Talk:Nintendo Switch

8th/9th gen console or 8th gen console?

Respectfully, I'd like to point out some reasons why I think it should be mentioned as "eighth generation" rather than "eighth/ninth generation" in the infobox.

After skimming through the reference (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch#cite_note-1), I found only 2 sentences mentioning the Nintendo Swtich console. Which is, I quote, "The Switch has now thrived across two console generations" and "Nintendo is now so firmly marching to the beat of its own drum that it no longer aligns with either Sony or Microsoft when it comes to console launches."

As the only reference for "ninth gen", the article is not solid enough. Because the concept "generation" is more commonly used to depict "when something first appear", Like Gen Y or Gen Z. Also in Ninth generation of video game consoles, ninth gen console is defined as "began in November 2020 with the releases of Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Series S console family and Sony's PlayStation 5." So "thrived across two generations" does not necessarily mean we should mention it as both eighth gen and ninth gen console, same as we don't call a person that born in boomers age but lived through zoomers age a "boomer/zoomer".

The reference tooltip says "The Switch has been compared and considered to compete with consoles of both the eighth and ninth generation by sources." I think it is safe to conclude from the article to this (the tooltip), but "it's been compared and considered to compete with ninth gen" does not necessarily make it a ninth gen console. Since there haven't been any generational changes happening in the Switch family.

Considering the continuous support and upgraded models like Switch OLED, I think the Switch family is more suitable to be put as "a eighth gen game console with continuous support and constant updates." MaxHasBeenUsed (talk) 06:33, 12 February 2025 (UTC)

I'm not sure I understand the difference you're trying to make between the designations of between "part of a generation" and "competes with others in the generation". Conceptually, I'm not following how you can assert something is competing in a generation but not part of it. Sergecross73 msg me 11:52, 12 February 2025 (UTC)

Thank you for your reply. That is exactly the center of the debate and I'm trying my best to make my point clear.

I made a example about how we describe generations of human. A "boomer" still in competition with "zoomers" in a job market does not make them a "boomer/zoomer". Instead we call them "remain competitive".

In the dictionary, the definition of generation is "all the living things in a group that are born or start to exist at about the same time, and are related to one that existed at an earlier point in time". The point is we tend to categorize "generation" by start time, not end time.

Moreover, If "is able to compete" is the criteria of dividing generations, then maybe we need a clearer definition of "competitive". For example a source here indicates that as of April 2024, there are approximately same amount of PS4 still in active use as PS5, recording around 60% of total play time compared to PS5. With a much lower price in second-hand market, PS4 is still a cost-effective choice for tight budget players. If we equal this "longevity" to "competitive", and "competitive" to "part of generation" we should mark PS4 as a eighth/ninth gen console as well. MaxHasBeenUsed (talk) 03:37, 13 February 2025 (UTC)

That's all reasonable, but the largest aspect is that we want to let reliable sources to tell us the bounds of what the generations are, instead of using any of these definitions of what a generation is to come up with our own organization as to what belongs in that generation. Masem (t) 04:20, 13 February 2025 (UTC)

That's fair enough. I've done some more research and turns out the debate has been happening for quite some time, and there's no definite conclusion yet. Like the source said, "Nintendo is now so firmly marching to the beat of its own drum that it no longer aligns with either Sony or Microsoft when it comes to console launches."

The reason I'm posting in the first place is that I don't think that only reference article can fully support "ninth". Maybe we can add some more references to further clear the ambiguity. MaxHasBeenUsed (talk) 01:54, 17 February 2025 (UTC)

You're using the wrong definition of generation here though. We're talking about commercial products, not living things. Sergecross73 msg me 11:41, 13 February 2025 (UTC)

Technically not the most accurate definition, yes. But there's also "A generation is also a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development". So same logic. MaxHasBeenUsed (talk) 01:44, 17 February 2025 (UTC)

Errr sure. But here's the problem. This is a unique situation. Everything will be discounted if we get bogged down in semantics and technicalities. There's also people who argue 8th gen is impossible, because you couldn't have 2 systems from the same company in the same generation (Wii U and Switch), because, similar to you, they argue it doesn't match the definition of a generation. Sergecross73 msg me 02:24, 17 February 2025 (UTC)

Well I see the idea, that's quite redundant, console generations are where companies release their next-gen systems with the intent of competing with the opposition's next-gen systems, giving us generations. The Switch only came out early due to the failure of the Wii U, and 5 year generations aren't something Nintendo hasn't done before. So the Switch is 9th gen, like how the Dreamcast is 6th gen. ~2025-43642-89 (talk) 00:45, 29 December 2025 (UTC)

For what it's worth, GFK (a company that tracks video game sales in europe) considers the Switch to be an Gen 9 console.

