Rumour: New Switch Model Launching Early 2021 Alongside A Strong Game Lineup, According To Reports

This just a rumours site now?

No doubt in his mind?

4K?

Do people enjoy harsh cognitive dissonance?

If this isn't just a rumour and if there are more internal upgrades not mentioned here, then I can get behind this.

I badly need a new Switch and I've been holding out for a pro.

@panthro Noone was reporting on this until reddit brought it up. So if you want breaking news... Just go to reddit.

Waiting for @NintendoPok to tell people this is BS and that we should stop dreaming about a bigger/stronger Switch console.

On topic: I love to see that happening.

Sure this is coming with Metroid Prime Trilogy HD as a launch title!
@BrintaPap
Absolute insanity considering any sane dev will avoid actual 4K on the the upcoming PS5 and Xbonetwo. I guess he’s saying whatever gets him attention kinda like the insane claims that the 3DS could be as power as the Xbox 260

Oh wow yes, I totally believe a random Taiwanese newspaper. If you want all the great leaks you go there.

This sounds great. A launch alongside botw 2 perhaps?

It certainly sounds plausible in terms of Nintendo's quietness this year - it's smelt like they've been up to something for a while now.

But launching in the same quarter as the competition... it's a bold strategy Cotton.

Can we just have games? Who needs rumours about a new version of the same console? Thanks

I can confirm this is true - they were going to launch end of this year but due to virus, now looking for March 2021. But maybe earlier or later.

This is what, the 4th or 5th time we've heard this rumor? I'll believe it when Nintendo announces it, not before. Also, bigger cart sizes has almost nothing to do with the hardware.

Seems too unbelievable to me. :/

@gcunit if this is true and not just a silly rumor, then I doubt the release time was intended, at least before Covid 19 slowed the world down to a crawl.

My guess is, if this is something they were working on, it would have already been released or at the very least an October-ish release.

Q1 of a new year isn't normally the go-to for any company to release hardware in.

1. I really don’t trust a random Taiwanese newspaper. 2. If Nintendo were to make a switch pro, I think they would wait 2 or more years, so the the switch has a good lifespan, and hype for the ps5 and Xbox series x dies down.

If true... please please PLEASE fix the drifting Joy-Cons.

My second pair's just started to do it... really don't wanna buy a third one.

Might as well change this site's name to RumorLife lmao

Also 4K? Please. Not only can the Switch as of now not even handle 720p on a consistent basis, but a 4K handheld is basically a death sentence as far as battery consumption is concerned.

Give us a second micro sd card port.

The moment I saw 4K I stopped reading.

We have 2 issues here, even if Nintendo would grab the most powerful Nvidia SoC (to keep everything compatible) 4K is not possible, maybe just maybe with super simple games like Visual Novels.

There are plenty of bigger Switch games that run at 540/720p IN DOCK and this guy claims 4K?

Don't even listen to him, unless Nintendo comes with a brand new system on a different architecture we will not see 4K on a Switch Pro, just look at current gen minus Xbox One X and you will see that more powerful systems don't even do that.

I love my switch, but this guy is a idiot claiming BS.

@Alpha-2002 I prefer that above anything, I stopped using my Switch in handheld (aside from games that do not use the analogs) because I got sick of the drift, 2 years, 2 left joy-cons later and 1 analog from china and I'm done, using it mostly in dock with the Pro Controller.

I hope this is true. The switch has become my primary console and I would gladly fork out the money for a switch with improved performance.

@Slinkoy1 yeah unfortunately 2 years won't be nearly enough time for the hype to die down, just think, 2 years in the Switches lifespan was the height of its hype and sales.

Nintendo would need to wait at least 5 years for that hype to die, by which point it would be way too late for a Pro version of this Switch.

If Nintendo wants to see 100m sales, they need a pro within the next year, if not sooner.

They need current owners to upgrade, because any new owners will be waiting for the PS5 and Xbox. That won't change for at least 5 years after they drop unless Nintendo has a Pro on the market.

Here we go again... Given how much Nintendo loves hardware revisions in their handheld range, I think it's a given we will get some kind of 'Switch Pro' at some point. Still, it would be nice to go at least a few months without reading "OMG the Switch Pro is totally coming out soon" rumours.

I bet Spawn Wave and RGT85 have already uploaded videos frothing at the mouth over this, haven't they?

This is floating around since 2018. Every month we have a new "rumour" about an improved Switch.

I'll just wait for something official. There is no point in getting hyped for rumors. Given how people react when they don't get what they want from self hyping themselves it might be healthier to do.

Nintendo switch needs an internet explorer

@Shamrock what's worse is that I forsee Nintendo removing the slot instead of adding another one.

Instead of 2 micro SD slots I prefer more internal storage, 32gb is nothing and in day and age where consumers can buy a 250gb SSD for 32 euro (even cheaper for companies that buy in bulk) I think Nintendo should AT LEAST bring out a 120gb Switch model + micro sd slot.

"I predict 4K support"....JESUS CHRIST, the Switch has problems with running games at 900p, not to say 4K lol

@panthro Not sure where you’ve been, but this site has always reported on rumors from credible sources.

Utter nonsense. Goes against everything Nintendo has been doing for years

If its on par with ps5 xbox series x. People will welcome it. If not, please Nintendo.. Just don't bother. There is no "real" market for that

Gonna need that to play BOTW2, or the better version of it

Assuming there's any truth here (which there could be since this source supposedly had access to manufacturers of Switch components), I'm guessing this new model will be about as much of a change as the last one. That is, the same product but with some slightly improved stats like battery life. Who knows, analogue sticks that don't die within months?! But I think anyone who is pinning their hopes on a "Switch Pro" that will deliver much better performance, I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment. I figure the next major upgrade will come with a whole new console, not a refresh.

Leave 4K to the big boys, just fix the damn Joycons and that will be a worthy enough upgrade lol

My god... why don't people stop daydreaming about unrealistic things? 4K on a handheld that can't do 1080p... hell, not even 720p properly?

Logical steps would be an improvement of the existing system, like higher quality build, unlocking more performance of the X1 (no 4k there) and maybe patch games to make use of more X1 power.

@panthro Trouble is we're in a news desert at the minute. Rumours are like mirages. They're the only thing we can latch onto, even though there's no telling if they're real or not. It's all we can see.

Plus we're all desperate 😂

I’m don’t like how this article is combing different rumours and speculations, it’s leading to 2+2=5 even if one of them is correct.

https://twitter.com/Nibellion/status/1297912291825000449

Features I like:

• 4K (output to TV)
• 1080p Screen (portable use)
• 128GB storage (Should be closer to 256GB standard)
• 8GB RAM (Should be really expandable to 16GB RAM model for orders-two different model a 8BG and 16GB model)

Eat your hearts out NintenDoomed fandom...let's see the xbox/psx now....with Witcher 3 and Crisys on Switch wonder what other excuses they will have.

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-new-nintendo-switch-model-will-launch-next-year-a-new-report-claims/

There's no way Nintendo isn't releasing an improved version of the Switch before the end of 2021. They've never had a handheld that didn't have a mid-generation upgrade, and I would also be concerned about being able to compete with next-generation consoles (although the Switch is doing great right now).

4K docked is possible using just HW up-scaling but I think it would stay 720p for handheld. Remember battery usage is the biggest factor when using handheld - that is why Nintendo throttles the GPU while in handheld.

@ianl579 I think this was already in the works it was only a matter of time as I mentioned many times to NintenDoomed naysayers-if you didn't think they were doing something like this then you obviously lived under a rock too long.

@ianl579 3DS > new 3DS. Hey! Maybe it will be called the "new Switch"

I think we'll get the Switch U, a system which basically allows the Switch to function like a Wii U Gamepad with infinite range. Each Switch U comes with a copy of Nintendo Land Deluxe.

It better have a new Funky Mode

@SwitchForce I think you're getting a little crazy there. Even if you're assuming this powerful Switch that can run 4K is using processors in the dock to achieve that, I still don't see how it would work to run next generation games on the Switch. If it's like a PS5 while in the dock, but turns into a PS3.3 out of the dock, how is it going to run games designed with the assumption of PS5 power?

NDS: Nov 2004 launch in NA, Dec 2004 launch in JP, Mar 2005 launch in EU => DSi: Nov 2008 launch in JP, Apr 2009 launch in NA/EU

3DS: Feb 2011 launch in JP, Mar 2011 launch in NA/EU => New 3DS: Oct 2014 launch in JP, Feb 2015 launch in NA/EU

Switch "Pro" launching in Q1 2021 would fit with the pattern of Nintendo launching a more powerful hardware revision 3.5 to 4 years after the original release.

No way 4K support. At best 1440p. Nintendo seems comfortable being a gen and a half behind their competitors technologically and a 4K portable would be a battery destroyer.

@Razer
"Q1 of a new year isn't normally the go-to for any company to release hardware in."

???

The Switch itself launched in Q1 2017, and it's been a resounding success ever since.

4K is 100% NOT happening. Even an XBOX ONE X (most powerful console until the Series X is released) can't run games at native 4K. (it's all checkerbox). And on the Switch that would mean battery life of around 1 hour. And there are no NVidia mobile chips that can handle it.

@SwitchForce There is seriously no need to start console gloating now

PlayStation and Xbox have their own core audience that happen to target a lot of the gamers who are into Nintendo products as well

@TheFox I think you forget most hardware can't do TRUE 4K let alone a PS5. That thing can't do 4K more like upscale 4K-for TRUE 4K that requires a Game Desktop with SLI/CF support to handle 4K and most that does that even struggle to keep up 4K. So don't tell me that you know better that a ps5 can 4K when in reality it can't.

I think it's inevitable that there will be a "NEW Switch" at some point. The existing Switch is starting to hit some terrible bottlenecks that it runs a lot of games, but doesn't necessarily run them well, and a lot of third parties prioritize handheld and treat docked performance as an afterthought. An internal power boost, and some updates to the physical hardware may be necessary just to keep devs happy and the 3p content coming.

But I don't think a "Switch Pro" in the PS4 Pro/X1X sense is in the cards. Nintendo isn't going to bother with actually different hardware targets until they're ready to retire the platform. And considering it's selling faster than they can produce it, that time isn't any time in the near future.

If they announce later after the Sony/MS consoles go up for sale, they're going to have some trouble as the console spending for the year will already have been done. Not to mention they're going to move a LOT of original Switches this holiday. Nintendo likes dropping random surprise handheld upgrades sometime around March or August.....so maybe the updated version drops then. But it's still not a "switch pro" - a new powerful model that runs different games. Just "new 3DS " that basically makes games that run crummy on the base hardware run tolerably, along with physical/button/screen enhancements (and a processor that can browse the eShop properly....which was the big point of New 3DS.)

@Alpha-2002
Fella you gotta buy a contact cleaner spray.
Just lift up the rubber of the d pad, spray and it will work again. For a couple of days at least, then you'll have to re do it.
It isn't worth to buy a new pair as the rubber soon or later will worn out. I have four pairs of cons and all of them presented the issue at some point.

What about the Switches we have? Are they going to become obsolete? If Nintendo does that and doesn't update the current Switches that would be horrible. That would be like saying we don't care about you who have the older models. Spend 400 hundred dollars for a system that looks similar to the PS4 graphics. I really hope Nintendo doesn't do that.

@TheFrenchiestFry oh so now we have a NintenDoomed fandom not liking another console that will rain down their gloating and their fans are now in uproar. Before they were talking how great xbox/psx but now another has up ended their game plan and they can't grasp the reality check. But that's not fault of Switch owners a new model was eventually coming regardless of xbox/psx launch and if it launches in that time frame well then those others will have to justify their high prices as well.

@sanderev X1X runs native 4k30. PS4 Pro is checkerboard pseudo 4k.

But yeah, 0 chance of a 4k Tegra chip for gaming this year....

@Flugen
Even the most powerful $1000+ USD smartphones from Apple/Huawei are nowhere near as powerful as the PS5/XSX.

There is no way a Switch "Pro" will come close to the power of the PS5/XSX. Heck, even the Switch 2 will be much weaker than PS5/XSX.

The Switch Pro won't be as powerful as the PS4 / XB1. It will be another 3 years before they launch something that matches that with the Switch Duo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm more interested in higher processing power rather than 4k screen

@SwitchForce Those are just the extremely toxic minority. Far from the majority. A lot of people here are both frequent supporters of all three console brands and even PC gaming

@Alpha-2002 Don't buy new ones! First try WD40 Electrical Contact Cleaner and if that doesn't help, get new analog sticks for like 10 bucks - there are several good tutorials on Youtube on how to replace the defective ones.

Please stop, there isn't gonna be a pro model. Just some improved parts. I know some people want this, but they do not want to split the player base.

@yuwarite Those are x86 based, so no comparison to the Switch (which is ARM based)

@TheFrenchiestFry Don’t even bother replying to them. Just a hugely toxic troll who’ll blindly defend Nintendo to the hilt against unseen assailants.

If I got a nickle for every rumor about a Switch Pro, I could have developed one myself.

Well, i wish the New Switch will come in White color like Wii.
Not just only the Joy Cons but the entire body.

@Gorans-Cap A Switch Pro would be like the "new" Nintendo 3DS. It would play all games (old & new) but will have improved graphics / power in some games. I think it won't have exclusive games. Or only a handful (see N3DS)

@panthro nope. A news site if all kinds. Including rumors. Check out some of the articles and enjoy!

I swear Nintendolife has turned into every other news site. Spouts out ***** and lies and people will eat it up like it's the truth. Guys stop getting your hopes up for a damn rumor

Nintendo will probably just take the Tegra X1 SoC on the current Switch/Switch Lite and manufacture it on a smaller node process (7/8 nm?), thereby allowing for higher GPU/CPU clock speeds while maintaining the same battery life (I've seen rumors that the clock speeds may be doubled, but those are just murmurings from unverified sources).

Anybody expecting the Switch Pro to compete with the PS5/XSX/XSS (or even the PS4/XBO) in any way are setting themselves up for serious disappointment.

