like they can probably wait a few more years and give us the next Switch for the 10 year anniversary.

Switch has been an absolute workhorse of a system that I’ve probably played more and certainly shopped for more than any console EVER.

I expected (hoped) TOTK would be the bookend swansong and 2023 to be a quiet year for releases overall, allowing us to save our coins for Super Switch in 2024. But I ended up spending more on great Switch games this past year than probably any till now.

My backlog is unfathomable at this point, so I’m in no rush for a successor. I do expect others will get impatient though, as Switch performance falls further and further behind PS5, etc, and we miss out on more multi platform releases.

Whenever it arrives, I just pray the Super Switch has full backwards compatibility so we can keep this train rolling.

not sure why people make so much fuss over this. Seems like people have been moaning for a new switch console for what must be 5years, probably says more about the consumer-attitude of "want want want" than anything else. 2024 seems like it has a decent software line-up planned. if nothing is announced I certainly won't be taking to social media to whinge like most do.

I’m still thinking March 2025 with Pokemon, Mario, Metroid P4, Xeno X2 as launch titles oh and some stupid gimmick game to show off new functions.

The Switch was released in 2017, using old technology, it was old when it released but it kept the price low and they were able to make and sell loads of units. Definitely due a new one but I doubt it'll be this year. They'll announce it the end of this year and release it summer 2025.

I’ve always said March 2024 should be the release date for Switch 2 and some lovely new games showings it’s new power and controls etc.
Also maybe RDR2 etc as it should have the power for those games.

I think the Switch 2 is definitely coming this year.
Just look at the in-house game lineup for 2024, as well as other games Nintendo is publishing for 2024:

Another Code: Recollection
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Cing
Release Date: 19th Jan 2024

Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Release Date: 16th Feb 2024

Princess Peach: Showtime!
Release Date: 22nd Mar 2024

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
Release Date: Q3 2024

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Release Date: 2024

Except for Peach, which I'm not that excited for based on the trailer, it's only remakes coming from Nintendo to the Switch. Promising remakes, but still remakes. This is a clear end-of-life symptom.
The main creators at Nintendo must be hard at work producing Switch 2 games.

The Switch had an extremely high-quality swan song:
Zelda tears of the kingdom, Pikmin 4 and Super Mario Wonder. Just WOW.

Then there is: Metroid Prime 4
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Retro Studios
Release Date: TBA

Will it come in 2024? Maybe.

Why have we seen no trailers or photos? I think it’s because it’s not for the Switch and because the Switch 2 has not been revealed yet.
Possibly a release game. Rather certain it will be among the reveal games for Switch 2.

I think Metroid Prime 4 will almost certainly be a Switch 2 exclusive.
Nintendo needs high quality exclusives to drive sales for the Switch 2, this means they cannot release these types of games on both the Switch and Switch 2.
The reason Nintendo has released Zelda games on two systems at once in the past, Twilight princess and Breath of the wild, was probably because these games were already revealed to be released on the old system, so it would be very tactless to change the plan completely.

I would like updated hardware. Nintendo will likely milk the Switch for all it is worth. They should release a switch lite OLED that can be docked. They could release all sorts of joycon and accessories. They could play into all of the fitness accessories or labo. They could release collections of SNES or GBA on cartridges. They could do "remasters" of GameCube and Wii games more. There is a lot that can be done with Switch before moving on.

I only just got into the switch exactly a year ago today. So I've got time. That said, nintendo really should think about releasing their next console... ideally with an SSD because damn going from PS5/Xbox to switch and having those long loadscreens sure is whiplash.

God it needs backwards compatibility though. I'm not building my library up from scratch again. Abandoning the Wii U was the last era they could get away with that imo.

What can I say? I care a lot about a better Switch if it's backward compatible, but at the same time, I don't care enough. My backlog is too big, and my wishlist is too big. And the fun I'm having currently is way too big. Did I mention, big? 😎

Could they, yes. Should they is another question.

I don't have to have AAA graphics and 120 FPS, by any means to enjoy a game, but the Switch has pushed the hardware until it's screaming.

I think they could easily go without announcing new hardware given how they approached this year. Have Metroid Prime 4 take the role of TotK (it wouldn't be in terms of sales but in terms of being the extremely hyped game that was announced way too early in advance it would be), have an unannounced game take the role of Mario Wonder and approach things like how they did this year with ports/remasters/remakes + smaller games filling in the gaps.

However, I don't think they'll do that given what happened with the September Direct onwards. It does feel like the successor will be announced this year, January at the earliest and early May at the latest. Leaning towards late January/early February before the February shareholders meeting.

I'm content with the Switch going through the backlog I have, plus I can't really afford another next gen Nintendo console right now. Inflation and car troubles took me from middle class to barely scraping by. I'll get the next Nintendo console, but I'm definitely not in a rush for it, as I'm still enjoying myself anyway.

@ZeldaCupcake While i think this year is very fast (We don't even have an announcement yet), but dragging Switch out to 2027 would be silly, they won't have any third-party support left at that point.

In Japan it still seems to be selling massively, and that might be leading for Nintendo. So yeah, another year without a Switch2 or even its anouncement: It wouldn't surprise me.

Nintendo tends to wring the most out of every console it has for its tentpole franchises. I believe we got the best Pikmin we could from this machine. Same as Animal Crossing, Smash, Mario Kart, 3D Mario, and Zelda world. That’s why we rarely get 2 different engines for these series on one console.

It’s not just about can Nintendo still make games with the Switch hardware, it’s what big IP hasn’t been used yet? Maybe Donkey Kong? and A new console makes it acceptable to get a new Mario Kart, a new Animal Crossing, and a new Splatoon.

The thing is, the Switch will continue to sell well even if they release a successor. So it doesn't matter when they release it as long as it isn't too late. All they need to do is make sure they manage the transition well when Switch and Switch 2 games will release in parallel. Then they just make to need a strong case for upgrading to Switch 2 by releasing their next tentpole titles exclusively for 2.

If "Switch 2" or whatever it will be called doesn't release this year then it will be announced end of 2024 for March 2025, I do not believe for one second that "ten year plan" meant ten years of only the Switch and nothing else

There’s really nothing stopping the next Switch from being like the other consoles and supporting both current gen and next gen for a while with a huge performance boost for games played on the new system (unless the architecture is radically different which I can’t see happening). A new console doesn’t necessarily mean a death knell for the previous one any more.

