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January 13, 2026Nintendo, Switch 2, Shuntaro Furukawa, Gaming Industry, Anime Streaming, Video Games5 min read

Nintendo President Talks Switch 2 Price, New Franchises, and Media Expansion

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa opens up on the future: discussing Switch 2 pricing, expanding beloved franchises, new IPs, and even potential moves into movies and anime streaming.

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TL;DR: Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa recently sat down with Kyoto Shimbun, shedding light on the company's future strategy. Discussions ranged from the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2's potential pricing and the development of both existing franchises and new IPs, to Nintendo's broader entertainment ambitions including movies and anime streaming. This interview offers a rare glimpse into the strategic thinking behind one of gaming's biggest giants, signaling a multi-faceted approach to their evolving ecosystem.

What's New

In a highly anticipated interview with the Kyoto Shimbun, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has offered a rare peek behind the curtain at the company's strategic roadmap. This isn't just another corporate update; it's a comprehensive discussion touching upon nearly every facet of Nintendo's future, from hardware to multimedia. While concrete announcements were scarce, the fact that these topics were addressed at all speaks volumes about Nintendo's forward-thinking approach. Nintendo Patents Watch, a valuable resource for tracking the company's moves, was quick to summarize the various points, bringing them to the attention of a global audience eager for insights.

The breadth of topics covered is particularly noteworthy. Furukawa discussed the hotly debated topic of the Nintendo Switch 2's potential price point – a critical factor for both consumer adoption and market positioning. He also delved into the evergreen importance of Nintendo's beloved franchise games, while simultaneously emphasizing the need for new intellectual properties to keep the company's creative engine running. Perhaps most intriguingly, the conversation ventured into Nintendo's expanding entertainment aspirations, including the possibility of more movies following the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and even the intriguing prospect of anime streaming. This interview arrives at a pivotal moment, as the original Switch approaches its seventh year, and expectations for its successor, and Nintendo's broader entertainment strategy, continue to build.

Why It Matters

The implications of Furukawa's interview are far-reaching for gamers, investors, and the broader entertainment industry. The discussion around the Nintendo Switch 2's price is paramount. Nintendo has historically walked a tightrope, balancing innovative hardware with accessible pricing. The original Switch's success was partly due to its unique hybrid design and a price point that appealed to a wide demographic. For the successor, Nintendo will need to weigh advanced technology and potentially higher manufacturing costs against consumer expectations and competitive pressures. How they price the next console will significantly influence its market penetration and profitability, dictating whether it can replicate or even surpass the Switch's incredible install base.

Beyond hardware, the emphasis on franchise games and new titles underscores Nintendo's enduring strength: its intellectual property. Beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon are not just games; they are cultural touchstones that guarantee sales and foster deep consumer loyalty. Nurturing these franchises ensures a stable revenue stream and keeps existing fans engaged. However, the commitment to new IPs is equally vital. It demonstrates Nintendo's willingness to innovate, take risks, and avoid creative stagnation. New titles are essential for attracting fresh audiences, exploring new gameplay mechanics, and ensuring the company remains at the forefront of game design. This dual strategy is key to long-term relevance and growth.

Finally, the mention of movies and anime streaming signals a significant strategic shift. Following the unprecedented box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo clearly sees immense value in leveraging its IPs across different media. This move transforms Nintendo from primarily a gaming company into a broader entertainment entity, akin to Disney. Expanding into anime streaming could open up a massive, complementary market, allowing fans to engage with Nintendo's rich worlds and characters in new, passive ways. This diversification of revenue streams and brand exposure is a shrewd move in an increasingly convergent media landscape, making Nintendo's brand more pervasive and resilient.

What This Means For You

For the average gamer, Nintendo's strategic discussions translate into a future filled with exciting possibilities. You can anticipate a new Nintendo console on the horizon, likely offering enhanced performance and potentially innovative features, though its ultimate price will be a key factor in your decision-making. Expect the continued excellence and evolution of your favorite franchises, ensuring that beloved characters like Link, Mario, and Pikachu remain central to your gaming experiences. Furthermore, the commitment to new IPs means you'll have fresh, unexpected adventures to look forward to, keeping the Nintendo ecosystem vibrant and engaging. The company isn't just recycling old ideas; it's actively cultivating new ones.

Beyond gaming, the expansion into movies and potentially anime streaming means you'll have more avenues to connect with the Nintendo universe. Imagine more high-quality animated films based on your favorite games, or even dedicated anime series that delve deeper into the lore and characters. This means Nintendo is evolving into a more holistic entertainment provider, offering content across multiple platforms to suit various preferences. For consumers, this translates into a richer, more integrated experience with the Nintendo brand, extending its reach beyond the console and into your broader entertainment consumption habits. While specific details remain under wraps, the direction is clear: Nintendo aims to be an even larger, more integral part of your entertainment life in the years to come, consistently delivering both familiar joy and innovative surprises.

