Nintendo Switch 2 Didn’t Cause Sales Slump For Switch Says President Furukawa

The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t even out yet, but has already caused ripples in the industry with its announcement. While magnetic Joy-Cons which could possibly double up as a mouse are all fine and good, it will also be fully backwards compatible with almost every original Switch game. However, the biggest question is how well it will run triple-A titles.

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36-The Switch 2 Will Never Be Able To Compete With The Switch-EMAKI

The Switch 2 Can Never Beat The Switch

Nintendo, as always, is suffering from its own success (Wii U, anyone?).

Considering that only eight percent of developers are currently working on games for the upcoming console, it will be some time before we find out. While sales for the original Switch, as well as the Steam Deck have fallen after the announcement, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa says there’s no connection.

Nintendo Will Keep Supporting The Switch As Long As People Play It

During a recent earnings call, Furukawa admitted that while the Niontendo Switch did not meet its expected financial target, the reason was not the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2. Understandably, prospective buyers would hold off on buying a Switch if a newer version was coming soon, but the Nintendo president doesn’t believe that’s the reason.

“We don’t think the impact of refraining from purchasing [because of Switch 2] is that great,” said Furukawa, according to Japanese newspaper The Sankei Shimbun (thanks, Eurogamer). “We think it’s a solid eighth year, but we haven’t reached our target.”

Joy-con attaching to an accessory along a surface.

Nintendo has seen a steep decline in Switch sales this year, but with the console launching eight years ago, sales were bound to drop at some point. However, despite this, Furukawa said on the call that Nintendo will continue supporting the original Switch “as long as there is demand”.

Switch 2 system docked against a white background.

There is clearly demand for the console, though, this can be gauged by sales figures of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The game, which released eight years ago, was Nintendo’s second-best-selling game of the quarter. While it was also launched for the Wii U, most of those sales are likely for the Switch, considering they were for the previous quarter.

Of course, Nintendo will eventually slow down and end support for the console at some point, but the console still probably has a few good years left in it.