Time Between Switch's Announcement And Launch Was A "Special Case", Says Nintendo

My totally tin-foil-hat theory is that they held off on the next generation announcement so they could double dip TotK.

@Munchlax sprays you with water?

Looking forward to Ruby and Sapphire remakes.

"what kind of fun proposal we can make which can possibly provide new and unique entertainment".

If they don't go with Switch 2 then it really will be a step backwards even if their new system is unique.

After reading this - I believe the Switch will be treated as Nintendo's pure handheld and they will come out with a separate, more powerful console as a dedicated television unit.

I believe they still want two separate units - the failure of the Wii U predicated a different, temporary tactic. They will not release a Switch 2. They did that already and it's sales were shockingly poor.

Of course the Switch was a special case, the Wii U was a disaster and something had to be done.

Imagine that you own a video game store.
Imagine you just bought 100 Nintendo Switches to sell for Christmas..
Then imagine you've just heard the announcement of the new Nintendo console...

Surprisingly announcing a console seems to me the perfect move to antagonize video game stores.

They should experiment with the next launch by shadow dropping it right at the end of the reveal. It would be a crazy thing to do but I bet it would be a marketing success.

@Cesco That's not how inventory usually works.

For some reason this article doesn’t mention when the Switch was announced compared to when it was released so here it is:

Nintendo announced new hardware with the codename NX on March 17, 2015. It was hardly mentioned again until April 2016 during an investors meeting. During that meeting they also announced NX would be released in March 2017. NX was not known as the Switch until October 20, 2016 when it was officially unveiled. Switch was finally released on March 3, 2017.

So I’m certainly no industry expert but I think this means the Switch’s successor is a hell of a lot closer than most people would believe. They won’t be talking about it for a whole two years prior to release this time since the Switch is so successful. I think it’s safe to assume they’ll release the Switch successor within six months of its announcement and it is probably coming next year. Here’s to hoping!

@OorWullie Good luck getting people to drop $300+ without warning. Would be very exciting though!

@Aawill91 thanks for the context. I would guess a Feb-March 2024 announcement and a Summer release to give manufacturing time to wind up for Fall 2024. Or wait until 2025. But then again, maybe they are saying they plan to release later this year. Who knows.

@OorWullie
There would be NO way to keep that a secret.

"It's a secret to everyone."

@Cashews how many times has it been mentioned how easy it's been to have one system to develop games for rather than two, as has been the case prior?

@VoodooTrumpet mentioned by whom? Who cares? If you want to be a dynamic company you change tactics according to market conditions.

Thinking Nintendo is going to be upfront with some gaming blog or vlogger or some other nobody rather than their shareholders is dumb. Words are marketing strategy - nothing more.

If we have to have a 'fun' new experience,then I'm I'm hoping it's a more powerful version of everything we already have with switch, with some form of vr headset to optionally dock with. If it's not backwards compatible, I think I might look elsewhere

@BigE rather than BC I'd like it if they went the DS/3DS route. Have a slot built in for switch games - but make a more powerful slot for more powerful data/games. which i guess is BC.

@dazzleshell I don't know, I think they might have a winning formula in (Nintendo + Simple Verb Starting with S). Nintendo Slide, Nintendo Snap, Nintendo Spin, Nintendo Swipe, Nintendo Shake, Nintendo Split. And future lifestyle devices Nintendo Sleep, Nintendo Scan, Nintendo Save, Nintendo Speak, Nintendo Sing, Nintendo Shine.

@Cashews Out of curiosity, which would you consider to be the Switch 2? The OLED Switch is still a Switch 1 - a 1.1 if anything. It still uses all of the same hardware specs, just with a better screen/speakers/kickstand - which for a lot of people I know is not a worthy upgrade.

But for all intents - it's still a Switch. A Switch 2 would have more computing power or something that actually makes a substantial change, like the New 3DS did (although that was a flop, as far as any games that really used the extra power.)

Calling a Switch 2 a sales failure seems... disingenuous since there's not really a Switch 2 out there. Just a shinier Switch 1...

This seems like such a non-story but I suppose it was needed to fill NL's quota of 1 out of every 5 articles today needs to not be about TotK.😂

@stiligFox I don't think there is a Switch 2. I was saying that, after this statement, I don't think there will be a Switch 2. I believe they will continue to support the switch - but make a completely new console to sell and develop beside it. Something to compete with Sony's recent increase in sales.

@Cesco
With that logic Nintendo should never release a new console. Game stores are always gonna have switch stock left over when the new console is revealed. Just like they had extra PS4’s when the PS5 was revealed.

I just pray it's backwards compatible and portable. Anything else would be a massive step back. I've built up a huge switch library and I don't want it to rot as switch support shuts down in the coming decade. Much like my PS3 collection is now...

@Aeula I have a huge DS library. I can play my huge DS library any second of the day. It is solely my choice to let it rot or not.

