Could Nintendo’s next console finally be on the horizon? If the manufacturer is not yet ready to discuss it, it now lets it be understood that the Nintendo Switch is approaching its end of life.
Launched in 2017, the Nintendo Switch should soon celebrate its 6th anniversary and continues to score sales records. In this context, we understand Nintendo’s reluctance to replace its favorite console, even with a Pro model.
However, after so many years, the manufacturer is forced to admit that its console is getting old. Nintendo boss Shuntaro Furukawa was asked about this by investors.
Will Nintendo continue to develop Switch games?
It confirms that Nintendo is entering uncharted territory: rarely has a console achieved such success at the end of its 6th year.
The Nintendo Switch enters its seventh year of sales in March, and we consider this to be uncharted territory in the history of our dedicated video game platforms. Under these conditions, it is difficult to imagine that hardware sales will continue to grow at the same rate as today.
There is absolutely no doubt that the manufacturer has already started working on what will take over after the Nintendo Switch. A new game console takes several years to develop. Entering its 7th year, the Nintendo Switch is undoubtedly entering one of its last years.
Shuntaro Furukawa, however, still believes in new successes for his favorite console, and promises not to give up on it anytime soon.
However, titles are being developed for the Nintendo Switch, and new titles will continue to be released in the future. We are seeing both new and multi-system demand for the hardware, so we believe there is still room for sales growth. To that end, we want to maintain a high level of commitment to hardware and create new demand not only by releasing new titles, but also by working harder to convey the appeal of existing titles.
With the latest Nintendo Direct, some might imagine that the firm is unveiling its latest cartridges for its console. After The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, will the Switch really have the right to another episode of the franchise or other equally important games? Nintendo does not answer this question specifically, but insists on developing new games for the Switch.
Remember that this is the lot of all ultra-popular consoles. The PlayStation 2 and Wii, for example, continued to receive games long after the arrival of new consoles, at least by a follow-up from some publishers like Ubisoft. These consoles even generally sell better than their successors during the first months of transition.
The Nintendo boss also insists on the firm’s recent ability to continue to improve the appeal of existing titles. Translation: Nintendo will continue to release paid DLC for its games, sometimes offering them as part of its Nintendo Online + Additional Pack subscription.
No Switch price drop
Another investor asked about Nintendo’s pricing strategy at a time when sales of Switch consoles may decline. Shuntaro Furukawa’s answer is quite clear.
As part of the continued business of the Nintendo Switch for the long term, we have tried to preserve the value and prices of hardware and software as much as possible. We do not believe this policy should be changed at this time.
Don’t expect a drop in the price of games or consoles at Nintendo in the near future. The firm even took the decision to increase the selling price of its games in the United States for the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Want to join a community of enthusiasts? Our Discord welcomes you, it’s a place of mutual aid and passion around tech.