During Nintendo's recent Shareholder Q&A, president Shuntaro Furukawa explained how the Japanese company wanted to maintain Switch sales momentum over a prolonged period of time, when queried about the system potentially dropping off when it reached its peak, much like the Wii did.
We want the Nintendo Switch business to continue for as long as possible, and to this end, we will not only release a continuous stream of exciting titles but also work to enhance our digital content and network services like Nintendo Switch Online. By continuing to challenge the boundaries of what can be done with Nintendo Switch in different ways than the Wii, we hope to maintain sales over a long lifecycle.
Furukawa reinforced this, by touching on the lifetime hardware sales and continued software sales of previously released titles:
Nintendo Switch sales trended favorably in all regions during the previous term (the fiscal year ended March 2019), with hardware sales of 16.95 million units and software sales of 118.55 million copies, exceeding the results posted for the year ended March 2018. Last year saw the release of many new titles that proved to be big hits, including Super Mario Party in October, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee! in November, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in December. Combined with the continued sales of previously released titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Odyssey, these titles all contributed to steady hardware sales. In fact, the pace at which the Nintendo Switch installed base is growing is accelerating, and the business is proceeding soundly. With the planned software lineup we recently announced at E3 in the US, I believe the situation supports our expectation of further growth.
Do you think the Switch is here for the long haul? Tell us down in the comments.
[source nintendo.co.jp]
Comments 53
Breaking news. A company wants sales of one of their products to continue for as long as possible.
Well... Yeah, why wouldn't they?
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻, 𝗡𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆!
I really wish they'd keep the Switch hardware from here on out and just keep making more powerful iterations. The hardware is basically perfect for me. I would just like to see them continuing to innovate on software while letting us play their software anywhere: on the TV or out and about.
The Nintendo Switch is positioned very well for a long and healthy lifecycle.
BUT... Nintendo will need to keep up with technology to a degree.
We all know that Nintendo are not going to try and compete on a power level with either Sony or Microsoft but with the PS5 and X Box 2 on the horizon, the Switch will need to be upgraded. Just purely to be able to run more conversions. It has already shown in many cases that it can run good quality conversions from this generations meatier consoles. It will just need an upgrade to continue doing so in the next generation.
I would fully expect a Switch mini this autumn and a Switch 2 next Autumn or at least Xmas 2020.
Sony and Microsoft have pretty much got into a routine now of producing sequel consoles and that’s where Nintendo need to focus. We don’t need a new idea for some time now and as long as the Switch progresses and updates to enough power it can be healthy and profitable for the next ten years.
Just stay with portable hardware Nintendo
Switch is just perfect for video games. Long may it live
I will buy into the Switch brand for as long as they support it. Gaming has never been so easy to pick up and play anywhere.
This is good news for people like me, who don't want to shell out money for a new console when I am perfectly happy with my current one. This kind of reinforces the idea of multiple skus though. I guess I don't mind if the console will have a long life like the Nintendo 3DS.
Next gen Switch (the true next gen, not a "Pro" model) will hopefully be fully backwards compatible and use the same style of cart, so that older Switch games will work with next gen.
Fair enough. But things need updating. The PlayStation has been going for years and the only slight change you would notice is the number change after the word Platstation. Oh and some tinkering with the insides.
Whereas Nintendo seems to give birth to new looking consoles then kills them off and renames the new ones.
Good idea to keep the name Switch, but update it regularly. And make sure it can Switch otherwise it won't live up to its name
These quotes feed a revision rumor way more than some rando accessory mockups. For Nintendo to do what they want with Switch they would have to either upgrade it or start paying for games (custom and ports) as well as increasing their already substantial first and second party (publishing and paying for sequels like bayo 3) output. I suspect it will be easier to make an upgraded system. I’m still awaiting confirmation as I don’t think it will happen when people expect. If at all. I still hope for an iterative next gen version rather than a step up though. Switch 2.
I freaking love the Switch. It has utterly dominated my gaming since launch. I hope Nintendo makes the Switch into a full line, like the Game Boy and DS before it. Maintaining features and backwards compatibility while releasing improved models from time to time.
I don't think I'd easily be able to go back to having my primary gaming device chained to a TV.
This all sounds a bit obvious. A Pro and Mini revision with well timed price drops will ensure sales keep strong going forwards...
How about updating the OS and the Online then? It’s laughable at this point.
To be honest I don't care that much about graphical prowess. Although I own a Ps4 I mainly play quite low profile games on it (reason being that I find most AAA games on it quite superficial). Gameplay is where it's at, so long may the Switch continue.
Switch Mini, Switch Pro.
The Wii lasted 13 years now and even that still had new games coming. Hopefully the Switch can outlast it with new games coming and going.