Given its Nintendo they'll find a way to release a more "powerful" console but they'd find a way to mess a bunch of other things up.

Imagine if Nintendo actually invested some of the money they have into making the most powerful console of the big 3 vs always having the weakest with the worst online features.

They'd be unstoppable if they had both their first party lineup but best versions of the third party Devs.

I don't like the idea of these mid-generation upgrades. I already bought a console at launch and they want me buy it again just a few years before they stop making games for it?

@Clammy Except with their handhelds, with which they've been doing exactly this for decades.

No chance it will have 4K and it is completely pointless beyond a bit of marketing.
The Aya Neo isn’t comparable if it ever releases it will be twice the price with ***** battery.
The Pro(or new or XL) will be a slightly improved model with less slowdown and pop in. They would be mental to make exclusive games.
A sensible option would be smaller bezel(think the glossy area on the unit being screen) with a half decent attempt at 1080P both docked and handheld, better joycons and maybe some larger storage(or multiple SD card slots).

@SpacedDuck
That would mean abandoning support for handheld mode, which is something Nintendo is never going to do.

It has gotten to the point that whenever I see an image of a Switch for an article, I assume it is for a reported rumor.

I had been keeping an eye on the Xbox Series S, but the latest rumours of that seem to say it's discless, which instantly kills my interest.

So I'm just looking at keeping my current gen set up, but a beefed up Switch to sit besides a X1X and PS4 Pro would see me set for the next five years.

@Purgatorium well they are not forcing you to buy the new console should it release.

I was thinking about Nintendo HDS
Switch with clam shell design, plays 3DS and NDS games as well.
And the dual screen can be separated / joined.
Docked the top screen HDS monitor and you will have 3DS / NDS games on TV.

@westman98 except if it is not a handheld. We have a Switch, we have a portable only Switch, why not making a NOT portable Switch and join the family? (Food for thought).

@panthro There are no news to report.

@SpacedDuck Nintendo is not about making the most powerful console. Nintendo is about selling the best games. And having the best portable experience.

Just look at the Japanese market. A non-handheld Switch would bomb there 100%. Whatever this Switch "Pro" would be, it will still be a handheld / hybrid.

@Flugen Unlike the Switch Lite, a TV only Switch would never sell in Japan.

@Shamrock Why? 4K is pointless. I had a 4K OLED for 3 years now and the harsh truth is that in real-time use (without digital forensics) it is virtually indistinguishable in motion from 1440p and up. In fact, there even usecases where smart "upscaling", like A.I. reconstruction with something like DLSS 2.0 can make for better picture quality, not to mention a fraction of the run-time cost.

Don't get me wrong, there are H_U_G_E gains for 4K OLEDs vis-a-vis e.g. (what were) state-of-the-art plasma, but these come down to a) HDR as the by far biggest gain in display techology since, well, HD as a standart and b) anything intrinsic to the display technology, like perfect black/ infinite contrast, instant pixel response time/ low input lag, low energy consumption and so on and so forth.

Point being, all this could be done with a 1080p display as well. The only issue is that with fewer pixels, OLEDs will also generate less light, which is a drawback of the technology.

That said, I would pay totally pay $450 for a Switch with a 1080p OLED HDR screen, as long as it has a thinner bezel, thus maintaing the current formfactor, as well as better or at least equal runtime to the current Switch 2.0.

4K itself, esp. on that tiny screen, has zero benefit by itself.

@Rayquaza2510 4K support can mean just the ability to show a 4K resolution, for example to play 4K video's. It doesn't mean the games will run in 4K resolution or that the screen would be 4K. Would be useful for YouTube or Hulu.

Since the Nvidea Shield Pro has 4K output, I don't see why it isn't possible.

It doesn't matter because for years I wanted a GBA. Thus with the Switch Lite I finally have one. My Nintendo Switch Lite is my Arctic Glacier GBA.

Rumor's and Brie Larson news - Sigh @NintendoLife

I know Nintendo news is almost non-existent at the moment but the milk your milking is sour, still love you @NintendoLife until we here more about that sour PC cheese named Brie mentioned above.

Personally I would suggest some interactive bits and bobs for us fans during these 'dark times' for good continuity, you posted about a Pokemon Sword and Shield 'Battle Ready' Porygon 2 last week Wednesday but didn't follow up with a code which was presented to withdraw from a live event, would be happy to help in my spare time should you wish.

Nintendo will release a new console after the switch. Fact. I will also say rite now that they will release a new console after this. Fact. I will also say that they will release a new console after that one . Fact. Remember u heard it here first! Xxxxx

Switch can barely hit 720p on intense games and they think this will skip straight past 1080, 1440 to 4K? Lmao

@Flugen
Nintendo isnt going to make a docked-only Switch that is 5-10× more powerful than the other Switch models.

And even if they did do that, Nintendo and 3rd party developers would still have to make games for the current Switch + Switch Lite (which will reach ~75 million units sold by the end of this year), so at that point, thus "Switch TV Pro" is just an exotic and overproduced hardware revision that no developer will ever take meaningful advantage of.

If you want a 4K Nintendo device, then wait for Switch 2/3 and hope that Nintendo adopts some version of DLSS.

@FoxMcCloud agreed, they already tried the idea with the new 3ds, which had a grand total of 2 games that actually took advantage of it as no dev wanted to split playerbase

A Switch 2.0 with better/faster WiFi and Bluetooth and a higher core count processor to make menu and store browsing faster and with less lag would likely be what is coming. Maybe 4K upscaling but it would not be anything that would lessen the experience on the current Switch.

I'm ready to through money if it improves the performance of games already released

This rumor is very suspect, for sure. I expect a revision within a year of some kind, and I don't blame some for expecting a major leap. The Switch surprised a lot of people with how capable it has been. I get the hype.

However, I'm not sure if there is a jump like that — at the right price point — that is anywhere near "4K" or why that would even be a target for a hybrid system at this time.

Thing is, there's plenty of room for a jump in performance and balance of features for the Switch at a reasonable price point before a another later giant leap of some kind. (Sure doesn't seem like they'd venture into a separate console just for TV anymore, does it?)

Looking forward to whatever the next step is.

@Grumblevolcano I'd love that, personally. Insane and commercially questionable as it is.

@switchforce I am not sure I understand why you are interested in this. You were arguing with me because I suggested that some games can't be at their best on the Switch. Why do you want a new one?

perhaps this will be the august 28th announcement, i know some people dont want a pro because certain third parties will probably only develop for the pro version but it'd be really nice to have a switch that can play games like botw, doom, or overwatch at 60 fps, it'd be nice to play games like xenoblade 2 without looking like mush

@Shamrock They likely mean 4K docked

Switch Pro having 4K support is just speculation on behalf of Dr Serkan Toto. It is not mentioned in the article from United Daily News.

@Bret : extra power to make conversions easier.. I’ll buy that.

But 4K? Nah!

Resolution mattered when games were super low res. But nowadays, if difference between 720 to 1080 to 4K bothers you while playing a game - it must be a really boring game.

I can’t see paper Mario suddenly being more fun in 4k, etc.

If there is a pro.. my money would be on more power, more storage, better battery life.

Not 4k

Whatever it is will be further efficiency and physical improvements, better screen perhaps, (better storage space perhaps?), better battery again, possibly a joycon upgrade. Not a Switch "Pro".

Even the same resolution panel but less bezel and higher quality would be enough to get me to buy another switch.

I wish I could understand why they selected such a crappy display

@Anti-Matter thats a great idea. They should also make nes Snes and n64 games work. Why stop there. They should also add gamecube and Wii and Wii u support.

@Shamrock more like $399, $299 & $199 with 3DS/2DS offering $99/$59 price points. No way Nintendo sells the Switch Lite for $100. If you are lucky, the Big N will drop it to $179 refurb.

Really, the only things that really need improvement without splitting the player base would be battery life related, screen related, and a better CPU for navigating the shop (which chokes horribly on the current model, and IIRC the stated purpose of New 3DS was mostly about the UI, downloads, and shop browsing, not the games. )

Upgrading Switch to "suck less" for some games would be cool, but I can't really see that being a serious target for them without a whole new console.

What I want is a 12" Switchablet......nice big screen to play on any time, anywhere, with anyone.

@BrintaPap
I never said they were forcing me to buy it. Just saying I don't like it and that is why I won't be buying it.

Switch 2 is coming, that's why Nintendo is so tight-lipped.

@Henmii
**In 2023/2024

@Anti-Matter We can dream.

Maybe they could market it as the New Nintendo-George Foreman Switch. Fry your morning eggs on it, whilst playing a bit of Mario Kart 8 in 4K

@panthro you can call TMZ Life.

3rd party developers will keep porting their five year plus old games to the Switch. Downgrade them as much as they have to, to make them work. It's another revenue stream for them.

But gamers want newer better looking ports and many will be attracted to the PS5.

The Pro has to be a Pro and not some half hearted upgrade to the existing Switch. £399 sounds like somewhere in the middle.

In before supermetaldave64 says "I told you so!"

Could be. But they really need games

@panthro Nintendo's silence is producing quite a rumor fiesta... You can hardly blame Nintendo Life when every one of Nintendo's fans are starving for something concrete from them.

Can I use my current joycons?! That is a huge question for me. I have some nice custom joycons that I’m not willing to hang up.

It's a day ending in the letter "y" so of course there is a Switch rumor.

In other words, the Switch Pro is coming - perhaps, some Egyptians believe.

Everyone complaining about it not being 4K but not about the price? $400 seems like a lot for a small upgrade. I was hoping this would take the current price of the Switch and the older two dropped $50 each.

Idk, 4k still seems plausible to me. That's the one thing they can do without leaving owners of the old Switch models behind. And it's not like it would need a performance upgrade either, there's tech that can upscale the image.

Personally, if there is a Switch Pro coming, i'm so gonna get one

It would make sense to delay to early 2021, when the switch is selling like crazzzzzzyyyy right now. I would love a new switch, I am still using my one from launch day, and her age is showing, hoping it will last until they release the new switch.

@panthro read it slower. NIN-TEN-DO-LIFE. That’s what they do here. Report on Nintendo *****. You’d probably be mad if they didn’t too.

@StefanN DLSS new tech. It won’t actually be 4K.

Honestly I would enjoy a new switch model that would allow you to connect another switch or any generic phone or tablet for a 2nd screen to play the 3ds library on your big screens. or just bring back the wii u gamepad

I really doubt it since Nintendo just launched the Switch Lite.

larger cartridge size...really? Cartridge size isn't dependent on system hardware.

It could just be an upgraded model like how Game Boy Color was to the original Game Boy, not really a successor to the base Switch. The larger cartridge size may be design so the cart will only work on the upgraded model, it may still be backwards compatible with older Switch cartridges.

Based on a lot of the internet reactions to new hardware, if we believe only internet dwellers, what the world really wants is a $1400 XBox that's more powerful than the best PCs, a $900 Playstation that holds nothing back at being way better than PS4, and a $750 Mega Switch that's basically a PS4 Pro but costs a little less than the other machines because it's clearly not as good.

And this is why the internet dwellers don't run these companies.....

Can see them upgrading the display, but don't think 4K in either the Switch's display or docked output are in the works for a model upgrade. If anything, i can see them upgrading the battery life, wireless strength, and larger internal storage. I could also see them potentially upgrade the clock and ram to help smooth out games with variable frame rate and dynamic resolution, but I wouldn't expect anything major to split the user base.

There is no doubt in my mind there could be a 3rd revision with even better battery life and possibly fixed joy-con and possibly the ability to scale higher resolutions in docked mode but anyone is foolish to think it is anything more than that.

Nintendo has been working on their next generation Switch with nvidia in-house and this has been known for a while, we just have no idea what it is. All that we do know is it will be another hybrid system.

Maybe we’ll finally get a messaging system!

@panthro to be fair in the world of nintendo what do we have other than rumours and guaranteed disappointment?

If it doesn’t have backwards compatibility with the 3DS/DS, I do not want this.

I hope it has a better build quality. My switch has cracks, had to fix Joy con drift, battery buldge that slightly pushes out the screen.

Note than my cube, N64, SNES, NES and Gameboy have less problems than the new switch.

Please pack in Wii Sports this time lol

@Jokerwolf Ofcourse Nintendo has been working on their next console. It'd be stupid to think the Switch would be the last Nintendo console. The development of a console usually starts the minute the previous one is released. This way you have always something to look forward to. And R&D takes a LOT of time for a console.

Just fix the joycon drift......

Rumors, rumors, rumors... rumors of Directs, rumors of Switch Pros, rumors of this game or that game. Seriously, no console has more of a blanket of secrecy than the Switch.

I predict it’ll support 16k and have a 100tb solid state hard drive at minimum

• "More interactivity" makes me hopeful for new Joycons with redesigned Joysticks
• reduced bezels for a slightly larger screen, maybe 1080p handheld
• redesigned chipsets for QoL improvements to performance for: OS, battery life and frame rate without splitting the player base (BOTW/Xenoblade performance comes to mind, basically Monolithsoft code)
• new screen technology for reduced battery consumption. Apple's LTPO screen technology comes to mind, and more companies are following suit
• HDR upscaling would be nice, DLSS 2.0 would be a godsend for a Switch Pro
• $350 Switch Pro / $250 Switch / $150 Switch Lite 2021+ price remodeling would be nice

i'd rather try and keep everything at 1080/60 in both docked and handheld than anything 4k. obligatory OLED screen as nintendo titles will look great on one.

I do expect some kind of Switch Pro but 4K? I seriously doubt it, outside of leveraging some form of DLSS. With how well Switch has sold, will a significantly more powerful and expensive version actually sell that well? With Switch its the concept and games that are important and not the resolution, I can see a decent CPU increase, coupled with RAM and a GPU to get games like Doom to 1080p but nothing realistically above that

Nope, not falling for this again.

If 3rd party actually start releasing new big games on a PRO I'll think about it. Announced, with dates... not publisher logos like in 2017.

