Nintendo Switch support will likely continue after its successor launches, according to financial briefing
Still life in the old dog yet
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It looks like support for theNintendo Switchprobably won’t be ending even after its successor hits store shelves, according to the company’s latest financial briefing.
While Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has recently saidexisting Switch 2 reports are just “rumors,“it’s looking increasingly likely that we’ll see the Kyoto-based company’s new hardware launch relatively soon.
Now, Nintendo itself seems to be setting the table for any future official announcements. AsGameInformerreports, the company discussed the future of the Nintendo Switch console in its latestfinancial briefing.
“Nintendo Switch will be entering its eighth year in March 2024,” it reads. “We will continue to release new titles and content for Nintendo Switch without being bound by the traditional concept of the platform lifecycle. Going forward, we would like to continue to see many consumers play Nintendo Switch, and to maintain our business momentum.”
Now, while the wording here isn’t quite as straightforward as a complete confirmation that the Switch andSwitch 2will receive support simultaneously, it does hint at a change in the company’s hardware strategy.
Typically, when a new Nintendo console launches, first-party support for the previous-generation system immediately stops. This was true of the GameCube-to-Nintendo Wiitransition, which saw both consoles shareTheLegend of Zelda: Twilight Princessbefore Gamecube support ceased.
It was a similar tale with theWii U. Ever since the Nintendo Switch andThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild(which also bookended the Wii U’s first-party software) launched in March 2017, it’s been Switch all the way.
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To analyze a bit further, it may be the case that Nintendo wishes to adopt a similar strategy toSony. Many of thebest PS5 gameshave launched with a previous-gen counterpart. This was true ofGod of War RagnarökandHorizon Forbidden West,for example, both of which have a PS4 version.
For the Nintendo Switch, such a strategy makes a lot of sense. Havingrecently cleared 132 million salesacross the Switch hardware family, there’s a sizeable install base there the company can cater to even long after it’s next-gen system launches.
As the Nintendo Switch borders on its eighth year on the market, we’re expectingBlack Friday gaming dealsto be rife with savings for the console and its games. Consider browsing ourBlack Friday Nintendo Switch dealspage for all the best discounts as they happen.
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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