Nintendo fans are anticipating the release of the company’s next-gen Switch console, which is rumoured to be launching in the first quarter of 2024. The new console is expected to offer significant performance upgrades over its predecessor, with rumours suggesting that it will have a similar level of performance to the PS4.
Key Takeaways
- The next-gen Switch console is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2024.
- The new Switch will offer significant performance upgrades and backwards compatibility.
- Rumoured features of the new Switch include AAA game titles, improved connectivity, and a brighter OLED display.
The new Switch is also expected to offer backwards compatibility, which will be crucial for consumers who do not want to lose their existing games when upgrading to the new console.
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Other rumoured features of the new Switch include AAA game titles, improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a brighter OLED display with a higher refresh rate. While there is no official word from Nintendo on the new console, leaks and rumours from credible sources suggest that the Switch 2 will be a significant upgrade over the original Switch.
Release Date and Credibility of Sources
Microsoft vs FTC Trial
One of the most credible sources for the release date of the next-gen Switch is the leaked document from the Microsoft vs FTC trial. The document seems to show that Microsoft acknowledges the new Switch model that is currently in development. This information, combined with other leaks and rumours, suggests that the new Switch will likely be released in 2024.
Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision Blizzard, also mentioned in his leaked emails that the Switch 2 would have a similar level of performance to the PS4. This statement was made after he talked to Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa. While some may be sceptical that the Switch 2 is as powerful as the PS4, it is important to note that technology has evolved significantly in the past 10 years.
Será que Hogwarts Legacy ya tiene pack con la Switch 2 😅 de ser así saldría la consola por 450€ según Media Markt 🤪… eso o el juego trae directamente un billete a Hogwarts 🤭🤭🤭 https://t.co/RL1lodyDrP pic.twitter.com/y6ietGCoO3
— Nash Weedle “El Analista de Leaks” (@NWeedle) August 2, 2023
Additionally, leakers such as Nash Weedle have suggested that a Spanish game studio, likely Mercury Stream, is already in possession of the Switch 2 development kit. It is common for developers to receive these kits well ahead of time to optimize their games for the new system. All of these sources suggest that the release date for the new Switch is likely to be in 2024, possibly in the first half of the year.
Performance Upgrades
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to have significant performance upgrades compared to its predecessor. It is rumoured to have a new chip made by Nvidia based on an 8-nanometer manufacturing process, which is four times more powerful than the original Switch in handheld mode and 3.2 times more powerful in docked mode.
The new chip is expected to have a similar level of performance to the PS4, according to Bobby Kotick's emails that got published in the Microsoft versus FTC hearing. This means that the Switch 2 would be able to run AAA titles such as Call of Duty, FIFA, Destiny, and F1, which were not available on the current Switch due to its fairly weak hardware.
The improvements in visuals will be far greater than what the 4x number would suggest, thanks to technologies such as DLSS that will automatically upscale the footage to resolutions like 4K when docked and Ray tracing.
Comparison with Other Consoles
While the Switch 2’s performance might not seem like a big upgrade for a chip that’s almost 10 years newer than what the original Switch had, it is important to note that technology has evolved quite a lot in the past 10 years. For example, the Steam Deck has a total computing power of 1.6 teraflops, which is extremely close to the PS4 in terms of its performance.
The Switch 2’s new chip is also expected to be based on a completely new architecture, which means that some sort of emulation might be required for backwards compatibility. However, this should not impact the user’s performance, as the hardware is powerful enough to run that emulation smoothly.
Game Availability
Ubisoft’s Stand
Ubisoft’s Co-Founder and CEO, Yves Guillemot, has expressed his confidence in the upcoming Switch 2, stating that the company is looking forward to exploring the new console’s capabilities. He has also hinted at the possibility of bringing more AAA titles to the Switch platform, including the highly anticipated sequel to Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle.
The original Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was a critical and commercial success, and its sequel is expected to be even more ambitious, with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics. The game’s development was hindered by the limitations of the original Switch hardware, but with the Switch 2’s increased performance, Ubisoft is expected to deliver a more polished and immersive experience.
Backwards Compatibility
With the release of the next-gen Switch, many players are wondering if they will be able to play their current Switch games on the new console. Fortunately, Nintendo’s president Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed that the company plans to make a smooth transition for consumers from the current Switch to their next-gen console by using the Nintendo account to migrate all data.
However, there may be potential challenges with backwards compatibility, as the new chip in the
Switch 2 will be based on a completely new architecture, which may require some sort of emulation to run older games. It is unclear how well this emulation will work and if it will impact the user’s performance.
Additionally, the extra performance of the new chip may only be felt in newer titles, and not necessarily in older games. It is also unclear if Nintendo will update older titles with support for the DLSS or if they will implement backwards compatibility without any emulation at all.
Overall, while backwards compatibility is confirmed for the next-gen Switch, there may be some potential challenges to consider when it comes to playing older games on the new console.
New Features
Aside from the significant performance upgrades, the new Switch is expected to come with several new features. One of the most anticipated is the implementation of DLSS technology, which will allow for upscaling to 4K resolution when the console is docked. This will significantly improve the visuals of games, making them more immersive for players.
Another exciting feature is the possibility of ray tracing, which will enable more realistic lighting and shadows in games. This technology has already been implemented in other consoles and has been well-received by gamers. Additionally, the new Switch is rumoured to have haptic feedback similar to that of the PS5, which will enhance the overall gaming experience.
In terms of connectivity, the new Switch is expected to have a more reliable Bluetooth standard and a better Wi-Fi card. This will improve online gaming and make it more accessible for players. Finally, there have been rumours of a brighter OLED display with a higher refresh rate, which will make the console more visually appealing and easier on the eyes.
Potential Improvements
Streaming Services
One of the potential improvements that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 could have is the ability to use streaming services like xCloud and GeForce Now. While the current Switch has limited support for cloud gaming, it is not yet fully optimized for it. With the Switch 2, Nintendo could potentially make it easier for players to access cloud gaming services, allowing them to play games that are not available on the Switch.
However, it is important to note that this is not yet confirmed by Nintendo. It is possible that the Switch 2 may not have full support for cloud gaming services, or that it may only support certain services. Nonetheless, if Nintendo does decide to include this feature, it could be a major selling point for the Switch 2, especially for players who want access to a wider range of games.
Possible Models:
There is a possibility that Nintendo could release two models of the Switch 2, a regular and a pro version. The pro version would have an OLED display along with a few extra features. Sharp, the main supplier of the Switch and the Switch Lite’s LCDs, is currently working on a new LCD for a new gaming console, which could be the regular version of the Switch 2. However, it is odd that Nintendo would go back to LCDs after using OLED displays for the Switch Lite and the Switch OLED.
The pro version of the Switch 2 could have improved haptics, a brighter OLED display with a higher refresh rate, a newer and more reliable Bluetooth standard, a better Wi-Fi card, and the ability to use streaming services like xCloud and GeForce Now. It could also have a longer battery life and more storage capacity.
It is important to note that these are just speculations and rumours, and Nintendo has not confirmed anything about the possible models of the Switch 2. However, if Nintendo does release two models of the Switch 2, it would give consumers a choice between a more affordable regular version and a high-end pro version with extra features.
