splinters

Maybe I found the game to spend my last Nintendo game voucher on.

Metroid 4 is not a big title, but I still think it's the showcase for new upscaling tech and seeing the title on both systems from one cart will blow us away. They have MK9 and likely a few other surprises to sell the system to 'new' owners.
Even for the new owners, imagine that huge back catalogue to plunder if those games can all be magically upscaled. That is worth a LOT more to Ninty than developing and selling brand new titles.

@Elock it's confirmed to be on Switch 1 and that it was running on that system when shown. It's also on Nintendo list of Switch 1 games in 2025.

For months I have believed upscaling of games is the Switch 2’s USP. Metroid Prime 4 will be the showcase for this wether its all hardware or some magic in the code unlocked. Look at the latest patent about upscaling, hints about Retro/MP4 holding its cards close to its chest and the whole backwards compatibility. Why use possibly the most anticipated title in Switch’s lifetime at the launch of the new console just to run on, err, an old Switch??
Unless, they show it on Switch and then, boom, the magic of that showcase title is how Switch 2 upscales it to look like a next gen game (for Ninty). Now imagine they show all their existing titles, you know the ones you already shelled out for, doing the same magic. Forget remasters you wait for, or pay again for, here is your 4K Breath of the Wild, playable as soon as you unbox your Switch 2. That alone would sell this system while new games are developed that look even better and take advantage of some new hardware tricks i.e. the mouse function. I love Ninty for their innovation and new ideas, I still dont believe this will just be a faster, bigger screen Switch.

@Grumblevolcano indeed, thats how I understand it, gold coins ending, but vouchers being phased out but with no firm date, and vouchers still valid for og Switch titles. They have always been used to buy AAA titles so I cant see why Metroid 4 would be excluded.

Love my OLED switch, but I'm revisiting my 3DS library and PS Vita with a bit of PS5. Says a lot for what I have to play on it. Zelda Echoes, Mario RPG, Paper Mario, and DK were like fast food. Quick snack but not very filling. Zelda TOTK was the last game I spent any quality time with.

@obijuankanoobie hmmm, why is it I can find no other article saying they are no longer available at the end of the month? Were NL a little misinformed about the vouchers? All other news articles say 'being phased out' and 'wont work with Switch 2 exclusives'. I read phased out as when the Switch 2 releases, but we have no idea when that is yet. Even if they were, they would still need to offer some decent titles in the future to warrant selling them with 365 days until expiry.
Worse case scenario, I will give Xenoblade a whirl, but I'm optimistic Metroid will be covered, but mine run out late June 😭

@obijuankanoobie I thought it was just gold coins being cancelled...Nintendo have said vouchers can't be used on Switch 2 exclusives, but Metroid 4 is on Switch 1.

Hoping for a Metroid 4 date so I can use my last game voucher before it expires…

@Max_the_German only if he put a patent application in himself. IP is often down to who registers it first, not the creative mind...see Monopoly for a great example.

If the Switch 2 improved the Switch in ALL aspects (including screen), I would see little point in keeping the first gen..somehow I fear there will be some compromises.
I keep one game cart in my consoles (weird old habit), otherwise my library is totally digital. Will want plenty of storage for a growing library.

My Switch is Asian (Thailand) so no doubt would throw up some issue when trading. I'm happy to keep it until the Switch 2 is a must have (AAA games). Perfectly happy with my current OLED experience and, if it plays Metroid 4 well, I have plenty to keep me going until the Switch 2 bundles/sales start appearing to tempt me.
At that point, the OLED will be a throw in a travel bag option unless Ninty limit your digital library to one machine. Also, it's hard to describe the pop of the OLED screen to someone who claims LCD is fine.

