Nintendo Switch Pro: it’s time for this to happen

The switch has it has been a great success for Nintendo, especially after a 2020 that had us all locked at home playing Animal crossing. The question now is … what comes next? Signs point to a new 7-inch OLED model with the ability to play in 4K when docked, later this year.

the Nintendo switch debuted four years ago; the least expensive Switch lite It came two years ago. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X Y Playstation 5 has arrived. Sony and Microsoft are in next-gen console land, while Nintendo seems to be staying the course. TO Nintendo’s recent roundup of the upcoming Switch games had no news on any new Switch hardware. But the question arises whether something could happen later this year.

Nintendo, as always, is shy about details. A Polygon interview with Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser last December suggested that the Switch was in the middle of its console cycle, and that “existing form factors” would be respected. A Bloomberg report from early last year said Nintendo may already be looking to developers to upgrade their games to 4K for an eventual hardware upgrade.

Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch has I already sold more systems than the Nintendo 3DS, and could eventually catch up with the Wii.

There was no new Switch in 2020, but could a long-rumored “Switch Pro” happen in 2021? I could see it happening, although I consider it more of a Switch XL with some useful extras.

When asked about future plans, Nintendo declined to comment.

Very likely: larger OLED screen, improved TV games when docked

A new report from Bloomberg says an updated Switch with an OLED screen will arrive this year. The 7-inch Samsung OLED could be 720p, according to the report. The existing Switch and Switch Lite have 720p displays, but they are 6.2-inch and 5.5-inch LCD panels. Reports of a larger Switch screen go back to last year, at least, but the reports pointed to different display manufacturers.

That’s not a huge increase in screen size, but maybe it comes along with a redesign of the case to make it more compact. On the other hand, if a new Switch changes its body size, it could be a problem connecting with older Switch accessories.

The resolution of 4K games on a TV, also mentioned in the Bloomberg report, feels backward, but would that also mean a new wave of 4K-optimized games? If so, how would those games play on a 720p screen on the fly, and how would those games feel on older switches?

Previous Nintendo 3DS updates offer insight into how the Switch could gradually evolve

Despite original nintendo switch arrived in 2017, there have been some evolutions since then. The most affordable, only for handheld devices Switch lite It arrived last fall, and it’s been the easiest Switch to find in stock online. The original dockable Switch has a significant increase in battery life at that time too.

While Nintendo’s TV-connected consoles generally haven’t received many updates after launch, Nintendo’s handhelds tend to evolve every two years. the Nintendo 3DS (early 2011) was followed by the biggest screen 3DS XL (mid 2012), the Nintendo 2DS (2013), New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL (late 2014-early 2015), and New Nintendo 2DS XL (2017).

In that timeline, there would be another Switch update … this year. Will that happen? Well, 2017 was a long time ago, and the Switch Lite in 2019 was basically a cosmetic update (and feature reduction).

More about game consoles

Small updates could still offer many benefits

You could dream all day about how a new Switch 2 could take modular gaming into uncharted territory, but the Switch is in hugely successful mode right now and it seems extremely unlikely that Nintendo will change it. However, modifying the hardware formula with a few added perks on a shiny new model seems like a very likely move.

The Switch is a system that it wears out a lot: Joy-Cons break, the backs are cracked, hit and shaken by accident. Switching to a new version every few years is not a crazy idea for a serious gamer.

We’re also at the point where console game ports are perhaps hitting the wall a bit with current Switch hardware. the PS5 Y Xbox Series X run rings around the Switch in terms of performance. Big deal, you might think: Except, well, the Switch should really allow at least 4K gaming at this point. Or some improved graphics and performance for streaming games. It would be useful for cross-platform games, which seem to be happening at an ever-increasing rate.

My wish list

An XL version with a larger OLED screen (and 1080p)

I admit it, I look at the Switch’s screen a lot, especially the smaller Switch Lite. The 3DS got bigger screen and it could be an easy move to make an XL switch that reduces the big bezels and expands the screen all over the body. Maybe 7 inches or 7.5. Make your screen brighter and brighter, and let it display the best 1080p resolution you can get in docked Switch games.

The screen could also switch to OLED. That would certainly help with the clarity and quality of the display. Existing switch displays are fine, but not great.

An improved processor

The older Nvidia Tegra processor in the Switch can handle gaming without a hitch, but that ventilation fan on the top shows that it has to breathe a bit more than I’m comfortable with. Aside from not requiring a cooling fan (maybe), an upgraded Switch processor could also aim to boost handheld performance down to what the docked Switch can do.

4K when docked

If there’s a new processor on board, it should help send 4K games to a TV when docked. That would help make the games look prettier, but it would also allow for better looking splitscreen multiplayer. I do a lot of that on the Switch right now, and would love to see games use my TV space more.

Easier docking

If the onboard processor can handle graphics better, maybe that also means that the strange and bulky Switch base can be scaled down as well. I would prefer an official Nintendo unit that is really compact and easier to pack and travel. Third-party options already exist, but I hope the whole official package becomes more elegant.

Bluetooth audio

I still keep a pair of 3.5mm wired headphones to connect to the Switch, somewhere near my nightstand. It’s stupid. Everything else works with Bluetooth headphones, but not with Switch. Nintendo controllers are wireless. Come on, introduce Bluetooth audio.

Fix the kickstand

The dockable Switch can also be a great two-player support arcade machine. I love that idea. However, the Switch’s kickstand doesn’t make that idea work very well. I need to balance it correctly, or the Switch will tip over (not a great idea with kids). Maybe a revised, smaller Switch base could work as a support stand.

Include many colors (like the Switch Lite)

I’m just saying that the colorful switches are fun and the original switch is only available in black.

More robust Joy-Cons (with D-pads and analog triggers)

Because the Joy-Con fits in Labo Y Ring Fit Adventure and other accessories, I’m not sure it makes sense to change the overall shape of the controllers. But really, there needs to be an update. My son, who has gotten into Fortnite On the Xbox, the feedback on the Switch’s controls doesn’t feel good enough. Nintendo has its Pro controller, but even that lacks analog triggers.

A new version of Joy-Cons is long overdue. I would love to see a less squeaky revision that doesn’t feel so worn over time. I would like to improve the vibration with more precise haptics, and what would be really nice is a true analog set of activation buttons for games that could take advantage of them.

And D-pads. The Switch Lite changed the buttons on the left side to introduce a real, classic Nintendo-style D-pad that helps make games like NES Classics or Tetris 99 feel more natural. The Joy-Con controllers on the original Switch don’t have D-pads, but it would be great if one did.

Could a Pro model arrive later this year?

Four and a half years seems like the perfect time for a Switch Pro or Switch XL to emerge. It doesn’t have to be a completely new system, but it could be completely improved. With the success that Nintendo has already seen on the Switch, it makes perfect sense. It might even justify a higher price.

But if previous Nintendo hardware updates are any indication, the changes may not be big enough to inspire buying a new one. Existing Switch owners could be very well with what they already have, unless you feel like waiting or treating yourself to an update when the time comes.

However, for the true opinion of an expert, I turned to my 8-year-old son. He says: “Take two little controllers, separate them and open a small screen. It is a switch that can fit in your pocket.” I don’t know if a Micro Switch will be produced anytime soon, but that’s what he wants and it’s not a terrible idea.