2019 was quite a year for Nintendo. Not only did it release some amazing games, it also saw its Switch console become the talk of the town in the world of video game hardware – and industry analysts think the situation will remain much the same for the majority of 2020.
While Sony and Microsoft are both expected to launch new systems this year, they won't be available until Christmas, which means the Switch will be facing off against the PS4 and Xbox One for most of 2020 – the two consoles it out-sold during 2019. Because of this, analysts feel it will be Nintendo's year to shine yet again.
"Switch will again be the best selling console during the year," says Piers Harding-Rolls of IHS Markit Technology, who has been speaking to GamesIndustry.biz – along with several other industry experts – about what 2020 will hold for gaming. "2020 is also set to be Switch's best hardware sales performance since launch. The Switch Lite will launch in mainland China."
I predict 4K support, bigger cartridge sizes, and of course beefed-up components. I also think the device will launch after the summer holidays to counter the roll-out of the PS5 and next-gen Xbox later in the year - along with a first-party, system-seller game
Mat Piscatella of NPD Group agrees. "Nintendo Switch carries tremendous momentum into 2020," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "Nintendo Switch will remain on top in the hardware space, perhaps into 2022." However, he adds that the industry could well see a decline next year, mainly down to the fact that the PS4 and Xbox One are nearing the end of their life cycles. "While Switch growth has been able to offset some of those declines in 2019, in 2020 we're likely not to see that trend continue. All in-market hardware should see declines throughout 2020."
While these boffins can agree that 2020 is going to see more bumper sales for Nintendo, the topic of the Switch Pro seems harder to pin down. "I think the likelihood of a higher-end Switch in 2020 has significantly diminished since the launch of an improved flagship Switch and the Switch Lite," says Harding-Rolls, and he has a point – with the existing model selling so well and the Lite offering a new entry point for younger players, do we really need to split the market with an enhanced edition of the Switch?
One person who thinks we do is Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games, who correctly predicted the arrival of the Switch Lite and thinks the Pro is still happening. "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Nintendo will launch a "Switch Pro" in 2020, my guess is at $399," he says. "More specifically, I predict 4K support, bigger cartridge sizes, and of course beefed-up components. I also think the device will launch after the summer holidays to counter the roll-out of the PS5 and next-gen Xbox later in the year - along with a first-party, system-seller game." Toto also thinks we'll see more Microsoft games making the jump over to Nintendo's console, too.
What do you make of these predictions? Do you think Switch will have another runaway year in 2020, or could the console be running out of steam? Will the Switch Pro actually launch? Share your thoughts below.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 110
The better battery life Switch already has the components for a Pro style upgrade. In fact if you go on homebrew and upclock the CPU to 1.7GHz you will see a massive improvement in performance to certain games already.
Switch 2 will have to come out on the heels of Xbox SX and PS5, a pro model would be a huge mistake and waste of resources for Nintendo. My guess is Nintendo will announce the Switch 2 at E3 2021 for a holiday release.
@Jokerwolf I would think so. They would be stupid to split the players at this moment.
I predict 2020 will be the year the dot matrix display makes a comeback.
@FoxMcCloud The nice part is we know even before any information comes out about the Switch 2 that it will be backwards compatible with all previews games due to them using mobile chipsets.
This depends if they can deliver some big titles in 2020
If a hypothetical Switch Pro does have 4K support, I expect it to be used as a gimmick by Nintendo similar to Labo VR. For example, Smash will have about 25% of stages playable in 4K with most hazards turned off and character models receiving cuts.
Though even if it’s almost useless, I’m sure third parties will fall head over heels for it.
Don’t get what higher capacity cartridges have to do with a Switch Pro. The thing that’s really stopping production of that is not hardware limitations, but production costs. It’s very unlikely we’ll see a Switch Pro make use of a 64 GB cart. just due to how likely a game made only for a small percentage of Switch owners could bomb.
@Jokerwolf Also true, but i do not think Nintendo wil be creating switch 2 only games. Backwards compatibility is a given. And the only way this can work.
If Nintendo were to release a new Switch model this year, it be not an enhanced model, but in the vein of the Switch Lite, a Switch that is cheaper with fewer features that steers into the direction of a TV only console.
What I can Imagine is a console dubbed along the lines of
“Nintendo Switch TV” retailing for $150 USD, a physically small console about the size of a Apple TV that features the standard 2 usb ports, USB 3.0 port, USB-C port, and HDMI port, and comes with a pair of Joy-Con and a Joy-Con Charging Grip, alongside the usual cables. I would of said $100, but Nintendo would again, not want to sell it at a loss. The marketing of such a device is to provide a cheap and inexpensive gateway to the system’s library. The console WILL NOT boast hardware improvements. Unlike the PSTV, which failed because SONY put less effort into it’s marketing, much like the PS Vita, Nintendo will remain committed to it, by advertising it with the Switch and Switch Lite.
