TOKYO — The president of Nintendo, Shuntaro Furukawa, announced on Wednesday that sales for the Switch console remain robust, while also hinting at the future release of its successor.
Furukawa expressed confidence in the continued popularity of the Nintendo Switch, stating, “The momentum of the Nintendo Switch hasn’t stopped.” These remarks follow a report from Nintendo indicating a 60% decrease in profits during the first half of their fiscal year, attributed mainly to the waning sales of the Switch, which is now entering its eighth year, along with its games.
While specifics about the highly anticipated new console were not disclosed, Furukawa assured reporters that all existing software will be compatible with the next generation of Switch consoles. He emphasized that gamers may still prefer to enjoy the extensive catalog available, as well as the games they’ve previously purchased, noting that the company’s vision is not confined to the traditional “life cycle” of a gaming console.
Nintendo is making significant investments across various sectors, including hardware and software research, as well as ventures into movies, merchandise, theme parks, and music, according to Furukawa. A sequel to the successful Mario movie is expected to be released in April 2026, along with plans for a film based on The Legend of Zelda; however, no specific dates were provided. According to Nintendo, movies tend to enhance both game and hardware sales, and the lack of a film release this year was a contributing factor to the sales decline.
In addition to its cinematic ventures, the Super Nintendo World theme park will be launching in Orlando next year, with plans for another park in Singapore. Existing parks are already operational in Japan and Los Angeles.
To further engage their audience, Nintendo is introducing new official stores, with one set to open in San Francisco next year. The company currently has stores in cities including New York, Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto, along with temporary pop-up shops in various locations.
Nintendo reports that over 100 million players globally are enjoying the Switch across all demographics. The company’s shares have seen a rise over the past year, having increased by 3.3% by midday on Wednesday.