Nintendo Confirms Nintendo Switch 2 Development Began in 2019 Amid Legal Battle with Genki

Nintendo Reveals Nintendo Switch 2 Development Started in 2019 In a recent turn of events concerning trademark infringement and unfair competition claims, Nintendo has made a revealing disclosure regarding its next-generation console, widely referred to as the Nintendo Switch 2.

Court documents made public during Nintendo's legal proceedings against accessory manufacturer Genki have surfaced, shedding light on the timeline of the new hardware's development and the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation. Background: Nintendo’s Legal Dispute with Genki Nintendo, the Japanese gaming giant and creator of iconic franchises such as Mario and The Legend of Zelda, initiated legal action against Genki, a third-party accessory company.

The lawsuit accuses Genki of infringing on Nintendo's trademark rights, engaging in unfair competition, and making misleading claims about its products.

This legal confrontation underscores Nintendo’s vigilance in protecting its intellectual property and the integrity of the Nintendo Switch platform ecosystem. Switch Success Spurs Next-Gen Hardware Development Within the court filings, Nintendo formally disclosed that it began diligent efforts on its next hardware platform shortly after launching the original Nintendo Switch system in March 2017.

According to the documents, “formal hardware development began around 2019,” marking a swift move to capitalize on the Switch's commercial success and to sustain the pace of technological advancement. This revelation affirms long-standing industry observations that major hardware developers often begin the research and development phase for new consoles soon after releasing their previous generation.

Analysts and fans alike have speculated on the timeline and features of the so-called Nintendo Switch 2, and this disclosure places a concrete marker on when work officially began. Nintendo Switch’s Ongoing Momentum Since its release, the Nintendo Switch has achieved remarkable sales milestones, crossing over 125 million units sold worldwide as of 2024.

The platform has become synonymous with versatility, enabling gamers to play at home or on the go.

Nintendo’s commitment to hardware innovation is evident not only from continuous support via major titles and eShop exclusives, but also from iterative upgrades such as the Nintendo Switch OLED model. Verified Statements from the Proceedings Court records confirm, as paraphrased from Nintendo’s official statements, that the company’s research and development team transitioned into formal hardware prototyping and conceptualization for the new system in 2019.

This strategic initiative highlights how Nintendo proactively aligns product development cycles with market dynamics and evolving player expectations. Looking Ahead: Nintendo Switch 2 and Company Strategy While Nintendo has not detailed specific features or a projected release date for its upcoming hardware, the acknowledgment of a development timeline beginning in 2019 is significant.

It demonstrates Nintendo’s continuous investment in its platform future and reinforces the importance of R&D within its corporate strategy.

This approach ensures that the Nintendo Switch successor is likely to build upon the brand’s legacy of innovative, accessible gaming experiences. As legal proceedings continue, Nintendo remains silent on further Switch 2 details, but the industry now has confirmed insight into how quickly the company moved to start shaping the next chapter in video game hardware.

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