[Discussion] Nintendo Confirms Switch 2 Backward Compatibility and Online Features

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Nintendo Switch 2: Confirming Backwards Compatibility and Switch Online Presence

Nintendo has made an official confirmation that the unannounced successor to the original Nintendo Switch, unofficially known as the 'Switch 2', will be compatible with all original Switch games. In addition, the Switch 2 will support Nintendo's online service, Nintendo Switch Online.

Anticipating the Successor to Nintendo Switch

During the recent Corporate Management Policy Briefing, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa brought light to the upcoming device, which is to succeed the highly popular Nintendo Switch launched in 2017.

On social media platform X/Twitter, a statement from Furukawa was posted: "Today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing revealed that the Nintendo Switch's successor would allow playability of software from the Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch Online service will be accessible on this successor. Additional details about this new console, especially its compatibility with original Switch games, will be revealed at a later date."

Although anticipation is high, the gaming community will have to wait, as Nintendo intends to officially announce the new console by the end of March 2025.

The Current Situation at Nintendo: An Insight into Switch Sales

Nintendo also revealed information regarding its current sales situation, indicating a downgraded sales projection for its primary gaming console. For the fiscal year ending in March 2025, Nintendo has trimmed its sales forecast from 13.5 million to 12.5 million units.

In comparison to the previous financial year, this year saw a 17% drop in revenue and a 69% plunge in profit. Nintendo Switch unit sales also experienced a dip, with a six-month ending total of 4.72 million units as of September 30, a decrease from last year's corresponding period sales of 6.84 million units.

Despite these declines, there were standouts on the software front. Between April and September 2024, Nintendo reported solid sales of 'The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom' and 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe', tallying up impressive sales figures of 2.58 million and 2.31 million units respectively.

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