Nintendo Employee Tells Fans To Stick With The Current Switch, If They're Not "Digging" The OLED Screen

Ah JC. I remember him from the Treehouse podcast. He was one of the first people that said that Peach and Daisy would play identically to each other in Smash Bros. Ultimate.

JC Rodrigo's comments were attributed to an overly tight necktie.

Yep thats what i'm going to do, Just seems like its another option and not meant to be a real upgrade. they told you we weren't getting the switch pro this year.

Reminds me of when an Xbox employee told people to stick with the 360 if they weren't digging the Original Xbox One. Except that was way worse.

I honestly just want the dock, the screen means nothing to me.

Yes. We know this. This site listed the specs. Lol

While I would love a Switch Pro, the fact that this one had a better screen is what I want as I'm traveling a lot and this could help me killed time in-between my work.

So… what is the purpose then? Upgrade for handheld, dock (sold separately) upgrade coming soon?

Partial /s

@g_ruz no matter when it was announced its obvious its the pro model. Lol

I will stick with my current switch until Nintendo announces the more powerful switch later

@Ghost_of_Hasashi dock mode would be 4k. No one ever said the Pro would not also be a handheld.

@Pirate1 just a cash grab unless if Nintendo wants to make a game exclusive to the Oled model

I might get it but not at launch though

Kinda appreciate the honesty to be honest. It must be a bit frustrating that they’re having to deal with the disappointment of fans over something that there was literally no evidence of existing.

Why do we need an "official" statement from Nintendo about whether or not it's worth it for existing owners? There's a complete data sheet listing the specs and differences between them. Have a look and make your own decision.

His straightforward answer is nice.. In typical Internet gamer fashion though, people are getting far too upset over this.

I think I will. Cause the current one on my side has been worked 4 years... The fan is working badly... But if my console is working well, I think I'll not like to buy Upgrades like this... Meanwhile, I whish Nintendo can get a better network connect module to fix the connection issue!

Looks like Nintendo is refreshing the Switch every two years. Originally released in 2017, we got the V2 and Lite in 2019, OLED this year. I think there will be a more powerful Switch by 2023.

@Shadowthrone
I don’t think it’s an “official” statement nor did anyone say anything about needing it.
Anywho, the new screen would be nice but I’m happy with my Switch as is. If there were more features like faster, more powerful chip, Bluetooth, and/or better battery life, I’d definitely bite. But just a screen I know I won’t notice much difference in (particularly when playing colorful games)…it’s a pass for now.

At least he's honest and not trying to shill something most people don't want or need. My parents just got a Switch, and they're glad they didn't wait after hearing this news as they will mostly use it docked.

That being said, if I didn't already have a Switch I'd pay the extra $50 to get this one.

"OMG! The completely unsourced rumors that I treated as fact weren't true and I must lash out at Nintendo for failing to deliver on something that wasn't promised! Feel my anger!"

As a V1 owner from way back 2017, I think this would be a good upgrade. I like the look of the dock and I do want those joycons. Though I will only buy if I have extra budget and stock is available, since my current Switch is still working perfectly fine. Not gonna wait for a Switch Pro that may not exist. But if it comes and I haven't upgraded yet then why not.

I will get one only if my current switch break, instead I will buy a Xbox series s for less money and get ultimate game pass, Nintendo doesn’t deserve my money for this minor update.

Will likely be missing this one as I run in docked mode mostly. Still rocking the first gen switch with sucky battery life

I don't know why people wanted another powerful model. Just wait for the next console generation.

Do you want another situation where there are exclusive model games like New 3DS so you can get spat on the face for buying early and wasting money on another slightly better model to play slightly better model-exclusive games?

Do you guys like to suffer? That is neither good for Nintendo because they would be dividing their own market, and it wouldnt be good for the fans.... handing out more money because games wouldn't work in your outdated model.... and the "new" games wouldn't use the maximum potential of the new model just so they don't alienate the market.

The Switch still has quite a lot of years left.

Okay, I'll follow his directions.

