The success that Nintendo Switch achieved in the last seven years is simply incredible. Since its initial release in 2017, gamers have consistently been treated to several stellar titles, which has allowed the Switch to maintain its success for so long. However, as with any console on the market, there will eventually come a time when gamers start to look to the future and what Nintendo may have in store.
It's no secret that Nintendo is currently gearing up for the Switch 2. With a new console coming, and considering how long the Switch has lasted as the company's flagship product, it would be fair to assume things would start to settle down. for the seven-year device. However, Nintendo appears to have other ideas. In fact, if this year has proven anything, it's that it's still worth keeping an eye on the Switchand this message could set a new precedent for the rest of the industry to follow.
The Switch had big exclusives this year
Zelda, Mario Party and more
Even as the Switch turned seven years old in March, Nintendo showed no signs of slowing down its support for the console. The year started off strong with some highly anticipated remakes, including a collection of the puzzle adventure series Other Code (including Other code: R – A trip to lost memorieswhich was previously exclusive to Japan and Europe), along with the remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Doorone of the plumber's most beloved RPG titles. Although these were not entirely new games, their releases were still excitingas they gave players the opportunity to rediscover some classic titles.
However, these games were nothing compared to what Nintendo had in store for the rest of 2024. In the space of two months, Switch players have been treated to new entries in some of Nintendo's exclusive franchises.including The Legend of Zelda, Mario's Partyand Mario and Luigi. These major releases would have been big surprises for many gamers, not only because of the Switch's long lifespan, but with confirmation of the Switch 2 reveal coming in a matter of months.
Nintendo's continued support of the Switch is a big factor in potentially changing attitudes gamers may have toward an older console. With new hardware on the horizon, it can be easy to be more passive about new titles on older consoles, especially when companies can delay bigger releases until when the new product arrives. Consistent major releases on Switch fight this notion, proving that the console is still more than capable of delivering exciting titlesand convincing players to remain committed to the console while waiting for more news on the Switch 2.
NSO continues to grow stronger
The fate of Nintendo's retro games
Along with the new releases, Nintendo has also ensured that there is plenty for players to invest in the Nintendo Switch Online service. Last year saw some huge titles added to NSO's Virtual Console libraryclassic first-person shooter Perfect Dark (it is the first appearance on a Nintendo console since the N64) for all F-Zero games that were released on the Game Boy Advance. In case of F-Zero: Climaxmarks the game's first official release outside of Japan, allowing a wide range of players to experience the title for the first time.
The constant additions to NSO provide even more incentive for players to continue investing in the Switch. The ever-growing library of legacy content available on the Switch offers gamers a readily accessible way to experience some of the company's most iconic games. Not only is this consistency a great sign for even more iconic titles to come to NSO, but it's also a necessary method to neutralize any chances of lower interest in the Switch.
The change won't slow down anytime soon
More exciting games have already been announced
Nintendo's unwavering commitment to the Switch is a change from the slowdown consoles can experience as they reach the end of their lifespan. It's a trend that Nintendo is very familiar with, as the Wii U suffered from a lackluster year of releases before the launch of the Switch. Wii U's last chance for relevance with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was overshadowed by the game's double release on the Switch, while the newer console's stellar first year of titles prevented the Wii U from getting the send-off it deserved, even with its lower-than-expected sales.
The support Nintendo is giving the Switch could be key to a change of heart at the end of any console's lifespan. The prospect of a new console shouldn't negate the possibility of a current console delivering some incredible games. Nintendo has proven that even when the existence of a new console is well known, a company can still provide good reasons for gamers to stick with their current consolegiving these beloved devices a chance for a proper send-off.
And Nintendo appears to be doing just that. The Switch is ready to give gamers more reasons to keep going into 2025 with a slew of new releases, including remasters of beloved titles like Xenoblade Chroniclesfor some all-new titles, including the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It is quite clear that with the Nintendo SwitchAfter Nintendo's monumental success, Nintendo is not content to let the console simply disappear. Even with the Switch 2 possibly launching in 2025, Nintendo appears committed to supporting both consoles anyway, potentially changing how older consoles are supported in their final years.