They have been releasing a bunch of games that would have been better say the first year, they even tops spiderman 2 guys! That's not even mentioning the games they're releasing this year. They gotta have smth big planned

I kinda hope it does hold off for another year and pushes the system as hard as it can in its last stretch, because I really want it to take the highest selling console of all time spot--just because I do--and it's actually pretty close:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_game_consoles#:~:text=15%5D%5B16%5D-,Best%2Dselling%20game%20consoles,-See%20also%3A

If Nintendo dropped the price quite a bit (maybe along with another remodel), did a few more cool bundles, and had even just a couple more big first party titles up its sleeve that it could release in the next year or so, I think it could just about pull it off.

@Lofoten I think the dual release was only because of the low install base of both GC and WiiU so they were low risk in affecting early adoption… certainly not the case here and I think you’re right the switch 2 will need exclusives to draw the current switch owners to upgrade.

I mean they could... Especially if they were to drop the price of the system and pad out the release schedule with a Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD port over the year. If they sell roughly 16 million this year they could likely still reach 12/13 million in 2024 that way..

i think this year will be the dead of xbox(future is not bright when you look at the game lineup this year), and the ps5 wil already be 4 years old, with no magnificent tecnical upgrade possible, lets face it, people want full RT on full 4k 60fps most LG owners even 120fps. any other upgrade is pretty much useless imo.
this is still not possible for a affordable price, i don't think sony can make this jump yet.

so i think (it is an opinion) best thing for nintendo, is releasing a new console in spring 2025, wich gives them more then enough time to develop a console wich sits right in between ps5 and xbox series X and with enough launch titles.
they should by any means launch a new console with a ***** load of great games, great looking games. this will be very very important in this momentum.

i hope they do not rush console development, everything has to be somehow future proof

Count me among the many expecting the Switch U 360 this year.

@NintendoWife Exactly. Isn't that WHY you sell consoles...to sell games? Especially someone as prolific as Nintendo (who we already know have a game a month this first half!) Internet is obsessed with hardware (I honestly think by the very nature of it, most are into PC tech.)
Now I will concede that it's hard to see when the next AAA Mario or Zelda game would be due (and they are titles you at the very least announce with the next console, if not release with it.) They also said only late 2022 that they have an idea for the next Mario Kart game (and games take a little longer than a year to make.) So in terms of hardware alone, sure, the Switch is old and dated. In terms of software sales it's probably the most vibrant (apart from the odd third party game - which Sony let that tail wag the dog years ago - see PS Vs ActiBlizz) And finally, in terms of first party software, my gut is they aren't ready to keep up the same level of momentum (and I don't think their new development building being delayed has helped.)

Loads to consider, but a release this year is far from stiched on...

...but happy to say I do hope it is hahaaha!

Edit: I also think the transition between consoles will be much smoother if it releases next year but that's just my gut, Nintendo have folk paid much more than me tracking all kinds of data.

I was lying in bed last night, and suddenly it hit me that a great name would be the Switch Advance.

Whatever they are planning to do, it better be hybrid again. I’ve always enjoyed portable gaming and the Switch has successfully blended both a portable and home console so well that I don’t want to go back!

I think Nintendo can easily go another year, which was my initial prediction of a early 2025 Switch 2 release, Nintendo can easily sell between 17 million and 20 million consoles, although I would be interested to see how the Switch has done this holiday season.

Nintendo have obviously pushed most of it's development to the next system, but that could mean they just want to get as much software available for the new console, so still on the fence about new hardware hitting this year. Plus Nintendo could keep hardware sales going with a price cut.

I've been gaming with Nintendo since the very beginning!
If you really want to know when the Switch Successor is going to come out, I will tell you from experience!

Watch the shelves! If they are stocked with Switch Consoles, it won't be happening anytime soon!
If they start being empty for a month or two, expect an announcement shortly.

My Switched stopped working and haven't bothered to get another. If no Switch 2 comes out soon, I still have my Steam deck to keep me occupied.

I prefer to temper my expectations so I'll say they can probably go another year riding the Switch wave. I can totally see Nintendo holding off specifically because so many people are demanding a new one 🤣 "Gimme gimme never gets"

I don't think a new Nintendo console will be out in 2024 but could be announced as in development or something. I just hope the "Super Switch" is not a drastic change, just more powerful with maybe a few new tweaks to design, etc.

After looking at the release schedule, it is entirely possible to go another year without a Switch successor.
I would be fine with it; plenty in the backlog to play. Fingers cross it is BC. Hopefully, some developers would already have their hands on kits to start working on games to be launched near release.
However, if they were to release it this year by late October, I wonder if they would be able to keep up with holiday demand.
They may just clear stock with discounts and ramp up production over the holidays for an early 2025 release. It could be announced in February 2025 near the investor meeting.

I just think in terms of marketing cycles alone the earliest a new system could possible release at this point is late fall 2024. Whatever the sales numbers say (good and bad) this will be a very important hardware transition. Nintendo can’t afford to rush it or confuse consumers (as happened with Wii U). They need to announce the system, let that information settle in, then do another presentation where they go into more detail about the system, and then they need to announce and promote the launch games. They need to go through the whole hype cycle so that by release day consumers (including kids and families not just enthusiasts like us) are fully informed and fully excited. I just don’t see this being done in less than 9-10 months. So basically, if we don’t get an announcement soon the console launch will slip to 2025.

Well, that’s my guess anyway but I’m often wrong about Nintendo’s marketing so, eh.

Just look at those upcoming remakes games, the answer is clear.

It could survive another year but third party support would be down and we'd be treated to nothing but GameCube ports. Hey that doesn't sound so bad...

I think it’ll get announced but may not come out. Not to be depressing but with the state of the world I can’t help but think manufacturing issues or material issues may present themselves if more countries go to war or have more issues with production.

Personally, I wouldn't mind another year without a successor, since I bought an OLED two months ago.

The only advantage that I can think of would be to keep up with third-party AAA games. Nintendo has anticipated this for years by focusing on third-party indie games in their Directs anyway.

The few AAA releases last year that I was interested in (RE4 Remake, Starfield, Dead Space) were underwhelming anyway, so, personally, I couldn't care less about the lack of third-party AAA.

Can Nintendo go another year without new hardware? Yes. Do I think they will? No. I really do think 2024 will be the year they show off and release their next system, but time will tell. Either way, I’m very happy with my current Switch!

I think at minimum they will announce. Peach and a bunch of remakes sounds so much like 2016. It just doesn’t make too much sense to release anything major, as the new console will need solid launch titles. I would not be opposed to an early 2025 launch, as I would expect that the longer they drag this out would imply a more powerful console. I don’t mind waiting for quality, tho I would feel for those whose only system is a Switch….

I’m in the camp that it’s time to move on.

I really hope it comes out this year. For me its time for the next stage.

Switch can still go on if the 2 has backwards compatibility. I am not planning to sell my switch, will give it to my son, and then buy the 2 for myself.

