Rumour: Switch Pro Was Real But Got Cancelled, Claims Digital Foundry

It was never real people just built false expectations for themselves and inevitably got disappointed when the 'Switch Pro' was nowhere to be seen.
At this point I'm surprised people are surprised.

I would like the next console to be similar but with two versions that can play the same games: one just like the Switch (handheld/TV), and a home console/TV version with better specs.

I don't think we should expect switch pro for a couple more years

@nickeddowes That would be nice, like a home version and hybrid version

@jaybird0922 At that point it won't even be a switch pro, it'll be a successor.

Whenever it is, I just hope for backwards compatibility. I have so much stuff to go through still that I’m in no hurry for new hardware.

We will see the things happened in year 2023.

All Switch Pro talk aside, it does raise the question that’s been at the back of many minds: what does Nintendo do after this? Going back to home console would feel like a step back, but the Switch has been showing its age for a while now and it can only stay afloat for so much longer. Do they release more powerful handheld hardware and stay the course, or do they go back to a traditional home console? It’s a tough question to answer, both as consumer and as Nintendo.

@jaybird0922
You shouldn't expect a Switch Pro at all.

Hey, it's raining outside. Can you call me a meteorologist, now?

Because that's basically what these goobers act like.

Twas never real, people just believed everything they heard

@nickeddowes I can see that being a thing. They already have a Switch Lite, so the Switch "Heavy" would be the TV version only. Seeing this form factor is VERY Nintendo.

Maybe it would be a bump up in CPU/GPU specs but I won't hold my breath. Nintendo isn't one to play the power game. They let their 1st party IP do the talking instead.

At this point I think the Switch Pro may just be a Switch 2. I strongly believe Nintendo should’ve taken an iterative approach similar to the iPad that way transitioning between generational gaps would be easier. By waiting such a long time between consoles it introduces problems like what happened with the Wii to Wii U, and nearly repeated by the DS to 3DS.

It was not cancelled though, it was just unnecessary. At one point perhaps Nintendo had plans to make one as everything shown in the leak were true except for the more powerful hardware part. The Switch Pro was going to have 60gb of internal storage (more than the 32gb of the other two models), a better stand, bigger screen, an OLED screen, better audio speaker, better battery life, a new powerful processor more powerful than the Tegra 1, and a new dock that could be updated for 4K support and feature a LAN port rather than another USB port.

The likely reason for why they didn't upgrade the Tegra 1 was due to the worldwide chip shortage. Not wanting to wait forever just to make another model, Nintendo just went forward with a normal upgrade involving the overall design and storage instead over the internal hardware specs. As much as we could speculate I think what they did was a smart move, by having another model does attract some people to the device, those who want to see their games in better colors now had that option. Since Nintendo didn't upgrade the internal specs yet, it saves them money and time enough to ready a successor soon in the case if Switch sales ever get stale as the year goes by.

I don’t think they need to be worried at all. As long as their next system is a more-powerful Switch 2 that can still play Switch 1 games, they’re good.

Well, assuming Nintendo is developing a successor, the big question becomes, when will it come out? Also, what will the specs be?

I know Nintendo hasn't paid much attention to power and graphics since the GameCube era, but if they want to remain competitive with not only Xbox and PlayStation, but also PC and even Mobile, their next systems needs some power under the hood.

As unique and innovative as the gameplay for their first-party IP can be, innovative or unique gameplay from first-party titles alone will not drive sales. They need third-party developers to support the system, much like Xbox, PlayStation, and PC do.

However, it will inevitably come to a point where third-party developers won't even look at the Switch due to it being outdated, and instead prefer to develop for platforms that are at the forefront of gaming technology.

If Nintendo fails to recognize this, and makes their next system no more powerful than the Switch, their successor system will flop like the Wii U, or worse, the Virtual Boy.

if Nintendo is really worried about the transition of Switch to it sucessor, as Digital Foundry clains, it need urgently to have full backward compartibity with Switch games/acessories, not allowing us to play our Switch games on it sucessor(it would be a huge mistake on Nintendo part)

"I realize we were wrong...but we were actually right the whole time!"

PS: "Metroid Prime Trilogy Q1 2023, we swear."

Game Media

The rumors of a switch has been circulating since 2019. Nobody knew anything about it, nobody said anything about it, Nintendo hasn't said anything about it, so why did people think it was real honestly they were wrong at every turn..

I figured the OLED would be the mid form console and the next console would be the switch successor.

At this point I’d be happy to wait now for a Switch 2 as the Switch’s successor, with backwards compatibility with switch’s catalogue. For me to remain interested it’d have to be something along the lines of switch as I’m predominantly a handheld gamer
As for the switch pro rumours, maybe that’s now the oled we got instead due to covid issues, capacitor shortages etc, making it logistically difficult to get enough quantity of switch pro to market

Ahh I see them moving the goalpost in order to save face. Classic.
B-b-but switch 2 is c-coming this year I swear!

@Giancarlothomaz more like they just need to advertise it better. Because that was the biggest issue with the WiiU (besides the architect). Everyone thought the WiiU was just a Wii add on

@AstroTheGamosian Nintendo dont work like that for her consoles since the Wii, i higly doubt the Switch sucessor is gonna be a powerful console, the Switch sucessor is gonna be a console with a inovation/concept no one expected like the hybrid concept of Switch, they will not simply do a Switch 2, they will do something crazy like VR for the Switch sucessor, power consoles is for Sony/Microsoft not Nintendo.

“Hey, Puss. The Switch Pro even really exist?” - Tony Soprano.

Don't worry guys, you still got your Metroid Prime HD, Wind Waker port, Mario Kart Ultimate, Mother 3 localisation and Smash Ultimate Deluxe Special Edition rumours to grasp on to.

It's bloody rich having a rumour suggest all the other rumours aren't happening. Much ado about nothing.

Righty, so where were we. Oh yes. Next stop, DS lifetime sales.

What will Youtubers use now for clickbait?

I suppose they will be asking us if we need to be worried about everything they do until their next system.

@liljmoore i hope Nintendo has learned the lesson with Wii U when they release the Switch sucessor.

'but one would think the company is wise enough to stick with the hybrid approach' or just stick to hand helds 🤷‍♂️doing hybrid just means crap performance as a home console

i believe the Switch sucessor is gonna feature a completely new concept/inovation like the hybrid concept of Switch, i higly doubt Nintendo is simply gonna do a Switch 2 for it sucessor, they dont work like that since the Wii, they will problaby do something crazy like VR for the Switch sucessor

Switch Pro is completely unnecessary. Nintendo is kicking *** and taking names with decade old hardware. It's all about the games.

@GrailUK Switch Pro is dead, but i gonna make 1.000 videos on how the Switch 2 is gonna be(standard YouTuber) i looking at you Switchlife

I hope Nintendo remains brave enough to bring new ideas to gaming and capture the imaginations of folk slightly less grey than the spec heads. Evolution not revolution maybe. But we all know that Nintendo software is very closely connected with their hardware. Whatever new idea they have for Mario Kart 9 will more than likely be something that uss a feature of the next console. Anyhoo, there is no point 'worrying' about it. I have a big enough back log to last me lol.

@uptownsoul does handheld console count? if so, yes, they have the Wii that sold 102.03 milions consoles sold and the DS that sold 154.9 milions consoles sold

Make it stop. Either accept the switch or play something else.

@AstroTheGamosian Remember the Switch is a hybrid system, both a home console and a handheld. It's likely their 5 year lifespan of a home console plan that they used since the NES had been thrown out the window. In the past Nintendo usually make a successor to their console line every 5 years. With the success of the Switch and because they no longer had a second pillar to fall on, it's likely Nintendo will squeeze every potential out of the Switch until the very last drop meaning we probably won't see a successor until 2025 at the latest. I know those who wanted a Switch successor will be pissed by this decision but looking from Nintendo's perspective it make sense. Of course that still doesn't mean they don't had any plan in mind.

A successor will happen, I doubt they will break apart the hybrid idea started with the Switch but they must secured that idea and expand from it forward while also giving it the modern spec upgrade it needs. From this point forward there's no excuse not to support 4K, the next successor should had a 1080p or 900p screen at the very least and an attempt to at least run at a stable 60fps for all. There are good news and bad news with this plan going forward too, because they no longer had a second pillar to fall back to, games for the Switch successor would cost more expensive than the competition. Also because games are getting larger also means Nintendo had to find better physical format to use over their Switch cartridge. It'll still had to be cartridge based since it'll be in handheld form but the cartridge size this time had to be upgrade from 64gb to around 256gb or 512gb and with faster read/write/process speed, wowza that may be an expensive cartridge game indeed. If they want Call of Duty to stick around they'll need that 256gb cart.

@uptownsoul The closest is Game Boy selling 118 million and GBA selling 80 million if you count handhelds. Not quite 100 million but still good numbers in only a few short years. The GBA would have sold 100 million if Nintendo didn't cut its life shirt due to worrying about the PSP and wanting to get the DS out first.

More than one unnamed developer ≈ My uncles that work at Nintendo

if it is the switch 2 in 2024 i very much doubt it will be backward compatible

If we see any new hardware in the next couple of years, I suspect it'll either be another soft revision or a successor. The Switch will hit its sixth birthday next year after all.

I'm in no hurry for new hardware anyway. I didn't pick one up until late 2019 and have more than enough games on it to keep me busy for...probably two years without buying anything. Why am I employed again?

Proper home console next please nintendo 🙏

Welp, there ya have it. I put my all my money on what DF has to say.

Chances are indeed high that the next Nintendo console could fail.

Because knowing Nintendo, they make some vague step people will dislike, just like with the Wii U.

However what makes it worse this time is that there will be no second system like the 3ds to save the day…

Anyhow let’s hope Nintendo doesn’t make strange mistakes and let’s hope I am wrong.

