Nintendo’s Future Hardware Plans: Is Switch 2 Really Coming?

Nintendo’s president has recently offered some insights on whether the company plans to unveil new hardware in 2023.

Currently, Nintendo is reveling in one of its most profitable console generations in recent history, thanks to the Nintendo Switch and its impressive lineup of first-party exclusives, such as last year’s Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and the forthcoming The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

The Switch Lite and Switch OLED variants have also garnered immense popularity.

Speculations on the Successor of the Nintendo Switch

As the Nintendo Switch enters its sixth year, fans are starting to wonder when the console’s successor will be announced. Rumors of the yet-to-be-confirmed Switch 2—touting improved technical specs and backward compatibility—have spread like wildfire across the internet.

Many believe that once The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom releases later this week, Nintendo will shift its focus toward developing this new system.

However, according to Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, fans shouldn’t anticipate any new console announcements in the near future. Furukawa revealed that there are no plans to announce new or upgraded hardware during the current fiscal year.

This means that the earliest possible reveal for a Switch successor would be March 31, 2024.

Factors Impacting Nintendo’s Sales and Future Plans

Furukawa’s statement arrives amidst growing curiosity about a potential new Nintendo console announcement, as the Switch has experienced a decline in sales over the past year.

Despite soaring software sales, a combination of factors—including decreased hardware demand during the holiday season and a reported semiconductor shortage—has led to an overall reduction in profits.

Furukawa acknowledged the challenges of maintaining the Switch’s sales momentum in its seventh year, but the company remains committed to its goal of selling 15 million units this year.

While Furukawa’s comment about not unveiling new hardware this year doesn’t rule out the development of a Switch 2, those hoping for the system’s appearance during the summer announcement season may be disappointed.

The timing of the next Nintendo console’s public reveal remains uncertain, but it appears that gamers may have to wait until at least spring 2024 to get a glimpse.