Respected Bloomberg author Takashi Mochizuki has backed up the previous report that Nintendo is planning a more powerful Switch system for release sometime next year. Mochizuki says that the release of the upgraded system will follow with a number of games from Nintendo and third party developers. The revised model is likely to feature “more computing power and 4K high-definition graphics.” The focus on the upgraded system’s launch explains why Nintendo has been quiet regarding game releases this year. Nintendo has declined to comment on the article.
The release of the upgraded Switch would be coupled with, or followed by, a slew of games from Nintendo itself and related outside studios, the people said. Those games would address a wide range of players, from casual gamers seeking small doses of escapism to more devoted fans putting in marathon gaming sessions. The focus on next year’s pipeline explains Nintendo’s relatively quiet software release schedule so far this year, the people said.
Bloomberg
If you think the Nintendo 3DS this isn’t something new but at the same time I don’t believe that Nintendo is pushing for a 4K experience. What the Nintendo Switch needs is a OLED screen because it makes the text much more readable.
Plus a more powerful Switch I think will be a new CPU not a Tegra X2 or whatever because changing the GPU can, indeed, push the graphics of games but do we really need a boost of graphics over performance? I personally prefer to have more performance than graphics so games can load even faster.
OLED is not ideal for gaming due to being easy to get burn-in on the screens and a lot of games having static UI on screen for long times.
Also, it’s not remotely in Nintendos traditionally low cost price bracket on parts
I don’t remember which videogame was shown by someone comparing the Switch screen with an OLED screen. The texts on the Switch screen were visible but a bit blurry while on the OLED screen were so sharp and clean.
That’s why I mention the OLED screen.
“easy to get burn-in on the screens”
Burn ins technically being possible is not the same as being “easy”. For the overwhelming majority of users, they’d never know it was even a potential. Not promoting OLED screens. I don’t think its a good business move actually. The market for the Switch’s portability is not, I think, a market who would care all that much about the upgrade. I just don’t think this is a very realistic concern.
OLED screen? whats that?
It’s a tecnology used for tvs but in general for screens for have a more clear image.
These rumors are bullshit. Nintendo will NOT release a 4K Switch! Maybe Switch 2 will have 4K but not this one. Nintendo will also NOT upgrade the performace of the current Switch as this will only split the library. They might release a new version with higher clockspeed (as they already did) which improves frame rates, BUT THEY WILL NOT RELEASE A NEW POWERFUL SWITCH WITH NEW GPU.
I still think 4K is not a standard. What I mean is not everyone has a 4K TV that’s why I found strange those rumours about Nintendo opting for a 4K experience.
I think they will make a “power dock” that would output 4k through thunderbolt (the dock would have extra GPU for 4k output)
I think the main things they need
1) a practical kickstand (ask the Microsoft surface team for help honestly)
2) OLED display (preferably with an added white subpixel)
3) more storage space
4) 1080P on the system (games don’t have to render at 1080p, they just could now.
5) just added power in general. I don’t think they need to reinvent the wheel here, just update what already exists.
Yes, that might be the case, but do you realize how much money to get them to do that?
not much
I think the resolution will have a greater impact on the readability compared to if it’s OLED. My Vita got burn-ins on it with its screen. I like OLED, don’t get me wrong, but LCD is so much better for me, so I don’t have to stress about those burn-ins.
You can have better performance with a GPU though, it’s not only for imcrease graphic fidelity necessary. I do want better hardware overall, because the Switch is somewhat lacking IMO in 2020.
And I do agree. 4K might happen for UI and menus, but games? Must be reeeeeally low demanding titles; but doubt it. The rumours always says 4K, like it’s important. It’s not (IMO)
I mean the Tegra X1 tht the Switch uses, even when docked, is heavily underclocked.
So I wuldnt be surprised they been workin on a thermal solution, to let the system boost to a default X1s speed clocks. (Ppl hav already shown off wht an almost default clocked X1 looks like on a Switch when they hacked the system firmware)
Wuld bring the battery life back to Switch version 1 though, unless they somehow use a better battery or shrink the nm for the X1 a 2nd time.
Honestly, I don’t think it won’t have 4K experience in the new model. I believe its going to be carry over to Nintendo’s next platform perhaps.
Beside’s having 4K gaming included in the new model inside the hardware seems very pricing and expensive for the company to do so. I think they will put a new CPU chip inside it and increase the graphics of gaming. I’m still ok with the graphics but having more performances on the system is much better and accurate if i say so myself.
I believe when they say the console will do “4K” is actually the DLSS 2.0 Nvidia has been using in their latest Turing Cards (RTX 20 series). So expect this Switch to be vastly superior to the original system and it means devs won’t have to sacrifice performance to make the game look good.
Maybe the “power dock” might come into play here. the device itself will get improvements but the “4k” might come from chips on the dock to boost power during console play.
Either way, this is good news.
No one needs a Nintendo device that is in direct competition with MS and Sony, all we need is for it to not be so far behind theirs.
Yes it would be nice but would this create a divide where the older switch can’t run the new games ?? I’m not sure Nintendo is willing to do that just yet.
They can, some later games in the 3DS library had a “new” 3DS ONLY. So it’s not far fetched. Maybe some games will run better and have quicker loading times if they’re played in the newer console?
If this is what has been taking Pikmin 4 so long Miyamoto will get the biggest backlash of his entire career. The tech heads using ‘visions’ as their argument need to realise that not everybody is ready to keep buying new systems for new games every 3 – 4 years.
