Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has revealed that the next Nintendo console will be unveiled "within this fiscal year."

This announcement coincided with the release of Nintendo's end-of-year financial report. Furukawa emphasized that it has been over nine years since the introduction of the current Nintendo Switch (originally codenamed 'NX') in 2015, and updates on the forthcoming system can be expected before the conclusion of March 2025.

Furthermore, Furukawa disclosed plans for a Nintendo Direct event scheduled for June. However, he clarified that the presentation will primarily focus on software for the existing Nintendo Switch, with no mention of the speculated 'Switch 2' during the broadcast.

The complete statement can be found below, as shared on Twitter:

https://x.com/NintendoCoLtd/status/1787736516921581

@NintendoCoLtd

社長の古川です。2015年3月にNintendo Switchの存在を公表して以来9年ぶりにSwitchの後継機種に関するアナウンスを今期中に行います。また、2024年後半のSwitchソフトラインナップをお知らせするNintendo Directを6月に実施しますが、そこでは後継機種を扱いません。誤解のないようお願いいたします。

This is Furukawa, President of Nintendo. We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation.

With rumors swirling around the anticipated 'Switch 2', Nintendo is clearly aiming to manage expectations with this statement, aiming to avoid disappointing fans throughout the remainder of the year. While a June Nintendo Direct has become somewhat of a tradition in recent years, announcing it this early is an unconventional move.

Back in February, Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the current Switch would remain Nintendo's "main business" heading into 2024, refraining from commenting on any new hardware plans at that time.

Recent revelations and speculations about the long-awaited new hardware have begun to surface, including hints that the console may feature new Joy-Con-style controllers that attach to the console magnetically.

This week’s Famitsu review scores are:

Evil West (PS5/PS4) – 8/8/8/7
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening (PS4/NSW) – 9/9/9/9
Summer Party Time (NSW) – 7/7/7/7

Good Shepherd Entertainment and Upstream Arcade have recently revealed the exhilarating gameplay trailer for their highly anticipated roguelite action adventure game, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd.

In collaboration with Dark Horse Comics and acclaimed creator Mike Mignola, Good Shepherd Entertainment and Upstream Arcade have unveiled their highly anticipated roguelite action adventure game, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd. This game promises an authentic Hellboy experience, immersing players in a captivating third-person adventure set in a unique and original story. Inspired by the comics, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd invites players to join the iconic hero on a series of diverse and thrilling adventures, all connected to the enigmatic Butterfly House.

Capturing the essence of the beloved source material, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd boasts an art style that pays homage to the distinct visuals of the original comics. The gameplay features robust combat mechanics, combining intense melee and ranged attacks to overcome a wide variety of nightmarish enemies. The narrative seamlessly weaves together multiple independent stories, providing players with a cohesive and immersive Hellboy experience. While an exact release date is yet to be announced, Hellboy: Web of Wyrd is currently in development for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

The story revolves around The Butterfly House, an eerie mansion constructed in 1962 by the occultist Pasquale Deneveaux. This mysterious mansion serves as a gateway to The Wyrd, an otherworldly dimension. When a B.P.R.D. agent goes missing inside The Butterfly House, Hellboy and his team of Bureau agents must step in to investigate and uncover the secrets hidden within its walls. Players will embark on a perilous journey through The Wyrd, encountering monstrous creatures, forgotten godforms, and powerful treasures across its fantastical realms. However, lurking in the depths of The Wyrd lies an ancient evil, eagerly awaiting its chance to be unleashed.

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Exciting news for fans of the fast-paced action game, Neon White! The critically acclaimed title is set to receive a special physical release on the Nintendo Switch platform.

iam8bit will be overseeing the production of the physical editions for Neon White. There are two options available for players to choose from. The standard edition features a fantastic 11x19" foldout poster designed by Rebecca Ryan. For those seeking an even more exclusive experience, the exclusive edition includes five anime-style Neon White stickers and a special cover sheet, also designed by Rebecca Ryan. Pre-orders for both versions of Neon White will be available starting this Thursday at 9am PT / 5pm BST on iam8bit's website.

TAITO has recently made an exhilarating announcement, unveiling the upcoming launch of TAITO LD Game Collection for the Nintendo Switch.

Mark your calendars for December 14, as TAITO is all set to release the highly anticipated TAITO LD Game Collection in Japan. This remarkable collection brings together three beloved TAITO laserdisc games: Time Gal HD Remaster, Space Battleship Yamato HD Remaster, and Revenge of the Ninja HD Remaster. Fans of these iconic titles can rejoice as they will get to experience them in stunning high definition on the popular Nintendo Switch platform.

For enthusiasts looking for something extra special, TAITO has prepared a premium package priced at 19,580 yen. This edition includes a treasure trove of additional goodies that are sure to enhance the gaming experience. Inside, you'll find the Taito LD Game Collection special Blu-ray disc, a document collection chronicling the history of TAITO LD games, a reproduction mini standee of the beloved character "Reika," a mini poster featuring Time Gal, a pamphlet reprint for Revenge of the Ninja, a TAITO LD Game Collection sound app download code, and a Time Gal Reverse download code. These bonus items serve as a delightful nostalgia trip, immersing fans in the captivating world of TAITO's laserdisc gaming legacy.

The TAITO LD Game Collection offers fans an opportunity to revisit or discover the enchantment of these timeless games on the Nintendo Switch. With a promise of hours of entertainment, the collection evokes a delightful sense of nostalgia for players who have cherished these beloved titles from their childhood. While the release is currently planned for Japan, fans worldwide eagerly anticipate a potential international launch in the future. As TAITO continues to honor its illustrious gaming legacy, this collection stands as a testament to the company's significant contributions to the gaming industry and its commitment to preserving these iconic titles for generations to come.

