Nintendo Switch Continues Support After Switch 2 Launch: President Furukawa Affirms Ongoing Sales and Future Releases

Nintendo Switch Support to Continue Post-Switch 2 Launch: President Furukawa Reiterates Commitment and Future Game Releases As the gaming landscape evolves with the launch of new hardware, the Nintendo Switch remains a focal point for both players and industry watchers.

Launched in 2017, the Nintendo Switch quickly became one of the most popular gaming consoles globally, outselling legacy systems and solidifying Nintendo’s position as a leading force in entertainment gaming.

With the recent arrival of the Switch 2, many have wondered how long the original hybrid platform will remain in the company’s spotlight.

Industry concerns about support, software updates, and hardware availability for the initial model have grown as new generations of players migrate to the advanced system. According to the latest financial report from Nintendo, the company has experienced a significant downturn in Switch sales, noting a 60% year-on-year decline.

This decrease has prompted Nintendo to revise its overall sales forecast downward for the original Switch, reflecting an understandable shift of consumer interest to the more recently launched Switch 2.

Despite these challenges, the Nintendo Switch continues to maintain a steady sales pace, underscoring its ongoing popularity and critical role in Nintendo's broader hardware strategy. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa addressed these industry shifts in a recent statement, emphasizing that while the company’s primary commercial focus will naturally gravitate toward the Nintendo Switch 2, the original platform still has life left in it.

“Our business attention is turning to the Nintendo Switch 2, but the Nintendo Switch continues to record steady sales even after the June launch of its successor,” Furukawa stated.

He further explained, “Taking into account consumer demand and the prevailing business environment, Nintendo will continue sales of Nintendo Switch hardware.” This assurance means that the original Switch will remain available for purchase, with no official end-of-life date announced at this time. Reinforcing this commitment, Nintendo has confirmed that upcoming major game releases are still in the pipeline for the original Switch.

Notable titles such as Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Rhythm Heaven Groove are scheduled to debut in 2026, keeping existing users engaged and extending the Switch’s lifecycle.

Additionally, a substantial update is planned for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, one of the Switch’s most successful titles, underscoring Nintendo’s ongoing software support. The Nintendo Switch’s impressive global sales have positioned it on the cusp of surpassing the Nintendo DS as the company’s all-time best-selling hardware.

As of the latest figures, the only console remaining ahead in the worldwide console sales chart is Sony’s PlayStation 2, with the Switch trailing by a margin of approximately six million units.

With continuing hardware availability and robust software support confirmed, the Nintendo Switch remains an essential pillar in Nintendo’s hardware lineup, even as the company ushers in a new generation with the Switch 2.

Fans and investors alike can expect ongoing engagement with the beloved hybrid platform across the Nintendo eShop and upcoming release calendar, reinforcing its position in both the marketplace and the hearts of millions of gamers worldwide.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Shuntaro Furukawa Switch 2 launch Tomodachi Life Living the Dream Rhythm Heaven Groove Animal Crossing New Horizons Sony PlayStation 2