It looks to be a significant year for Nintendo with the Switch set to be in a period of winding down. We still have a lot of great games to look forward to. Fire Emblem Engage, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to name a few. The Nintendo Switch is going out with a bang then. But as a platform, the sales are slowing down and there seems to be an indication that come the year 2024 we should be seeing the next thing from Nintendo.
I think one of the smartest things Nintendo could do is build on the success they’ve had with the Nintendo Switch. With reports that a Nintendo Switch Pro was in the works but then abandoned because of unforeseen circumstances. It really feels like whatever Nintendo had cooking behind the scenes has now turned into a fully fledged next generation hybrid console.
No matter what form the next Nintendo console takes. I believe that the success of the Nintendo Switch will have galvanized the company to the point were building on the success of 120 million Nintendo Switch consoles sold has to be the objective. In many ways, they can do this on an operating system level, improving the Nintendo Network, allowing friends, messages, more apps and even getting into streaming. And please Nintendo, a new streamlined Nintendo e-shop.
The big thing for me above all is achievements of some sort. I think in whatever form Nintendo takes that aspect they can really have fun with it and make it very Nintendo. Innovation and building on what has gave them massive amounts of success would be the smartest possible move. If the Nintendo Switch Pro did get cancelled like it’s been suggested. Maybe, just maybe, the hybrid handheld and home console that has worked so well will stay. I just think from where Nintendo stands, they’ve really found their place again.
I also believe that we’re going to see a big boost in hardware capability for a handheld and home console hybrid. I think that’s been wanting for a while by Nintendo fans and I think with the improvements in chips on a mobile level that will be more possible than ever. Speaking about mobile, I think the next from Nintendo will take portability to another level with 5G support. I think come 2024 that will be made available a lot more in places especially around the UK.
I really feel like the next iteration of the Nintendo console formula will be absolutely massive not only for the company but for the fans as well. I believe we’re going to see a great software line-up as well. Maybe even a new Mario Kart, or even a new Mario game. I think on a software front they’ll want to start off as strongly as they did back in March 2017.
I guess the question for all of us is when will we hear more news about this? I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear rumblings by the end of this year. However, in what form I couldn’t tell you. I wouldn’t however, put it past Nintendo to surprise us in a big way at some point and I am expecting to see a more clearer picture by then of where we’re at.
Craig Clark
From gaming industry headlines to all things Manchester United and entertainment, Craig covers the stories everyone's talking about — alongside his own published works.