With the Nintendo Switch OLED model now just a couple of short weeks away, we're heading into the system's fifth Holiday season with three distinct 'tiers' in its hardware family. We've written previously about how each Switch iteration offers something different, in terms of features and price points, and how that stacks up against other gaming systems as we head towards the year's most competitive and important shopping season. Nintendo is in its own 'bubble' with its first-party games and the different role of the Switch compared to other hardware, but it's still competing for a lot of the same dollars as Sony and Microsoft.
What the OLED has also triggered since its announcement, of course, is a lot of talk about hardware strategy, whether Nintendo is getting it right and so on. There are more takes on this topic than an iffy straight-to-DVD movie, as you weigh up the huge sales success of the Switch against the online clamour for more powerful hardware. There are a lot of factors that have been at play too. There were the shutdowns and extensive disruption through 2020 and well into this year, then there are ongoing and troublesome chip shortages in manufacturing. It is hard to produce electronics right now, and that will no doubt have influenced Nintendo's thinking and approach.
There's a possibility that Nintendo's plans will have been changed or delayed by the chaos of the past 18 months, but it's impossible to be certain of that. Looking at the company's history and trends with portable hardware, however, it could be argued that the Switch pathway has been entirely typical. Yes, it's a hybrid device, but in terms of technology it is basically a tablet / handheld that is bolstered by clever controller and docking solutions. Nintendo is now a one-system company after decades of balancing handhelds and consoles, but it has pretty much always sold more portables than TV-based systems. It's no surprise, then, to see the company use a familiar portable playbook as it moves deep into the Switch generation.
The similarities to the DS and 3DS generations are interesting enough that it's worth laying them out, plain as day, as a reminder for anyone that feels the company has been 'slow' to move onto a more powerful system.
Nintendo Switch (Original) - March 2017
Very much comparable to the original 3DS, with the key difference being that a strong start and ongoing positive sales have helped to drive its results. Still the foundation of the 'family', but perhaps unlike the original 3DS and indeed the initial design of the DS, it is still the cornerstone of the range, which is unsurprising considering its popularity.
Nintendo Switch (Revision) - August 2019
Model 'HAC-001(-01)' was a very minor revision with one notable boost for those that picked it up, and it's replaced the 'original' as the standard model on the market since its initial arrival in August 2019. It features a more efficient version of NVIDIA's Tegra GPU, which gives a substantial boost to battery life.
Comparisons with the DS and 3DS era are less direct - the DS Lite was physically very different to the original. It's not a match for the 'New Nintendo 3DS' either, as that system improved a few features (more stable 3D) along with slightly boosted performance and a handful of exclusive games. With this Switch revision Nintendo locked performance to match the original model, with battery life being the only feature getting any sort of improvement. Everything else about the hardware was identical.
As for why it was released, it's possible it was related to supply and manufacturing, and it may have been to close hackable exploits and weaknesses inherent in the original Tegra chip.
Nintendo Switch Lite - September 2019
The more notable release of 2019, at least in terms of the brand, was the Switch Lite. This comparison is easy, as it serves an extremely similar purpose to the original 2DS. To cast your mind back, the 2DS did away with the stereoscopic screen of the 3DS, came at a lower price and was designed as a sturdy tablet-style device to survive the rigours of childhood play.
The Lite, like the 2DS, removes some key selling points of the standard model while offering an affordable price and a more robust design. In this case it takes away the very definition of the Switch pitch, with no ability to dock the system to a TV. The Joy-Con controls are embedded in the unit (though you can use controllers wirelessly) and there's no kickstand, so this is the true handheld-only experience.
Though it had a sales boost in 2020 during a period where standard models were hard to come by, the trends point to the system sliding back into 2DS territory - being a valued member of the family and contributing decent numbers, but ultimately secondary to the core device.
Nintendo Switch OLED Model - October 2021
This is another easy comparison, ultimately, matching up nicely alongside the DSi XL and 3DS XL models. The screen size increase from 6.2-inch to 7-inch isn't quite as substantial as those XL systems, but will be notable enough side-by-side with the original model. Unlike those XL units the basic shell and dimensions will feel very familiar (though there are small tweaks to those too), but the focus of the model and its place on the market will certainly be comparable.
