Nintendo’s Next-Generation Console to Launch This Year, Predicts Industry Consultant
According to Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based game industry consultancy Kantan Games, the successor to the Nintendo Switch is expected to launch this year and will likely be an iteration of the current hardware design, rather than a revolution.
Toto shared his forecast for 2024 in GamesIndustry.biz’s annual analysts predictions feature, stating that although Nintendo is yet to comment publicly, the company’s next-generation console is widely expected to launch this year. This comes after VGC reported that development kits for the new console are already in the hands of developers as the platform holder prepares its plans.
The industry consultant predicts that the new console could launch at $400, which is $100 higher than the original Switch launch price. Toto also believes that there is a chance games for the new console could adopt the $70 pricing of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Toto also emphasized that the upcoming system is likely to be an iteration rather than a revolution, with portable functionality similar to the current Switch. He believes that Nintendo may add some additional features to the device, but it will still maintain its portability. This is particularly important given the association of Pokémon with handheld gaming, and Toto insists that there is no way Nintendo will drop the portability feature for their next big thing.
Despite declining Switch hardware sales, particularly in major markets outside of Japan, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa declined to comment on plans for the company’s next console in November. However, with strong performance for the Switch throughout its seven years on the market, the company is expected to make a significant impact with the launch of its next-generation console.