Nintendo shared the Switch 2 sales figures yesterday, and it's now time to talk about the future of its systems. The Switch 2, which is the Nintendo's fastest selling hardware in a four-month window since release, will finally be Nintendo's primary development focus. But it's not the end for the original Switch.
In its latest financial results, Nintendo guaranteed supply for the first Switch as long as two big "ifs" are met: There must be a consumer demand for the console and a positive "business environment."
Nintendo already showed demand for the Switch 1 is declining since the new system release, which is natural. The sales numbers should drop even further as new Switch 2 games come out and new bundles and promotions pop up in retailers to attract new buyers.
The business environment in the hardware front isn't great either. Nintendo joined its competitors Sony and Microsoft and increased the prices all Switch 1 models this year due to tariffs. If the economy gets worse and Nintendo is forced to make consoles even more expensive, it's hard to believe most consumers will put money into a family of systems that's now outdated.
This leaves the Nintendo Switch with the role of a transition console. Nintendo says it has "several major titles for Nintendo Switch planned for release from October onward, and we hope consumers will enjoy them on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch." That's because Nintendo Switch 2 players are still playing the original console's games on the new platform, so the appeal of these games is still there even for people who did the upgrade.
But even though Nintendo isn't explicitly saying it, the clock is ticking for the original Switch. While we have Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokémon Champions, and Rhythm Heaven Groove still planned for the old console until early 2026, many others titles like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Kirby Air Riders, and Pokémon Pokopia will be Switch 2 exclusives.
Soon, even if Nintendo keeps on producing new Switch units, the console is sure to enter its decline stage to let the Switch 2 shine alone.
The post As the Nintendo Switch 2 demolishes forecasts, the original Switch’s role is changing appeared first on Destructoid.