A notable part of Nintendo's marketing of the XL models in both the DS and 3DS eras was to emphasize their 'premium' role in the range. With the OLED model the focus is on the screen, improved speakers, a much-improved kickstand and a LAN adapter in the updated dock. It's very debatable how much these luxuries will drive current Switch owners to upgrade, and depending on bundles and deals this scribe suspects the standard model will handily outsell the OLED variation in the Holiday season.
The sales it generates (assuming Nintendo can manufacture enough to meet its demand) will be interesting to see. At the top end of the Switch family's price range it may have more similarities in numbers to Lite than the standard model, but by that same token it'll likely give Nintendo a higher profit margin per unit. Ultimately, like the XL models before it, its role is to be the premium option for those that are happy to pay extra for its improvements.
So, Has Nintendo Been 'Slow' With The Switch Family?
The internet is a very impatient place, at least if you spend too long on social media. Yet one common thread of complaint when the OLED was announced is that Nintendo is lagging behind and showing little initiative. In other words, one opinion is that Nintendo should be moving on to improved hardware, even if it follows the 'Pro' / 'X' approach adopted by Sony and Microsoft in the last generation of consoles - iterate and add power, while still supporting the original hardware for all or most games.
But, how does the evolution and timeline of Switch compare to the DS and 3DS eras (using NA release windows)? Let's take a look, focusing on key (not necessarily all) iterations.
Switch → Switch Lite → Switch OLED - 4 years and 7 months
DS → DS Lite → DSi → DSi XL - 5 years and 5 months
3DS → 3DS XL → 2DS - 2 years and 7 months
3DS → 2DS → New Nintendo 3DS / XL - 3 years and 11 months
We've done multiple 3DS timelines above for added context, as the 3DS family was particularly 'busy' from Nintendo, and it's extremely debatable that the New 3DS is an equivalent to the upcoming OLED. What we see is that with the incredible sales of the DS, and then the addition of download games on the DSi, is that Nintendo took its time as that generation sold so impressively. The 3DS, however, got off to a particularly poor start, and Nintendo ramped up with revisions and new models - along with various initiatives and big game releases - to lift its momentum. The 3DS ultimately recovered from its poor start to post highly respectable lifetime sales, but Nintendo continually iterated and boosted the range to lure consumers in.
With Switch there are two factors that help explain why it's seen less revisions and activity than the 3DS. One is that its sales momentum has more in common with the DS / Wii era, in that it's a popular system that is right at the heart of gaming culture. Secondly, we can't ignore the huge impact of lockdowns and related challenges in 2020 and indeed well into 2021. Manufacturing in the technology space has been and is still under great strain, with struggles to meet existing demand never mind new products. Nintendo, like many companies, has also dealt with long work-from-home periods, restrictions on travel and so on. All of this has significant implications when trying to work on the logistics of designing, manufacturing and then selling hardware (and software, for that matter).
Perhaps the OLED was originally going to be out this time last year, it's also possible that a boosted system was on the cards at one point. Only Nintendo knows that, internally, but it's not outwith the realm of possibility. A case could be made that hardware plans in late 2019 were greatly adjusted, ripped up or simply delayed as global events took over.
Even if that is the case, what the timeline shows is that Nintendo is still following a variation of its usual pattern for portable hardware. Should we be surprised that Nintendo isn't in a hurry to push out all-new hardware when the existing Switch and its iterations are selling so well? Like in the DS era, Nintendo has no reason to rush.
On top of that the Switch is still less than five years old. Some of us definitely yearn for better game performance from third-parties in particular, and to see a Switch logo at the end of more multi-platform trailers. Yet, ultimately, there has been impatience too, and when you look at the reality Nintendo has simply been making pragmatic moves, especially with all of the unexpected challenges of the last 18 months.
If, a year from now, there's still no word of new and enhanced hardware, perhaps the argument that Nintendo is being overly cautious and inactive will be more convincing. The reality right now, however, is that it's following its own - often successful - formula.