Interesting that the Vita was mentioned. That launched with a heap of cutting edge tech and a fantastic screen. Shame it wasn't supported. I still love my New 3DS XL, but it does look like a toy next to the OG Vita. No excuse for a next gen console not to have OLED when they had them a decade ago

8 million + feels optimistic at this point unless they reduce the price, create some collectibles, and bundle with some big titles. I imagine a Metroid edition themed OLED console bundle would help sell the outgoing switch, and there would still be sales of a cheaper unit after Switch 2 release.

Finally a Metroid 4 release date and more footage then they drop Metroid 2 and 3 remasters to make the wait easier. Plus, these are rumoured to have been complete for some time and there will be much less interest AFTER Metroid 4 is released. Takes a good few months to play to these through in prep for 4...

Looks the same to me….
Seriously though, is that the video or is it actually running at like 10fps?

However, let’s adjust our perspective here, this is a particularly bad name cash in, but the eShop is full of shovelware and Ninty are happy to take the money they generate. Is this really worse in quality than hobo simulator and the like?

That looks a very clumsy fit, especially near the buttons on the left Joycon. Hoping Skull and Co make a grip. Have their Neogrip on the OLED and it’s fantastic.

Did the leaks spoil the reveal? Err, how could they not...

The GameCube was the 3DS to the N64's DS, but as well as the unique form factor and improved graphics, it also had one of the best controllers ever. Some fantastic games too...there is a reason so many people ask for it to come to NSO.

@ChakraStomps good point. Many did, and still do, enjoy games on their PS4. Sony often let you have a free PS5 upgrade when you are ready to move to the new console, so Ninty are likely following that same model with their upscaling tech. I suspect Metroid will be a showcase for that

Hardware might look very much the same, but there is still time for them to show their trademark innovations in the software and OS.

@Pillowpants i suspect even in the face of perceived defeat they remain stoic. Not the sort of company you 'see' flapping about.

@Jack_Goetz a bit like the PS4 pro to PS5. If you squint, most games look exactly the same. If it werent for exclusives like Ratchet, I might not have even bothered upgrading, but the dualsense and its innovations were the tipping point. Im attracted to innovations, not ray traced graphics. Game and watch had those dual screens, NES had all those cool peripherals, SNES Mode 7, N64 a Silicon Graphics chip and new analogue controller, GC better graphics and one of the best controllers, Wii was revolutionary, as was the Game Boy, GBA. Glasses free 3D on 3DS still makes me smile, Switch was a true hybrid console which sold like hot cakes. I had a Steam Deck and Portal, they had nicer graphics and more power, but I still favoured the Switch for on the go gaming. Now we have more of what worked already with no innovations and, for that reason, i feel a little disppointed.

@Uncle_Franklin no one is rushing to buy it, its not even fully released never mind available to pre-order. Could be the end of the year before you can buy one.

Would like to see it next to the OLED, as well as the og. The video and images show it growing from an 8 year old console, its like they forgot another version came out.
I wonder what games will not be supported….I guess any that use a unique feature of the existing joycons such as the infa red or a peripheral that wont work with this? Cant see why else there wouldnt be support.

Well, we have images now and a direct lined up so hopefully a breather from the avalanche of leaks and speculation for a short while at least.

@Pillowpants when are Nintendo not confident?

Is it ok to be underwhelmed now? Looks like the leaked versions, no real innovations that are apparent here other than possible mouse control and magnetic rails. Not sold on that Salmon pink colour (it doesnt age well) and putting an OG Switch next to it to make it look 'much' bigger is a bit cheeky when the OLED is out.

@Dazman pretty much sums up my thoughts.

These news items are getting really poor now. 'Nintendo is upset' headline followed by a few ex employees, who I believe, have also shared a few leaked details, then suggest 'nintendo would likely be upset'..nothing more than click bait. Come on Nintendo Life, you can do better than this.

I would be happy if the eshop loaded anywhere near that speed

At this point I would be happy with a Metroid 4 release date

@Ks123 I agree about the reveal, but I don't think DK is important (or good) enough to worry about the clash. It just makes no sense however to reveal a new console on release date of a new Nintendo game especially when there isn't much happening release wise after that. Nor has much else been announced by Nintendo lately.
Hopefully 'Nate' will shut up with the leaks if it doesn't happen.