$700 in hardware in under 4 years to end up with stuff like Carrion and SpiritFarer (or WiiU/PS3 ports) is not happening.

@BrintaPap am i talking to you? i am not even in this comment section.....and yes keep dreaming on a rumor.

On topic: its my opinion stop coming up in my mentions. This is a rumor.

@BrintaPap you can dream but theres a little thing here

NINTENDO HASNT SAID A THING.

good day

@sanderev Oh ya I know, but it is oging to be out far sooner than people think, this will be a 6 year console lifespan, if Nintendo does not make that move then we will see less and less 3rd party support as games will be far to hard to cut back enough to run on the Switch. DLSS tech will be in the new one and allow for 4k real time up-scalling so that is going to make a big difference. Not to mention they are so much further ahead with die size and architecture for ARAM proccessors we are going to see a huge leap in performance. The X1 chip is 9 years old already so I imagine the next Switch is going to be a beast.

@panthro I know right they did ONE rumor article and only TEN game related articles today OMG SHUT THEM DOWN AND GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK

@NintendoPok The inhabitants of this site like to "call out," random members before they even comment. It's an odd way to troll, like pre-trolling, but there you go. You're famous!

Hopefully by “interactivity” they mean StreetPass-like features or something more akin to the 3DS. The 3DS is still my go to, just sayin’.

Bigger cartridge sizes? You need a new Switch for that? Do they have to be physically bigger?

@Rizla I believe they posted the code in the Gastrodon article

They won't split the player base. Every game has to run on standard Switch hardware, so we may end up with the "New 3DS" situation with not a lot of support for games taking advantage. The best they can give us is more RAM for less lag, even better battery life and maybe Bluetooth support for headsets and voice chat.

If its a performance upgrade then I’ll pick one up.

Hopefully Gamestop has an upgrading system, so I don't have to buy a new console. I won't have that money post-ps5

I’m putting in my predictions: Easter 2021, “New” Switch model that launches alongside an updated Joy-Con that has better pointer and motion tech alongside the obvious analog stick component upgrade, Pikmin and Metroid Prime are main launch titles.

@Pod Japan broadcasts TV in 4K and 8K. So, I wouldn't be too shocked if a newer Switch can output 4K.

@commentlife if they were too make a new switch, I think they wouldn’t make Metroid prime 4 for it while we have no news on it, they said it was being made specially for the switch out now, and they are also trying too find a lead producer, then pikmin four, I think what the producer who said it was almost done meant hey pikmin was almost done, they would probably also wait too realease pikmin four until they see the sale numbers of pikmin 3 deluxe too see if the series can sell.

The people in this comments section who say they want a 1080p handheld screen fail to realize that on a screen as small as the Switch in handheld mode, the human eye can’t distinguish a difference between 720p and 1080p. It would be a ridiculous waste of resources to make the handheld Switch output in anything higher than 720p. You literally wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

@panthro Yes it is

I wonder if they'll call it the Switch U???

Absolutely brilliant! Would pay a handsome mud fee for that.

@Razer Wow you're going to wait that long!? Proud of you

What we need is Nvidia to come up with a Tegra chip that can do DLSS 2.0.

That would be a major game changer.

4k is doubtful, but pulling off 720 & 1080p 60 would be a whole lot easier.

@k8sMum,

It's called the Switch plus, or Switch +, trust me my uncle works for Nintendo.

@MichaelHarvey,

They could go for the same setup with the more powerful consoles from Sony and Microsoft, both the Xbox One and Ps4 have games that work on the normal consoles, but are then enhanced for the more powerful variations.

What if "interactivity" alludes to making Joycon Pro's with improved motion functionality that will be showcased with Skyward Sword HD?

@thesilverbrick obviously the current screen size is perfect for 720p. 1080p would be nice for a larger screen on a Switch Pro, with reduced bezels likely achieved with different screen technology like OLED.

That 4K comment makes this rumour seem rather unbelievable.

Anyway, as I've already got a Switch, I'm not going to buy another one. I'd be surprised if any games were only released on a new Switch. It would be foolish for Nintendo to split up their userbase by making Switch Pro exclusive games.

@WiltonRoots,

This is always the issue with these things, it's a given that at some point Nintendo will release a new revision of the original Switch, but of course the core internet want it to be more powerful etc, when in reality it will just have a slightly larger screen and even better battery life than the existing models.

How about we get some R&D yen spent on turning the joycons into controllers that don’t fall apart after 6 months rather than a more powerful Switch?

My Xbox 360 controllers still work flawlessly after 10 years of service. My Wavebird after 18 years. Out of 4 joycons I have 3 left in a working state having replaced the sticks myself but only 1 lights up anymore and the internal shoulder buttons are shot on another. One will only connect when vertical. This is not the Nintendo quality I expect.

It wouldn't surprise me, Nintendo said that wouldn't release a hardware revision this year, but the never said anything about releasing (or not releasing) a hardware revision next year. It would also make sense because the Switch Lite launched 2 (and a half) years after the OG Switch, so a 2 year gap between the Switch Lite and the Switch Pro would also make sense.

@Shamrock yeah 4k seems a bit much, 1080 would be nice though for that screen size and for battery life / heat issues. 2 cartridge slots though? why? maybe if it played gba games i'd see the need.

@panthro now? are you new? NL have always published rumors from time to time-

@Ulysses The proposed Switch Pro screen would have to be substantially larger for the human eye to even notice a practical difference between a 720p and 1080p output. And at that size, the portability of the console would be compromised so as to be impractical, anyway.

Leaving the claims more outlandish aspects aside (4k? Replacing a 720p panel with 4k?), is it possible it's not a true refresh or pro, just a gen 2 style component update?

Specifically a panel manufacturer switch? If you changed to a panel with a better touch resolution that would meet the improved 'interactivity' claim. And if they updated battery tech that could also contribute to better performance, either through less aggressive GPU throttling in handheld (i.e. docked performance) due to higher capacity, or longer battery life for same reason. Giving 'better performance' just not what people are speculating.

I'm most excited to hear the goofy out of left field consumer confusing name they come up with.

@shazbot : of course the handheld screen won’t be 4K!

What would be the point in that? The dpi would be so small, you’d only tell the difference under a microscope !

Now, I’d argue the same for TVs from a reasonable couch distance, but people believe they can tell difference because someone like digital foundry tells them it’s there..

The rest of us, will carry on playing games for fun.

@Clammy ... That's why I called it outlandish?

@shazbot : I apologize, skim reading the nonsense

@NEStalgia #139 - If they made a machine based purely on what people in these comment sections want, they would have gone bust a long time ago. People are still upset that they didn't just do a black slab under the TV that plays exactly the same games as the PS and Xbox consoles for Digital Foundry willy waving points. "Oh look if you zoom in 400% you can see a slight difference in the shadows on the rubble in the background."

As long as there isn't another "3DS-barrier" then I'll be fine. The gap between the original 3DS and the New 3DS was a terrible decision on Nintendo's part.

The 4K support is for streaming, which the Tegra Soc already has the capability of....also if they just hooked Switch up to Nvidia Geforce now they'd have a bigger library and 1080/60fps streaming while docked. Improving handheld performance is key, getting handheld to run smoothly away from the dock on a nice display, then access the streamed high quality games via the internet (NSO sub?) and Geforce Now. That way it can partially keep up with XSX and PS5.

I don't quite see why a Taiwanese newspaper should necessarily be less valid, seems a tad xenophobic to me.

I would be worried about my battery life being 4K hand held display, but 4K when docked via current PS4 Pro technique (as it is not true 4K) would be nice so my dock is not a brick that is simply a middle man convert for my USB-C to HDMI cable. Personally I would not be so toxic and dismissive to this paper as a source. 1080p (larger screen) handheld is easy in today's tech age for a handheld (feel their approach is less than 300 or nothing at all for OG Swith), and Nintendo needs to give us a SSD for faster load times. All the latter would make my Life more "interactive" for this "new" Switch! LOL

Please let this be at least somewhat true. I'd kill for a Switch that can run games well. I hope it will have backwards compatibility, but developers should not be forced to put their games on the old Switch as well as the new Switch.

@thesilverbrick I see! Well now I'm curious to research the specifics.

Regardless, the most important redesign made to the screen should be to reduce battery consumption. There was a prototype screen technology that was close to production that was supposed to reduce battery consumption by something like 90%, but I can't remember the name for the life of me!

Not going to lie. I would upgrade in a heartbeat lol.

@panthro LMAO

One of the things mentioned in the article is that Pixart is supposedly in line to manufacture the "next-gen" JoyCons for Nintendo.

Pixart recently filed a patent for an optical analog stick, which is an analog stick that uses an optical sensor to detect movement, similar to a computer mouse detects movement.

If this technology is used in the "next-gen" JoyCons, this would eliminate any JoyCon drift, since there will no longer be any physical contact between components within the joystick.

If its not a significant boost in power, don't even bother. I dont want some half @$$ed 'Switch Pro"

Anyone could have seen the Switch Lite coming, even before the Switch hit the shelves. Still not buying this Switch Pro nonsense. This sounds like a typical Nintendo upgrade, like they did last year with the red box version and like we saw with the New 3DS. If there's an update, it will replace the current model, not be a "Pro" version specifically aimed at players wanting higher specs and at higher prices.

Remember, the "Pro" concept has only existed once throughout the history of video games, and that was PS4 and XBO to take advantage of the sudden proliferation of 4K and HDR. In terms of sales, they've been poor, with most people still opting for the base model. I'd suggest Nintendo might announce a Switch 2 or Switch New sometime next year. More likely it's early 2022 and be released with BOTW2.

@Jokerwolf Nintendo has been working on their next generation Switch with nvidia in-house and this has been known for a while, we just have no idea what it is. All that we do know is it will be another hybrid system.
This is why fandoms of xbox/psx are so afraid of they talk about those system back compatible but when you mentioned the 4K Switch backward compatible. They are oh no that can never happen. This tells alot of their fandom reaction. When another player rains on their gloat they don't like it.

I would say goes like this:

Continue sales of Lite and Switch but a more powerful model a Switch Pro or 2.0 or HD or something indicating a higher model which people will pay more for. Or go to their GameStop and trade up their model and get a discount. That would be where the money will be made. Those upgrading and those staying with current Switch model. And allowing the higher Switch to play regular Switch game while having the ability to play more intense games. Just like the jump from 3DS to 3DS XL that was 3D that could play 3D games cart.

Seems false just based on it saying this new Switch would run bigger carts. The current Switch can run at least 64GB carts. 4K also seems very unlikely for just a hardware upgrade/refresh.

I still feel like a "Switch Pro" is unrealistic, as are some people's demands.People want a beefier Switch, possibly running on a more advanced Tegra chip, but wouldn't that be better suited for the Switch 's successorAnd further, I've seen people want some portable PS4 Pro, but neglect to think about the cooling and/or price.. Just saying people, keep your expectations realistic if we ever get a "Switch Pro''.

@WiltonRoots This ain't nothin. Visit purexbox and pushsquare. Did you see the meltdown on how Halo infinite doesn't look next gen enough? Fans are demanding that, and every other game abandon current gen and double down on focusing on next gen only so it can be the most impressive graphics evar!!1. Every thread is how every game should be next gen only, and how nobody minds no matter how expensive the consoles are so long as it's mega impressive super powered..... Sky's the limit on price, just be amazing! (I wonder if these people know newegg exists just for them, already? )

And the worst part is that ms is caving to the mob.... They've stripped xb1 support for most of their lineup after promising it.

Meanwhile on ps it's only slightly more tame with people still justifying similarly crazy price points for those ssds so advanced they don't actually exist for sale yet.... So long as overclock mode pushes more amazement then ever!

Somewhere in Kyoto, Gunpei Yokoi is laughing and sobbing at the same time from beyond the veil.

@panthro
This is what happens when there no actual merch coming from Nintendo.

@Shamrock the 4k support would be for the dock while the switch screen would be 1080p

I think people are discounting it a bit too quickly for the "4K support" part. Assuming the reports are accurate, and I would expect a revision at some point, I don't think that means running games at 4K or a 4K display.

More likely it would be 4K output over HDMI, or specifically HDMI 2.0/2.1 support. Which for games would more likely just mean HDR and possibly VRR. But it could open the door for some content being at a resolution higher than 1080p. Think the UI, Menus, possibly streaming, maybe some basic games, maybe some NVidia AI upscaling

@NEStalgia ehhh the new Xbox and PS4 will be exactly what they have said it will be. Xbox will cater to next gen while keeping the others pleased as well, the same for ps to. There are more than one development groups for these companies. They can make multiple games and port multiple games all at one time.

No need for 4k . we need more graphic power and ram. thats all.

@graysoncharles
"Nintendo fans, and fanboys, don't really care if the next Mario or Zelda game comes with 8-bit graphics...Which is why xbox, and even sony fans, got outraged, because they are accustomed to see a new generation of a franchise look way better than the last."

Wanna give an example of a Nintendo franchise that saw worse graphics with each successive entry? Because I don't know of any.

It seems like it would make things too difficult for developers if there's two switchable consoles. That would mean 4 different targets for each game so players could play docked and handheld with regular Switch and Switch Pro. Maybe they've got a chip that scales easily with the old Tegra.

You have to laugh at all the ignorant comments at the top of the article. 4K support means it can output a 4k signal to a 4k TV. That way, you have native scaling (instead of relying on the TV's scaling or worse the receiver's). HDMI 2.0 support is all that means, which is a bare minimum for any console. It has NOTHING TO DO with the internal resolution of the game, which can be anything, but it will look better. The nVidia shield already supports it. I can't stand all the "I don't need anything better" attitudes around here. When did Nintendo fans stop caring about anything. They are demanding no games and no improved hardware. And new hardware isn't hard to target, you just make the game for the old hardware and the new one easily runs it, hurting no one. I can't stand the people on this site anymore. No desire for better or new hardware or for more games.

They'd rather Nintendo was still making NES games.