Let’s go, Ultimate, Odyssey, Mario Party, and Mariokart 8 deluxe were all big hits on the switch. Not BOTW, though. That was a Wii U title.
As the Switch has proper games, people know what it is a home/portable console unlike when People couldn't tell what the Wii U was and it's gotten good third parties since the Wii U era
Overall it's a great system so it will have a long life, only improvements it needs is a better battery and keep the games coming
Bad news everybody. Now that Mario maker and Pokemon will be on switch it's time to announce switch U which will be a vr helmet that we foresee being around the next 10,000 years.
Love the Switch, I play it all the time. I had Wii before, but that is about it for Nintendo consoles ownership history for me. I played the more powerful consoles like PS4 (and PSs before it). I had PSP and Vita, but was really disappointed in Vita support. I love how Switch has 3rd party support. Love having the ability to play Skyrim, Little Nightmares, and Diablo on the go. I cannot wait for Witcher 3. Yes, I love Mario Odyssey and other exclusives, but really hope that 3rd party support continues. Would love to see some Rockstar support here (not just LA Noire). Bring GTA5 and other Rockstar classics over, bring Borderlands games, and NHL (from EA, even if it is inferior) and I will be super happy.
In addition to brand new games, these games need to be ported over (my wishlist):
GTA 5
Any Rockstar game (San Andreas, Bully, original RDR, etc.)
NHL (will settle for inferior version)
Madden
Borderlands (all of them)
Life is Strange series
Arkham Knight Batman games (not the Vita one)
Bioshock games
Mass Effect Trilogy
Metal Gear Solid games (at least the first 3).
I am thrilled and happy to read that Nintendo is going keep the Switch for a long term. Way to go Nintendo! Because usually a systems life cycle is roughly five or six years but if the president is stating that they're going to support the Switch for many years I'm really happy about that. Thanks Nintendo!
Switch Mini confirmed. So is Switch Pro. So are Switch Micro, Switch SP and New Switch XL.
Maintain the flow of good games, and console sales will continue to take care of themselves
@jarvismp A Switch 2 in 2020 would be premature. A Switch Pro in 2020 however would make great business sense. I wouldn't expect a Switch 2 until at least 2022/23
All Nintendo has to do is continue to court indie developers and allow them to shine on the Switch, expend the content and features of Nintendo Switch online adding much requested features like SNES, N64 and Gamecube catalogue access and better connectivity between users and it needs to continue releasing the magical software its known for throughout each year of the Switch's life and at regular intervals.
I would die for a HD remake of Eternal Darkness!
@RedderRugfish Honestly, I could picture it. Even with TV support, it remains technically an handheld at it's heart in form.
And honestly... I'm okay with that. It can last a while even in the current form, with nothing more than tweaks-grade iterations(perhaps newer generation joycons that are more durable/etc and/or a version with better battery life).
In fact, just "better joycons" might literally solves the one issue that would make even a Switch Mini perhaps even unneeded at this rate since the propensity of joycons to "drift" after a while is the only weakness that lead a lot of people to avoid playing in handheld mode I would say.
Honestly the genius move Nintendo made was not creating "a powerful home console you can carry with you" because, honestly, it's not.
It was making "a powerful handheld console you can seamlessly plug into your TV from the get go".
Honestly that was the only thing I'd say the DS and 3DS generation lacked.
TV support, and a seamless way to perform it and the Switch has been exactly that thus far.
The fact experiences like Mario Makers' control benefitting more from a stylus in handheld mode for creating levels than using a controller on TV mode shows they're not forgetting the handheld aspects. Double more so with releases like not only Pokemon but also Link's Awakening, itself absurdly beautiful remake of what was primarily a handheld release at the time.
I wouldn't even be suprised if Awakening was to be followed by remakes of the other, handheld, Oracles releases of the GBC day that were born of the original Awakening lineage.
People who act like Switch revisions are either fantasy or a bad idea are just deluding themselves. These revisions are how you keep a system relevant long enough, evolving long enough to give it a long lifecycle. I’m surprised when I see people still comparing switch to PlayStation and Xbox since those two are moving yet again to even more powerful hardware. Switch is in its own class, give me classics and good games for playing on the go and I’ll keep buying. Also I’m a customer who’s willing to pay to have a smaller switch, one that’s actually pocketable would be nice.
@jarvismp switch 2 wouldnt be out till 2024 at least.
@Dman10 If Borderlands did end up releasing on the Switch it would be a day one purchase for me, it wouldn't even need to be Borderlands 3 I'd be more than happy double-dipping for a Switch port of The Handsome Collection. Getting the Mass Effect Trilogy on Switch would be great too but GTAV would be a pass, I never even bothered finishing it on PS4 I think it's a bit overrated. Though if a HD remake of Vice City was ever released I'd be very pleased!
