Nintendo’s upcoming console, the Switch 2, is set to hit stores in 2025, and its success could define the company’s future. With over 150 million units sold since its launch in 2017, the first Switch has been a massive hit, generating $100 billion in sales and boosting Nintendo’s shares.
However, this time around, the stakes are high, as the company must follow up one hit console with another. The Switch’s success was partly due to its ability to combine development teams that had previously worked on separate games, resulting in an unusually well-paced lineup of titles.
To avoid repeating a past mistake, Nintendo is expanding its subscription offerings, including the upcoming Switch Online service, which will allow users to access their existing game libraries. The new machine will also play existing Switch games, aiming to keep users onboard and persuade them to upgrade.
The key to success lies in creating a strong library of games that cater to both old and new fans. Nintendo is saving its biggest surprises for the release, but persuading users to upgrade won’t be an easy task. The company must strike a fine balance between innovation and familiarity, as gamers have near-limitless alternatives at their disposal.
A failure like the Wii U’s would be painful, considering the current economic climate. With zero debt and extensive cash reserves, Nintendo could likely weather a failure, but it needs to get it right with Switch 2. The company must demonstrate its ability to capture lightning in a bottle again, just as it did with the Switch.
The first thing on Nintendo’s agenda is getting the software right. Millions bought a Switch on Day One to play Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a critical darling that won Game of the Year in 2017. The company must deliver another exceptional gaming experience to persuade users to upgrade. With its reputation on the line, Nintendo’s success with Switch 2 will be crucial in defining its future.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-opinion-nintendo-switch-2-release-details-future-success