In a recent Q&A released after the latest Direct, Nintendo revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 was originally supposed to be named something else. The original idea was to call it the Super Nintendo Switch, drawing inspiration from the shift between the 8-bit NES and the 16-bit Super NES, where the name was upgraded to include “Super” in recognition of the improvements.
However, Kouichi Kawamoto, a key figure behind the console, explained why they eventually decided against using the “Super” name. According to him, although it might have seemed like a good idea, it didn’t feel like the right choice for the Switch 2.
Continuity, Not a Break
The reason behind the decision to stick with a version number, like “Switch 2,” is that Nintendo wanted to highlight the continuity between the new console and the original. Unlike the Super NES, which couldn’t play NES games, the Switch 2 can still run games from the original Switch, which made it less appropriate to use the “Super” name. Kawamoto explained, “Super NES (25), which came out after the NES (26), couldn’t play NES games. Since Switch 2 can play Switch games, it didn’t feel right to use the same naming convention as Super NES.”
The main goal behind the new name was to emphasize that the Switch 2 is an evolution of the original, with improved performance, rather than a completely different machine. Nintendo wants players to see it as the next logical step in the Switch family, not just as a more powerful version.
The decision reflects Nintendo’s wish to maintain a sense of continuity, avoiding a drastic departure from the original Switch. The focus was on making sure the console still appeals to a broad audience, not just hardcore gamers. Nintendo wanted the Switch 2 to be a versatile console, continuing its appeal to a wide range of users, rather than just those looking for more advanced performance.
