It's always fascinating to get a look at the early development stages of hardware and software. Having recently seen a prototype Game Boy Advance and early build cartridges for F-Zero X and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a Switch development unit has now surfaced from Hong Kong.
This announcement comes from Forest Of Illusion, who you may recall released previously unseen E3 2006 footage last week. Having obtained this development unit through Akfamilyhome, it has revealed that it dates back to April 2016, almost a year before Switch's retail launch. As such, it's the earliest model we've seen yet.
There's not much we can tell from these photos – though the Switch's codename "NX" is clearly visible on screen – but the unit does feature some cosmetic differences, including changed volume buttons and different screws. Forest Of Illusion also notes its referred to as DPRD, though any meaning behind that is unclear.
As the Switch is an active console, Forest Of Illusion confirms they can't release the factory test files online, sending this development unit elsewhere for safekeeping. Whether we'll get further discoveries here is unknown, but it's an interesting find regardless.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 13
Ooh, cool! Can’t wait for all to be seen in 4 or 5 years.
How long until they mod it to play bootlegs, we all know how this song goes.
The forbidden Switch.
Wouldn't it be funny if this was the only Switch in the world with Netflix
Almost a year older.
Is there an echo in here?
I love stuff like this.
Shouldn't it say almost a year older? Younger would suggest it came after the retail release.
@HotGoomba while funny, I will never understand why people want Netflix on Switch so much while there are already a ton of methods to watch Netflix.
I know there will be some people that would explain why, but it never made any sense to me anyhow.
@Rayquaza2510
The simplest explanation is they might not have any other devices that can play Netflix, or that they want additional devices in the same household for separate viewing. It'd be good for the kids who usually have fewer devices, and would have to choose between a Switch OR a tablet.
I mean, the Switch actually has a larger screen than mobile phones, so it has that going for it. Plus it's a touch screen with the option for hardware button controls.
@RupeeClock I would rather give a kid a cheap tablet (that has a bigger screen too) than a expensive gaming device like the Switch to watch on it.
Unless docked, because then the kid would not have the Switch in hands so that would be fine (have seen too many kids not being careful with such stuff)
That's my logic.
@Rayquaza2510
Eh, you're not considering the child's age and their priorities.
If they're very young? A tablet maybe.
If they're double digits, they might prefer device that's primarily for gaming but has the option to watch videos. I mean, it has YouTube after all.
Like I mentioned before they have Development units and to say they didn't entertain a 4K model is just being a idiot. Of course they would do this type of planning. Anyone in R&D will always have a development model in the works to push the limits.
Are the diamond and pearl remakes on it?
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