The Kyoto firm hits hard. While the market was worried about Nintendo’s declining financial performance, a simple confirmation of the future Switch 2 was enough to reverse the stock market trend.
The Japanese manufacturer has just announced that its next console will allow you to play the entire catalog of the current Switch.
A decision that reassures the markets
Nintendo’s latest financial results made people cringe. Declining sales of the Switch have pushed the company to revise its forecasts downwards.
But the announcement of Shuntaro Furukawapresident of Nintendo, changes the situation: “Consumers will not only be able to play Switch games they already own, but also choose from a wide selection of titles released on Nintendo Switch. »
This strategy of continuity appeals to investors. Serkan Toto, CEO of consultancy Kantan Games, explains their enthusiasm: backward compatibility indicates that Nintendo is not embarking on a risky experiment, but favors the continuity of a successful console.
Leaks that make sense
This official announcement echoes recent leaks analyzed by Digital Foundry. Montages from information received by a props specialist reveal the outlines of the future console : an 8-inch LCD screen, a larger format and new Joy-Con with magnetic attachment. The technical specifications promise a leap forward with 12 GB of RAM, three times more than the current Switch.
The device would retain two USB-C ports, a Micro-SD card slot and compatibility with game cartridges. This configuration reinforces the smooth transition strategy desired by Nintendo.
A colossal base to preserve
Nintendo is relying on dizzying figures: 146.04 million Switches sold and 1.3 billion games sold. The console still has 127 million active users after eight years of existence.
The manufacturer has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch Online service will be transferred to the new console, thus preserving the entire existing ecosystem.
If Nintendo promises an official announcement before March 2025, analysts are now counting on a presentation no earlier than January 2024. Marketing will not take place before March 2025 as well.
This temporality gives Nintendo time to prepare a peaceful transition between the two console generations.
- Nintendo confirms Switch 2 backwards compatibility with Switch games
- The stock jumped 5.8% following this strategic announcement
- The new console will retain the DNA of the Switch with improved performance
