Sony and Nintendo Should Keep the Current Gen Going for as Long as Possible ‘Because People Are Very Happy Using PS5 and Switch 2,’ Former PlayStation Exec Says
Console manufacturers should prioritize extending the lifespan of current-generation hardware rather than rushing to develop next-generation consoles, according to Shuhei Yoshida, former head of PlayStation Worldwide Studios. Yoshida told The Verge that Sony and Nintendo should keep their PS5 and Switch 2 platforms in the market “as long as possible,” citing escalating development costs that have already prompted price increases for both systems.
The rising expenses in console and software development make it economically prudent to sustain existing platforms rather than transition to new hardware cycles. Both PS5 and Switch 2 have experienced retail price increases in recent months, reflecting broader inflationary pressures in the gaming industry.
Regarding Nintendo specifically, there are no indications of an imminent Switch 3 launch, particularly since the Switch 2 only arrived last year. However, Nintendo maintains ongoing research and development budgets for exploring future hardware. The company may consider incremental upgrades to the base Switch 2 model in the future, following patterns similar to previous console generations.
Yoshida’s perspective reflects that consumers remain satisfied with current platforms, supporting a strategy of maintaining these ecosystems longer rather than rapidly cycling to new hardware. This approach aligns with market realities where both manufacturers are still capitalizing on their respective console bases and growing software libraries.