We’re over six years into the Switch’s lifecycle. Despite the fact that the console has demonstrated its ability to provide excellent games throughout the year, such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: It’s hard to find players who aren’t excited about Nintendo’s next console. The company showed it to developers behind closed doors at Gamescom last month, according to new reports from Eurogamer and Video Games Chronicle. These reports come as rumors about the Switch successor continue to swirl.
According to Eurogamer’s sources, Nintendo provided partners with technical demonstrations intended to demonstrate the performance of the Switch successor. One of the demos, in particular, was said to be a “souped-up version” of the Switch launch game The Legend of Zelda: The Wild Breath. According to Eurogamer, this was only a technical demonstration and did not indicate that BOTW would be re-released.
VGC adds that Nintendo also showed the developers of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 tech demo, The Matrix Awakens, which was released for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in 2021 and is “running on target specs for [Nintedo’s] next console,” to back up Eurogamer’s account. VGC also makes reference to the BOTW demo, noting that the Switch sequel played the 2017 game at a higher framerate and resolution than the original release.
VGC says The Grid Stirs ran on the Switch replacement utilizing Nvidia’s DLSS innovation, which upscales goal and “high level beam following.” According to the publication’s sources, the Switch successor’s visuals were comparable to those of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, but this does not imply that it will be as powerful as these consoles.
Although other reports have indicated that it will be portable like the Switch and is aiming for a release in the second half of 2024, Nintendo has not officially discussed its plans for a new console following the Switch.
This is in response to reports that Nintendo stated in February that the Switch was in the middle of its lifecycle. However, this could indicate that Nintendo may continue to support the Switch for some time if it releases a new console next year. The reality of the situation will surface eventually.
Regardless of its age, the Switch is doing fine and dandy for Nintendo, crossing 111 million units sold this mid year. A new Mario Kart 8 Deluxe bundle, four new pastel Joy-Con controllers, and two Animal Crossing: a Mario Red Switch OLED for Super Mario Bros. Wonder and New Horizons Switch lite consoles.
