Topic: The Nintendo Switch Rumor and Speculation Thread

Japanese outlet Nikkei is reporting the delay to early 2025 was in part due to hardware stocking concerns. It also says a further delay of hardware isn’t impossible. Combined with Eurogamer’s source saying the delay was also done to make sure the software lineup was stronger, it seems like Nintendo wasn’t even close to prepared for a full launch in 2024:
https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-switch-2-currently-targeti...

@NarwhalKing Wait so a further delay beyond March? That’s not a good sign if it comes out say holiday 2025.

@FragRed it’s a possibility but it’s not a guarantee. It comes down to how much more time Nintendo needs for hardware production and software development, which clearly they need more as is.

@NarwhalKing Yeah that’s what I figured. It seems to be going by earlier rumours that it’s the software side that’s the bigger issue for Nintendo. Maybe the jump in hardware power has caused bigger headaches than they anticipated.

@FragRed modern game development no matter team size and budget has taken more time then past generations, and the difference in time needed to make a triple A game is getting worse year by year. I’m not shocked that this affecting Nintendo as well, and they would rather delay then launch glitch-filled (unless it’s Pokemon 😅)

@FragRed Could be that the lineup was going to be similar to PS5/Series X|S where almost everything 1st party is crossgen (Switch 2 only games would take longer to make) but something changed their minds such that all the Switch 1 games will release as Switch 1 only games before Switch 2 launches.

I'll just leave this here.

@Haruki_NLI Oh yeah? Well that will look a whole lot different when Nintendo announces the Nintendo Unannounced as their new platform.

@NarwhalKing Yeah that’s partly what caused so many problems with the Wii U. They weren’t prepared for the jump not just to HD but to PS3 power. So this time they are clearly waiting to avoid that happening again.
@Grumblevolcano That’s a good point. Perhaps they’re concerned about how to market the idea of new hardware when almost everything at launch is cross generational instead of exclusive to the new system.

@Haruki_NLI He forgot to mention that Nintendo haven't challenged the wide reporting, despite the impact on their share price

Well in terms of software, I can think of the teams as to who’s working on something for the next console:
3D Mario Team: 3D Mario has to be close to done at this point
Mario Kart: Another team that’s probably been working on the next title even with the DLC and Tour support
Zelda: We’re definitely not getting a new 3D title for another 5 to 7 years from them, maybe a 2D in less time if we’re lucky or they outsource it.
Animal Crossing/Splatoon team (I believe they’re the same team for both IPs): Splatoon 3 is wrapping up after the DLC launch and I’d say it’s been enough time since the last Animal Crossing if they reuse the HD assets to turn out another one within the first year or two
Hal Labs: Definitely have had enough time to get a lot of work done on the next Kirby
Intelligent Systems: Paper Mario, and Fire Emblem shouldn’t take as much time
Retro Studios: I have no idea how to gage how close to completion Prime 4 is, it could be within the first year or we might be waiting even longer because this game has seemed particularly troubled in development. Also no clue what they’ll do after Prime 4
Next Level Games: It’s been probably enough time since Strikers Battle League for their next title
Good Feel: They haven’t made a Nintendo title since Yoshi, they’ve gotta have something in the pipeline.
MonolithSoft: Famous for meeting and exceeding development timelines. They’ve definitely got another Xeno game within the next 2 years probably.
As for other software teams, Nintendo outsources/contracts to Bandai Namco, Platinum, etc so probably some stuff from them. Also I am not a game developer so take everything I’m saying with the understanding I’m probably way off about time estimates.

@NarwhalKing regarding Zelda, lots of people think Windwaker and Twilight Princess are coming to the Switch, but if it was my decision, I would do full on graphical remasters, throw in the rumoured DLSS support and make the two most visually impressive Zelda games ever. Make one a launch title and release the second 2 or 3 years later.

@MarioBrickLayer Please don't become a CEO. You are cynical enough to be one! (/s)

@MarioBrickLayer if we weren’t in a situation where Nintendo is going to need to fill a release schedule, perhaps. But those ports are going to fill the spots they had originally had for the initial plans for the year, when they had you know, a whole new console scheduled for release.

@GrailUK I have never.played Twilight Princess so a remaster that tops what they did with Metroid Prime sounds great to me!!!! Plus this would be an easy way to have a launch window Zelda game whilst also showong off the power of the Switch 2.

@NarwhalKing you might be right, but support for the switch wasn't going to end when the Switch 2 launched so I think theyifht try and bring forward some switch 1 2025 games.

@NarwhalKing I can see one of the two Zelda games releasing this year but not both. To me, Wind Waker is the one Nintendo will release. It’s cel shaded and thanks to the Wii U HD remaster, all the work graphically has been done. Just need to reconfigure it for a normal controller.

Twilight Princess could do with a graphical overhaul at the very least, something akin to Prime Remastered so that could be a cross generational title they can release next year.

@FragRed I think they’d do double pack because Nintendo’s ports/remasters/remakes for Switch have mostly been collections (e.g. Another Code, Advance Wars, Pikmin) or have additional content (e.g. Mario vs. DK, Xenoblade, MK8) and Wind Waker HD is a Nintendo Select.

Double pack feels a more likely way of adding extra content than something like restoring cut dungeons.

I’m honestly heavily skeptical about the 2025-delayed-NS2 rumors
I don’t think a company like Nintendo would randomly delay their huge massive upcoming console in the span of a week suddenly without warning, that just feels so out of character for a business to do
If there was murmurings like a month ago before this confirmation blowout, then sure, but like w weeks ago leakers were literally 101% confident in a March reveal and the next week now they suddenly aren’t.

Perhaps this is some sort of bait for the leakers or something? I’m pretty sure companies have made bait before.

This is all fishy as far as you mentioned. They talk about Scalpers. This always happen who do they think they are fooling here. All they do is a register of one limit account for NSO or family account to blocker preorder Scalpers. But then again plain Joe could by one and Scalpers sell it-whom are they fooling here. It's not even presented and it's delayed no that doesn't added up. All this sounds like misinformation to find leaks or whom might leak the hardware and pictures of it. The Switch 2 is most likely in production already.