Nintendohas confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 console, or whatever its next-generation console ends up being called, will utilize Nintendo Accounts.Nintendohas not revealed much information about the planned successor to the Switch, but the new console is expected to launch at some point next year.

The Nintendo Switch is seven years old at this point, and many would agree that it’s showing its age.Some Nintendo Switch games are struggling performance-wise, with the most notorious example being last year’sPokemon Scarlet and Violetand their multitude of technical issues. Nintendo still has plenty of big first-party exclusives on the way for the Switch, but many fans are ready to move on to a new console.

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Nintendo has no plans to reveal the Switch 2 consolethis year, and so fans shouldn’t expect to learn more concrete details about the device until 2024. However, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa recently revealed one detail about the device. According to Furukawa, the Nintendo Switch 2 console will utilize Nintendo Accounts to make for a “smooth transition” from the Switch to the new console. This may not seem that significant on the face of it, but it could mean big things for the next Nintendo console.

For example, if the next Nintendo console is backward compatible, it’s possible that this could mean digital purchases are carrying over. And even if the next Nintendo console is not backward compatible, it will still mean there’s at least some continuity. This may also be a hint that the Nintendo Switch Online service is going to carry over to the new Nintendo console in some form, but that’s just speculation at this time. For now, all fans know for sure is that the new Nintendo console willonce again use Nintendo Accountsinstead of starting from scratch like past Nintendo systems have done.

While many fans are waiting for the new Nintendo console, the Switch still has plenty of exciting new content on the way.Pikmin 4releases in July, while big games likeSuper Mario Bros. Wonder,WarioWare: Move It, and theSuper Mario RPGremake are releasing this fall. 2024 will also see the release of abrand-new Princess Peach gameand a remake ofLuigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon.

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