No need to rush. The Switch console is still strong. It's the games that matter.

@shgamer i mean if you're not interested in nintendo first party games why would you ever buy a switch 2? seems like an easy no for you ^^

I'm not planning to ever buy another game system, so I'm happy for Switch 2 to take its time so I get full utility out of the Switch.

That said, while I'm personally in no rush, I think the timing is definitely right for a new system to come out at some point this year. I just hope Nintendo will recognize the value of supporting the Switch for a while longer since it has such a massive install base.

I just hope the new system has variable refresh rate and also supports higher frame rates like 90fps, 120fps, or higher. I'd be happy to wait 2 or 3 years if that's what it takes for Nintendo to get that done. Hopefully it's 2024 though, and includes those things. Oh, and I'm not honestly happy to wait! I've already bought an OLED Steam Deck and happily skip 30fps game releases on Switch in favor of awesomely smooth 90fps experiences on OLED Deck. But Nintendo makes like 90% of my favorite games, so I'm still gaming on my Switch all the time. And I love exercise games and weird stuff. Keep the Ring Fit Adventures and Labo cardboard games coming!

They're slowing down on releases and the Switch is selling less software and hardware. A new console is inevitable but I think it'll be announced this year and released next year.

Come on... We know Nintendo, next console won't be an iteration, in the sense of a Switch 2. It will be a new experience with the appropriate tech boost. We might get the announcement but not a release of a better NSW... And it is okay.

We don't need it, but maybe it will be ok

I am having an enormous blast with Switchi, I don't feel like it needs to be replaced at all. 3rd party stopped being a problem since nothing noteworthy comes out on other consoles and Nintendo doesn't need that much power anyway. No other console grants me this much fun.

The only thing we need is Virtual Console

They could go another year but I think they would silly to do so. I’ve already all but stopped using mine tbh and want new life. It’s still brilliant but I want more ports to take on the go and the recent Arkham collection showed just how old and tired the Switch is. It would be better to get a new model out sooner than allow the current model to peter out.

I need something new to buy, so I really hope we will get a new console this year

If Nintendo decide to follow the pattern of the Game Boy then we may get a couple more iterations of the Switch before we get a true successor.

At the moment they are not in direct competition with anyone; they comfortably occupy a niche between the generations of Sony and Microsoft’s machines and have no real competition in the handheld sphere. I know there are a plethora of other handhelds in the style of the Steamdeck but for the vast majority of Switch owners, who are ‘normies’ (and I mean no disrespect with that label btw) these other machines don’t offer anything that the Switch doesn’t already do for the average Switch owner, even if they are more powerful.

Furthermore, Nintendo are not interested in ‘power’ for their system; its hybrid nature and the compromises this entails is a reasonable enough explanation to most people as to why it is far less capable than other dedicated consoles. They can wait until the power vs energy consumption struggle catches up enough to make a new system that performs significantly better.

I would predict a new Switch Lite (akin to the ‘New 3DS’ models). The old Lite model may get a price drop (£120-£150?), with a ‘New Lite’ with an OLED screen, as it is only in handheld mode that this makes any difference anyway, occupying the current £200 price point.

Bottom line: if ain’t broke don’t fix it and if it sells, keep selling more!

If you look at Switch sales by year to date you'll see it's on the downhill but its still got more time yet. I doubt new hardware will be released in 2024, they're not going to roll it out til Switch is almost done bc it's still selling. I almost guarantee the successor is about finished and they're just sitting on it til the time is right. Nintendo doesn't care if you want it, they just want to maximize profit and not cannibalize potential Switch sales.

I'm all for a 2025 release myself. Such a backlog 😅
On top of that it feels like console releases happen too often now, they don't feel as special (maybe I've just gotten too old and times going to fast! They're releasing something all the time now damn it!!)
That being said after everything they've achieved with the Switch, I'll no doubt be there day one whenever they release it's successor.

@Nico85 I can tell you 3 reasons why I love my Nintendo 3DS's:
Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D (exclusive), Resident Evil Revelations (still the best platform to experience this game) and Super Street Fighter 4 3D Edition (has gorgeous 3D effect, "over the shoulder" view option and touch screen functionality for us who can't be bothered to put the time into getting the muscle memory right).

These 3 games are enough for me to love Nintendo eternally. And I do hope we can get something of the quality on the "Switch 2" (although I'm not really holding my breath with how gaming is going generally).

Shouldn’t. But if it’s up to them they will try their hardest. It’s not easy following up a massive successful console. However, I believe switch should be rinse and repeats with better specs and features. Should be an easy home run but not for Nintendo.

Nintendo's own developers can make another year or two of games as they are gaming wizards.

It's just the third party bigger games coming to Switch are struggling with the hardware.

I playing Hogwarts Legacy over Christmas with 35 hrs of play time but you can see how the developers had to make cut back practically everywhere to bring the game kicking and screaming to Switch.

It will be interesting to see how nintendo handle the next console.

Will they make developers support both handhelds or can they choose just to bring their game to the more powerful one only?

Marketing will need to be ckear, so we don't get another WiiU disaster 🤦🏻

I think it can go another year simply due to the quality of the library and the fact that most people don’t buy tons of games. If I only bought 10-30 games I would be spoiled for choice. Granted my library for switch is over 750 games and I am spoiled for choice.

That being said now that a lot of the long projects are out of the way on all systems, Nintendo will want to remain attractive to as many devs as possible, so that when devs start up new projects, Switch is in the conversation. They aren’t gonna convince anyone that hasn’t already jumped in so new tech will have to do that. I do feel all the people that have wanted a revision for 5 years will be disappointed (as usual) though. They aren’t getting a handheld PS6. I am still not expecting a new system until 2025 (as that gives the internal teams time to get projects well underway). But I could see them starting to market/announce this year.

@Gryffin Great name

There was a lot of talk on here and elsewhere back in January 2023 that the Switch 2 would/should release in 2023. I was one of the ones who scoffed at that majorly. However, I do think 2024 Q4 is the right time considering the age of the consoles and how games are becoming more and more demanding technically. The thing is is that we have heard absolutely nothing bar small rumours. Not even hints from Nintendo's senior people. So I think it'll 2025 but hope it's 2024.

At this point I just want it to just happen already, I'm so sick of hearing the Switch Pro/2 after all these years. lol

A Switch successor is way overdue. But people keep buying Switches like they buy GTA V and MK8…

If they want their next system to succeed like the Switch, they need to wait at least another year, maybe more

im pretty sure well get info on switch 2 sometime this year along with new info on prime 4.