The Switch is already king in Japan so I would expect it to hit 2020 hard. Even if the Switch Pro is coming this year or not, the rumor that it's dock only already made me less interest in the system but I won't totally dismiss it either as my brother is really interest in a more powerful Switch.
I can't see Nintendo doing 4K for a while yet. We've only just got a 720p screen. 1080p, at best.
A pro model might hurt the brand if released too close to a Switch 2, so in my opinion they should pick one or the other.
"What do you make of these predictions?"
We'll see. Only time will tell.
I don’t think that there will be a switch pro, since there is an updated switch model already. Nintendo will likely wait until 2022 to launch a new condole so that the Xbox and PlayStation are mid-cycle (making it easier to be on par for third party releases again). After all, Nintendo is complimentary to the other systems and not really desiring to compete in specs. Nintendo has outright stated that they will leverage the switch install base, so why divide that base with a pro model (forcing devs to still develop for the lesser model anyway or only the pro model). I do always think it is funny though when people think 4K is currently possible on switch...maybe in a few years.
@FoxMcCloud They will have no choice or they will lose 3rd party developers again and have another Wii U. Essentially the new consoles from MS and Sony are so vastly more powerful that they will have to make a huge leap, which internally nVidia is about 7 generations ahead of the X1 chipset technology so I highly doubt you will be seeing Nintendo gimp their system so that 2 people won't be upset that they need to upgrade to a next gen system. Pretty much anyone who bought a Switch new this would be a shorter generation system lasting about 5 years. Nintendo has to keep the competitive edge. My guess is the Switch 2 will be about 6 tflops.
I also expect that just like the New 3DS, existing Switch games will need an update to support the increased power otherwise the Switch Pro will go into a backwards compatible mode and run the same as standard Switch.
So just like MGS3 on the New 3DS with its wonderful 10 FPS, I don’t expect most bad ports will be completely fixed by a new Switch pro.
@ZelthkingYoutube They won't do that, Switch 2 and everyone can upgrade and suck it up lol. I know tons of people who upgrade their phones every year for example and that is like a grand a year on just a phone. Most people will not care and move onto next gen with the Switch 2.
I predict that there will be more predictions in 2020.
As long as they continue to release excellent games on the system, I'm good.
@Jokerwolf 3ds was less powerfull. People didn't care. And the current gen systems are also more powerfull. And if people want a more powerfull console, they would buy a ps5 or xbox. I own a ps4 for the games that are not on switch. Plus, the Switch is only 3 years on the market. And jou know Nintendo, they do things..... different....
@FoxMcCloud I get Nintendo does things differently but they came to the realization with the Switch that 3rd party matters A LOT and they need to have their system powerful enough that 3rd party AAA titles can be ported to it plain and simple.
I’ve still yet to hear from anyone about what a ‘Switch Pro’ would mean exactly. When you’re dealing with portable hardware a generation is mostly a generation. You can’t increase screen resolutions and a GPU different enough to warrant special marketing would cut out the old hardware from new software using it.
@CheapCheepBeach Overclocking the GPU AND CPU (one bottlenecks the other) only really increases performance in handheld mode, doesn't do much for docked at all except smooth the performance out and hit FPS targets better. The difference between the original Tegra X1 one and the T214 is minimal, mostly is just more power efficient and stuff (that's why the battery life is longer and in the new Switches in addition to running a little cooler). Not sure where this "massive" improvement is you are talking about.
@Gwynbleidd nVidia has new mobile chips now that would blow your mind and Nintendo has their chips exclusively for an unknown amount of time currently. They are not going to do a stop gap pro it will be a Switch 2 that can compete with the new systems.
@nimnio Well Switch 2 will definitely be able to upscale to 4K considering how much more advanced their internal chipsets are than what we've been shown I think a lot of people are going to be blown away by what Nvidia puts in the switch 2.
Would imagine every possible future "Pro" game would run on an ordinary Switch, just with the resolution and graphical bells and whistles turned down. There's no way they'll be "Pro only" games. Commercial suicide.
My bets are on that TV-only console I already talked about earlier (aka comment #9)
I think a "New Nintendo Switch" will happen in the future. Maybe even a tv only system. But not this year. Nintendo can be great on the games alone. If they release good first party games, they will do great. Nintendo fans know that they are not in the business to make the most powerfull system. It's not the game they play.
