Update (Tue 3rd Aug, 2021): First hands-on impressions of the Switch OLED model have now cropped up in various UK publications, following on from US outlets' first looks last month. We've added a selection of hot new takes to our round up below.
Nintendo surprised everyone when it announced a brand new system — the main selling point being the new 7" OLED screen. While it's been confirmed there are no upgrades to the CPU or RAM, what it does include is a wider kickstand, enhanced audio, a stylish new dock and a wired LAN port.
A number of outlets have now gone "hands-on" with the system, so we've rounded up some of the highlights from each of these early impressions.
IGN loved the screen and likened the vibrancy to when the Game Boy Advance got updated, GameSpot said the new OLED screen won't necessarily blow you away if you've already got a "solid" television and The Verge noted the handheld mode now feels like less of a compromise. European outlets such as VGC, Metro UK, My Nintendo News and Games Radar found the new screen an impressive upgrade which reinvigorated older titles in side-by-side comparisons, and also mentioned how the screen performs under strong light sources and at different viewing angles.
IGN - Tom Marks, Deputy Reviews Editor
The strength of the new display (unsurprisingly) becomes even more obvious when turned on, immediately shining bright and clear from pretty much any viewing angle I tried. Honestly, it’s not an exaggeration to liken its vibrance to when the Game Boy Advance SP got an updated model with a far brighter screen, making the original Switch look noticeably dimmer if compared directly. Its colors are richer too, and I’m not kidding when I say Breath of the Wild’s grassy fields looked almost cartoonishly green viewed side-by-side.
The next most exciting feature of the OLED Model (somewhat surprisingly) is actually its improved kickstand. It’s no secret that the base model’s offset kickstand is flimsy and unreliable, but I wasn’t expecting this version’s to provide such a resounding response to the issues of its predecessor. Not only does it stretch all the way across the back of the Switch, its hinges offer a satisfying amount of resistance so that you can easily lean it at nearly any angle and be confident it will stay that way. It’s incredibly sturdy, with the same tactile matte finish as the back of the Switch Lite. If it weren’t for the charging port still being blocked while standing up, I’d say the need for a third-party stand is now all but dead.
GameSpot - Alessandro Fillari, editor and producer
While people who regularly play in docked modes with solid TV sets aren't going to be blown away by the OLED model's visuals, this still makes handheld mode look better than it ever has. It honestly made me interested in seeing how my other favorite games, like Bayonetta 2 or Smash Bros. Ultimate, would look on the new display.
...The key areas in which the Switch OLED sees improvements are focused on the handheld experience. While the handheld mode is convenient, it also offers less than perfect conditions for experiencing certain games compared to playing it docked. While I often prefer to play Switch games in the handheld mode, there are times where I do play games in the TV mode, which allows me to get a better sense of a game's visuals and performance. Unfortunately, the significant improvement here being the OLED screen means the main benefit of the new model will be lost when playing in docked mode
The Verge - Dieter Bohn, Executive Editor
So the Nintendo Switch OLED model justifies its existence, but does it justify an upgrade? For most people, the responsible answer is no. The improvements here are not going to unlock new game experiences or capabilities, they just make the current experiences a little nicer.
I don’t think I’m going to be responsible, though. I knew going in that it was “just” a Switch with a bigger, brighter screen. I know after playing it that handheld mode feels like much less of a compromise than it does today.
VGC - Andy Robinson, Editor in Chief
Side-by-side with an original Switch model, OLED’s screen is a quantum leap over its predecessor; Breath of the Wild looks razor sharp and crisp, like a rezzed-up PC port (but no, there’s no resolution boost), while Mario Kart is a tour de force of colour and allows you to spot items and characters in the distance far more easily.
Playing Mario Odyssey side-by-side with an original Switch reveals far more detail on scenery like grass and water on the newer model, while the latter overall looks totally washed out compared to the newer unit. As far as the screen goes, it’s really no contest between the two Switch models: if you’re a portable player, you’ll want to throw your old model in the bin once you’ve experienced OLED’s glorious display.
METRO UK - David Jenkins, GameCentral Editor
One race on Rainbow Road from Mario Kart shows just how much better the new screen is, especially when you see it running next to the old console models. Suddenly, the original’s colours seem faded and washed out in comparison, while the OLED’s feel vibrant and distinct. Even the more muted colours of Breath Of The Wild look more vivid. The difference is immediately obvious to anyone and while you quickly get used to it in isolation, the moment you put it back next to an older console it suddenly seems like night and day again.
My Nintendo News - Richard Atkinson (Nintendomau5)
Waking Link up after his 100-year slumber and stumbling to the famous cliff edge, the opening 10 minutes of the esteemed open-world adventure burst with colour; the Great Plateau looked even more incredible, and we had to actually turn the brightness down as it was almost too dazzling. It’s worth noting here that we turned off the auto-brightness completely for testing purposes, but the feature remains and reacts as quickly as it does with the current model. We decided to tilt the screen so the lighting in the room was refracting off the Switch’s display, and our view of the action was hardly altered. This could be a huge benefit for gamers out there who want to tackle their favourite titles outdoors, since the original LED screen tends to struggle when it’s exposed to direct sunlight. It’s also benefited by a thin bezel that does a great job of amplifying the larger screen. Make no mistake though, the OLED display is the star of the show.
Games Radar - Brendan Griffiths, Managing Hardware & eCommerce Editor
The brighter colors and larger screen improved the display from a distance, while the enhanced brightness will hopefully stand up to the glare when using the Switch OLED outdoors.
Seeing as I was trying the Switch OLED indoors, I couldn't test against sunlight directly. (The typically gloomy July day in London saved me the bother of asking if I could take it outside, too.) However, viewing angles seemed to be slightly better than the older Switch, perhaps due to the extra brightness OLED tech is able to provide.
It's not all good news, though. I used one of the room's overhead LED spotlights to test screen glare, and there doesn't seem to be any protection against it, such as a new screen coating. This is a bit disappointing given how the Switch OLED's main improvements are for use in handheld mode.
So there you go, some early impressions — of course, you can read them in full over on the respective websites. What are your own thoughts about the Switch OLED at this stage? Speaking to most, do you feel the need to upgrade? Do you think it might be a great place to start for a new Nintendo fan? As always, leave your thoughts down in the comments below.
Comments 219
This all implies we actually use handheld mode (I know lots of people do, but not me.)
I'm honestly baffled they didn't use the Surface-like kickstand from the start
Even when watching the reveal trailer back then I knew that kickstand was going to probably end up being one of those really flimsy ones that was easy to snap off if stood up enough times
That's great. I am sort of happy that it doesn't have any features that leave older model Switch owners behind. I mean yeah. It does have quite a few features but nothing too groundbreaking or limited to only this model. So there's that.
Looks like it is worth the extra 50 dollars for newcomers.
I think the target audience for it will be tough because people who really care about visuals probably play in docked mode when they can. And the bigger screen means it’ll be even less portable than the regular Switch model already is.
All that being said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued by it.
no words on the improved audio? Bummer...
@g_ruz the OLED model's dimensions are almost identical to the old ones - they just cut down on the bezel significantly to accommodate the new, larger screen
I play almost exclusively docked so this upgrade offers nothing for me, but it seems neat for those who play a lot of handheld
I think the target audience is the Japanese market, where I bet Nintendo knows that many more players use handheld mode. For me, I'm about 50/50 between docked and handheld. So are my kids.
If this were a solid handheld system like the Lite, just with an OLED screen, I probably would have bought it.
I mostly use Switch in handheld mode. To be honest, I always loved Nintendo portables, while PlayStation replaced Nintendo on my TV for years until the Switch came around - still, I prefer playing Nintendo on the go, not sure why, it just feels better and right.
Even so, I can't justify upgrading just for a bigger OLED screen. Maybe if I were to gift mine to my niece, then get the new one. Which is not a bad idea, actually.