However they must hurry with the new system internally by now, Switch is almost 6 years old now and even Nintendo their own games slowly start to show the age of the system. (and people that deny it doesn’t see or want to see the true issue here)

Internally they should be busy with something new by now, because by the time it is ready to announce it would take 2 to 3 years from now on, by that time the Switch is absolutely ripe for a replacement.

Because taking to long to release a successor can also have side effects, like losing the momentum.

Covid, Chip issues, supply issues, economy issues. I can see why Nintendo mainly did a screen upgrade for the Switch.

@Pokemaniacal That's interesting, my PS5 has just been gathering dust since I finished Elden Ring. I guess I also own a PC, so I tend to play multiplats on it except FromSoft titles as you can be invaded by hackers without the ability to turn off invasions while playing co-op. The Switch, once again, has been my most played system this year, followed closely by my PC and PS5 a distant third.

As for the topic. I would love for them to continue the hybrid line. I think they should give up trying to innovate drastically with each console gen, it makes backwards compatibility nearly impossible. What I would like to see from the next gen switch is streaming to the dock capabilities so you can play games Wii U style. Not too sure if the tech is quite there for the system to stream HD images from your hand to the TV, but it would be awesome.

I imagine all the struggles Sony has been having producing PS5s has caused Nintendo to hold off releasing a product that they can't easily meet demand with.

@nickeddowes maybe improved all around, but enhanced performance in docked mode…,

I'm hoping nintendo keeps going with the hybrid. If they needed to switch it up,I would say they should invest in the "uncrease-able" screens and come out with a "fold" version of it,thus making it even more portable. But obvi the concerns would be how well/long would the screens be okay..I dunno,just an idea🤷‍♂️

The Switch Pro was the friends we met along the way. But for real, I think Nov 2024 is a good time to launch the Switch successor with Mario Kart.

They should be concerned. They are successful and the competition is fierce.

1. The Switch form factor was successful and is being emulated by Steam Deck and others.
2. They can’t compete on power. Mobile devices that are common cost way more $600-800 than they can charge for a gaming only device.
3. Other hardware platforms like Playdate and VR devices are emerging.
4. Other gaming cost models like Netflix and of course MS Game Pass are emerging.

Gaming is an over saturated market and it will be harder to differentiate their product and compete. They can’t do it just on gimmicks (gyroscope, waggle, 3d screens).

This round I bought a ton of Nintendo hardware but next round I would probably get just one Nintendo system and then a Steam Deck. For me that means functional controllers and cheaper games with free cloud saves that persist for generations. For Nintendo it means lost revenue. I recognize, that even in my situation they still make money. Maybe people like me are a small percent of the market. But it’s enough to worry. The real news would be if they were unconcerned.

Anyone Who Believed Nintendo Was Going To Make A Another Console Based From Their Previous Console Was Never A Nintendo Fan At All, Simply Put, Nintendo Isn't Known Like Microsoft, Sony, Valve, To Continue Product Lineups, Could I Be Wrong This Time, Possibly, But When U Look At History Of Nintendo, There Was No GameCube 2, There Was No Nintendo 64 2, There Was No Nintendo Super Nintendo 2, Or Regular Nintendo, They Were All Just There Own Line Ups In Different Ways Or Another, Just How Nintendo Wii Was, The Closest Was Wii U, That Said, We Could Say Yes They Were, And Nintendo Will Continue On With A Nintendo Switch 2, But People Seem To Forget, Nintendo Doesn't Compete, And Valve Now Entered The Handheld Markets That Aims At Windows Gaming Made Easier N Emulation Simpler, But Doesn't Compete At Switch, While Others Claim Otherwise, That Said, Nintendo Acknowledged The Ease Of Emulation And Considers The Deck A Threat To It's Switch, Therefore, Look At The Future, Do U Really Think They Would Really Continue The Switch, Or Keep Doing What They Do Best, Innovating Their Console's, Rather Competing. 🔥

Well, that's one way to avoid admitting you were wrong. I believe the people behind the Pokémon Stars rumor claimed the same thing.

i do not like the idea of a switch pro, these half steps and minor upgrades just make me annoyed about the little i'm missing out on but not enough to justify going for it.

what was there to the dsi and new 3ds

Called this a year ago. It was obvious that the OLED model was meant to be a Pro model, but due to the shortages they cancelled the upgraded SoC.

The OLED released simply because Nintendo had already done deals with Samsung for the screens.

I am still hoping for the successor to come out in 2023, even though DF sound pessimistic about it. If it comes out after 2023, I really hope the SoC we know Nvidia was working on for Nintendo is the canned one, otherwise it will be extremely outdated by then.

If, as some suggest, the next console is not a hybrid but a new innovation then I think the Switch will get a spec bump and remain in the lineup. Otherwise they would be abandoning a market they created. Personally I don’t see them going in a different direction. I think we will see a Switch 2 with some new innovation.

I've been thinking this for a while: Nintendo's R&D has absolutely considered and maybe even planned a sort of Switch Pro, alongside many other options for different revisions such as the Lite - all possibilities have been explored, and anyone who believes there was never a Switch Pro in consideration is as foolish as those who kept insisting that one was bound to release any day now for the last two years. The thing is 2020 happened and resulted in a huge chip shortage that's only very recently being resolved. With the limited supply it became clear that there was no point in pursuing a "pro" console that would sell primarily to a niche part of the Switch userbase - just look at the sales for PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, so the idea was scrapped in favour of pursuing a full on successor. The moment they announced the OLED model it should have been clear to everyone hat it was over for their Switch Pro Dreams.

I think the part about Nintendo being worried is total bunk however. The difference between previous generations and now is Nintendo had two separate systems to support, now it's just the one. While some of their home consoles underperformed, the handhelds have always been successful for them - and the Switch is a handheld. Yes you can play it on the TV, but it is a portable at it's core, and most importantly, they will not be moving away from this "hybrid" model - to move away from that to a typical home console would be giving up a large portion of their market share in places like Japan that prefers portable and mobile gaming over stationary gaming.

I'm hoping they end up going for the Switch's equivalent of a GBA/3DS; something that's functionally similar and fully backwards-compatible, but a dramatic step up in performance. The tech needed for that already exists, so now we just have to wait for the production costs to drop into Nintendo's usual price range. Since we already have some things slated for the end of next year, I kind of assumed we'd be waiting at least that long, anyway. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, though.

I'd expect some sort of new hardware next year. Maybe not a Pro or the successor, but maybe an OLED Lite? Something. Switch Lite released in September 2019, and the SWOLED followed in October 2021. It makes sense to expect a final revision before the holidays.

I would lie a revision sooner than later but…..if waiting a little longer means better hardware, I am down with that.

@Madao Yeah this is a likely scenario. We know Orin Tegra chips were developed for more powerful Switch hardware, but for whatever reason Nintendo pulled the plug and we got the OLED instead.

I used to think nintendo should stick to hybrid model. But honestly, I don't know how long nintendo can mantain an hybrid console and third party AAA on consoles natively.

If they made a more powerfull hybrid it will need to be at least as big as a steam deck, with makes portability worse.

Honestly, I would like nintendo got back to the old model of having two consoles, a portable and more powerful one.

Would love to see how a Nintendo powerful hardware at the same level of PS5 and Series X would sell on the market.

Imagine having every single third party on board, with the same quality as rivals, plus Nintendo own franchises, on a single box?! I would love that.

It certainly would help lots of people who have PS or Xbox for multiplatform and Nintendo for exclusives, and would also help Nintendo as those people would now buy all their third parties on a Nintendo platform as well.

As long as the “NX2” is backwards compatible with all my Switch carts, NSO, and digital downloads I don’t care.

I don’t need a new console anytime soon. Instead of a pro version, just upgrade the dock to push 4k, added ram and what not. $100 for the current dock isn’t worth it. I’d spend $150 tho on a upgraded one.

Nintendo Switch 2
Don't try to reinvent the wheel when it's already rolling

@Ralizah It's time for the reverse Switch Lite. No portable, docked mode only.

I'm mostly joking, but I would be fascinated by that if they did it. Would people buy a $200 home console Switch?

@ChromaticDracula as long as it sticks to the Switch concept, which it certainly will, it should almost certainly be backwards compatible. Nintendo usually supports the previous generation games unless it's literally unfeasible, like Wii U to Switch with the change from discs to carts, and the gamepad.

Unless it happened, or at least went into design and prototype mode, the rumours are false. A plan has even less validity. Nintendo look at everything and quickly realised releasing a beefed up premium model selling at a premium price (noting the base Switch is already expensive) offered no benefit. It would splinter the market and potentially see games run bad on the base model. Nintendo is also a family company, not one aimed at elites. The Pro rumours were simply false attributions to the standard Nintendo iterations that were the red box and OLED updates.

Note that the Pro concept was hardly a success for Sony or MS, with consumers overwhelmingly sticking to the base model. Remember, those premium models were born due to the sudden proliferation of 4K and HDR early in that cycle. I doubt we'll see this concept again, and media need to accept they were duped like many people and let go this fantasy a "Pro" Switch was ever happening.

PS: The fact Nintendo are releasing a new Zelda in 2023 Mario Kart tracks into late 2023 confirms no Switch successor in 2023. You don't need to be Einstein to know that.

@iLikeUrAttitude you're right in a way. Nintendo NEVER said anything about it, therefore it didn't exist.

Nintendo have a way to go and what drive them is innovation and think outside of the box to evolve and break paradigm , they will come out with something different with the next Nintendo home console even if the switch is a success , maybe if we are lucky the model will be like switch but with something new , or something completely different.

I believe DF is wrong, I don't believe Nintendo is afraid this time, but events forced them to make a decision. The chip shortage from 2020-2022 pushed any of those "rumored" plans until the supply chain was stabilized. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't. Nintendo has been target of scalpers before with the Wii, plus Sony and Microsoft were struggling to keep up with the demand and bots just gobbled up the small supply. I think next year, we're going to hear something, I think Zelda getting pushed back to May has something to do with it. Don't be surprised if it's this year, they've been releasing new Switch SKUs (or models) every other year.

