Nintendo reconfirms Breath of the Wild 2 for 2022 — and hints Switch 2 will be backwards compatible

Nintendo reconfirms Breath of the Wild 2 for 2022 — and hints Switch two will exist backwards uniform

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo's latest set of financial results accept been released this week, and they comprise some morsels of information that will surely brand Nintendo fans very happy.

An accompanying report lays out Nintendo's software release plan for the rest of 2022, and the proficient news is that The Fable of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2 is still on the list. The game was confirmed to be targeting a 2022 release date last summer, simply there have been whispers that it could slip into 2023 equally the COVID-xix pandemic continues to have a significant touch on on game development.

Of course, there is still a possibility that Jiff of the Wild 2 will exist delayed into next year only information technology'southward an encouraging sign that Nintendo however believes the hugely anticipated sequel is on rails to drop in 2022. The results also confirm that Splatoon 3, Bayonetta 3 and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Promise are all expected this year besides.

The news isn't quite and so positive for Metroid fans as Metroid Prime four isn't on the list and its release appointment is still unknown. Metroid Prime number iv was first appear in 2022, but hasn't resurfaced since.

It's endured an extremely rocky development bicycle so far, with Nintendo announcing the entire projection had been rebooted in 2022. We suggest replaying last yr'due south Metroid Dread a couple more times, equally it might be a while longer earlier we return to the Prime universe.

Practiced news for rumored Switch 2

Nintendo's financial results don't just incorporate updates on upcoming software — a Switch successor has also been teased. During a Q&A session, summarized by Japan-based analyst David Gibson, Nintendo was asked about carrying the Switch's existing player base over to its adjacent console.

Nintendo's reply hints that not only is a "next-gen device" on the mode, just it may exist backwards compatible with the Switch's existing library. This would definitely make sense every bit both the PS5 and Xbox Serial X offer some degree of backwards compatibility, and Nintendo volition likely desire to follow arrange.

Q) How think about the 98m versus side by side panel?A) Into 6th year of Switch and we are maintaining momentum, we are looking at how to expand and grow this 100m users, leading into side by side gen device (sounds similar adjacent device will be backward compatible!) 7/February 3, 2022

It'southward not entirely clear if this "next-gen device" would be a total Nintendo Switch two or a more incremental update ala the long-rumored Nintendo Switch Pro. Either way, the next Nintendo panel could still exist several years off as in a contempo earnings calls Nintendo president, Shuntaro Furukawa, commented that the "Switch is just in the middle of its lifecycle."

Nintendo may be reluctant to move on from the Nintendo Switch as the panel has proved to be a consummate nail hit. This week it was confirmed that the Switch has crossed the 100 one thousand thousand sales mark, and is at present the company'due south acknowledged home console of all time with 103.54 1000000 units shifted. This milestone sees the Switch overtake the Nintendo Wii which sold 101.63 1000000.

While the console's success is remarkable, there'southward no denying that the Nintendo Switch hardware is definitely aging at this point.

Rory is a Deals Editor at Tom's Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a detail focus on deals, gaming and streaming. When he'southward non scouring retailers for PS5 restock or writing hot takes on the latest gaming hardware and streaming shows, he can exist institute attention music festivals and being thoroughly disappointed by his terrible football game team.