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Nintendo’s Next Console “Will Not Be Easy”: Shuntaro Furukawa Warns Investors About Switch Successor Challenges
October 7, 2025Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, just threw a bucket of cold water on anyone expecting an easy Switch 2 victory lap. In the company’s recent financial Q&A, he made it clear that the next Nintendo console faces “not easy” hurdles, even as excitement swirls about what comes after the all-conquering Switch.
If you’re expecting another runaway hit, Furukawa wants to dial your expectations down. “Transitions between video game consoles are never easy,” he cautioned investors, pointing to Nintendo’s own history of spikes and slumps every time they’ve refreshed their hardware lineup.
Why Nintendo Isn’t Taking the Next Launch for Granted
The Wii U looms large as a cautionary tale. Nintendo had an instant classic with the Wii, which sold over 100 million units, only to face a disappointing follow-up. “Our business is all about continuity,” Furukawa explained, highlighting how buying trends can change dramatically when switching console generations.
Right now, the Switch remains Nintendo’s golden goose. Over seven years, it’s sold a massive 141 million units, making it one of the best-selling systems ever. Furukawa credits that success to keeping the Switch “fresh” with games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Still, he worries that audience momentum is fragile: “It is hard to maintain the sales of next-generation machines at their current pace.”
“We must ensure a smooth transition,” he said, “so that Nintendo can continue its current business performance.” But as he pointed out, history says: “It will not be easy.”
Nintendo Lays Out Its Playbook, and Concerns
So what’s Nintendo’s plan? Furukawa says they’ll continue to “communicate the appeal of our software lineup,” leaning on a blend of classic franchises and new experiences. He wants to “increase opportunities for consumers to play”, meaning expect a barrage of promotions, events, and maybe more partnerships like Nintendo World and the Mario movie.
Nintendo’s top priority: don’t lose the massive Switch audience. The transition strategy involves more first-party releases and ensuring the digital ecosystem stays sticky, so buyers keep spending even while hardware shifts.
Still, the president is bracing for headwinds. The Switch is in late-stage maturity; demand for older models may cool off as anticipation builds for what’s next. Investors pressed for details on any price drops or inventory plans, but Furukawa wouldn’t bite. “We are not considering a price cut at this time,” he said. “Software sales are also key, so we want to avoid anything that would lessen their value.”
Building Hype Without Overpromising
When asked about the timing and features of the next-gen hardware, Furukawa remained cagey. “We will make an announcement when we are ready,” he insisted, declining to share specs or a launch window. But the stakes are clear: make the move too slow, and fans could get restless. Rush it, and risk stumbling out of the gate; a misstep that could echo the Wii U déjà vu.
Until official news drops, the message from Nintendo is blunt: no victory laps yet. “Transitions are not easy,” Furukawa kept repeating. After years of success, Nintendo knows just how quickly fortunes can change in this business.
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