Nintendo to Continue Supporting Switch 1 Due to Asian Market Expansion

New reports suggest Nintendo could support the Switch 1 far longer than expected as Switch 2 prices rise and expansion plans shift toward new markets in Asia.

For years, you have probably seen the same thing happen whenever a new console launches. Companies usually spend months talking about next-generation experiences and exclusive hardware features, but once the system actually releases, the older platform sticks around much longer than expected.

Sony did exactly that with the PS4 during the PS5 era, continuing to release cross-generational games even after promising a major leap forward. Nintendo, however, has usually handled generational transitions differently, moving away from older hardware much more quickly once the next system arrives.

That is why recent comments from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stand out so much. During a recent investor discussion, Furukawa explained that Nintendo wants to expand its software business across the entire ecosystem rather than focusing solely on Nintendo Switch 2 software. 

He also said the company plans to let players move into the Switch 2 generation gradually over the medium to long term rather than pushing everyone to upgrade immediately. Those comments alone already suggest the original Nintendo Switch may stick around longer than many people expected.

Right now, the Switch 2 already has several exclusive games announced, and Nintendo clearly wants the new system to become its main platform moving forward.

Still, the roadmap for the original Switch is not completely empty yet. Games like Tomodachi Life and Rhythm Heaven Groove are still tied to the older platform, and Nintendo has not yet fully revealed its later 2026 lineup either. For that reason, there is still room for more cross-generational releases to appear over the next couple of years.

Part of the speculation also stems from Nintendo’s acquisition of Shiver Entertainment, a studio known for porting and optimization work. Some reports suggest Nintendo could use the studio to help extend the life of the original Switch by bringing over smaller projects that do not necessarily require Switch 2 hardware. That does not mean every major Nintendo game will suddenly launch across both systems. 

People keep mentioning a rumored Super Metroid remake in these discussions. If Nintendo is really working on a 2D-style remake or remaster, it probably wouldn't need the full power of the Switch 2 to run properly. The same could apply to upgraded versions of older Nintendo 3DS or Wii games that never received modern HD releases. 

A big reason this entire conversation is gaining momentum is pricing. Nintendo recently announced a price increase for the Switch 2, but unlike Sony or Microsoft, the company did not make the change effective immediately. Instead, Nintendo delayed the higher pricing until September, giving players the entire summer to buy the system at the original price point.

The company also started pushing new bundles featuring games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bonanza to make the system feel like a better overall value before the increase takes effect. Those bundle deals also give buyers an opportunity to grab first-party games at no additional cost once the higher console pricing officially kicks in.

That move makes it look like Nintendo understands the optics surrounding a higher-priced console launch. The Switch 2 may still be selling well, but a $500 entry point is a very different situation from the original Switch era. If you are already dealing with rising prices across gaming, subscriptions, and everyday life, a more expensive console becomes a much harder purchase to justify. 

The Nintendo Switch Lite also plays a role in this strategy.

Even years after release, it remains a much cheaper way to enter Nintendo’s ecosystem and buy first-party games through the eShop. Until Nintendo eventually releases something like a Switch 2 Lite or a digital-only version of the newer hardware, the original Switch family still gives the company a lower-priced option on store shelves. 

That matters a lot when hardware prices are becoming harder for consumers to ignore. That strategy actually makes a lot of sense if Nintendo plans to continue supporting the original Switch with new software. A lower-priced console would likely move far more units in a market where affordability matters heavily, especially compared to bringing over the much more expensive Switch 2 immediately. 

Nintendo may see more value in introducing players to its ecosystem first, then transitioning them to newer hardware later. It also aligns with Furukawa’s comments that players upgrade at their own pace instead of rushing into a new generation.

Third-party developers also seem to believe the original Switch still has plenty of life left in it. The CEO of Untold Tales described the Switch ecosystem as remarkable due to its massive audience and loyal player base. With more than 155 million systems already sold worldwide, developers still have a large market available, even if the Switch 2 continues to grow quickly. 

That does not mean Nintendo will stop making major Switch 2 exclusives. Larger projects rumored for the future, including a possible The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake, will likely remain exclusive to newer hardware due to the visual and technical demands involved.

Rumors surrounding the upcoming Star Fox 64 remake also point toward Nintendo wanting certain games to fully showcase the Switch 2’s capabilities. The company still clearly wants players to see the difference between the two systems, especially with visual upgrades and performance improvements that really showcase the newer hardware's capabilities.

At the same time, there is room for Nintendo to support both platforms together for longer than usual. Smaller projects, remasters, retro revivals, and lighter first-party games could easily continue appearing on the original Switch while the biggest exclusives push players toward the newer hardware. 

With gaming hardware becoming more expensive everywhere, Nintendo may see more value in stretching out the transition instead of cutting off the older platform quickly. Right now, it genuinely feels like the original Switch could still have several years left before Nintendo fully moves on.