Nintendo’s stock took a 5% hit on Tuesday, following revelations from a Bloomberg report that its much-anticipated next-generation console, the Switch 2, may not hit shelves until March 2025 at the earliest. This news has left gamers and investors alike recalibrating their expectations, as the company had previously hinted at a 2024 release, ideally before the holiday rush. The delay means missing out on the pivotal holiday sales season, intensifying the pressure on Nintendo to maintain interest and sales for its current Switch console, now in its seventh year.

The Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017, has enjoyed remarkable success, with nearly 140 million units sold, making it the third best-selling video game console in history, trailing only behind the Playstation 2 and Nintendo DS. Nintendo has masterfully sustained the Switch’s momentum through major software releases and the occasional blockbuster, like the Super Mario Bros. Movie, which spiked consumer interest in the brand.

However, as the Switch enters its eighth year, the challenge of boosting hardware sales grows steeper. JPMorgan analysts, reflecting on Nintendo’s recent earnings report, noted the absence of any significant updates on new hardware, which has been a focal point for market watchers. Despite these hurdles, Nintendo’s strategy includes leveraging a strong lineup of new titles planned for 2024 to keep the current Switch platform buoyant among consumers.

The market’s reaction to the delayed news was swift, with Nintendo’s ADR shares dropping 5%. Yet, even with Tuesday’s downturn, Nintendo’s stock price remains near its multi-year peak, echoing investor confidence and the enduring popularity of its gaming universe. The question now is how Nintendo will navigate this extended timeline and what strategies it will deploy to keep fans engaged while they await the next big leap in gaming innovation from the storied company.