This article about sales in France in 2019 attests to this.(https://nielseniq.com/global/fr/insights/report/2020/gaming-2019-recul-du-ca-hardware-jeux-physiques/) "Gen8 physical equipment or games have literally plummeted, by -44% and -29% respectively, while the first Gen 9 offers are attracting and have delivered +5% for consoles and +33% for games." since it's about 2019 Gen 9 can only reffert to Nintendo Switch.

Here we have sales breackdown of consoles in France in 2020 and 2021 according to GFK (https://cedric-le-lion.imgbb.com/?page=7&seek=b218h4G) according to the table 91% of the consoles sold in France in 2021 (2057k out of 2262k) were Gen 9. We also known still from GFK that 58% of consoles sold in France in 2021 were Switch (https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/tech-numerique/la-switch-de-nintendo-bientot-console-la-plus-vendue-de-l-histoire-en-france_797058) "More than one in two consoles sold in France in 2021 was a Switch (58%) according to Gfk."

These 2 elements show that GFK considers the Switch as a Gen 9 console

The US tracking firm (NPD/circana) don't use the numerical generation system.

As of March 2017 the clasification was:

PS4/XB1/Switch => "current gen" / PS3/360/Wii U => "Legacy" / Evrything else => "Historical". (https://web.archive.org/web/20190912125404/https://twitter.com/MatPiscatella/status/839952513797193728)

In 2023 Circana refert to Switch as the same gen as PS5/XBS like here (https://www.tweaktown.com/news/94955/market-sales-dip-prompts-steep-playstation-and-xbox-price-discounts/index.html) "All current generation consoles experienced a double-digit percentage decline in dollar sales when compared to a year ago, with Nintendo Switch showing the sharpest drop year-on-year."

Both NPD/Circana and GFK don't clasify Switch as the same Gen as Wii U.

Imo the only options are either to clasify Switch as Gen 9 or to drop numerical generations system (this option would affect all other systems). Astral lion02 (talk) 11:27, 4 March 2025 (UTC)

Or we do what we have been doing, stating the Switch is considered an 8th generation console but also sometimes as a 9th generation. Masem (t) 13:06, 4 March 2025 (UTC)

Then add it on the ninth generation main console table then. What's stopping you? And don't say "not enough reliable sources". We're already nearly 5 years into this ninth generation. Almost all talk about current generation systems include the Switch. 130.105.183.109 (talk) 02:31, 23 March 2025 (UTC)

Here's the rub - in those 5 years we have very few sources that put the Switch as a ninth gen console. We need that to be explicitly said, not just that it coexists with the PS5 and Xbox X/S. Masem (t) 04:06, 23 March 2025 (UTC)

Have you ever considered that maybe, mainstream gaming media is no longer using explicit terms such as "8th/9th gen" to refer to a device? If general consensus is that they're competing directly against each other, then it's just common sense for everyone consider these devices in the same generation. Your problem is just you were leaning into the term early into the device's life, without considering that terms such as 8th/9th gen will no longer be used explicitly late into its life cycle. If you really think that the Switch is straddling the line between the 8th and 9th gen (and everyone knows the Switch is/has been competing against 9th gen consoles), then put the Switch in both the 8th and 9th gen tables. 130.105.183.209 (talk) 23:53, 23 April 2025 (UTC)

There were a number of sources since the release of the Switch and the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S that suggested the console generations may be going by the wayside. Of course, PS5 and Xbox X/S have still been routinely classified as 9th gen, but the Switch still remains to have minimal sourcing to suggest its a 9th gen, stronger sourcing that it was an 8th gen. That's why we include it fully in the 8th and allude to it in the 9th. Masem (t) 00:03, 24 April 2025 (UTC)

Putting my MBA hat on for a moment ... Nintendo has clearly adopted a "blue ocean strategy". In a very real way, they are not competing directly against the PS5 and Xbox X/S. The Switch is far less powerful, it has a very different catalog of titles, and a very unique form factor. For that reason, many people own both a Switch and a PS5 or Xbox X/S. Conversely, few people own both a PS5 and Xbox X/S. I think this was Nintendo's big learning from the Wii/Wii U... there was success in the blue ocean the Wii occupied, but when they attempted to move closer to the red ocean where Sony and Microsoft fight... they failed. This is in contrast to say the sixth generation where we had four consoles all trying to claim space in the same red ocean marketplace. That's where the comparisons and the generations help. But with the Switch and the ninth generation, we have two consoles going head to head, and Nintendo doing Nintendo things. RickyCourtney (talk) 02:49, 24 April 2025 (UTC)