Barely take mine out of the dock so it's a pass from me
@maroonhawk I didn’t realize that, that’s good to know!
upgrading to this from a switch lite. gifting the switch lite to my niece. see yall for the next update in 2024.
I’ll buy it. Supposing I can find it.
@TheFrenchiestFry
I can't blame Nintendo for that. If you think back to one of the interviews with Reggie, he admitted that the Switch was basically a gamble. The OLED Switch is the real test at what the base model Switch could be like, but it couldn't have been done if the Switch wasn't successful. They were really just scratching the surface...no pun intended...when they released the original Switch
@DaniPooo Read some of the articles in full. IGN talks about the audio.
If this was replacing the current model while keeping the same price I'd be all over it. But 50 dollars more expensive just for the screen its too much (and greedy)
Switch Lite: made with handheld players in mind!
Switch OLED: also made with handheld players in mind!
Not that I'm complaining, I'm probably 75/25 handheld
It’s a no for me. I do play in handheld about 25%-30% of the time, but my Switch is not that old and it does everything I need it to. I’ll wait for a jump in specs and performance or the next replacement model of console before worrying about it. If I didn’t already have one, sure. But my recent model Switch is just fine for my needs. I’m sure many feel the same.
I 100% play in handheld. I'm good. I'll keep what I have. Just wait for the super nintendo switch.
Debating on this upgrade…. I play 90% handheld anyways, so the improved audio and OLED screen are major pluses…. However, I’m wondering if this is just a taste, and in 6-9 months from Oct we’ll get a “Full Fat” OLED Switch with improved internals, as this truly seems like a base version for an improved model.
Oh well, I’ll probably still get this, and pass my model on to my 5yr old. Was planning on getting her a Switch Lite this fall anyways, but she likes the detachable joy cons for playing Mario Party and Mario Kart with her sister.
I wonder if this might make the regular Switch and Switch Lite more appealing to people because of the lower prices. Anyway, if my Switch was worse for wear, I'd consider it, but I haven't had any major problems barring some controller issues. As for expectations, the only thing I wish was included was an enhanced battery life, and that's as someone who bounces between handheld and docked regularly when I'm actively gaming. Glad the screen is an improvement, but at this rate, I'm more likely to just wait for whatever Nintendo makes next for a new system-and that's assuming I don't wise up and just focus on games I already have.
Cool but I still think these 'upgrades'' should have been on the original from the start.
Great for those that play handheld, not at all for those of us like myself that don't though.
We apparently don't exist.🤪
@Dm9982 I wouldn’t count on getting the fabled “Pro” anytime soon. Certainly not within 6-9 months. The only way I see the Switch internals getting an overhaul even in the next 2-3 years is if the current models’ sales fall off a cliff or the worldwide shortage of new chips and other components miraculously evaporates, or both.
The current system is selling as strong as ever and the supply chain is humming at full speed. I doubt Nintendo want to dip their toe in PS5/Series X type shortages with a whole new system right now. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
Call me a fool, but I’m really interested in these new features. I’m not sure what I’ll do with my current model, but I haven’t made much use of my Switch in the last 6 months or so, beyond exercising with it. I’d love for that to change and I think a bigger, nicer screen is a good solution to at least revisit some of these games (particularly Octopath Traveler).
@Nin10dood The thing would’ve probably costed $399.99 for years ago. No way that would fly.
I have a as launch Switch. Still plays great, but I’ll be upgrading to the white one. I’ve wanted a Switch in white for a long time, and I play handheld quite a bit. I like the new kick stand and screen.
I’m sorry, Karen. The answer is still no.
@BAN Yeah I’m not exactly holding my breath for a “pro” model, and I meant 6-9mo from the OLED launch, so spring/summer 2022. I’d just be a little salty if I got the OLED, then that happened. But regardless, I’m buying the OLED, and I’d buy a Pro if one ever came out.
And you’re exactly right as to why we haven’t seen a Pro model yet, no reason to when demand is so high at a consumer level. But it’s not out of the realm of possibility over the next 12-24 months for Nintendo to release a slightly upgraded model from the OLED (which is set to replace the current base model Switch). 3DS sales weren’t exactly stopping when Nintendo released the “New” 3DS line. That was largely driven by developers wanting a right control stick and a little extra power. If ports of games start proving to be too hard to scale down, then that may force an upgrade.
The main reason I’d think we’d never see a “Pro” model is if the upgrade:stop gap window gets too close to Nintendo’s “Next Gen”. If that happens they may just go straight to Switch 2.0 instead. And at this point that may be more likely.
Not interested in OLED.
They should release a "Switch PRO" without a display, already.
That way they don't have to care about the size, it can have better cooling, etc, and we can use it as a home console to play our Switch games in better quality.
@RenanKJ I'm of the same opinion regarding Nintendo and handhelds. I'm sticking to my old Switch, won't even thi k about getting a new one until the PRO. Getting a new console isn't even an option for me right now. With the money I make, I'm blessed enough to own a Switch in the first place. My spare change is going toward all the games I still want.
so this is the 3ds xl of the switch family, bigger screen and improved handheld play. here's hoping the switch's "new 3ds" variant comes soon enough. i play handheld all the time, but after 4 years a switch pro is very welcomed
@DaniPooo thats the feature I like most. I want those new speakers to drown out my floor fan during hot season. I rarely have my switch on anything but cranked max volume.
@TheBigK Which I kind of don't get, because if you have two models that are better for handheld, aren't they going to cannibalize each other? It might make a bit more business sense to have one upgrade that's good for handheld and another that's good for docked, but nope, two handheld upgrades and no real improvement for docked.
It must be nice to be someone who plays their Switch in handheld more right now. I use mine much more like a home console and since they haven't improved on that in any meaningful way, I've seen no need to upgrade from my 2017 Switch. I actually don't think the base Switch works that well as a handheld due to it not fitting in your pocket, but we really need the clamshell design back to really make it a good handheld (the Switch Lite might be slightly better, but not as good as older consoles which were more compact).
@wanderwonder
My switch hasn't left the dock in months. I used to play handheld but then i'm like i got a nice big TV why am i playing on this tiny thing?
I'm only playing on a Switch Lite, so I'm definitly considering upgrading. Better screen for portable gameplay plus finally the possibility to "switch for real" with TV.
For players in my position, it's gonna be a no-brainer.
@TheFrenchiestFry that it snaps off easily is the only good thing about the old kickstand. It is designed to snap off so if it happens you can simply pop it back in, which makes it practically impossible to break it.
I just don't think there's enough here to justify the upgrade for already existing owners. In the past I've bought almost all of Nintendo's console revisions but I can't see myself getting this unless there is a significant drop in price. I'd rather just wait and see what else we might get in the future.
I do think Nintendo have made a bit of an uncharactaristic mistake with this revision. There needed to be a hook like 4k upscaling and then I would have been in, the screen on its own I just don't think is enough of an improvement.
Does this new system support HDR?
All fine by me. My OG Switch - bought on launch day - just flat out died. A first for any of my Nintendo stuff (my 89 game boy still works). I was on the fence about buying a lite (love the form factor) but I appreciate the option of occasionally glutting out on a big Telly game of Zelda. I’m not sold on the color combos but maybe it will appeal more “in the hand.”
@yuuji77 Nintendo isn't going to split their userbase with a Switch that can't be played handheld with exclusive games.
Also TV only version of handheld consoles don't sell. See the PlayStation Vita TV.
A Switch pro is NEVER happening. And even if it DID it wouldn't be TV only. But soon we'll be 5 years into the Switch life cycle. I think the next console will be it's successor. Which, ofcourse, will also be a hybrid.
Covid economy compels some "responsibility" in high end spending on hobbies. Imagine what software I could get for that money as well!
Looks nice. Still seems all the ‘new’ features/modes of the switch have been focused on handheld. Light - now OLED, I play mainly on the big screen. Perhaps we will be getting ‘PRO’ dock as the next release? That means even those with the original Switch could enjoy the benefits.