Comments 65
I wouldn't say Nintendo is being slow at all with the distribution of their models for the console family considering the Switch as is is selling perfectly well to the point where even the lack of these models before the announcements didn't really hurt it that much from what I've seen
In other news, the sky is blue, and birds can fly..
@Funneefox it is the same for the leakers: "breaking news: Nintendo will release new hardware in the future"
The Switch isn't successful because it's following something formulaic. Quite the contrary, it gathered success because it did something that broke the mold, and now we have a system that can seamlessly change from handheld to home console. I think that's the whole reason that people get excited about it, since there still isn't a solid competitor to it, just yet.
I think the Oled priced where its at is a test for a future pro model. Nintendo wants to test the water on if it can charge more for a smaller unit upgrade if it sells well they know they could charge more for the pro. Having a tier at 350 makes a 400 model look less extreme.
@Williamfuchs420,
Or Nintendo have done what they have always done, and released a mid generation revision with a bigger screen, not sure the where the fantasy land Pro fits into all this, but by all means keep up with the whole Switch Pro delusion, as all the evidence to the country has not put off those rabid for one.
Whether they are or not, they are certainly doing something right!
@BloodNinja
Nintendo is operating in a fairly wide open niche in that it doesn't look like $ony has any interest in making another portable, and M$ has never had any interest and their recent collaborations with Nintendo (porting some of their indy games) seems to indicate they have no future plans. Everyone else is just a wanna be other than Apple.....who has the money, mobile chipsets and developer talent to make some type of a competitor. The problem is their software model, which is always been all digital and you would never see a game selling on an IOS device for $60+.....so they could likely make some nice hardware but they aren't getting AAA ports or anything close to Nintendo first party games without a premium price point for software. Add to that, other than Apple, who really develops top end Mobile chipsets other than NVidia.....Nintendo is likely waiting for NVidia's true replacement to the X1 and with the wild success they have had with NVidia they will surely be first in line to use any new Mobile gaming SOC. So N has had no real competitor in the hybrid/portable market this generation and I am not sure they will have one any time soon, which is why they can let Switch run a long 8yrs type cycle without much fear of losing their place as the market leader.
"The rigours of childhood play" sounds like a post-hardcore punk album.
If they launch a cool special edition I might grab it, otherwise (sadly) not interested
Removed - unconstructive feedback
I feel like the GBA revisions and the time between them is worth noting as well.
GBA → GBA SP (front lit) → GBA SP (back lit) → GBA Micro - 4 years 6 months
Nintendo does what Nintendo thinks is best. They almost never follow a predefined pattern, and even if it seems that way, they always know when to surprise.
"The internet is a very impatient place..."
Oh please, some more that we don't know?
Oh yes, miss the XD, XD
@ThomasBW84 Do you know if the battery in the OLED model is still just as hard to replace?
@QuickSilver88 Yep, totally agree with your points.
@sanderev The abject failure that was the Wii U says hi.
@BloodNinja True, but Nintendo believed in the Wii U when they launched it. They made a mistake, and it flopped. Just like with the Virual Boy.
@johnvboy its not a delusion its probably not coming like anytime soon like so many want but there will be one. Thinking Nintendo won’t release a new improved switch is delusional itself what there gonna stick with this model and its limited power forever? Nintendo has a console life span of 6-9 years max and has released a new one within that timeframe every generation and we are going on the 6th year of the switch.
I understand your attitude though cause so many have predicted its arrival over and over for like the last three years now. But I guarantee you there will be some sort of one sooner rather then later my guess purely a guess is its 2022 or 23 and they might have it already ready just waiting for the chip set cost to go down and supply to stabilize. My theory is this oled model was originally gonna be the pro but chip set issues disrupted that plan but they had already purchased and ordered the oled screens in mass so they decided to use them and release this slight upgrade. Surprised honestly they didn’t just put them on a modified lite though wouldn’t be shocked if a oled lite model follows next year since the chip shortage is expected to continue until next fall.
@Williamfuchs420 Oooooo there's a great sounding idea, I'd be well up for an OLED Switch Lite 🤔
Edit: Reading that back, it sounds sarcastic haha Wasn't the case at all, I genuinely love the idea 😁
People who don't have a Nintendo Switch are the most miserable bums on Earth.