Or stick with the current approach, which incorporates a wide swath of reliable sources. And for the record, dropping the generation system has been attempted before, but it never gets a consensus. And rewriting it to a new organization would be a massive undertaking, difficult in both scope and editors not agreeing on how to do it. Everyone has an opinion on it, but few would actually put the work in. Sergecross73 msg me 14:49, 4 March 2025 (UTC)

Overall if nothing get consensus I guess it give no choice other than staying with the current organisation. Astral lion02 (talk) 18:05, 4 March 2025 (UTC)

> Both NPD/Circana and GFK don't clasify Switch as the same Gen as Wii U.

Switch is considered not in the same gen as Wii U (which is gen 8), but the marketing term "next gen", widely used to promote PS5 and Xbox X (which is gen 9), is now also used to promote Switch 2. And Switch 2 is even clearer a generational successor to Switch, because of its name.

So it's like: if I'm in between of 8 and 9, what am I? Sounds like teaching a kid fraction numbers. Or: if I'm both 8 and 9 what am I. Sounds like teaching a kid quantum physics. MaxHasBeenUsed (talk) 08:26, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

We're less than a week from its full reveal. No use dwelling on this now when coverage and framing will likely drastically shift soon after. Sergecross73 msg me 10:46, 27 March 2025 (UTC)

The Switch belongs to the ninth generation, because it introduces considerable changes compared to the Wii U/PS4, and starts the generation prematurely.It also happens to the 3DS in the portable branch (which was eighth generation) so the Switch is ninth.Later, PS5 and Xbox join in 2020, completing the ninth generation.Later the switch 2 is announced for 2025, thus starting the tenth generation of consoles, we also know that PS6 will be launched in 2026, which is a very close date to the launch of Switch 2. Including Switch in octave and Switch 2 in ninth, it would cause PS6 to be tenth in 2026, and Switch 3 in 2033 is tenth which would be very bad in terms of classification. Let us remember that the switch is portable and its hardware will always be 38.253.158.154 (talk) 23:40, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

None of that is usable on the article. We need reliable sources, not personal theories. Sergecross73 msg me 00:53, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

Yeah, but the problem with this site is that every sources gets their info from Wikipedia, so yeah. It's simple, the Switch was Nintendo's next system after the Wii U, that competed with the PS5 and XSX/S for most of its life, and this is made more apparent with the Switch 2 which is only releasing 2 years before the PS6 and next Xbox. So its kind of wrong to say its an 8th gen system. ~2025-43642-89 (talk) 00:41, 29 December 2025 (UTC)

It's not WP's fault. Nintendo released a console and its successor completely outside the cycle being used by the other two console makers, and not following in the same footsteps. It is very difficult to catalog either the Switch or Switch 2 into any generation, because they aren't following the generation model that the industry expected. Masem (t) 01:00, 29 December 2025 (UTC)

From my view the Switch is the 9th Gen as it came out after the 8th Gen which is Wii U.

Just stating Switch is not 9th Gen because it is so weak technical compared to PS5& XBox X is stupid. The Wii was also technically weak compared to PS3 & XBox 360 and is still considered 7th Generation thanks to the Gameplay aspect. So yes the Switch was technically weak but it offered first technical progress making the whole technic aspect so small that it fit into this gadget with the external Docking Station boosting the Graphic. Also about the whole Pro Control Argument, this one also helps because for the Wii U came Games that where just working on the Wii U but not on the Wii and on the Switch they also got their own Games that are only playable on the Switch but nothing on the Wii U. So I repeat Switch is 9th Gen and Switch 2 started the 10th Gen. Konstantin5500 (talk) 15:25, 11 September 2026 (UTC)

Again, you need reliable sources to support your argument, not personal theories "from your view." ThomasO1989 (talk) 15:41, 11 September 2026 (UTC)

It is basic logic. Wii is an own console for Nintendo. Wii U is an own console for Nintendo. Switch is an own console for Nintendo. Switch uses different way to play games then Wii U.

Unless you consider the Switch now as a Handheld who can also be played on the TV just like you could play GBA Games over Gameboy Player from Gamecube or PSP Games via componen Cable then it means that the Switch is the next Generation after the Wii U.

