New reports indicate that Nintendo’s eagerly awaited Switch 2, the successor to its flagship console, is unlikely to hit shelves before April 2025, as Nintendo focuses on sustaining sales of the current Switch model nearing the end of its lifecycle.
Switch 2 Launch Expected in Summer 2025
Developers Eye April or May 2025 for Switch 2 Release
Nintendo’s much-anticipated Switch 2 is reportedly slated for a release no earlier than April 2025. Insights shared by Chris Dring, head of GamesIndustry.biz, on their podcast reveal that game developers have been informed of this timeline directly.
Dring noted that developers he consulted do not expect the Switch 2 to launch within the current financial year, ending March 2025. “Every developer I’ve spoken with has been told not to expect a release this financial year,” Dring stated. “Many are hopeful for an April or May launch, aiming for early next year rather than later.”
Dring suggested this timing could help Nintendo avoid competing with major releases like Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI, expected in Fall 2025 (September to November).
Further fueling speculation, journalist Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe, on the O X do Controle podcast, hinted that Nintendo might unveil the Switch 2 before August ends, according to a translation by BGR.
Nintendo has promised an official announcement about the Switch’s successor before the fiscal year closes on March 31, 2025, though no confirmation has been made. The company remains tight-lipped, but an announcement is expected within the current fiscal year.
Nintendo’s Stock and Switch Sales Decline
Current Switch Sales Drop but Maintain Year-on-Year Strength
In related developments, Nintendo’s shares fell approximately 2.3% in Tokyo on August 2 following a reported revenue drop from the current Switch console. The company’s Q1 FY2025 Financial Results revealed a 46.4% year-on-year decline in consolidated sales for its dedicated gaming platform, with 2.1 million Switch units sold in the quarter during its eighth year. Despite this, Nintendo sold 15.7 million Switch consoles for the year ending March 2024, exceeding its 13.5 million unit forecast.
Insights into Nintendo’s Current Switch Performance
Nintendo reported that between July 2023 and June 2024, over 128 million annual playing users engaged with the Nintendo Switch family, reflecting strong user retention as the console nears the end of its lifecycle. This figure represents Nintendo Accounts that used Switch software at least once during the 12-month period.
In its latest financial update, Nintendo emphasized its focus on “maximizing” both hardware and software sales, even with the Switch 2 on the horizon, projecting 13.5 million units sold for FY2025. “We will continue efforts to boost software and hardware sales in an environment where many remain active on Nintendo Switch,” the company stated.