My cousin's grandpa's sister in-law's third husband works for a contractor that supplies Nintendo's office with coffee and says this is true.

@WiltonRoots And noticed Nintendo died in the home console market. You think digital foundry is a joke, but the entire market for home consoles abandoned Nintendo and they had their worst sales ever, the Wii U. That was because the hardware sucked and was overpriced and didn't even come with a normal controller, those basic things you are mocking. Switch sales have nothing to do with that, the Switch IS GOOD portable hardware, 100x faster than the 3DS, unusually gutsy for Nintendo. The problem is the lack of a quality home console.

My cousin's grandpa's sister in-law's third husband works for a contractor that supplies Nintendo's office with coffee and says this is true.

@60frames-please PC games are programmed to work across a much larger range of devices. I don't see this as a problem.

@MarsOne They stopped caring when people like you started insulting people because they have different opinions. Believe it or not, not everyone can afford to upgrade their TV every few years. A lot of people still use 720p or 1080p televisions. I was just at the store the other day, a huge Best Buy, and only about half the TVs they were selling were 4K and only those about 38 inches and larger, anything smaller was lower resolution. A lot or people use smaller TVs in bedrooms because of limited space.

@Heavyarms55

I didn't say they need to upgrade their TV, it is based on the fact that a majority of TVs are in 4k already and costs little to nothing, I was responding to all the ignorant (which isn't an insult so much as a fact, and warranted when someone uses it to attack the 4k comment in the original article without even comprehending the words used) comments interpreting 4k support as somehow the games would then be rendered at 4k, which no one ever suggested.

Thank you for agreeing though, it is hardly a problem to release a better console. It is up to developers which consoles they support, it isn't "hard" in anyway.

Over 1/3 of households have a 4k tv, and more than half of all new tvs sold are 4k.

@graysoncharles
Wind Waker doesn't look worse than Majora's Mask, Skyward Sword doesn't look worse than Twlight Princess, and Sword/Shield doesnt look worse than Sun/Moon. Art-style != Visual fidelity.

If Breath of the Wild 2 looked exactly like the first game but ran at 540p rather than 900p, I guarantee you that everyone would be pissed, myself included.

Also the article says "正打造下一代Switch". "Next Generation Switch", a model with a lot of changes.

@westman98
I'd personally love 1080p / 60fps Breath of the Wild 2. For many people, myself included, 30fps is painful on the eyes, it is not just about looks. It causes a lot of fatigue to play at 30fps.

@graysoncharles Yes, motion resolution is a thing, the actual resolution when moving the camera is incredibly low when you are at 30fps, like 200p, not 1080p...

I think Mario Odyssey looks great on Switch, thank you 60fps.

@graysoncharles
Resolution and frame rate are just one part of the equation. Stuff like the LoD on assets, model quality, texture filtering, draw distance, aliasing, ambient occlusion, shading, lighting/illumination, loading times, level design complexity, etc should also be accounted for.

Yoshi's Crafted World's resolution is definitely lower than that of its predecessor, but it makes significant improvements in the lighting/global illumination and ambient occlusion, while also often rendering assets in a 3D space (especially with the camera-flipping mechanic) rather than in a 2D plane.

Regardless, Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, and Sword/Shield absolutely do not look worse than their predecessors.

@MarsOne
Don't expect any open world 60 FPS games on Switch.

I think a new switch could be 4k... but at 1 frame per second. I wonder whether they interviewed the village idiot by mistake.

@MarsOne I agree that there is nothing wrong with upgrading/releasing a new model. People seem to have a ridiculous misconception that releasing an upgraded model of a device divides the install base. But there is simply no reason for that. Even if you for some reason ignore that both Sony and MS released upgraded consoles without doing that, PC game developers have been developing games for decades that release and work on a wide range of PCs from common pre-built household machines to high end gaming rigs. I don't have to be a programmer to know that people have been making games that can run on a range of hardware since the 1980s. However, even if you're correct that 1/3 of households have a 4k TV, that's no where near a majority. It also doesn't mean the people who do have them in the house, are the people who want to play games. It's very common for parents to give the kids the older TV when they buy a new one for the living room for example. In many other cases like I mentioned, most smaller TVs, the sizes commonly seen in bedrooms aren't or are rarely sold at 4K.

And the insult I was referring to was you calling people losers, though it seems like you might have deleted or edited that away, which I appreciate.

I'll just leave this here:
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/support/shield-tv/ai-upscaling/

@Heavyarms55 Yeah I was getting annoyed at all the outright negativity surround new hardware. Xbox and Sony and PC people are all happy to get new stuff, heck Linus Tech Tips is devoted to "what's new" but Nintendo sites are just constantly attacking anyone who says THEY want something more, as if because someone is satisfied with their Switch that changes the fact that there are 10's of millions of people who want a faster one. Nintendo literally lost in the home console market and died out, and there are still 100 million people who'd rather have just one console, a Nintendo one, instead of buying two.

@skywake exactly, proper 4k upscaling is a weird omission of the current Switch

@Moistnado did you just fail to read all the comments explaining it is about native 4k output, not resolution?

@westman98 The Switch is half a GTX 750, the cheapest GPU nVidia sold in 2014, and the CPU is from the 2014 Note 4. People just want an up to date CPU (which could handle 60fps open world) like a 2 year old A76 core like in the Snapdragon 855, and a full GPU from 2020, like a GTX 1650, the cheapest card today, instead of half of one. One of the reason the Switch is so slow is they cut the bus width to the memory in half also, so it is literally half a GTX 750 mobile chip. Using a mobile max Q GTX 1650 shrunk to 7nm would be perfect for the Switch.

LOL @4K. Stopped immediately reading after that. Just stupid and silly click bait.

It would already be a huge improvement if they manage to beef up the hardware enough to give consistent 720p in handheld mode and 1080p docked at 60fps.

Yeaahhh...not buying it

They have saying this for years and now that MS and Sony's new toys are coming, this resurgence of "switch pro" rumors stink of FUD.

I bet there's a new revision coming soon but not PRO. Maybe smaller or another version like a Playstation TV kind of device.

@MarsOne Now that I don't agree with. Nintendo is doing just fine, and the Switch is unquestionably a huge success. It's sold out over and over as demand as exceeded expectations over and over. The hybrid route is a huge success. Even in Japan, where I lived the last 5 years of my life and the country everyone in the west always says prefers portable devices, the OG Switch has still sold better than the Lite.

There's a very very loud minority of people on this site who have very strong opinions. Trust me, I've been on the receiving end of it plenty. But I see it everywhere. It's not unique to this site or Nintendo fans. It's just the nature of the internet these days. People are rude.

But if Nintendo does release a new more powerful Switch, it's going to sell like mad.

Nintendo didn't lose and dry up at all. They decided to play a different game. Their executives saw a niche that wasn't really being filled and filled it to resounding success. We don't need 3 of the same product on the market, and that's what we'd have right now if Nintendo were still following the same pattern as MS and Sony. I've got a PS4 and have nothing against either Sony or MS, but I honestly see very little meaningful difference between their products. And I have that same opinion of their new machines coming out later this year. I can see people buying only one of them, because beyond a small handful of exclusives (more from Sony it seems) they do basically the same thing. Me, I've got my PC for that style of gaming.

So long as I had the money though, I and literally tens, maybe hundreds of millions of people would buy a Switch Pro/Switch 2 in a stinking heartbeat. That's not dead at all.

@Heavyarms55 Nintendo did die in the home console market, they've always been on top with portable hardware, and they are doing better than ever with portable hardware, but the home hardware market? They exited the market in failure.

There is nothing wrong with wanting the NES-Gamecube days to come back, when you can buy one console and play all the latest games, Nintendo and third party.

You can plug your laptop in to your TV, but you can't then claim that you own the desktop market.

@Jeronan Another person who can't understand "4k output" and not "4k resolution", those are totally different things.

@MarsOne Alright dude. If you want to argue semantics, that's fine. Let's just call you right and I'm done. I don't have the energy to claim otherwise.

@Heavyarms55 It's not semantics. The gameboy and gameboy advance and vita all had docks, they were not home consoles. Laptops are not desktops, some people understand the differences. I do agree Nintendo might not want to be in the home console market at all since tech has changed and weaker mobile chips might be enough for them, but that would be a bit of a sad end to their 40 year history of state of the art gaming. But it is forward looking, modern hardware might be all going mobile. Cheers

@Heavyarms55 4K on any TV smaller than 43" is literally a waste of money. Same as 1080p on TVs < 30", or 8K <65".

Breath of the wild 2 switch 2 pro exclusive 😂.

Nintendos response: "we hope you understand" 😂

I believe the rumours and I'm fully on board. Day one.

@westman98,

Eh, no. The new rumors say 4k graphics and strong line-up of games, early 2021. Wich just means Switch 2. There goes the 7 year life-span of the Switch, if the rumor is true. It sounds terrible!

I'd be glad if they improved the dock (with 4K and so, to look much better on TV), and added more battery and make the screen bigger to the handheld (just occupying the black lines on the sides). Just with those things it would be cool, but I guess there will be more stuff.
And we can assume it will come with the new Zelda.

a "switch pro" will most likely have a 1080p support for all games including hand held mode and not 4K
although I still think that nintendo shold bring the 4K support by having an upgraded dock with extra RAM, CPU and GPU inside it that will lets say push the switch to 2K capabilities and the switch pro to 4K, allowing bigger games that couldn't have come to the switch before to come as "pro docked mode" exclusive and other games just to have a 2-4K graphic options

@ryancraddock Same question as yesterday, Why can't we have your feelings regarding these stories. Like other people mention it's like your telling me to go elsewhere for news. I thought I came here as you where the people with your ears to the ground, not a place that just regurgitates other people's news.

That story about bigger cartridges is nonsense: You can put lots and lots of memory in the cards for the current Switch. There is a limit, but Nintendo can easily change this. But more memory means more costs for the developers. You already see developers going mainly for the smaller sized cards, or they just go for a download. Giving the cards even more space is useless, at least for third-party's.

I am 100% down with this.

In the position I'm in, I'll be buying a PS5 in November. I missed out on most of the Xbox One/PS4 generation and if this means suddenly we'll start getting more really competent PS4/Xbone ports for the Switch then that sounds great to me. I'll keep my PS5 for cutting edge graphics stuff, and my Switch becomes even more of an amazing handheld experience. It's all winning for me.

4K might just mean it allows for 4K video streaming, like the One S. Which would still be kind of pointless since the thing doesn't even have Netflix.

Nintendo life bumped up a rumour to the headline news on top of the sites page, come on guys, you surely can't be that desperate for clicks.

More interactivity?

Hmm...

Analogue triggers? Would make Gamecube games (F-Zero GX cough cough) possible.

Themes / folders? Folk certainly want them. Would slow access down though.

Sensor bar built in to the dock? Y'know for Wii games / shooters. Ring Fit certainly did well and they will be running out of Wii U games before 6 years is up lol.

Improved display quality could be anything from a better or bigger screen, to something like DSLL. No ideas lol.

I doubt it would be as something basic like moar powah! If they add anything, it will be because of gameplay, not graphics.

@MarsOne no I read those. Most of them point out how unlikely it would be to have a 4k output for games that are not 4k. Have you read them?

@MarsOne But is the problem really a lack of a home console? Over 60 million people seem to disagree or don't care. A lot of talk about specs/resolution/framerate/chipset is something that only matters in very small circles, namely Very Serious Gamers™, not the vast majority of the public who buy the products. Digital Foundry has less than a million subs, I guarantee the vast majority of PS4 and Xbox owners don't know it even exists.

What's the point of doing exactly the same as Sony or Microsoft, making expensive slabs that have to be tied to a TV, where you have to buy a decent TV and surround sound to appreciate those fancy graphics and effects, just to appease a million or so people tops - when they can forge their own path down the convenience route and sell bucketloads? Opinions in here don't really reflect the real world. We're in hifi enthusiast territory.

@MarsOne,

You could argue they died with the Gamecube as it was the last time they were going to compete in the power race.

The Wii and DS cemented their different way approach with 250 million consoles sold, no wonder they pulled out of the core arms race.

On the other hand their dedicated handheld business was declining too, so their option was a hybrid, and up to now it's a massive success.

@WiltonRoots,

The core always believes wrongly that everybody is obsessed with graphics and frame rates, just like they themselves are.

@johnvboy Alas so, try having that conversation in a pub with people from work and watch them glaze over, or politely make excuses and leave...

@WiltonRoots Many people who play games probably don't care about specs of the consoles, but developers certainly do. Worse specs means more complex games would require a lot more optimization to get it running in an acceptable state, making it more risky to develop for Switch rather than more powerful consoles. That results in some games never making it to Switch and other games' Switch versions getting a delayed release (Doom Eternal), and those actually affects many Switch owners.

@The-Chosen-one Switch 2 pro? Nah. That won't happen for another 4-6 years.

BotW2 will be on a "Switch Pro", but not exclusively. Since that will hurt sales of the game.

Oh no! Nintendo is going to delay BotW 2 for The New Switch now. I bet they will make the game run 60fps@1080 for the New Switch and 30fps for the old one.

Nvidia's new GPU uses AI to upscale games to 4K, but internally they are running at a lower resolution. Some of you guys should keep up with new tech - 4K is possible on Switch. The upscaling looks as good as native 4K because of Deep Learning tech. Nvidia is at the forefront of AI hardware, Nintendo made the right choice with Nvidia.

@Judgedean Actually, that’s very likely, or they could go the route of their port names and call it Switch Deluxe

@NoTinderLife Yeah I wish more games used DLSS on PC

@GrailUK definitely need themes and folders, and while we’re at it, a complete overhaul of the eshop’s UX

@Tantani Yeah I like the idea of a Dock Pro; it would be a good way of upgrading the specs without having to replace the main unit, and perhaps a cheaper way of doing that too. Of course it wouldn’t help handheld mode, but it could just be an extra upgrade option on the side of the Switch Pro.