Although, I think they'll keep selling the original Switch Lite, V2 and OLED until they're gone. My theory, they're going to adopt an Apple-like product line for the Switch family: entry, midrange and pro. The Lite and current OLED will be the entry models, then the new hybrid and a Shield TV device. Nintendo isn't going to miss an opportunity to have a gaming set top box. If the Mac mini with M1 has proved anything, Arm-based SOCs can and will outperform their X86 counterparts with smaller footprints. Qualcomm is debuting their M1 competitor next year with Microsoft and other hardware manufacturers. I hope they nail it.

The toughest question in my mind is how do they harness the current technology of the Switch and introduce something "new" without destroying the current ecosystem of the Switch?? How could you possibly abandoned how the Switch works? Is there something up Nintendo's sleeve to grab lighting in a bottle again that leaves the Switch behind?? I just can't see that happening. Switch is so versatile and one of the reasons people love it! Not to mention the beyond incredible software library!!

They should be hesitant… If it’s not backwards compatible (digital and physical) then I would be in no rush because my backlog is that jammed.
Also if it goes digital only… I might give up gaming and never buy it unless it’s something totally revolutionary (to be real probably for one or two games only causing all the other developers to jump ship). The switch is amazing and still has many many years left. I foresee the switch having new games made for it many years after new hardware releases if it goes in a different direction. And I think that’s why backwards compatibility is so important as well.
I think 1/2 the reason why switch is so successful is because it takes cartridges. I would not by half the games I have if it were digital only or on discs for that matter. The physical carts are just cool. Mortal kombat cart, night trap cart, cowabunga turtles cart…. The list goes on and on… Nintendo would be crazy if they shift from the switch even in 5 years time. Yeah graphics arnt that of next gen….. but it’s the system I think everyone dreamed of as a kid… and all them games just keep comming. I’m sitting here still waiting on golden eye to drop…. Like I don’t care about future stuff cuz there is too much amazing stuff on switch… where’s a real fallout game. Like if Nintendo pushes something new all the developers they have won’t be on board…. Why switch it up when it’s currently perfect…. The only thing I think I’d want would be a switch 2 with backwards compatibility….. ya know able to make next gen graphics but still all the same otherwise.

Next thing we will see is the Switch successor. There will not be any pro model anymore. I'm not sure though why everybody seems to think that Nintendo is either going to make another hybrid as the current Switch and continue as is.....or that they will try to do something new/crazy as they always do in the past. Why not both? I think they will continue with a Hybrid as it has been so successful, they probably even throw in backwards compatibility. But on top of that they will add one new thing to it. Some new feature that will allow specific games that can only be played on the Switch and that will bring something new to the table. Maybe developers will not be forced to use it. What that will be I do not know yet but something like going from the DS to a 3DS.

@Giancarlothomaz I firmly think that a switch 2 that docks with some form of vr headset as well as a TV Dock is a definite possibility

@Anti-Matter

Yes. "No new switch next year", it's just a RUMOUR !

Answer in the coming months.

I just don't want Nintendo to be left out of third-party support. They have had some amazing ports for the Switch (received NIER: AUTOMATA for Christmas and it blewe away after playing the PS4 version), but the power is just not there to keep that up. We are in the arena of diminishing returns, and Scarlett/Violet is hard proof of that. The chip shortage probably hit their plans hard so they pivoted to the OLED instead of a full pro; a smart move as the sales numbers did not warrant the increase in production costs of a Pro model. However, if they don't release a Switch 2 (or I would be very happy with a 3D/VR Switch) by March 2024 at the latest (and that's with TotK and PRIME 4 driving interest for 2023) then they will lose a lot of ground in the marketplace.

@billiybob76
I'm not even surprised if next year still have new Switch model.
I still have a lot of games to collect and play, don't really care about uncertain rumours.

Oh I think we will see a new model, just something more in line with the Lite.

2019 saw the Lite, 2021 saw the OLED. They'll do some kind of gimmicky model to keep the Switch relevant till the successor arrives. Nothing new under hood, just...something.

I dunno what, Switch Mini? A non-portable home system?

Hard to say with Nintendo. If they want to stick with the hybrid approach, they'd most certainly need something more powerful for the next console. I play my Steam Deck a lot. It can handle AAA titles, albeit at a reduced resolution, and it would be nice to see a Switch sequel at least as powerful. Will they learn the branding lesson of the Wii U and call it something that doesn't just sound like a new Switch variant?

Does anyone else think it’s funny/dumb that all the gaming websites take a discussion from the DF Weekly and turn it into ‘news’?

@Smug43 You're overcomplicating things very much, if every company had this much paranoia for releasing new hardware then we would still be stuck in the NES days.
Every console successor is basically just a more powerful version of their predecessor if you think about it, especially the traditional consoles like Xbox and Playstation.
The only company exempt from this is Nintendo but even then they still follow this rule to a degree.

• NES from SNES was a simple step forward, just a more powerful successor
• N64 to Gamecube same concept
• Almost every Nintendo handheld did this as well, sometimes giving you even less of a reason to 'upgrade' like with the gameboy color.

I imagine this'll be a DS to 3DS scenario, as in the previous console will set up the foundation for future iterations to come like how the DS set up the clamshell design for a decade even following through with the 3ds line up.
The "Switch 2" will probably just be a significantly more powerful switch with backwards compatibility and just adding more onto the foundation that has already been set like with the 3ds to the ds.

Nintendo should just release Switch 2 in late 2023/24, with backwards compatibility and 1440p/4k via SSL2. I would hope them to go PS5/XSeries route and offer free upgrades for current games to 60 fps but i don't see it coming, Nintendo is just too greedy like Atlus and i'm afraid they will shoot themselves again in the leg

I still say we would have had the Switch Pro already if it was not for the chip shortage. Basically Nintendo had to restructure their plans. But the key thing is they cannot sustain the original Switch for another 5 years. Something has to give.

I’d just like to see a true switch XL with an LCD screen that has a proper ppi instead of the train wreck they made of the OLED. Who stretches pixels and slaps an OLED on? Yeah, leave it to Nintendo! 😒 the most headache inducing system since virtual boy.

Nintendo Switch 2 is the future.

But not until late 2024/5.

Nintendo doesn't need to compete with xbox or playstation. They have their own market now.

Better specs and a much better dock. Backwards compatible with all Switch 1 games. New Pro Controller where the dpad works properly. Bigger joy cons with more comfortable grips/ no drifting. Bigger memory with storage in the dock too if needed. Etc ...

Whatever, whenever they release is fine by me, as long as it has backwards compatibility with Switch games and accessories.

Please don’t alienate 100 million consumers who’ve invested so heavily in the current system. Put that Switch success to work for you, rather than against!

@iLikeUrAttitude Dude, they just said it was real at one point.

It makes a lot of sense, honestly. People are saying the Switch Pro was never real, but I can say from personal experience that companies work on projects all the time and some are ready to release, but get canned due to various reasons. In this case, the chip shortage was a likely reason, or it could be that the New 3DS flopping was in their mind, or they realized even a Switch Pro wouldn't compete with the PS5/Xbox Series X so they'd be at a big power gap.

I believe this if anyone was to hear something about new Nintendo hardware it would be Digital Foundry but this unfortunately mean we are stuck waiting years for next generation

One of the biggest challenges Nintendo has on whatever they do next is the price.

They hit an affordable sweet spot with the Wii and Switch compared to MS and Sony. I can't see them putting out a £400-£500 successor.

This risks the concept of a Switch 2 in that high specs and good battery life are just not affordable with previous pricing models. Will be interesting to see how they approach this.

If eshop ecosystem doesnt carry over, it’ll be the end of the road for me and nintendo

The developer of Eiyuden Chronicle said that they planned to release the game on the successor to the Switch, delayed the game for a year, and then announced they were going to make it work on the Switch after all. If there was any new Ninty hardware this year, I would think they wouldn’t be putting the game on the Switch.

@AstroTheGamosian Nintendo sheep don’t think the same way as you. Well said though, I agree completely.

@Mjoen I get that you think the Switch is amazing and all, but the most recent games run terribly. Even 2 more years of this is terrible for many consumers. Maybe if they start charging less for the games it would make sense

No diss (I enjoy DF’s perspective), but it’s very in-character of them to discuss a games console and not lose a single word about games. The first-party software situation at and after launch is crucial for a Nintendo console, and I feel they are using the current years (where Switch keeps selling on the catalog and second-tier series) to prepare a massive lineup for the next system. Having learned from previous failures. Think about all the franchises they’ve deliberately sent on a hiatus because they could: Mainline Mario, Smash, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Metroid, …

Bet they regret not saving Zelda too, but they never learn with Zelda. Always announcing it and then delaying it until super late into the current system’s life cycle, making a cross-generation port necessary, delaying the game even further.

Rumour, you say? Hmm. Interesting.

The next Nintendo home console will release in 2024.

Et tu, Digital Foundry. Some people must be really bored during the holidays.

@jrt87 well, I have multiple options for gaming... and Switch still reigns among them. Even during the couple previously unimaginable blue moons of securing some time for and bringing my PS4 home (this week and way back in May), you wouldn't catch me using it for any multiplats I also have in my Switch library. And what kind of "technical embarrassment" is it supposed to be concurrently with its persistent status as the most powerful portable console to date? The detractors' only counterargument to this status over the years has been a gaming micro PC which still remains a starkly niche offering for what it generally allows and which only someone completely unfamiliar with gaming micro PCs of the past could mistake for a console.

And GameCube mentioned here needed no defense anyway - it was legitimately more powerful than PS2, it had plenty of adult games (and for the lack of GTA games, it still had other big experience in the genre like True Crime and Gun) and it still lost to the audience's juvenile misconceptions and the competitor's DVD player functionality. It was more conspicuously "teenage" to diss GameCube than to defend it.😅

I do not expect any new hardware in 2023.
However I do expect nintendo to announce a successor in 2023,
And then release it in 2024.

