A recent report suggests that a next-generation Nintendo console, which will succeed the Switch, is set to be released in the second half of 2024. According to reliable sources, partner studios have already received development kits for this unannounced Nintendo console.
While specific details are currently limited and unconfirmed, it is believed that the next-generation Nintendo console will maintain the hybrid design of the Switch. This means that it can be played both on a TV and in portable mode. To keep costs down, Nintendo is said to be opting for an LCD screen instead of an OLED screen, as seen in the new Switch model. Additionally, the console will continue to use game cartridges, similar to the Switch.
One major question that remains unanswered is backward compatibility. Nintendo has traditionally supported this feature, allowing newer consoles to play games from their predecessors. However, the Nintendo Switch broke this trend, as it used cartridges instead of discs, rendering Wii and Wii U games incompatible. With the next-generation console also rumored to use cartridges, there is a possibility that current Switch games may be playable on the new console, although Nintendo has not confirmed this yet.
Previously, Nintendo had confirmed that they are actively working on a successor to the Switch, stating that it would not be released before April 2024. However, the latest reports indicate a slight shift in the release window, with a likely launch in the second half of 2024. This adjustment is likely to ensure that Nintendo has enough inventory to meet the demand upon release.