@LocalPenguin a oled lite makes more sense to me then the one there giving. The oled models only upgrade is the screen so its only a portable upgrade so why not put it on the portable?
I'll be honest, since buying a Switch Lite its become my main platform for gaming, its really brought me back to Nintendo consoles after the also great 3DS and Wii. Sony really missed a trick with a Vita 2, so Nintendo provided the console I wanted, like a portable PS3+. I don't mind the lack of power in a portable system, but I will want a PS5 for those big games I want to play on the TV, like Elden Ring.
So this article is just telling me the switch is amazing right?
Nintendo has two Switch variants. The Lite and the Switched Docked.
The Oled is replacing the original Switch which will be phased out during 2022. There is little point is selling the Oled and an inferior model. As Oled sales increase the original Switch will have production closed.
Nintendo has always been a home console first, that can be played on a TV, all be it a small TV back in the day. Nintendo doesn't need a Switch pro but it would be a bad move not to and so I think they will announce one next year.
@TheFrenchiestFry Hard agree.
@zool In my Opinion the OLED looks to be a reason for Switch lite players to upgrade.
@Williamfuchs420,
Sorry, was not having go at you personally, and I guess I would love a pro model too, it's just not a very Nintendo thing to do, and up until the last generation not a thing Sony or Microsoft did either. And the major Switch upgrade will be the Switch 2, as I feel Nintendo will stick with the name and format for the next generation.
The whole thing stems from the original Bloomberg article, predicting a cheaper Switch option, which was a given as Nintendo have always run with two consoles for ages now, and within this they mentioned a more premium version of the Switch, which also has always been the case with Nintendo hardware for generations now, but it was always going to be a pretty modest revision, and to be honest I was surprised Nintendo added an OLED screen, I was thinking a Switch XL was the most we would get.
Of course even though this has been announced people still refuse to give up the hope of a pro model, and look for meanings in things, when there are none, I guess they just want it to be a reality too much, some are now suggesting the new Switch dock's firmware update feature will pave the way to 4K etc, guess we will have to wait and see.
@Deviant-Dork Don't project like that. It's perfectly understandable. Just because you didn't understand it doesn't mean nobody can.
Finally caught on
@johnvboy while its not completely common for Nintendo to do they did do it with the 3ds with the New 3ds model so there is precedent. While it will probably be the switch 2 or Super Switch (witch is the name i like most myself) it will be basically a upgraded switch all its existing library playable on it. But ya i agree itll be mostly a new gen version not really a pro upgrade with its own library that will be unplayable on the older models.
But who knows really its all just speculation at the moment. Doubt Nintendo would be dumb and create a next generation that isn't completely backwards compatible with the switch library though.
@Williamfuchs420,
This is the main problem though, people are treating rumors as hard fact and evidence, when even Nintendo themselves have denied the Switch pro.
Nintendo will have no issues running with the current model in all of it's various guises, until their next console is announced, hopefully the Switch 2.
Nintendo are not going to confirm a rumor, so that it is no longer a rumor, logic would say of course they will deny anything that is getting close to the truth. They want the world to know when a Switch Pro will be released, when they announce it and not when the press do.
Semantics play a part here/ for example have there been 5 PlayStation's or is there just different variations of a single PlayStation.
Does the name have to change to make it a separate console from the previous one?
If Nintendo introduce a new more powerful console next year, that can't be used in handheld mode, is it still a Switch if they call it a Switch, but if they call it the Dolphin is it no longer part of the Switch family?
The Pro is really just a generic name for what ever will come next, assuming it will be more powerful, of course.
@johnvboy people just love two double talk didn't NIN by their own words tell developers to designs game for 4K ready. That in itself indicates something is in development with 4k/DLSS upcoming. Switch will more or less get a upgrade. OLED is using v2 hardware so if anyone says otherwise is fooling themselves. OLED can't improve gameplay only New GPU will showcase 4k/DLSS on a OLED for any games. OLED is just a carry over for the next model-probably becoming the Super Switch.
