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| Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida advises Sony and Nintendo to keep the PS5 and Switch 2 around for as long as possible. |
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida believes the current console cycle still has plenty of life left. Speaking on The Vergecast podcast, Yoshida said Sony and Nintendo should try to keep the PS5 and Switch 2 around for as long as possible, rather than rushing into a new generation defined mainly by faster hardware.
His argument is simple: most players are happy with what they already have, and the economics of new hardware are getting harder to justify.
“People are very happy using PS5 and Switch 2”
Yoshida, who spent years working on major PlayStation franchises such as Gran Turismo and Crash Bandicoot, remains optimistic about both platforms. In his view, the PS5 and Switch 2 could remain successful for many more years.
“And I think they should try to keep the current generation as long as possible, because I think people are very happy using PS5 and Switch 2,” Yoshida explained during his appearance on The Vergecast podcast.
He also pushed back on the idea that gamers and developers are collectively demanding a major leap in performance. According to Yoshida, there isn’t a loud chorus asking for more powerful consoles right now.
“I don’t think lots of people are asking for more power. We need more power or even developer. I don’t think developers asking, ‘We need better hardware,’ or like that,” he said.
That perspective challenges the traditional console business model, which has often relied on generational leaps in processing power, graphics, and loading speeds to sell new machines. Yoshida suggests that this time, the pitch may be weaker—especially when the existing hardware already delivers strong experiences.
Rising prices are changing the upgrade calculation
The other major factor is cost. Gamers have limited budgets, and the specialized components used in PCs and consoles have become significantly more expensive. For many people, the decision to upgrade is no longer automatic.
Anyone who already owns a PS5, a Switch 2, or a sufficiently powerful gaming PC may be more likely to skip a new console generation entirely—or at least wait much longer before buying in.
Yoshida understands that dilemma personally. He had considered replacing his roughly five-year-old gaming PC but waited too long to make the move. Looking back, he wishes he had acted sooner.
“I wish I had made that decision a year ago,” he said.
His experience reflects a broader reality: when prices are high and current devices still work well, consumers tend to hold onto their hardware. That could give Sony and Nintendo a strong incentive to extend the current generation rather than reset the market with expensive new consoles.
Xbox may need new hardware for a different reason
Yoshida sees Microsoft’s situation differently. Xbox is trying to change the competitive landscape, which gives the company a more concrete reason to bring new hardware to market.
Microsoft is pursuing a hybrid approach with Project Helix. The next Xbox is expected to run both Xbox and PC games, further blurring the lines between consoles and gaming PCs. That strategy could differentiate Xbox from Sony and Nintendo, but it also means Microsoft has a clearer motivation to innovate on the hardware side.
Even so, Yoshida’s outlook for Sony and Nintendo remains upbeat.
“So I think that means that the current generation, Sony and Nintendo, are going to do pretty well for many years to come still,” he said.
A longer console cycle could become the new normal
If Yoshida is right, the next few years may look different from previous console transitions. Instead of a hard reset driven by raw performance, Sony and Nintendo could focus on keeping players engaged with the PS5 and Switch 2 through software, services, and gradual improvements.
That approach could benefit gamers who are tired of rising prices and incremental upgrades. It could also help publishers and developers, who often face higher costs when adapting to new hardware.
Of course, the industry will eventually move forward. Technology improves, and new ideas emerge. But Yoshida’s comments suggest that the next generation may need a better pitch than simply “more power.”
For now, the former PlayStation executive believes the smartest strategy is patience. If players are happy with PS5 and Switch 2, and if new hardware is expensive, there may be little reason to rush.