With handheld consoles recently coming back, the Nintendo Switch is falling behind consoles like the Steam Deck. The hardware is showing its age, but the company does not plan to release new hardware for another year.
Still, new details have been revealed about Nintendo’s plans for the future. In a new Q&A Session, the President of Nintendo hinted at backward compatibility for the Nintendo Switch successor.
Why It Matters: Backwards compatibility is a significant factor in the gaming industry. It enables newer consoles to play older games without requiring older hardware and is a crucial consideration for gamers looking to buy new consoles.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa says they plan to make a smooth transition for customers from Nintendo Switch to the next-generation console by using the Nintendo Account!
– There are currently 290 million Nintendo Accounts across console & mobile.https://t.co/Y9O8vmeySz pic.twitter.com/OrIYQ1K5XU
— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) June 27, 2023
Furukawa revealed that there are over 290 million Nintendo accounts across both consoles and mobile. While previous Nintendo consoles marked a fresh start, this will not happen with the Switch successor.
He elaborated that the Nintendo account system will ensure that the transition to the next Nintendo console will be as smooth as possible. This likely means that backward compatibility is a focus for Nintendo.
The Xbox Series S|X and PS5 allow users to carry their last-generation libraries to the new consoles. In many cases, the older games are also enhanced with better visuals and higher frame rates.
Therefore, Nintendo appears to be taking a similar approach. This will motivate Nintendo Switch owners to buy the new hardware without fear of losing their existing games library.
According to a previous report, job listings revealed cross-platform development for new and older Nintendo consoles, indicating that Nintendo will seamlessly support both new and old platforms.
Previous consoles from Nintendo have supported backward compatibility, but the Nintendo Switch did not offer the ability to play older Nintendo games. However, Nintendo is unlikely to repeat this mistake.
The Nintendo Switch is still performing well in terms of sales, and a successor is unlikely to arrive this year. Previously it was reported that Nintendo’s next console could rival PS4 performance, but that is yet to be seen.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