Yes they are following the handheld model in that they release new revisions. But that sort of because it makes sense to do so. They have a rather inexpensive console that is in a form factor that they easily can upgrade in ways that makes sense.
This way they can have a switch suitable for everyone.
@SwitchForce,
Just because you and others refuse to ignore all the factors that do not point to a Switch Pro, and only listen to the rumors that support your argument, which in the case of what Nintendo says, or does not say in investment meetings, which usually boils down to a very selective translation of what they actually said or meant, does not mean a Switch Pro is real.
From my experience most of these YouTube channels that spout all of this rubbish, do it for clicks and subscribers to make money. rather than to actually inform people of anything.
@Williamfuchs420 I like the idea of a Switch Lite (OLED model) as well. I guess the precedent for that would be the 2DS XL. I wonder if an upgraded Lite would get launched after any Switch 2 came out as well?
You forgot the enhanced battery version, even if it was a super minor revision. But I'm kinda over how Nintendo does business. I went with 2 upgrades during the 3ds lifecycle and love my New 3ds XL BBQ. But I'm just gonna wait for the 'final' Switch version before upgrading. This mid generation stuff is garbage.
The fact that the switch can also be used as a TV console is why they haven't changed much, also the revisions for the ds - dsi and 3ds - new 3ds were way more impactful and added more than the OLED is adding
I wonder if this will finally be the system that gets supported as long as the original Gameboy, which only lasted so long since all competitors couldn’t make a product that matched the battery life and game quality on the system (primarily Tetris and Pokémon). With the chip shortage going on atm I don’t think Nintendo will be too keen on upgrading to the Switch Pro when regular Switch already has a pipeline in place, is selling well, got plenty of support by indie creators, and nobody has yet made something to compete with it’s niche. We’ll have to see how the Steam Deck matches up.
Great article, great points. I, for one, am not anticipating something new and I am very content with my switch.
Of course, before I bought my switch, I was content with my 3DS and thought I would continue to play my 3DS. That did not happen . . .
I'd expect the OLED to sell in small quantities to enthusiasts and then it becomes the default model at the price of the current Switch. The current Switch is then discounted to clear stock. That's the pattern of behaviour for Nintendo. It's probably lack of supply that this wasn't the situation at launch. I'd speculate around Christmas this could happen. Whether it's before or after, it depends on supply and OLED sales.
@Williamfuchs420 There won't be a Switch Pro (mid generation beefed up model selling at an exorbitant price). It's simply too late now and it's not Nintendo's style. What you describe in your second comment is more accurate. A successor, like a Switch 2, to replace the current model. That is the pattern of Nintendo.
The real test now is to just coast for another four years and try to hit that coveted 155 million units sold number.
The OLED model doesn't justify the upgrade for myself and for many I know, and if Nintendo really wants to make stockholders and investors happy, as well as loyal customers (32+ year customer here) they'd innovate at a much faster pace with this console. I'm still happy with my Switch Lite I got last year! But I still play my 3DS, GameBoy Micro, GBA, Wii U, Super NES, NES and N64 about as much as I play the Switch Lite!
@Krysus Nintendo Switch revision August 2019, did you actually read the article?
"Switch will get more hardware revisions" is about as obvious as "the sky is blue".
From time to time, in pretty much all of Nintendo's history, Nintendo has only ever completely failed once, and that console barely even qualifies as a handheld.
The Game Boy was underpowered. It competed against all these different handheld consoles, yet it didn't just sold the best, but it also had a pretty long lifespan. Two major revisions came out, and neither of them improved internal hardware. What did one of those revisions do? Improve the colours. Sound familiar?
The Game Boy Advance was pretty much a 32-bit SNES on the go. Not much to say about that one.
The Nintendo DS. The second-best selling video game console family of all time and the best-selling handheld. It went up against the PSP. The PSP really set the standard for mobile devices today and had the hardware to play PS2 games on the go. Yet...it still couldn't keep up with the DS's massive sales. The DS had a total of 3 revisions, one of which made the console look properly shaped and more compact. It was cheap, its hardware was weak, it was fragile, but it was successful.
