Epitome via Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch hit shop shelves on March iii, 2022. We're just a month abroad from the hybrid console'due south fifth anniversary, and information technology'southward non going away anytime soon. In fact, Nintendo says we're merely halfway through its lifecycle.

The statement comes from a Nintendo earnings call (with quotes transcribed by Bloomberg). "Switch is just in the eye of its lifecycle," president Shuntaro Furukawa said, "and the momentum going into this year is good. The Switch is ready to interruption a pattern of our past consoles that saw momentum weakening in their sixth year on the marketplace and grow farther." If we are indeed in the eye of the Switch's lifespan, then we're in for a full 10 years of the dockable handheld.

V to six is the norm for Nintendo, equally pointed out in Furukawa's mention of past consoles "weakening" in the sixth twelvemonth. There are 2 outliers, though. There were seven years betwixt the NES and SNES and as every bit many between the DS and 3DS. Yet, x years is more often than not unheard of when it comes to consoles.

Enhanced versions of the Switch are helping to give it longevity. Last fall's OLED model gives the device a slightly larger screen with a improve display, more internal storage, and a LAN port in the dock. Incessant rumors near a Switch Pro keep coming effectually as well, though Nintendo has firmly denied that such a device exists.