While he would neither confirm nor deny the existence of an upgraded Switch, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has responded to reports of upgraded hardware by sharing the company’s philosophy on taking that technological next step.
When speaking to The Washington Post, Bowser was asked about this alleged new Nintendo Switch that is said to have a larger screen and the ability to output 4K ultra-high definition graphics when docked. His answer gave no insight into whether or not this new Switch exists, but it does shed light on how Nintendo decides when its the right time to release new hardware.
“We are always looking at technology and how technology can enhance gameplay experiences. It’s not technology for technology’s sake,” Bowser tells The Washington Post. “It’s how specifically can technology enhance a gameplay experience. And then where do you apply that technology? Do you want to apply it on current existing hardware or platforms, or do you want to wait for the next platform? And then what’s the right gameplay experience with that? There’s a host of factors that goes into it, and it’s something we’re always looking at.”
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Bowser on Switch’s Success and Nintendo’s Expansion Outside Console Gaming
Bowser was much more open to discussing Nintendo’s E3 2021 showing and how, five years in, Switch is “redefining what a console life cycle can look like.” As it stands, the Nintendo Switch has sold over 85 million consoles and shows no signs of stopping. In the U.S., the Switch has topped the NPD’s best-selling console list for 30 months in terms of unit sales, and games like Mario Kart 8: Deluxe (which is re-release) consistently make the top 10 best-selling games list.
Bowser also highlighted how Nintendo is focusing on much more than just the Switch, as seen with its partnership with Universal Studios to build theme parks around the world, its expansion into the mobile games market, and its choice to “selectively” license its IP to other brands like LEGO.
“We view ourselves as an entertainment company that is focused on very unique entertainment experiences,” Bowser said. “At the hub of that is our integrated hardware and software model, and that model has allowed us over decades to generate the characters, the deeply immersive worlds in the IP we all know and love so well, but we also know that there’s an opportunity to introduce more people to that IP now.”
Mobile games, in particular, are a way for Nintendo to expand into markets where the Switch isn’t currently sold. Through six games, including Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, Nintendo mobile games have seen 650 million unique downloads.
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“Our smart device strategy has allowed us to reach consumers in 164 countries already. We believe we’ve been able to broaden that audience of people who have now experienced Nintendo games, and we can bring them deeper into that integrated hardware software system in the deeply immersive games you and I know and play.”
In regards to Nintendo’s aggressive approach to protecting its IP from fan-made do-it-yourself games and projects, Bowser said this is so important so Nintendo is able to properly build on these properties.
“We do have a passionate community and we appreciate them very much, and we always want to be listening and understanding as we develop content going forward,” Bowser said. “There are times where we do need to reinforce our IP for reasons that I think are very critical. The protection of IP is very important when we think about our ability to continue to build on these properties, and we hope people will understand that is the reason we protect them the way we do.”
In closing, Bowser said that, despite supply chain issues linked to chip shortages and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a truly exciting time to be part of the games industry.
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“I think it’s an exciting time to be a part of the gaming business, I really do,” Bowser said. “We’re seeing more and more people engaged in it as part of their primary forms of overall entertainment. We’re seeing various ways they can engage, whether it’s on mobile platforms and on dedicated platforms such as the Nintendo Switch. It’s a vibrant industry going forward.”
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.