Nintendo’s next generation is coming soon. A new report from the Video Games Chronicle says that Nintendo aims to release the Switch successor in late 2024.
Main Details about Nintendo’s Next Generation
The article notes that development kits are available for developers to start work on Nintendo’s next-gen games. Sources state that the Japanese gaming company wants to have a sizeable inventory ready for immediate launch. Microsoft and Sony both struggled with supply issues for the Series X|S and PS5 launches respectively in 2020 through to 2022.
Additionally, these sources mentioned that Nintendo wants to carry the Switch’s portability into the next generation. Two sources particularly called out an LCD screen on the console instead of the costlier OLED screen. However, the game cartridge slot will return.
The Switch’s Life
Consoles generally have a lifespan of seven years. One notable exception, however, was the Wii U. That console released in late 2012, but deeply poor sales halved its lifespan. The Switch launched in early 2017, putting the Wii U at four and a half years.
With a late 2024 window, the Switch will end with about a seven and a half year lifetime. It famously launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Throughout that first year, the console also saw Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (which still gets content), and more release.
Fast forward to 2023, and the console’s catalog has vastly expanded. New entries to major franchises like Animal Crossing, Pikmin, and Pokémon rocketed the console to 125 million sales, trailing only the PS2 (greater than 155 million) and the Nintendo DS (154 million) all-time.
Nintendo’s Power and Network Issues
Despite these excellent sales, the Switch has two glaring Achilles Heels. First, many Switch releases of cross-platform releases got much criticism for its lacking graphics in comparison to its counterparts. Some games exclusive to the Switch were lambasted for similar reasons.
Additionally, the console’s online network was heavily criticized as well. Games had difficulties using core features like seeing other players in the overworld, and setting up online matches.
We may not have all the details about the next console, but Nintendo will be expected to fix these past issues with these releases.