Definitely think that could happen.
Still no HDR and Bluetooth audio support in 2021. What a shame. I keep my old.
While I play about 50/50 dock and handheld I don't see it worth upgrading. tbh if people play only in dock then this is not worth the upgrade. The only people I see getting this to make it worth it really is if you don't have a switch or have a switch lite.
I’m 100% docked, so no need for me; I’ll wait for Switch 2. But it looks nice for handheld players and newcomers!
One of the two switches we have has been beat up by a 9 year old taking it everywhere so I will probably get one to replace it.
Been rocking the original Switch since release, I’m gonna take the upgrade.
@Dm9982 6-9 months is probably way too early. My guess would be 2 years, depending on how well the current model(s) sell of course.
I am not sure why it is noted so often, that this isn't worth the upgrade for people playing only docked. I mean, duh?
I don't think Nintendo expects those players to upgrade, if they even expect any sizeble amount of upgraders.
What I don't understand about this model is missing HDR support? (At the very least it wasn't mentioned.)
HDR basically costs nothing and now the handheld screen, being an OLED, would probably be able to display it too.
Though, I guess Handheld HDR could be a bit dangerous for the
energy consumption. I am not sure how much sense it makes to optimize handheld HDR in that area.
I play mostly docked, but that is because of the limitations on current screen (some games just need that little bit more visually).
But maybe, with this new screen, I will play more in Hand Held. The Battery update, along with the addition Battery duration save from OLED screen is also worth it for me.
Guess Nintendolife didn’t get the invite!
@TheGrizMan agree. It's simply not enough to justify a replacement.
I will stick to my old one for now.
Maybe next time nintendo...
Things are coming together. Oled this year, Oled Pro next year.
Since the N64 Nintendo liked to do things differently, cartridges rather than discs then the GameCube something that would look more at home in toys R us rather then an electronics shop together with the PS and Xbox. Then Wii a big success. This is where I think Nintendo wanted to keep the name Wii well into the future, rather than a name change with each new console. But after the disaster sales of the Wii u that idea was dropped.
The Switch name is now something Nintendo want to keep going. The Switch Oled is just a new variant of the successful Switch, the same but better. It's for anyone that wants one, but the production on the original Switch will finish, I would guess within 6 months, leaving the Oled as the standard Switch.
Next year along with Zelda botw, the Switch Oled Pro will make its debut. And I expect after that the Switch Lite will get a face lift.
So we are looking at the Switch being here for the foreseeable future in one form or another.
It’s great if you don’t already have a switch but missing the opportunity to include Bluetooth audio is baffling also a bit of extra power under the hood would have been nice and I don’t mean so it had exclusive games that only run on the oled model just a little boost to make things run a little smoother cos we all know some switch games can stutter along at times
@g_ruz The actual size is only a few mm larger than the current Switch according to NVC. Hardly an issue.
I can't wait to try it out myself, I wish there were off-screen shots of the console running these games, I want to see how they'll look
"The improvements here are not going to unlock new game experiences or capabilities, they just make the current experiences a little nicer."
Reminds me of something... yeah. That's why I bet Nintendo's looking for much more than just a 4K leap in graphics if they are making a true successor. As small as the leap to New 3DS was technically, it at least changed the experience on very few games.
I mostly use handheld about 80% of the time. I only use dock mode for Ring Fit and a select few games that have a special place in my heart like Xenoblade and the Dragon Quest. The super deluxe AAA RPGs. I own the Lite and the OLD G Switch. This would replace my Lite witch I absolutely love ❤️. The LIte fits in your hands better than the OG and is light on the hands and does not feel awkward. The original Switch controllers would sometimes come off (not often) and drift. The hand cramp was real. This would make my Lite obsolete. I wanted it yesterday but now I don’t want it today. I guess I’m on the fence.
@wanderwonder
It even implies people play on Switch.
@TheFrenchiestFry If it snaps off you can just reconnect it by clicking the stand back into the console
@wanderwonder MOST people who own a Switch use it in handheld mode.
I would be more impressed with this revision if the battery life were increased. I mean, isn't OLED supposed to be less power intensive?
@Chamver Yes OLED lens/screens are notably better on power consumption. But do you believe that changes anything for the purchase of 1 of these revisions?
@Brad_Hogan @Chamver
OLED do need less power, especially if the the game you are displaying is pretty dark. Not so much if the game is very bright.
Considering the screen is also bigger and reportedly brighter overall (?) I am not sure there will be any benefit for battery life.
Maybe for said darker games.
We have 3 Switches in the house, (Not including light switches). We play handheld mode almost 100% of the ttime. I could see one of us upgrading but $350 is steep for any video game system.
@Kirgo Ye my man. Agreed. It will probably look very good aswell with those games like DOOM & DOOM Eternal. However, would you buy a revision like this for that kind of increase? Not being rude just interested! I'm buying the new dock day 1 (or as soon as you can get it on the website, although I can't seem to find it yet)
No brainer if you are in the market for a Switch now, but as an upgrade it is a different story. Would have love something like this at launch ... 😢
Still, given the tons of smoke we got the last like 2 years for a Switch Pro with an OLED screen, it seems super obvious that this is just a stop-gap measure until the supply situation on the chip market changes sufficiently for Nintendo to feel confident pushing out actual new hardware.
Basically, I still expect a similar device like this, just branded something like "New..." with a similar screen, maybe 1080p, and a beefier SoC from Nvidia, maybe some DLSS stuff as well, hopefully HDR - which is the reason I am not getting this Switch. OLED is nice, but to really make the most of it's potential for contrast, HDR is the way to go.
I'm just sad I didn't get the Gameboy Advance SP with the improved screen at the time, I didn't know it existed.
I already have both a Switch and Switch Lite so to have an OLED Switch would make the Switch Lite look bad so I won't get it.
The most important question is yet to be answered - does it still work with the Flip Grip!
@Brad_Hogan
That OLED screen can make a huge difference for all games, even if energy consumption isn't one of them. If I care enough for handheld gaming, I would sure buy the OLED model.
However, I would probably not buy it, if I already have the normal Switch or if I only care about TV mode.
Personally I have a Switch and play almost entirely in TV mode, so I definitly won't be buying this.
The price is, compared to the regualr model, imo still fine.
Both models are equally very expensive at this point though, there should have been a price drop for the regular model already, meaning an equally less expensive OLED model as well.
This is a problem of the Switch overall though, not the OLED model specifically.
@Brad_Hogan
About the dock: Was it confirmed, that it is compatible with the regular Switch? It seemed to me like the OLED model is formed a bit differently, so I wasn't 100% sure.
These reviewers can easily connect their Switch to an OLED TV to see the results.
To me there are two reasons to get this.
1. To get your very first Switch.
2. The Switch you own now is from 1st year and started to worn down its use.
I don't think there are any other reason for people to get this model over the original.
@Kirgo Yes I believe that someone in America has confirmed that.
Someone on here may have confirmed it. I'm totally with you about the price though 4 & 1/2 years later still the same price. I don't think Ninty has ever done that before. Even the NES & SNES had price drops much sooner!
@Brad_Hogan
Not sure about the Wii.
Did that ever have a price drop before the Wii U dropped?
@spurryitboi IGN video/article mention the enchanced audio
https://youtu.be/Rp9zwOZjLNw
@Chamver
How can you prove that? I can say MOST people play the Switch docked but saying it doesn't make it true.
I only play handheld when I travel. When I'm home it stays docked 100% of the time. Why would I play on that small screen when I can play on a 55" tv?
Just announce a Metroid edition in August and I’ll be all over it.
The Joycons have special Dunlop tyres rubber to prevent drifiting.
I'll be getting it. I have an original model still, so the upgraded screen and better battery life is definitely making me want it. I very, very rarely play in docked mode even when I'm at home. I prefer it handheld
Alot of wasted tech that could've used 4k chipset with OLED to foster more Switch buyers. But they missed the ball and this will be noted as a WiiU failure history in the making.