I feel we're a little light on rumours for it to be coming out before early 2025. I'm not in a big rush to upgrade yet, I can't think of any game that would make a new Switch a "must buy" coming anytime soon. I'm sure it'll release with a new 3d Mario but that's not too interesting to me and a new Zelda must be a long way away. Probably take a new Xenoblade for me to upgrade.

Hard to say. It wasnt so long they showed it behind closed doors and games takes time to make. Earliest this christmas or next spring.

Naw Switch for 2 more years at least. Too many games and counting.

PS6 AND new Xbox would be announced this year too then.

@Friendly Pure nonsense. Nintendo first party sales double sony's in most cases.

switch console sales are down by a lot from a year ago it will only decrease without a switch 2..

it is obvious from all the leaks a new switch will come out this year only question is when.. will it be first half of 2024 or second half..

look at the great third party games that will never come to the current switch. that is why we need a new modern switch...

I would be shocked if we don’t hear something official about a switch 2 this year. I don’t expect it to be released this year, but I feel we have to hear something. If not, we’ve gotta get some more big game releases, because as of now we have no huge releases coming up.

In theory, console lifespans should be getting longer and longer, as the plethora of indies and retro ports and AA games prove that there's a huge appetite for experiences which don't necessary push current technology to its limits.
However, in practice, devs are getting negligent, third party engines are deprioritizing Switch performance, and games which could have run comfortably on the PS2 or Gamecube are struggling to hold frames on the Switch. And that's for the most popular console of the last 20 years! I'd love to keep playing my Switch for another 5 years but at this point a successor is obviously needed, even though the same problem will just happen again - likely sooner and sooner if Nintendo's next console slips further and further behind the level of its contemporary Sony/Microsoft consoles.

Funny how everyone that was absolutely 100% positive that "Switch 2" would come out in 2024 (after they were all absolutely 100% positive that it would come out in 2023 and 2022 and 2021 and 2020 and 2019 - though they called it the "Switch Pro" for a while) is hedging, saying that maybe this isn't the year after all. Hardware sales are irrelevant at this point; they're bound to slow down once everyone already has a Switch (inevitable when it's been on the market for 7 years) and profit per console is minimal (it's actually negative for Sony and Microsoft). Software sales are what matters, as games make 80-90$ a piece with few manufacturing costs (none if people buy the game virtually). And Nintendo continues to dominate in that department, which isn't a surprise considering every new game has up to 130,000,000 potential buyers.

2026 or later.

The longer Switch 2 waits the farther they fall in AAA games and games requiring power GPU gameplay. So no waiting isn't in Nintendo interest in terms of gaming staying power. This in their business model and not something they can wait and expect Devs to downgrade games to play on Switch. Even Palia being a Online presense game shows good enough Graphics currently but I seen some graphics ghosting and a better system will improve game play.

IMO as it is my case, I have the Switch to play Nintendo first party games and it does it marvelously. I will never get The Switch to buy games like MK1, Hogwarts Legacy, COD (soon to be … or not) … those games are made for the PS5/XBX. I myself have the OLED version with games like Mario Kart 8, Super Mario Bros Wonder, Odyssey, Smash and the list goes on. Those games are so good on Switch that I frankly don’t see a reason they should upgrade.
I have Hogwarts Legacy on PS5 and it’s a dream on it. It’s like a Land Rover Defender; it’s an excellent off-roader and it is what it does best, but when it comes to on road comfort, it’s debatable.

Commentators said a major reason the Switch 2 wasn't announced in 2023 was that Nintendo didn't want to impact holiday sales volumes. I think the same thing applies in 2024 - The Switch 2 is announced and released in 2024 or in 2025, I don't think the announcement and release will cross the 2024 holiday period.

@Joyfultoad a platform holder also earns money from 3d party sales.

Sony Playstation has a more than double revenue compared to Nintendo. https://www.tweaktown.com/news/92260/big-3-earnings-compared-playstation-vs-xbox-nintendo/index.html#:~:text=Big%203%20net%20revenues%2C%20Fiscal%20Year%202023%20aligned&text=Revenues%20aren't%20everything%2C%20though,%243.6%20billion%20acquisition%20of%20Bungie).

Content creators and media have been going on about this for years, but I don’t think the average consumer sees the switch as old or behind. If the games are fun and the functionality is cool, people are interested.
Personally, I do find it disturbing to hear the fan running now…

@LEGEND_MARIOID a year ago, I would have sworn Switch 2 was launching this past November.

I’d really like to reiterate that the current software sales figures of Nintendo games are extraordinary. If you remember that Mario Galaxy, as a bestselling Wii game, sold 11,72 m copies. That’s a number easily surpassed by “lesser” games for Switch. And we’re comparing to Nintendo’s other ‘golden era’, the Wii!

Yes, at some point they’ll have to release the successor, and all their biggest games will surely be in preparation for that system. But software sales are unusually healthy for a console’s seventh year.

I think the risk of Nintendo waiting longer is their customers switching to PlayStation or Xbox to update their hardware to modern standards.

@larryisaman
yeah this is the kind of thing i was hoping for.
as you mentioned the transition to a new console doesnt have to be abrupt, for me im hoping that the next system is a "switch 2" with backwards compatibility (digital and physical) alongside them still releasing quite a few cross-gen games.

in terms of whether nintendo could go another year on the current switch i would say yes, nintendo would definitely still be fine, though like with the "switch pro" hopes it wasn't really a "nintendoomed" kind of thing, at least from what i gathered most people hoping for a successor are more hoping for the sake of more viable ports and improved performance rather than feeling like Nintendo would fail if one didn't come out.

TBH i would be more than fine if it ended up being a switch like device on par with ps4 and hopefully that more games include a "visuals" and "performance" mode

Wouldnt take much effort from nintendo to relax people and delay a switch 2 release. Give the consumers a bunch of popular snes,n64,gamecube games.. Get updated b&k from Microsoft, release som suprise dlc, remasteres etc.. then switch 2 is forgotten 🥴

I have a backlog of approx. 20 switch games (most are rpgs), at the rate I’m clearing them it will be another 5 years. So I’m in no rush for the next console. It would be nice to get a resolution upgrade and battery life boost from a new console. But unless the launch titles for the new console are amazing I’ll be holding off for a little while for a good deal or limited edition console.

• Sees the currently line-up; includes one original game, others are remasters or smaller games.
• Several studios are MIA; most notably Nintendo Tokyo. For six years now since the release of Odyssey.
• We have reports of of the Switch successor being shown behind closed doors at Gamescom 2023.

There are many signs out there that Its happening and coming in 2024. I suspect in February we will get the final Switch centric Direct.

Around March or April, when Nintendo closes out the financial year they will share a simple message; hi everyone, 2024 is going to be an amazing year, as we will announce and release the Switch successor. Details will be shared soon.

