Nintendo has launched a new system today- the Nintendo Switch is like nothing else that has ever come before, and shows off Nintendo at their most creative, innovative best. The entire industry is talking about the new hybrid- and that includes Xbox boss Phil Spencer, who spoke about the system in an interview with IGN.
“Our relationship with Nintendo is great… they’ve done some really innovative work,” Spencer said. “I love the hardware design. Anytime Nintendo brings a new product to the gaming market it’s good for all of us.”
The question is, could the success of the Nintendo Switch – assuming it is successful – prompt Xbox, which has famously never gone portable, into looking at the portable gaming market seriously? Spencer didn’t commit either way, but he did note that people ‘want to be able to play their games wherever they are.’ “I don’t know that we would do a bespoke mobile device yet, but I’m gonna watch. Absolutely, I’m gonna watch and learn. People want to play their games wherever they are.”
An Xbox portable would be interesting for sure- but first, we have to see if the Switch does well. Early indications are that it will- but can it sustain itself?