With the Nintendo Switch about to celebrate its seventh birthday, the Japanese giant’s hybrid console seems to be reaching the end of its lifespan. A natural cycle that is in line with the average lifespan of machines equipped with a processor. While very little official information has been disclosed, leaks seem to confirm an extended partnership with Nvidia. The GPU specialist could well be an ally of choice for Nintendo’s next generation of consoles. A more powerful chip with improved etching is also expected.
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 be more powerful?
For several generations of consoles, Nintendo has been striving to offer gamers new experiences, while Xbox and PlayStation are still racing for power. The Japanese company hasn’t entered this arena for years, but this Nintendo Switch 2 could still set its sights on next-gen.
During discussions with the CMA when Microsoft acquired Activision/Blizzard/King, several documents were made public, including one stating that the Nintendo Switch 2 could be “just as powerful as a PS4”. While this is difficult to confirm, it’s a rather reasonable bet.
As for the screen, Nintendo could drop OLED and opt for a LED display. A choice driven by the console’s manufacturing costs. The Nintendo Switch 2 would offer more power and storage, but not without compromises. Previously, the brand had always positioned itself more affordably than the competition.
Will DLSS 3.5 be available on the Nintendo Switch 2?
The collaboration with Nvidia will allow Nintendo to provide a more powerful console with a higher definition. Currently, the Nintendo Switch doesn’t go above Full HD when connected to its Dock. This would be a welcome technical improvement at a time when 4K televisions represent the majority of sales.
It was podcaster and leak specialist Nate the Hate who revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 would support DLSS 3.5. Nvidia’s technology could more than make up for this PS4-equivalent power, offering better definition, higher frame rates and improved ray tracing.
What’s important to understand is that in terms of sheer power, the Nintendo Switch 2 won’t be on the level of a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. However, DLSS 3.5 will enable the console to run next-generation games. A change that will change the lives of developers, as they will no longer need to optimize their games to the extreme, as is the case with The Witcher 3, for example. A title whose visual quality is reduced on the current Nintendo Switch.
The specialist press has also stated that the Nintendo Switch 2 would be able to run the demo of Matrix Awakens. Developed by Epic Games, this title uses Unreal Engine 5. A feat that heralds a bright future for Nintendo’s next machine. All the more so given that this engine is increasingly used by major development studios. In fact, CD Projekt Red recently indicated that it will be used for its next major productions.
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 be backward compatible?
Among the many questions surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2, the issue of backward compatibility is the focus of much debate. It’s true that with Nintendo Switch, the Japanese console maker has acquired nearly 30% of the market. Turning its back on gamers who are fans of the brand would be quite astonishing. However, Nintendo has not accustomed us to such a policy, with the exception of the Wii U, which offered a Wii emulator.
A question that was only hinted at by Doug Bowser, head of Nintendo of America. Indeed, in an interview with the website Inverse, he clarified that Nintendo accounts will indeed be transferred to their next console, in order to facilitate the transition. We hope that purchases made on the eShop will still be available on the Nintendo Switch 2.
As the new console’s Nvidia architecture is based on the same technological foundation as the current Nintendo Switch, we are pretty confident that the new console will offer backward compatibility. With the video game industry moving more and more towards digitalization, this would also be a welcome gesture that would help build trust with the brand.
When will the Nintendo Switch 2 be available ?
If there’s one question on everyone’s lips, it’s the Nintendo Switch 2 release date. Many rumors point to an announcement at the end of the year. A peculiar choice, since the Nintendo Switch is still selling very well, and it would be surprising if it were to be dropped just before Christmas. All the more so as it still has some solid arguments, be it its affordable price or its gigantic library of high-quality games, including the incredible The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Being pragmatic, we realize that the Nintendo Switch’s anniversary date falls on March 7, 2024. A period that coincides perfectly with the start of a new financial year for the company. It’s therefore likely that the announcement of Nintendo Switch 2 could come during this period. One thing is for certain: we’ll have to be patient to find out more.
How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
For the moment, it’s hard to say exactly how much the Nintendo Switch 2 will cost. However, as Nintendo’s philosophy has always been to offer more affordable consoles than its competitors, we can imagine that it will be under the €500 mark. A position that seems necessary, as this new machine will not offer the same performance as a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X.
We can also look at the Xbox Series S, which, in terms of power, is the closest thing we have to a Nintendo Switch 2. Microsoft’s console comes in at under €300. So, one wonders whether the ideal price point for this new Nintendo console might be somewhere between €300 and €500. Being, once again, pragmatic, Nintendo doesn’t really have a choice if they want to stand out from the crowd.
Nintendo has always been keen to offer affordable, family-friendly machines. It’s a strategy that pays off, since it allows for rapid adoption by consumers. With game sales accounting for the lion’s share of business, an aggressive pricing policy is a natural response to the competition from behemoths such as Microsoft and Sony.
