New report narrows down Switch 2 launch window – and it’s not good news

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New report narrows down Switch 2 launch window - and it's not good news

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that the prospect of a new Nintendo Switch is both exciting and somewhat frustrating at the same time. Having witnessed the evolution of gaming consoles since their inception, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation every time a new one is on the horizon.

In the current gaming landscape, the rivalry between PlayStation 5 Pro (if it indeed exists) and Microsoft’s acquisition of Call of Duty as part of the Activision Blizzard deal has intensified the console competition. Meanwhile, apart from the ongoing battle between the Green (Sony) and Blue (Microsoft) teams, Nintendo stands independently, thriving on its exclusive games and generating substantial profits with the Nintendo Switch.

Even though the Nintendo Switch has been around for seven years as a home-portable hybrid console, it seems to be nearing its end in the gaming world. The device is finding it challenging to keep pace with next-generation games, such as Mortal Kombat 1, and there’s been plenty of buzz on Reddit about a potential Switch 2 model long before any official announcement was made.

Potential Switch 2 release window isn’t good news

It seems there’s a general consensus that the release of Switch 2 might not occur until after April 2025. Isn’t that something we all kind of expected? After all, why would they launch Switch 2 so soon?

— Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) August 13, 2024

As a dedicated Nintendo gamer, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation as Shuntaro Furukawa hinted at the unveiling of the next-gen Switch successor. He confirmed that this revelation is set to happen within the 2025 fiscal year, which means we’re looking at an announcement before March 31, 2025. However, the release date itself remains a mystery for now.

While some may interpret the news as suggesting that the Switch successor will come out this fiscal year, Chris Dring from GamesIndustry.biz shared that none of the developers he spoke to anticipate its release within this timeframe.

As a long-time gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the anticipation for the upcoming Nintendo console and GTA 6 release is palpable. However, based on what I’ve heard from various sources, it seems we won’t be seeing either of them in the current financial year. While I, too, am eager to get my hands on these highly anticipated games, I understand that developers need time to polish their work and ensure a smooth launch.

Once more, we’re drowning in a flood of rumors regarding potential specifications for the Switch 2 and an astonishing $400 price point. Gamers are eagerly awaiting any hint from our Nintendo superiors, as anticipation for the successor grows, yet Nintendo seems content to wait. Previous whispers suggested that Nintendo was initially planning to launch the Switch 2 in 2024, but it appears that they may have postponed its release.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been closely watching Nintendo’s forecast for the current fiscal year. Interestingly, there’s no talk of new hardware yet, but Nintendo has hinted that their plans are always evolving. The Switch, after all, has been dominating the console market since 2017, topping sales charts every year up until 2022. It’s hard for me to imagine a scenario where the next version won’t continue this trend of success and break more sales records.

According to a report from Nikkei in February 2024, it seems Nintendo might not release the Switch 2 until they feel it’s appropriate to avoid stock shortages. This suggests that Nintendo is taking its time with the new console. While we’re crossing our fingers for a Christmas 2025 launch, for now, it appears we’ll have to wait and see what the gaming industry decides for us.

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2024-08-14 13:42