22 January 2024 , 18:00
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The highly anticipated successor to the Nintendo Switch is already in the hands of developers (in case it wasn’t obviously already).
Rumblings about the Nintendo Switch’s successor have been rumbling for a while now, with rumours suggesting the new console’s devkit was being shown off to developers at Gamescom last year. Since then, many of us have just assumed that Nintendo is set to make an announcement regarding the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 (or whatever it ends up being called) later this year. This could still very much be true, especially since a new survey has revealed that developments for the sequel device is already in full swing.
Knowledge of Nintendo Switch 2 game development being well underway comes as a result of 2024’s GDC State of the Game Industry survey. The survey, available to download here, found that no less than 8% of the 3,000 developers surveyed confirmed in the “which platform are you developing your current project for?” section that they are working on a game intended to launch on the “Nintendo Switch successor”. If this isn’t solid proof that Nintendo Switch 2 games are on the way soon, we don’t know what is.
The writing about Nintendo Switch 2’s imminent arrival has been on the wall for a while. Yes, because of those alleged Gamescom sightings, but also as much of Nintendo’s release lineup throughout 2023 and now 2024 consist mainly of remakes and… not much else. This has led to speculation that most future first-party AAA Nintendo exclusives like Metroid Prime 4 and the inevitable Super Mario Odyssey follow-up are being kept for a potential Nintendo Switch 2 launch.
Switch up the sequel
I’m convinced that, whether it ends up releasing this year or not, the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to be talked about heavily at some point this year. The only real Nintendo-made game releasing for it this year is Princess Peach: Showtime! And while it looks just as inventive and colourful as any of Super Mario’s recent platforming adventures, the trailers so far indicate a smaller scope. This indicates to me that more resources are being poured into games for the platform’s next console.
Nintendo Switch 2 release set for next year as Zelda ushers in the end of Switch
Obviously, when it comes to the GDC State of the Game Industry survey referenced, this will primarily be made up of answers from third-party developers. That Nintendo Switch 2 games are actively being worked on by developers other than Nintendo only indicates that the console’s release could be closer than we’ve been suspecting. Regardless of if the console’s announcement is this year or next, however, I’m incredibly excited to see what cool Nintendo Switch 2 things everyone has been cooking.