That’s exactly what I intend to do. Further I don’t think this thing will sell well. I don’t really get the sub-market it’s for: the hardcore fans aren’t digging it because lack of processing power and enhanced performance that would bring to old and new games-and I can’t see families buying it either when many will probably be budget conscious going into the Holidays this year because we’re still coming out of a recession-and this new model is basically $50 for a new OLED screen not even functionally different from the base model in docked mode for family multiplayer games.

The Switch Pro(castinate)

The only reason I would buy this is if something happened to my current switch, like it getting stolen. But what are the chances of anyone stealing it from my car, where I left it. In the middle of the mall parking lot. With both doors wide open. Visible. On the passenger seat. Overnight? Next to none. Since no one is stealing it…. (Checks) I’ll just not buy this!

I have read so many articles today and I have seen so many opinions that I pause for a minute to realize that I just buy Nintendo machines to play Nintendo games
( in other words, it has never been about hardware never was and I think it never will be)

Probably will wait until launch to see. If the OLED screen is absolutely stunning despite decreased pixel density, it might sway me, but honestly thinking about just getting a Lite instead..

As always, I apply my phrase: "I always expect something but at the same time, I do not expect anything"

Nintendo had already said on many occasions that Switch Pro not at the moment, but "obstinate" people believing all kinds of ""news"" and not waiting for an official announcement.
Now that there was an official announcement, it is not the console they expected, but, remember, the same Nintendo said that is not "Pro", why the hell the complaint?, oh wait!!!,

I forget, it is the internet, ok, continue with your complaints, whine and etc, etc, etc ...

Nope. Not what it's for.

No buy from me. They’re treating it like a DS and/or 3DS but without the slight modifications to justify a purchase for older Switch owners. OLED is nice (Vita guy here) but I was expecting more from Nintendo a little bit. Looks nice though…

Posted this elsewhere but yeah definite purchase for me as my OG died on me. I love the lite form and wish they’d just allow That to be docked and have an oled screen but you can’t always get your own way - so yeah A I’ll be happy to have this and Metroid, Zelda 2 and my back catalogue.

I'm not upgrading Jack until they actually make a new version with more horsepower. Keep your bigger screen, Nintendo, and come back when you listen to the fans for once.

@recent_mantis my v1 switch broke so I’ve been “borrowing” my kid’s lite - it’s a joy to play! If only the thing docked !! I don’t play many docked games but Zelda will be one I’d like on a big screen … so yeah… I don’t think you can go too far wrong either way depending on how you like to play .

Hopefully Nintendo doesn't fire him for that, lol.

I mean my brother has a slightly bent switch from an accident, it still works and but he also plays 40% handheld so the upgrade makes sense for him. I play almost exclusively docked, have an ethernet adapter, and a 4k upscaler. This upgrade isn't for me. And I think we needed a pro and not another variant. Though with this market, I think there would be PS5 and Xbox series x levels of frustration when it comes to the limited availability of a pro version. This is a way to jog switch sales to a select part of the market who needs an upgrade because damage or are frequent handheld players. The decision does have some sense to it, and yes with the market starving for computer chips and graphics cards It does seem like a safe option for nintendo. Though it will probably sell well thanks to scalpers and nintendo will think it was the best upgrade because of sales, when really I do think most fans want a pro. But this is a safer less frustrating way to expand overall which is why I think they went with it. Maybe next year they'll commit to a pro version. Given how well the switch has sold I think it will have a long console life especially if a pro is introduced to help keep the switch up with games coming out.

Someone's got a case of the Tuesdays.

Erm ... Fans waiting for a pro is like THAT GUY still looking for his red stapler

Pre-order canceled

@NintendoByNature are there pre-orders available yet?

I know Nintendo makes a lot of money but I wish they got some new heads up there running things because the way they operate hasn't changed since forever. They always let me down in some form. It's pretty much how they pictured the Switch to be in the first place. Interesting who's idea was it to only improve the handheld aspect of this hybrid console. I guess TV users get a cool new dock to compensate right? Kind of only positive thing about this is that I don't want to buy it and I can instead get a PS5 next year.

@thaimbomb I’m sure they used a ton of research to decide.

It doesn’t help TV gamers much but I’d bet on it selling well. I play docked and handheld, definitely tempted but only if I find 350 down the back of the sofa.

