Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has publicly acknowledged recent concern over the announced price increase for the company’s upcoming hardware, and said Nintendo is preparing a strong release slate to support the new device.
Furukawa, who became Nintendo’s president in June 2018, spoke directly about the impact of higher costs on the hardware price and reiterated Nintendo’s focus on software support as the platform launches.
In a concise restatement of his comments, Furukawa acknowledged that the revised price does not fully offset rising production and logistical costs and apologised to customers for the burden.
He also said Nintendo is working to deliver a "robust software lineup" in support of the new system.
Context and platform history
Nintendo’s Switch line has been a cornerstone of the company’s hardware strategy since the original Nintendo Switch launched on March 3, 2017.
The platform has seen multiple hardware revisions, including the Nintendo Switch Lite (released September 20, 2019) and the Nintendo Switch OLED model (released October 8, 2021).
Nintendo typically supports its consoles through first-party development from Nintendo EPD and a mix of third-party partners, with major title announcements made through Nintendo Direct presentations and digital distribution on the Nintendo eShop.
What Furukawa’s comments mean for software
Furukawa’s promise of a "robust software lineup" follows Nintendo’s standard approach of coupling hardware launches with a mix of flagship first-party franchises and new experiences.
Famously strong Nintendo properties such as Yoshi, Splatoon and Star Fox remain central to the company’s release strategy and are routinely cited as core franchise drivers for new hardware.
Reports and community discussion have also referenced other franchise possibilities, though Nintendo has not confirmed every title fans mention.
How consumers will find updates
Nintendo typically communicates launch windows, release dates and pricing through official channels: Nintendo Direct broadcasts, press releases, and updates on the Nintendo eShop.
Consumers and industry watchers should look to those channels for confirmed release dates and precise software lists.
Any future announcements will clarify which first-party and third-party titles will be available at or soon after the console’s launch.
Where this leaves the market
Furukawa’s statement seeks to reassure customers that Nintendo recognises the concerns around pricing while committing to software support to maximize the hardware’s value.
As with past Nintendo launches, the platform’s long-term success will hinge on both first-party strengths from Nintendo EPD and timely confirmation of launch-window software via Nintendo Direct and eShop listings.
Furukawa, who became Nintendo’s president in June 2018, spoke directly about the impact of higher costs on the hardware price and reiterated Nintendo’s focus on software support as the platform launches.
In a concise restatement of his comments, Furukawa acknowledged that the revised price does not fully offset rising production and logistical costs and apologised to customers for the burden.
He also said Nintendo is working to deliver a "robust software lineup" in support of the new system.
Context and platform history
Nintendo’s Switch line has been a cornerstone of the company’s hardware strategy since the original Nintendo Switch launched on March 3, 2017.
The platform has seen multiple hardware revisions, including the Nintendo Switch Lite (released September 20, 2019) and the Nintendo Switch OLED model (released October 8, 2021).
Nintendo typically supports its consoles through first-party development from Nintendo EPD and a mix of third-party partners, with major title announcements made through Nintendo Direct presentations and digital distribution on the Nintendo eShop.
What Furukawa’s comments mean for software
Furukawa’s promise of a "robust software lineup" follows Nintendo’s standard approach of coupling hardware launches with a mix of flagship first-party franchises and new experiences.
Famously strong Nintendo properties such as Yoshi, Splatoon and Star Fox remain central to the company’s release strategy and are routinely cited as core franchise drivers for new hardware.
Reports and community discussion have also referenced other franchise possibilities, though Nintendo has not confirmed every title fans mention.
How consumers will find updates
Nintendo typically communicates launch windows, release dates and pricing through official channels: Nintendo Direct broadcasts, press releases, and updates on the Nintendo eShop.
Consumers and industry watchers should look to those channels for confirmed release dates and precise software lists.
Any future announcements will clarify which first-party and third-party titles will be available at or soon after the console’s launch.
Where this leaves the market
Furukawa’s statement seeks to reassure customers that Nintendo recognises the concerns around pricing while committing to software support to maximize the hardware’s value.
As with past Nintendo launches, the platform’s long-term success will hinge on both first-party strengths from Nintendo EPD and timely confirmation of launch-window software via Nintendo Direct and eShop listings.