CMA Document Drops Hint About Nintendo Switch 2

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard struggling to get over the line is the hottest topic in the gaming world. The CMA has been the deal’s most formidable opponent and has released a lot of info regarding Xbox and both of its competitors.

Now, a new flurry of documents might have revealed a tidbit about the Nintendo Switch successor. An excerpt from a CMA document concerning subscription services talked about Nintendo Switch Online.

It goes on to say that Nintendo’s cloud gaming service is only available on the Switch and one other name that is redacted from the documents. Considering how the service launched with the 2017 console, we can assume that this other device is the Nintendo Switch successor.

Idas gives his highlights from the Appendices.

From the PFs from the CMA

Appendix C includes lots of stats, for example about console hardware by sales value, volume, active users, and installed base in the UK and worldwide from 2019 – 2021

Source:https://t.co/Hu4CsQ4GFm pic.twitter.com/7yHBiHAzC0

— Alan Feely (@IdleSloth84_) February 18, 2023

Rumors have been circulating for a long time about the Nintendo Switch 2. Many think that the sequel is long overdue, even with the remarkably stable success of the Switch. Some reports have suggested that the successor is going into production this year with a 2024 release in mind.

Nintendo’s dry slate for the second half of 2023 also suggests that the next-gen console may be coming soon. The slow decline in sales of the Nintendo Switch could also make the company accelerate work on the sequel. But, nothing is official as of now and we will have to wait for some concrete news.

However, bits and pieces of info here and there have confirmed the existence of this upcoming console. And, a new entry in this list is a CMA document concerning the Microsoft–Activision deal. The UK competition body has released a lot of info regarding Sony, Nintendo, and Xbox.

Similarly, a new document compares the subscription services of all of these gaming giants. While talking about Nintendo Switch Online, the document says that the subscription service is very limited. Considering how it accounts for only 5-10% of the console subscription market, they aren’t wrong.

But, what catches our eye is the reason CMA gives for the Nintendo Switch cloud gaming service being restricted. The document goes on to say that the service is only available on the Switch and one other console. In the place of this console’s name, there is a redacted symbol, meaning the CMA took it out for confidentiality.

Nintendo Switch Online came out with the titular console in 2017. Keeping up with Nintendo’s tradition of a different online service for a different console, no previous console has NSO. So, we won’t be wrong to assume that the console redacted from the document is Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch Online has been excluded from our shares as Nintendo’s cloud gaming service is very limited. Nintendo’s cloud gaming service is only available on the Nintendo Switch device and [REDACTED]. Nintendo Switch Online gives gamers access to online play and cloud saving amongst other features.”

It is hard to imagine that the company is going to bring Nintendo Switch Online to older consoles. Hence, this secret console retaining the NSO is new Nintendo hardware that will succeed the Switch. Transferring the online subscription from one generation to another is a first in Nintendo history.

Such a thing hasn’t happened before so we are guessing this sequel will be in the mold of the Nintendo Switch. Confidentiality alone gives the secret away, but it is nice to know the service will survive for another generation.

Hopefully, we hear some news about this console soon as we can’t wait to see what Nintendo Switch Online will look like next generation.