The Nintendo 3DS went up against the PSVita and mobile devices. What in the world was it doing? Once again, it wasn't as powerful as the others, it had only a small number of home console games brought over to it (but enough to be pretty damn impressive), and even its major hardware revision barely caught up, only adding a very small number of games.
What I'm trying to say is that the Switch is and always will do fine without better hardware than it has right now. It has ALWAYS been the case with Nintendo where their HANDHELD consoles lagged one or two generations behind their home counterparts, so why would the Switch be different? It's a hybrid console, but one where the internal hardware is bound towards its handheld predecessors whereas it's gameplay is bound towards its home consoles.
@HalBailman DSi and New 3DS beg to differ, those were very much mid gen refreshes for the DS and 3DS. And the lack of such a DSi/New 3DS is exactly what the article is addressing, as it's pointed out that we have Lite/XL models for the Switch right now so the question is if and when an enhanced Switch more analogous to the DSi/New 3DS is releasing. If they move onto a Switch 2 in 2022/2023, that's not Nintendo's typical pattern.
@Longondo,
Sorry to hear that, but I think this will be happening a lot as most places will have taken far more pre-orders than they should have.
@Bolt_Strike DSi replaced the existing model. It offered no major performance boost, nor did it sell it at 50% more than the existing DS. In fact, it was the same price with the old DS reduced in price to clear stock. That is Nintendo's standard "minor revision and update" history, just like it did with the red box Switch. DS XL is more analogous to Switch OLED: no performance boost, just a bigger screen. If there is a Switch 2 in 2022 or 2023, that is exactly Nintendo's history. A next gen version that would REPLACE the old one. It would NOT sell beside the old one at 50% more like a "PRO" concept does.
The bottom line is we need to stop using this term "Pro". It has a very specific meaning. It's not an iteration or a next-gen system. It's a mid-point beefed up premium model selling beside the base model at a premium price. I doubt we'll even see Sony or MS try it again. PS4 Pro & XBX were unique situations where 4K and HDR suddenly emerged early in those cycles and both companies felt an imperative to cater for it.
@WoomyNNYes I don't unfortunately. I suspect that's the kind of thing we'll look at (especially in the video team) when we get our hands on them.
I guess I'm just being old. LOL.
But I am liking the "longer" product cycle life.
I am so fed up of products that come out, and are obsolete in 4 years.
I don't want to have to buy a new phone every 4 years. I don't want to have to buy a new computer every 5 years. I don't want to have to buy a new car every 7.5 years.
It is expensive.
It is filling up our garbage dumps so quickly.
It is using up more of our Earth's resources.
And it is increasing our carbon footprint.
What I am hoping is that the Switch Pro keeps using the same controllers as the Switch and takes the same games. So at least we don't have to burn through more carbon to get new controllers.
And, I'd also think it would be great if they don't completely stop 3rd party from developing for the original Switch specs. There will be some games you need the Switch Pro for, but there would still be some momentum on bring out games that play on both Switch and Switch Pro.
EDIT: Also . . . the bigger they make the user base for the original Switch . . . the more games that will be targeted for it.
Nintendo doing what Nintendo does best, selling great consoles! Revisions are also common on their home console front, examples are the revised NES and SNES models, the Wii Mini. The Switch will have the longest life span of any Nintendo console, mark my words.
@Edu23XWiiU
"The Switch will have the longest life span of any Nintendo console, mark my words."
+1
Hoping so.
But I am typing this knowing that we still play our Game Cube games (although on our Wii even though our Game Cube console still works.), and our Wii still gets used as well.
Not being locked up by an OS going out of date — I'm looking at you Android and iOS! LOL.
@HalBailman my point is that the difference between a “pro” or a “2” will probably be moot. It’ll ultimately still be just a beefier Switch when they release it. Itll play all the same games ie bwc but have its own library as well. Though i could see Nintendo wanting to make even those games playable on the og models as well since they wont want to abandon that huge pool of possible purchases. Witch would effectively make it the pro even if it is a sequel.
The clean generation break model is a nearly dead one. Hell even look at the competition… most of the PS5 games are also released on PS4 making that generation break very muddy. I suspect so will the Switchs successors will also be.
