Nintendo Switch 2 Name Revealed: Why Nintendo Chose Function Over Nostalgia

Nintendo Switch 2 Name Explained: Developers Share the Reasoning Behind the New Console’s Title Nintendo has officially lifted the curtain on the Nintendo Switch 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to its groundbreaking hybrid console.

Set for release on June 5th, 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch with a robust lineup, including Mario Kart World, Street Fighter 6, and Hitman: World of Assassination, along with upgraded editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

As excitement builds among fans, one question lingered in the gaming community: why the straightforward 'Nintendo Switch 2' name instead of the more nostalgic 'Super Nintendo Switch'? In a recent "Ask the Developer" interview published on Nintendo's official website, key figures behind the new hardware—Kouichi Kawamoto, Takuhiro Dohta, and Tetsuya Sasaki—shared insights into the naming process.

The development team deliberated over a variety of names during the conceptual phase, with 'Super Nintendo Switch' standing out as a popular contender among both fans and developers. However, as Kawamoto notes, historical context played a major role in the final naming decision.

"We considered several ideas, and 'Super Nintendo Switch' was a strong candidate," Kawamoto explained.

"But looking back, when the Super NES succeeded the NES, it was not compatible with its predecessor’s games.

Since the Switch 2 is fully backward compatible with the original Switch library, the old naming convention didn’t quite fit." The aim was to communicate that the Nintendo Switch 2 is not just a leap in specifications or a nostalgic callback—it represents the next step in the Nintendo Switch family, designed to become the new standard for Nintendo’s hybrid gaming.

As Kawamoto further stated, "While the Nintendo Switch 2 offers improved performance, we want players to think of it as the latest console in the Switch lineup, rather than focus solely on its specs or any retro associations." Backward compatibility and continuity have become central touchpoints for Nintendo in recent hardware generations, reinforcing the company's commitment to player investment in the eShop and physical Switch libraries.

This is in line with recent Nintendo Direct presentations, where both the bridge between console generations and the expansion of the Nintendo Switch ecosystem have been recurring themes. Nintendo's decision is already resonating with the gaming public.

In a recent online poll, opinions were split, with just over half of respondents finding the 'Super Nintendo Switch' name appealing, while a significant portion were satisfied with the clear, functional direction of 'Nintendo Switch 2.' With its launch scheduled for June 5th, 2025, and a collection of high-profile games at release, the Nintendo Switch 2 aims to set a new benchmark for hybrid gaming.

Stay connected for more updates, including future Nintendo Direct showcases and new additions to the eShop.

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