Options are good for consumers

@NEStalgia I don’t get it either: I thought Halo Infinite looked great in the conference footage. I’m sad I have to wait longer to play it now because those loud, obnoxious tech-fappers can’t manage to shut up when they see good art direction anyway. Art direction and consistent framerate are far more important to me for a shooter, and Halo Infinite already runs at a rock-solid 4k/60fps

If we're getting a Switch Pro, that probably also means the current Switch model will be reduced in price. I can't see a Pro model costing much more than the current system.

Pro: $325 - $350
Standard: $250
Lite: $175

@ritouf I guarantee you won't be playing GTA VI next year.

GTA V Remaster Yes but nothing more.

@Antraxx777 Oh, I have no issue whatsoever with the eshop. I know what I want to buy when I visit, so it's either on the new releases list, or I can search for it. Pay and leave. Exactly like a normal shop haha! I don't understand this whole visibility issue. Strikes me as publishers wanting advertising space. No thanks.

I don't need an eyewateringly-crisp 4K resolution for any of the games I play on Switch — if they can make it lighter, run cooler (it needs to be about 20% cooler), and have a better battery, that'd be just dandy.

@ReWane,

So the third party games that do not sell on the Switch in the first place will not be coming to it?, no great loss there then, as long as Nintendo keep their first party output strong, and have a nice steady stream of indie games coming out on the e-Shop they will be fine.

And in all fairness they could just coast on their already released evergreen titles, as for potential Switch owners there is an awesome console with tonnes of content.

@MarsOne The Switch is a home console, and a portable console. That's why it's called a hybrid console.

The Vita and DS docks didn't come with the consoles, and didn't contain TV outputs. They also didn't support mulitple connected controllers.

The Switch can very much be used as a home console, and does appeal to both markets. I think I've used it 90% docked, and used it much more than I ever used my Vita as a result. Last I saw, 20% used it mostly docked, 30% used it mostly handheld. Meaning half of users used both modes equally. That means that around 70% of Switch owners use the docked (home) mode regularly.

It's hard to claim it's just a portable console when functioning as a home console is so important to its design and value.

@Zeraki what's this DSLL. 2.0 and how that improve things?

I’ve always wondered if this virus had not happened, would 2020 have looked a lot different for Nintendo? Yes, the world has been turned upside down, but their lack of content and communication with the public had been interesting. I wonder if E3 would have happened, would it have been a disappointment? Lots of, “for 2021” announcements.

It seems more like a Switch 2 to me.
I don´t believe Nintendo will launch a new Switch that early. A different model, maybe, as we´ve seen with the Switch Lite. But a whole new Switch with more processing power and some new features does not seem feasible for early 2021. Maybe late 2021.

@WoomyNNYes
Would you be surprised then, if I told you that the current Switch already can? It just isn't really feasible to utilize the ability.

Personally I wager it to be a similar case with its successor. At least if it was to arrive already next year.

But man, I enjoy delightful surprises as much as the next fellah, so I'm not going to be upset if I'm wrong.

I still think 2021 is at least a year too early, but it is at the same ingenious by Nintendo if they abrupted next-gen consoles momentum by releasing a new Switch system only month after PS5/SeriesXXX. If it releases alongside enhanced BotW2, they would have it nailed. I spend around 30% of my Switch-time playing third-party games not really made for Switch, and absolutely love Witcher 3 on my Switch. Would def. buy a Switch Pro only to get games like Witcher 3 run at at least native 720p handheld. Would do so much for these games looks.

Metroid Prime 4 was scrapped and re-started on a new more capable platform, it's quite obvious. This will launch with the system.

@ritouf You should buy some games for it if your Switch has no games...

A Switch Pro is a terrible idea. What they need is a new model altogether. The new consoles are launching with RDNA2 tech in them. The Switch being powered by NVidia should have a new model coming out with an Ampere based SoC. Doesn't need to be as powerful, just to be "up-to-date" in terms of hardware supported features like RTX, or DLSS2 for example.

Just a more souped up version of the existing unit would mean that all games would still have to be compatible with the older model, which would be way too limiting.

@sanderev
Yeah was just kidding.
Will be just a switch pro with more RAM and a upgraded videocard, more internal memory and better battery.

Better trade my switch in then hahah

cancel the current Lite model, the stock just piles up everywhere I have been while the original Switch is scarce.
Make a set top box switch without the screen and joycons for people who plays Switch only at home in front of the tv.

Switch is still selling like crazy and predictions are off the scale again for this Christmas.

Nintendo have to be careful here - there is a huge installed user base that continues to grow at an incredible rate - you don’t want to alienate them going forward

We've been hearing rumor of a new Switch model before the Switch itself was even released.

I seriously don't believe this is true, but IF we do get a Switch pro, I'm upgrading immediately. Love my little system but it deserves to be much stronger and faster in every possible aspect.

More rumors, lol

Though, I do believe an “upgrade” is coming. The Switch will need to at least keep pace with the new Xbox and PS5. It won’t be anywhere near those consoles, but it needs to be in the same ballpark at least. Nintendo has a long history of upgrading hardware, or revising it in the handheld market. Even though the Switch is technically a home console, it’s most definitely a handheld as well. We already have a Switch lite, so I do expect to hear something soon about a revised standard Switch.

Fixing the Joy Con drift would be a huge improvement.

4k? why? just make it handle HD better with improved framerates.

I wonder if this is why we haven’t heard anything on doom eternal yet, perhaps a tie in with a new model? I’d have expected doom eternal this summer and if that’s when the new model was also expected it could tie in

Just to clarify, DE on all switch models, but improved performance/features on a new switch?

I wonder how they'll do this without splitting the install base. An improved dock for extra oomph when docked might make sense. They already have a mobile-only version of the Switch. So, under this logic, they'd now beef up the home console side of the hybrid combo. It reminds me of the N64's expansion pack, which, I thought, worked pretty well, and gave the console some extra legs into the Dreamcast and Playstation 2 era.

So it's the "new" 3ds all over again? where only one game got made exclusive for that hardware.

Think about it will they make a load of 1st party exclusives for this "upgraded" switch and leave the 61 million normal switch owners hanging?

This would be a good idea for all those graphically challenging third party games to run on the switch but 1st party games need to run on both

@playstation_king,

Well no it's not, we don't even know if this latest Switch pro rumour has any more validity than any of the previous Switch Pro rumours.

And on the 3DS it was only one game that was exclusive to the new console, my guess it would be enhanced games for the new Switch rather than exclusive ones.

Even if any of this turns out to be true.

I care more for the games. I don’t need a new Switch yet.

@MoonKnight7

The Switch doesn't have to be afraid of the new consoles. It is in it's own league and is not in a battle with Sony or MS. The Switch is selling like crazy, that won't stop when the PS5 of One Serie X will be out.

I realize Nintendo doesn't like to compete head on with competitors, but Nintendo's in a somewhat tight spot with this. It makes sense they've been AWOL for months if they're waiting for a hardware refresh and it was delayed. OTOH, rock and hard place. If they say noting until after PS5/XSeX comes out and is announced, a lot of people might get tempted by rival systems (or rival "current gen" that will get a price cut for the holidays once the new ones are out, and their spending will be done by the time Nintendo's new hardware is out. OTOH if they announce before the holidays they gut their holiday sales of Switch as-is.

OTOH that also indicates how insignificant an "upgrade" it is - if they can unload tons of current Swtiches confidently in its advance.

I always buy new Nintendo hardware day 1, but I'm not going to hold off on any PS5 or XSeX purchase due to rumors, and I can't afford all of them all in the same year, especially one that has already been a very expensive year.... Information about this would guide my purchasing a bit more. But we know there will be no information even if it's real until after the holiday, and after choosing to spend elsewhere.

Heck, even Sony and MS seem incapable of providing concrete information these days.... OTOH, I wonder if this is the reason why both of them are bent on rushing a Holiday release of a console neither is clearly ready to release.

It makes sense to keep up and be able to handle ports of big third party games. But they won't exclude original switch owners, not a hope.

If I can still play the same games I will be content with the Switch I have. If big-name games only release on the"pro" model I will be steamed. Consoles are expensive.

If it's just a minor upgrade like say what the New 3DS was to the original 3DS then it should be fine, but if the new games will only work on just the new model then it would be a major bust for the consumer as most likely won't be ready to make the upgrade. They had to launch it with some big games I hope but don't completely leave out support for the base model.

The Bloomberg internal corroboration has me amped. It's a reputable news source that wouldn't publish without at least 2 sources. Even if the details aren't as outlandish as some are speculating, my house would be willing to put down $$$ for two new switches. Almost picked up a gen 2 just for the battery life.

@NEStalgia,

I do not think the Switch caters for the same demographic as the new consoles from Sony and Microsoft, I know we compare their sales because they are all consoles, but in reality I think the Switch can live alongside these new machines.

@retro_player_77 I am assuming it will be a New 3DS like upgrade where the screen/components are upgraded (i.e. better screen, bluetooth headset support) but the games are relatively the same and will run on both the OG model and the new model. Over time, I think Nintendo will continue to iterate on the Switch hardware/form factor and taper off support for the OG model. Just like with GB/GBC, a lot of games were backward compatible for several years with the GBC providing cosmetic upgrades.

@westman98 Yeah, that just means in 10-15 years that the joycon will completely stop working, once the components fail.

@MarsOne Dude, what the eff dude... are you serious?

4K output and 4K resolution go hand in hand!

To output 4K, the Switch needs to have the hardware capabilities to render 4K resolution via said 4K output lol!! /Facepalm!

Right now a lot of games can’t even render 1080p on current Switch hardware!

That is what I was getting at. There is currently no SoC available that can support 4K gaming inside such a small body as the Nintendo Switch, without litterally melting the hardware to a clump of plastic!

The only way to achieve 4K gaming on the Switch is by creating a docking station that houses a beefy GFX to boost the performance. Which is not going to happen, since its too expensive and not within the scope of the Switch philosophy.
Nintendo has made that very clear time and again.

This screams a lot of “wait and see, curb your excitement.”

@Gorans-Cap Nintendo did it with the 3DS, they could choose to do that again with the Switch.

Honestly, if they upgrade the Switch to have significantly improved performance, they can take a hike. I’ll stick with my OG model, can’t afford to keep wasting money on Nintendo consoles.

@TG16_IS_BAE No worries. Not going to happen until a possible Switch 2 sometime in the future.

There is no SoC available currently to replace the Tegra X1.

The Tegra X2 is an automotive SoC and not designed for gaming hardware. It’s also still too expensive to even consider by Nintendo.

Who knows, maybe AMD comes out with an energy efficient super SoC in the near future for a possible Switch 2.

@Jeronan Very true. I’m thinking at this point if there is an upgrade it will be minuscule. No way in heck are we gonna see a 4K Switch

@Henmii
Here is a quote from the Bloomberg article"
"Nintendo Co. plans to debut an upgraded model of its Switch console next year along with a lineup of new games, people familiar with the matter said, ceding 2020’s holiday spotlight to rival devices from Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp.

The specifications of the new machine have yet to be finalized, though the Kyoto-based company has looked into including more computing power and 4K high-definition graphics, people briefed on the strategy told Bloomberg News, asking not to be identified because it’s private. "

So from what has been rumored, an upgraded Switch is it's way, and it isn't a Switch 2 (much like how the PS4 Pro isn't the PS5 and the DSi isn't the 3DS). Furthermore, 4K support is far from guaranteed and is only being considered at the moment, and the article makes no clear distinction between support for native 4K output vs support for basic 4K upscaling like in the Xbox One S (which is not the Xbox Series X).

Expect the Switch 2 in 2023/2024.

@Agramonte Dude, just stop lying. You've made it very clear that you get your third party titles on one of your seventeen other systems--you haven't made it clear how you get them on launch day and for about two bucks at the same time, but that's for another time--so stop pretending you don't buy Nintendo hardware for Nintendo games. I know that would cut into your ability to spin your pet narrative about what a bad company they are, but you'll feel better.

It's fun reading comments that claim the Switch Pro upgrade will be such a small upgrade that Nintendo shouldn't even bother making it, while also reading comments that claim Switch Pro will be such a gigantic upgrade that it may as well be a Switch 2.
Stupidity comes in all extremes.

Also, while DLSS is an amazing piece of technology, there are currently no mobile processors that support it, partially due to how much board space Tensor cores occupy. Do not expect DLSS support for a Switch Pro, should it release in 2021.

@SwitchForce The thing is, all of the next gen systems have some form of DLSS because native 8k is still a good 5-10 years away in consoles but DLSS can upscale to higher resolutions in real time and the naked eye cannot even tell it is happening.

@westman98 Ya DLSS won't be part of this gen, it is definitely going to be a "Switch Next". Feature.

If they’ve been sitting on games or reducing output this year, in the middle of a pandemic, so that they can have more games to release next year alongside a new console, then Nintendo has officially lost its mind.

@graysoncharles Not necessarily. Nintendo gamers like graphics too, they just have a different starting point.

As for H:I, that's a disgrace. The game didn't have the "next gen" patch yet, and it was openly stated it wouldn't have it at launch. We saw exactly what there was to see, and the internet not only reacted stupidly, but is now on a quest to halt all support of the current gen as a result, and a foolish MS is complying, and backtracking from earlier promises. Not a good look.

Every time I dip into PS5 or XSeX, but especially XSeX conversations I get the impression that the only people following it are the kind of people that buy Bose Lifestyle systems, and are primarily interested in being able to buy a sense of exclusivity as a status symbol at any price (even if it's actually just a plastic replica of actual status symbols.)

But as for Nintendo fans not caring about graphics. Wii fans don't. But "Nintendo" fans do. Just from different starting points. Considering Switch runs circles around all other handhelds short of pricey prototype devices, I'd say Switch fans do care.

@Antraxx777 I think you're the only other person who thought it looked good!

I just got the Switch Lite... Dammit!