What niggles me about these leaks is the apparent lack of innovation. Nintendo have a history of innovation in controllers or features. I find it hard to imagine after 8 years that they would just say ‘we made it a bit faster’ . Think NES to SNES, N64 to GC, Wii to Wii U, GB to Advance, DS to glasses free 3Ds. So are we really expecting a Switch version 2 which is slightly bigger than Switch OLED (but with an LCD screen) and some magnets. Really?

Actually, given the mediocre DK reviews, a Switch 2 announcement on release day might be a nice diversion.

Vowed I wouldn’t buy this, and just rediscovered it on 3DS, but also reminded how uncomfortable the 3DS can be for long play sessions. Got it for just over £36 so will give it a whirl then pass it on without losing too much.

He did say software will not be the focus i.e not the usual game showcase type direct, not that there wont be any games shown.

I have DK coming, just started Prince of Persia, Hades untouched and a fair few more. Love my OLED switch with Skull and Co grips especially for travel. At this point I'm just curious...and hope to see some interesting and genuine news articles return once the 'leaks' stop.

@johnedwin I really don't think they care. Unless their stocks drop and shareholders get twitchy, they will just stick to their plans. A few companies there who traded 15 minutes of fame for a potential Nintendo license on their products. Hope it was worth it.

On a plus note, if this isn't true then it might stop ' Nate the bait' being referred to as notable or reliable in future. Win, win.

@jesse_dylan maybe not removable SSD l, but will have larger internal storage plus the faster SD cards.

Nintendo always announce a Direct so you should know by Wednesday if this is 'happening'. Even if there is a direct, it could just be some DK stuff to promote the game or highlighting other games to maintain sales. Unless I hear it from Ninty, I'm taking it all with a big pinch of salt.

@LexKitteh losing control of the narrative? Nintendo have absolutely no obligation to meet any sort of expectations buyers now believe they are entitled to just because of some dodgy 'leaks'. Good on them for just brushing them off and continuing with their plans. Its that stoic attitude that makes them the company they are.

I realise you need 'news' for your feed, but it's just becoming a rumour mill here. I'm getting Switch 2 rumour fatigue.

@Spider-Kev original Switch?
Still, that has proved itself a great seller so a new one shouldnt have the same effect.

Its business, nothing else. If Nintendo's stock prices are holding strong, or rising, they don't need to do anything that the public 'want'. If stocks start to dip, watch how they react

I am as curious about the Switch 2 as everyone else, but I actually love that Nintendo are just sitting back, watching this all unfold while sticking to their own plans and not addressing every image, leak and rumour. it will come out when its ready, regardless of what it looks like or its internals, you wont get one before release date and, if some slight deviation from the expected price causes some sort of financial problem for you, I would ask if owning the latest tech is really that high a priority in your life.

@garfreek not a Pikmin fan, and I have all Mario, Zelda, Metroid, DK games etc. Thanks for the recommendation though

Chatting with a friend last night, we were discussing how Nintendo always have some innovation in new products. These leaks appears to have none other than minor improvements just like 3DS and Switch models.
Will Metroid be the Zelda that spans generations like GameCube/Wii then Wii U/Switch? And will there just be one game cart for both consoles with the innovation being tech that scales up the graphics, textures etc. for the new console rather than being two different versions?
Also, I suspect Nintendo will want you to specify a primary console for your existing library. Can't imagine them letting you access your games on Switch 1 and 2 at the same time...

Speculation aside, the grip for the OLED is great. Skull and Co are not a 'nobody grip maker', been making good stuff for years.
Still, unless Nintendo are behind this, I'm surprised the companies would risk their future working relationship for a bit of exposure. Also, why are we not hearing of Nintendo issuing cease and desist notices? Not like them to just sit back and watch...