The Switch is Nintendo’s iPad. It’ll be a family of devices, traditional consoles are morphing. The “mini” Switch will be the iPod touch/iPad mini device, the vanilla and Pro models; then a TV only version with external storage and a central nerve center for all your data.
@Xelha 7-10 years. They literally said this before. Nintendo wants the Nintendo Switch to have a lifespan of about 7-10 years, rather than the traditional 5-6.
@jarvismp lol 1 word regarding catching up on tech: bloodstained.
@RedderRugfish that would be fantastic. It would make the decision to purchase one at the 3-5 year mark so much easier. With consoles dropping off so quickly before a full blown revision, it's either buy the unit day one and hope for the best, or don't buy it at all. If you come in and state "we're hoping to go many more years then the Wii." Then you got something.
@mgnoodle You have to remember though..to make that statement "N" is making, that makes is easier to purchase one 3-4 years into the life cycle. Why buy one at year 4 if it's going to run a 5 year cycle? If they stretch this out like the DS line, then they got something good.
That's good and all, it'll win the 8th generation against PS4, but they better come up with its successor pretty soon, because the 9th generation PS5 and Scarlet are coming next year!!
@Dman10 Would love to see some classic MGS on the system. Hopefully Konami realizes the potential of their back catalogue after the Contra and Castlevania Collections. I was slightly disappointed with MGS5. It made me want to revisit the more linear games in the series.
Keep it rollin. All I play is Switch nowadays. I’d like to keep it that way as long as possible...
@JaxonH
Same, I have higher end hardware too I have a PC with a 1080Ti and I’ve had different PS4’s and X1’s but the switch is my main console it’s just the right mix of fun games and classics. Keep it coming Nintendo.
@Dilated
Same, for the most part. X1X, PS4pro, PC... and more. And they’re fine. Great games and all- there’s nothing inherently wrong with them, but they just don’t suit my needs anymore in a post-Switch World.
I still play the occasional game on other systems, if it’s something I’m really passionate about, but aside from that... it’s aIl Switch. I think Monster Hunter World expansion will be the only non-Switch game I play this year. And even that’s under threat of Astral Chain, Dragon Quest XI, Zelda Link’s Awakening, Daemon X Machina and all the other games releasing in that same month.
Then we're on the same page, because I don't want to have to buy new controllers and the same games again with the a new generation.
As long as they keep Switch up to date with hardware refreshes, then I'm happy for the ecosystem to stay the same.
They low balled it a bit too much for the system to live too long I think. It’s predecessor coming off the Switch’s success could theoretically afford to be more future proof. Just my two cents of course.
This is to no one's surprise. I fully expect a cheaper Switch-mini by this, or the next year's, holiday season. This should be enough to get in more casual people, kids, and 3DS holdouts.
Then, ideally, they can head off or respond to the next gen with a Switch Pro for core gamers. It would be enough to get more games at a consistent 60/720p on portable and 60/1080p TV to make me happy.
@jarvismp Do you propose staying at 720p handheld 1080p docked with stronger hardware allowing the games ported to switch to look close to the ps5/project scorpio versions with majority ideally being 60fps?
Personally Nintendo should certainly stick with hybrid system. Mobile gaming will only continue to grow. Being able to play Nintendo games and Sega classics on the go and on the big tv is a win win situation:)
@Giygas_95
I totally agree.
@Xelha They announced that information February of last year. Here's a reddit post talking about if you're curious: https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/7wub5p/nintendo_switch_is_supposed_to_last_7_10_years/
@RiasGremory Sounds very realistic.
@Giygas_95 Agree but they need 2 "take a look" at the Joycons which are notoriously "average"...at least it's still got touchscreen 2 fall back on cos I can hardly afford 2 change em...
@Sim1 Yeah I mean keep improving the power, ergonomics, and robustness of the hardware, but keep the concept the same.
We're doomed.
The next one will be the last significant year in the Switch's life.
I love playing my AAA games on the go as the next guy but those are rare right now.
When the PS5 and the Xbox Whatever gets released next year, the Switch won't have ports anymore. And seeing Nintendo's approach to retro, we're still gonna be at SNES games instead of Gamecube.
So, unless you wanna play free mobile ports on a 300 dollar console, you'll be out of new games and exciting retro games, too.
Only Nintendo exclusives will stay and as always, they may be the best software developers in the world but that still won't be enough to win the console war - it has never been.
This will be perfectly fine for Nintendo enthusiasts but for any gamer out there who thought Nintendo finally made the ultimate console, it will be a sore disappointment.
I hope that any future switch’s are 100% backwards compatible so you could get the newnintendoswitch2.0 that’s upgraded in every way you’d expect, but still plays those launch switch games. iPads/steam have this right. Nintendo needs to follow suit. I can still play half-life on my pc that I bought I don’t know how many PCS ago.
Tap here to load 53 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...