You bought games today to presumably play today - it is no guarantee of being futureproof. You bought a bunch of games for the PS3 which you don't play. That sure was dumb wasn't it?

2cents

It better be a way shorter gap this time. Nintendo officially confirming the next platform with a codename or something similar and taking two more years will be brutal when the Switch is over 6 years old.
The longest I want to wait for the next system to launch is March 2025. And even then, I really want it out November 2024 or before.

@OorWullie That was a disaster for the Sega Saturn

They really are ignoring the Wii U lol! Still, that's behind them. Anyone seen the Japanese sales charts this week?

@Cesco
An actually valid point. Remember the Sega Saturn's suprise early launch in America and how Kay-Bee Toys in particular were so ticked off that they outright refused to stock SEGA items in protest.

I have a funny suspicious Nintendo have quietly changed tact, at this late stage in switch's lifespan. Look at the games being released now, Metroid dread, Prime remastered, Tears of the kingdom and Pikmin 4. They're all games firmly aimed at core gamers.

They have the casual market cornered, now they are going after gamers like me. On playstation, nothing really happening, I'll buy a switch.

I recently got my first switch. I'm really liking Metroid dread.

@tinCAT-0 Metroid Dread is like 1.5 years old now.. But other than you're probably right, they'll save their most mainstream franchise(s?) (MARIO!) for the Switch successor.

Nintendo is definitely developing a new machine after Switch.
That's their top secret ingredients for mega sales.

The emphasis on "next gen platform" fills me with hope that they will move away from the hybrid model and actually release a decent home console next time.
The ideal scenario would be a separate handheld that is also backwards compatible with switch whilst also releasing games that can utilise modern tech on a better system.

@shgamer
Odyssey 2 - I think will be on switch 2

@Chaotic_Neutral Something tells me they won't. Switch and Wii proved they can sell hardware en masse without needing to compete in specs, GameCube's failure scared them off, plus they already consolidated their handheld and console divisions into one workflow.

Don't hold your breath is what I'm saying. :V

Just don’t call it The New Switch. Terrible SEO. Try searching for accessories for your New 3DS and your search results are full of new accessories for any 3DS.

@PoeTheLizard I doubt they could get a "next-gen system" to run while keeping the mobile form factor, unless Nintendo count PS4 as next gen which will cement exactly how far behind they have become 🤣.
The steam Deck is sold at a loss as Valve get their money from the software sold, whereas Nintendo refuse to take that approach so any handheld console would still fall behind that in performance. At that point the big question would be who is it aimed at and what is the point in a new console when the Switch is still selling.

I wouldn't be surprised if they continue support for the switch with that taking over the handheld market and a new home console that works alongside it with some connection gimmick between the two. Maybe the Switch could act as a second screen like the Wii-U pad did. It's Nintendo they like to innovate with each system rather than build on what came before.

@Cashews I hope that's how they do it. As currently the cards are too expensive to produce

A duel screen switch that slides up a top screen when not connected to a TV, basically a merger of the switch and the WiiU. It's the only way to leverage their huge 3ds library.

@Krytture or it stay down and play single screen games, or be docked to a TV and play play single screen games

@Chaotic_Neutral The only thing that "next generation platform" means is that it's a new platform succeeding the old one. It doesn't mean anything in regards to hardware format.

A Switch 2 would be a "next generation platform" by definition.

@Cashews @Chaotic_Neutral I doubt it. Nintendo's home consoles always do poorly with the exception of the Wii, while their portables are very successful. Not including a handheld component is like setting themselves up for failure at this point. The 3DS and Wii U both took the gimmicks of the DS and Wii and then added another (albeit much less successful) gimmick, they could do the same with the Switch successor.

@OorWullie That would be interesting, but this story sounds…vaguely familiar…like something a beloved Japanese gaming publisher that used to make video game hardware tried once and it backfired immensely…

@FishyS Your comment made me curious and I got the calculator out. A switch is sold every other second. This is an insane number after 6 years.

Besides Zelda I'm not excited for anything coming in the near future. Unless they reveal a bunch of good games this summer, my Switch will start collecting dust. Maybe they are saving titles for the new console ?

Essentially Nintendo are saying don't expect a 2 year gap between initial development and actual release. Of course, the official details about the Switch were revealed only 6 months prior, so it was a quick process in that sense. Presuming they go with a Switch 2, I'd expect a similar quick flip. Early announcements simply halt sales of the existing hardware and Nintendo won't want that. They would want Switch to go into next year at the minimum.

I feel like the change from a Switch Pro to just an OLED model due to COVID changed their time-table as well. They will not want to put off new Switch owners during the holiday season; especially with Tears of the Kingdom now available. I see a January announcement trailer with a release in Spring of 2024; roughly one year from now. This will allow the Nintendo zealots (like most of us here) to get their launch systems while building up hardware stock and software releases for Holiday 2024. I also think we will see a new Mario launch with the new system and then Metroid Prime 4 for Fall of the same year. Possibly even a DK game. I think it would be cool if they push the Labo VR concept further with a dedicated headset that the Switch 2 could dock into. That way they could future proof it as I don't believe VR is going anywhere.

