Nintendo Says Switch 2 will be Released in 2025

Nintendo Says Switch 2 will be Released in 2025
TT

Nintendo Says Switch 2 will be Released in 2025

Nintendo Says Switch 2 will be Released in 2025

Japan's Nintendo (7974.T), will release the Switch 2 console, successor to its hit Switch device, this year, it said on Thursday.

The Kyoto-based gaming company did not release pricing for the new device and said it would provide more details at a Nintendo Direct event on April 2.

The company said that existing Switch software will be usable on the new device although some games may not be fully compatible.

Consumers and investors have been waiting for details of the new console, which appears to closely follow the playbook established by the hybrid home-portable Switch.

"The reveal did not have the punch of the original Switch," said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy, Reuters reported.

"What we saw is more like a 'Switch Pro' - an upgraded version that is bigger - than a Switch 2," he said, adding the launch will likely be after June.

The Switch transformed Nintendo's fortunes following the poor performance of the Wii U console, and has sold more than 145 million units.

Nintendo has extended the lifecycle of the Switch, which launched in 2017, with hardware refreshes and hit games from franchises such as Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda.

The company has said it expects to sell 12.5 million units of the ageing Switch console in the financial year ending March.

"The Switch 2 is poised to reinvigorate hardware sales," Jefferies analyst Atul Goyal wrote in a client note ahead of the announcement.

"Even if Nintendo builds up capacity to manufacture 15m Switch 2 for the year, the demand is likely to outstrip supply for several months/quarters," he added.

The Switch is the company's second best seller, topped only by the handheld Nintendo DS which sold 154 million units in total.

Nintendo is heavily dependent on its console business, even as it has opened stores and with its roster of characters featuring in theme parks and film.

Along with PlayStation maker Sony (6758.T), Japanese companies remain leading console providers, even as technology such as mobile and cloud offers alternatives for gaming.



SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia

SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia
TT

SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia

SAMA, Google Sign Agreement to Launch Google Pay in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Google have signed an agreement to introduce Google Pay in Saudi Arabia during 2025 through the national payment system mada, according to a press release from SAMA.
This agreement aligns with SAMA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the Kingdom’s digital payments ecosystem as part of Saudi Vision 2030.

According to SPA, it underscores SAMA’s commitment to developing a robust digital payments infrastructure, facilitating the transition to a less cash-dependent society by offering advanced digital payment solutions that meet international standards.
Google Pay will provide users with an advanced and secure method for making purchases in stores, apps, and on the web. Users will also be able to conveniently add and manage their cards within Google Wallet.
This initiative is part of a broader series of solutions aimed at meeting market demands and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in FinTech.