It's pretty simple. This is popcorn at the movie theater. You either buy the small, or you look at the medium and think, "It's only a small amount to upgrade to the large."
Switch Lite ($200): Slightly smaller, cheaper price point, handheld only. This makes it a good entry point for children/families or travelers. Or anyone who wants cheap and doesn't care about TV play.
Switch Classic ($300): Is now basically obsolete, but does offer a slightly cheaper mid-point for those who don't care about handheld mode and want to play on TV.
Switch OLED ($350): Great screen, great kickstand. Perfect option for people who primarily play in handheld or tabletop mode but who still want to be able to play on the TV. For +$50 what it offers is totally reasonable if you like handheld and don't already own a Switch.
Primarily TV players aren't being best served by any of these models, so there is room for a "Pro" but...let's be honest, TV-only people probably represent a smaller market share of Switch owners. Most people who want highest graphical fidelity own a better console or a PC and have a Switch to play Nintendo games or to play on the go. I don't think we'll ever see a "Pro" and we probably won't see a Switch 2 until 2024 at the earliest.
@Moonlessky It's not just the oled screen, you also get 64gb of storage, a bigger kick stand, a new dock with LAN port, and enhance audio speakers.
Upgrading my old launch day Switch to this seems worth it to me, I don't even get 3 hours of MHR playtime in handheld (as my wife usually uses the TV), I always ended up needing to take the TV from her so we don't need to stop!
I was never all that convinced that a "pro" model was coming, and now I'm 99% sure it won't. Nintendo would be crazier than usual to launch another Switch model right now. In normal times, without supply chain problems and global pandemics, it might have made more sense. But not in this reality.
I play about 50/50 handheld vs. docked, and while my distance vision is now excellent my near vision is still not fantastic, so a bigger, brighter screen is a pretty nice upgrade for me. I also appreciate the better speakers and added memory. I'm interested in this for sure.
However, I just bought a new Switch last year to replace my launch day Switch which was overheating. Technically my OG Switch is also probably repairable. I don't feel like I can justify the purchase right now. Maybe next year.
Removed - flaming/arguing
@JasmineDragon I was never all that convinced that a "pro" model was coming, and now I'm 99% sure it won't. Nintendo would be crazier than usual to launch another Switch model right now. In normal times, without supply chain problems and global pandemics, it might have made more sense. But not in this reality.
Just to be sure so you should be also saying that Sony and Microsoft shouldn't make a PS5 Pro and Xbox Pro if we go with reasoning right? Because if they launched one along side it would hurt it the lower console model. Nintendo Reality is to make money and survive and make money for it's ShareHolders not Switch owners. Just don't quite get why people talk as though they care or show empathy towards the consumers whom aka Consumes their products.
What is the screen made of this time anyway, still the same plastic that can get light scratches on it? Could really have done with glass if not. I don't feel the need to "upgrade" because mainly I don't feel as if it is an upgrade, like the new screen GBA SP wasn't. I still reckon a year from now there will be a more powerful version announced with all these additions. If you splashed out on this one, that's your bad.
@SwitchForce Don't put words in my mouth. I'm not interested in fighting for Internet points today.
@NoxAeturnus LMAO yes another NintenDoomed dressing no wonder...but since you missed the analogy guess that's your life choice to do and missy the analogy. But oh well the rest of us will keep moving on.
@JasmineDragon no one did just asking if your just comparing only one thing why not compare everything. Cherry picking is a pet peeves I don't like when comparing consoles. Gaming PC Desktop/Laptop are the Elite of Gaming and has no comparison from any consoles.
I don't see the problem here. An OLED screen on the switch is a great idea and it's about time (the VITA had OLED long ago). Folks make FAR too much of a big deal sometimes. If you want it, buy it, if not, then move on. Personally, I'm glad they made this move over a PRO model as I'd rather they concentrate on a real next gen switch based on a new architecture, instead of what we have today. Otherwise, it'll be Wii-U all over again and we know how that went.
I wanna get one of I can. I can actually really use the little bit of extra storage and my launch unit is falling apart. Not to mention I play more in handheld than docked. For me it's completely justified.
Let’s be honest Nintendo’s best selling consoles have always been handheld except the Wii. With many wanting a 4K dock you can see that the hybrid idea is getting stale and people are getting tired of it. So Nintendo should just go back to the one home console one handheld model. This will allow for a more powerful console and keep handheld gaming around. I feel like the hybrid model hinders both handheld and docked gaming by not being allowed to go to far in one direction. I don’t know that is just what I think
@SwitchForce
I mean that was never implied in jasmines comment but just keep thinking we are getting a switch pro
@NoxAeturnus The OLED model is more like a Medium-Large that they're selling as a Large. There is no actual large.
As for the amount of people playing docked vs. handheld, NintendoLife did a poll on this in the past and did a breakdown on the percentage of time you play docked vs. handheld in 10% increments:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/poll_do_you_play_your_switch_more_in_docked_or_handheld_mode
The most popular option was 90% docked/10% handheld at 18%, and 60% play at least 50% docked.
And back in 2018, Doug Bowser posted a report that the play time is also about 50/50:
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/06/nintendo-docked-and-undocked-play-time-for-switch-is-about-even/
So no, I'm not convinced in the slightest that there's a small minority of players that use docked mode. They probably just don't want to do it because they want to cheap out, not because that's what the fanbase wants.
@Meteoroid It doesn't matter if they're made by the same brand or not, two different products always compete with each other to some degree by virtue of people having limited money and needing to choose how they spend it. Putting two products on the market that sell to the same demographic and you generally only need one of isn't really a good use of Nintendo's investment, it'd be better to put out a product that would sell to people that wouldn't be interested in the Switch Lite or the base Switch.
@blindsquarel Nah, part of what makes the hybrid model such a brilliant move isn't just that it gives consumers the best of both worlds, but it allows Nintendo to consolidate their lineup and have one good lineup instead of two mediocre ones. This is what doomed the Wii U and hurt the 3DS to a degree, they didn't have the resources to support both at once. They might continue to make more devices in the Switch family that support one or the other for more budget conscious players, but I doubt they're ever fully going back from the hybrid model. It's way too profitable for them.
@blindsquarel I think that is already in the works. The OLED is just a carryover til it comes. And since it's using v2 Switch hardware with Ram upgrade it's still the same system underneath. A fancy OLED isn't giving it more Performance by any stretch of the imagination here. No, I suspect they already have a Working 4K docking Switch it's a matter when they will announce it. And they can do that during Xmas saying here is the neXt Gen Switch with OLED with GPU to power it for PreOrder. Everyone seems to think Nintendo won't do that but I tell them Nintendo is in the business of Selling Switch to us for upgrade or new buyers regardless. But people still think Nintendo is our Friend - I say no they aren't. They are in for the Profit and Returns. Just don't get it from some people they have Development Units out there that are probably modular to test hardware chipsets before final blueprints. This is what business who want to stay alive does R&D next GenX hardware so they have a jump on others when they get ready to final release-some want to think it will just pop up tomorrow. Taken it's been 2017 and v2 that nothing was done and take for example the NX if we remember was a project in the works for some time before becoming Switch 2017 release. So I expect it would not take as long since the hardware and chipset already was the foundation starting block all they need to was update chipsets and fit into the Switch dimensions to make it work and that is easier then starting from "0" - which people seem to think they did but forget the Switch was already the R&D NX unit that showed them were to start and they could just build on this platform. I doubt that just me here thinking that.
@Bolt_Strike First, Nintendolife's poll is moot to my point because their readership skews towards the enthusiast crowd anyway. What's true of people around here is not necessarily true of the general population of Switch purchasers. Second, the numbers you've cited from Nintendo were from October 2017, when the Switch was less than 1 year old and had roughly 10 million systems sold. There are now about 78 million Switches in the wild, about 14 million of which are Switch lites which are handheld only. I don't think the stats you shared are relevant anymore, but even using those numbers from 2017 handheld play was preferred and that's how many outlets like Eurogamer reported those numbers when they were fresh. I think that gap has only widened over time.
