Nintendo can be a very inconsistent company regarding its software and hardware development in the gaming industry. No generation is the same when it comes to their consoles or games. At one moment, gamers could be playing on a console with an awkward controller like the N64 or Nintendo Gamecube, and at another, flinging their arms around with a console like the Nintendo Wii.
However, rumors have spread that a Nintendo Switch 2 could be on the horizon in 2024. These rumors speculate as to what Nintendo might do next: build upon the Switch's success or create a new console with a new gimmick. The company has been innovating the video game industry since the release of the N64. Still, it is time for Nintendo to focus on building upon an already firmly established console like the Switch rather than creating something completely new.
Rumors say that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be significantly upgraded with a new processor, GPU, graphics card, OLED screen, and 4K support. This is a step in the right direction. It can be a boring concept to many players, especially since Microsoft and Sony already build upon consoles they are succeeding with. In fact, when players jumped from the Xbox One X to the Xbox Series X, they noticed no difference in UI, the controllers were the same, and they played all the same games.
However, Microsoft and Sony succeed because it is a safe bet to build upon what works. Nintendo is known for taking risks, and the Nintendo Wii U threatened the company's ability to stay in the console race. The company cannot afford another Wii U disaster, at least for now.
A Nintendo Switch 2 could also allow Nintendo to focus on other aspects of the console, like an improved UI, eShop, and backwards compatibility. Players will say what they want about Sony and Microsoft consoles, but they agree that these are some of the next-gen improvements that made the Xbox and PlayStation successful. A Nintendo Switch 2 will need to focus on what worked for the company's competitors if it wants to succeed.
The Nintendo Switch's UI has not changed in the last five years. Players have asked for themes, voice chat, and an online overhaul to rival the Xbox and PlayStation. The eShop is slow and laggy, and backwards compatibility is almost nonexistent aside from the tiny Nintendo Online NES, SNES, and N64 libraries. There is no possible way to play Gamecube, Wii, Wii U, Gameboy, or DS titles. A Switch 2 will also need to be backwards compatible with its predecessor.
With software improvements, Nintendo can also focus on hardware improvements that don't include the console's specs. The Nintendo Pro Controller is a must-have as it rivals the terrific controllers of the competition. That being said, there can be improvements made to the controller. For instance, the weight should be reduced as it is one of the heavier and bulkier controllers on the market. A Switch 2 Pro Controller or Pro Controller 2 can be another focus rather than implementing a brand-new gimmick for the console.
Lastly, first-party and third-party titles can also take a front seat focus with the release of a new Switch 2. Nintendo and other developers can create more quality titles since there will be few changes coming to a Switch 2 other than improved performance. Third-party developers widely support the Switch, and a Switch 2 would continue to see that support.
Nintendo has been playing its cards close to its chest ever since the Switch was released, so even with leaks and rumors, it is challenging to pinpoint its next console's direction. Even the Switch Pro ended up being a Switch OLED, but it proved that the Switch is the future for Nintendo, and with the Switch 2, the company can do so much more for its consumers than a brand-new gimmick ever could.