Mario’s creator explains: This is why the console power war is over

For decades, every new console generation has been marketed with more processing power, higher resolutions and better graphics. According to Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, however, this hardware arms race is becoming increasingly less important. In an interview with the Japanese magazine Famitsu, Miyamoto not only reflected on Nintendo's history but also shared his thoughts on the future of consoles. He sees the long lifespan of the original Nintendo Switch – despite its comparatively modest hardware – as a sign that player priorities have changed.

"First of all, I was happy that the Switch lasted eight or nine years. I don't think we live in an era where customers only care about technical specifications anymore."

Miyamoto's ideal future is one where players can continue enjoying new software on the hardware they already own. More powerful consoles would still exist, but they would no longer replace their predecessors overnight.

"Ideally, we wouldn't be talking about a race to sell new hardware anymore. We'd simply create different games, and the next market would emerge naturally from that."

Players who want more performance can buy a Switch 2 (currently available on Amazon for $612). Those who don't place much value on graphical improvements, however, can continue using the original Switch and still play most new releases, aside from a handful of exclusives. Over time, Miyamoto believes, newer hardware would naturally become the standard without forcing everyone to upgrade immediately.

That doesn't necessarily mean the console war is over – it simply shifts to a different battlefield. In a single sentence, Miyamoto's message could be summed up like this: The best games, not the most powerful hardware, should determine which console succeeds. In the same interview, the Nintendo veteran also explained why he believes the gaming industry is currently struggling.

Community agrees – but sees another key factor

On Reddit, Miyamoto's assessment has been met with broad agreement. Many users argue that each new console generation delivers increasingly smaller visible improvements. Despite much higher hardware requirements and longer development cycles, modern games often look only marginally better than titles released a decade ago. As a result, many Reddit users hope that technical limitations will once again encourage developers to find more creative solutions.

Another factor that could push developers to prioritize optimization over raw processing power is the steady rise in hardware prices. The top comment in the Reddit thread reads: "I think the broader tech market becoming so expensive will be a bigger factor. Gaming will have to push the limits of the hardware again as consumer likely won't be as willing to pay $1,000+ for a next gen console. Developers will have to use every inch of the hardware again like the first console generations." Whether the console power war is truly coming to an end remains to be seen. However, if console prices continue to rise, finding buyers for increasingly expensive hardware is likely to become more difficult.