Switch Pro was obviously real. We ended up getting the OLED instead.

Disappointing that we have TotK on the original Switch hardware. Suggests that the Switch Pro perhaps didn't have significantly better spec.

If we're waiting beyond 2023 for new hardware/iteration then I have low expectations for the year beyond TotK.

@jrt87

It sinks to the bottom??? Have you seen how well the Switch is selling?

I have a PS5 and two Switch's, and I am honestly using Switch more than PS5, for 2 reasons..

1) The Switch can be used portably, which suits my lifestyle well.
2) The Switch has probably the best 1st and 2nd party games

Yes it sucks compared to PS5 or XBOX Series X/S when it comes to raw power and graphics..

But it's still very successful because it has great games, it's a hybrid and it's affordable.

@DaniPooo Switch has done great, but I concur on the "sinks to the bottom". These past 3 years the amount of software I've bought is ridiculously lower than the first 3 years of Switch.

However, Nintendo don't care about that. I bought a Switch and I've bought loads of software overall. That means my lifetime value is already well over the average they target for their hardware, so they don't need huge system sellers right now. They have plenty already, and they have plenty of cash in the bank from everyone that already bought them!

I believe Nintendo are holding back games for the next hardware - targeting 2024.

@Would_you_kindly except it isn't crap performance at all. And why limit themselves like that when the switch has done so well? They'd have to be idiots to do that

The transition should be no big deal so long as the next console is a hybrid that's backwards compatible. Malke all the specs better, improve the joycons, and bam. Easy transition. They don't need to reinvent the wheel again

@nocdaes Nintendo care if they see that is their figures..
Which they probably do.. Even if the switch is selling really well still. I believe the sales has slowed down (both hardware and games)

But saying that the Switch sinks to the bottom does not seem right when Switch games and hardware are continuously competitive in sales charts.

But yes, I think we will have an announcement next year, and new hardware released in 2024.
And whatever new hardware they release, it won't be as powerful as the PS5 or Xbox, so don't keep your hopes up.

I think they will release another hybrid system. And I can see it being about as powerful as a PS4 Pro (maybe).

So we won't see a new Nintendo console even in 2023! Well, we will see a few good games then. And not only the first party, I hope.

@jrt87 ridiculous claims. It's sales performance alone blows your argument to nothing.

I haven't had any performance issues with my switch. If I were to compare it to an Xbox or PlayStation, sure, it doesn't perform as well. But it's not supposed to. That's the whole point of Nintendo blue ocean tactic, they aren't directly competing with them and aren't comparable.

Also the gamecube was more powerful than the ps2 or Xbox, and had quite a few adult games. So I'm not sure what you're getting at there

@Duncanballs yeah I kinda feel like they're gonna need multiple models. A switch 2 "max" or something. They definitely need to maintain affordability. They've acknowledged that a lot of their current sales are families adding more systems to their homes because of affordability

@jrt87 You should be aware that you are part of a very specific demographic though. One that isn’t particularly important for Nintendo. If you bought a Steam Deck you are waaaay more of a gaming geek than most of their customers. No surprise that your own Switch “gathers dust” then, but most people’s Switches don’t. Software sales are great.

@bonjong23 exactly right and I'm unsure why so many want a pro system which would mean they have to upgrade to pay the latest games?

Nobody is launching anything new for a few years if the stuff can't even be produced enough to land in stores. I think the world has to chill down first before we see a PS5 slim or a Switch 2.

Would love to be wrong though.

Sure Nintendo fans want new hardware, I bet most of us are eagerly awaiting the next system. And yes some games have a poor performance. By and large though Nintendo fans have always been more focused on gameplay, not technology, that’s why they keep playing their Switches and buying new software.
As for system sales: they are still strong, but have slowed down. Everybody knows that, you can be sure Nintendo has long ago made a roadmap accordingly.

My prediction for Nintendo is a late 2023 / early 2024 Nintendo next-gen console announcement, with a late 2024 / early 2025 launch date.

I dont really believe this story, sounds more like click bait.
At this point id rather have a switch 2 or nah something completely new from nintendo a next gen consoles with commercials like back in the days "Nintendo, now you are playing with POWER!" lol

Oh look the exact same thing I've been saying for 2 years now. There is no Pro coming and Switch 2 will be a 2024 thing due to limitations on semiconductors and whatnot.

Please shut up with "we need switch pro!!!1" now. Thanks.

@jrt87 Simple. The games still play fine. If people wanted to rub one out to all the high pixel count, they'd get a PC. If you need your games to look like reality to enjoy them, you have some problems and obviously shouldn't be using Nintendo systems.

@jrt87

You did not address anything...

Nintendo knows that the majority of their user base buy their hardware mainly to play Nintendo 1st and 2nd party titles or parents buying a child friendly game console for their kids.

It's these people that are the main contributors to their revenue.

The group of people who buy nintendo hardware mainly to play third party games is much smaller. It used to be insignificant in comparison, but the allure of the hybrid concept has made this group grow.

Still, it's not a problem for Nintendo yet, They are still making a buckets of money on the Switch, And I am sure they are planning their next hardware release.

That clears up the "should I get an OLED?" arguement I've been having quite nicely.

@NintendoWife In my case, the Switch has been relegated to only play Pokémon games, which also struggle on it (though Game Freak is primarily to blame there). As great as it would be to have games to play on the go, they look like crap compared to their PS5 counterparts yet often COST THE SAME. If it isn’t obvious, I think that’s robbery given the difference in quality of the same games. Of course this only applies to 3rd party games, but even Nintendo exclusives struggle at times (Xenoblade 3, Bayonetta, Pokémon Scarlet/Violet). But yea, many Nintendo fans just don’t care about this and Nintendo knows that, which is screwing over the fans that actually care.

@theModestMouse I can’t play Pokemon on other consoles tho. If I could, I would ditch the Switch completely until the next gen.

Total damage control from a site with hardly any subscribers in the general scheme of all things YouTube, and pretty low video viewing numbers.

Why can't they and other YouTubers come out and admit they were wrong with all these endless Switch Pro rumors, at least there would be some slight dignity in that.

I do love the way the article suggests numerous sources suggesting a Switch Pro, or another way to look at it, numerous sites spreading lies and misinformation for clicks and revenue... bit like Nintendo life.

I don't care what hardware I play it on, but the thing that worries me most is that we probably won't see another 3D Mario until the Switch's successor, and by that time, I might not be able to play it anymore. I was really hoping the best for 2023.

Honestly I wouldn't want another half generation console, I'd rather wait for the switch 2 or the other console they're developing. It would probably force the devs to just make some exclusive games for pro.

Whatever it is, I hope it will be compatible with my current Switch games.

@Ryu_Niiyama Well said Ryu! It's starting to get maddening.

I think you only have to look at the game releases to see that we are nearing the end of this gen now.

We've had perhaps the Ultimate Smash game ever and the next one if it comes will be absolutely years away, especially if they don't have Sakurai to count on to develop it.

They went back to Mario Kart 8 rather than release 9 which suggests they are waiting for athe next console release.

Typically the second mainline 3D Zelda marks the end end of a gen and the beginning of the next, there certainly won't be another on Switch, possibly another 2D game or the remasters which have been rumoured.

We've had Splatoon 2 and 3 we are unlikely to see a 4th on Switch, that'll be for the next console.

The longer we go without a 3D Mario would suggest it'll be held off for Switch 2 as well.

There've been a lot of Pokemon releases on the Switch and with the release of Scarlet and Violet will there be another mainline pair? I'm not so sure.

We know Metroid is on the way at some point but that could just as easily be pushed to the next console at this stage. It's unlikely to sell many more Switchs but it could push a new machine.

I think we've got 16-18 months of Zelda 2 and perhaps what you might call slightly lesser titles, Pikmin, Yoshi, maybe another Kirby and Donkey Kong. Switch will be 6 in March and 7 in March 2024, I think that will be about the time we see whatever new hardware Nintendo has planned.

@JazzyBeat There's different ways of looking at it. Since you were talking from a consumer perspective - value for your investment into a platform: Many would be angry if they had to buy a new system after only a few years of support. Parents in particular surely appreciate that their purchase of a Switch still provides access to the latest games. And you were talking about multiplatform titles that compare unfavourably: I really think that's a niche problem. Look at the bestseller charts for Switch (or any Nintendo console ever), absolutely dominated by exclusives. The multiplatform stuff Switch is getting is.. good enough I guess.

Not saying this couldn't be better, and I'm sure the pressure will rise. Nintendo does need third party support and goodwill.

I'm glad they didn't make a Switch Pro. I picked up a PS4 Pro, and because it's more powerful than a PS4 I feel no need to pick up a PS5. I just think these pro models are bad for next-gen consoles, and I really don't want to get a Switch 2 only to have buyers remorse because it has similar specs to my Switch Pro.

@NintendoWife

I could not agree more with you.

@JazzyBeat

If graphics is so important for you, then why don't you go out and take a walk. Can't beat that graphics!

I'm sure it was considered at some point but once we got past March 2021, a revision with more power didn't really make much sense. I'll be interested to see how Nintendo transitions to the next-gen hardware, whenever it happens. It always did pretty well with that on the handheld side (3DS had a rough start but eventually sold well), but on the home console front only NES to SNES went somewhat smoothly. Hopefully Nintendo gets it right this time and this isn't another Wii to Wii U disaster.

@Shepdawg1,

They do what they were going to do all along, they get a system that replaces both their Handheld and home consoles, they consolidate all their software production to one device, they then make it successful and build a strong brand like the Switch.

They then release the Switch 2 which is backwards compatible with both the e-Shop and physical software, when demand for the original models dies down, not a very complicated concept to understand, but no surprise people do not get it, when sites like this an no hopers on YouTube keep filling peoples heads with nonsense, and rumors about a Switch Pro etc..