@nessisonett because the real fans know the disappointment Nintendo brings every console generation. They refuse to give fans what they are passionate about and half-ass their consoles/some games knowing fans are still gonna pay up.

Pretty honest response.

@Rika_Yoshitake,

For clicks as usual, there will be multiple articles to provoke outrage from the minorities, badly disguised as news.

@thaimbomb,

When you say fans who are you actually talking about?, you or a wider group of people, please give me some examples of the massive outrage caused by any of this.

As of this moment the official Nintendo reveal trailer has 3.3 million views with a 162k like to 18k dislike ratio.

Or is it those other lying YouTuber's videos which are begging for subscribers, and watched by 1.5 to 3k people.

@Franklin I AM NIN-TEN-DO.

This is such an odd announcement it’s great if you don’t own a switch or have a broken one and are looking for a replacement but it’s not that far from the price of a ps5 or Xbox whatever this is why Nintendo have held back on giving us any info it seems as tho what the fans ask for Nintendo gives us the opposite

@noobish_hat Those people fooled themselves into expecting a 4K 60FPS portable dream machine, likely for the same price of this OLED model.

Almost certainly the same people who thought the Switch was too weak and too expensive to sell at the start of the gen. Except it wasn't then and it isn't now, this new model is just a new option for a system that still isn't on the decline.

@KIRO thanks for the input! Yeah, reading some testimonials from other members here as well definitely has me thinking about it more! Now, as long as they don't drop a new switch lite with an OLED next year...

Heh. It’s Nintendo, we’re nintendo fans they will drop SOMETHING next year to take our money

A oled at 720p is kinda waste of nice tech imo. This should have been released at start, not near the end of its life

$539 for it here in Australia, what a bargain😳

So yes, it is a new screen (not much bigger) more internal memory and a LAN port in the base.

MASSIVE MONEY GRAB

Obvious choice for first time switch buyers. Frivolous extravagance for anyone else

Game pass cloud gaming on an OLED screen would be pretty cool though. If they can work something out with MS on top of the rumoured improved Online system that’s incoming, this seems are more interesting proposition until the actual Switch Pro/ Super Switch/Next Switch/Switch Returns etc etc…..

Asking new SoC for 4K (native or upscale/DLSS) is definitely too much and impossible since this is Nintendo.
But is asking a stable 720p@30fps (native or upscale) for every game undocked to justify the screen "improvement" and price increase too much?
Or is asking 1Gbps LAN too much (TBD, but guess it will be 100Mbps)
Yet Nintendo still...

I would predict the heavily rumoured ‘Pro’ model will launch alongside Zelda next year. This is just a stop gap. New hardware launched alongside software to make use of it is a bigger deal

There’s an awful lot of comments being removed recently, for various reasons.

I find this article unfair to both Nintendo and the employee. As his Twitter account's description specifies, he's voicing a personal opinion, not speaking for the company. Plus it's not new information, so why single him out?

What bugs me is that companies like apple are offering each year cpu/gpu upgrades with usually same price as last year models and older models are sold at a reduced price. Nintendo is just offering a screen upgrade after like 4-5 years and no reduction in price for original model yet.

Hes talking absolute sense the screens the big difference. Like if you are mainly doing handheld mode seems like the perfect choice of 3 models if you don't have a switch.
If you have one already it's a question of how much do you want the better screen over what you have.
It's just a slightly improved revision model, like 3ds and 3ds xl it's not the 4k replacement machine media was convinced was coming soon.

@T0mizawa Getting 1Gbps LAN in a console is laughable.

Mostly because most of the planet doesn't even have internet connection speeds that can reach that yet.

I lost count of how many 3DS console variants we had. 74? Sounds about right. There's no constructive point to complaining about this release of a Switch variant. It's not what most of us wanted, but for newcomers or folks that play in handheld most of the time, go for it. Because the innards are the same, I don't need it, but you might love it. Now you're spending with power!