50€ just for a (little bit) bigger screen.
This will be the first time i skipp what Nintendo is doing, not even an upgrade in the joycons..
I dont know what they are doing, but i'm starting to dislike them more and more.
"The strength of the new display (unsurprisingly) becomes even more obvious when turned on"
That has got to be one of the dumbest non-compliment compliments I've ever seen made from IGN, and I've seen alot of them.
I have a day one Switch and it's still absolutely amazing for me. That being said, it's battery life isn't as good as the semi updated ones and this OLED one. I play handheld about 50% of the time so I think that £30 for a better and larger OLED display, a better kickstand and improved audio, not to mention almost double the battery life of my current one more than justifies myself getting one. Obviously, they're not for everyone, but I think on my personal situation, £30 is more than reasonable for the "upgrade"
@Bolt_Strike
I see your point and to a extent agree but I think the novelty of the hybrid is waning and Nintendo can’t bank on the hybrid model forever. If they make a switch 2 it is all two similar to the Wii and Wii u
@SwitchForce
Dude the pro ain’t coming at this point it is their next console wether it be a hybrid or a home console I do not know but the novelty of the switch is going away for most. People want power and in a smaller handheld like the switch you can’t get the power they want.
@blindsquarel Here we go again. They will release a 4K OLED docked Switch. And they aren't going by what you think. So not sure why people keep thinking they think for Nintendo. Pro or it's name is the Next Console why do people keep thinking backward every time it's mention. But I guess if that let's you sleep at nights then by all means backwards thinking helps you then so be it. Funny people talk novelty but it's one of the best selling Switch how you can think you know baffles the Switch gamers. For someone to call it a novelty is akin to NintenDoomed fandom whom can't accept reality Switch Pro is coming regardless of what they think.
@blindsquarel Not really. The Wii U didn't fail because it was too much like the Wii, we've seen iterative upgrades in the past such as the GBA and 3DS still keep the brand alive. Heck, the Playstation and Xbox brand have both survived even longer. The Wii U's problem was that its design and marketing were confusing to the point where no one knew why they should want it. With the Switch that is abundantly clear, it's a device that you can play anywhere you want, any way you want, and that's a concept that's going to be universal. And the sales seem to support that notion, if it was a novelty the sales would've probably gone done by now. I think the Switch's successor should build on the design and add new features but still feel like a Switch. And it's a bit early to say, but I think even the successor to the Switch's successor should do the same. This just... isn't the kind of device that I could see throwing out the window and starting from scratch anywhere in the foreseeable future.
Sold out in less than 2 days in the Netherlands, probably in other countries too then
@Bolt_Strike
People didn’t know if it was a new console or a new controller for the Wii. I fear people will think it is a new model and then not bother to upgrade
@SwitchForce
Dude the pro has came and it is called the switch oled. Stop pretending a pro exists. If those rumors are true it is for Nintendo’s next console
So hyped for this, October can't come soon enough.
@blindsquarel It's possible, but Microsoft has been confusing people on that with Xbox (what's the difference between Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X) and it hasn't hurt them yet. I think as long as it has games and they look better than the games they already have, people will still buy it.
A waste of $350+ if your Switch is fine.
True but for that to happen we need new games. Ever since that first year new content has been scarce. We will see how Nintendo does when they can’t rely on ports
@johnvboy who's the cynical one, now?
EVERYONE MUST GO OUT AND BUY THIS!! We need to outsell the DS and ps2!!! Come on people!!!
Nintendo could do us some good and copy sony and nvidia here. The the original switch being the PSVita and Nvidia Shield Portable and Nintendo could do a PSVita TV or Shield TV. Better cooled and full power X1 for the TV switch gamers. If we had a savefile share function so we could play on the TV AND on the go, that would be dope.
It's about time for me to upgrade to this model as my Launch unit battery is getting weaker by day now. I love the expended screen cause I game solely on mobile mode.
For the price being charged, it needed more upgrades. I never play in portable mode, so a new screen is less useful to me than a good coaster. Maybe double the RAM or something. Bluetooth for headphones? But no, it's Nintendo. Minimal effort in exchange for money.
@NEStalgia,
I am genuinely looking forward to this newer model, and never bought into any of the Pro rumors, just wanted a larger better screen, as even though I use my console docked whenever possible, the T.V does get monopolized by the family, so the best quality screen would be a bonus for this, and this is pretty decent for a mid generation revision, as Nintendo has never really pushed a display technology on any of their previous consoles all this much, so the screen seems pretty special and decent quality.
To be fair I never thought the original screen was too bad, but seems to vary contrast wise game to game, and sometimes wished the colors were brighter and more vibrant, so can't wait for the new model.
Another thing people are overlooking with all this is Nintendo are keeping the original model, so once i have transferred everything over etc, and tied the new Switch to my online account, I can simply sell my older console on e-bay and as it's in awesome condition will get a decent price for it, so not even much cash outlay to upgrade.
the switch light had obvious advantages- a cheaper price point for potential customers who didn't mind losing out on TV play.
I can't think of any reason to buy an OLED, other that replacing a broken switch, or for first time buyers. and people who just love wasting money.
as soon as you dock the OLED, all the 'benefits' are lost. for a little more cash you could buy the PS5 digital console
@blindsquarel
Novelty of the hybrid is waning?
2020 was the Switch's biggest year yet and 2021 looks to be similar. The Switch isn't waning at all - far from it.
@Kirgo I'm not sure about the Wii. You maybe right, I know it had several different prices with different games and when the Wii U came out it was deffo dropped in price.
I'm a little confused as to why this update dosn't just replace the std Switch like was done with the improved battery??? If that had been the case, there would be no issue with the punters. The more I think about it, the more I think this is a bad move!
@JasmineDragon I think your right. I don't think there is a "Pro" coming anytime soon, If ever!?! The Switch series maybe just what we have now (Tech & Spec wise).
The next gen Ninty could be just another 4K or Red8 of whatever it'll be at the time console that connect solely to the TV set.
Remember Nintendo 3DS? The original model was lovely except for unstable 3D and scratches on the screen. Then, Nintendo 3DS XL (a bit of a downgrade), Nintendo 2DS (cheaper and 2D), New Nintendo 3DS (best model), New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS...
It astounds me how many of you have egos big enough to believe the OLED was a bad idea simply because it doesn't meet your personal needs. The market for this isn't upgraders. It's not a pro model and was never meant to be. Of course it's a bad deal to buy this when you already have a Switch. It's not for you, it's for people that don't have a Switch. Judging by how the Lite did, the OLED will grow the Switch install base and seems like a good move for Nintendo. And why is anyone surprised that Nintendo isn't putting out a super powerful machine for tech enthusiasts? They have literally never done this. Their entire company philosophy is built around "Lateral thinking with withered technology." People hyped themselves up on rumors for a product that was never real and then were disappointed when it turned out to not be real. Smh.
Preordered the white version. I play a lot of handheld and have the original Switch, on which the battery isn't up to much these days. I want to do some travelling next year and a better battery makes a lot of sense to me. I'm sure if you're basically docked only then fair enough.
For better or worse, perhaps people should get used to consoles as continuous gaming experience platforms with hardware iterations rather than the traditional hard lines between generations. Mid cycle upgrades have been here for ages and streaming games will only become more feasible as time goes on.
4K and beefier Switch on the way? No doubt. During a global chip shortage and you'd have to charge a tonne per unit you can't get to the shelves properly? Not so sure it makes much sense for Nintendo - it's a little bit unexciting but why not do the one thing that a huge portion of your audience will appreciate immediately?
Not sure the majority of Switch owners really care about 4K that much, and are perfectly happy with the performance as is.
Can't justify a whole new console just for an upgraded screen, even if I do mostly use mine in handheld mode. I'll buy it when it's a proper upgrade.