@Jokerwolf
The Switch isn’t getting current PS4/XB1 AAA titles anyway and is selling like crazy. It won’t get PS5/XBSX AAA titles and that probably won’t make much difference.
Bad news. The experts are wrong so often that it’s usually better to assume the opposite of what they’re saying (which means it’s time to short Nintendo stock lol).
@Jokerwolf If there was a market for yearly console upgrades, someone would’ve figured it out by now and console cycles wouldn’t be five years long. Wii U received little third-party support because it was selling badly, not the other way around. As it is now, third party AAA games don’t sell that well on the Switch (the meat is with the first-party titles).
If a Pro comes out I don't know when it'd be a good time except for next holiday season. If they release it a few years after PS5 and the new Xbox it'd kind of feel like Nintendo is just grasping. It'd be no way near as powerful as either of those systems.
Best to just not release a pro, and hold out on just these two models for another 3 years until a successor.
They need big first party titles to keep it going
@Elijja Yes they do! If they do that, they won't have any problems.
@electrolite77 They are though, there are tons of them being ported. Just look at all the Wolfenstein games for example and a ton of others that are selling like crazy that are current gen ports. Most people do no realize the X1 Chipset was already 2-3 year old technology when the Switch was announced, it has been almost 8 years since the X1 was developed and it can handle those ports now, whatever chipset they use you can bet will push at least 6tflops of gpu performance.
@electrolite77 True, and if they get a port. It isn't alway that great.
The thought of a pro model is sour.
The switch doesnt need more oomph. It need better devs.
And looking back at ALL THE 'PRO' models. What a waste.
Focus on what you have and make the same quality games you've been. The hardware is not fully tapped.
So rather than a switch "pro" what I'd like to see is an upgrade, give it a little more power, just to help with load times and so it can run in 1080p in handheld mode, which brings me to... make the screen 1080 (preferably AMOLED) and eliminate the bezels, so it's about an inch bigger, but native accessories will fit the exact same, more battery if possible, a real kickstand (something like on a Microsoft surface pro), and bluetooth connection for headset's. This won't affect the community in anyway, and give a better option. It could be sold dockless and no joy cons for like $300 or $400 with joycons and the dock. What ya think?
@Euler The Wii U was vastly under powered and used power pc chipsets that all the other devs moved away from, not to mention the lack of ram and poor branding of the console. It really is not a big deal if they cut the generation short since all Switch games will be forward compatible if they stick with the mobile chips.
@Jokerwolf
The Switch does get some 3rd party ports, but with some exceptions (Minecraft, Fortnite, Mario + Rabbids, Just Dance, etc), most of them are nowhere near successful enough to be considered important system sellers.
The Witcher 3 will likely be one of the most ambitious Switch ports ever, and it will maybe sell 1 million copies.
And there is no chance the Switch 2 is released in 2021.
I'm no industry analyst, but I don't think we'll see a Switch Pro until sales of the OG Switch and Lite start lagging. Both console variants are currently selling well. Plus, as the article mentioned, I don't think much momentum will be lost until Microsoft and Sony launch their new consoles later this year.
@westman98 That is not the point, the point is it gets current gen ports and not having them will stifle next gen, I love Nintendo a lot but even a die hard fan can see that every system that had awesome 3rd party support were the most successful systems. It could be Q1 of 2022 as well, that would be a good 6 years and that is a plenty good lifespan for the first Switch. Are people against having a Switch 2 or something? The tech in it will be able to push 4k no problem.
@westman98 Don't forget Dragon Quest XI. But you are right. The 3rd party games arent that great.
Oh boy, to read this yet again just after commenting on the matter. Beefed-up specs AND 4K support, AND just for 400 bucks apiece? Is Mr Toto privy to nVidia crafting a next-gen SoC out of natrium chloride, or does he just generally expect all the tech and component costs across the board to take a nosedive next year?😅 No, asking seriously.
@Jokerwolf A Switch 2 would be a larger mistake than a Switch Pro. To release a sequel console while the original is still selling so well would lead to the same confusion that the Wii U and 3DS caused for casual consumers of gaming hardware. Nintendo would be wise to ride the Switch wave through 2021 and release a backwards compatible sequel in 2022.
@Wilforce that is why I said or Q1 2022, 6 years is plenty and if consumers are smart enough to know the difference between a 1 and a 2 I doubt there will be any confusions.
only because the PS4 and Xbox One are coming to the end of their life cycle and with PS5 and Xbox Series X coming out this holiday starting next year PS5 and Xbox Series X will likely be dominating sales charts unless Nintendo releases a more powerful Switch
Oh dear analyst the job in which people are totally crap at. If we were all as bad as our jobs we all wouldn't have one.
