Nintendo’s Switch 2: Betting Big on Portability Over Power

Nintendo, the gaming giant behind some of the most successful consoles in history, is set to release the Switch 2 in the coming months. But unlike past console launches, the buzz has been surprisingly quiet. A brief teaser video last month showed a device that looks almost identical to its predecessor, and inside it’s not exactly a powerhouse either—analysts say it’s comparable to the 11-year-old PlayStation 4 (PS4).

Yet, Nintendo’s stock is at an all-time high. Why? Because gaming is shifting. The arms race for ultra-powerful consoles is losing steam. Sony’s latest PS5 Pro offers only marginal improvements, and nearly half of PlayStation gamers still use the PS4. Developers are adapting, with games like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor being released for older consoles well after their next-gen debuts.

The original Switch proved that raw power isn’t everything - its 151 million lifetime sales are just shy of the all-time record set by the PS2. With the Switch 2, Nintendo is sticking to its winning formula: an affordable, portable console expected to cost around $400-500, with backward compatibility so players can still enjoy their old games.

However, while still underpowered compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the Switch 2 packs enough punch to finally support blockbuster titles like Call of Duty and Red Dead Redemption 2. This is a game-changer for publishers struggling with soaring development costs. Even rivals Sony and Microsoft are bringing more games to Nintendo’s ecosystem, recognizing the need to expand their reach.

That said, the handheld gaming market is more crowded than ever. The Steam Deck has made PC gaming portable, and new handhelds from Lenovo, Microsoft, and Sony are on the horizon. The battle for the most powerful console may be over—the next war is about who can build the best portable experience.

Nintendo has made its bet. Given the success of the original Switch, it’s a gamble that could pay off once again.