Nintendo Plans to Launch Next-Gen Console in 2024, Sources Say
Development kits for Nintendo’s upcoming console have reportedly been given to key partner studios, with a launch slated for next year, according to sources cited by VGC. The company is said to be aiming for a release in the second half of 2024 to ensure sufficient stock availability on release day and avoid the supply shortages experienced by competitors like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
While specific details about the console are being kept under wraps, insiders have indicated that the next-gen device will feature portable mode capabilities, similar to the Nintendo Switch. Additionally, there are suggestions that the console may debut with an LCD screen instead of a more expensive OLED display to reduce costs. This decision is potentially driven by the need to accommodate larger game files, as current-generation PlayStation and Xbox titles can take up over 100GB of storage. The console will also continue to support physical games through a cartridge slot, preserving the traditional format.
Backwards compatibility for Switch games, both physical and digital, remains uncertain. Nintendo aims to transition as many of its 100 million+ Switch userbase to its new system, but concerns have been raised by some third-party publishers who worry that supporting older games could impact sales of next-gen titles.
Dr. Serkan Toto, a Tokyo-based industry consultant, acknowledged the need for a new hardware release in 2024, emphasizing the projected decline in Switch hardware and software sales. He stated, “The only way to stop these losses from totally ballooning next fiscal is a new device, and the second half of 2024 sounds like a realistic release window to me.”
Christopher Dring, head of games B2B at ReedPop, commented on Nintendo’s historical trend of launching hardware “mid-cycle” compared to competitors Sony and Microsoft. He noted, “A second half 2024 release for Switch 2 would be nearly four years after PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, so we would see a similar ‘mid-cycle’ launch for Nintendo.” Dring also highlighted the importance of convincing casual fans to upgrade and emphasized the significance of factors such as digital libraries, backward compatibility, and the Nintendo Account system for a strong launch.
If the supposed Christmas release window holds true, Dring expects a more robust launch lineup compared to the first Switch. He recalled, “In 2017, Nintendo spread out its releases, with a big game arriving almost every month… If Nintendo opts for a Q4 release next year, I’d expect the company to have multiple games ready to go for launch.”
A report from Nikkei Asia in May suggested that the next Nintendo console’s development progress is on track, but a launch is unlikely before spring 2023. Nintendo has yet to provide an official response to VGC’s request for comment on these claims.