This interview, though light on specifics, provides crucial insight into Nintendo's proactive strategy. They are not merely reacting to market trends but actively shaping their future across hardware, software, and multimedia. This holistic vision promises an exciting, diversified future for one of the most iconic companies in entertainment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What specific topics did Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa address in the Kyoto Shimbun interview?

A: Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa's interview with Kyoto Shimbun covered a broad spectrum of strategic topics for the company. Key points of discussion included the anticipated pricing strategy for the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, the ongoing development and future plans for Nintendo's beloved franchise games, and the potential for introducing entirely new intellectual properties. Furthermore, Furukawa delved into Nintendo's expanding entertainment ventures, specifically touching upon the possibility of creating more movies based on their IPs and even exploring opportunities in anime streaming. This comprehensive discussion highlights Nintendo's multi-faceted approach to its future growth.

Q: Why is the discussion of the Nintendo Switch 2's price significant?

A: The discussion surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2's price is incredibly significant because it directly impacts consumer accessibility and market adoption. Nintendo faces a delicate balancing act: innovating with new hardware features and improved performance while keeping the price point attractive enough to appeal to its broad user base, including families and casual gamers. A higher price could deter some consumers, while a price too low might compromise profit margins or perceived value. Furukawa's acknowledgment of this topic indicates that Nintendo is acutely aware of the competitive landscape and the importance of strategic pricing for its next-generation console, aiming to replicate the Switch's widespread success without alienating its loyal audience.

Q: How does Nintendo's focus on both franchise games and new titles impact its strategy?

A: Nintendo's dual focus on nurturing existing franchise games and developing new titles is a cornerstone of its long-term strategy. Relying on established franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon provides a stable foundation of guaranteed sales and fan engagement, leveraging decades of brand loyalty and iconic characters. These titles often drive hardware sales and maintain player interest. Simultaneously, the commitment to new IPs is crucial for innovation, attracting new demographics, and ensuring the company remains creatively vibrant and relevant. New titles allow Nintendo to experiment with fresh gameplay mechanics, narratives, and art styles, preventing stagnation and paving the way for future beloved franchises. This balanced approach ensures both financial stability and continuous growth in a dynamic industry.

Q: What does the mention of movies and anime streaming suggest about Nintendo's future?

A: The mention of movies and anime streaming profoundly suggests Nintendo's strategic expansion beyond its traditional gaming console business into a broader entertainment conglomerate. Following the immense success of *The Super Mario Bros. Movie*, Nintendo appears keen to further leverage its valuable intellectual properties across different media formats. This diversification allows Nintendo to reach new audiences who may not be traditional gamers, strengthen brand recognition, and create additional revenue streams. Exploring anime streaming, in particular, indicates an understanding of the complementary relationship between gaming and animated content, tapping into a massive global market and offering fans more immersive ways to engage with their favorite characters and worlds outside of interactive gameplay. It positions Nintendo as a comprehensive entertainment entity, not just a game developer.

Q: What role does "Nintendo Patents Watch" play in this news?

A: Nintendo Patents Watch serves a crucial role in disseminating and summarizing the key takeaways from the Kyoto Shimbun interview. Given that the original interview might be in Japanese and potentially quite extensive, a dedicated entity like Nintendo Patents Watch acts as an intermediary, distilling the most pertinent points and making them accessible to a wider, often international, audience. Their summary helps to highlight the specific topics discussed by President Furukawa, from hardware pricing to media expansion, providing a concise overview for enthusiasts, journalists, and industry watchers who might not have direct access to or time to sift through the full original publication. Essentially, they act as a valuable filter and aggregator of important Nintendo-related news and insights.

Q: How might Nintendo's strategy discussed in the interview affect consumers in the coming years?

A: Nintendo's strategic discussions, as outlined in the interview, are poised to significantly impact consumers in the coming years. For gamers, this means anticipating a potential new Switch console with improved features, though its price point will be a key determinant of early adoption. They can also look forward to a steady stream of high-quality games, encompassing both beloved entries in established franchises and exciting, innovative new intellectual properties, ensuring a diverse gaming library. Beyond gaming, consumers could see a greater presence of Nintendo characters in other media, such as more animated films and potentially even dedicated anime series or streaming content. This expansion aims to offer more avenues for fans to engage with the Nintendo universe, transforming it into a more pervasive part of the broader entertainment landscape.