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NBA 2K24 has been officially announced by developer Visual Concepts and publisher 2K.

Scheduled for release on September 8, NBA 2K24 will be accessible on multiple platforms including the Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. One of its highly anticipated highlights is the cross-play compatibility between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, enabling players from different platforms to compete against each other. To honor the late Kobe Bryant, an iconic basketball figure, both the NBA 2K24 Kobe Bryant Edition and Black Mamba Edition will showcase him as the cover athlete. Visual Concepts President Greg Thomas emphasized in a press release that these editions celebrate Bryant's enduring legacy and profound impact on the basketball world. The game not only pays tribute to the franchise's history but also introduces groundbreaking technological advancements and community-requested features such as cross-play.

To cater to the diverse preferences of players, NBA 2K24 will be available in multiple editions. The 25th Anniversary Edition, priced at $149.99, offers an array of enticing features such as a 12-month subscription to NBA League Pass, exclusive MyTEAM content, and various in-game bonuses. Similarly, the Black Mamba Edition, priced at $99.99, provides players with exclusive MyTEAM content and dual-gen access. For those seeking a standard edition honoring Kobe Bryant, there is a Kobe Bryant Edition priced at $69.99 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, or $59.99 for other platforms. Players residing in the United States and Canada will have the opportunity to purchase a limited WNBA Edition exclusively at GameStop, showcasing Sabrina Ionescu as the cover star.

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The Pokémon Company has introduced a new YouTube show called 'Beyond the Pokédex', adding to the excitement surrounding Pokémon this week.

Hosted by Spruce and Maple, the show aims to explore the distinctive qualities of every Pokémon, starting from Bulbasaur (#1) all the way to Gholdengo (#1000) and beyond. Viewers can expect in-depth discussions on various aspects of these pocket monsters, including video games, animation, the trading card game, manga, and more.

The inaugural episode of 'Beyond the Pokédex' zeroes in on Sobble, the water-type Pokémon featured in Pokémon Sword and Shield as a starter Pokémon on the Nintendo Switch. The episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Sobble's characteristics and origins. You can watch the complete episode in the video above.

CreSpirit and GemaYue have announced Tevi, an exciting new Metroidvania game coming to the Nintendo Switch.

Tevi, the highly anticipated Metroidvania game developed by CreSpirit and GemaYue, is set to release in Q3 2023. These developers are recognized for their previous work on Rabi-Ribi, which is currently available on the Switch eShop. Now, let's delve into what Tevi has in store for players:

Step into the pixelated world of Tevi, an action-packed 2D adventure that seamlessly blends Metroidvania, bullet hell, and spectacle fighter elements. Traverse a vast interconnected world marked by strife and uncover hidden secrets. Encounter a diverse cast of allies and enemies featuring angels, demons, and cute animal ears. Upgrade gear and collect new ones to enhance your abilities. Customize your build to suit how you want to play. Slash, dash, shoot, and execute flashy combos to vanquish bosses in epic showdowns.

Check out the first trailer:

You can find the official website here.

The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu, a prominent Japanese gaming magazine, is now accessible to subscribers in Japan.

This edition features four reviews, with EA's F1 2023 receiving the highest score of 35/40. The team also reviewed the latest installment in the Atelier series, Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg, which received two scores of 7/10 and two scores of 8/10, resulting in a total score of 30/40. Here are all the reviews included in Weekly Famitsu 1805.

• Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg (PS5, PS4, Switch) – 7/8/8/7
• Bleak Sword DX (Switch) – 9/8/8/6
• Ed-0: Zombie Uprising (PS5, Xbox Series) – 8/8/7/8
• F1 23 (PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One) – 9/9/9/8

Source / Via

In a bid to retain its talented workforce and stay competitive with other studios, Nintendo has recently implemented a 10% increase in employee salary levels.

Nintendo, based in Kyoto, has not only raised employee salary levels but also increased the starting salary for new graduate hires. Although there were concerns about the potential impact on dividends, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged the feedback and emphasized the initiative's importance in securing future talent. Institutional investors have lauded the move for its positive impact on Nintendo's long-term prospects.

Q: This fiscal year, you announced an increase in employee base salary in Japan, and I think that is a very positive initiative in retaining talented employees. On the other hand, increasing the employee base salary decreases the resources for dividends, so I can imagine there was some sort of negative feedback from institutional investors. Please describe the reactions from institutional investors, employees, and other companies in the industry regarding this wage increase.

Furukawa: I believe the most important factor in maintaining our high level of competitiveness is to value the employees that have created various popular products and built our brand. Currently, we are experiencing unprecedented levels of global inflation, and in Japan, we understand that people are facing increasing financial pressure in their daily lives. For this reason, to deal with long-term and continuing changes in the environment, Nintendo increased the base salary for all employees in Japan by 10%, separate from the annual wage increase. In addition, to strengthen our competitiveness in the job market and increase the overall capabilities of the company over the medium and long term, we also increased the starting salary for new graduate hires in Japan by approximately 10%.

There have been various reactions to this wage increase, and we received comments stating that the resources for dividends would decrease, but there were also positive responses from institutional investors who value human resource strategy from a medium-to-long-term perspective.

The level of competition for human resources is increasing within the game industry, and we understand that many companies, not just Nintendo, are increasing wages for new hires through a variety of methods.

Source / Via