Why Nintendo Switch 2 is the Best Name for Nintendo

New Nintendo Switch 2 - Upcoming 2025

Super Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Pro, New Nintendo Switch, Switch, Switch U, and the implausibly named Nintendo New 3d XL Final Chapter Prologue were among the titles suggested for Nintendo's next system, though the latter is very improbable. Nintendo Switch 2 was the final name that Nintendo chose. It is both simple and unique.

With titles like "Wii U" and "New Nintendo 3DS XL," Nintendo has a history of confusing fans, so Toto's praise of the company's "creativity" is well-deserved. While competitors like PSN games and tech giants like Apple have always numbered their systems consecutively, Nintendo has never done so.

Omdia Research's George Jijiashvili told me, "As they say, 'keep it simple, stupid!'" in response to my question about the name. "Switch 2" isn't a unique moniker, but it gets the point across and has been successful for PlayStation for the last 25 years. A name like "Super Nintendo Switch" would have been great for fan service, but it may have led to consumer misunderstanding, as the Wii U and 3DS names did.

New Nintendo Switch U

Rhys Elliott from MIDiA also referenced the Wii U era when I asked for his thoughts on the matter, noting that many customers initially believed the Wii U was just an add-on for the Wii, similar to the Wii Fit Balance Board or Wii Motion Plus. "This marketing misstep nearly wiped out all the progress Nintendo made with the Wii," he explained. "Things would have been dire if the Switch hadn't become a cultural phenomenon. Nintendo's leadership, now more conservative than ever, recognizes that."
"With Nintendo placing all its console bets on the Switch, it cannot afford to confuse its fans," he added. "After all, Nintendo's ventures into film, theme parks, toys, and even alarm clocks all trace back to its core console brand. If the heart of the brand falters, everything could fall apart."

Joost van Dreunen, author of the Super Joost newsletter, highlighted the Mario movie and theme parks as reasons for Nintendo’s decision to keep the naming straightforward. “In an age where gaming hardware names are becoming increasingly extravagant and confusing, especially after seeing all the new handheld devices unveiled at CES, naming the new device Switch 2 effectively leverages Nintendo’s brand equity and clarifies its market position.

This simplicity is especially relevant as Nintendo branches beyond traditional gaming markets with initiatives like the Mario movie and theme parks, where clear brand communication is crucial.” So, while you might poke fun at the uninspired name, it’s evident that calling it the Nintendo Switch 2 was the only logical choice for a console that is, in nearly every way, just a more powerful version of its predecessor. For now, it serves as a direct sequel, making this seemingly dull naming convention the safest bet for Nintendo that wouldn’t lead to a disastrous misstep. Thus, it’s settled: Nintendo Switch 2 it is! With that settled, let’s turn our attention to the rumours about the Nintendo Switch Thrii.