As the Nintendo Switch enters its 6th year, a lot of eyes are on Nintendo in regard to the future of its successful handheld/home console hybrid. Last year, the console received several games in popular Nintendo franchises, including Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Splatoon 3. Bayonetta 3 even saw a remake of the previously Japan-exclusive Live A Live. Although each year seems harder to top than the last, the upcoming releases for the Switch have it poised for another big year with games like Fire Emblem Engage, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Pikmin 4 expected to launch in 2023.
Aside from new game launches, the Nintendo Switch could receive other updates regarding software, services, and even potential new hardware revisions. With rumors of a Switch Pro continuing to circle among Nintendo fans, and with discussion of a successor to the Switch starting to pick up steam, there is a lot for Nintendo to address as the future of the Switch is called into question. Luckily, Nintendo has historically been very forthcoming about providing fans with information through their series of Nintendo Directs, which are sure to continue throughout the coming year.
The Nintendo Switch's 2023 Line-Up of Games Looks as Strong as Ever
Among the numerous titles already announced for 2023, a few titles stand out as the most anticipated games coming to the Switch this year with the first of these being Fire Emblem Engage, releasing later this month on January 20. The Fire Emblem series has seen a huge growth in popularity over the past decade with several new mainline and spin-off games, as well as a large presence in the Super Smash Bros. series. The latest entry in Nintendo's tactical RPG franchise looks to iterate and improve upon the series thus far.
Ever since it was announced to be in production in 2019, many have been eagerly awaiting the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In September of last year, the game resurfaced with the new title of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and a release date of May 12, 2023. Such a highly anticipated title having solidified a release date is great news for fans who, by the time it releases, will have waited longer for this game than the time between The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's release on the Wii and Breath of the Wild's release on the Switch.
Fans of the Pikmin series have also been waiting a long time for a new entry in the franchise, but the wait shouldn't be much longer as series creator and Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto teased Pikmin 4 along with its 2023 release window during a Nintendo Direct last September. With the game being first announced to be in development in 2015, the recent break in a long period of radio silence about the game has sparked renewed hope for a near-future release, despite no specific launch date being announced as of yet. If Pikmin 4 is really launching this year, fans can expect to see more from the game in the coming months.
Unlikely Updates: Metroid Prime 4, New Mario Game, and More
While it's great that these series have games on the way, others from some of Nintendo's iconic franchises are stuck in development limbo. Metroid Prime 4 is the obvious example, having been first announced in 2017 only to have completely restarted development as of 2019. Going 4 years without any new information does not bode well for the game, however, there is a slight chance it could receive a development update in 2023. It's highly unlikely that Metroid Prime 4 will release this year, but any new information Nintendo could provide about the game's progress would be welcomed.
Both the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises have experienced a drought in new mainline releases in the past few years, with Super Mario Odyssey being the last new, full-length Mario title to be released since 2017 and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze being the latest game in that franchise to release since 2014. However, Donkey Kong Country developer Retro Studios being occupied with the development of Metroid Prime 4 makes a new entry in that series unlikely anytime soon. The Mario series could still see a new game announced in 2023 to coincide with the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie later this year.
Nintendo Switch Pro Rumors Continue
With the Switch going on 6 years of age, talk of a new version with hardware revisions continues to dominate discussions about the console. Although the system runs some graphics-intensive titles like Doom Eternal and Nier: Automata, other titles like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are starting to reveal the console's age. Rumors of a Switch Pro have been circulating for some time now, but with a recent leak suggesting that the console was once planned but canceled, it's unlikely anything will amount from these rumors in the coming year.
Despite the Switch Pro seemingly being nothing more than a rumor, the fact remains that the standard Switch hardware will only continue to age. If recent development cycles are anything to go by, it's not too far-fetched to predict Nintendo could announce the successor to the Switch sometime this year. Most of Nintendo's consoles have had around a 5-6 year lifespan, meaning the Switch is coming up on the end of its time. While a new console is unlikely for 2023, Nintendo could follow in the footsteps of the Switch's announcement and reveal its successor in the fall of this year with a planned release for 2024.
Nintendo Switch Software and Services Updates
The Nintendo Switch is still missing some quality-of-life features, even this late into its lifecycle. It could use a system-wide achievement system similar to its competitors to help completionists track their progress, but this is not a necessary feature and one Nintendo likely won't implement in the near future. Themes for the home menu similar to the 3DS would also be a nice addition to the console, but it's unlikely to happen before the Switch's successor is released.
The state of the Nintendo Switch Online service needs to be addressed as well as the paid subscription is still a less-than-ideal way to play online multiplayer. The release of N64 and Sega Genesis games on the service in 2021 was a step forward, but the quality of online connectivity is still lacking. It's possible the service could introduce titles from the Game Boy and Game Boy Advanced library sometime this year, but this may also be delayed until after the release of the Switch's successor.
The Mario Movie May Start the Next Chapter of the Nintendo Switch
One of the biggest lingering questions about the future of the Switch relates to the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie planned to release later this year. The collaboration between Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal Pictures has quite a bit of hype surrounding it due to the star-studded cast and legendary status of the franchise behind it. Whether it ties into the announcement of a new Mario game or even drives attention towards a successor to the Switch, this movie will most likely usher in a new era for Nintendo and has the possibility to shape the future of the Switch.