I really can't see 4k from a mobile SOC, seeing as most AAA Switch games struggle with anything above 900p, I'd say give it a faster CPU/GPU & maybe 8gb of RAM & we could then possibly have 1080p & steady frame rates docked & portable.

@johnvboy Speak for yourself, my wallet is looking at all 3..... My wallet hurts so badly...

@Shamrock A Switch Pro with boosted specs targeting 1440p with medium to high quality settings combined with NVIDIA DLSS 2.0 Upscaling would deliver 4K. 1440p native with DLSS 2 gives a better quality image than true 4K.

This is how Switch Pro will do it. Though I imagine a 1080p touch screen might be Nintendo' target.

@westman98 That's currently, but I've no doubt NVIDIA have been working and optimising their DLSS technology with an aim to launch on Switch Pro.

@liveswired
Properly optimizing DLSS for a mobile processor may take a few years - the Switch Pro is rumored to launch within the next 6-7 months.

@westman98 I dont think about making a console to play NEW games that older Switch models would not. I think about a desktop console which will have the power giving 4k gaming of the already switch game library. Removing the mobility factor (aka screen) could have a price factor that is near the same price the normal switch costs right now.
but anyway... thats my thoughts...

This will not divide the install base if anyone is worried. That's like saying the PS4 pro and Xbox one x divided that install base. As long as they don't release exclusive titles to the switch pro or whatever, it's fine.
I need to do some research on the topic, but couldn't Nintendo just upgrade the dock, and keep the base switch the same? That would make the TV version more upscaled without sacrificing the battery and weight of the portable version (admittably at a lower resolution). But then again, that would really only appeal to hardcore fans, which is generally not the target audience Nintendo goes for. Hm, I don't know. Pardon me if I sound completely stupid, I don't know what Nintendo would do.

Edit: okay so now I sound stupid. The dock doesn't do much of anything, except connect it to the TV, and now I understand why people think of the switch as a glorified handheld now, even though it's classified as a hybrid console. But anyways, Nintendo could just use the AI upscaling with the Nvidia stuff to upscale to the TV. 4k will not happen on the handheld version I can guarantee that. I would prefer for Nintendo to prioritize frame rate over resolution though, or at least some sort of balance to make at least 30 frames stable and 60 frames in the realm of possibility without the game looking like crap. I'm still flabbergasted as to how the devs managed to get 60 fps on burnout paradise remastered on the switch.

@Clammy 4K is nonsense, but everything else about this is not. I didn't know you just meant 4K.

@Flugen
What's the point of making a super powerful 4K console that removes a huge selling point of the current Switch (portability) if it doesn't offer any other advantages other than the resolution increase?

Switch games will still be developed with the current Switch as the target platform - right now, many Switch titles are developed with a sub-720 resolution in mind.

@westman98 the older switch version would still exist? It’s like the Wii mini that removed the ability to play GCN games or connect online. Or the 3ds that went to a 2ds, removing the 3D effect what even was in the name of product to begin with.

It’s not THAT weird what @Flugen is saying

@BrintaPap
Nintendo already made a Switch variant that removed features - it's called a Switch Lite.

What Nintendo won't do is waste their resources making a docked-only Switch that natively supports 4K output when they and many of their development partners are developing Switch games with a sub-720p/1080p resolution as the target.

Wii Mini, 2DS, and Switch Lite may have removed features, but none of those revisions were more powerful than their base models, let alone 5-10X more powerful (which is what would be needed for a 4K Switch).

Alright im not expecting a direct until the winter

@JimmySpades

Well, that is my point... what is the $399 for? To play Pikimin 3, Faeria, Xcom2 at 4K?

That is like getting an RTX-3080 to play Xenoblade Chronicle X on Dolphin and Banner of the Maid off Steam 🙄

Announce all the big games "new hardware" will attract. Because "more power" is irrelevant for stuff like Carrion and Origami King.

@westman98,

But its the line-up of games that got me suspicious. If its just a upgrade, why holding the games back? It sounds more to me they are holding the games back because its a Switch succesor they will launch instead of a upgraded model.

Here's my question. What exactly is the point of a higher-powered Switch if games produced on the Switch would be required to fit on the original Switch's criteria? It's not like there's a game that's going to be upscaled so much on the TV if the game was made originally for a 720p console, not to mention make the games necessarily look better if they already objectively look good. Keep in mind, it won't change the TEXTURES of a game, just the resolution - You'll still find blocky textures in some ports and not that many details on the terrain.

If that were the case, Switch games would become crazy expensive because Nintendo would have to resort to using 64gb Game Cards, mediums that we don't even have yet because they're too expensive to mass-produce.

Here's one other issue. If Nintendo decides to pull another "New 3DS" situation where some games are locked behind a hardware barrier, then I think it will backfire a lot. No one wants to face the issue of having to upgrade the console in order to access more games.

@Henmii
Nintendo likes to launch their new hardware revisions with major software.

> 3DS XL launched alongside New Super Mario Bros 2
> 2DS launched alongside Pokemon X/Y
> New 3DS + New 3DS XL launched alongside Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and Majora's Mask 3D
> Switch Lite launched alongside Link's Awakening Remake

None of those aforementioned games marked the start of a new generation.

Switch Pro will be a special situation because it will not only launch with 2021 games but also with games that were delayed from 2020 to 2021 due to Covid.

This doesn't make sense on multiple fronts, as Nintendo long ago ceased chasing the tech arms race because they realized back in the Wii era they couldn't compete that way. So putting 4K into a switch makes about as much sense as Xbox XYZ having the ability to read Playstation discs.

I could see them instead focusing on reaching the 1080p60f mark, but not 4K (at least not true "4K").

It won’t be 4K. Considering even the post powerful Xbox and ps (which are both huge) struggle to run games at 4k, a handheld is never going to do it.

IF it exists, and I find that about as likely as Metroid prime trilogy HD arriving this year.. then it won’t be 4k

@westman98 So..what do you think that new version of switch is all about?

@Flugen : to me. Yes, I can see more power to help it run games from other platforms. Better battery life, more storage, improved controllers, etc.

But not 4k

@westman98 you are right that a handheld needs tremendous more power for 4k. But if it were a docked only Switch I could see it happen.

If it was Full HD handheld and 4k docked that still could be happening. Nintendo would say that it support 4K which is not a lie. Wil we see 4K AAA games on it? Maybe only easy to run stuff Mario Kart or 51 clubhouse games. And indie games like Hollow Knight.

Regardless if this rumor is true or not, we all know that Nintendo continuously works on the next gen/revision.

Why do people keep saying 4k support is impossible because the current switch can't handle 900p?

It would be a new chipset you idiots.
Likelihood is that it'll be 1080p handheld, 4k docked.

@Flugen
The easiest, cheapest, and most sensible expectation is that the Switch Pro will use the same Tegra X1 processor as the current Switch/Switch Lite but will be manufactured on a smaller node process, thereby allowing for higher CPU/GPU clock speeds. That should allow for much more stable resolutions + frame rates for many titles. If the CPU clockspeed is increased significantly, that could be mean the difference between a game running at 30 FPS rather than 60 FPS, assuming the game's frame rate is tied to the CPU clock speed.

It's also possible that the Switch Pro may also have some extra RAM (DSi and New 3DS had additional RAM compared to the regular NDS and 3DS), but the memory bandwidth will likely remain the same. Support for basic 4K upscaling is also another possibility.

Don't expect native 4K rendering, HDR, or DLSS anytime soon on Nintendo hardware.

@BrintaPap
My point is that Nintendo isn't going to start updating their games with 4K textures just for docked-only 4K Switch Pro players, which are sure to represent a tiny portion of total Switch players as the Switch + Switch Lite catapult toward 75 million units sold by the end of 2020.

Also, both articles mention an improved screen for the Switch Pro, which confirms that the Switch Pro is still a hybrid.

@NEStalgia,

Which is my point, we are tech heads, like most people on gaming forums are, but in reality we are in the minority as the mass market gaming community are not a bothered with graphics of frame rates.

I'll post again:
It never said 4K portable here what the rumors are saying:
-4K (output to TV)
-1080p Screen (portable use)

But Koolaid drinkers are grabbing and changing the rumors to only the 4K portable just makes them look mud. And for all the naysayers of NintenDoomed Switch progression will not stop because that is their Main Console now no more 2DS, 3DS, Switch. They can concentrate on one Platform and games for that platform. And most likely the Pro or whatever name it has will use the same cart or extra pins but the older carts will work just find like 2DS games will work in the 3D-3DS XL system. This will keep their system relevant for years to come still.

Like I said if you really want True 4K only a Gaming Desktop with SLI/CF setups will output 4K at best and struggle if you push it hard. So not even a Desktop can make heaven 4K happen. So for those touting xbox/psx as 4K keep dreaming that is the property of Gaming Desktop 4K computer turf and your not going to get on their playing field.

@tourjeff It's tech from Nvidia RTX cards.

Deep Learning Super Sampling.

In simplest terms it lets you render games at a lower resolution and then AI scales the image up too look higher rez.

For instance you can render a game at something like 540p but it'll look like it's 1080p. It can improve performance significantly in game on PC, in some cases up to 70%.

Basically it's magic.

@RPGamer,

Again people, jumping to conclusions with no hard facts, let's wait until Nintendo announce something before moaning about restrictions that do not even exist.

@Rayquaza2510 What about 1080p hand-held and 4k docked? We don't even need true 4k, something like 1440p with some nice 4k upscaling like Nvidia's DLSS could do wonder. Kind of like the PS4 pro barely run any game at real 4k.

As a happy owner of 1080p only (but with a 144Hz refresh rate and freesync support) monitor I'm not really interested by a SwitchPro anyway, unless older games run at a significantly better framerate and/or resolution.

I wouldn't mind some Breath of the Wild or Witcher 3 running at native 1080p and 60fps for exemple.

Any hardware updates to the Switch will be a day one purchase for me. This is the best console I’ve ever owned in my life.

My MINIMUM Wishlist (Hands down I'd pay $400):
Screen Resolution: 720-1080p
Screen size: 6.2-6.9in with thinner bezels
Better Chipset/CPU (enough for 60fps 1080p Witcher, BoW, Xenoblade docked)
Battery: 5000 mAh
RAM: 6GB
Memory: 64GB
More is better of course, but I would be content with this!
Also folders please

365 comments!?! One comment for every day of the year, including Leap Year now!

@Zeraki thanks for taking your time to explain it to me.
So, if I understand correctly, using that method wouldn't require the hardware to changed drastically in order to run games that would see impossible to port.
Regardless of what they are planning, it's hard to think how Nintendo would keep the compatibility across the board.

@Zeraki @tourjeff
DLSS requires that Tensor cores be integrated into the SoC. The problem at the moment is that Tensor cores physically occupy a lot of board space and consumes a lot of power, which is why DLSS is currently not supported on any mobile processor.

If the rumor is true and the Switch Pro launches in early 2021, there is absolutely no chance that the Switch Pro will support DLSS.

@tourjeff They would have to figure out how to shrink down the tech that makes it possible though, which definitely wouldn't happen by 2021.

@westman98 Yup, maybe in a few years time though... hopefully.

@Zeraki
I also forgot to mention that the Maxwell architecture isn't designed to support DLSS anyways (which is obvious since Maxwell was created long before DLSS).

Nintendo would need to adopt Nvidia's newest architecture (Ampere or the upcoming Hopper) in order for the Switch to support DLSS. At that point, you may as well just wait for the Switch 2 as there is no point in going through that much effort to create a completely new Switch SoC just for a single revision.

I just want Metroid Prime trilogy, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and Metroid Prime 4.

I hope the "NEW" Nintendo Switch gets better ranger on wifi.

@0nett By your own logic then why make xboxX/psXX then. So your a TROLL in the guise. It's laughable to read your comments.

Let's Re-Educate the uneducated about semantics:
Here's what Rumors say not what you think it says:
4K (output to TV)
1080p Screen (portable use)
Seems like the Koolaid drinkers are hitting the Vodka hard. Where did it says portable was 4k but they seem to grab for straws and cherry pick and makeup what was said. Never did it say portable at 4K that was 1080 portable. But we all know whom they are but they keep spouting their koolaid over and over without reading what it said.

Love how people use I have Switch but talk the other side and say Switch shouldn't improve hardware but keep things as they are. If that was the case then xbox should stay X360 and psx should stay PS1 and not upgrade because they shouldn't do it because someone thinks they shouldn't. That's why those naysayers on here don't work for a Innovative company like Nintendo that takes risk like the Switch when others would put down the Switch. Saying no one would buy something so low power but guess what it clearly exceeded Nintendo potential and the CV19 good or bad seems to play right to Nintendo Hybrid model.

@Jeronan

Actually no, it wont need to render at 4k to have 4k output. If they put in dedicated function for high-quality upscaling/reconstruction, it could render a game like Mariokart 8 at 1440p and still output it at 4K.

Would actually be great with a Pro-systems thats just focuses on better image quality, more stable framerates and quality of life-improvements like more storage and BT-audio. And that it does it without fragmenting the Switch target group, so no exclusive PRO-games. Just regular Switch games with some enhancements.

@TG16_IS_BAE thanks but i didnt even say anything

@Alpha-2002 Agh no, the nightmare continues, I'm restricted 2 touch screen games only now cos of drift...haha...let me load up my Mahjong again...

4K? I'd love a nice, stable 1080p and framerate first...

4K is a pipe dream for switch. Realistic upgrade would be 1080p screen with less bezels, more ram & faster, 64gb internal storage, bigger battery and faster CPU. With the faster CPU and increasing ram this should solid 1080p in docked, but more importantly improved mobile performance, ideally 1080p, but feel 900p undocked would be more realistic

4K? Muhahah! Better screen OLED and 1080p, more ram would be good.

I think Digital Foundry already covered this 4K thing a while ago. Their sources said 4K hardware up scalding while docked. It's not really 4K at source but instead taking 1080p data and up-scalding via this new hardware (not the same process as your 4K TV upscalding) and doing a better job at it. Screen on switch will stay at 720p.