It's worth pointing out the Switch was the best selling console 2022. Now, if it sells 15 million this fiscal, sure, I doubt it will take 2023 (but it's not going to get hammered), but come on. 15 million is hardly volume that triggers anxiety. It absolutely has another year in the tank. Only someone that hates money would think otherwise. And who knows, if next holiday season they can hit 155 million units, then the marketing writes itself for any sort of successor. That would be the easiest transition ever.

I get the hardcore want a shiny new Nintendo toy. But they (we) aren't who Nintendo are aiming for. Despite how many achievments and trophies you have or how long you spend surfing Twitter. So, ears to the ground for Nintendo communication. If Mr Furukawa and Mr Bowser say they are being bullish again, then take off the foil hat because of what happened with the 3DS and accept it.

Honestly I could see them waiting until early 2025

I don't think so. This year is already light on brand new first party Switch games with Princess Peach Showtime being the only one that comes to mind. It's time for the successor.

@Ade117 Maybe they are lining up for the next holiday season (the most important period of the year.) I get folk think there must be new hardware last half, but what if we get MP4, OoT remake (rumour) F-Zero GX (rumour) Donkey Kong (rumour) etc etc. That would let the Switch go out in style (and probably pass the DS - like I said, the marketing writes itslf for the next system if they manage that!)

Like many consoles before, they can certainly announce and release a new system this year, but continue to support switch for another 2 years as it fades away.

@umegames I struggle seeing Nintendo doing that. With Twilght Princess, the Wii wasn't a generational leap from the Gamecube, technically. Switch a little less so, but BotW was honouring their original announcement. If they are supporting 2 consoles then it's at odds with their restructuring and their philosophy of making things unique (creating I mean, not re-releasing - Twilight Princess was flipped for example.). Unless they have a whole bunch of software lined up (and they pretty much did last Direct.) So basically, I have no idea as usual

@guardianoftime many nintendo gamers are nintendo gamers only they do not have a ps5 or xbox..

nintendo is not going a whole year basically selling remakes and remasters not happening they will pivot to switch 2 it is time many fans do the same reality has arrived..

@Henmii us is nintendo biggest market not japan even with massive japan sales.. the switch is down considerably from a year ago and that trend will continue with the current system..

I’d love a new system soon btw, but I’d like a strong 2024 switch year too. The only case I wouldn’t be happy with is several slow final years, like Nintendo have had in the past.

nintendo gaming revenue has been declining the last few years.. something has to change for them..

It's time for it. Feels like there's no major excitement left in current switch lineup.

I'm just gettin' gud at playing games I own now on Switch. I'd love another year without the distraction of new Super Switch games taking my attention!

@croz I feel ya on the RPGs! My next three are Xenoblade 3, P5 and SMTV! That's a lot of hours!

A Switch Successor? How else can Nintendo possibly burn the cat?

Nintendo could get another year out of the Switch, but I think a successor needs to happen or a lot of gamers will go to different platforms.

With as chaotic and disorganized hardware launches are with broken websites from incompetent retailers, predatory retailers locking hardware behind subscription services and unwanted bundles of crap shovelware and useless accessories, stock shortages, and online bots and scalpers scooping up everything available in a matter of seconds, I absolutely dread the next console launch. What used to be a fun time filled with anticipation is now a miserable experience filled with dread.

I still hope beyond hope after all these years that Nintendo, Sony, and the rest would finally learn from Apple how to conduct a hardware launch properly. Apple manages to sell tens of millions of high-end iPhones worldwide every single September without the interference of inept retailers and rapacious scalpers. Just go on the Apple website and place your order and get a delivery estimate based on first come first serve. No “out of stock, come back later” alerts. No item disappearing from your cart as soon as you go to check out. It just works, and usually pretty smoothly. You may have to wait as long as two months for it to arrive depending on when you order, but you can place the order at your leisure and know you’ll get your phone without having to play a bunch of games.

The video game console manufacturers just dump their supply into the market and let the free-for-all ensue. The only ones that benefit from their incompetence are the scalpers. Absolutely terrible and not looking forward to it at all.

i not sure if Nintendo would actually launch a new console this year, i will wait for the february/may shareholders meeting, if by the may shareholders meeting, theres no mention of Switch sucessor, i means Nintendo will launch the console in 2025/2026 or 2027/2028, hopefully is early fall(septembre/octobre), we can play the next 3D Mario/Metroid Prime 4.

@johnedwin
https://companiesmarketcap.com/nintendo/revenue/
This suggests that yes, revenue is declining, but it's still higher than the years 2011-2019

They COULD go another year without releasing a Switch 2 but they definitely shouldn't. Being stuck at 900p 30fps in games like BotW and TotK has gone on long enough. It's time to use better hardware and raise those frame rates for new games and for the old ones.

Over the past few years, I've bought 3 Switches (bought both incremental upgrades/revisions). All of them are still in good working order, and I put the two older ones into the hands of family members as I upgraded. It worked out pretty well for all parties involved. It would be pretty hard to justify another cycle of such trickle-down shenanigans for a successor, though, now that the economy has shifted in the ways that it has.

The Switch might be under-powered compared to some alternatives, but in some aspects I consider that a good thing. Forces developers to actually need to optimize things once in a while, if they want to tap into the massive Switch install base. Which in turn improves performance on other platforms.

Although the obvious drawbacks being sometimes they opt to just skip it entirely, or it "technically" works, at sub-30 frames per second at various times throughout the game, especially when playing in portable mode.

However, as long as fun exclusives keep launching on the current Switch, I'll keep buying them. I wouldn't be quick to rush in buying any theoretical successor, or the games for it, I'm spoiled for choice as it is. The Steam Deck currently fills in any gaps that the Switch has, and the two live in harmony in my suitcases and on my TV.

They "could" but they won't. Switch 2 is coming 2024, and here's why

Assume Switch 2 isn't releasing until 2025. If that were the case, what would we expect to have seen?

We'd have seen a final revision in 2023, which was 2 years after the 2021 OLED, that was 2 years after the 2019 Lite, that was 2 years after the 2017 launch. No way they'd go 2021 to 2025- FOUR FULL YEARS, without a revision to carry sales the tail end of the generation. If Switch 2 were coming 2025 we'd have seen one final revision in 2023.

No 2023 Switch Revision = Guaranteed, 100% Switch 2 2024 Release

I’m a huge Nintendo fan and only just bought a Switch in May 2023. I was waiting for a price cut that never happened. If they did do a price cut (and they really should at this point) then I could see the Switch surpassing that elusive 155m sales number.