@Williamfuchs420 It won't be sold alongside the current Switch and at a premium price so it's not moot. As a successor, it will replace the old model and retail at a similar original price. A "pro" is a specific concept, confuses the issue and should be retired (and buried with the absurd "pro" rumours), especially if we're specifically referring to a successor.
There's always an overlap of games between generations. It lasts a year or two and then the break is clean. During this phase, the old generation is sold very cheaply - the exact opposite situation of a pro situation.
It's fine. I'm not a fanatic. I'm not gonna rant and rage over "I want I want, they no gimme what I want".
I go with the flow, and am happy to see whatever iterative improvements come our way. Time marches on, and in a few short years, Switch 2 will be upon us. I can wait. Plus I have Steamdeck on the way for 3rd party games. Though I do prefer the OLED screen and pocketability Switch offers.
But ya. It's all good. I look forward to the OLED model
@NintendoDad I play Gamecube games on my modded Wii U hehehe.
@Edu23XWiiU
+1
And if they bring more GameCube games to the Switch . . . then the Switch becomes a great platform to keep more of the Nintendo Library accessible.
We have NES, SNES, (and now N64 and Sega Genesis), starting to see GameCube and a few Wii U games on the Switch.
Just missing Wii now.
If Nintendo brought out Mario Kart Double Dash for the Switch, I'd probably be in to picking it up. It is one of the GC games I still dust off and play every now and then.
And if they added NSO connectivity to it, . . . that would be a whole-new-level.
The Wii U was announced when the Wii was less than 5 years old. Also, I consider the OLED model more an equivalent to the New 3DS, even without performance improvements, these are much more than just a bigger screen.
It's practically confirmed a next-generation Switch is in development, it's just not ready to be announced yet.
The OLED model was likely a result of Nintendo investigating technology and what new things they can do with Switch. They're likely looking now to a generational leap in processing power as well as something new. Yeah, something new. Something unique, an innovation. A combination of power and experimentation is perfect for a new console. Cloud tech is much more than just streaming for example...
The perfect successor to the Switch should be something like the Xbox Series, a new console with a huge leap in power while being backwards compatible with the previous console, and also still releasing games for the last-gen console.
But, the worst scenario could happen if Nintendo decides to ditch support for the current-gen Switch in favour on a new model. that would be repeating one of the Wii U's worst mistakes. I wonder if it sales could count as part of the general Switch sales.
Looking at next year's games, it would be cool if they were some kind of cross-gen, kinda like the PS4 to PS5 update transition.
@NintendoDad Certainly, all of their legacy content will arrive eventually to NSO, they already said their online subscription will also be present on their next console, so it's a long term thing. Man, for me, Double Dash is the worst Mario Kart hahaha. I'd love to play Def Jam: Fight for NY on my Switch, but that's a long way to dream about.
@Edu23XWiiU
I said we were still waiting for Wii coming to Switch, but Super Mario Galaxy is a Wii game, so there is actually a game from all Nintendo set-top consoles.
RE: Double Dash is the worst . . . to each their own, but I would rank Double Dash better than the SNES or N64 versions. Double Dash had pretty good mechanics. And be biggest thing for me would be having a 2nd player as the gunner in the back of the kart. This let my kids when they were younger play with us (when they were too little to drive the kart). It was a lot of fun. And even when they were old enough to finally drive the karts, we would still put a 2nd player in the back . . . but they wouldn't be on your team. They would be on the other team, trying to make you crash by bumping you at the least opportune time. Or trying to throw bombs in front of you to crash into. LOL.
This 2nd player in the same kart was only on Double Dash.
If Nintendo brought Double Dash to Switch, I would say it would be a great game to introduce your kids (when they are really young) to Mario Kart. LOL.
@NintendoDad Hahaha no man, 64 is better. The team of two mechanic was interesting, but very frustrating, as the overall game is, with the case of Double Dash. But I guess playing LAN multiplayer with it was fun. My kids love Mario Kart, because of 8 hehehe. They're very excited to play 64 on the app hehehe.
@Edu23XWiiU
RE: "They're very excited to play 64 on the app . . . "
Well. At least that is possible. If you can play against other Switch users on-line, then this will make it all that much more fun!
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