Sure it was real. Riiiiight! What a crock.

@Serpenterror,

You were right with your initial comment, they were never ever going to make a Switch Pro, a revised console with a bigger better screen and more internal memory was a given at some point or other, but a Pro model........ this was just not required as the original model was and still is in demand, and can still sell 15-20 million consoles a year.

The Pro was always a core wish list more than anything else, given substance by YouTubers and rumors on video gaming sites.

@Gamer83,

Never ever even considered by Nintendo, they have said as much multiple times...over and over again, a console like the Switch selling very well, even after five years after it's release..... this just makes no sense whatsoever.

But of course the core would rather believe in gaming sites with their click bait headlines, and idiots on YouTube with very few views or subscribers.

Sounds like they axed the Switch Pro to make way for a fully fledged Switch 2. I reckon it will come in 2024 once the current Switch has expended its final breathes.

@AstroTheGamosian,

Yes because the original Switch has struggled with sales despite being less powerful that the PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, the successor to the Switch will be more powerful by default, but not for any of the reasons you are suggesting.

@Ravenmaster,

They can't axe what they never planned, all this is ludicrous, people claim their is a Switch Pro coming, even though Nintendo deny these rumors again and again, then when one does not come out.... these sites say there was one coming but it got cancelled, seriously you could not make any of this rubbish up if you tried.

Switch 2, late 2024/2025 at the earliest.

@Bobb,

These Switch Pro rumors are the console version of Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, they never die.

@NintendoWife,

When you say fans want more performance, I am assuming you mean the core fans, as most of the Switch userbase could not care less about graphics and frame rates.

@johnvboy Did I say that? I merely wrote that many fans (yeah probably core) would be interested in the next console. Not for “performance” per se but for an all-round step up or rather for the excitement that a new generation brings. Apart from that I said exactly the same as you: Nintendo fans typically don’t focus on technology.

Personally I’m somewhere in the middle: I would love the next system sometime soon, but mostly for the reason that Nintendo has started holding back games for some time now. Which makes this feel a bit like the tail end of a generation. But it’s fine, I don’t have much time to play games anyway, so there’s enough for me. The long wait for Zelda bugs me most.

@Would_you_kindly,

Not so sure hybrid systems automatically equate to poor docked performance, the tech has moved on massively since the Switch, and bear in mind the tech was even showing it's age at that point. It was all down to cost for Nintendo and making a console with the widest appeal, and of course building a brand etc..

Pretty sure when the Switch 2 is launched it will have pretty decent specs, as it will be well into the PS5/Series X generation, of course cost, heat, and battery life will come into play... but still things have gotten cheaper and moved on.

From a corporate POV I imagine there was no point in investing in a more powerful version of the same gen console that could arguably alienate a certain base of buyers (if called pro). The OG was selling so well anyway. I'm surprised, however, that they didn't make a slightly more powerful OLED model. If you're going to release a newish, same gen model anyway, maybe make it a bit more upscaled in tech?

Anyway, can we expect a significant jump for Switch 2 alongside standard OLED screens? It'll be interesting

@NintendoWife,

Which is why I asked you the question, thanks for your reply, many on here feel they speak for far more people than they actually do.

Just waiting on the TotK OLED to be announced, only 134 days until release after all.
But if there was an upgrade, I do hope it has backwards compatibility with a cartridge slot.

@Madao,

Why is any of what you said obvious, it's pretty clear to me you and others have been lead up the garden path with all of these Switch Pro rumors, then when they are debunked time and time again........ You still fail to see it... and are now clinging on to the old... well they were going to release a Pro......... but couldn't get the parts, line, denial is indeed strong with the Switch Pro rumor.

@Bobb,

Yes the site knows what it is doing with articles like these, Christmas come early for them to be honest, and they sure know their audience.

Idk, I think nintendo next generation will be smartphone related 🤷🏻‍♂️

@LeMasters Really? Why? I think that's an idea from some years ago, when smartphones were relatively new and looked like they'd put an end to gaming hardware. But this current generation proved that there continues to be demand and space for dedicated devices.

Steam deck completely changed everything for me.

It absolutely must be backwards compatible or I’m afraid I’m not going to be interested. Unless it’s got a must have gimmick, but I can’t imagine what that would be. (Virtual boy 2? Lol)

I hope they stick with just a Switch variant, maybe new dock+handheld so they can keep the fans of the Switch already and build upon it rather than change it up again. I wouldn't mind a joypad improvement though.

@Deljo,

For that to happen you better have all of your toes and fingers crossed, plus Nintendo to have a lunatic take over, and convince them that an uber powerful home console is their future... don't see it to be honest with you.

@Wilforce what “problems” are you talking about.

@NintendoWife Since the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS generation, and more and more each year, I see apple ios and google android as nintendo's main competitors, rather than sony and microsoft.

Not because of Nintendo, this qas not their intention, but because of the developers of these platforms who realized that they could capture part of that plrtion of players, through a platform that everyone already has (started to have at that point) in their hands, their cell phones.

With the innovative step that was taken through the nintendo switch, bringing your home console closer to a mobile device, I believe that the natural trend is to follow this path that was traced, once that concept worked so well, we all know.

At the same time, we see Nintendo entering the world of cell phones more and more, with pokemon, mario and pikmin games, like a lab perhaps?

I don't know exactly how Nintendo would do what I'm suggesting they will do, if it would be through an online platform that would run on the main existing systems (ios and android), or if it would partner exclusively with one of these companies, or maybe its launches a complementary gadget to smartphone hardware that enable us to play their games using the cell phone screen and processors, or even launch its own cell phone and operating system and enter this “war” at once, who knows?

In any case, I think that complementing all this possibilities, would be a device capable of connecting this to the television through a dock, just like the switch, but whenever you wanted, you could put it in your pocket, exactly equal in shape, size and weight (if not a) cell phone.

@LeMasters through a dock or an app***

@electrolite77 I would argue Nintendo would be smart to iterate this time round and not reinvent the wheel. The Switch is still doing gangbusters and a more powerful Switch with better online, better storage, more features (maybe VR support) would probably go down really well with an audience that shells out for new versions of iPads and Android phones along with gamers who still gladly buys PS5s even though it is just a more powerful PS4.

Doing something extremely radical without clear marketing (i.e. launch 3DS and the Wii U) would be a very bad idea. Nintendo needs to be clear what the next Switch is and why audiences should upgrade. If they can do that another 100 million seller should be possible.

Of course the world is worried! People have invested a lot of money in Switch software. While Sony and Microsoft let you keep your digital games from one gen to the next, Nintendo has been outright hostile towards customers keeping their digital libraries--going so far as to completely change their digital strategy from one console to the next. I buy mostly cartridges for the Switch, but still have a decent amount of digital games. I don't trust that either form factor will transfer to the next system.

@jrt87,

I am assuming the Switch is not the only console you own, so why do you seem so hung up on the Switch's performance, the console was never touted as a uber powerful machine, as Nintendo left that race generations ago.

All this talk of power started when the NX became the Switch, and basically did not live up to the core fans expectations and rumors at the time, thus the Switch Pro rumor was born, so the core gamers could carry on with their delusions.

@IronMan30 exactly. "Oh, nothing was released, now I'm telling you the revision was cancelled, so I'm right" hahahahaha. How people believe them, is beyond me. So much lack of common sense and logic.

@Wexter,

Without a doubt Nintendo just need to keep with the same formula, just a newer model, that will have more power by default.

I’m fine with my Day One Switch Amateur.

Honestly I have no idea what to believe for Nintendo anymore. At this point, new hardware will come when it will come.

These threads always bring out the DF spec junkies who think it's a "we" problem when in reality it's a "you" problem. The average punter doesn't have every console under the sun plus a gaming rig and a Steam Deck. That's a very small crowd indeed. I doubt they even make up 1% of Nintendo's market. This "Pro" thing was always speculation built off the backs of that crowd crying over the specs of the Switch when it came out.

I remember the whole "if it's not an X2 chip it's going to fail miserably", or "it needs to be x86 to even stand a chance of success" discussions. What happened to all those expert takes? A lot of it appeared to me like they just wanted to do some willy waving in the comment sections of DF analysis vids with the "big boy" consoles.

@jrt87 Wow, you keep proving that you are not part of Nintendo's target audience. And you can't accept that apparently.

I won't argue that games looks and runs worse on Switch than other systems.

Heck I have a PS5 and I am not blind.

Why is it then, that I tend to reach for the Switch more often.
Well it's because I think there's some really fun games on there.
They are not running at 120fps @4k with HDR support.
But the games are fun, more fun than some of the pretties games out there.

But I have both the PS5 and the Switch because I know they're a great games on both systems.

I don't get why you have to be such a hater.

@contractcooker Consumer adoption and product confusion.

The machine is still selling a lot of units and a lot of sofware, despite lower specs than the PS5/SX. Nintendo is not in a hurry to bring in a new console and break the pace unlike SONY did with it's PS5. But I think I can speak for a lot of Switch owners when I say that we are ready for a new more powerful Nintendo console, as long as it keeps it's hybrid aspect. Just call it Super Switch.

@iLikeUrAttitude
😂 you've just been told it was real but got cancelled by the same people that on july 2016 got out an article saying that the next console would be a touch screen tablet with an nvidia tegra inside.
I really don't understand how some people are cheering saying "it was never real" after this news. i understand not everyone liked the idea, but it was a logical step, expected by most people.
@FishyS nintendo can't afford to cut backwards compatibility with existing services on the market like xbox gamepass, PS plus and a steam deck that can play most of your 10+ year old steam library and can emulate the switch. And they didn't do it going into 3ds from the ds anyway, so rest assured my friend, it's very likely that you'll be able to put your BOTW cartridge inside the new console to play it.

Scarlet/Violet's performance feels like the biggest proof I've seen that even Nintendo's second-party developers were maybe expecting a more powerful Switch by now.
Unfortunately not all developers have the time or ability to squeeze BotW-like performance out of old hardware, so a boost would be nice if they don't want everything but first-party titles falling behind.

