Nintendo Switch
Image: Nintendo

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has once again stated his belief that the Switch is only half-way through its life cycle, and that Nintendo plans to give the console additional momentum in 2021 and beyond with a series of new game releases. This isn't the first time the big man has made such a comment, as you'll no doubt recall.

Furukawa made the declaration at Nintendo's Corporate Management Policy Briefing for this financial year, during which it was also stated that the company intends to stick with the integrated hardware-software approach which has served it so well for decades.

Nintendo has traditionally used hardware refreshes to boost sales; the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, DS and 3DS all received revised hardware updates during their lifespans, and Switch has already seen one additional SKU in the form of the Switch Lite. It is rumoured that an upgraded Switch model is in development for release at some point next year.

Nintendo is clearly playing the long game with Switch, then, and it's encouraging to note that demand for the hybrid console isn't showing any signs of slowing down, irrespective of whether or not a 'Switch Pro' is on the way.

61.44 million systems have been sold worldwide as of June 30th, 2020, and Nintendo has reportedly boosted production to meet demand this year – demand which, according to Katsuhiko Hayashi of industry tracker Famitsu Group, is yet to be satisfied:

Our data suggest the Switch hasn’t fulfilled demand yet. Switch sales are likely to gain further momentum at the year-end.

[source bloombergquint.com]