Rumors have been swirling for months that Nintendo plans to launch its next-generation console, the successor to the incredibly popular Nintendo Switch, in late 2024.
However, several reliable gaming news outlets including Kotaku, Eurogamer, and VideoGamesChronicle (VGC) have now reported that Nintendo has internally delayed the release of the still-unnamed Switch successor to 2025.
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Previously Expected Release Timeframe
Up until these recent reports, the expectation based on leaks and insider sources was that Nintendo would launch the Switch successor sometime between October and December 2024, likely aiming for a holiday season release date.
This Fall 2024 timeframe aligned with the Switch’s own launch back in March 2017 and life cycle thus far. The Switch is nearing the end of its sixth year on the market, and game consoles typically last for around 5-7 years before being replaced by newer hardware. So a late 2024 release would have made sense from a timing perspective.
New Rumored Release Window
However, it now appears Nintendo has pushed things back and is reportedly planning for a release in the first quarter of 2025 instead, possibly January through March of that year.
This would mean the Switch successor arrives over 7 years after the original Switch launch, giving the current-gen Switch a longer than usual lifecycle.
Reasons Provided for the Delay
So why has Nintendo reportedly delayed its next console a few months past its originally planned launch window? According to VGC and Eurogamer, one of the main factors is a lack of major first-party games that would be ready for a late 2024 release.
Nintendo prefers to launch new hardware with strong first-party exclusive titles that really showcase the new capabilities of the system. For example, the Switch launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as its marquee launch title.
But sources suggest Nintendo’s heaviest hitting development teams like the Zelda team, Mario team, etc. need more time to get their next big games ready for the successor console. So pushing the hardware launch back allows the games lineup to be beefed up.
Bloomberg has reported that Nintendo is planning a brand new Donkey Kong game for the Switch successor, which could be positioned as a major launch title. But clearly more system-selling games are needed, and Nintendo is said to be unwilling to rush out the hardware before the software is ready.
Other Contributing Factors
In addition to wanting more robust first-party software support, other factors may be contributing to the decision to delay the Switch successor’s release.
- Suppliers and manufacturing partners may have indicated that 2024 mass production timelines were too ambitious. COVID-related supply chain issues have complicated hardware production schedules over the past two years.
- The global chip shortage is still creating problems for production of new silicon and electronics. Pushing to 2025 allows supply to improve.
- Nintendo may want to include newer chipsets and components, but vendors can’t supply enough of those parts by late 2024.
- The console’s technical specifications may need additional work to provide a noticeable leap over current gen systems from Sony and Microsoft. Launching in 2025 allows Nintendo’s engineers more time to improve the hardware.
Will Performance be Impacted?
This last point raises an interesting question – could the delayed release also be tied to concerns that the Switch successor won’t be powerful enough to compete with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S if it launches in 2024?
Multiple reports have indicated the Switch successor will once again use Nvidia chips, with rumors pointing to potential Nvidia Orin or T239 chipsets. These would provide more power than the current Tegra X1 Mariko chip in the Switch OLED model. But some analysis indicates these 2024 Nvidia chips still wouldn’t match the GPU performance in the PS5 and latest Xboxes.
Pushing the release to 2025 means Nintendo’s console could take advantage of an even newer Nvidia chip, perhaps providing the performance leap needed to prevent the system from feeling underpowered compared to rivals right from the start.
Game Developers Have Allegedly Been Notified
Assuming these reports hold true, it also stands to reason that Nintendo would have notified its game development partners and third party publishers about the internal delay. Having a solid release date is crucial for planning development timelines.
In fact, VGC claimed it confirmed the 2025 delay after speaking to multiple game developers who have direct knowledge of Nintendo’s new launch plans for its next system.
Major third parties like Ubisoft, Activision, Take-Two, and EA would need significant lead time to get titles ready for a new Nintendo platform launch. If the successor isn’t coming until 2025, they would need to adjust their project timelines accordingly for both first and third-party studios.
