Switch Pro Update Gives A Closer Look At When The Switch 2 Will Arrive
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- 10 May 2023
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According to a recent report, the much-awaited release of the new Nintendo Switch console has been given a new estimate. The rumors of the Nintendo Switch Pro with improved performance, or the Nintendo Switch 2, have been circulating for a while now, and various patents have hinted at some of the features it could possess, such as updated Joy-Cons. Previous reports had suggested that the release of the new console was targeted for 2024.
As per the report published by VGC, the President of Nintendo, Shuntaro Furukawa, presented the company's results for the end of its 2023 fiscal year. In this report, he stated that there are no plans for the release of any new or upgraded hardware that is factored into Nintendo's annual forecast. USB Securities supported this claim by saying, "We do not expect Nintendo to release the next-generation hardware in the next 12 months." This indicates that the expected release window of 2024 might be later in that year, after April 2024, at the earliest.
There Has Been A Slowdown In Nintendo Switch Hardware Sales
Undoubtedly, the Nintendo Switch has been a tremendous triumph for the Japanese video game company, with sales figures reaching 125.62 million units as of March 31, 2023. This impressive number places it as the second best-selling console for Nintendo, trailing only the Nintendo DS, which sold a staggering 154.02 million units. Moreover, the Nintendo Switch is now the top-selling home console for the company, surpassing the record set by the Wii (as reported by VGC). Nonetheless, sales for the console have dwindled, as expected for a device that has been on the market for seven years, which is approximately the lifespan of a standard console generation.
Due to the drop in sales, Nintendo failed to reach its sales target for 2023, selling a total of 17.97 million devices. This number falls short of both its initial target of 21 million and its revised goal of 18 million. The company anticipates a further decline in sales, projecting that it will sell 15 million consoles by the end of the fiscal year in March 2024. However, even this target may be a challenge for the company, according to Furukawa, who believes it is "a bit of a stretch" to achieve, particularly since there are no plans for new or upgraded hardware in the pipeline. The company intends to "boost demand" in preparation for the 2023 holiday season in order to reach its target.
Exclusives Like The Legend of Zelda: TOTK May Not Boost Switch Hardware Sales
Nintendo's highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, featuring its own custom OLED Switch design, is set to release this week. However, analysts from UBS Securities believe that this release may not boost hardware sales as it has done in the past. According to UBS, "Nintendo's valuation is very likely to shrink until the launch of the new hardware." Recent sales data supports this prediction as the Switch's sales have declined, despite major exclusive releases like Splatoon 3, Bayonetta 3, Metroid Prime Remastered, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Unfortunately, the news that Nintendo won't be releasing any new hardware until after April 2024, at the earliest, will likely disappoint fans, especially given the number of rumors surrounding a next-gen Switch that have been circulating. As the Switch has been available for over seven years now, it's understandable that many people who wanted to play Nintendo's exclusive titles have already purchased the console. This may explain the sales slowdown. Those who haven't bought a Switch are probably waiting to see what the next console holds, especially with newer handheld devices like the Steam Deck or the Aya Neo showcasing the increased performance and power available on portable consoles since the Switch's original release.
