Nintendo has once again assured fans that moving from the Switch to its new console will be a seamless experience. This is the second time Nintendo has openly spoken about the next-gen console and stressed how the Nintendo Account system will make the move much easier than we have seen in the past.
According to reports, the Switch successor is set to launch in the second half of 2024. Reports claim that the console development is going smoothly and that key developers have already received dev kits to work on games for the platform. We have also heard that tech demos for the hardware were showcased during Gamescom in August.
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The big question fans have at the moment is whether or not the console will feature backwards compatibility. During an interview with Inverse, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser refused to comment on the backwards compatibility support and the previous reports that the console was shown off at Gamescom. However, Bowser did touch on the transition phase from one platform to the other saying that the Nintendo Account system will carry over to the next console.
“Well, first I can’t comment — or I won’t comment, I should say — on the rumors that are out there. But one thing we’ve done with the Switch to help with that communication and transition is the formation of the Nintendo Account. In the past, every device we transitioned to had a whole new account system. Creating the Nintendo Account will allow us to communicate with our players if and when we make a transition to a new platform, to help ease that process or transition. Our goal is to minimize the dip you typically see in the last year of one cycle and the beginning of another. I can’t speak to the possible features of a new platform, but the Nintendo Account is a strong basis for having that communication as we make the transition.”
Each new piece of hardware Nintendo has released in the past relied on a new account system to function correctly. However, Nintendo seems confident that the move from Switch to the future platform will be seamless. Sort of like buying a PS5 and moving your PSN account from PS4. However, the question still remains whether or not players can take their purchases from Switch and play them on the new console.
Previous reports claim that Nintendo is working on backwards compatibility for its new platform but it will be limited to a certain model. Other reports claim that Nintendo is struggling to implement the feature due to the custom NVIDIA chipset in the Switch.
We’ll have to wait and see how this all turns out. The moment Nintendo confirms exactly how backwards compatibility works on its new console will be the moment fans can rest easy.
Source: Inverse
