Nintendo Switch 2 Release Pushed to March of 2025
February 27, 2024The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 is reportedly unlikely to occur before March 2025.
According to Japanese publication, Nikkei, the anticipated release window for March 2025 aligns with previous leaks. This forthcoming console, seen as a successor to the Switch, promises to retain the hybrid features while boasting a larger display.
Nikkei’s report delves into Nintendo’s strategic decision to opt for a March 2025 launch, aiming to ensure an ample supply at release and thwart scalpers. The memory of the scarcity surrounding the Switch’s debut in March 2017, which fueled a robust scalping market, likely influences this cautious approach.
The earliest potential launch date for Nintendo’s next-gen console, as per Nikkei, falls in March 2025, possibly extending beyond Nintendo’s forthcoming financial year. Given the mounting anticipation for the successor to the venerable Switch, any delay past March 2025 would undoubtedly raise eyebrows.
Recent announcements from Nintendo reveal a slight decline in Switch sales for the first nine months of the financial year, though a revised forecast predicts a surge to 15.5 million units. Despite this, the Switch maintains its steady performance in its seventh year since launch, tallying an impressive 139.36 million units sold, trailing only the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 in the all-time best-selling console rankings. Moreover, the Switch continues to attract more players, with a record-breaking 122 million engaging with the platform in the 2023 calendar year.
Nintendo’s stated objective underscores their ambition to not only secure a place for the Switch in every household but to expand its presence even further. This involves a commitment to offering compelling experiences to prolong player engagement and maximize hardware sales.
Amidst these developments, a key inquiry looms: will Nintendo’s next-gen console maintain compatibility with the Switch? With a vast user base of 122 million Switch players, abandoning backward compatibility seems improbable, suggesting Nintendo will likely seek to honor existing accounts and experiences.