Whatever they decide to do, it really needs to be a Switch successor in the same vein as the current switch with hybrid capability. It would be remarkably stupid to go back to strictly home console. A lot of people are wanting a more powerful home console, go buy a PS5 or an Xbox Series X/S. Switch was successful because of it's versatility. If Nintendo leaves that behind it'll be insane.

@GrailUK
Im hoping they still keep the switch emphasis on choosing how you play the games since it meant that players could play in a way which felt the most intuitive (and was also a boon to accessibility) but still bring some wacky add ons and whatnot like they did with labo and mario kart live tour.

same with specs, i do feel like specs can open up a wide variety of possibilities and its all down to how devs use them though i would love to see a switch 2 which could play the likes of FFVII remake or elden ring without going the full "portable PC" route.

though in terms of creativity i feel like some of the most unique and creative gaming experiences made, nintendo or otherwise have also worked across multiple control schemes so they could still make an absolute game-changer of a mario kart 9 with similar controls to switch 1 (hopefully with analogue triggers)

as mentioned before im hoping to see more of a DS>3DS situation than a wii>wiiu, an evolution rather than revolution (with backwards compatibility)

@JazzyBeat A majority of games on all systems run poorly when they first come out now days. We live in a world of instant gratification and wining and complaining when stuff is not constantly dropping or perfect.
There was a time in life when ya never knew if a follow up was comming and you would hope for a drop of info for years to be published in a EGM magazine in hopes of a follow up to whatever amazing game or system a person was hopping for… and even when such hint was dropped it would only be a paragraph long and no more news for a few more years.
What makes Nintendo so outstanding is they March to the beat of there own drum and make people wait until whatever they are working on is perfected. However in todays world of instant gratification and sites like this where people can voice their own opinions I’m sure Nintendo has a staff that is solely assigned to read social media posts and report to the big shots what the people want.
Now when a leak is made or a game is revealed they have committed themselves to meeting deadlines…. For example the new Pokémon games…. Buggs and all….. now if you were living in in the past….. it would be much easier to delay something a full year to prefect it because only they know it needs more time AND they would not hear the peanut gallery (us consumers) popping off about oh Nintendo sucks because stuff is delayed and I’m taking my money elsewhere because sites like this did not exist.
All developers know ya can drop something now days when it’s close enough and tweek it over its lifespans with updates over the internet. Back in the day game had to be perfect day one…. Now not so much. So it is us the consumers fault for pressuring developers to release piles of crap when they are not fully cooked.

With all that said….. the switch is a cash cow and it is basically a hand held (game boy)and home (nes) console that is cataloging the greatest hits of the past 20-30 years all in one place. Nintendo knows this and there is zero reason…. Yes ZERO reason for Nintendo to feel any pressure to announce or show off a new system anytime soon. I would bet maybe in 3 or 4 years a new named stystem will be announced and a year to two later be in the wild. But I’m sure there are so many games in the switches pipeline that the next 3-4 years are already planned out…. So we get breath of the wild 2 soon…… when the highly anticipated botw3 is already being talked about a month after 2 comes out….. we will see a 3 on the next system. (Hopefully switch 2 where it can be backwards compatible and easily switch between handheld, tv and VR goggles… so Botw3 will be a launch game in 5 years on switch2 and in VR. And guess what….. the graphics are still gonna be crap compared to the PlayStation 6 and no one is ever happy unless you appreciate what’s physically in your world right now and marvel at how amazing all gaming systems are currently.

@Mgalens They haven't unamalgamated their handheld or console divisions. I think it pragmatic to think the next system will share much of the spirit of Switch. I'm hoping for the SNES / GBA version of the Switch (NES / GB) but I'm not riding this train. Day one when it releases, but I have enough to play and want till then.

I never understand why some people are so happy there's not been a Pro version. You don't want to buy a new console? You don't have to. If a Pro version came out and you didn't buy it, you keep on having the same experience you say you've been happy with for years. For the rest of us, good games are being let down by the hardware and we'd happily pay to play them as intended. It doesn't effect your experience.

chip shortage was real

@nickeddowes That'd be cool, but nintendo can barely succeed in doing one thing at once, let alone two. Their family friendly brand and IP exclusives niche they charge a king's ransom for is what keeps them alive despite their mediocre hardware, awful online services experience, and their negative interest in anything live service or multiplayer.

It's frustrating witnessing these unique amazingly and lovingly crafted titles being shoved onto a decade old hardware platform that stutters and lags just so they can rerelease it 5 years later practically untouched, but no longer laggy, for full price.

@DaniPooo You’ve got problems if that’s the only response you can come up with. Also, graphics are not the same thing as frame rate, which is the bigger issue with games on the Switch, but you don’t seem to understand that.

I’m hoping the next console will be the Switch 2 because that means backwards compatibility. As for power I don’t mind slightly less powerful than a Steam Deck, iirc that’s on the power level of an XbOne/PS4?

Also hoping for some actual personality in the software this time, like themes and menu music. And please bring the Miis back

@JazzyBeat Seriously, most switch games have low or zero textures as it is. The fact that they can barely muster 30 fps consistently on their most optimized titles, let alone the standard of 60 is ridiculous. How people play through the lag, ghosting, stuttering and frame drops is beyond me. I get a severe eyestrain and headache playing switch. Using mclassic has helped immensely. The fact that a random third party could create a small inline external graphics accelerator years ago that makes this creaky console look so much better just shows how little Nintendo cares about performance.

@Corvus96 it's crap performance on MOST 3rd party AAA games not that that many even get ported because of the outdated tech lets not pretend it isn't
Edit* even some of their first party games perform like dog 💩 looking at you Pokémon

Nintendo should create an external full power GPU dock solution for Switch 2. Make mobile gameplay crisp smooth 1080p, scale up and smooth graphics for 4k using a dedicated laptop type GPU that draws power from the wall and can output at HDMI 2.1. Call it the Power Dock. I'm sure whatever they're working on will be insanely underwhelming performance wise on launch as always. They hardly even try. They're all about hit and miss gimmicks that innovate but never perform well.

@Mjoen There's zero reason for Nintendo except Steam Deck and other PC handheld's are emerging alongside the ever evolving concept of cloud gaming. They aren't in danger of loosing market share now, but they (potentially) will be in 5 years. Also nintendo rests on their laurels all the time which is why they have booms and busts. It's just SO frustrating to see the high quality software IP they've developed so lovingly get constantly shafted by their poor underperforming hardware group and red headed step child services group because it's Nintendo, a huge old buttoned up Japanese corporation that focuses on a consistent brand reputation above all else.

@JazzyBeat I never said that graphics are the same as frame rate.

To prove it I will define both for you so that you understand them.

Fram-rate is how many pictures are rendered per second.
Graphics: Is simply picture visible by eye.
However In the video game industry we tend to prefer graphics that are visually pleasing to our eyes.
This can be graphics that are technically impressive, graphics that are artistic or graphics that does the job.

@parkerthon everything you said and worry about is precisely the reason for Nintendos success.
I just googled top 100 games of all time and just glanced at the top 10 and 5 are Nintendo exclusives on an ign list. And for a fact since snes Nintendo hardware has always been considered a step below or behind everyone else in the gaming world and this is the same discussion that has been occurring since I was a child. It’s like a dog chasing it’s tail type of argument.
Their old mentality is why perfection is achieved. I love when I pop in a 2-3 year old switch game that I have yet to open. I turn it on and the Nintendo and the game has zero updates and it good to go out the box years later. All that other stuff you speak of it has nonstop updates and improving.
Nintendo does it right the first time and plays by their own rules. If they changed and kept up with the Jones they would be pumping out tons of Mario and Zelda games as fast as COD games and EA sports games but they would all be average at best and they would never that….. oh yeah and there is just one more thing style of doing magical business like that of Steve Jobs.
And as far as cloud gaming goes. They will loose all my support atleast for 3rd party games if the games are digital. That’s my own bias, but to not be able to resell or barrow my copy to a friend or trade a copy or just simply hold it in my hand. yeah digital is a nice and tidy concept and ya wont loose your stuff or break it. But it has zero value because well it’s just digital. Ya can’t resell your copy of a game that ya don’t like back to GameStop for credit. When you buy a car and drive it off it looses value…. When you open a physical game it looses value…. When you buy digital… it had zero value besides the fun. Part of the fun of Nintendo is collecting Nintendo.

As of right now I’m debating between hogwarts on switch and ps5. I know ps5 is gonna be superior in all aspects… but holding that little NINTENDO switch cartridge in my hand checks a box in my brain that trumps graphics and having to sit at a tv and a cheep disc can’t compete with.

Nintendo does not compete with the word, Nintendo competes with themselves.

I got my nephew a switch and breath of the wild the first year for Christmas. After a week he was like this game is trash…. It doesn’t even look real… he plays a lot of gta and pc gaming…. He is a teen…. His brain does not understand masterpieces don’t equal most lifelike…..
if Nintendo played by everyone else’s rules Nintendo would turn into a third party developer and not be the dreamers and game changers like they are. Nintendo invents…. All the other gaming places use Nintendo’s ideas and improve it/expand on it.
Being ahead my not look like it to people only looking at what’s visible
In 5 years cloud gaming may take over… but the only way you will be able to play 50% of the best games ever made and to be made is still gonna be only on a Nintendo console and however they feel fit for you to play it…. Because Nintendo evolves the game for everyone else… it might just not look as pretty.

I have faith in Nintendo. It's true there have been missteps with Wii U, Virtual Boy, etc. but their track record is pretty darn good. Their games are always great.

Rumors are just that, until something is announced.

@DaniPooo You accused me of only caring about graphics and were being a prick with your earlier response. Don’t put words in my mouth. And like I mentioned before, the Switch is the console I essentially use only to play Pokémon now, and while the graphics weren’t great, the performance issues were horrendous. GF was primarily at fault for their incompetence, but there’s no doubt the outdated hardware has to shoulder some of the blame.

