Why does the Nintendo Switch desperately need a successor?

Nintendo Switch 2 created a lot of hype back when it was leaked. However, Nintendo smothered those rumors and stated that it's not planning on announcing the new Switch anytime soon. Though it hasn't been officially announced yet, the Switch 2 is estimated to be released around March 2025.

However, with the growing hype surrounding handheld consoles, and the growing number of companies releasing their devices, the OG Switch seems a little outdated now. This is why Nintendo needs a successor so that it does not become obsolete.

Some new handhelds are offering far superior hardware, so Nintendo needs to up its game. Join us as we delve into the situation here and discuss how a new Switch console can bring the company back to life.

Note: The article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion.

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Nintendo needs Switch 2 to compete in the growing handheld market

Nintendo needs to up its game now that there are so many new handhelds being released (Image via Asus, Steam, MSI, Nintendo, PlayStation)

The handheld market is growing fast and users are increasingly opting for a laid-back and retro approach to gaming. Newer consoles like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, and MSI Claw are in some cases better than the Switch and the gap is just increasing.

While the Switch remains one of the greatest consoles of our time, it just can't compete with the ever-growing technology.

Part of the reason behind the Nintendo Switch's long lifespan is its exclusive game library. Certain classics like Mario and Zelda series have always been the center of attraction and have kept the company afloat for a long time. But this can't be sustained for long and a new console is Nintendo's only way to stay relevant in the competitive handheld scene.

Moreover, Sony, who used to be a top competitor for Nintendo with the PSP, has now returned to the handheld gaming scene with the PlayStation Portal. It gives you access to the huge PS5 game library on the go. Another big release we're expecting is from Xbox, who is planning to release a handheld sometime soon.

All these updates further widen the gap, making the Nintendo Switch seem quite outdated in terms of performance, display, and overall experience. With the last Switch update being released in 2021 (Switch OLED), it has been quite some time and a new handheld can reassert the company onto the scene.

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What does the Nintendo Switch 2 need to stand out in the market?

The new Switch has quite a lot of things it can improve on (Image via Unsplash/@alvarordesign)

There are certain features that would make the Switch 2 an absolute success. Nintendo doesn't have to do anything monumental and can stick to the original formula. Some features like more ergonomic joy-cons, backward compatibility, and better performance would be perfect upgrades.

This might be a reach, but having 4K would be a good addition as well. But I think the main upgrade needed is in terms of performance. Recent Switch games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and the latest Zelda titles are becoming quite taxing on the device. Thus, a hardware refresh is long overdue and could bring Nintendo back on track.

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To conclude, the market for Nintendo Switch is growing narrower by the day. The handheld gaming scene is growing fast with more gamers switching to handhelds for easy gaming on the go. Nintendo can take advantage of this opportunity and revive the handheld gaming legend with the Switch 2.

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