Nintendo says it will continue to support Switch 1: ‘We want to keep those players engaged’ | VGC
Nintendo says it will continue to support Switch 1: ‘We want to keep those players engaged’ | VGC
by Skullghost
30 Comments
notthegoatseguy
Not really a surprise with Tomodochi not coming until 2026. Nintendo struggled on how to really end the massively successful Wii era, and Sony struggled on when to really end the PS2 era.
It’ll be more interesting to see what happens as we get into 2027.
MuptonBossman
Every company says this when they’re launching a new console, and within a year or two, we’re left with Just Dance and legacy versions of Madden / NBA 2K.
SwashNBuckle
Nintendo did the same thing with the 3ds after the switch launched and we got some fantastic 3ds games for about a year before they stopped and went all in on the switch.
metzoforte1
I think they will have to support NS1 more deeply and longer than planned. If a global recession is on the horizon it will be hard to grow the NS2 user base.
DaveLesh
Also Nintendo: “Gotta keep them buying the cheaper stuff.”
Pizza_Saucy
I don’t know if a Swtich 2 is in the cards for me this year but I am definitely picking up Metroid Prime 4.
GammaPhonica
In theory, there should be support for many years to come. Smaller indie games which don’t require a lot of graphical oomph could just release as a Switch game. It’ll be playable on Switch 2 anyway, so they’ll be serving both audiences.
TechnicsSL
I think they will need to keep supporting and selling Switch 1 simply because they need something to sell at a lower price point then Switch 2.
tennaki
They said it for the DS.
They said it for the 3DS.
They said it for the Wii U.
They said it for the ______….
Diamonhowl
The install base is just way too big to just drop support. It’s literally only 2nd to the Ps2. won’t be surprised at all if it gets supported until 2027 or 28.
FierceDeityKong
I want them to start doing nintendo selects or at least make vouchers a lot cheaper. There’s a lot of ns1 games i haven’t bothered to buy or play
SilentSasquatch2
With the uncertainty around the economy, cost of living, tariffs directly affecting their business, etc. I think the Switch 1 is going to end up getting supported much longer than anticipated
RetroGamer9
They may have no choice considering the unfortunate timing of launch, with a trade war and possible global recession. I have no doubt the Switch 2 will be successful. But maybe not within the first couple of years, depending on how the uncertainty with the economy plays out
LunarWingCloud
I will believe it when I see it. They say this all the time. And yet DS was quickly shoved aside for 3DS, Wii games stopped immediately for Wii U, we can go on.
Smugg-Fruit
Gameboy Advance owners: “*Hey, I’ve seen this one!*”
PurpleToaster91
They also said we’d get years of updates for Animal Crossing NH. We barely got a year.
snootyvillager
Kinda weird Bravely Default isn’t a Switch 1 game. I get they need launch titles, but that’s absolutely runnable on the Switch if I had to guess
TehFriskyDingo
For anyone who has been gaming for multiple generations, this isn’t even a question. “Old” gen consoles are always supported for years after the current gen console is released. There’d be too much money left on the floor if they only released switch 2 games immediately after launch. The majority of player base is always on the old generation (well maybe not always, looks at Wii U to switch lol) at launch
joe1up
calling it now, Switch 1 and lite are still gonna get pushed hard as a cheaper alternative for kids and families, whilst the 2 is gonna be aimed mainly at “hardcore” gamers until a price reduction or a lite model a few years from now. It’s clear if you look at the game lineup, 2 has got Cyberpunk, Metroid, Elden Ring, etc meanwhile the 1 is gonna get Pokemon, Tomodachi life, and rythym heaven.
TheRealEzekielRage
That is code for: Here are 5 more ports of old games for 60 bucks with an HD label slapped onto them.
Honestly, Luigi’s Mansion 1 I’d actually get XD
Kwayke9
Typical transition period, nothing surprising here
jethawkings
Honestly yeah, if they can make a Switch 1 port without doing any real serious updates there’s probably no reason not to do it.
I’m expecting almost 100% of non-performance exhaustive Indie Games/1st-Party Games to still come out on the Switch 1. I mean if Pokemon Legends Z-A and Raidou are still on the Switch 1
aznmeep
They are gonna have to.
Its gonna be awhile until people upgrade and most game companies are not creating strictly optimized next gen games anyways.
GlendaleMendoza
WINDWAKER TWILIGHT PRINCESS PLZ
Enrichus
They say this every console launch. The DS was marketed as 3rd next to Gamecube and GBA even though it had a GBA slot. It was obvious it would replace the GBA but they played it safe.
Hydroponic_Donut
No shit. They still have at least 2 games this year for it (Pokemon, Metroid) and there could be more with NS2 upgrades. They’d no doubt continue supporting their best selling console.
Halabane
Water is wet. Can’t ignore a huge base of customers. Especially since its going to take a long time to get enough of them over to SW2. With tariffs it may even be longer. With a trade war it may have to wait for SW3.
SandieSandwicheadman
Honestly can see either way going down
1. Switch 2 does okay to poorly, perhaps because of the bad market it’s releasing into. Smaller release games and less technically demanding games get released for the switch 1 for a long time, since they can be played on the 2 just as easily and can get hit with an upgrade charge as well. It serves as the budget line for Nintendo, and helps make the switch 2 games feel “premium” and justify their larger prices
2. Switch 2 sells like gangbusters immediately. Only the 25′ and 26′ already in production and already announced release for it, and they quickly move on as a company, much like how the switch was originally a “third pillar” before it outclassed the wii u and 3ds in sales almost immediately and both those lines dried up quickly
kuribosshoe0
Every console manufacturer says this before every new console launch. They don’t want sales of the old console to drop off, so they have to say this.