But 2020 will be a great year for the switch and you don't need to be a analyst to see it.
@Jokerwolf
There are already around 50 million Switches in the wild and those won't magically go away once the next gen arrives. As long as Nintendo creates compelling software (the main course as someone else put it), there will be people who buy a new console, and there will still be active consumers who along with buying a first party title may also purchase Capcom's Dead Rising port or the like.
And as long as there are active consumers, I'm fairly confidant that there will still be third party support even if most of is Japanese. Just look at the amount of Japanese third party support both the 3DS and Vita got up 'til recently despite both lacking in power compared with the current crop of consoles.
I’m down for more of those rumored MIrcosoft ports. Forza Horizon 1 and 2 plz
@Jokerwolf
You and me and many other people have a very different idea of ‘tons’. COD, Fallen Order, Control, Borderlands 3, Resident Evil 2, Sekiro, Kingdom Hearts 3, Devil May Cry 5, The Division 2 were all missing from the Switch. And that’s just this year. It doesn’t have GTA, the last couple of Assassins Creeds, Battlefield, Madden, MH World etc. It’s very rare for a AAA game to launch on Switch at all, let alone at the same time.
What it has got is a bonus and has helped it sell but would taking CTR, Wolfenstein Youngblood, MK11 and Sonic Racing out of this years Switch release schedule have made that much difference really ? I don’t think so.
P.S. And let’s face it anyone making a Kart Racer for PS5 will probably make the effort to make a Switch version to sell to 50 million plus Mario Kart fans 😀
@KBuckley27 ps4 released in 2013. Switch in 2017.... Ps4 is almost 7 years on the market. Nintendo doesn't have to follow them after 3 years.
@Toy_Link I am not arguing that fact, I know that power doesn't always equate to better games, I am just saying the chipset they use will allow them to still port next gen games. Go look up Xavier and how crazy powerful their mobile chips are getting. I am just saying it will naturally be far more powerful than the Switch 1, bare minimum like 3-4 times more powerful than the current system. The biggest hurdle they will have is battery life vs performance with the newer chipsets.
I agree with those saying we won’t see a big upgrade until 2022.
However I wouldn’t rule out a ‘Switch Pro’ this year but with a focus on QOL improvements. Maybe a bigger better screen, better kickstand, Bluetooth headphones support, moving Handheld performance closer to Docked performance, that kind of thing.
I also wouldn’t rule out a cheap Home-only Switch though that would probably make more sense launching alongside Switch 2.
Nintendo should own 2020. Their first party output is going to be on fire akin to the launch year, maybe even more prolific! Third parties are increasingly onboard with the Switch and more conducive to bringing a game Nintendo might approach them about to the system (looking at your Rockstar!). Nintendo have championed Skyrim, Dark Souls, Witcher 3. They will no doubt be championing a couple more 'proven third party games' this year. Ones which I'm sure tech heads will be claiming is impossible lol. 2020 is going to be a big year for sci-fi, so I'm tipping a Fallout game myself
As for Switch Pro. Nintendo claimed to be resetting and starting from scratch with the Switch. So like the SNES followed the NES, I'm hoping the Pro (or what have you) will replicate that leap. Same format, just even better execution. Analogue triggers (y'know so we can have F-Zero GX lol) would be great. Pro is a no brainer, but if Switch is going to dominate 2020, then they can easily wait till next gen hits it's stride and grab digital floundering worthy ports.
@electrolite77 totaly agree with as early as 2022. Not everyone want's to buy a new console every 2-3 years. And please do not compare it with a mobile phone. I don't have to buy €60 games for my phone....
That is the safest bet ever. The new Xbox and Playstation will be out only at the end of 2020. That means lots of people will hold to buy the next gen console or even wait the release of the new console for a price drop on current gen. So the obvious choice that wont be obsolete in 1 year is? Switch of course. 2021 will be another story though, and won't look good for Nintendo without a new powerful hardware, even if its not hybrid.
As long as my switch games are backward comparable with a switch 2 then I am all for a new model sooner than later. If not I will happily take a switch pro.
@sixrings Man, imagine if the Switch 2 wasn't backwards compatible? EEK!! Surely it has to be. I mean, a 20 year partnership with NVidia has to take that onboard I would have thought!
@FoxMcCloud The only thing I hope is that the online shop can stay similar and let me download my old games. I don’t play on PC and the Switch has been my go to indie source. It would suck to lose all of those so soon.