@RPGamer,

I was not aiming the again bit at you, there are a few people on here complaining about restrictions on a rumoured pro Switch console, that is not even confirmed as yet, never mind any potential exclusive games for it.

Just edited the original post, sorry for the incorrect wording.

Am I the only dude who saw a diverse spread of new games and was completely content with that concept alone?

New console iteration seems nice, I’m thinking it will be similar to the boost the 3DS has when they made the New 3DS. Fingers crossed it doesn't have exclusivity though, just better functionality and output.

@0nett nah man you aren’t a troll. You simply made a logical rebuttal. Trolls hate that.
With that I hope Nintendo learns from how the other companies handle mid cycle upgrades. The New 3DS was a bummer for the most part. And I can’t help but feel awful for original 3DS owners who attempted to play Xenoblade

@Cyrax77

I don’t believe the idea that the switch is just on its own. Blue ocean or not, money is still money, and people only have so much of it. I just don’t want the switch to get into a situation where devs just don’t port cause they have to scale things back to the point of why bother.

Nintendo will still do what they do best, but the huge difference from switch and Wii U is that the Switch has support from third parties. That needs to still be present going forward. If the current Switch can keep up, then great, but I kinda doubt it. We barely got Witcher 3 (great port though), so I just don’t see third party developers going from PS5 and investing the time and money to dial things back to get it on Switch unless they know it’s gonna sell really well.

Nintendo switch pro 🤩 yeah baby

@0nett I can’t see them announcing a new console, the OG Switch has momentum and install base. From a business perspective it would be foolish.
If these rumors are true it seems likely we will see the Nintendo equivalent to a PS4 pro in terms of a more powerful console that adheres to limitations of its predecessor.
Side note: before the Switch was ever announced Nintendo patented a modular upgrade dock concept. Although it wouldn’t do much of anything for handheld mode it would be an interesting premise to be able to play games in docked mode at substantially better specs and performance.

For the sake of debate let’s look at Nintendo’s handheld consoles instead of home ones. If we were speaking home consoles I’d agree they nearly never had a mid cycle upgrade.
On the other hand their handheld consoles had multiple. The gameboy -> gameboy lite -> gameboy pocket -> Gameboy color
Gameboy advanced -> GBA SP -> GBA Micro
Nintendo DS -> DS Lite -> DSi -> DSi XL
Nintendo 3DS -> 3DS XL -> new 3DS-> new 3DS XL and the 2DS

With that I can see it happening. Is it necessary? No it’s a luxury improvement if anything but doesn’t jade early adopters. At least if they follow their own trend that’s likely what we will get. 4K In docked likely, improved resolution screen and better loading times. Bluetooth? Possibly a software update system spectrum wide to further embellish the new console. IE, UI and themes

@NintendoPok It’s the fame. You have transcended comments lol

4K? Yeah...
I'll believe it when I see it. For now...
No.

@westman98,

Okay, but if they just are holding those games back so that the new "model" looks better, that's just top-class a-holery to me (not every Nintendo games can be delayed because of Corona)!

@RPGamer,

I do think the games will be enhanced for the more powerful Switch, if it ends up being released in the first place.

@johnvboy Technically I think the tech heads care about the graphics and framerates. "gamers" don't really care about graphics or framerates much. The mass market cares about graphics (not framerates) almost exclusively! It's why Sony spends so much time and money promoting 30fps graphic showcases.....it markets itself without understanding what you're looking at.

Nintendo gamers tend to be a bit savvy about what they're playing regardless of how it looks. "tech heads" don't really care about what they're playing, they just want to showcase performance metrics which is the whole fun of the excercise. And the mass market thinks flappy bird is a perfectly engaging video game and is wowed by a video game that can look like a movie, even if the gameplays is just a walking simulator.

I know, this does sound like a Pipe Dream.
But trust me, when you think about:

• The current state of Nintendo after the August Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase,
• Guessing which games are coming next year (including, but not limited to Bayonetta 3 and BoTW 2),
• Remember a wave of new hardware from other companies is coming,
• Know Switch will begin its fifth year in 2021;

You then realize, this will indeed be Nintendo's biggest hope and trump card if this is true.
That said, the 4K part looks a bit far-fetched to be honest, but Bloomberg also predicted the cheaper Switch (Switch Lite) and the modest upgrade (more battery life Switch) last year.

I believe this will be 'Nintendo Switch 2'. There are several reason why I think that way.

First, Final Fantasy XIV director, Naoki Yoshida, has stated that he wanted his game to be on the Switch and had been talking to Nintendo about it for a while.

Second, the current Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite is sold out. You can probably buy them from third party for double the price but you can't buy them from retail store or amazon anymore. Yes, the pandemic had cause a shortage on Nintendo Switch but what if Nintendo had already stop the production of the old switch for this upcoming 'Nintendo Switch 2'?

Third, it is just like what @kalosn said. This is Nintendo's biggest hope. It needs to take advantage of this pandemic/stay at home ASAP. Once this pandemic goes back to normal, not a lot of people are willing to buy games and play because they simple do not have the time to or prefer going out instead. This is the time for Nintendo to make money.

The Very fact Nintendo will update the hardware makes wantabe haters of Switch come out in full force. If those people want to use logic then the xbox should stay X360 and psx should stay PS1 and never update the hardware and their user would be happy with that. When that is told to them they don't like it. Then I say tough luck Switch moves on and if you don't like it don't use it. Very simple.

@SwitchForce Which Switch haters? The users who always attack anyone who likes the idea of a new and better Switch? The only haters I see are the owners of the Switch.

@NEStalgia Graphics are not just pretty eye candy. If the game is at 30fps, it isn't as good a game. If you can't see clearly it isn't good. So resolution and frame rate are separate from "pretty" graphics. The final problem is if you have not enough power, you don't have the game at all. Again it isn't about pretty or not pretty graphics, it is about being able to play the game or not.

Final Fantasy 7 isn't coming to Switch, it is too slow. It isn't a problem of visuals, you literally can't play it at all. A faster Switch brings more games to the platform. You can wreck the visuals and lower the resolution and frame rate, FF7 still won't come to the Switch, the very engine that drives the game won't work.

@MarsOne final fantasy 7 is already on switch . Yes, i know you meant 7 Remake, but i couldn't resist!

At this point we don't know if that will really make it it x1/XSeX either, we know only Sony exclusivity ends April.

All that being said though, Nintendo has sold a bucket load of switches, and will be selling a bucket load of switches this holiday. They're not going to launch a switch that has a different library mid gen. If it's a boosted switch, it's going to run switch games better... It's not going to run games switch can't run. that's for the next platform, not the mid gen refresh. Not even x1x did that, and that was a tremendous power differential. It just ran things much better. New 3ds had, what 2 games exclusive to it, end otherwise better performance in some other games.

Actual switch 2 is 2-4 years away. Maaaaybe that could run ff7r. Maaaybe the episodic installation will be complete by then and a complete bundle will be available.

Nah, it's squeenix. It'll be a miracle if part 2 is even out on ps5 by then.

@NEStalgia I think it would be smart to take advantage of the desire for a better Switch and get a huge install base before the PS5 and Series X are established. There's a reason consoles often launch in sync.

Imagine a next gen Switch launches with FF7 Remake in April. Heads would explode.

@ElvisFate Maybe Nintendo has been focusing on starting production on the new hardware as "originally planned" as possible, but also according to the same source, they're now preparing 25 million units for the current Switches.
https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-reportedly-increasing-switch-production-target-to-around-25-million-units-this-fiscal-year/
I guess that means they're planning them to co-exist, not entirely surprising since that means they will launch games to the current ones (Smart Delivery anyone?) but they could also release exclusive games for the new system until it becomes its main platform one day, like the New 3DS.

Also, I believe the main reason its going to become their biggest hope its because, the company has lost relevance when talking on a general gaming scale these last months (apart from a certain Getaway Package that I'm really enjoying). And even after "stay-at-home", games like Ring Fit Adventure and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are leaving a big lesson on how important games are, so no need to ignore them anymore. The Switch 2 will be important in the long-term, as it reassures Nintendo will still be commited to pleasing everyone on the grand scheme. I hope that's what they meant when the article said Nintendo was preparing both Casual and Hardcore games.

@MarsOne You're not talking about an enhanced Switch model. You're talking about a whole new generational platform. Nintendo isn't going to split the install base like that 4 years into the life cycle and a year and a half after the Lite. Switch is going to be Switch. There may be a "better" Switch experience in updated hardware to be had, but they're not going to split the software lineup "this model of Switch can play these games, that model of Switch can not..." Nintendo has no prior precedent for that, Sony has no prior precedent for that, even MS has no prior precedent for that outside a handful of games. It's not something that's done in the console space because the idea is self defeating.

Sega tried that. 32x, Sega CD. The result was a death spiral. Other companies learned the pitfalls of that approach. XBox was in a position to try that with X1X but ultimately backed down (foolishly, IMO, based on how their lineup works.)

You're suggesting that Nintendo will take the generation-less approach that Sony and MS kicked around and ultimately decided against - while they're in the middle of tremendous success with everything to lose.

If they were really going to release hardware that would actually split the library, it wouldn't be a Switch Pro we're talking about, but a successor platform and generation change for them. But at their current peak demand, it wouldn't be when they'd be doing that, and they still have a ton more software sales to make on the old platform before considering a new platform. That would just be leaving money on the table at this point. It's not about "competing with PS5", it's about Nintendo extracting all the value they can out of each product the have. Ending the Switch generation now to move to Switch 2 while Switch is selling out faster than production can fulfill orders would be a squandered opportunity, and Nintendo doesn't squander opportunity like that.

Here's more news unless some one posted already::

Change of SoC
Change of Memory
CPU Board is changed due to the above two components.

https://twitter.com/ninsoup/status/1298963248771928064

https://nintendosoup.com/fcc-filing-suggests-new-switch-model-may-be-coming/

I think to NINSoup reporting this isn't a small change anytime you change the board that is a major change when the Chipset changes.

Seems to indicated there was a new model in the production...lineup..

@NEStalgia Agree with your statement about not missing opportunity. They would be foolish. They would continue support the old chipet and newer chipset to keep their market potential opened to them. And having backward compatibility is a must here.

@SwitchForce Again though, talking "backward compatibility" - you're insinuating a generation change - new software lineup. You're thinking of Switch 2.

Switch "Pro" is either "New 3DS" level change, or at most, "PS4 Pro, X1X" type change (I don't mean it will compare in power to those machines, I mean the machine's role in is own ecosystem, only. Just how New 3DS didn't change 3DS, the ecosystem, the library beyond those few titles, it just improved the experience versus playing the same thing on the older model), is what a new model Switch would represent.

More features, physical enhancements, better performance of the same content. It's not PS4->PS5 or X1->XSeX generational change where were' starting a new library from scratch 4 years after the old console launched.

Remember, without COVID this was to launch this holiday, if the rumors have any validity at all. 3.5 years into Switch you don't replace it with a successor and new library. You may sell the "premium" model, but you don't just dump the generation and split your install base on a successful platform.

@RasandeRose The Switch doesn't need to do that. If you have a good 4K TV it already does automatic upscaling of the incoming signal.

It's all just semantics, when people talk 4K gaming they talk 4K resolution. Period!
Dynamic scaling is just all bla bla semantics just for the sake of arguing here on a forum.

The fact still remains that the Switch hardware today can't even push a steady 1080p signal to your TV docked with a lot of games and has to resort to dynamic downscale resolution. Like in the opposite direction lol!

No matter how you slice it, there is just no SoC available today that fits in the housing of the Switch that can't even push 2K resolution with steady framerates, yet alone 4K.

The Tegra X2 is a SoC made for the automotive industry and has mostly power efficiency improvements over the X1 and isn't "that" much more powerful.

AMD has recently released some very powerful yet power efficient Laptop CPU's on the market, but these are still too hot to put in a small housing like the Switch.
Who knows, maybe AMD has an upcoming SoC up on it's sleave that can fit inside a future Switch 2, without melting it to rubble that can seriously push the hardware forward with serious performance improvements.
Maybe even NVidia is coming with a suprise new SoC on the market. Time will tell.

The Switch is hot right now, that will give them a huge boost with a new system, and it is always a good idea to launch around when your competition launches.

Nintendo like many companies isn't just serving their consumers, but also their developers. I'm sure the demand for a better system is insanely high. Squaresoft has made FF7 Remake for example, and they know that they can make more money selling it on Switch than anywhere else, but sadly it won't run. They'll be pressuring Nintendo, promising Nintendo their glorious 30 percent cut of the revenue, "please release a faster Switch, and we'll bring all our games there".

@Jeronan It is not true that there isn't a much faster SoC available. The main problem with the Tegra X1 was the memory bus cut in half. The Tegra X2 alone already more than doubles memory bandwidth through the bus, then you can also use faster ram. The CPU is 6 years old, you can use a 2 year old CPU instead, like what is in the cheapest phones today (like what is in the Pixel 4A). And as for the GPU? The Switch uses Maxwell and does everyone remember that going from the GTX 970 to 1070 was a whopping 70 percent improvement in The Witcher 3? Nintendo would get that just from Switching to Pascal. Even better, just stick 768 Ampere cores and you'd already have a system 4x faster. The Switch launched using the N20 node, nVidia already has the N5 node available for 2021. Logic density is increased more than 10x... they can put as many cores as they want, even 1000, and not use more than the original 20W budget. Just like Apple, Nintendo has 6 years of iPhone improvements available to them already.

@NEStalgia In the response is reference to the 2DS to 3DS with 3D release-where you can play 2DS games on 3DS with no 3D viewing. That's the hardware changes that allowed one to sell their old 2DS unit while keeping their newer 3DS XL units to play both 2DS/3DS games on the same platform. So there is no dumping of current Gen to make one go to the next Gen system. Chipsets do change and if that helps improve game play then so more to them but doesn't mean dumping the current Switch and Libraries. I will switch to the new one where I trade in my current Switch and apply credit towards the new Switch if it has more CPU/GPU/Ram/SSD storage for ability to reload all my games and eShop downloads again. I do have some eShop that I haven't download since I update because 32gb or 400gb sd will not hold if I reload all my physical cart/updates back. But having 128GB to update saved data would help alot.