What About a Reveal?
If the Switch successor won’t be launching until 2025, does this mean Nintendo will hold off announcing the new hardware until sometime next year?
Probably not. In fact, VGC reports Nintendo still plans to host a Direct presentation quite soon, potentially in March 2023, to officially reveal the existence of its next-gen console.
The company will still want to get ahead of leaks and confirm the new device is in development, even if it won’t be hitting store shelves for another year plus after the announcement. That builds anticipation and gets fans, developers, and business partners ready.
The main difference is this first reveal Direct may focus more on games still coming to the current Switch, rather than diving too deep into specs or pricing for the successor. With the launch being pushed back, there’s less urgency to showcase the hardware itself right away.
Disappointment for Fans
The rumor of a delay from late 2024 to early 2025 will undoubtedly come as disappointing news to many Nintendo fans who were hoping to upgrade from their launch Switch systems as soon as possible.
However, if the reports do turn out to be accurate, try to look at the bright side. The successor console will likely benefit from:
- More powerful and advanced internal hardware if given an extra year of development.
- Better first-party software support with more must-have launch titles.
- Less supply chain constraints and production hurdles.
- Overall improvements stemming from the extra polish time.
So even though the wait is extended, the end result should be a more fully-featured next-gen console that hopefully avoids shortages and has the strongest possible software lineup. That’s an outcome all Nintendo fans should want.
The company hasn’t made anything official yet, so take the 2025 delay with a grain of salt for now. But with multiple outlets echoing the same thing, it does seem likely the target launch timeframe has shifted.
As we get more concrete updates from Nintendo itself in the coming months, the picture should become clearer. For now, it’s safe to settle in with your current Switch systems for a little while longer. The future is still bright for the platform, it may just be arriving slightly later than initially thought.
Conclusion
Based on credible reports from gaming news sites, it appears Nintendo has postponed the release target for its next-generation Switch successor console from late 2024 to early 2025.
While not officially confirmed, the consistent rumours suggest the delay is likely accurate. The extra year will hopefully allow Nintendo to improve the hardware, gather more robust first-party software support, navigate supply constraints, and ultimately deliver a more polished successor system.
This will surely come as disappointing news to eager Nintendo fans ready for new hardware. But the result may be a notably stronger launch for the Switch follow-up. We’ll have to wait and see when Nintendo finally announces the new console, which leaks point to happening soon.
The future remains bright for Nintendo’s platforms. But patience will be required, as the next-generation Nintendo Switch likely won’t arrive until 2025 after this reported internal delay. Read more HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the rumored delay of the Nintendo Switch successor:
Q: Has Nintendo confirmed the delay to 2025?
A: No, Nintendo has not officially announced or confirmed the delay. It’s based on leaks and rumors, albeit from reliable sources.
Q: What new features can we expect from the Switch successor?
A: Nothing is confirmed, but rumors point to a more powerful Nvidia chip, improved display, 4K output when docked, and larger internal storage among other upgrades.
Q: Will there be a price increase for the new console?
A: Pricing is unknown, but the 2025 release may allow a lower cost than launching in 2024. A $349 or $399 price point seems reasonable.
Q: Will the delay impact games currently in development?
A: It shouldn’t. Most major games slated for 2023 and beyond are likely already planned for cross-gen release on Switch and its successor.
Q: Does this mean Nintendo won’t have any new hardware in 2024?
A: Nintendo may still release a rumored 4K “Switch Pro” model in late 2023/early 2024 ahead of the full successor.
Q: How will Nintendo handle marketing if it’s announced in 2023 but not out until 2025?
A: Gradual reveals over two years building hype. Limited hands-on demos at 2024 events. Pre-orders well in advance.
Q: Should I wait to buy a Switch now?
A: No, the current $299 Switch OLED model will still have over a year of life left. And it should see price drops after the successor is announced.