Despite continuing to experience huge sales success, rumors about a more powerful version of the Nintendo Switch refuse to fade. The latest appears to support recent reports that Nintendo is considering 4K capability for the new version of the hybrid console, and that it will remain compatible with the original system.
The leak comes from Bloomberg, who claims to have spoken to a number of third party game developers anonymously. The developers said that Nintendo has already asked them to ensure future Nintendo Switch titles are ready for 4K, which suggests that a more powerful system playing both old and new Switch games will be arriving in the not too distant future.
However, the growing likelihood of an updated machine launching seems unlikely to impact sales of the existing Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite. Katsuhiko Hayashi of industry tracker Famitsu Group told Bloomberg, “Our data suggest the Switch hasn’t fulfilled demand yet... Switch sales are likely to gain further momentum at the year-end.”
With the huge success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo has been struggling to keep up with demand for the Switch and Switch Lite, increasing orders for the system from production partners to 30 million units by March 2021, the third orders increase it has made since April. The Switch was the best-selling console in the U.S. for July 2020, as Animal Crossing continued to close the gap on Mario Kart 8 for highest selling Switch title of all time, with the titles separated by just over 4 million units as of June 2020.
While Nintendo could be forgiven for wanting to cash in on the demand for the existing Switch, with the upcoming launch of PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, momentum is likely to shift away from the hybrid machine. A more powerful version of the Nintendo Switch would be welcomed by more hardcore gamers, as it would help to ensure the system receives ports of multi-format games that are no longer possible on the aging original hardware. The opportunity to push performance expectations presents itself to Nintendo, with the potential for Switch Lite to be the budget machine supporting a comparatively powerful 4K capable device.
With 2021 being the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, and the sequel to launch title Breath of the Wild in development, it would make sense for the new game to release alongside the new machine, however it looks unlikely to be ready anytime soon. Perhaps the newly announced "prequel" Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity could be a fitting replacement for the time being.
Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite are available now.
Source: Bloomberg