Satoru Iwata played a significant role in shaping the Nintendo Switch's development, particularly the hybrid console's design. More than a decade ago, Iwata gave an interview where he was addressing game shortages for both the Wii U and 3DS due to having to maintain separate console and mobile teams. But the groundwork had already begun when the handheld and home console sections merged. 

https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-plans-to-merge-handheld-and-console-teams-in-historic-shake-up

The Wii U and 3DS software shortage was one of the major contributing factors to the Wii U failing. Ever since, Nintendo had been looking to duplicate the unified platform model to guarantee a ready supply of software on any new device they release, hence the current transition strategy we have to Switch 2, or how we like to call it nowadays, cross-gen. This is what Iwata had to say in 2014:

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/02/iwata_looking_to_emulate_ios_and_android_with_a_common_platform_for_future_nintendo_hardware

This interview took place after the teams had already been merged and work on the Switch had begun. Ultimately, as Iwata said, we're starting to see "brothers in a family of systems" with the release of the Switch Lite alongside the original Switch. As time goes on, we're going to see improved hardware but our digital library will remain with us throughout hardware generations.

Switch 2 is the next console of the platform, for which we could finally have the TV form factor, with full backwards compatibility of current Switch library that was finally confirmed during the announcement. Recently Nintendo has released a firmware update on Switch 1 that is setting the foundations for this transition, bringing some of the new features of Switch 2 such as GameShare or Virtual Game Cards into the first generation Switch platform. This is something old Nintendo would have kept exclusive for Switch 2, a feature to make you upgrade, but there is value to have it available platform wise as there are 150+ million units out in the wild. This following video also outlines this train of thought:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elhJuyPycqc

So, what is your view on this platform transition we are experiencing for both the existing Switch 1 and the potential new Switch 2 userbases?

EDIT: Corrected some spelling and wording

Unfortunately, everything you say is reminiscent of Wii->WiiU...

Probably they should take the Switch 1 off the market and put the Switch 2 on the market, and not really put too much focus on it. Just concentrate on the games (which can run on both, but take advantage of the Switch 2)

Nintendo is handling this transition very well.

1. They didn't kill off Switch 1 early and allowed it to run its course. Switch 2 is launching in the appropriate fiscal year while Switch 1 will still see new first party releases in 2026.

2. Switch 2 is getting first party exclusives right away. There's no cross-gen strategy like we've seen it from Sony and Microsoft where they announced next gen games and then quietly admitted that the same games are coming to their old consoles too. All we see from Nintendo is that games that have been first announced for Switch 1 will be playable on Switch 2 due to backwards compatibility; in some cases with upgrades, but upgrades are also provided for much older Switch 1 games.

3. Nintendo accounts carry over. The last couple of times a transition was nowhere near as smooth as it will be this time around.

This transition is honestly pretty brilliant!

I think the software output for Switch 2 is pretty good with the mixture of exclusives, cross gen, and updated last Gen games.

I do wish there could be more room between the prices. I think Oled and Switch 2 are too close but I think that is due to tge external market factors.

I do wish Nintendo had alittle more for Switch 1 crossgen wise like Mario Baseball or other smaller stuff but not too much. Right now Pokémon ZA and MP4 Beyond are coming really far into the year compared to the other Switch 1 releases. There are still games/Nintendo ip that could use a large userbase of Switch 1 and get Switch 2 enhancements.

All in all though, they did a great job.

The biggest differences between the transition from Wii->WiiU versus NSW->NSW2 is pricing, marketing, and software…which, by these measuress, I struggle to see how you could claim that the current transition is anything like that of Wii->WiiU? Wii’s were selling at bargain bin prices (as low as $50) with Wii U fighting at a $300/$350 price tag; whereas NSW remains at $200-350, and NSW2 at $450-500. Wii U was solely marketed running upgraded Wii games such as Wii Sports & NSMBU, whereas NSW2 has been crystal clear in showcasing a new MarioKart & a new Donkey Kong (not to mention the “2” versus “U”…one is very explicit in conveying successor, the other is a bit ambiguous). There was no software which truly distinguish Wii U from Wii until the release of SM3DW, a whole 12m after launch.

That all said: What are my thoughts on the transition? It’s going a whole lot more smooth than any Nintendo system prior lol. The economic situation is really the only thing I can think of that’s making this transition even slightly uneasy…well, that and pricing, but I do not think the price is so high that it’ll hurt the system in any meaningful way. Especially not with XBSXS/PS5 have models ranging from $400 up to $730USD.

…Though reading the OP, I feel like my response may not answering as was hoped for? Am I answering correctly? Sounds like you’re talking a little bit more about the logistics of it all (e.g., backwards compatibility, transferring Nintendo accounts between systems, etc.). I’ll def check out the linked vid.

Nintendo's issue in trying to develop for two different platforms was due to having completely different hardware for mobile and home console.

Nintendo can resolve that issue entirely by releasing a Switch/Switch 2 variant that removes all that mobile functionality and have it as a fixed home console that has the exact same internal Switch/Switch 2 hardware to run one set of games across multiple form factors. (Pure Handheld, Dockable Handheld {It's not a Hybrid} and fixed home console.)

It also resolves the longevity issue as Lithium batteries will eventually fail/bloat leading to improved game preservation... It would also resolve the other issue of price as you are significantly reducing the bill of materials.

Honestly though, I have no issue with the transition, I just hate the Game Key Card idea... Which I hate just as much as the code-in-a-box idea, if I want a digital library, I would buy a digital library, I don't want a digital copy inside a physical release.

What's the point when the platform already does that out the box with the dock, the lite model at least opens the market by allowing households to have multiple Switch and Switch 2 platforms a static model does nothing consumer wise and you won't be reducing the bill by an amount that would make people forgo the hybrid aspect.

I already touched upon this in my post... But I guess I need to make it bullet points instead.

The reasons to make a fixed home console using Switch hardware:

* Cheaper. (You are ditching mobile components.)
* Longevity. (No Lithium batteries to swell up and fail, matter of when, not if.)
* More devices in more places leading to potentially a larger player base.


And just like the Lite model "opens up the market" by allowing households to have Multiple Switch devices... A home fixed console literally does the same thing, it's more Switch devices in more places.

If -you- think that removing:
* Dock.
* Display with Touch.
* Lithium Battery.
* Battery Management System.
* Joycons.
* Speakers.
* Accelerometer
* Gyroscope.


And more isn't going to reduce the price by a decent margin, then you are living in a fantasy land, the Switch 2 is already Nintendo's most expensive console ever.

Nintendo already ditched the Hybrid approach (It's not a Hybrid, it's a mobile device that has a dock) with the Switch Lite, so it's not impossible for them to make other variants.

There is value in having multiple form factors run the same games, I am -not- a mobile gamer, I would throw my Switch OLED into the bin for a Switch TV instead.

A home Switch does nothing that a standard one can't and does not open up any part of the market again Lite allows people to buy their kids or family one in the same household. A home model does nothing of the sort you're going to have to clarify what it does rather than claiming it opens up the market because so far the only argument is cost, portable mode is also not just for mobile gaming outside as in family homes where TVs are shared it adds a convenient quality of life.

(off-topic, but the lack of almost any punctuation in this sentence is quite impressive lol.)