I seriously doubt Nintendo will release an upgrade substantially different to the current Switch, that would only further divide the user base. The Lite model has an advantage in practicality but doesn't replace the base model so it's still kinda justifiable to own both but a Pro with exclusive games wouldn't sit well with the general consumer. If anything by the time Ps5/XboxSX drop Nintendo will be at advantage of a wider catalogue so they'd just have to pump out their remaining exclusives for one or two more years (by that time it would be around five or six years in the market) and then releasing their next console. Besides even if a Pro model did release after all it doesn't mean third parties will change their mind when they are currently busy developing stuff for next gen, if anything the trend of late ports would still continue, fans will complain about it and it'll be the sam
The switch is only 3 years old in March... And people already want a Switch 2!? Calm down guys. Geez these are gaming companies not phones, we don't need a new one every year or two. Pro being maybe higher graphics, and upscale and faster processor, but old Switch units can still play games.
I can maybe believe a Switch pro or something "stronger" to that extent, but the switch is here to stay for a few more years (I would say another 3 years, minimum). PS4 and Xbox one have been out for 6 years, and they've only gotten their pro counterparts like 2 years ago.....
My predication is in a 5 year turn around 2022 we will see a Pro model. Along with being Docked/Portable not coffee table console. Switch Portable nature is why Nintendo is doing future innovations not backwards innovations. A Pro at 399usd, I can see that happening.
1. Switch (standard) 1080p - 299.99
2. Switch Pro 1080p/4K docked - 399.99
3. Switch Lite - 199.99
No one is going to mistaken this for one bit.
@sixrings This is an interesting take, on one hand switch's hybrid nature made it succesful but will all future Nintendo consoles be hybrid as well or will still use cartridges? Considering how limited they currently are in terms of storage space and especially manufacturing cost if they want to keep using them they'd need to be at least 100gb or more, which is quite complicated when not even the 64gb model is being produced at the moment
@Kr96 all my games are digital purchases. The next system should be backward compatible digitally as well. No different than a xbox.
Switch Pro is just a hardcore community thing and Nintendo doesn't cater to them specifically.
@sixrings Yeah digital is nice, but then again I love how the physical media on the Switch replaces the need for an installation in most cases. I just think Nintendo needs to allow you to activate at least two consoles at once since it's a portable with different variations and all. Having all of your digital access tied down to a single console is definitely a drawback, especially if they would want everyone to eventually buy a Switch Pro.
@Toy_Link I also found Mentioning the cartridge size off. Almost could assume this idiot doesn’t actually know what he’s talking about. Lol I don’t see a switch pro coming any time soon. I think everyone was just looking at the V2.
@Jokerwolf Honestly I don't know about a brand new "Switch 2" so early.
The fact remains is by being an hybrid handheld console, the Switch doesn't technically have to directly compete with the PS5/Xbox One, and may well try to run for a 3DS-style lifespan rather than a short WiiU-style one. At least not unless they're forced but by then the development and release of a Switch 2 would be in -reaction- to underestimated drops in sales rather than trying to pre-empt them because honestly there's a lot for them to believe they could indeed keep this going "as-is" for a bit more I think.
It only has to further migrate into a more dedicated(though retaining very comfortable transition to TV play when at home) "handheld-grade" console catering specifically to genres like the lighter jRPGs that had little room left for themselves in the graphic race of the PS3/PS4 era outside of very specific franchises.
To that degree, it's probably no surprise that 2019 itself saw such a glut of jRPG style experiences because they might have already started that slow transition such that even when the PS5 will be out there will still be "a" market for the Switch through these players of such genres.
Not every RPGs can expect to reach the success of a Persona 5 or (assumed success in this case) an upcoming FF7 thus not a whole ton of titles can afford the graphics budget to justify a PS4/PS5 release.
But a lot know they CAN reach "just enough" people to make steady money(for their cost) as smaller humbler titles for which the hardware(and handheld convenience) of the Switch might prove a perfect fit.
It's probably no surprises we thus got in all of 2019 the likes of Alliance Alive, Dragon Quest Builders 2, Dragon Quest XI S, Pokemon and so on. Pokemon alone just justified a whole other year of "regular" Switch by itself alone and the next games may very well just as much with barely any engine update I suspect.
That's kind of the reason why the Switch Lite was ultimately always going to be a likely side-model release, but a Switch Pro had yet to manifest at all; because ultimately it IS an handheld over being an home console.