What do you mean, it’s more of a recent thing that game systems last longer than 3-4 years. That was simply the norm until the PS3/360 generation lost a ton of money and they pushed those systems extra long. Can’t keep holding back tech bc people can’t afford a new $3-400 system every 4 years (when they likely spent 700+ on a new phone every two years)
Not recent at all. Game Boy was infamous for this. N64 and Gamecube did it and the OG Xbox and currently X1 did it. It is only Sony’s systems that have held on for longer than normal and your comparison to smart phones is a bad example.
Smart phones are used for everyday lives. Game systems aren’t. Tech heads are the ones sending the AAA industry into a crash because of this.
Biggest backlash of his career? I can’t help but feel you’re somewhat overestimating the size of the Pikmin fanbase. Maybe most enthusiastic backlash? Certainly not biggest by the numbers.
@CosmicA
“Can’t keep holding back tech bc people can’t afford a new $3-400 system every 4 years (when they likely spent 700+ on a new phone every two years)”
With respect, this is really impressively terrible business advice. First, almost nobody goes out and spends $700 on a phone, they get a phone at a monthly rate packaged in with their cell service, which the cell company is motivated to give them a good deal on to get them on a long term contract. The “$700” phone prices are extremely artificial for precisely this reason. The price point exists for cell companies to cut it and how you how great of a deal you’re getting “if you sign for a 24 month contract”. Game consoles are cash up front, out of pocket, full price.
Taking that aside, the idea that game technology in particular should ignore what people are capable of playing is just really ignorant of history. The most advanced system rarely if ever is the most commercially successful. Hitting the appropriate price point is paramount to the launch of a console.
It’s abnormal when Nintendo consoles last longer than 4 or 5 years. The NES lasted 8 years, sure, but every home console lasted an average 4 to 5 years, with the Wii being the second longest for 6 years. Handhelds seem to be the ones that last longer with the DS lasting 7 years before getting replaced along with the og gameboy’s longevity, but a good amount of the handhelds lasted around 4 to 5 years.
What does seem to be a recent development in the past decade though is people complaining when a new console releases because they can’t “afford” it. I’ve seen it with the 3DS, Wii U, and Switch… and honestly I don’t understand these gripes. People used to look forward to what was new, so why the sudden change? Games are going to continue to evolve, and they’re always going to need more powerful hardware as they do so. They’re not going to hold back the hardware just because people can’t afford it.
As long as they fix/improve the following:
Battery life
Joy con joystick issues
Bigger joycons
OLED Screen
Higher capacity switch cartridge(64 gigs and higher)
Yes.
And bigger internal memory or the option to purchase a switch with more internal memory.
Folders too, but that’s more important right now I suppose.
Proper voice chat.
And maybe some real plush colours ( not just joy cons, but the actual console itself)
“Bigger joycons”
You can get bigger joycons now.
“Higher capacity switch cartridge(64 gigs and higher)”
They can make cartridges that large already. The reason larger games don’t come all on cartridge right now isn’t because the cartridges don’t exist. Its because its significantly more expensive than just making half the game a download.
“And bigger internal memory or the option to purchase a switch with more internal memory.”
Buy a micro sd card for a tiny fraction of the cost of a new system and call it a day.
Don’t forget Bluetooth headphone support
Who asked for 4K?
PS4 and X1 games barely run true 4K, it’s mostly upscaled which makes me doubt the revamped Switch to support 4K (not that it needs to).
I really wish it’s true!!! that would justify nintendo not releasing much of new stuff this year for me.. seriously most of the heavy demanding games like doom, overwatch…etc take a big cut in graphics and performance due to the current switch power limitations.. now 4K would be heaven but 1080p 60fps for all/most major games just like current gen power would be perfect too.. I guess that would be nintendo’s way of somewhat coping up with the next gen consoles power.. but regardless I am not satisfied with the current switch’s power so many features are taken out systemwise(no party/msgs system, no bluetooth for headphones,…etc) and in most cases so much have to be sacrificed in order to get big games running somewhat smoothly on current switch.. so even before this post I was actually complaining to friends and family about how much I wish for a switch upgrade!
This is actually confirmed?
Don’t think Nintendo confirmed it as of yet.
Yes they can’t comment on anything on the matter now.
Nobody asked for 4K, only rumormongers keep parroting it. I guarantee 99% of players would prefer overall performance and stability to a higher resolution. With more performance, common issues like pop-in, loading large detailed environments smoothly, and load-times for games like ACNH (where multiplayer takes forever to load in for a group of people) would all at least be improved.
Sounds good. I just hope it’s true.
Like Nintendo, I do not go on rumors and speculation. I shall await their take and eventual showing of Nintendo games and consoles. We are having glorious games right now; breath of the wild 2 alone is a game that will be nice. Save up and stay healthy and blessed guys.
F=ma.
If it’s anything like the New 3DS, very few games will take advantage of the better performing hardware. I’d be very surprised if Nintendo actually made a 4k console anyways.
I believe 4K gaming might be a thing for Nintendo in 2021 or carry over to Nintendo’s next platform.
Isn’t 4k gaming supposed to be what the Series X and PS5 supports, or is there even a higher resolution now? 4k still seems very new to me, and Nintendo has always been behind in the graphics department.
Honestly, yes. Microsoft and Sony said that both consoles will have 4K gaming. Yeah, Nintendo is always behind on the graphics department for some reason and they are trying there best to bring the best Nintendo Experience in the future.
I’d gladly take a stationary console that axes portability to improves loading times/visuals.
Hopefully they can correct the joycon quality with this new model.
Any chance this new console could improve the online experience? – Maybe built-in mic and bluetooth connectivity
I think everyone should temper their expectations. Its unlikely Nintendo is going to release a new model that deviates from the current design by more than just a little. If they go full blown 4k update, which would be frankly a pretty major processing upgrade from what we have now where they can’t consistently deliver more than 720p30, they’ll be undercutting how impressive their next full new platform is in a few years.