Ex-PlayStation Boss: Keep PS5 and Switch 2 Alive Longer

Shuhei Yoshida says Sony and Nintendo should stretch the current console generation as long as possible, as rising costs make new hardware less appealing to players.

Ever feel like your wallet is screaming every time you think about upgrading your gaming setup? You're not alone. Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida totally gets it, and he's got some thoughts on why Sony and Nintendo should hold off on next-gen consoles for as long as they can.

Speaking on The Verge's Vergecast, Yoshida – who used to run Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios – pointed out that both Sony and Nintendo have already sold plenty of their current hardware. With the cost of goods going up, he thinks they might be looking to push back the launch of next-gen systems. And honestly? He thinks that's the smart move. "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," he said.

It makes sense when you think about it. People have a finite budget, and the components that go into PCs and consoles have shot up in price way more than other forms of entertainment. If you've already got a PS5, a Switch 2, or even a decent gaming PC, you're probably pretty content to keep playing on what you have rather than shelling out for something new.

Yoshida even shared his own experience: he bought a new gaming PC five years ago, and when he thought about upgrading recently, the price hike hit him hard. He ended up delaying the replacement, and now he wishes he'd done it a year earlier before things got so expensive. He reckons a lot of people will find themselves in the same boat.

And here's the kicker: according to Yoshida, the demand for more power isn't really there. "I don't think lots of people are asking for, 'more power, we need more power!'" he said. Even developers aren't clamoring for better hardware, in his view. That means Sony and Nintendo could coast on their current consoles for many years to come and still do pretty well.

Xbox, however, is a different story. Yoshida calls Microsoft "a team who wants to change the competing landscape," which makes things harder for them – but he still finds it exciting. "It's very exciting, you know, what's going to happen next year?" he mused.

Of course, not everyone might agree. Nintendo just launched the Switch 2 last year and is still supporting the original Switch, so they're in a unique spot. But for Sony and Microsoft, the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S will turn six this November. Historically, new PlayStation generations have arrived every six or seven years, so a PS6 could be on the horizon soon. But given how weird the times are, maybe a delay isn't so crazy after all.

What do you think? Are you happy to stick with your current console for a few more years, or are you already itching for a PS6? Let us know in the comments!