@TrixieSparkle
The Steam Deck currently fills in any gaps that the Switch has

A person of fine taste and culture as well, I see

Switch OLED + Steamdeck OLED = the best combination of gaming systems I've ever owned. Straight up.

2 systems, and together they offer Switch exclusives, PS exclusives, Xbox exclusives, virtually all 3rd party games, with gyro aiming for the vast majority of games that benefit from it (there's the occasional Switch release that doesn't include it or Steam game that doesn't allow mouse to map to gyro correctly but those are rare exceptions), both offer portable play on OLED screens, can connect to TV for console play (bonus points for Switch tabletop mode with detachable controllers), and are easy to jump in and out of games with

I no longer use my PS5, XSX or beefy gaming PC. Not because they're bad systems, not by any means. It's just that Switch OLED + Deck OLED is so good, so flexible, that reverting back to tv-tethered feels dated and restrictive.

Switch OLED + Deck OLED together are truly the best combination of gaming consoles ever conceived.

Set up Prime Trilogy using Primehack with dual analog gyro aiming, and HD texture mods with HD text and menus, and it's exceptional. I'll buy Prime 2 Remastered if/when it releases on Switch 1/2 but until then, this is almost just as good. Also got Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines working on Deck with the unofficial patch installed, gyro aiming and all. Muah!

Back to Divinity Original Sin 2, Pillars of Eternity, Persona 5 Tactica, Mario RPG, Mario Wonder, Pikmin 4, Red Dead Redemption and Batman Arkham Asylum on Switch OLED, and on Deck OLED, Baldur's Gate 3, Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines, Metroid Prime 2, Pillars of Eternity 2, Hogwarts Legacy, Serious Sam 3...

It's just so good. I can't wait for Switch 2, it just sucks cause I know they're gonna regress back to LCD, only releasing an OLED revision several years after.

I don’t want a switch successor. Has anyone thought that Nintendo might actually be innovating at this point? Couldn’t we be waiting on something new entirely?

I think they should. Cutting edge graphics are no longer a priority for most people. The exception here is that some modern games are not being released on the Switch e.g. Baldurs Gate 3 etc.

My switch backlog is large enough and good enough to last another 2 years.

The longer we wait, the better (not just as in faster CPU/GPU) it is likely to be.

@JaxonH You have it nearly all covered chief! I have been living out of hand luggage for the past few years so no space currently for a Steamdeck.

I've just got a switch so I'll be holding off for a bit. However, that princess peach game looks like it'll end up on my list...

I would love to see a switch 2.0 that is exactly what we want, just a more powerful switch with backwards compatibility. I think Nintendo’s biggest mistake was holding the Wii U back maybe 2 years longer then it should have just bevause the Wii sales were still going strong. If the Wii U came out 2 years prior, it could been so different. I hope Nintendo doesn’t wait too long before releasing its next gen console. My steamdeck has quite a backlog after just over a year of having it, and I barely touch my switch now.

I don't want to sound like I'm in denial, but the success of the Nintendo Switch is unlike any other console we've seen before. The gimmick of the Nintendo Switch wasn't a fad that died out pretty quickly like the Wii.

It was a genuine marathon that all began after the industry tried countless times to develop a home console experience on the go. The Nintendo Switch did that, but much more. It was able to combine essentially every past gimmick (save for analog buttons and triggers), and that's why the console manages to bring fresh experiences despite its limitations.

I'm not expecting Nintendo to show off its successor anytime soon, because the success of the Switch isn't something that would spontaneously die out in less than a year. Not unless there was something truly rendering it obsolete, and the handheld gaming PCs have not yet accomplished that.

@JaxonH I’m going to add that I’ve recently started putting games like gow and spider man on my pc, but playing them through my steamdeck via WiFi. Works fine for single player. But I agree, steamdeck/switch is the best gaming combo since it was always pc/nintendo____ over the years. But my switch stole most of my gaming these past couple years, and now I can’t stop playing my steamdeck

I'm sticking with my thought that I'm having for months and that is that they reveal it Next Gen at February's Direct, but dunno what will be release date maybe early/mid November or early 2025!

I'm pretty satisfied at the moment and would rather not spend more money on another new console while my Switch seems to be doing just fine. I buy Nintendo systems for Nintendo games and far as I'm concerned they've done a fantastic job with the current hardware.

@MadJay1664
To be honest, no. Hybrid is for me Perfect. Of course, hope they dont stop innovate, but hybrid is gonna stay for awhile, so the innovation needs to come in other forms.

I think the next few years for the gaming industry will be very interesting, since there were so many layoffs. I think Xbox will slowly die, and Nintendo will release the Switch 2 with launch titles including a new 3D Mario, a new star fox game, and arms 2. Metroid prime 4 i think will be the switches swan song. GTA 6 will probably make a HUGE impact, and PlayStation will continue selling well. I think Nintendo could do without another console until 2025, but to play it safe it would be best to release it this year.

I'd say it's possible. Momentum is slowing down, but it is still fairly robust as of right now. But I guarantee you that, if they do release the successor this year, they'll likely end up supporting the Switch for at least a couple more years before pulling the plug. After all, they continued to support the 3DS for a few more years after the Switch launched.

And outside of Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony continued to support the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 well after the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launched, and they are still making games for the latter two systems (even though the new consoles are out on the market now).

Of course, who knows what will happen this year? But here's hoping for the best.

If anyone could do it, it's Nintendo. People will argue "but the PS5 and Xbox Series are here and Nintendo will continue to fall even further behind", but that didn't matter when it came to Switch. A bunch of these major 3rd party titles didn't come to Switch and the platform was/is still a massive success.

However, with that said, I still think Nintendo should release Switch 2 this year as long as the games are ready. Having a good launch lineup and launch window(like the Switch did) is paramount.

I stand by Nintendo whether they come up with a new system soon or not. I still have so much to play on the current Switch, and I'm sure my wallet will be hurting yet again this year.

@johnedwin even if a new switch will come out, it will never surpass the power of a PS5 let alone a potential PS5 pro version. Let Nintendo keep what they do best: create excellent software and first party games from their existing franchises without the need of a new hardware. Who cares what everyone is nagging about the week hardware, their games never lag or show any weaknesses, so what for.

For the last couple of years, it has been noticed that even a lot of newer indie games are starting to chug, performance-wise, on Switch. So, imagine say, Hades 2 comes out, but reviews say it's not great on Switch. And Hollow Knight: Silksong comes out, but reviews say it's not great on Switch. And so on. "Better on other platforms". We're getting close to that point. So no, it's not just people wanting 4K/8K/120fps or whatever. It's that we might be losing our Nindies...

No.

Switch sales are declining, and the decline is significant enough such that I think new hardware is needed in 2024 to reinvigorate Nintendo's business.

