Video game consoles consistently see fair share of transitions, from technological improvements and design revamps to complete system overhauls. In this landscape, few concepts are as appreciated by audiences as backward compatibility. The recent hints from Nintendo suggesting that the successor to the Switch, referred to at the moment as the "Switch 2", hints at the aforementioned feature.
Nintendo of America President, Doug Bowser, recently sat down with Inverse where, among several other things, he had commented about this possibility. While avoiding direct acknowledgment of the Switch 2's specific features, Bowser was consistent about mentioning the role that the Nintendo Account would play in ensuring a smooth transition from one console generation to the next. Historically, each new Nintendo console required users to establish a new account. With the introduction of the Nintendo Account system in early 2016, Nintendo began to unify its account system across all its products, including mobile apps, the Switch, and other services.
This consolidation of the account system isn't merely for convenience. It sends a strong signal that Nintendo recognizes the importance of seamless continuity for its users. By emphasizing the goal to "minimize the dip" typically experienced between console cycles, Bowser indirectly acknowledged that one of the most effective ways to achieve this continuity is by supporting backward compatibility.
