After eight years of good and loyal service, the first Nintendo Switch is starting to show its first signs of weakness. The console is about to retire and therefore leaves its manufacturer in a down period. In its latest financial report published on February 4, the Kyoto firm reveals that its sales estimates have been revised downwards for the current fiscal year. Over this period which will end on March 31, Nintendo had aimed to sell an additional 12.5 million consoles. Finally, the interminable wait for the Nintendo Switch 2 ended up playing tricks on them, since the new forecasts now predict 11 million machines, or 1.5 million fewer copies: that's not nothing.
The same observation on the games side, with sales statistics down 24.4% for the period from December to March, compared to last year's figures. In 2024, even the end-of-year holidays will not have saved the furniture. The fault of a very light release catalog too. For the start of 2025, Nintendo is content to bet on two reissues of past titles: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Xenobade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. Nintendo's stock is doing well, however, as investors anticipate the coming weeks, which promise to be as busy as they are decisive.
Announcements in a row
Until next April, the Kyoto firm promises to bet on its major licenses to convince gamers around the world. The ball of announcements will begin on February 27, at on the occasion of Pokémon Day which will broadcast a new trailer for the very mysterious Pokémon Legends ZA. If the Pokémon Company and Game Freak have finally managed to develop a title that is as stable as it is fun, the year 2025 will start off with a bang for Nintendo.
The next major event is set for April 2, with the broadcast of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct. On this occasion, the manufacturer will reveal everything there is to know about the new console: release date, price, features and also launch titles. We already know that a new Mario Kart will be part of it, suggesting a very good start for the new console. The similarities between the Switch and the Switch 2 are worrying, because it was this lack of differentiation that caused the failure of the Wii U. However, in a market where hybrid portable consoles are booming, Nintendo's new machine has the potential to compete with some behemoths like the Steam Deck. Watch this space.
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