Nintendo Switch has proven to be one of the most successful video game consoles of all-time, and software sales have been equally strong. With talk about Nintendo’s next system starting to heat up, one of the biggest questions is whether it will feature backwards compatibility with the Switch library. Including the feature would seem to be a smart way to get consumers to remain invested with Nintendo, though a recent report from Video Games Chronicle indicates that some third-party publishers oppose it, in order to drive repeat sales. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick was recently asked his take on the feature.
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“You need to give consumers what they want and optimize theirexperience, and you can’t not deliver a feature you’re able to deliverso as to maximize sales. That isn’t fulfilling your contract withconsumers. You have to do the very best you can for them. I suppose it’spossible the lack of backward compatibility could enhance your revenuefor a period of time, but at what cost,” questioned Zelnick. “We’re not a hardware manufacturer so we don’t get to make thosedecisions. But I think if you can be compatible technically, then youwant to be. However, in certain instances if the leap forward is greatenough, that’s not a possibility.”
When it launched, the Nintendo Switch offered no backwards compatibility with previous games, despite the fact that the Wii U and 3DS were both compatible with their predecessors. However, in Switch’s case, it made sense: the console moved away from the discs that the Wii U used, and 3DS compatibility would have been difficult to pull off with the Switch’s single screen. Instead, Switch has seen a number of enhanced ports for 3DS and Wii U titles, including Miitopia, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, and the upcoming remaster of Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon.
While some publishers might not like it, backwards compatibility has become something of an industry standard, allowing for easier generational shifts for players. We already know Nintendo is looking to do that by keeping Nintendo Accounts around for the next system, so backwards compatibility would seem to be in keeping with that theme. With Nintendo Switch 2 rumored to release in the second half of 2024,it’s likely we’ll have official information on the system sooner, rather than later!
Do you think Nintendo Switch 2 will feature backwards compatibility? What do you think of Zelnick’s comments? Letusknowinthecomments orshare yourthoughtsdirectlyonTwitterat @Marcdachamp to talk all things gaming!
