Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and the Super Mario Bros Movie are crucial for Switch 2 | Opinion

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Nintendo has often struggled with the console transition.

Unlike its competitors, Nintendo is – by and large – dependent on itself when it comes to the games that sell its hardware. That creates this tricky balancing act at the end of cycle because Nintendo needs to maintain interest in its existing hardware, while preparing titles for its next one.

Talk to Nintendo fans and they’ll tell you all about the barren final years that have plagued Nintendo consoles since the N64. This has led to situations where Nintendo comes out of one generation and into another with little momentum and having to almost start from scratch.

So all eyes are on Switch and how the company looks to move from this generation to the next, and bring this huge audience with it.

The Switch is not another Wii. Although on a downward slope, it’s not exactly collapsing

Analysts have predicted a late 2024 release for Nintendo’s next console. And although I am reluctant to make any predictions where Nintendo is concerned, it certainly seems to fit. The existing Switch remains popular, and Nintendo has found a sweet spot in releasing hardware away from a new PlayStation or Xbox. Although PS5 and Xbox Series S and X launched over two years ago, stock shortages and COVID-related game delays has meant those machines have only really got started. So Christmas 2024 makes sense.

Of course, it’ll be when the games are ready that will be the deciding factor.

Speculation on a release window aside, Switch 2 isn’t expected imminently. And Switch momentum is starting to slow. For the first quarter of the year, Switch sales are down by over a quarter in some markets. We are also seeing