Key Takeaways
- The Nintendo Switch is near the end of its lifespan, making it a less attractive option.
- The release of the Switch 2 is imminent, with an announcement likely before March 2025.
- Rumors suggest the Switch 2 may be priced at just $400.
The Nintendo Switch is a fantastic console and there are tons of great Switch games to choose from. But if you’re still on the fence about whether you should get one, your apprehension may be well placed. Here’s why holding off a little longer might make sense.
1 The Nintendo Switch Is Near the End of Its Lifespan
The original Nintendo Switch was released in 2017. In console-years, that means the Switch is nearing the end of its lifespan.
The 2021 OLED model doesn’t offer a boost in terms of specs or performance, either. It is capable of video at 720p on the console’s display and at 1080p when docked, the same as the original Switch.
Overall, the Switch feels a bit dated when compared with other consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The console may find it difficult to run a few modern games. It’s logical that soon developers will no longer be making games for the console, focusing instead on its successor.
Sure, you can play a ton of retro Nintendo games on your Switch, all available through Nintendo Switch Online. But in theory, you should also be able to do that with the console’s successor.
2 The Switch 2 Is Likely to Launch Soon
There has been talk of a Switch successor for some time now, but there has never been a more probable time for an official announcement.
In May, Engadget reported that Nintendo would reveal the Switch’s successor sometime this fiscal year, which ends in March 2025. This means that we can expect the Switch 2—or whatever Nintendo intends to call it—to be launched soon.
Nintendo also dropped its Switch sales projections for the fiscal ending in March 2025. In fact, over the last few years, sales of the Switch have been steadily slowing. This is another indication that the company might be gearing up for the launch of its next game console.
3 The Switch 2 May Cost Only $400
Of all the leaks and rumors that are reported, few hit the mark. But a recent leak relating to the PS5 Pro turned out to be accurate, with Sony ultimately announcing the PS5 Pro on exactly the same date as rumored.
And BGR cites the same source of that leak, Discord user moistycharlie, with a rumor about the Switch successor’s price. According to this leak, the new console could cost just $400. If this turns out to be the case, it makes the most compelling argument to hold off on purchasing the Switch, which launched at $299 and hasn’t seen price drops in many regions.
It seems almost certain that Nintendo will announce the Switch’s successor in the coming months, so if you do decide to buy a Nintendo Switch now, it won’t be long before you’ll have to upgrade. That, coupled with the fact that there’s no official confirmation of backward compatibility with the Switch’s successor, means waiting might just be the wiser option.