@Linux7055 Is that a good idea tho? Timing wise, let's be honest, next gen has rolled out for nearly a year now? And I agree, Nintendo has a different demographic yet they've also been getting a lot of third party support, which now they also have to maintain pretty much or the console will again get ignored by third parties. Oled should have been in Switch lite, the console that already was handheld only where they could have rolled out this seperate dock as well. There are third party cross play games where Switch runs 20 to 30 fps and have to compete against 120 fps. The game where cross play was recently added, the Switch community is marginalised bc of it, the Xbox/PS users look down and bully Switch users. Imagine playing a competitive game and you get kicked out of the groups bc you play on Switch. Switch oled is a slap in the face for a lot of Switch users bc it's a cash grab and if we have to wait another 2 years for a new console then Nintendo is again gonna wind up ignored by third parties or get simple ports.

@Haruki_NLI Then its 802.11ac Wi-Fi is laughable too, since 802.11ac could do much faster than 100Mbps.
People use 1Gbps instead of 100Mbps because there are internet connection speeds >100Mbps but <1Gbps like 250Mbps etc.
And 1Gbps is dirt cheap nowadays, lots of PC motherboard start using 2.5Gbps, or even 10Gbps on higher end models.

@T0mizawa My highest possible speed in my area, and most of my country, is far slower than that. Its not dialup, just around 80mbps. Gigabit is rolling out but not for years.

Must thank Nintendo for discouraging a new purchase. Any dollar saved during these times is welcome.

So, no need to buy a new 4K TV or new console. I'm happy with my current Switch and 1080p TV; also have a USB Ethernet adapter plugged into my dock. I do often play handheld though...

I can't wait to see the Switch OLED Lite. People will go crazy again believing stupid rumours about a stupidly named "pro" model just to be disappointed.

Ah, we've got another Xbox 2013 situation ala Don Mattrick

"We've got a machine for those without internet, it's called an Xbox 360"

Cheers for saving me some monies

@Haruki_NLI Yeah, but we will get there eventually.
And with things like Starlink and 5G etc., who knows what the world's gonna be in a few years.
Personally I hate paying premium for 1st gen bleeding edge so-called "future proof" tech like Apple's ECG or eSIM before is becoming more widespread.
But 1Gbps port is nothing new and inexpensive, so why not?

@m0i Also, my bad for the rant, this announcement just got to me a bit lol.

Like a lot of people if my old style switch ever goes belly up I'll be grabbing this one as a replacement. I don't know when that'll be. Sometimes the fan seems overly aggressive for seemingly no reason but it's yet to have to emergency shut down from overheat so who knows?

Comes out same day as Dread, fingers crossed for a Metroid edition, direct announcement in August.

@Ichiban yeh noticed that. And with all the sales lately putting the other switch model between $399 - $419 aus depending where you buy.. $539 is very pricey. Edit... I got my series s xbox for $499 aus.. so it's seems unbalanced

@Rhaoulos actually would buy an oled switch lite... for the comfort and cheapness. Sadly they didn't go with it

@locky-mavo the white one is already Dread E.M.M.I. edition tbh, and change the white joy-con to neon red/blue for Dread Samus edition XD
(Wish they announce a real limited edition)

i mainly play docked only when we go away with kids do we use it undocked. If i had to get a new one would slash out for oled but not going upgrade it

It's obvious Nintendo is fishing among new adopters and maybe some folks who want "multiple units per household" or just a replacement for their own lost/battered one (an upgrade is more about deliberately replacing something that still works). All the added fluff can amount to just enough motivation for a new Switch instead of a used one in all these situations; launch proximity and an arguably posh colour scheme can make it all the more appealing as a holiday present, too.

If I were only first buying a Switch in 2021, I might go for this one. But I replaced mine last year as it is, with a 2019 revision at that, and there's nothing this model offers to tempt me above that.

"a comment from the manager of product marketing (and Treehouse rep) at Nintendo of America"

You mean, EX manager of product marketing and EX Treehouse rep. RIP

Since I can sell my current Switch back to the shop for around 200€, I'm considering the OLED if the pixels don't look worse due to the bigger screen

@AlexLittle5 why not just replace the fan?

Would Labo get updated with a scaled down mode for the OLED model?

Thought I would just add an observation - if an OLED has lower heat output could the Switch OLED clock speeds be increased.

This OLED version will no doubt get Nintendo lots of new customers which is all they want. Profits come from software sales, not hardware.