I have brought over 100 games for my Switch and I've still got at least 6 big games an a dozen digital only I want to catch up with an that does not include the likes of the upcoming Paper Mario.
I'm ready for Switch 2, but if we have to wait until next year I can totally live with that. Still feels like releasing it this year would be rushing things, even though it's not.

To be fair, im a bit scared for Nintendo to release their next console, if it has some silly gimmick attached to it, imagine the let down if they decide that the next Switch is gonna be a VR Switch.

As fun as that would be, VR isn't mainstream, Sony barely managed 6m VR headset sales on a PS4 install base of 100m, VR is a gimmick, no matter what anyone tries to pretend otherwise, if Nintendo makes a VR machine with no ability to play on TV, they'll do a Wii U again.

Who knows though, maybe Nintendo wont throw up a gimmick, god willing they do not.they haven't had a good track record though, Nintendo loves to lean into a gimmick for their machines.

DS with split screen
Wii with motion control
3ds with 3D
Wii U with a tablet
Now the Switch which switches from TV to handheld.

Some of these worked, some did not, its a mixed bag of success. Not worth the risk imo, especially as they no longer have a separate hand held division to offset potential loses.

@guardianoftime as cute as this opinion is, it's lacking any business sense, and Nintendo are a business first. Nintendo hardware sales are now globally behind Xbox, in fact global sales have fallen over 20% in 2023, don't get fooled by the Japanese sales charts, Japan is one region and as a market is smaller than both North America and Europe.

Nintendo need a new piece of hardware soon, if that hurts your pocket, then you need to suck it up buttercup, because it's life.

@MontyCircus I understand your point, but who says we’re getting a Switch 2 anyway, not something else entirely like history taught us. There was never a second generation of the same product at Nintendo. What they’ll do is enter a new generation if the Switch’s over, and that’ll be it.

I've been loving the Nintendo Switch since it came out, but it's clearly falling behind in terms of performance and it's only showing that more and more. When even games that are designed for the system are struggling (Pokémon coughcough), then it's a very obvious sign that it's time for some better hardware.

@johnedwin,

but Japan is Nintendo's own country and Nintendo always takes their country first when making their plans. But we'll see.

@Friendly Sony only gets 30% from 3rd party. That puts nintendo at least 2 billion over sony in net pay. Gross means nothing if you can't keep it.

There is no Switch 2 coming this year, simply because there is no true nextgen mobile SoC available from either NVidia nor AMD, that would really justify a new Switch console.
They are both still working on it.

The AMD SoC in the current Steam deck is quite old too by now and barely more powerful than the current Switch.

The latest AMD SoC's in ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Pro are literally a hot mess that drains battery life like no tomorrow. So not suited for the Switch 2 and hence, why Valve didn't put these in the new Steam deck OLED either.
Rumor has it that both NVidia and AMD might come with a new next-gen mobile SoC later this year or next year.

So we won't see a new Switch this year nor next year, since it always takes time for production to ramp up with new SoC's, plus Nintendo will need enough time to incorporate a new SoC and test it thoroughly.

I personally believe the 10 year life cycle is highly plausible at this point.

PS. Valve has also said that a possible Steam deck 2 is still 2 years away at this point, with them still waiting for a good enough next-gen SoC to justify a new generation handheld.

@Joyfultoad what are you talking about? This is net revenue…

@guardianoftime but it will be able to play third party ports that did not come to the switch like res evil 4 remake or a real version of res evil village elden ring maybe baldur's gate 3 tales of arise..

A Switch 2 that's fully backward compatible with the switch would be amazing. Maybe it puts out 4k/30 on TVs, I'd be ecstatic about that, realistically, I don't expect it (that way I'm not disappointed) and I'd still be happy with a 1440p output or something. I just want more graphical power and it would be nice if they upscaled older games like the XBone to XSX did.

@johnedwin agreed. Still, they won’t run as good as the next gen ps5/xbox. But it’s fine, it was always the case with Nintendo, it’s not supposed to run games like Sony or Microsoft’s, it’s supposed to make fun games like Mario and Zelda franchises; always been the case, always will be. The legendary Wii never came close to run games as well as the PS3, still it sold like hot cakes back in the day. Nintendo will invent a new console that will be unique in its design, have a very different controller and new games library. At Nintendo, graphics and raw power were never a priority; pure different gaming experience is. If they prioritized graphics over fun gaming experience, they would have lost against Sony (even Xbox is losing even though more powerful).
I learned that to have the full gaming experience, one should have a Nintendo Switch along with a PS5 or XboxX; you’ll have the best of both worlds.
Cheers

Nintendo Switch is an outdated console for 2024's standards. Even first party titles are struggling to run well on the hardware. It's definitely time for the successor.

I can see Nintendo announcing the console this year with a 2025 release date, so yea I think we have one more year before we get a successor. I'm fine with that because there are so many games in my back log to keep me satisfied until then

Announce Switch 2 Q3 2024, release Q1 2025. Release Switch Lite OLED and slash price of current models with Switch 2 announcement. Switch becomes best selling console of all time.

I suspect we’ll have an announcement in spring this year and the release next year. They probably have an Nvidia SOC, which they were rumored to have shown developers behind closed doors earlier, to keep them in the loop. It’ll be more efficient than the current AMD ones in the ROG Ally, Apple proves this is possible.They need to build up anticipation and offer a new experience, at least for Nintendo fans that might never get a PS5, let alone a Steam Deck. Their core market after all is kids & their price-conscious parents.

The Switch is just getting too old for even first party games and the penetration of 4k TVs has grown a lot. Yet, at the same time a rushed introduction, without showing the attractiveness of it, would be another Wii-U burn, which I’ll admit is a real danger if they just make an upgrade with more horsepower. People need to feel they can’t live without it, just better frame rates won’t cut it and it won’t catch up with the PS5 anyway.

So with all that, a reveal in the Spring and release either holiday season this year, or more likely next year, showing exciting games that can only be played on the Switch Ultra (tm). Perhaps including a better 3D headset adapter for new experiences that way. They’ve never been short of creative ideas, they just don’t always make a mainstream impact, so I’m hoping they do with this.

I just hope they don’t mess with the recipe. All I want is better/powerful hardware. I don’t need a new “thing”.