@SwitchForce Since when were Nintendo like SONY and Microsoft?
@wanderwonder I’d love to know the ratio of docked players to handheld players. I am almost exclusively a handheld player since I can play on my back deck, in bed, anywhere else.
@g_ruz Actually, it’s only 0.1 inches taller, so that’s that.
I'm surprised no one seems to be talking about resolution. I had an OG Switch, then when that got lost on a plane, I replaced it with a Lite. Going from regular to Lite, the screen was just a smidge too small for text-dense RPGs, but overall games looked "better" on the Lite - because it had the same resolution but tinier pixels, everything looked sharper and slightly less blocky. So now all three models have the same resolution but different sizes of screens. My worry is that going from Lite to OLED, things will look noticeably less sharp and more pixelated, and I don't know whether that trade off is worth it for a bigger, brighter and more vibrant screen. I think it is and I'm ready to preorder any day now (RPGs play much better with a big screen, ultimately), but like - that's not even in the CONVERSATION and I think it should be.
That color scheme and comparing it to the GBASP revision is pushing me into upgrading to the OLED Switch.
@thaimbomb A waste of $350+ if your Switch is fine.
And people keep saying there is no v2 Switch but they are still there and Performance wise they are exactly the same-even if they stop making it because OLED is in production that doesn't mean unsold v2 Switch are any worse. Sure having 64gb is good but then that's saved data/profile any big DLC/updates will be on a larger if not 1tb (when Amazon had them on Prime Day) microSD if you were thinking correctly that the smarter way to use it. What I did was get 1tb and redownloaded all my DLC/updates to it and now I got my games back to play again without deleting or removing games until a 2tb card comes out. Then I will get that as well to reloaded my 300+ collection onto it. As to new to Switch v2 is just as good as the OLED why spend more when you can use that on getting a bigger microSD-that would be more important.
@johnvboy ahh, I thought you were being sarcastic, I thought I remembered you dismissing the new one in another thread.
I'm going to get the new one as well (if scalpers allow it) but I admit I'm disappointed with it. I didn't believe the crazy pro rumors but I expected at least a slight performance enhancement so that at least the eShop didn't run like it's 2003. It's kind of insulting it's literally just a vanilla switch with a different screen.
At this point I never really play switch docked, it's just a handheld. Seems like Nintendo agrees, considering now they have one handheld only model, one new premium model where the absolute only difference is in handheld mode, and, for now, the og model (I dobt they're keeping that long term, it doesn't make sense to sell 2 versions of the same model at such a close price point with little more than the display as a differentiator, I assume they're just going to sell both while they deplete the old parts supply)
So it's really disappointing, I was hoping they'd do something to make docked more compelling, now it really seems they're ok with it really being a handheld with a tv out. I'm cool with it has a handheld but the iffy performance of most recent games is worrying. Especially in handheld!
But ..I want that new screen. Always said I needed an XL. Text is too small.
The og screen...I don't get it. It's terrible. Saturation and contrast is pitiful. Daylight performance is non existent. It's an IPS. It shouldn't be so terrible but it somehow is.
I haven't seen the igzo version they revised to, maybe it isn't as bad as launch?
@naxuu yeah same with 3ds. Everything looked better on the small. Things were crazy blocky with xl. But almost everything I play is text and stat heavy....
Oleds have some fast response times, I wonder if the input lag has been decreased at all
@NEStalgia,
Must have been someone else, I thought this was always going to happen, pretty much a Switch XL, a normal mid generation revision rather than a Switch pro model was always more likely.
Can't wait for this to be released.
Mysteriously quiet on details when it comes to battery life.
@westman98
Do you not see all the cries for a 4K switch. The novelty of console games on the go is gone and people see the flaws
So the paid shills, then (sorry guys you’re included)? Why should I trust most of their opinions?
@blindsquarel
The demands of internet gaming forum chatter do not represent reality.
Actual sales numbers are the only true indicators of whether the appeal of a product is waning or not.
@westman98
We will see I want to see the numbers in a non COVID year and when the ps5 and series x are available
10 years ago, OLED has wow factor - OLED TV cost over $10000, that's why PS Vita was so desired but the price is unattainable for many. Today, OLED is so common - it is no longer a selling point. Nintendo should just sell it at the same retail price and phased out the old models.
I use it a lot in handheld, and already got a buddy saying he might buy my current switch so yeah, changes are high I'm still getting myself one...
@blindsquarel
Vaccines are being widely distributed and strict stay-at-home lockdowns are long gone, so the "Switch is only popular becuz of covid" excuse isn't really valid anymore.
PS5 and Xbox Series stock levels have had no negative correlation with Switch sales this far. (In fact, the Switch hybrid model itself has been somewhat supply-constrained for much of this year).
Anyways, all the comments about how "Switch momentum may be big now, but it will collapse anyway now once X and Y happens" reminds me of the Jesse Pinkman "He can't keep getting away with it" meme lol.
@westman98
I never said it as a excuse. I want the switch to do well but I think it will be a Wii to Wii U situation when they announce a successor. I said we will see how the switch does after a COVID year not it will do bad. Last year it also had animal crossing which somehow was like botw in 2017 even though the content was bland but I won’t get into that. This year all we have is a Wii port, warily ware and Metroid all will likely be in the 3 mil range in sales. If I am forgetting a game it is likely not a system seller
@blindsquarel
Wii => Wii U transition was a disaster because A) the Wii U itself was a historically unappealing and poorly marketed console and B) the Wii had all but lost momentum at this point in its lifespan whereas the Switch is still selling a ton. The Switch isn't the Wii - that much is clear.
With regards to major titles in 2021, you are forgetting Pokemon Diamond/Pearl remakes (which will easily sell 10+ million by EoY) and Mario Party Superstars (which will sell 5+ million by EoY). Advanced Wars Reboot Camp is there too, but that is indeed very, very niche.
looks like a smart upgrade by nintendo at this stage. Whenever the switch 2 comes around they will have headaches with the split market
@NoTinderLife Nintendo doesn't have other industry cash cows to subsidize their gaming department. They can't just hand things away. If their theme parks and tv/movies were huge then they could
I have just upgraded my TV from a 8 years old 55” Panasonic LCD to a 55” LG OLED, and the difference I get is night and day when playing the Switch.
If I get that same difference in Hand Held - I’m in
It occurred to me that I own both a digital and physical copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
So when I get my Switch OLED, I'll be able to do direct side by side comparisons with both systems running the same software, that should be pretty awesome.
Why no review of the enhanced audio? As a hearing challenged gamer this of extreme interest to me. I'm looking for sharper clearer better defined audio with more tonal depth and variation. Particularly for speech. C'mon @Liam_Doolan help me out here!
@Lionyone
Seems like the audio improvements are evident if you turn up the volume to the max.
Oled screens are gorgeous in general.
People's wishlists for the switch pro though sounds to me like a switch 2 like a brand new console at this stage
Now we just need an upgraded Switch, so developers can get the recent exclusives running in actual HD on this snazzy new screen instead of being stuck with 540p.
After reading this, I’m really looking forward to the new OLED model come October. It’s not all Dread after all.
I'm glad that they're at least building the model around the fancy new screen. It was kind of annoying with the N3DS how it was just a lottery whether you got an IPS or TN display.
@SwitchVogel
My first N3DS XL had an IPS top screen, TN touch screen.
I later got the SNES edition N3DS XL and disappointingly both screens were TN.
Let me tell you, games like Metroid Samus Returns look significantly worse on a TN screen.
@g_ruz I don't think it is any less portable. They made the bezel smaller so they could squeeze the bigger screen into the same size device.
@Rubashov
The dimensions of the device would also need to be the same so that all existing accessories like Joy-Cons and docks remain compatible.
Some third party cases may not fit, and you might need a new screen protector depending.
There are some pretty reasonable opinions on the Switch OLED in the article above. I for one won't be buying one unless my current Nintendo Switch goes out. I hardly ever play handheld mode myself.