And in fact I suspect that for a lot of the people content with the Switch even as a Home console, their reasoning for using it even as such might perhaps be not too different from if they'd used it as an handheld console because they too might be people not "as" driven by horsepower than we commonly assume.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if on price alone a conventional Switch remained appealing to some consumers if the PS5/Xbox One proves too costly to afford selling at subtantial enough of a loss to be truly appealing for wider consumers. It remains a possibility but I'd actually be surprised if they sold at a price equal to even the Switch rather than higher on release.
@Ludovsky They could do a Pro model because of how many generations of much more powerful chips that already exist beyond the X1. I just think it would be better to wait and move onto the next one.
@SwitchForce That's a possibility. Honestly we're only entering the third year of the Switch in 2020, so I very much don't see a "Pro" model hitting use very much until that 5 years mark.
If anything, I suspect they'll indeed try to run a "3DS-style" lifespan for the console line with indeed something akin to a "Pro"(that mostly offers improved performances rather than a focus on exclusive games, akin to New 3DS and other "Pro" consoles, with most releases remaining compatible with older models most likely) only when they feel they absomutely must have to so it may well indeed be something like until the console is 6-7 years old before we even hear plans for a full "Switch 2" or whatever might succeeds it.
Which means the console line probably has a good 3-4 more years in itself I suspect.
@Jokerwolf I just don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. Like even the Pro is something I might expect only for maybe 2021-22. A brand new console whose release would be exclusive to itself and incompatible with older models would just crash whatever momentum they actually have because it'd likely be received as a "F You" to most current adopters who'd be asked to absolutely get new hardware to play future releases rather than upgrade at their leasure when they actually feel comfortable to.
It's pretty much in my expectation that if they can stretch the console line to a 6, or even 7, years lifespan through such an upgrade(where older consoles remain compatible with newer releases, but the newer model still features improved performances as the New 3DS did), they very much will so it can build up over time assuming they can pull it off.
Hence why I suspect they already prepared for such by releasing so many experiences strongly associated with handheld(far from the least of it being Pokemon itself) this year, since if they can indeed continue being identified(and success as) as an handheld... then they can sidestep a LOT of the hardware race shenaniggans since handheld gamers are much more willing to deal with a "weaker" hardware if they can retain the convenience of it's portability.
It's probably why on their side the other console makers are hoping they can sidestep the whole deal of having to develop an actual handheld console with investments in the Cloud, but even that is more limited on the convenience aspect since it requires an access to internet at the end of the day.
Something that can be definitely more limited in rural areas/etc which could still leave the Switch prime to still sell in those locations. After all, rural kids loves pokemon plenty too by my experience living close to such villages, and can still be primed to get more for their handheld console next.
Since when has Nintendo ever done this with a console? It won’t happen, ever. The Switch will go on until a completely different console comes out
@stevep it's a new world out there. Plus Nintendo has previously made a new 3DS so it's not even something NEW for them.
Far as I’m concerned Nintendo are back where they belong on top
@stevep With a console not. But with a handheld?
1. GameBoy Color
2. GBA SP
3. DSi
4. New 3DS
However Nintendo did expand there home consoles in some ways:
N64 Disk Drive
SuperFX chips in SNES games.
SNES CD.. (well at least they tried)
Also they already released a Switch lite............
The Switch Pro will never exist... Because it's a Nintendo console, not an f-ing PlayStation. People who keep calling it "Pro" are mentally disable.
Like every 2 months since march 2017😂
I'd guess there'll be a hardware revision launching with BotW 2. Whether that's a Switch successor or a "New Nintendo Switch", depends on when BotW 2 releases.
@Rhaoulos "The Switch Pro will never exist... Because it's a Nintendo console, not an f-ing PlayStation. People who keep calling it "Pro" are mentally disable."
Now we know the opposition fandom is scared. What are you so afraid of the Pro for. This tells me the Switch is doing far better then the naysayers/doomsayers will talk trash about the Switch Success and it isn't look back.
I would like a Switch 2 released in 2022 that copies some of the good features from Xbox and Sony, etc in gaming.
@Ludovsky a 5 year term is probably best for their Developers and Testers as well as games don't become overnight to release. I suspect Developers already have the next version to test and signed ND Clause already and staring their next leg of the journey.
@Ludovsky If a Switch 2 comes out all current games will work on it, the architecture mobile nvidia chips use are all interchangeable so that will be a non issue.
Give me a dongle to hook up the lite to the tv and I’ll be happy.
Also, Piers Harding-roles has been a gaming dude for as long as I’ve been reading about nintendo , a LONG time. I reckon NL should do an interview with him. Could be interesting.