I think they'll announce it this year, but I chose the last option, since Nintendo can easily go another year with the Switch as its only console. There are so many great games already on it, with more to come. Just as the writer of the article noted, last year's game lineup was something of a middle generation lineup. Also, the Switch is still selling well, despite the soft decline its having, but most importantly, is selling record numbers of software, which is the sector where most earnings come from for Nintendo. So, in that sense, they don't need to release a new console in the short term future,

All the current gen cross-platform games either aren’t released on Switch or play terribly with horrifically degraded graphics.
There have been too many bad ports on this console. Go look at any Digital Foundry review of a Switch port https://youtu.be/oVPPOoTcr_E?si=FF32JPwYVKcom12I

The Switch is popular because of Nintendo exclusives but not everybody cares about those games. It sold well and they made loads of money but they could have made far more if it also played the games released on Xbox and PlayStation in a decent state as a lot of people can only afford to buy one console.

Switch now has the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and the Steam Deck OLED as competition and it’s clearly the worst of all three spec wise. Nintendo are coasting on their exclusive, mostly kid-focused titles. Even a review of the Steam Deck says it “Can barely handle the latest AAA releases”. Obviously it’s never going to compete graphically with the PS5 or the Xbox series but it needs a huge leap forward. Nintendo being Nintendo will probably do the bare minimum again. 32GB of memory is a joke. Steam Deck OLED has 512GB.

The fact there are people commenting on this thread that they have both a Steam Deck and a Switch speaks volumes.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves, where does the majority of the company's profits come from, from console hardware or game software?

Do you mean how it is compared to its competitors in game sales during the year?

Nintendo are in a much better position now than 6 years ago when they were desperate and even on the brink of collapse as a gaming Phenomena stagnating for over 5 years while rival Consoles were steaming ahead with the HD revolution. How the tables have turned with the Fantastic , Iconic thing that is the Switch '1': even more revolutionary than their Original Game Boy!

However, even though they're (deservedly) swimming in the Banknotes: We all know Nintendo's worst enemy is themselves - and a good dose of Complacency.

And I hate to say this, but some of our fellow Nintendo 'fans' need to take a good look at themselves - the one's that say ''I don't need an upgrade, I'm happy with the Switch as it is.'' Not a great attitude at all, very selfish if I may add as all they're doing is pandering to their tunneled interests and totally ignoring Nintendo is still a Business - now a Big HD Business: not their cuddly, Yoshi--shaped play putty to mold in their fingers anymore.

At the very least, We've edged 1 more year closer to a Switch successor, but the signs and rumblings all point to a System that will see Nintendo forcing in one of it's trademark innovations (I'm going by some sort of 3D(S) iteration. Others are just as valid in saying it will involve an integrated Camera.

But the loudest elephant in the 2024 room (so far) is the silence.

Software wise - after the Tear's honeymoon ended last Year Nintendo have left themselves a bit, (oh, yes there was Pikmin 4!) , how should I say, unexplained. In terms of Original IPs: they have a *lot of catching up to do: Kid Icarus, Donkey Kong (a 3D game please for once!) and even Astral Chain - all could do with new games!

Where *are the games?! There's a cryptic message on a Prime 4 survey fans might have received in a Nintendo newsletter - but that's it.

Aside from that, it's full steam ahead with the re-Makes.

A princess Peach game and the usual slew of Indie dev games is *very suspect given that next year, GOTY year awards are likely all going to bend and flock in their herds over gta6.

Despite Nintendo's healthy position, why rest on their laurels and take the sales hit gta6 will inevitably deal to them??

Also, the Switch could be known for the console of the re-makes, the Switch '2' could fare very well being Nintedo's console of the 'Port'. Since Visions of Mana's reveal, and the drop that a Nintendo system was strikingly omitted from their usual Multi-platform line-up - it seems to all be lining up that Furukawa and this whole 'transition' buzzword could model itself onto much better ports the Switch had (yes Wolfenstein may have been great at the time, but time has moved steadily on and We're on the Unreal 5 level of visuals now.)

So here's hoping Nintendo don't to go back to being Naivetendo again: one positive is that Furukawa is Business-minded so this short-term reveal to Release will only continue benefitting Nintendo.

But he of all people will know it's good to make and invest More while you're at the top, than to wait for a choppy period and dips and droughts in sales and then play 'catchup' from there.

PS: shoutout to ''Olliew'' - 100% agree and great Comment!

My predictions is a Switch 2 launch in November with Mario Odyssey 2. Metroid Prime 4 and Mario Kart within 6 months of launch. We'll see a shadow drop for Mario Galaxy 1+2 for Switch around Easter this year.

It could theoretically go as long as Nintendo wills it - almost seven years on, there's still nothing like Switch. Sony has bailed out for the visible future, Microsoft won't even bother trying, Steam Deck remains a handheld Linux PC with all the fine print that entails and with official distribution almost seeming to have borrowed the map from so-called "global" gacha releases. Every year brings at least a handful of remarkable first party releases and a truckload of third party entries blessed with [overdue] portability and sometimes even the features that devs seem to have a tough time remembering in competitor gamepads (press F for DualShock 4 and DualSense gyroscopes), with 2024 already padded with its own bunch of mouthwatering wishlist items and leaving little doubt for more to come - a console's late years do be like that, with the amassed userbase having turned multiple publisher heads mid-cycle and with the fruit of those neck muscle exercises taking time to come out. And my condolences to everyone who associates these new games solely with a grand parade of AAA Belly Scratching Simulator Groundhog Day Editions, but I can barely hear you guys over the sound of all the metroidvanias, roguelites, RPGs, strategies, platformers, survivals, puzzles, adventures, shooters and other kinds of journeys the hybrid queen keeps filling my backlog with.😏

The successor is definitely coming at some point, this and next year definitely summing up to form the most plausible release window by default. But in terms of sheer cans and coulds, Switch is a gift that keeps on giving, and every year there's someone getting old enough to be introduced to it, either a new shiny bundle or a passed-down legacy unit as the new shiny bundle in question goes to the latter unit's previous owner in the family. Market saturation is bound to slow the sales further down but never imaginably to a halt without something cooler and backward compatible on the block - not when one can reasonably expect its numbers to trickle onward for a fair while even otherwise.

Which incidentally means that Nintendo can afford to take their time with Gen 10, polish more potential rough spots before release (not a chance the fandom can dismiss as long as it keeps clamouring for more reliable controllers), spare the hypothetical PS5 Pro the humiliation of becoming "pastgen" out the gate... perks all around. Audiences bent on annual iPhone purchases need not apply and fresh releases whose visual aspect lives and dies by the fleeting wowsers that eat specs for breakfast can wait for next gen as well.

@Friendly Cool, then your source is incorrect.

@Joyfultoad sad reply, really. You’re not even providing a different source. Can’t do anything with that I’m afraid.

I have a huge catalog of switch games i need to play so I don't care if switch 2 releases this year or the next. I grew up playing on a gba, the graphics of a Nintendo switch are great in my eyes. I don't feel it's outdated the same way i felt the 3ds really needed to go