Miyamoto Explains Nintendo's Long-Term Switch 1 and 2 Strategy

Nintendo's future may not be about replacing the original Switch, but letting it grow alongside Switch 2 for years to come.

Most console generations follow a familiar pattern. A new system arrives, the old one slowly fades away, and developers eventually move on. But Nintendo seems to have a very different plan this time. According to the sources, Shigeru Miyamoto has shared a vision that suggests the original Switch could remain an important part of Nintendo's lineup long after the launch of Switch 2.

Instead of drawing a hard line between old and new hardware, Nintendo wants both systems to work together. The goal is simple: make it easier for developers to build games while giving players more choices about where they play. Because of the similar architecture between Switch and Switch 2, Nintendo has established an ecosystem that allows for more efficient game development, Miyamoto told the sources.

Developers can design games that run on both systems while also taking advantage of the extra power available on Switch 2. Players who upgrade get improved performance, but those sticking with the original Switch won't feel left behind overnight. It's a noticeable shift from Nintendo's past. Previous generations often saw support for older hardware end fairly quickly once a successor arrived. This time, however, Nintendo appears to be thinking much longer term.

That strategy already seems to be taking shape. Recent games released for the original Switch have continued to sell well, even as Switch 2 enters the market. Thanks to compatibility updates, many of those titles also play better on the newer console, allowing Nintendo to serve both audiences with the same release.

And honestly, why walk away from one of the biggest gaming audiences ever?

The original Switch has sold more than 155 million units worldwide, according to the sources. That's an enormous community of players who are still buying games. Rather than forcing everyone to upgrade, Nintendo can continue releasing software that reaches millions of existing customers while slowly growing the Switch 2 audience at the same time.

The company's hardware lineup also plays into that plan. And even if Switch 2 turns out to be the premium pick, the original Switch and Switch Lite are still less expensive options for families and first-time players. That helps Nintendo continue its long-standing goal of having multiple consoles in the same household without making every purchase a major investment.

There are business reasons behind the strategy too. Hardware prices have become harder to reduce because of ongoing manufacturing costs and expensive components. Supporting older consoles for longer gives Nintendo more flexibility while the market remains unpredictable.

Miyamoto also suggested Nintendo is working toward a future where developers won't have to worry about whether releasing a game on both generations will hurt sales of newer hardware. Instead, both consoles could simply serve different types of players, creating a much smoother transition between generations. If that happens, the original Switch could enjoy one of the longest lifespans in Nintendo's history.

Even years from now, seeing a brand-new first-party game launch on the system may not be as surprising as it once seemed. Nintendo's message is becoming clearer: great games matter more than forcing everyone onto the latest hardware. With millions of Switch owners still actively playing, keeping both generations alive may be the smartest move the company can make. So as Switch 2 develops, one question remains: is Nintendo building the industry’s first true long-term two-generation console family?