I think rather than releasing a Switch Pro, Nintendo should release an upgraded dock that improves performance on the TV. Maybe it could upscale games to look better on 4K displays. This could satiate those wanting performance improvement without splitting the user base. It could even allow for attaching an external hard drive for optional high resolution texture packs. I'm not sure how that would actually affect the switching between TV and handheld. It might not be as instantaneous, but it could be a better solution that doesn't damage the Switch brand.
Successful Nintendo hardware will have longer lifecycles than unsuccessful ones. The only exception is the GBA because Nintendo was scared of the PSP. That was 15+ years ago, when Sony still cared about making handhelds.
Expect the Switch 2 to launch in late 2022 at the earliest (with an announcement during early 2022 at the earliest). I'm personally expecting it to launch in early 2023 (with an announcement during late 2022).
The Switch Pro's existence is still a mystery, but don't expect currently hesitant 3rd party publishers to suddenly flood the Switch with support in the case that the Pro does exist. People who think lack of hardware strength is the only reason for the lack of 3rd party support on Nintendo hardware are going to be very disappointed.
I think the earliest we can expect a Pro is Spring 2021. At the 4th anniversary of Switch release to prolong its life for 4 more years. Something with a bit more power to run some popular games from PS4/5 and Xbox. I expect something like N3DS, with very few exclusives. Most games will run fine in original console, but with better performance in Pro.
@Ttimer5 The Switch will only be 3 yrs old in March, not 4.
This year will probably be one of their best in terms of releases, maybe even surprasing 2017. Last year felt like a transitional for the other consoles, but Switch recieved a good this year they'll likely be hyping the releases of their next consoles for the rest of the year. It all depends on how the Switch will fare out this year, so let's hope the Wii U's woes of 2013 won't repeat again. The big challenge will the to stay relevant and of course, bring out the best of themselves!
Speaking about something related, I used to look at it as an excellent idea last year, but now I don't really see the need of a Switch Pro, we already have a upgraded model and a Lite model, but releasing a Pro revision this year is comparable to Nintendo releasing Wii U one year before the bigger generational leaps. 4K resolutions are definitely an interesting topic, and I bet Nvidia is greatly interested on them. Bigger cartridge sizes (specifically, 64GB) are coming this year according to a report, and what a great timing if those Red Dead Redemption 2 clues and rumours are to believe (the game came on TWO discs on the other consoles!)
So instead of a Pro, I think Nintendo and Nvidia are working on the biggest generational leap possible, a next-gen Switch that will coexist with the current Switch models (e.g. complete game compatibility to make the current titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate still relevant) as the "best" version for some time and will become the flagship Switch one day. It'll be equipped with the latest Tegra chip of 2021 and will be powerful enough to run next-gen games (the biggest with effort, of course). And yeah, I also expect it to be released after the holidays, probably some time in 2021 like March or June.
Knowing Nintendo, it would also include a new concept only possible on it. That's just guess on my part, but the Switch is currently getting really amibitious games on all sides, and the Zelda BoTW sequel might be the most ambitious of all. This year we'll likely see announcements of that margin, but I also hope to see smaller-scale games with really compelling replayability
I think if Switch Lite has shown anything it’s that “Switch” will still sell and sell well without the features associated with the main model- handheld/ home console, cutting down on how awesome the joy cons can be, cutting down on local multiplayer which is a huge marketing feature for Switch.
I think a”Switch Pro” will be another example of cutting back on the “Switch” experience. Probably by making it a docked only/ home only console. It’s smart in that all the software will work for it. It will still feature local multiplayer. Rather than developers trying to get a game running both docked and portably they could focus on a docked experience which would hopefully be more stable. Since the console isn’t portable it wouldn’t have to rely on WiFi which seems to cap internet speed and maybe offer a better online experience.
I suppose time will tell but it’ll be interesting to see what direction Nintendo takes. Either way Nintendo should take advantage of this time- they have got to have a great next 2 years before those new systems hit their strides and the gap widens too much that 3rd party support drops like a box of rocks.
"with the existing model selling so well and the Lite offering a new entry point for younger players, do we really need to split the market with an enhanced edition of the Switch?"
Someone is unfamiliar with the entire line of 3DS hardware.
I think people are crazy to think the switch could not use a pro version. Even if companies just tweaked their games to get 60 FPS when they run at 30 FPS it would be a big win. As others have noted it would be amazing to also get wireless headphone support.
Companies that do want to fully support the additional performance modes (contexts) could hit 1080p more often etc. If it’s a big enough hit then we might even get some ports that simply would not come to the switch otherwise that are exclusive to the pro (but Nintendo may not allow this).
Further, if they could allow voice stuff on the switch itself that would be another non breaking upgrade that many would appreciate. The app was never a great idea.