What this model won't do is prevent lots of long time switch owners from buying a PS5 or Xbox. If they had wanted loyal customers to continue spending all their gaming money with them, they needed to at least bridge the power gap slightly.

Thing is, Nintendo hasn't ever given any indication they were making a "Switch Pro", all fabricated by the Internet. They've released a new model with a larger screen, storage and better speakers and everyone is raging.

It's been fun to watch, but Nintendo representatives have said it's no more powerful, time to move on.

Can't forget LAN port 😉

@Petew yeah, companies lose money on newest hi tech gaming hardware.
But $350 for 4 year old tech that wasn’t state of the art back then. Nintendo is making a nice profit on these.
You put Nintendo in your will and they get to inherit $20, they will put a pillow over your face while you sleep(just like many companies).

@Linux7055
I highly doubt Nintendo would want to try and release a more powerful Switch near the end of its lifespan. That would only give it roughly 1-2 years before the next console releases. I'd much rather have the Switch 2 than the Switch Pro.

@Jimez
Not even remotely the same. Xbox was selling a new console generation with online DRM. People who wanted a new console didn't want to get screwed with forced internet.

This is a routine optional console revision, and as per usual, the mob comes out with pitchforks and outrage. What more can be said than "don't like it, don't buy it"? You want him to start cursing and telling the guy "no! You WILL buy it!"? You're complaining he's saying not to buy an optional revision if you're not interested?

So basically Nintendo of America is less enthusiastic than Nintendo Life about upgrading 😂.

I already have LAN Adapter on Switch which costed only 15 bucks.

@Shadowthrone their official statement is in the trailer. Bigger and better screen. Anyone thinking it's any different is conning themselves. Step 1. Internet hypes switch hd being more powerful. Step 2 Nintendo releases better screen not more powerful. Step 3 Nintendo a gasp says we never told you it was more powerful, just has a better screen.

Sounds like someone is sick of entitled internet crybabies who thought all those "leaks" and "anonymous sources" were real. lol

@Jimez To be fair with the global chip shortages they probably want unique/new customers more than upgraders.

Otherwise they might end up suppressing software sales as current owners snap up the new model.

@hayesdude Yes, that is one beautiful dock.

@Petew Nintendo, or any console manufacturer for that matter, hasn’t played for “all the gamer money” for generations. The only people who care if Switch owners get PS5s or Xboxses are fanboys.

Why would Nintendo ever release a video detailing this new model releasing soon without telling anyone it actually runs better? People need more common sense.

Does the New OLED model have better build quality?

My og switch is looking bad. Bulging battery, cracked exhaust vent, lower right hand corner of the screen protrudes out from the frame because of the bulging battery...

I'm considering this as a replacement.

I'm so glad the Pro never came. I don't have to upgrade and seeing everyone salty is giving me too much joy. Welcome to the real world!

My daily commute involves crossing the border. 30 minutes on a good day, 2+ hours on a bad day. The extra battery life in V2 was a welcome upgrade. This larger and potentially brighter screen is a welcome upgrade as well. It all depends how you use your switch.

@KnightsTemplar It would indeed make a lot more sense to release a switch lite with better battery and screen, and it will probably be released within a year. But rumours, being what they are, will set people for disappointment

It’s great that Nintendo is being honest and transparent. They’re my favorite company and I’m currently pursuing my goal to work for them.

@hayesdude i want those joy-cons!

@RoboEyeglass101 Cause there are other small problems such as joy-con disconnection while using handle mode... I am afraid it will stop working suddenly. So it's better for me to purchase this new one.

It sure looks pretty though.

Sell just the screen, no dock, no straps and no joycons. Don't even need to include a power cable like the New 3DS XL. They will move even crazier amounts of units then.

Switch Pro "leakers" getting told hard.

@Kilamanjaro Agreed.

Well, since I skipped the battery upgrade and play mostly handheld, I think better audio, better screen, and better battery IS a better experience, better output, better performance, and therefore makes it "run games better". I just don't need a new dock or controllers or any of that pricey stuff. I do like the black and white though.

Why are people so much about that "4K" that they forget all that? If that was the only upgrade it seems like they'd be happy, or it had an upgrade that would enable games that don't run on the current model, it seems like they'd complain even more... Honestly people... Choices were made, now you make a choice. Simple.

