The Original Nintendo Switch’s Days Are Numbered

When I reviewed the Nintendo Switch 2 that launched earlier in June, I felt that it would be worth buying eventually, but probably not right away. The console went on to have the biggest game launch of all time, so I have egg on my face, but I stand by what I said: So far, the Switch 2 has been a great way to play upgraded Switch 1 games, but hasn’t had many exclusives, so you can usually still play Nintendo’s newer titles without upgrading your device (unless you’re impatient). Mario Kart Or Donkey Kong fan).

But now it looks like that’s about to change, and if you haven’t bought the Switch 2 yet, it might finally be time to take the plunge. During a financial results presentation on Wednesday, Nintendo admitted that “going forward, we will shift our main development focus to Nintendo Switch 2 and expand our business around this new platform.”

This doesn’t mean the original Switch is immediately discontinued, but despite the latest Pokémon with the game being released just half a month ago, that means the system is preparing for retirement. Despite the success of the Switch (154.01 million sales to date!), the transition makes sense. This console is eight years old at this point and was already using older hardware than this when it was released. Continuing to make the latest first-party Nintendo games compatible with the original Switch could also hamper the development of the Switch 2 – and with such a large player base having already upgraded to the Switch 2 (the successor system has sold 10.36 million as of September 30), the company probably doesn’t see it as necessary.

Can I still buy a Switch 1?

Hardware sales will not be affected at this time, if you want to play the existing original Switch library and don’t already own one. In the same report, Nintendo said it would continue to sell the original Switch, “while taking into account consumer demand and the business environment.” This also fits with Nintendo’s previous behavior, as Nintendo waited three years after the launch of the original Switch to abandon the 3DS.

When should you get the Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo didn’t give many more clues about its plans in its briefing, but we can take the company’s statement to mean that it won’t begin development on any new Switch 1 games that haven’t already been announced. This means we probably already have a good idea of ​​what the last Switch 1 first-party game will be, after which the console’s content will likely start to dry up.

And, to be honest, the Switch’s swan song is entirely appropriate. Released on December 4, the latest first-party game for Nintendo Switch will likely be Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It’s the result of a difficult development that took almost as long as the Switch lasted, with the game’s announcement coming just months after the console’s launch. That’s not a bad way to go. Like other recent Switch 1 games, Metroid Prime 4 is also getting a Switch 2 edition that will improve performance and add features like mouse controls, but as it stands, you won’t. need to upgrade to play it.

If you’re as stubborn as me, that means you can probably wait for a Switch 2 until 2026, but to play Nintendo’s big new releases after that, you’ll have to move on.

What about third-party games?

The only exception to the Switch’s impending retirement might be third-party games, which, according to this helpful chart from redditor u/ieatdragonz, are due at least late next year. However, even these are starting to be affected, as many of these games are ports of titles already released elsewhere, while more demanding third-party games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are already starting to ignore Nintendo’s latest generation console.

Which Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives will be released before next year?

While those looking to keep up with Nintendo games after December will likely have no choice but to upgrade, there are reasons to upgrade before then, depending on your tastes. Mario Kart World And Donkey Kong Bananza are both exclusive to the Switch 2, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonmentlaunched today, is also not available on the original Switch. Later this month, these titles will also be joined by Kirby Air Riders.

If any of these games appeal to you, they already present a compelling reason to upgrade. If not, Nintendo will probably understand you at some point, now that it has transferred the full force of its development to its new console.

What about the Switch 2’s smaller player base?

By moving development to Switch 2 games, Nintendo makes life a little easier for its studios, but also reduces its active player base. Over 10.3 million players is a lot, but it’s only a fraction of the original Switch’s over 150 million players. This means that sales of new Nintendo games could be held back by a smaller total possible audience, at least for a while. But at the same time, making its shiny new releases exclusive to its new console could also easily push sales of the new system even further. Plus, it’s not like all original Switch owners are buying each new version now, anyway.

At $450, the Switch 2 is an expensive piece of kit compared to its predecessor (although, to be fair, the current system recently received a tariff-related price increase that narrowed the difference), so it’s unclear whether its strong initial performance will sustain long enough to rebuild Nintendo’s player base from its latest generation. But it’s clear that the company is going to give the system its all in the future, and based on its recent successes, it has plenty of money to throw at it.

This means that if you don’t want to be left behind at the next Zelda Or Mario comes out, it’s finally time to consider opening your wallet. To be honest, I still prefer competing hardware like the Steam Deck, but I also like that little red plumber, so I guess I have no choice now but to start saving my gold coins.