Amidst reports of a Switch 2 launch in the coming year, Nintendo of America CEO Doug Bowser has shed light on the company’s perspective regarding entering a new console generation. He believes that their Nintendo Account system will play a crucial role in “easing the transition.”
Although Bowser refrained from directly commenting on the rumors about a Switch successor, he emphasized to Inverse (during the same interview where he discussed unionization at Nintendo) the significant advancements made in their single sign-in Nintendo Accounts.
Bowser explained, “One thing we’ve done with the Switch to help with that communication and transition [to a new console generation] is the formation of the Nintendo Account. In the past, every device transition required a completely new account system. By creating the Nintendo Account, we can communicate with our players in the event of a transition to a new platform, thereby facilitating the process.”
Since its introduction in early 2016, Nintendo Accounts have served as a unified accounts system across all Nintendo products. This includes mobile apps like Miitomo, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, and Mario Kart Tour, as well as the Switch and services like My Nintendo.
Bowser’s statement aligns with Nintendo’s comments back in 2021, when they discussed Nintendo Accounts and referenced their “next gaming system.” The exact strategy for utilizing accounts to bridge the gap between the Switch and its successor remains a mystery. However, Bowser added that their goal is to “minimize the dip you typically see in the last year of one cycle and the beginning of another.” The nature of this dip, be it in releases, customers, awareness, or something else entirely, remains unclear.
Nintendo has yet to officially address the recent reports surrounding a Switch successor. In September, Eurogamer revealed that the company had been showcasing the Switch 2 to developers behind closed doors at Gamescom, using an enhanced version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Sources also informed Eurogamer that the Switch successor, which is expected to maintain the hybrid configuration of the current model, is slated for release in the latter half of 2024.
