Nintendo of America Boss Talks About Nintendo Account’s Role in Transition to New Console Generation
In recent reports suggesting the launch of a Nintendo Switch 2 next year, Doug Bowser, the president of Nintendo of America, has shed some light on the company’s perspective on entering a new console generation. Bowser believes that the Nintendo Account system will play a crucial role in easing the transition to a new platform.
While Bowser refrained from commenting directly on the reports of a Switch successor, he emphasized the significance of the Nintendo Account system during an interview with Inverse. This interview also covered the topic of unionization at Nintendo. Bowser highlighted the efforts that the company has put into developing its unified sign-in system, the Nintendo Accounts.
“The formation of the Nintendo Account is one thing we’ve done with the Switch to help with communication and transition to a new console generation,” explained Bowser. He further added, “In the past, every device we transitioned to had a whole new account system. Creating the Nintendo Account will allow us to communicate with our players if and when we make a transition to a new platform, to help ease that process or transition.”
Nintendo Accounts have been serving as a unified accounts system across all Nintendo products since their introduction in early 2016. This includes Nintendo’s mobile apps like Miitomo, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, and Mario Kart Tour, as well as the Nintendo Switch and services like My Nintendo.
Bowser’s comments echo statements made by Nintendo back in 2021 when the company referenced its “next gaming system” while discussing the Nintendo Accounts. The specifics of how Nintendo plans to utilize the accounts to bridge the gap between the current Switch and its successor remain undisclosed. However, Bowser expressed Nintendo’s goal of minimizing the transitional dip typically seen between console cycles.
It is important to note that Nintendo has yet to comment on the recent reports surrounding a Switch successor. In September, Eurogamer reported that the company had been privately showcasing the Switch 2 to developers at Gamescom, using an enhanced version of the popular game Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Additionally, sources have informed Eurogamer that the rumored Switch successor, expected to retain the hybrid configuration of the current model, is set to launch in the latter half of 2024.