@jokerwolf you keep mentioning the newer chipsets. It was my impression that after the X2 nvidia went another direction with this line of chips with a higher focus on auto and ai applications that made the Xavier, etc, less appropriate for mobile gaming. Given this I figured the switch 2 would need something custom, that they might share with their own console, at that time.
I’m pretty sure this comes in part from a DF article where they discuss the possibility of an X2 upgrade for a pro version.
there will be no switch pro, like there wasn't in 2019. nintendo is not competing with sony or microsoft, like it wasn't with gameboy and ds (sony tried to compete with nintendo and we all know how "well" it went). most of the people had forgoten, that nintendo started with handheld games (game&watch), than they moved into home console market when others crashed it in us (in europe nintendo had hard time competing with pc gaming and sega). when new players emerged in home console market (sony and microsoft) nintendo lost it's position and went back to where they started and excelled - handheld gaming.
who would by switch pro for $400 if new xbox and playstations cost the same and are more "pro"? i'd buy switch pro even for $1000 just because i can and i spend this much about twice a year on phones (don't like cases and screen protectors but drop phones a lot), but who else will?
@Nehalem nVidia is working with Nintendo on a fully custom chipset for the Switch 2 that is leaps and bounds ahead of the X1, so much so that it is multiple generations ahead which means it won't simply be a pro it will be the successor which every damn one of you will buy lol.
@Jokerwolf yeah, like every damn one bought the successor for wii
@monterxz The vast majority of people thought it was an add-on for the Wii legitimately and had no idea it was a new system not to mention the Wii U was not a generational leap ahead. I guarantee if a Switch 2 comes out in 2022 everyone who has one will upgrade once it is in full swing. It also will be backwards compatible so there is no reason not to.
@jamesthemagi oh dang, thanks haha.... I didn't realize I put 4.
@Jokerwolf why are you so sure of these details? For all I know, and knowing Nintendo, they will just put in the x2.
Time will tell I guess but my money is on them making it powerful enough to handle next gen ports. While people claim they are not trying to compete with Microsoft and Sony that is just a lie plain and simple, there's been multiple hardware generations where Nintendo toted the power of their system including N64 and GameCube those are big promotional points to them and not having a system powerful enough to Port over big games from XBox series x and PlayStation 5 would be a huge mistake period. the climate has changed and so has Nintendo they have no choice if they want to continue in the console market.
A mobile chipset will not be in the ps5 performance ballpark any time soon. Especially in the regards to cpu performance. However there will be a lot of games that still target PS4 and ps5 and having a souped up Switch would be great for those and all the other existing ports they couldn’t bring over.
@Jokerwolf
Surely you realize that pre-Gamecube Nintendo and post-Gamecube Nintendo are very different companies, right??
There is no chance whatsoever that they release a 4K capable Switch in 2020. That's just silly.
@FoxMcCloud You're not splitting any player if it's backward compatible.
@Investor9872 If they release "switch 2" only games, yes you are. Everyone with an "old" switch is left out....
@SuperC142 Considering the X1 in the shield tv does 4k playback I am 100% sure a generational leap or 2 will bare minimum be able to checkerboard upscale to 4k.
@FoxMcCloud Ok so basically like every next gen system every time? Upgrading to the next gen is nothing new and you have to do it eventually, 6 years is a long enough lifespan for the first Switch. If you split that cost into the lifespan of the system it is about 58$ a year to have a Switch so cost cannot be the issue for people.
@westman98 Yes but that doesn't mean they don't want 3rd party support.
@Jokerwolf O i am down for a 6 year cycle, if they release it now it would split the player base. After 6 years you have to do something.
@Jokerwolf
Of course Nintendo wants 3rd party support.
Doesn't mean they will start directly competing against PlayStation and Xbox.
The way Nintendo likes to play, I wouldn't be surprised if they released a Switch Pro, but ALSO released some $100 gewgaw that hooks into a regular Switch and makes it a Switch Pro as well.
@westman98 No they never will have to but X2 might still not cut it, Xavier and Orin chips are where Nintendo are hopefully looking. They want there still to be a possibility of porting some games from next gen to their new Switch it would be unintelligent not to have that capability.
@SwitchForce talking about the name. I am hoping for a "New Switch", "Switch SP" or "Switch-i" to enjoy BOTW2 in the best conditions possible. I don't know who is the absolute guy who started the name "Switch pro", but he/she obviously didn't know anything about Nintendo and I find it annoying that everyone is still using that Sony exclusive name. And before you start speculating, I also own a New PS4i SP... I mean PS4 Pro
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