Nintendo has confirmed that it will continue to update and support existing Nintendo Switch titles even as it shifts development resources toward creating new games for the recently launched Nintendo Switch 2. During a shareholder Q&A session, President Shuntaro Furukawa and Senior Managing Executive Officer Shinya Takahashi outlined how the company intends to maintain a balance between ongoing support for its current library and the development of new software for the next-generation console.
Furukawa explained that while Nintendo’s development teams will naturally begin to prioritize Switch 2 production, the company remains committed to the original Switch’s ecosystem. “While our development resources will shift to focus on Switch 2, we are continuing to develop Switch software and plan to release new titles going forward,” he said. He emphasized that Nintendo’s strategy remains centered on building a large hardware install base and sustaining momentum through a steady stream of both new and evergreen titles. “In the Switch generation, this balance was successfully maintained, leading to many titles becoming long-selling evergreen hits, which sustained the platform’s momentum for a long period,” Furukawa added.
The company’s leadership also acknowledged the growing challenges associated with modern game development. Furukawa noted that rising software production costs and longer development cycles make it increasingly difficult to release new titles at a consistent pace. However, he pointed out that backward compatibility between the Switch 2 and the original Switch provides an opportunity to extend the lifespan of existing games. “Since the Switch 2 can play Switch software, we want to recommend Switch software to customers who are purchasing a game system for the first time,” he said. “Maintaining the momentum of the Switch 2 business will be achieved by pursuing a good balance between introducing new titles and allowing customers to enjoy evergreen titles for a long time.”
Echoing this sentiment, Shinya Takahashi emphasized the company’s dual focus on new releases and continued updates for existing games. “We in the development teams are always committed to delivering new titles at a good tempo,” he stated. “Furthermore, we believe that things like the recent Animal Crossing: New Horizons update, which we announced recently, will continue to be important.” Takahashi explained that Nintendo’s approach involves “constantly considering the balance between developing completely new titles or new series entries for Switch 2 and providing updates for Switch software.”
He also revealed that Nintendo is expanding its internal and external development capabilities through closer collaboration with partner studios and new partnerships to maintain quality while meeting the growing demand for fresh content. “Regarding R&D investment, our policy is to allocate sufficient funds as needed,” Takahashi added.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched worldwide on June 5, 2025, priced at $450 for the standard model and $500 for the Mario Kart World bundle. The hybrid console features an upgraded 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display, enhanced NVIDIA processor, and full backward compatibility with existing Switch titles.