Wookie301
All I wanted was GameCube on Nintendo Online for Switch 1.
30 Comments
Not really a surprise with Tomodochi not coming until 2026. Nintendo struggled on how to really end the massively successful Wii era, and Sony struggled on when to really end the PS2 era.
It’ll be more interesting to see what happens as we get into 2027.
Every company says this when they’re launching a new console, and within a year or two, we’re left with Just Dance and legacy versions of Madden / NBA 2K.
Nintendo did the same thing with the 3ds after the switch launched and we got some fantastic 3ds games for about a year before they stopped and went all in on the switch.
I think they will have to support NS1 more deeply and longer than planned. If a global recession is on the horizon it will be hard to grow the NS2 user base.
Also Nintendo: “Gotta keep them buying the cheaper stuff.”
I don’t know if a Swtich 2 is in the cards for me this year but I am definitely picking up Metroid Prime 4.
In theory, there should be support for many years to come. Smaller indie games which don’t require a lot of graphical oomph could just release as a Switch game. It’ll be playable on Switch 2 anyway, so they’ll be serving both audiences.
I think they will need to keep supporting and selling Switch 1 simply because they need something to sell at a lower price point then Switch 2.
They said it for the DS.
They said it for the 3DS.
They said it for the Wii U.
They said it for the ______….
The install base is just way too big to just drop support. It’s literally only 2nd to the Ps2. won’t be surprised at all if it gets supported until 2027 or 28.
I want them to start doing nintendo selects or at least make vouchers a lot cheaper. There’s a lot of ns1 games i haven’t bothered to buy or play
With the uncertainty around the economy, cost of living, tariffs directly affecting their business, etc. I think the Switch 1 is going to end up getting supported much longer than anticipated
They may have no choice considering the unfortunate timing of launch, with a trade war and possible global recession. I have no doubt the Switch 2 will be successful. But maybe not within the first couple of years, depending on how the uncertainty with the economy plays out
I will believe it when I see it. They say this all the time. And yet DS was quickly shoved aside for 3DS, Wii games stopped immediately for Wii U, we can go on.
Gameboy Advance owners: “*Hey, I’ve seen this one!*”
They also said we’d get years of updates for Animal Crossing NH. We barely got a year.
Kinda weird Bravely Default isn’t a Switch 1 game. I get they need launch titles, but that’s absolutely runnable on the Switch if I had to guess
For anyone who has been gaming for multiple generations, this isn’t even a question. “Old” gen consoles are always supported for years after the current gen console is released. There’d be too much money left on the floor if they only released switch 2 games immediately after launch. The majority of player base is always on the old generation (well maybe not always, looks at Wii U to switch lol) at launch
calling it now, Switch 1 and lite are still gonna get pushed hard as a cheaper alternative for kids and families, whilst the 2 is gonna be aimed mainly at “hardcore” gamers until a price reduction or a lite model a few years from now. It’s clear if you look at the game lineup, 2 has got Cyberpunk, Metroid, Elden Ring, etc meanwhile the 1 is gonna get Pokemon, Tomodachi life, and rythym heaven.
That is code for: Here are 5 more ports of old games for 60 bucks with an HD label slapped onto them.
Honestly, Luigi’s Mansion 1 I’d actually get XD
Typical transition period, nothing surprising here
Honestly yeah, if they can make a Switch 1 port without doing any real serious updates there’s probably no reason not to do it.
I’m expecting almost 100% of non-performance exhaustive Indie Games/1st-Party Games to still come out on the Switch 1. I mean if Pokemon Legends Z-A and Raidou are still on the Switch 1
They are gonna have to.
Its gonna be awhile until people upgrade and most game companies are not creating strictly optimized next gen games anyways.
WINDWAKER TWILIGHT PRINCESS PLZ
They say this every console launch. The DS was marketed as 3rd next to Gamecube and GBA even though it had a GBA slot. It was obvious it would replace the GBA but they played it safe.
No shit. They still have at least 2 games this year for it (Pokemon, Metroid) and there could be more with NS2 upgrades. They’d no doubt continue supporting their best selling console.
Water is wet. Can’t ignore a huge base of customers. Especially since its going to take a long time to get enough of them over to SW2. With tariffs it may even be longer. With a trade war it may have to wait for SW3.
Honestly can see either way going down
1. Switch 2 does okay to poorly, perhaps because of the bad market it’s releasing into. Smaller release games and less technically demanding games get released for the switch 1 for a long time, since they can be played on the 2 just as easily and can get hit with an upgrade charge as well. It serves as the budget line for Nintendo, and helps make the switch 2 games feel “premium” and justify their larger prices
2. Switch 2 sells like gangbusters immediately. Only the 25′ and 26′ already in production and already announced release for it, and they quickly move on as a company, much like how the switch was originally a “third pillar” before it outclassed the wii u and 3ds in sales almost immediately and both those lines dried up quickly
Every console manufacturer says this before every new console launch. They don’t want sales of the old console to drop off, so they have to say this.
All I wanted was GameCube on Nintendo Online for Switch 1.