It’s hard not to get at least a little excited about what will be the next Nintendo console with six years on the clock for the Nintendo Switch. It’s normally the right time frame between tech launches, so whether it’s this year or beyond, something big this way comes.
Before the Nintendo Switch in 2017, we had the much less popular Wii U, which came out in 2012, so there you’ve got a gap of just five years. Before that was the good old Wii, which blazed a huge trail when it landed in 2006, so you can see there’s definitely a pattern forming.
AdvertisementThe Gamecube came out in 2001/2002, the Nintendo 64 arrived in 1996, the Super Nintendo was between 1990 and 1992 (depending on your location), and the NES was 1983 in Japan (’87 in the UK). With that you’ve got the entire shebang, excluding hand-held-only devices like the GameBoy or Nintendo DS, so just from a date range point of view we’re due a new arrival.
We’ve already had a new console from Sony and Xbox, so that just leaves the next Nintendo device outstanding. The problem, though, is the the big N hasn’t uttered a single word on the matter and apart from the Switch Lite and OLED model there’s been nothing new tech wise since 2017.
Admittedly, the world is in a real state of flux, which could be why it’s keeping its zangs under wraps. However, we’re pretty sure that something is going to be announced in the not so distant future.
AdvertisementFor a start, we had a much quieter release schedule from Nintendo in the last year, with more focus on third-party releases. This could be seen as a signal that the core teams are busily crafting games for something completely new and unannounced.
If that isn’t enough, we’ve got the first Super Mario Movie in 30 years coming out in cinemas in a few weeks time. It looks like it’s going to be huge at the box office, so this would make a perfect moment to announce the next console after the Switch.
AdvertisementThe problem with this is that prior to the launch of the current console, it was teased and announced in 2015 with the codename Nintendo NX. There is no such announcement as of yet for the successor to the Switch, so even if we do get something around the release of the Mario movie there’s every possibility we could be years away from it hitting the market.
To cover all of the bases, we’re going to go through the main possible hardware scenarios for the next Nintendo console to kick things off. After that we’ll talk you through the timelines we’re expecting, or at least the options that Nintendo could choose from and their respective merits.
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Scenario 1: The next Nintendo console is the Switch 2
This is the easy scenario for Nintendo and would see the next console being something very similar to the Switch, but with better graphics, performance and general tech. This would fundamentally be the Switch Pro that we’ve all been hoping for over the last few years, but with a lot of marketing to make it sound way more new than it actually is.
It’s an easy scenario, but it’s also the most risky for Nintendo. It’s worst console launches have been its most safe. The Gamecube was essentially a better graphics version of the Nintendo 64 and the Wii U was a similar punt on the Wii, but with a screen on the main controller.
Both of these had slow pickup and while we’re still huge fans of both consoles, it’s doubtful that Nintendo will allow lightning to strike for a third time on a light launch. Admittedly, the Super NES was a better graphics version of the NES and that did amazingly well, but times have changed and Nintendo knows that it’s genius innovation that delivers the goods.
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Scenario 2: The next console will be a Super Switch
This is kind of similar to the previous scenario, but with more emphasis on innovation. Graphics and power are bound to be at least a part of the next step forward, but they won’t be the main focus. Instead, we’ll get something innovative as part of the package.
The fact that Nintendo released a 360 video for Pokemon Legends Arceus back in 2021 is at least an indicator that the company is flirting with the concept of VR. The company was the first to enter the market with the Virtual Boy in 1995, but that didn’t go so well, but the market is at least starting to mature a little, so it’s an outside chance.
Other big innovations could be in the versatility of the Super Switch. If its predecessor bridged the gap between hand-held and home console it’s successor could bridge the gap between gaming and serious computing.
If you take the Nintendo Switch, boost its performance and bolt in the ability for it to work as a home PC or laptop and you’ve got something interesting again. Foldable screens have also become more of a proven technology, so this is another way to take things to the next level.
AdvertisementMaking it a fully operational mobile phone with an expandable screen or giving it another detachment that became a mobile phone would definitely tilt the dial. Especially, if you could play next-gen games on all parts of the device.
Obviously, all of this is speculative, but whatever Nintendo does next the most likely scenario is for it to be similar to the Switch, but better, while still bringing something new to the table.
We’re not talking about the cardboard boxes or the Mario Kart race tracks in your room, but the fact that both of these got the go ahead proves that Nintendo is all about making something new.
Scenario 3: Nintendo dials it up to 11
This is where the big N takes that last point and throws in some magic mushroom pie for extra power. This could be something basic like doing away with the home-hand-held duality and kicking out a super console with graphical performance at its heart. Or it could be going full tilt on virtual reality.
AdvertisementNeither of these are very likely, but you never really know with Nintendo. The SNES was a performance and graphics upgrade, but the Nintendo 64 threw in 3D gaming and a mental controller to blow our minds.
The next best launch since then was the Wii with it’s motion controllers and that brings up right up to date with the Nintendo Switch. Maybe there won’t be any controllers at all and it will just be able to see gestures to move characters (hey it couldn’t be as annoying as Joy-Con drift).
The point is that there’s always a chance Nintendo will find something truly groundbreaking that captivates the entire gaming community. If it can do that next then it’s going to be a very interesting few years.
When might we get the next Nintendo console?
If you go just on the timescales then it seems highly possible that we might actually get the next Nintendo console some time this year. We’ve got a huge Mario Movie out and The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, so there’s more than enough Nintendo hype to piggy back on for one huge winter release.
AdvertisementIf you look back on the timing for the previous consoles, the Switch came out in March, but the the Wii U arrived in November, so there’s at least a precedent for a winter launch. You might think this is a reason to avoid it, though. The Wii U didn’t do that well in terms of sales, so why would they want to replicate it in terms of the next new console launch.
However, the Wii came out in November too and that’s the company’s second best selling console of all time just behind the Switch. The GameCube came out in November, along with the SNES, so there’s more than enough to back this up, which means winter 2023 is at least a possibility.
We’ve already touched on the problem with this, that we’ve had no announcement from Nintendo yet, so it might be a bit of a pipe dream. If it skips on 2023 then March 2024 would be another good option in a bid to replicate things from the Switch.
Another approach would be to start to tease details for the next console this year, but not launch anything for a year or so to give it enough time to capitalize on software sales for the hugely popular Switch. From a financial point of view, this makes the most sense, because it can make way more money on a few great games sold to tens of millions of existing console owners compared to the revenue it could make from a console launch that’s always risky.
AdvertisementIt would also give Nintendo more time to work on development and to build anticipation for the new console and it’s launch game titles. The downside to this is that there have been a number of gripes from review sites in terms of the performance of games on the Switch in recent years. This could well be enough to force its hand and go sooner rather than later.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 definitely looked pretty bad in open world settings, but for the most part it isn’t necessarily the graphics that Nintendo fans love. Yes, they want good looking games, but the performance comments for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet were overshadowed by strong sales for the game.
It could easily keep doing this for a year or so to keep things ticking over until world economics pick up again. Nintendo usually goes its own way, though, so it’s going to be interesting to see how things pan out for the next console.
We’ll update you with more details as they’re confirmed. You can also check out our computer games section to keep tabs on other releases. Visit the Nintendo website at www.nintendo.com/ for more details.