Given you want technological expression her explains someone why Switch is not an 8th Gen Console Konstantin5500 (talk) 15:49, 11 September 2026 (UTC)

That is not how console generations are defined. Just because console maker A's new console follows their previous console does not mean the new console is put into the generation that follows the previous console. Console generations are based on the overall market and how it transitions. Masem (t) 15:54, 11 September 2026 (UTC)

Well this is even more for Switch being 9th Generation. Nintendo so transitioned from their second worst selling Console only beaten by the Virtual Boy to their most selling console which was so sucessful that it started the trend of portable dedicated Gaming Hardware again which was before considered dead thanks to the Smartphone. Konstantin5500 (talk) 16:14, 11 September 2026 (UTC)

Still. Need. Sources. Sergecross73 msg me 23:13, 11 September 2026 (UTC)

So, let's imagine that Switch 3 is a complete flop, and because of that, the launch of Nintendo Awesome is brought forward to the exact same date as PS7. What you're saying is that PS7 will be eleventh generation, but Nintendo Awesome will be twelfth because the eleventh was Switch 3, even though both consoles were released on the exact same day.

Would that be your argument in that hypothetical scenario? ~2026-49632-94 (talk) 08:09, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

This is like the opposite of a helpful analogy. The situation is complicated enough, the last thing we need to worry to add a bunch of hypotheticals to the mix. This thought experiment is irrelevant because we have no idea how reliable sources would classify any of this. Sergecross73 msg me 10:41, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

Why is not a helpful analogy? One user stated it's ninth generation because Nintendo eighth generation was Nintendo Wii U. That's a bad reason to call Nintendo Switch "ninth generation" and I'm explaining why. The opposite could happen too, if Sega decides to release a new console, it's not sixth generation because it's the one that comes after Sega Dreamcast. See where I'm heading?

I've been checking if this has happened, and it actually has happened, so no hypotethical. Atari released Atari 7800 which was third generation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_7800

After that they skipped fourth generation and released Atari Jaguar, which is fifth generation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Jaguar

If the argument "it's ninth gen because Nintendo's eighth gen was Wii U" is valid, shouldn't be also valid the argument "Atari Jaguar is fourth generation because its predecesor was third generation"? Or is it a cherry pick argument? ~2026-49753-00 (talk) 15:00, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

its a fallacy to say that if a manufacturer's console X is placed in the Nth console generation, and then introduce console X+1, that that automatically goes into console generation N+1. It is neither absolutely true or absolutely false. Console generations are recognized as a large shift of technology and game delivery, and not simply because new consoles came out. Masem (t) 15:10, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

I literally just explained why it was unhelpful. You're taking a complicated situation and adding a second, hypothetical complicated scenario. And because there's no reliable sourcing for your hypothetical, it can't possibly be factored in. Sergecross73 msg me 15:16, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

I have provided a real case (not a hypothetical one) on why it is not the brands that define a generation by launching new consoles, but rather the reality of the market that does so. Atari skipped the fourth generation, and the Atari Jaguar is considered fifth generation despite coming from a third-generation Atari console. Exactly the same logic can be applied to the Nintendo Switch, at least to rule out the argument "it is ninth generation because the eighth was Wii U." If all reasons for considering it ninth generation are ruled out, but not all reasons for considering it eighth, then it must be eighth generation. ~2026-50023-45 (talk) 09:25, 15 September 2026 (UTC)

I'm referring to all that nonsense about "Nintendo Awesomes" and "PS7s" - there's nothing "real" about any if that. Sergecross73 msg me 10:56, 15 September 2026 (UTC)

Regardless, we need this coming from reliable sources, not personal (and anonymous) anecdotes. Sergecross73 msg me 01:07, 29 December 2025 (UTC)

It seems for both Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 there are no direct mentioning of generation in the infobox. But from the context Steam Deck is more 8th gen, while Switch 2 is more 9th gen.

For what it's worth, I find the description in Eighth generation of video game consoles and Ninth generation of video game consoles most through and accurate. I guess with Switch (1), it's better to point people to those two pages rather than settle down with 8th or 9th gen? MaxHasBeenUsed (talk) 08:26, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

Steam Deck is not a video game console, its a handheld PC. It should never be mentioned as directly part of the generation, though obviously mentioning it and devices like it coming out at the same time as the consoles in that generation is reasonable. Masem (t) 12:35, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

Dont bother trying to debate Masem or sergecross. They won't listen to facts that don't fit their narrative. ~2026-19924-2 (talk) 11:47, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

The talk page is for discussing the article. Idle complaining will continue to be removed or ignored. Either contribute to the discussion or your comments will continue to be removed. Sergecross73 msg me 16:16, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

I completely agree with you. Also, all third party, multiplatform games that Switch received were 8th generation games. I don't think there is a single game that was released on Switch and also on Xbox Series and/or PS5 but not on PS4 and/or XBox One. So it's an eight generation catalog. ~2026-49632-94 (talk) 08:05, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

The Switch has been compared and considered to compete with consoles of both the eighth and ninth generation by sources.

