Nintendo wants Switch to have a longer lifespan than 6 years

https://nintendosoup.com/nintendo-wants-extend-switchs-lifespan-6-years/

Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima has intentions to support the Switch beyond the usual Nintendo home console lifespan.

Speaking to Japanese financial paper Nikkei, Kimishima said he wants to continue selling Nintendo Switch in more than just 5 to 6 years. In other words, he wants to continue to support the Switch beyond 2023, thus granting it a longer lifespan than past Nintendo home consoles. It could be supported for 7 to 10 years.

Most Nintendo home consoles have had lifespans between 5 to 6 years. Examples include GameCube (2001 – 2006), Wii (2006 – 2012), and Wii U (2012 – 2017).

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Interesting. I wonder if they'll keep their promise. It would be contrary to @AzatiS's main talking point against the Switch.

Six years. That is going to be tough. Multiplatform games are definitely going to dry up quickly but Nintendo should be able to keep up with their own games.

Fine by me. Did we not learn anything that these consoles are now overstaying there welcome? Switch can last more then 6 years until the sales start to decline, then we'll move on to the next-gen.

Also, @emgesp stuff like this is why I said that 100+ million could happen. I was in no way saying that it's a sure thing, but with the current performance and possible wildcards like this, it can't be ruled out. Wii had its legs cut super short and probably could have sold another 15-20+ million or more if Nintendo hadn't neglected it after ~3 years, and the fact that DS was supported well pretty much from start to finish plays a much bigger role in how well it did than you've given credit, and Sony's long lifespans are why their hardware is so successful. So, 100 million is not likely, but Nintendo's management has changed enough that I can't call it impossible at this stage.

This sounds like they plan on having a mid gen refresh like the Xbox One and PS4 have done because that’s the only way that I see the Switch lasting more then 6 years.

They will have to support it pretty exclusively for the last 4 or so. If they commit to that, it may last. If.

I'll gladly purchase a switch mid-gen refresh.

What happens if Switch pulls a Wii and dies off after 3-4 years on the market?

On that tech? Goodbye 3rd party.

Depends on there own first party efforts, nintendo hasn't been able to support there own hardware for forever, maybe the switch we will see a change in that. but i'm skeptical. the first year was great for the switch, because they had 2 big titles that where already in long development ready for its launch. Do they have more for upcoming years, or is it going to be a drought again.

If it comes to that, I'll do it.

Makes sense. The contract with Nvdia is for ten years, and they can refresh the hardware capabilities as time goes on while maintaining backward compatibility.

Great news. That means at least one more Zelda.

The 3DS is dead in the water at this point. In 2 years Nintendo won't be splitting development between any systems and will be 100% focused on the Switch, which means the Switch will have more unique Nintendo games than any other console bar none by the end of its life.

Even if third party supports drops in a few years, Nintendo will be able to hold the Switch up by itself.

If this is true then The Switch seems a lot more worth it's price tag. Too bad words are wind. I doubt anyone will still be playing it in 2025 tbh

Hmm I don't know. Maybe if they at some point make a Switch+ and keep the Switch around like the PS4 and PS4 pro?

Even if they lose the major 3rd party support on a few big games in those last few years, like everyone here seems to think some magical leap will happen....

Switch will always be able to support indies, remakes, and nintendo games through its life span.... which by today's standards, can make up a beefy library.

EDIT: and fvck me... these neo-geo games no one wants never seem to run out

Six years of misery if they f**k it up.

You first have to ask why Wii declined. Was it due to the market, or due to Nintendo?

And Japanese third-parties. You know, the ones still supporting the FUCKING VITA

The 3rd party will definitely dry up like a desert for the Switch by 2021. That's the wall for the system.

I wouldn't doubt about it. Sometimes I do a little Retro gaming myself, I still go back to play few N64 games just for fun. If the Switch has memorable games I enjoy on it, I'd probably still play it in 2025.

Switch will still be selling and Nintendo will be ready for a new console by 2022, oh wait, you don't buy any consoles at all.

I'd be happy with it lasting that long but I think the resolution will probably look very dated by then but that's nothing new for a Nintendo handheld.

Gonna need a refresh if that's the case

I think that's likely

If you don't like what I say about the Switch you can just leave System Wars. This is System Wars! What did you expect? Since you like being a jerk to me I'll just be a jerk to you in return or I'll just flat out ignore you because what you say to me is gutter trash. I've already blocked you. To annoy you a little bit more I'll post a video from SMD64.

I'm never leaving system wars, but you love dodging questions regarding if you even own a PS4 since you praise it so much and praise Sony's 1st party.

Upgraded docking station with discrete gpu in 2020 to stay relevant for cross platform development.

It's a good message to put out for unsure buyers even if its not a real intention.

It needs far more than just a simple GPU upgrade. A big CPU clock boost would be nice and some more ram as well.

The indie support will still be strong in 6 years but most likely not AAA 3rd party budgets titles,

Great! It's capable of a very long lifespan!

I'm happy with that. Nintendo has a good thing going right now. Would hate for them to leave it behind and not do so well. Plus, I love the hybrid nature and what if the next one drops that feature? Nooo, keep switch here for long time

I dont think the console is durable enough to last that long. It is the flimsiest console Nintendo has ever produced...

Lol.

Laugh all you want, the hybrid nature is here to stay. It'll have a longer span by the time you actually buy a PS4 which is like never.

Not surprising considering that the 3DS came out 7 years ago.

If they keep switch for 10 years I will buy switch games for 10 years.

Why? Switch is the best handheld it runs games like skyrim better than gpd win that also costs more. And nintendo exclusives are some of the best games in my opinion.

Keep em comming

Cool. To still get AAA third party support they'd probably have to make an upgrade. I'll be perfectly fine without AAA third-party support myself though, since those games are more than often totally crap. Nintendo games with awesome indies makes the console awesome, and it could very well be awesome for 6 years.

No complaints from me as long as the games keep coming. :)

This far the support has been pretty good, it even has GOOD 3rd party games even though they're just older ports. I take 'em if I can play them on the go. I have my doubts if Nintendo can keep the support coming, but if they can the Switch could be a success they've been after since the Wii.

I bet Nintendo's next console/handheld after the switch is going to be something you put on your head and play VR/AR games. It will come with Power motion Gloves you put on your hands so you can catch Pokemon while you run in the streets! :D

Btw = most cars by then will have automatic braking so no need to worry! :)

@Random_Matt: After 6 years Nintendo will need to release a Nintendo Switch Advance/Pro/X, unless gamers absolutely don't care about graphics and performance.

Once the new consoles from Sony and Microsoft arrive in 2019/2020/2021 then the Switch will die out. Since multiplatform games would be able to port games over. Plus Nintendo cannot support a console on just their own first party games. The Wii U is an example of that.

However The Big N could have the Nintendo Switch have a long life. The original Gameboy lasted 11 years so if Nintendo turns the Switch into the indie portable it may last very long at retail. But a more powerful Switch 2 will have to debut when PS 5 and Xbox 4 arrive. But for now Nintendo can milk the hell out of the Switch.

Nintendo, please do it. But release a Pro version in a few years. Not a lazy PS4 Pro, a real difference. I want a handheld for like 1000+ bucks, with a 4k screen, VR compability and a lot of power. Make it even bigger, add some slots for past gens. Heck, sell it with Accessorys to play WiiU, Wii and GC games on it.

Yeah. Just look at how dependent Switch is on AAA third-party ports right now. It would never have sold more than maybe a million last year without them. It might have flopped as badly as Wii!