I play 50/50 on my Switch, even on Tabletop Mode. I'll start saving to get an OLED next year, and give my current 2019 Switch to my children.
I play in handheld mode a lot, but I'm not tempted to upgrade. Looks like a great option for newcomers, though.
@RupeeClock Agreed, I just got a N3DS that happened to have IPS, and the color contrast is no joke.
As someone who plays exclusively in handheld mode I’m incredibly excited for the upgraded screen and speakers. Hell, I’m excited to have a Switch with two functional speakers (the right one died on my 2017 Switch).
@g_ruz The bigger screen did not change the size of the tablet it only got rid of most of the bezels. Same size still.
Definitely not the Switch upgrade everyone was expecting but I could see this new model as a smart release by Nintendo. For one it could easily replaced the older Switch model once inventory of that version got sold out. Secondly, because of the global chip shortage and the fact that Nintendo already got a hold of the OLED screens, it make sense to just upgrade the Switch to have the better screen while adding a bit more storage and making a better dock.
The reason for the screen being 7" is cause the OLED screen size they got from Sharp is about just that. I'm sure Nintendo originally wanted better graphical and performance power out of this new Switch which confirm that the leak of it supporting 4K would had been true and I believe they already got the more powerful chipset ordered but they probably didn't get an accurate delivery date from their supplier thus the reason why they made this new Switch without any graphical and performance upgrade.
Waiting for the chipset to be ready and shipped to them means the console could easily be delay many months or years down the line, an opportunity Nintendo don't want wasted so since they already got supplies of the better screens, that's pretty much what they are going with. By going this route they could just make an upgrade out of the screens to get inventory going again and may do another upgrade or launch a true successor to the Switch once the chipset they ordered actually arrive.
Remember because of the global chip shortage not many companies will get their chip supply on the date they wanted so this is just Nintendo not wanting to wait that long and stale the screens they already got. This is why the Switch OLED had a legit launch date unlike the Steam Deck which is still probably waiting for its own inventory chipset to arrive first. I'll probably get this new model around the holiday season but not on launch day.
These improvements are great and I admit, I’m interested just because of how much I play my Switch, although not much in handheld. However, I’m extremely disappointed that there’s no graphical/power improvements. I was desperate to see a Switch Pro which would encourage even more third-party support. Whilst I have my Xbox Series X and gaming laptop for this, I will always choose to play games on Switch over any other platform.
Why did you put the IGN review first? I immediately scrolled to the next entry since IGN has flat out admitted before that they're not qualified for the job they try to do, just like a lot of US politicians...
@wanderwonder not many Switch owners own TVs.
@Pinfield well you must love putting your eyes through pain by choosing Switch over Series X.
@Mr-Fuggles777 480p you mean.
I'm looking forward to it. Got mine preordered. My Switch is mostly played in handheld, but I've played it on TV a little more this years since I bought a 65" Vizio M-Series 4K TV. While Series X and PS5 obviously look better, the Switch does really well on it.
@Wavey84 that's very true. My Pioneer KRP600 60" plasma wipes the floor with all tvs to this day.
It'll be nice too see what Nintendo muster with Switch 2. All these reduced quality Wii U ports are getting boring. And yes, Nintendo purposely locked their Wii U titles to 720p to make Switch appear more powerful. Smash Bros U has faster response on Wii U at 1080p - enough said.
@ChakraStomps yea, because Nintendo have never released a follow up device before. 🤪🤪🤪 Lol.
@liveswired Those Wii U ports are a smart move by Nintendo as well. By porting those to Switch, Nintendo could make a lot of bucks while adding little to no effort out of it, those one or two people who already got it for Wii U may be pissed or excited but the many who finally got to try it for the first time on Switch will enjoy it. This is a win to both Nintendo and the customers, for one they could easily make back the money they lose out with the Wii U versions and the customers who always wanted to play these games but couldn't get into the Wii U could finally do so.
Also because the Switch had 4gb of ram and the Wii U only had 2gb of ram, those extra 2gb of ram could be use to add a slight more contents to the Switch versions, this is why New Super Mario Bros. U came bundle with Super Luigi U, why DKC: Tropical Freeze had Funky Mode, why Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had new characters, a true Battle Mode, and why it, and Hyrule Warriors came with all DLCs on cart.
This is also why Super Mario 3D World came with Bowser's Fury. The only Wii U port that doesn't had any extra contents on Switch was Breath of the Wild, since that version launch same year as the Wii U version, there was just no time to add extra contents to make the Switch version the definitive version. The only thing it got is a little performance boost and graphical update plus the option to play it portably.
I am happy with my decision to pre-order. Is it necessary? Not at all - but as someone who plays handheld 99% of the time I think it will be a nice enough upgrade. I see some comments saying that the target audience for this upgrade won't care as much about visual enhancements because if they did they would play docked, and I disagree. I grew up playing gameboy and then DS, it's just a lifelong preference to be able to game while relaxing in bed - but just because being able to play handheld is my #1 preference doesn't mean I won't pay extra for a better visual experience.
It seems really nice, but ultimately I play mostly on a TV or on my monitor during lunch breaks, so it's not for me. Holding out hope for a properly upgraded model one day, but something tells me it won't be for a good while yet, which means I'll be buying more and more games on my PC and PS5.
Looking forward to getting mine. My Switch no longer shows the joy con as attached to the console, a big problem when I play in handheld mode 90% of the time these days. Then in bed I play in tabletop mode with the pro controller.
Playing on my oled tv just doesn’t look great due to the output resolution vs my screens resolution. It would be a bit more bearable if in docked mode games ran at 1080p, but anything bellow that and the aliasing is too distracting.
@Mr-Fuggles777 540p is the native resolution on the PS Vita, a slight bump from the GameCube and Dreamcast 480p so if the games already looks damn good in 540p, it'll look just fine with the Switch OLED's 720p. At least it's better than the PS2 terrible 480i, no matter how many up-res solution you try to bump it to 480p or 720p, the pictures of any PS2 game will never feel satisfying to the eyes unlike the other platforms.
Please give us a console-only switch with no battery now.
OLED looks good, i'll grab one down the line if a spec upgrade isn't announced within a year. I am hesitant about the screen though, some OLED screens are way too colorful.
@Specter_of-the_OLED
System RAM has nothing to do with extra contents in those games.
@LawnChairMan Until they bring out the Switch Pro/Super Switch 6 months down the line then all the people who bought the Switch OLED will be like "FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF**********K!!
Kickstand is a nice fix, but kind of useless for me, since I usually rock a Skull & Co GripCase on my systems. The only issue with me over the screen was while outside, it's too reflective and doesn't get bright enough.
Any dark games were unplayable outdoors. Ironically enough, around that time I said they should port Mario Sunshine, because the color palette is very complimentary to outdoor gameplay. Unfortunately, something like Diablo 3 or Doom is not.
and we had to actually turn the brightness down as it was almost too dazzling
That's because Switch games weren't designed around an OLED screen.
@DaniPooo Is there improved audio, either docked or undocked?
I play mostly hand held and pre-ordered mine day one, super excited to get it! Ready for OLED screen, better battery life, and sound (I have OD Switch right now).
I love how the take-away of the OLED model isn't so much that the OLED model is so great, it's everyone finally admitting just how BAD the OG screens are.
I keep saying it, but it's not about LCD vs OLED. Good IPS displays are very very good. OLED has advantages, but good IPS displays (mostly LG panels) are very very good, and, indeed are FAR more able to calibrate for color-critical work in accurate color mapping than any OLED. The Switch's screen is simply.......not that........ It's the weirdest, ugliest IPS panel I've ever seen in my life. I never saw an IPS that was barely distinguishable from a budget TN until I saw Switch. Poor response time like a VA panel, a color palate that looks like 6-bit FRC dithering from a 00's TN, low brightness, awful contrast (IPS doesn't excel in contrast in general, but these are well below average.) There's nothing good about the screens. They look like they were designed for a GPS from 2012.