PS2 outselled PS3 and XBox 360 for 2 whole years (2007, 2008 and even part of 2009). Source: https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a96023/ps2-outsells-ps3-by-4m-in-2008/

According to that claim, PS2 would be sixth and seventh generation, as it was competing against seventh generation consoles. ~2026-49632-94 (talk) 08:15, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

We have reliable sources calling Switch cross generational. We don't for ps2. If we did, and you truly feel that way, feel free to propose that at the appropriate pages. But, as I assume it's really just another argument purely to make a point here, it's another moot point. Sergecross73 msg me 15:19, 14 September 2026 (UTC)

I'm sorry if I'm being a pain, as I guess you have to deal with a lot of different users here. I will try to stick to the sources. Some things.

Calling it "sources" plural is a stretch. There is only one reference in the article. Moreover, I've read the article and it doesn't call Switch a 9th gen console. That's interpreted from the text. The source only claims two things about Nintendo Switch, neither of them establishing it as a ninth generation console.

and that Nintendo is now so firmly marching to the beat of its own drum that it no longer aligns with either Sony or Microsoft when it comes to console launches.

That's the first quote talking about Nintendo Switch. Nothing here can be used to assume it's a ninth generation

but beyond that it’s been a weird generation so far with lots of great games coming to both PS5 and PS4. The Switch has now thrived across two console generations, and Xbox...

I'm assuming this is the paragraph that has been used as source. The author tries to establish why this generation has been weird. It doesn't assert that Nintendo Switch it's a ninth generation console, or a mixed one. It asserts that Nintendo Switch has thrived across two generations. Which is true, but that doesn't make it a ninth generation console, for the same reason Game Boy, which was a massive success over decades and thrived across multiple generations (source), does not belong to all the generations where it was successful. And I don't want to open a discussion over Game Boy article, I'm just stating that the only source used to mark it as ninth generation is really weak, and it would be weak in the Game Boy case too.

So the only source that is used to claim it's a ninth generation console, doesn't even say it's a ninth generation console and the interpretation on why it's cross generational or belongs to two different generations vary depending on the Wikipedia article we are reading it. ~2026-50023-45 (talk) 10:04, 15 September 2026 (UTC)

"NS1 (video game console)" listed at Redirects for discussion

The redirect NS1 (video game console) has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2025 September 21 § NS1 (video game console) until a consensus is reached. Less Unless (talk) 10:35, 21 September 2025 (UTC)

"NS (video game console)" listed at Redirects for discussion

The redirect NS (video game console) has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2025 September 21 § NS (video game console) until a consensus is reached. Less Unless (talk) 10:36, 21 September 2025 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 2 November 2025

please add File:Nintendo Switch Tabletop.jpg to the infobox. 69 (i crave violence :D) 11:58, 2 November 2025 (UTC)

 Not done: This file is clearly owned by Nintendo and is not available with a Creative Commons license. You can't just upload whatever you want. GSK (talk • edits) 14:28, 2 November 2025 (UTC)

Even beyond that, the infobox is already a bit crowded with images. We really don't need another one added on. Sergecross73 msg me 16:11, 2 November 2025 (UTC)

I've blocked the OP as a confirmed sock.-- Ponyo^{bons mots} 21:03, 3 November 2025 (UTC)

Incorrect Switch OLED release date in infobox

Switch OLED was released on October 8th 2021 not October 10th 2021 Maven512 (talk) 16:32, 22 June 2026 (UTC)

Nintendo Switch to be discontinued in February 2027

https://x.com/botalksgames/status/2074119987435024596?s=46

from their new article about Switch 2 replaceable batteries. Looks like it’s not only in Europe, but worldwide https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Nintendo-Switch-2/Information-about-upcoming-battery-related-revisions-to-some-Nintendo-products-3132901.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=Nintendo%7CNULL%7CEUBatteryRegulationsAN%7Cm_id_bL8LZMuzbM%7C3132901 Monathephantom (talk) 14:18, 6 July 2026 (UTC)

so far only EU is mentioned but I added a section for this Masem (t) 14:35, 6 July 2026 (UTC)