A new Nintendo console coming soon... ? That's what Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa announced this Tuesday, May 7, 2024, indicating that the Nintendo Switch 's successor would be unveiled by the end of the current fiscal year, i.e. before the end of March 2025."We will make an announcement regarding the Nintendo Switch's successor during this fiscal year," Furukawa explained on X.
He also tempered fans' expectations, indicating that"no mention" of the new console would be made at Nintendo's next conference in June. This measured communication strategy comes after a period of intense speculation that saw Nintendo's share price fluctuate significantly, affected by uncertainties surrounding the launch date of the new device. Indeed, since the beginning of the year, Nintendo shares had been rising in anticipation of a "Switch 2" that could potentially surpass previous successes.
Despite an uncertain business environment, Nintendo posted impressive financial results for the past year, with record net income of 490.6 billion yen (approx. 2.9 billion euros), up 13.4% year-on-year. However, forecasts for 2024/25 are far less optimistic, with an expected fall of almost 40% in net profit and 20% in sales, as our colleagues in Le Figaro explain. This caution reflects the challenges ahead, but also the transition to a new generation of consoles that could reshape the gaming landscape. By continuing to support the current Switch, which has already exceeded 141 million units sold, Nintendo is paving the way for a successful transition while sustaining its current performance.
The announcement planned by Big N is therefore more than just a product reveal; it is symptomatic of the fluctuations and strategies of an industry giant faced with rapidly evolving technologies and consumer expectations. The success or failure of this transition could well define the company's future trajectory in the competitive video game sector.