@SwitchVogel I had no idea any 3DS's had IPS screens. I thought they were all TN! And I had, like 9 3DSes in the house over the years! (3 OG, 3 XL, 3 NXL)
All of the screens were garbage, that much I know.
@liveswired Switch is more powerful than WiiU. The problem is the architecture change means WiiU games don't port straight over in a way that takes advantage of the hardware, and their half-hearted ports are minimal efforts that don't try to rewrite things to remedy that. So they just drop it to 720p and it runs fine-ish. That includes BotW written for WiiU. Heck, other than Splatoon and Minecrossing there really are few games from Nintendo actually written for the Switch yet. Luigi's Mansion we know from a developer slip was originally WiiU. I'm sure Odyssey was (no chance there was to be no 3D mario on WiiU), etc. Most of the games that have come out on Switch so far are games originally for WiiU. Not until the 2022 wave do actual Switch games really start arriving.
@sketchturner that’s a good point actually,
Why didn’t they make a switch lite oled instead!? Makes way more sense. Now the lite is barely useful considering it has about half the battery life already. Only thing it’s got going is the price point ha
Closest thing to a switch pro is a switch with an Mclassic. Absolutely love mine, if you can get it on sale I highly recommend it.
Im still very disappointed that there's no addition to the processing power. But as I've said before, I'm probably going to get it anyway. My Switch is a Day 1 launch Switch and at this point I've been missing out on the better battery life anyway. And since I play my Switch exclusively handheld mode, I definitely want to see what all the fuss is about around the visual improvements.
Also I might as well upgrade now since I dont know when Nintendo will decide to release the pro (if they do at all). Because if nothing else, I'll get to see Pokemon Shining Pearl in the best quality possible.
@RenanKJ that’s exactly how I justified pre ordering an Oled Switch 10 minutes ago. I just have to fight off the buyer’s remorse until bedtime and then I’m golden 👍🏻
@Specter_of-the_OLED
Extra game content does not require to take advantage of any extra RAM.
In your example you used New Super Mario Bros U.
The Luigi Mode really does now require more RAM. And I seriously doubt Funky in Tropical freeze takes advantage of the extra RAM.
Don't confuse RAM and Storage.
It's not like you usually load the entire game in RAM.
there are plenty of games for the Switch that are well over 20gb in file size. You only need RAM for stuff you currently need to have loaded.
More RAM could allow for new content, like new larger levels.
Or reduced load times by loading in more stuff into RAM.
But I highly doubt that any of your examples was made possible due to the extra RAM, except maybe Bowser's Fury.
But that's a big maybe. The Wii U was able to run Breath of the Wild which I think most likely uses more RAM than Bowser's Fury.
But again, including DLC content in a Deluxe version is not made possible thanks to increased RAM. That's just not how it works.
@russell-marlow Undocked
I get all the negativity around the Switch OLED, but...
What if Nintendo Switch 2 follows the path of the all-digital Steam Deck?
If next Switch doesn't use game carts, people will flock to get an OLED while they can.
Something to think about if your Switch collection is physical and you value that option.
I would love an answer to the one question I have been wondering since the OLED announcement. Does the new screen use a tempered glass lens instead of the cheap plastic one form the original?
@Specter_of-the_OLED the fact you are comparing a brand new console.with ones that are 10+ years old shows how behind the Switch is.
A 2021 Console that struggles to hit native 720p and hold a steady 30fps is just a joke. Look at SMT5, it barely holds up to 360 and PS3 resolutions at a time when the rest of the industry is aiming for 1440p or 4k.
The Oled Switch is nearly £100 more expensive than a Series S - which wouldn't be so bad if the native Switch games actually performed well on the system (MHR, Mario Golf, AoC)
I've had a Day 1 launch switch 2 and it's been 4 years - only marginally shorter than the length of time from my Wii U to my Switch.
And my switch must have an issue with it's ability to connect wirelessly to joy cons and the pro controller - the only way I can play with a TV screen is using a wired controller like the hori pad or standing right next to the switch with the controllers in hand (beyond 3 feet they drop off).
I've resisted sending it in for repairs because worried they'll erase my Pokémon - that's save data that isn't backed up.
So it's probably time for an upgrade for me anyway.
@Mr-Fuggles777
Ah, but a 360 and a PS3 aren't apt comparisons, as they are sedentary to the couch and TV.
A switch is more properly compared to a PS Vita - PS Television communication situation, and there it's miles ahead of what the Vita offered.
The one benefit for docked is that the network adapter port is built in. Nice to not have to buy a USB dongle and use up a port.
Wow, nobody has mentioned 'ethernet' or 'adapter' in the comments!
@g_ruz it isn't any bigger. The bezel us smaller to allow bigger screen.
Omg Omg improved Kickstand. Sony and Microsoft better be scared be that kickstand is coming for them.
@liveswired I wasn't even online and yet I could still smell your hate for Nintendo so I thought I'd log in...good to see you're consistent with it! Enjoy your big telly! 👊🏻
Geez I got my eye on the steam deck. NNL AND OR NL = Yawn.
Still not getting this. Then again I don’t think it was really “meant” for existing owners. I took the cash I would have spent on this and bought a new mountain bike instead 😆 (actually I could have bought about 4 Switch OLEDs for what I dropped on it but who’s looking at the details?….other than my wife).
What's this "Original Gangster" (OG) version people speak of? Jk. I have the original model and while I play in both modes, I'm still on the fence. It would be nice to play on a larger screen w/ extended battery life, but I can't see myself spending the money when my original works just fine(though I probably will).
"It's not all good news, though. I used one of the room's overhead LED spotlights to test screen glare, and there doesn't seem to be any protection against it, such as a new screen coating. This is a bit disappointing given how the Switch OLED's main improvements are for use in handheld mode."
NEWS FLASH: OLED SWITCH DOES NOT WORK WELL WHEN EXPOSED TO INTENTIONAL BRIGHT LIGHTS RIGHT ON THE SCREEN REFLECTING INTO YOUR EYES. Noted.
@DaniPooo I've seen sites mention it. Seems like they just really emphasized the screen for this collection of quotes.
@WiltonRoots,
These guys never change, they are so out of touch with the real world, this latest model will sell awesome numbers, and may even at some point replace the existing model, and yes why would Nintendo make these Wii U ports that everyone's bored off, well everyone who posts on internet forums, and didn't Mario Kart 8 do pretty well, perhaps everybody so bored of it they just keep buying it in protest.
Definitely not the Switch Pro we'd thought we'd be getting but maybe the Switch Pro we deserve?
@PROPS Yep. My OG does stuff this one won't do. Guaranteed.
@GamerDad66 I don't know if I'd even count on a Switch 2. Nintendo doesn't follow that type of model. Whatever we get next gen, won't be a Switch 2. If anything it will be a dud, and we'll be waiting for the next-next-gen.
@Deerock69 Uhmm, no crap Think of the handheld competitors and how they work. Oh wait...
@tseliot,
Nintendo might follow that model and stay with a similar format next generation, as the success of the Switch and it's software viable, Nintendo may do a Wii to Wii U, hopefully with better results this time round.
You also have to consider this is the first time Nintendo in generations where Nintendo have focused on the one platform , so they just need to get the message across that the Switch 2 or whatever they call it, is indeed a different console than the original.
@tseliot
Yeah...that reporter really had to stretch to say something negative about it. I cannot wait for mine! I mostly play indoors, anyway. Tabletop might be a more viable option now with that kickstand and bigger screen.
@westman98 Thank you!!! I read somewhere the audio improvement is only in bass and treble. So I guess it's an improvement mainly for sound effects and certain music pieces. Bit of a shame it doesn't improve the midrange where speech is as I and a huge number of people find speech hard to hear so making speech crystal clear would have improved enjoyment a lot.
Ah well, here's hoping the Switch Pro will have this in 2023 lol!
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