PS5 and Xbox Series X ‘unlikely to cannibalise Switch sales’

Around 40% of US Nintendo Switch owners also own a PlayStation 4 and/or an Xbox One, according to an NPD survey.

The data was revealed on Thursday by analyst Mat Piscatella, who claimed it could indicate that the upcoming next-gen console launches are unlikely to cannibalise sales of Nintendo’s console, as many consider the platform “supplemental” to PlayStation and Xbox.

Both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are due to launch in late 2020. According to reports, Nintendo could seek to combat the launches with new hardware of its own.

The Wall Street Journal claimed in 2019 that Nintendo was planning a more powerful Nintendo Switch hardware revision, with “enhanced features targeted at avid gamers”, in order to continue the platform’s sales momentum.

Japan-based Kantan Games analyst Dr. Serkan Toto speculated in a GI.biz article on Tuesday that the upgraded Switch hardware could launch this year.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Nintendo will launch a ‘Switch Pro’ in 2020, my guess is at $399,” he said.

“More specifically, I predict 4K support, bigger cartridge sizes, and of course beefed-up components. I also think the device will launch after the summer holidays to counter the roll-out of the PS5 and next-gen Xbox later in the year – along with a first-party, system-seller game.”

In 2019 Nintendo released the cheaper Nintendo Switch Lite and also refreshed the flagship Nintendo Switch model with a longer battery life.