@Would_you_kindly Well said

@parkerthon If only all Nintendo fans were as sensible as someone like you are.

@HalBailman To be fair Zelda has been cross-generation more than once. But with Mario Kart DLC and a brand new Splatoon game as well 2024 does seem to be the earliest to be on the lookout.

Maybe I’m an outlier, but my dream for a Switch successor is a more powerful, Switch 3D. I loved the New 3DS system and would love to see 3D implemented into modern Switch titles.

Let's be clear here the Switch isn't a mobile device that is your smartphone that is called a Mobile device. People whom keep calling the Switch mobile have other agenda other then supporting Switch here. It's a Hybrid gaming console nothing in the Switch says it's mobile device. But since NintenDoomed couldn't kill it in 2017 they grab onto whatever straws they can. The Graphics can't do 60fps and neither can alot of other consoles only a Dedicate SLI/CF Desktop/Laptop can reach that spec of 60fps don't even say the Deck can - it can't even compete on those numbers. Since BOTW2 is coming next you expect a Switch 2 or something is coming then as well in that timeframe to showcase BOTW2. Why else would they mentioned BOTW2 in March 2023 timeline. You have to wonder why. It has to be cart capability otherwise they would be having foot in mouth disease and that would be the death nail on the Switch. With all the games already out there dumping the cart factor is akin to gamers selling off their Switch and Games in droves since they can no longer use it on the New Switch. So NO, they aren't going to do a 3DS to NEW 3DS cart although that was the only console and it could still play the old game so in Fact it wasn't that it couldn't only the new games had to use the NEW 3DS XL system to play. I have not seen any other system using 3D system as that is more tech in a small package and there's not enough support for it since it will only be when using handheld and that benefits nothing for when it is DOCKed gaming.

@SwitchForce
" People whom keep calling the Switch mobile have other agenda other then supporting Switch here. It's a Hybrid gaming console nothing in the Switch says it's mobile device."

The tegra chip which is running the games is a chip primarily designed for mobile devices and the games are run natively on the device itself which is why its often referred to as a mobile device.

Since the launch of the switch mobile tech has come a long way which is why there are those interested in what could be pulled off using Nvidias newer mobile chips.

"But since NintenDoomed couldn't kill it in 2017 they grab onto whatever straws they can. The Graphics can't do 60fps and neither can alot of other consoles only a Dedicate SLI/CF Desktop/Laptop can reach that spec of 60fps don't even say the Deck can - it can't even compete on those numbers."

You do realise that a large amount of first party games and even some third party games run at 60fps on switch. 60 fps isnt some radical new tech, you had games on the n64 and psone which ran at 60fps.

Someone criticising aspects of the switch doesnt mean they have some kind of vendetta against it, its not an either/or situation.

@electrolite77
The ground work is right there for Nintendo. People have enjoyed the hybrid concept. Just improve the controller (figure out a way to get rid of that drift) and graphics to a significant degree and that's a good start. There are features I'd like to see added as well such as the return of the Virtual Console but that's probably not in the cards.

@johnvboy I don't see them making a hybrid console better than the steam deck while keeping the cost down & we know they won't sell at a loss because they're still overcharging for the current tech

@johnvboy it takes a brain to understand it. Which you clearly lack.

@electrolite77
It feels like some people treat "mobile device" like its some stigma when for a lot of people (myself included) the fact that its portable is a big draw.

It kind of reminds me of what the psp go was trying for (that even included a optional dock, or "cradle" as it was known as) but pulled it off a lot better with physical games and making the ability to "dock" a selling point rather than some optional peripheral.

@Madao,

If you feel a Switch Pro was planned then that's up to you, but whatever you do don't let all the evidence against it dissuade you, and the fact one still has not been released, and Nintendo have denied it time and time again, but you never know.... those YouTubers and niche gaming sites may know better.

@Would_you_kindly

Who knows until Nintendo finally release it.

@WiltonRoots,

Oh yes these threads are pure comedy gold...and the gift that just keeps on giving.

@electrolite77 Try calling on the Mobile Switch.....Not happening...No one calls the removed Vita a mobile device.

@johnvboy it's great. Reminds me of Homer Simpson creating the perfect car. They could make exactly what people are asking for but it would barely scratch Virtual Boy numbers and cost about £500. But hey, performance. Framerates. Plus no matter what the specs are it still wouldn't be enough, because in Digital Foundry the other versions have slightly more foliage and rocks in the distance.

And can’t say the Switch Pro or a mid-generation upgrade was ever something I paid too much mind. If anything, I’d say I’ve been focused and maybe a little worried about the what comes after Switch. For better or worse, over the last 25 years or so, it seems like every other console from Nintendo is the superstar offering. In the case of the Switch, I feel like they have a great niche carved out - not a console that is going to compete with Microsoft or Sony, but a portable option that focuses on first party titles, classics and offerings that focus on fun rather than being sweeping epics. I’m hoping the next console builds on what they have, rather than seeks to reinvent things again.

@parkerthon The idea that Nintendo rests on their laurels couldn't be further from the truth. The reason for their boom/bust cycles is because Nintendo comes out with crazy new gimmicks that resonate with the public at about a 50/50 rate. Sometimes these gimmicks are wildly successful (motion controls), and sometimes they're massive failures (tablet controller).

If Nintendo was always resting on their laurels each piece of hardware would just be an incremental upgrade to the previous one. That's not necessarily a bad thing either because there's a time and place to just offer incremental improvements to your current product. Case in point: the SNES was an incremental improvement to the NES and many consider it to be the best Nintendo console of all time. We'll obviously never know for sure, but if the Wii U didn't introduce a new gimmick, and instead was just an incremental improvement to the Wii's motion controls I'll bet it would have been more successful.

New Nintendo should be a pure hone console with power in the current gen class. The hook should be a “seamless” connectivity with the Switch, so you can play these AAA games on the portable system many people have already invested in. I have no idea the technological hurdles inherent, but such an infrastructure could keep both sets of hardware relevant.

@koffing Well said, tell them!

I hope that the inevitable Switch successor (1) iterates and refines the existing Switch (2) finds a way to interact with more toys/be more of a toy. Nintendo clearly still wants to make weird hardware and I am all for it.

One of the neatest games from this generation was Labo, and I still think there is a lot of untapped potential in the detachable controller concept.

So Nintendo, please bring me back to the early 2000s with DDR dance pads, Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Samba de Amigo drums, lightguns, virtual pets, bluetooth wearables, Streetpass, etc. Just keep the base system simple and then make the accessories weird.

@Would_you_kindly Pokemon is game freaks fault though. That's been discussed on here extensively.

As for 3rd party games, I haven't experienced it. Doom and no man's sky both work great. Seems like people are just exaggerating. Either that or myself (and quite a few other people on here) have just really kicked out and haven't had issues. I doubt that though.

I’d just like that they do a Switch 2, with more powerful guts (imagine how could a switch do powered by something equivalent to Apple’s M2) but have a Smart dock, which contains an extra CPU and GPU to compete with current gen consoles when docked. Best of both worlds.

@Toshiro_Baloney,

This would be a disaster for Nintendo, the core market is around 180 million consoles each generation, and already has two very serious players, the best Nintendo could hope for is a 25-30 % share of this market. This is the reason they avoided this market since the GameCube era.

Of course Nintendo will not do this so the point is moot, a new Switch, which will be more powerful by default is my guess.

I honestly don't know why this is so hard to figure out.

What we want a console as powerful as an Xbox Series X, with Nintendo games on it.

@Mgalens,

Totally correct, the Switch is a hybrid device that can be a home or portable console, the transition is seamless between the two states.

People that call the Switch solely a handheld or mobile device, are only saying so to belittle the console in some way or another, and when it passes the PS4's sales pretty soon, if not already... then they can say it's a handheld so therefore not a competing console, of course the reverse would be true if the Switch had bombed.

@Electrichead64,

I can understand it from the core perspective, and who knows, perhaps a PS4 Pro/Series X level may be possible as mobile tech improves and gets more affordable, even more chance if it's another two years or so when the new Switch is released, and Nvidia come up with something special and custom for them.

@Corvus96 game freak may be the devs but Nintendo owns a third of TPC the games are made exclusively for their consoles so they absolutely have a say in what gets released its naive to think Nintendo couldn't demand better quality

@nickeddowes

"I would like the next console to be similar but with two versions that can play the same games: one just like the Switch (handheld/TV), and a home console/TV version with better specs."

Wouldn't that defeat the entire purpose of having a hybrid system? And besides, how would the hybrid model play the games made for the TV model? It probably wouldn't be able to, and then you'd basically have two separate systems with different libraries of games.

@johnvboy
The part about people calling the switch a mobile device having other agendas was in quotations and was what the person i was replying to said.

my comment was that the switch is using a mobile chipset which is why it is often reffered to as a mobile device, and the games are running natively on the handheld.

i also mentioned in another message that i feel like calling the switch a "mobile device" or a "handheld" isnt a bad thing since it is a big part of the systems appeal, as mentioned its very similar to what the psp go was trying to do only doing it successfully by making the ability to "dock" a big focus rather than having said dock as an optional peripheral like psp go along side other improvements.

apologies if it ended up worded badly, im not really familiar with text formatting like bolding and the like so i just used the quotation marks.

Complementing my previous answer, I believe that an innovative solution for Nintendo, which would related video games and smartphones, would be a powerful console device, which would be connected to your television via hdmi, and via your cell phone by the internet.

It would be possible to play the games on the television directly through the console (and its respective controller, and even use the cell phone as a controller if you want), it would be possible to play the games on the cell phones as well (touch screen, grips and/or the controller itself), wherever you are, and the game would be processed on the console in your home, in addition to being possible to do the opposite way too, playing mobile Nintendo games on your home television through the same connection.

