Based on recent reports and insider information, it looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer than initially expected for this release of Nintendo’s upcoming console, unofficially dubbed the “Switch 2.”
Launch Timeline
According to Chris Dring, the head of GamesIndustry.biz, the new console isn’t likely to hit shelves during the current financial year, which ends on March 31, 2025. Dring’s conversations with developers suggest a possible launch in April or May of next year. This timeline aligns with Nintendo’s typical release strategy, as the original Switch debuted in early March 2017.
While some fans might feel disappointed by the wait, this launch window could be strategic. It allows Nintendo to avoid competing directly with other major releases, such as Grand Theft Auto 6, and gives developers more time to prepare launch titles.
Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has confirmed that the company will officially announce its next console before the end of this financial year. Interestingly, Furukawa referred to it as the ‘Switch next model,’ hinting that the new device might not be a radical departure from the current Switch design.
This approach makes sense, given the immense success of the Switch family. With nearly 150 million units shipped, Nintendo has found a winning formula. The new console is likely to build upon this success, offering enhanced performance and features while maintaining the versatility that made the original Switch so popular.
Industry Impact
Nintendo’s strong market position, thanks to the Switch’s success, puts them in an ideal situation to launch a new console. Unlike the transition from Wii to Wii U, which faced challenges, the move to a new Switch model should be smoother and more appealing to consumers.
For developers and publishers, this new console presents fresh opportunities. They’ll be able to create more ambitious games, taking advantage of improved hardware while still catering to the massive existing Switch user base.