Stating the obvious really!?

@YoungLink64 No, wanting a decent piece of hardware for the price is fine. The Switch is easily your best bang for your buck. Find me a comparable device in the same price range with the same features and a relatively comparably software library that doesn't rely on piracy. I'll save you the time and let you know that no such device currently exists on the market.

The entitled crybabies I'm talking about are all the people who are just losing their minds that all those nonsense rumors that they had just accepted as fact because Bloomberg and Eurogamer reported them. A 4K Switch with no divided game library, improved CPU and graphics and all the other random upgrades those rumors were talking would be a huge price jump. There's no universe where any company in 2021 could release a device like that in the 300-400 dollar range and not just be burning money. Especially when you factor in the global chip shortage, pandemic messed up supply lines and shipping issues and more.

@Linux7055 it will be Switch 2 in 2023.

I think Nintendo have decided the Switch 2 will only be a minor jump again, maybe a jump similar from 3DS to New3DS where everything was simply doubled.

So faster framerates in more demanding games, and Nvidia DLSS to fit the bill for upscaling 720 to 4K.

Still Nintendo aren't providing much hope anymore. The Switch is nothing more than a Wii U in handheld form, one could say oh some Wii U ports run at 1080p, but that's only due to Nintendo refining their 3D engines on a standardised platform, Wii U was exotic hardware and I think it was never fully harnessed whereas the Switch is being pushed to the limit, and in the end Nintendo where purposely hard limiting their Wii U titles to 720p as they new the Switch HAD to look better.

@Heavyarms55 Seriously bro, divided library? PS4 and Xbox didn't have a divided library when the Xbox One X and Pro came out so that's not even a thing. Developers where making games with high fidelity anyway and simply had to scale down to suit the platform. No reason Nintendo couldn't do that, but then this is Nintendo so they probably couldn't.

I imagine the OLED in Switch is likely much older OLED tech that never sold and Nintendo got it dirt cheap. The Switch must cost all of about €5 to manufacfure now, and Nintendo are milking it. The whole inards of the Switch and Joycons are fisherprice level of quality.

Yeah, I'll get one. My OG Switch loses battery power even in sleep mode. Used to hold power better. So, that's my reason🤷🏾‍♂️

Seeing a lot of nonconstructive posts here N-Life - want me to write a list up for you so you can delete them?

I think unless your a new switch owner or about to be you shouldn't consider it, its too minor of a upgrade to justify spending 350$ on another switch... just wait until an actual switch pro comes out because there's a good chance they didn't release a "pro" version because of the chip shortage

@fafonio Totally agree, we don’t need this update if we own one already, and we don’t need a mid gen “Pro” model either. I don’t agree about the many years left though. I say 2 more years. Sometime between March and November 2023 we’ll see the Switch 2... or at least an announcement by by late 2023 with another March release in 2024. You could argue the Switch will still get a few releases after that though, thanks to its huge install base... so you could be right from that perspective.

@DehCad There won’t be a pro. If they make super powerful Switch and try to market it as a Switch Pro it will just be filling in as their next gen console at that point... at least I hope Nintendo doesn’t just do a modest spec bump 2 years from now and then expect it to last 5-6 years after that... before then FINALLY getting to the Switch 2 in like 2028... yikes. (Not totally out of the realm of possibility.... they basically milked all the potential of the GameCube hardware from 2001 to 2012... and look at the Game Boy. Essentially the same hardware from 1989 to 2001.)

@liveswired Game Boy and Game Boy color, DSi exclusives, New 3DS Exclusives.

I don't like it, and I know it doesn't have to be that way. Tell that to Nintendo.

@AlexLittle5 Good point.

@Snatcher these days, people hear what they want. Truth is subjective, they think. Nintendo left wiggle room the year they released switch lite. They were unequivocal saying no switch pro release this year.

@Shambo "running" a game has always meant CPU/GPU, processing & graphical power. The audio, screen size etc are supplementary & not associated with what everyone who works in the tech fields refer to running a game. Those aspects have nothing to do with whether a game can be run or not. That's the answer he gave, not what random people may wrongly interpret it to mean.