@MarsOne The Tegra X2 is too expensive. End of Discussion. That is why it's targeted to the automative industry and not gaming consoles.

Otherwise Nintendo would have gone with the X2. They had the option to do so, but it would have nearly doubled the cost of the Switch.

The Tegra X2 is just not good enough of an improvement to put in a future Switch 2 that will come out somewhere 2022/2023 earliest.
Hopefully much better SoC's from either AMD or NVidia will be available by then.

@SwitchForce Absolutely, but the key is New 3DS XL is not a wholly different platform than the original launch 3DS. Every game except for 1 physical game and 2 or 3 digital games that released for "New 3DS XL" ran on a launch day 3DS just fine, maybe a little less impressive looking." Same with PS4 Pro, and X1X.

Which is right in line with what I expect again with Switch. Which is different from what some people are posting that it would basically be Switch 2 launching now, a whole new generational ecosystem that's BC. Like PS5 vs PS4.

If you're thinking "an enhanced Switch" I think we're on the same page. If you're talking about a leap for all new games to run on one and not the other (that many in this thread are talking about) we're on different pages.

@kalosn I'll be damn! Thanks for the link to that article. Now, I need to do more research.

@NEStalgia If you're thinking "an enhanced Switch" I think we're on the same page. If you're talking about a leap for all new games to run on one and not the other (that many in this thread are talking about) we're on different pages.
This is what I am referring to that can 4K docked and 1080p portable but still backward compatible with previous games. This will insure that it remains a mainstay for gaming fans. The 3DS games won't fit a 2DS hardware that is obvious from the cart designs but 2DS game will play on a 3DS unit. There will be some games if they make a update to the slot to handle a high spec cart but still be able to insert previous carts in to play them. This way those wanting to spend the funds to get a beefer system to challenge those pixels then they get the option. And in that sense it could be different playbook.

@SwitchForce Ok yeah, what you're talking about is switch 2. The next PLATFORM. That isn't going to be this. They were never going to move to a new generation and split the install base in 3.5 years.

No switch model, even switch 2 will run real 4k. Even ps4 pro can't run real 4k. X1x can..... At 30fps. No mobile soc has that performance, let alone manages that energy use and heat, let alone sub $1k. If it existed, ps5 would be using it. And you're taking about a mobile device that rivals the tethered consoles for less money...

And 1080p handheld has almost no value of the screen isn't much larger. The ppi is already nearly as dense at 720p as 4k is on a 27". Yes phone sgo higher. but at a very different work load.
I'm all for switch xl with a bigger screen... But im not too hopeful that's something that will exist.

Also, are you confusing 2ds with DS? There's no such thing as a 2ds cartridge. 2ds is a 3ds without the stereoscopic display. It runs the same cartridges as 3ds.

And we're not at any limitation on the cartridges yet.

It's almost definite a new switch sku is pending. Nintendo always refreshes their handhelds around then. And last gen so did sony and ms. But it's not generation launch time for Nintendo's timeline. Switch is still at peak. Any new sku will involve physical upgrades, such as screen, ergonomics, etc, and a modest performance upgrade to run some games smoother and have the ui perform better.

But they're not going to just split the user base and therefore limit sales potential of future games. But they may have better graphics somewhat on the newer model and their marketing will focus on it instead. Like new 3ds.

What you're looking for is 2-4 years away still. And I'm quite certain your expectations for that one are much too high already. Even then, true 4k isn't likely. Matching x1x in a mobile soc isn't happening at their price points in in 2 to 4 to years.

And keep in mind xbox is going to be pushing XSeS hard..... Likely a 1080p tv console. That will be Nintendo's nearest price rival and competing for more of the same demographic than 4k XSeX for the next 6 years.

If a new and improved version of the switch is released in 2021. I just might have to buy one then. I have been holding off all this time. I am very interested in seeing what Nintendo does next with everything.

I do Nintendo will do Nintendo splitting base or not. They will do what works for them and that is bringing out a new unit. Whether or not one likes it or not. My guess is the new unit will play higher power games and still be backward compatible with previous Switch games. There is a market for such and they will respond accordingly here. Nothing wrong with a Standard Switch and 4K Switch living side by side. There are and will be trade off 4K Switch games will only play on 4K Switch. Like you can't play 3DS on a 2DS only model. So there is precedent for this.

@Henmii
Nintendo isn't "holding back" games so that the new model "looks better." They are "holding back" games because those games straight up need more development time, especially if Nintendo wants to upgrade those games to take advantage of the supposed increased horsepower of the Switch Pro.

Switch = pga tour 2k21

Ps4 = madden 21

@NEStalgia Overall agree, but depending on the maturity of DLSS 2.0 (behind the scenes), wouldn't it be possible to stick with the Tegra X1+ (no changes), mash in extra RAM and a node refreshed and/or higher clocked CPU and see instant improvements with some games (at a price where Big N can still a per unit profit)?

My understanding is the games that perform the worst with framerates, either in terms of inconsistency or sub-30, it's because of CPU bottlenecking. That change alone would be a major upgrade. And if the DLSS implementation is mature enough, you could theoretically have cores turbo when docked to run DLSS 2.0 to upscale the game nicely to 1440p (with little/no code changes from devs)?

@shazbot absolutely, that's the kind of "upgrade" id expect in the refresh, coupled, primarily, with a visible, physical, improvement/change of some kind to make it new (xl screen, super stable 3d and a nub on 3ds...... So probably a screen size change, slimmer bezel, a d pad... Something like that this time.)

I think worrying about upscaling on switch is silly though. 1440p doesn't do much for tv players, just monitor players which is me, but I'm rare. And anyone that actually cares already has a tv with a good, fast scaler. Anyone who cares lot has an external video processor. And most everyone else doesn't really care. Native 4k is a different beast since ui elements and such can also render natively at that res. Scaled 2k just means a 4k tv is scaling it a second time, which makes it even worse.

Fwiw, the current switch, depending on the game, Splatoon, w101, cold steel 3 look fantastic on my 4k 27" monitor using the built in scaler only. (Well tcs3 has a blurry ui, bit that's the games fault even at 1080p... They used the 720p ui and scaled it while they gave ps4pro a native 4k ui........ The game itself doesn't look that much better on pro than switch, but the text is another matter.)

So i think 1080 as an actual target is a more important goal for switch than dealing with scaling. Though i somehow doubt this refresh will do a lot to change that either. Which isn't a bad thing in terms of not splitting the player base.

@NEStalgia yeah, personally I'm a handheld-only player (no TV) so my dream refresh scenario is docked performance in handheld. We already know switch is capable, so a UI toggle for performance vs battery life would be enough for me and all hardware versions could benefit from that. (As an aside, why do you have ToCS3 on two platforms? Huge fan?)

Lastly, how much lag does scaling add? My understanding about the mClassic was the reason it worked so well wasn't just the upscaling, but that it did it in 1-2 frames. Can't imagine 2 separate upscalers between the game and my input.

@shazbot Yeah, a "ps4 pro" style setup with a performance and battery toggle would make sense. Though it doesn't seem like Nintendo's style... They like to hide the tech while other companies showcase it.

Lol, i haven't actually bought tocs3 on ps4 yet, but i bought 1 and 2 on ps4 (it's never coming to switch, those were published by Marvelous, not NIS, and they had a falling out with falcom....). But i like keeping series on one platform, so I'm considering double dipping....i wanted to try the demo and compare. It is prettier in 4k on pro but not by much, and it mostly comes down to aa more than anything. But the ui... Falcom (or nis) messed up in the text scaling on switch. Probably due to cartridge limits. It's great on handheld but not docked because it uses the 720, rendered as a scale down of the 1080, ui always. Ys viii had the same issue. They went for max vfx and low resolution docked. I think they really focused on handheld as the only real purpose of switch. These series are all psp/vita series originally, after all.

Depends on the scaler. The one in a display may have fast and slow modes but so so performance. A high end scaler is either cinephile quality and probably slow, or high performance... But at the price and performance point i can't imagine any scenario that switch could do any better than even mid range built in tv scalers.... And if it's only doing 1440, for a 4k tv that's much worse than sticking with 1080 native. Then both scalers have to be used, which is lossy, slow, and scaling from 1080 to 4k is just nearest neighbor pixel doubling where 1440 is odd number interpolation.... So 1080->4k once in the tv is always better than 1080->1440 in the player and 1440->4k in the display or prepro.

Switches bigger problem is the games that aren't even 1080, but 900p, 720p, or even lower with dynamic res. In those cases it's already scaling to 1080p internally which then becomes blurry doubled again to 4k. That's probably where it suffers most on new displays and where they need a refresh: to focus on guaranteed 1080 in first party titles. Mostly just a model that offers splatoon level performance across most, at least, first party games.

Instead of 4K, it would be much nicer to have a stronger Switch that would just improve framerates all around for the same games.

That way the playerbase would not be divided at all.

Like when one upgrades a gaming PC's graphics card.
Same games, but smoother gameplay. And maybe enable antialiasing for the ones that already could run at 60fps on the regular Switch.

@shazbot You can hack your Switch to enable things like overclocking and force it to use docked settings in handheld mode. As long as you don't cheat, or download games from places other than the eShop, you won't get banned. You can even use specific clock settings for when the system is charging in handheld mode. It's a real game changer.

@nintendoknife !!! Is it a software, or hardware hack? Might need to do this either when pro comes out, or when I get a Gen 2.

My entire library is digital...and across 3 microSDs so I don't want to risk either until I'm sure I have a backup.

@shazbot Depends on the hardware revision. The first Switch models sold up until August of 2018 or so (and any sold afterwards that belonged to the same batch) are all hackable with an unpatchable software exploit, the later revisions (including the newer models like the Switch Lite and the regular Switch with a better battery) can (currently) only be hacked with a modchip (but I wouldn't go for what's currently available, because the team who created the modchip exclusively develops their products for playing illegitimately obtained game copies). You can check if your Switch can be softmodded via this website: https://ismyswitchpatched.com/

Hacking also lets you use basically any controller you want without extra adapters, access much more detailed play statistics, use the built-in web browser, use themes, install game mods, etc.

If your Switch is softmoddable, the hacking process itself is also ridiculously easy - in fact, all you need to do is put some files on your SD card. After that it's all just a matter of configuring the homebrews you need.

@westman98,

If the games are already ready, then its delaying. Remember that they where delaying Twilight princess to ad cool features? Well, the game was ready. They just delayed it because they also wanted to make a Wii version with shoehorned motion-controls. I hate that.

To me it all sounds a bit like Nintendo finally realised that their current Switch can't compete, graphics-wise with Serious X and Ps5. So after just 3 years a new Switch? Wich might still be undercooked with drifting analogue sticks? No thanks!

@Henmii
Games are not released the moment they are content or story complete. Improvements to rendering/visual fidelity, debugging, and QA need to be done. This is also when upgrades are added in to take advantage of the better hardware revisions (in this case, Switch Pro).

Also, Nintendo sold the 240p 3DS for 9+ years and have only just recently begin to discontinue the platform. They don't care about how "behind" they are in the graphics department - 22 million people didn't buy Animal Crossing in 4 months because they thought it looked as good as The Last of Us 2 or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.

And I take it you must be young, because Nintendo has done upgraded hardware revisions before with the New 3DS and DSi (and GBC). The release of a Switch Pro in early 2021 follows the already existing pattern of Nintendo releasing a more powerful hardware upgrades ~4 years after the launch of the original hardware.

"And I take it you must be young"

Thanks for the compliment, but I am actually one of the older guys on this site.

@Jeronan

Completely wrong. Expect DLSS upscaling of 1080p to 4k to be a next gen feature on the next Switch. There are many ways to get to a better than 1080p image through upscaling to 4k.

@MarsOne Modern high end TV's have been offering upscaling for over a decade.

That's not the kind of upscaling we are talking about. We are talking about DLSS or temporal reconstruction.

@MarsOne Modern 4K TV's also do it in some other form, otherwise non-HD content would be completely unwatchable on a large 4K TV.

Believe it or not, there are still TV channels that aren't even broadcasting in 1080p yet and still stuck at 480p/720p. /shrug

So modern high end TV's have quite powerful processing units to do upscaling of non-HD content so it become watchable on a large TV, without turning it in a horrible blurry mess.
Also, high-end Bluray players also offer upscaling of old(er) DVD's in case you have a low(er) end large TV. So they upscale the 480p DVD content to 1080p before sending the signal to the TV.
My old Panasonic Bluray player did this upscaling extremely well to our previous large Plasma TV, but it was not a el cheapo bluray player.

It's all far from perfect sure..... just saying it's not some new technology, just that NVidia just tries their own take on it now.

It is new technology and it is upscaling that is only done on the source device. TVs use "nearest neighbor" or some other kind of math on one image at a time. The PS4 uses temporal reconstruction, the previous frame helps to construct the next frame (TAA) and it can be combined with other methods such as checkerboard rendering. nVidia's DLSS was garbage when it came out (DLSS 1.0) but it exists for a reason, and that is that TAA makes the image soft. DLSS also uses the previous frame, but it applies the neural network learning to use shortcuts between what the rendered image looks like and what it would look like if it was rendered at 16k to make a composite image that looks in between those two.

You have to train the neural network on 16k output of the original game, which is why it has to be enabled on a game by game basis. It could be possible for Nintendo to set up servers that train every major title they put out on the console (render it at 16k and improve upscaling between source 1080p and upscaled 4k to look more like the 16k version).

There are some disadvantages of DLSS, but the main advantage is you get the benefits of TAA (anti-aliased edges) without the soft blurry look.

DLSS doesn't help in games without TAA, if you want raw fast edgy pixels like I do and don't like TAA, DLSS can't be applied. It is for improving TAA images.