Reggie Fils-Aimé Weighs in on Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Success and Brand Momentum

Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé recently shared his candid thoughts on the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 and its impact on Nintendo’s hardware legacy.

In a comprehensive interview with The Game Business Show, Fils-Aimé provided valuable insights not only into Nintendo Switch 2’s successful launch but also its place in the broader context of video game hardware history and brand momentum. The Nintendo Switch 2—Nintendo’s latest gaming console and the successor to the widely popular Nintendo Switch—launched to immense global fanfare.

The original Nintendo Switch, released in March 2017, quickly became one of the company’s most successful consoles, nearing the milestone of becoming Nintendo’s best-selling piece of hardware.

Contrary to the often turbulent transitions experienced by hardware manufacturers after record-setting products, Nintendo has managed to maintain robust momentum. In his discussion with host Christopher Dring, Reggie Fils-Aimé praised Nintendo’s ability to succeed with the Switch 2’s launch following such a successful predecessor.

He remarked that the console’s release was a major achievement for Nintendo’s global team, especially when considering the challenging track record many companies face when following up a blockbuster system.

Fils-Aimé drew comparisons to historical trends in the industry, noting, “Typically, companies struggle to match or exceed the success of an established console.

With rare exceptions, such as when Sony’s original PlayStation was succeeded by the PS2, momentum often proves difficult to sustain.” Highlighting Nintendo’s own hardware history, Fils-Aimé referenced how past transitions—such as from the NES to SNES, N64, and GameCube—often resulted in declining sales.

He contrasted these fluctuations with the breakout success of the Wii, which reversed that downward trend, and now with the Switch and Switch 2’s continued strong performance. Fils-Aimé attributes part of the Switch 2’s early success to features such as robust backwards compatibility, which allows many games from the original Nintendo Switch to be played on the new system, and to the enduring appeal of the Switch brand itself.

However, he also pointed out that while the hardware launch has been masterfully managed, the Switch 2’s launch lineup of games, though anchored by evergreen franchises like Mario Kart and Pokémon, does not quite match the firepower of the original Switch’s debut year.

Speaking on this, he noted, “When the first Switch launched, there were marquee releases like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart, Splatoon, and Super Mario Odyssey—tremendous crowd-pleasers.

This year’s selection is solid, supported by consistent heavy-hitters, but perhaps not as stellar off the mark.” Addressing the design philosophy, Dring suggested that the Switch 2 is more an evolution than a radical reinvention of Nintendo’s formula.

Fils-Aimé agreed, stating, “That’s a fair assessment.

Initially, I was unsure about the lineup, but I underestimated the substantial improvements in the system’s performance.” Fils-Aimé acknowledged that hardware advancements will be well received by Nintendo enthusiasts, especially as the original Switch had begun to show its age in recent years. For those interested in deeper industry analysis, the full interview with Reggie Fils-Aimé is available on The Game Business Show’s official website.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 poised to continue Nintendo’s tradition of innovation and audience engagement, all eyes remain on how the platform and its expanding library will shape the gaming landscape in the years ahead.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo of America Switch Reggie Fils-Aimé America Success The Game Business Show Christopher Dring PlayStation Wii U SNES GameCube The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Super Mario Odyssey Mario Kart Pokémon