Nintendo fans have been eagerly awaiting any news about the successor to the popular Switch console, which has been dominating the gaming market since its launch in 2017. The Switch is a hybrid device that can be played both as a handheld and as a home console, offering a unique and versatile gaming experience. However, as technology advances and new consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer more power and features, many are wondering when Nintendo will release its next-generation hardware.
Rumors about a new console
While Nintendo has not officially announced or confirmed anything about the Switch 2, there have been several rumors and leaks that suggest the console is in development and could launch in 2024. Here are some of the most credible and interesting rumors we have heard so far about the Switch 2.
Release Date
The most consistent rumor about the Switch 2 is that it will launch in early 2024, possibly around March or April. This would coincide with the seventh anniversary of the original Switch, as well as the end of Nintendo’s current fiscal year. Several sources have hinted at this release window, including a report from Chinese financial media publication MoneyDJ, which claimed that a CMOS image sensor manufacturer called PixelArt Imaging is expecting a “Japanese game console” launch early next year from a long-time customer, which is likely Nintendo. Another report from Chinese investment site MoneyDJ also stated that a metal case manufacturer called Hongzhun, which is a subsidiary of Hon Hai Technology Group, expects to benefit from the launch of the Switch 2, presumably by manufacturing parts of the console. More recently Nintendo’s current CEO, Shuntaro Furukawa, has stated that we shouldn’t expect any hardware until after April 2024. The reason might be Nintendo wanting to include hardware sales in the next quarter.
Power and Performance
One of the main areas where the Switch 2 is expected to improve over its predecessor is in terms of power and performance. The original Switch uses a custom Nvidia Tegra X1 processor, which was already outdated when it launched in 2017. The Switch 2 could use a more advanced Nvidia chip, or more likely an AMD CPU like the one powering the steam deck, which would enable better graphics, faster loading times, and smoother gameplay. Some rumors also suggest that the Switch 2 could support 4K resolution when docked to a TV, which would be a huge leap from the current 1080p output of the Switch. However, this might require additional hardware or software enhancements, such as Nvidia’s DLSS technology, which uses artificial intelligence to upscale lower-resolution images to higher-quality ones and if they’re using an AMD processor would not be possible and Nintendo would have to rely on AMD FSR 2.0 instead.
Switch 2 pricing
With hardware expected to be a significant jump, and with more features also suspected to arrive, the Switch 2 might be a quite a bit more costly than its predecessor. Nintendo often sells its consoles at a loss to begin with, as does Sony. This is to get the hardware into households, then make up the difference with software and accessories. Eventually, future revisions become cheaper as the parts do.
Backward Compatibility
One of the most important features that many fans hope to see in the Switch 2 is backward compatibility with the existing library of Switch games. The Switch has a huge and diverse catalog of games, including many exclusive titles from Nintendo’s iconic franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, and more. It would be a shame if these games became obsolete or inaccessible on the new console. Fortunately Nintendo has a good track record of supporting old titles, so it’s very likely Switch games and even older titles will be playable on the Switch 2.
The Switch 2 is one of the most anticipated consoles in the gaming industry right now, but it is also one of the most mysterious. Nintendo has not revealed anything official about it, and the rumors and leaks are mostly based on speculation and assumptions. However, based on the available information, we can expect the Switch 2 to be a significant improvement over the original Switch in terms of power, performance, design, display, and features.
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