In the mysterious world of future technology, Nintendo remains exceptionally tight-lipped about its anticipated new console, which, according to industry whispers, might make an appearance in 2024 or later. The gaming community is left to wonder whether this new entrant will mirror the functionality of the beloved Nintendo Switch, whether it will accommodate cartridges, or even feature a surprising gimmick that sets it apart. However, in a recent investor Q&A session, Nintendo shared a morsel of information that’s piqued interest: the new console will, much like the Switch, utilize Nintendo Accounts.
This snippet of information may seem insignificant on the surface but, on closer inspection, it hints at potential features – most notably, backward compatibility. Nintendo’s strategy centers around providing a seamless transition for its enormous user base from the Switch to this yet-to-be-named next-gen console. With a staggering 290 million Nintendo Accounts in existence worldwide and a whopping 125 million Switch units sold as of May 2023, it’s a business no-brainer for Nintendo to make the shift to their new system as smooth as possible.
Nintendo’s President Shuntaro Furukawa aptly expressed this intention. In a translation by Genki on Twitter, he said, “We want to do as much as possible to smoothly transition our customers, while utilizing the Nintendo Account.”
Faced with the astronomical number of existing Switch systems and Nintendo Accounts, it’s impractical, not to mention frustrating for users, to expect them to start afresh with the new console. A significant victory for the consumer would be the ability to access all previously purchased digital games via their Nintendo Account on the next platform. It’s still unknown whether the new system will support physical media like cartridges, but at the bare minimum, it should provide users access to their digital Switch purchases.
Nintendo has a past streak of incorporating backward compatibility, albeit selectively. For example, the Wii U could play Wii games, and the 3DS was compatible with DS games. However, the tech giant has been relatively resistant to permit the transfer of digital purchases from one generation to the next. Take, for instance, the incompatibility of digital Wii U games with the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo’s past inclination to resell identical games to customers over different generations is no secret. The New Super Mario Bros. U, initially launched for Wii U, was later ported to Nintendo Switch, sporting a hefty $60 price tag, irrespective of previous purchases. Virtual Console games on the Wii were likewise excluded from the 3DS, which were entirely separate from Nintendo Switch Online games.
Yet, the company’s upcoming console might spark a shift in this pattern. Customers may be more amenable to a new console if they instantly have access to a familiar library of games. Sony’s PS5 model stands testament to this, as it allowed users to play almost all digitally purchased PS4 games from the get-go.
Furukawa’s statement suggests that Nintendo is intent on making the transition as effortless as possible for its customers. Offering digital backward compatibility with the new system could be an impactful step in this direction. While we’re left speculating if this will indeed be the case, one thing is certain: your Nintendo Account will find a home in the upcoming console.