@WhiteTrashGuy There was never a Switch Pro. That and the red box version before it were false attributions. Don't believe internet rumours or generally anything on the internet without confirmation from an official source. Sadly we still have media referencing a Pro concept possibility because they were so humiliated about falling for and pushing the rumours.

@HalBailman
No, I do believe a marginally better chipset was in place to go along with the new OLED screen. This would explain the higher resolution footage from Tears of the Kingdom that was shown during the OLED reveal trailer. However, after the surge of Switch sales (thanks Animal Crossing!) and chip shortages brought on by the pandemic, Nintendo decided to curb production costs and still release a model with better speakers and a screen, but forego the faster chip and increased RAM.

@WhiteTrashGuy Belief is always personal, I look at reality. The red box update was the main false attribution because, for some reason, the entire media thought a mid cycle Pro option was standard procedure. OLED was more wild speculation. The timing was just too late. Compare PS4 Pro and XB equivalent, and also their role was specific to take advantage of 4K and HDR that arrived in the cycle. I never accepted the Pro concept of an expensive, advanced, premium model mid cycle was suddenly a new industry standard. It was peculiar to that era.

Where you could be right is Nintendo might have been considering a Switch successor at one point, likely to be released this year with new Zelda. Then aborted the idea because Switch keeps selling and there's nothing better than Nintendo like doing is drip feeding us new iterations. They're scoundrels!

They will probably announce the next console in May 2024 to align with investor meeting so stock does not plummet from poor Switch sales by the time/end of financial year. Then, release it in November to catch the holiday wave.
Don't know if they will be able to keep up with production though.

Look at TotK and imagine (if there is a sequel ot Odyssey) how amazing it's going to be with a similar devolpment time!

My wallet is wide open and money is ready and waiting for Nintendo.. I hope they’re ploughing through development of killer titles we really need a high quality flurry of steady releases we can’t have game drought

@Spider-Kev

I saw your image, and I have to say, Ben Riley was my favorite "spiderman."

The Scarlet Spider was awesome. Great costume!

@Kiwi_Unlimited
Thanks. And just want to point out... It is "Reilly" two "Ls"

@DwaynesGames
Yeah something like the "super switch" would at least give people a better idea of what it is than "new Nintendo switch"

The switch....but super is what im really hoping for with a next system since i feel the concept of the switch is pretty much perfect, so something which refines that concept would be awesome for me.

Word. I just hope it really is a Switch 2 and it is backwards compatible! Some of the rumors about a non-Invidia chipset have me worried. I have too much invested (420+ games)!!!

@Spider-Kev

Thank you!

I was spelling Reilly this way for ages, but never seemed to see it spelled that way, and I couldn't figure out why I always did.

I finally stopped using that spelling maybe a year ago, but now I totally get where I got it from.

I think the last time I saw his name was the mid 90s.

Anyways, thanks for letting me know!

@Cashews when did that do that already.... and if your refering to the WiiU thats not a Wii2 which if they named it that would have sold more.. the Name WiiU had non diehard wii users thinking it was a addon instead of a whole new system... Hell i remember tell my family i got a WiiU and they were like we dont need a new Wii ours still works.... i had to explain it was a whole different system.... the name on the WiiU did more to hurt it then anything else.... alot of people didnt know it was a whole completely new system...

@BlueBeemer You need to be really skeptical about comments made by Microsoft which make them look weak given they're trying to acquire Activision.

@Cesco That would be thrilling news for the game store. They could actually increase their price, and people would still rush to buy it before the console is “phased out” for the new one.

@Almighty-Koz I didn’t own a Wii, and knew it was a new system when the Wii U was released. I’m thinking that theory is just an internet rumor that is out of hand.

Nintendo has such an interesting strategy for releasing new hardware/software:

Some games they publicise on the radar years prior (eg. Metroid Prime 4), others they keep very quiet on.
With the latter, I'm sure this is to ensure every game they launch has a clear sales runway before they announce something new that could create a choice of which game to purchase for some people.
eg. It's Nintendo's big year for the Super Mario movie, yet still no mention of a Super Mario title for the rest of this year. Why? They want everybody to buy LOZ: TOTK, Pikmin 4 etc. so why would they compete against themselves by showing their hand too early on a new Mario title. Makes sense.

Same strategy goes for the Switch successor. Why wouldn't they sell as many Switch devices at FULL PRICE for as long as possible. The moment they announce a successor, it creates doubt about what console to buy. (Wii U was such a failure they had to announce early)

Personally think they will do as follows:

1) Launch Switch 2 (or whatever it's called) in May 2024
2) Drop price of current Switch devices by $50 in time for Holiday THIS YEAR (to maximise Holiday sales especially if they release a new 2d Super Mario title) and keep selling it in the market until 2026 as an "entry system".