This would be as if the switch's handheld mode was basically taking your phone with you to the places, something everyone already does.

For those who don't want to buy a console of their own (or can’t afford at the moment, or in case it’s sold out all around), but wanted to play its games, they could pay a subscription plan to play it by cloud service directly on their cell phone, without even having the videogame.

But unlike microsoft's service, this would not give you access to the library of games, you would need to continue buying them digitally, as we do in nintendo eshop, but if you buy the console, and logging with the same account you would already have access to the purchased games.

Just imagine how amazing…

You wouldn't need to buy the console to start playing your games, you would pay a subscription plan to have a console in the clouds and check out everything from the launch of the device... and after you bought the console, you could play in the comfort of your big television screen, without depending on the internet, buying your physical editions to collect, and when you wanted to leave, go outside, uou would have access to it on your cell phone without having to pay a extra, since the game processing would be done at your home.

I don't know if I’m dreaming to high, this is just an idea that I imagine would continue the path traced by the nintendo switch concept 🤷🏻‍♂️

I love the switch too much, if the next console isn’t a hybrid thats bc with the switch I’ll be super disappointed and probably won’t even purchase it. I haven’t bought a ps5 or xbox for that reason, I can’t find the time to sit on my couch to play games, with the switch I can

It was never a thing and this guys are still claiming this without providing some substancial proof of it. They are only creating false rumours to bump their views that must be declining.

@LeMasters hmm isn’t that what Xbox is already doing?

@Casco Maybe, despite having an xbox I had no idea it did all that I said, I thought it was possible to play gamepass games via cloud, but I didn't know it was possible to buy the rest of the library or even that the game was processed on your device at home if you had one

I still don't understand why folks got so ornery about talk of a Switch Pro. Like, you would almost think someone kicked your puppy or peed in your cornflakes, folks got so incensed over it. Sure, it got a little annoying that the talk kept coming up, only to have no results to show for it. But at the same time, it's not that hard to come to the conclusion that plans can and do change all the time and that's probably the case here.

I am inclined to believe that where there's smoke, there's fire and that the upgraded Switch did exist.

As for what Nintendo does next? I wouldn't at all be opposed to a traditional console. I mean, I love the portability of the Switch. But at the same time, it really comes down to software. If the Switch didn't have the games I enjoyed playing, to begin with, its portability wouldn't have mattered. So if the next one turns out to be a traditional, stationary console, I would be fine with that. I know that's not the case for everyone due to the current Switch's form being one of the big draws for most.

@nickeddowes it’s pointless to do that because they are not allow to make exclusive game for the more powerful version console.

@Mambitos DF is extremely popular, they don’t need to “bump their views.” They are reporting on tips they got from unnamed developers.

Shining more attention on this is good. Nintendo needs pressure to innovate.

An upgrade being cancelled due to chip shortages seems quite plausible.

I'm ok with there not being a Switch Pro. If I want to play a game in higher frames or res, I will play on PC or PS4. However, if Nintendo's next system is not backwards compatible with Switch games, then I will be pissed. Backwards compatibility is standard with the rest of the gaming industry now. If Nintendo doesn't follow that trend, I think they will lose a lot of sales on their next system.

@SonOfDracula 1.29m subs is pretty damn good. But still just over 1/100th of the Switch user base. Out of which how many are Switch owners I wonder…who knows. Possibly half? Then out of that number how many accepted the limitations from day one because it has to take handheld into account?

@WiltonRoots Probably right!

If Nintendo are worried about a Switch successor, perhaps they should start making some good games, bring back virtual console, ensure backward compatibility, fix the joycon drift, improve the build quality of the machine? No point worrying and doing nothing about it.

@UmbreonsPapa This, I’ve never understood it either, it’s all most like some people have a hatred for a new system or show a lack of complete decorum for anyone that enjoys talking about the possibility of a new system, get back to your caves with your NES system!

But I go by the pattern of Nintendo game releases for a new system, Nintendo usually has either a Zelda or a Mario release for a new system, it helps sell, if Nintendo plan on releasing Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and another 3D Mario on the current system and release a new system by the 2024, they will have no big games ready for a new console release, they would have already been out in 2023, and typically the wait for the next big Zelda and Mario is five to six years.

I do not believe we will be seeing Smash Bros for a long time yet, same with Animal Crossing and we just had Splatoon 3, all three being massive system sellers.

So a new console in 2024 would look very grim, no Zelda or Mario, they would have just been released the year before on the Switch, no Smash Bros for at least a year or two, same with Animal Crossing. The only game I could think of would be a new Mario Kart.

My suspicion was always that the parts shortage did in any plans for a Switch Pro, since they wouldn’t be able to make enough and boy does Nintendo catch hell when they can’t meet demand, but they could still get the OLED screens.

@Mjoen
quote
"If they changed and kept up with the Jones they would be pumping out tons of Mario and Zelda games as fast as COD games and EA sports games but they would all be average at best and they would never that….. oh yeah and there is just one more thing style of doing magical business like that of Steve Jobs."

Nintendo playing it safe with hardware or incorporating aspects which had become industry standard doesnt mean that the games have to change (im not saying in regards to releasing a high spec console since i feel the dominate the handheld niche)

During the more experimental console era we still had cases like the situation with 2d mario where we got 4 games in less than a decade using the exact same 8 world themes and a lot of other reused aspects (including music) and we still got a few "x but BIG" gimmicks (Yoshis island with BIG eggs, mario tennis but characters get BIG etc)

It all depends on the dev team, and nintendo does have some very talented dev teams, The gamecube for example had some very unique shake-ups like having luigi exploring a haunted mansion, Zelda with sailing and mario on a vacation with a water canon.

More recently we had mario odyssey which definitely felt like it was leaving its comfort zone with a lot of its world themes and for me that made it extremely memorable, likewise we got the first fully 3d mainline kirby which imo knocked it out the park.

TBH if the next system ends up being a switch follow up i would be fine since the switch occupies a specific niche and it would be interesting to see what the devs can manage with more powerful hardware (if it does end up using one of the new Nvidia chips)

@WiltonRoots
DF have praised switch games on quite a few occasions including ports from other systems.

usually when you hear a lot of criticism about framerate its not so much because its not running at 120fps or higher but rather when a game struggles to maintain 30fps (Hyrule warriors age of calamity and pokemon S/V for example)

Mobile chips have come a long way since the launch of the switch, a theoretical "switch 2 " wouldn't need specs on par with ps5/xsx to be a big improvement. plus as mentioned in another comment nintendo pretty much dominate the handheld market.

@jaybird0922 *decades, a couple of decades.

@Mgalens I don't disagree with that at all. My contention is with people who use a few buzzwords from an analysis and turn it into reasons to cry in here, like it's the worst thing that's happened to them in their life (which if it is, I wish I was that blessed to have something so petty to be my biggest life issue!) when in reality it's no biggie. It's just a game, it slows down a bit here and there, ho hum, but it's still a laugh. Better hardware will come out, it's just a given. I feel some people just play specs rather than games.

@iLikeUrAttitude you can’t say for certain it was or was not.

@WiltonRoots
to be fair there are quite a few spec aspects which can have a big effect on how a game plays, sometimes subtly sometimes noticeably, Framerate being a big one since it can effect how responsive a game is and how it feels, its why i appreciate that a lot of first party developed games target 60fps.

ive seen a few comments where it feels like people are acting like 60fps is some new thing which only high end systems have when there were 60fps games during the psone and n64 era, also during the seventh console generation it felt like nintendo's games on the wii were putting out some of the most consistently good performance.

i can see how a lot of online discussion can feel like hyperbole though usually i just think of it as being relative rather than in the grand scheme of things.

again i apologise if any of this comes across as overly meandering, it can sometimes be hard to get tone across via text but i do not mean it in a confrontational manner.

@Whitestrider lol yeah, nintendo's just gonna keep revising it.

@Mgalens Nah it's all good, merry new year by the way.

Nintendo is in a bind with this next transition. The single platform strategy paid off big time, but part of the success was pinpointing where the rest of the industry was (and wasn't) at the time of launch. Nintendo can't really control that and any attempts to adjust the hardware nimbly to meet a launch window in this ongoing hardware supply chain nightmare are likely going to be futile.

People saying the Switch Pro was not a thing or there was never a plan for this or that... what a waste of energy. Isn't it really that they are caught up in the name and what it has meant from week-to-week or that they don't comprehend research and development and how far ahead plans need to be made for hardware that is meant to launch to millions around the world? If Nintendo is not ALWAYS planning the next hardware, they are in the transition to a software-only company.

To me, it looks like 2023 is probably the best time to strike with new hardware, but also that the needed hardware is not even possible.

Could get dire in a couple years. The decline of the Wii was painfully rapid and the Wii U — well, nobody wants anything like that to happen to Nintendo again (as much as I enjoyed it, Nintendo couldn't go on for long that way).

@iLikeUrAttitude I'm sure it was, but instantly became impractical once the chip shortages hit. Nintendo is not against mid generation updates, heck they often did lots of them. gameboy advance had several. the 3ds had one that was actually required for like 3 games and other games benefited from it too. They just often took the approach that a mid generation update was for two reasons.

1. Upgrading the tech was actually cheeper then continuing to use obsolete manufacturing process
2. it was needed for their own IPs such as case with new3ds..

but in a world with massive supply constraints and delays, it quickly became impractical. especially sitting on a stockpile of original switches they made just before shortages started.

I doubt we'll see a PS5 pro or anything of like either. the Manufacturing problems aren't going away any time soon

@johnvboy Mobile tech is always going to lag behind fixed / console tech. I wonder if they have telemetry on who exactly plays what, where, and how. I get that Japan is probably mostly portable. If they pulled my data, they would be like .. hey, THAT guy plays docked 99% of the time and generally ONLY plays Nintendo published titles, with a few exceptions.

Why not make the sucessor a hybrid too? Promote it as a much better Switch, do not replace the current Switch until sales truly slow down. Problem solved.