Copyright Polygon
Nintendo seems to be the only console maker that's faring well right now, and the Japanese company's latest console isn't even firing on all cylinders — yet. The publisher's quarterly earnings report flexes the Switch 2's continued incredible sales and outlines what fans can expect from the company in the months ahead. And as Nintendo pivots to focus entirely on development for Switch 2, the possibilities seem endless. It's no secret that Nintendo's been held back by the capabilities of the first Switch, which was outdated from the moment it was released. Ostensibly, Switch 2 and its increased processing capabilities should empower Nintendo to better fulfill its creative visions. But four months into the console's lifespan, the public hasn't truly seen what that promised future looks like. After all, most major titles on Switch 2 are either ports, enhanced games hailing from initial console, or developed in tandem with a Switch version. Donkey Kong Bananza is a rare outlier on this front, but that title also began as a Switch game. It wasn't created from the ground up with the Switch 2 in mind. Going forward, though, Nintendo says it will focus entirely on Switch 2 development — which means those limitations will be gone. Nintendo isn't stopping there, though. The Japanese game maker also says that it will be beefing up the "internal game development organization" within Nintendo. Alongside that optimization, Nintendo also says that it will include "initiatives such as acquiring development companies to make them subsidiaries.” Most major gaming publishers have been on a buying (and selling) spree in recent years, but for the most part, Nintendo has abstained from the frenzy. Generally, Nintendo instead opts to work closely with trusted partners like Game Freak to develop key brands like Pokémon. This relationship can be cozy — in 2020, the pocket monster developer moved offices so that it could be physically closer to Nintendo — but for the most part, Nintendo is selective about who it allows into the fold. Acquisitions, on the rare instances when they occur, typically involve studios that already have a longstanding working relationship with Nintendo. We're talking decades here. And acquisitions don't always involve gaming studios either. One of the most recent Nintendo acquisitions was for a production company meant to help them expand the company's cinematic ambitions. Nintendo is declaring it will be making a concerted effort to buy more companies, which theoretically means that Switch 2 game development will expand in both scope and proficiency. And already, the Switch 2 lineup is looking stacked — at least when compared to what Sony and Microsoft have in the works. While its competitors seem to be gearing up for new consoles, Nintendo is settling into the groove for the Switch 2. At this point, Nintendo isn't content with merely having high-selling, well-regarded video games. With creations like theme parks and lifestyle ventures, it seems clear the company is aiming for full-on cultural dominance, as evidenced by the box office-breaking Super Mario Bros. Movie and its upcoming sequel. Famed Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto has alluded to this ambition many times of late. "We've come to a point where even people who don't play video games recognize Nintendo characters," Miyamoto told IGN earlier this year. 'So I really hope that we can continue to expand that, such that when you ask anybody globally that they know what Nintendo is." Sure enough, the Nintendo financial report supports this vision. Beyond the Super Mario Galaxy movie and the upcoming Legend of Zelda movie, the Japanese company says it will be aiming for a "consistent release cadence" for its films going forward.
