Nintendo might be eying a second-half 2024 release window for the successor to the Nintendo Switch if a new report is to be believed. Sources close to the unannounced system talked with VGC and stated that developer kits for the console are now in the hands of partnered studios, with the release window of later 2024 intended to ensure Nintendo has plenty of units for its launch.
According to these sources, the follow-up to the switch will remain a hybrid console intended to be played both on the go as well as connected to a tv. In an effort to cut costs, it will be ditching the OLED screen of the most recent version of the Switch, and returning to the LCD display of its predecessor. It will also still feature a cartridge slot for physical games.
There remain questions as to if the screen size will shrink from the OLED, and be closer in size to the switch version1/2 as well. Questions about backward compatibility also remain. Nintendo has given no official word regarding any of this as of yet.
Back in May, an official press statement from Nintendo said that there were no plans to release their follow-up system until April 2024 at the earliest. This came from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa who, during an investors meeting suggested no new hardware during the 23/24 fiscal year, which ends March 31st of next year.
This statement came during a decline in sales over the last fiscal year. During the last financial year the switch sold close to 18 million units, which was down from the 23 the year prior, and the 28 the year before that. The company has projected a drop over the next year as well, suggesting they have no intention to rush the development of their new system to cover these declines. With the Nintendo Switch being 6 years old, these declines should not be unexpected, even with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom currently a frontrunner for game of the year.
Nintendo’s post-Switch future has been heavily rumored over the past few years. Prior to the reveal of the OLED model, a ‘Switch Pro’ was rumored to be released with 4k capability. Many of its rumored features such as a full body kickstand, improved base, and bigger screen would all appear in the OLED. That didn’t stop people from speculating as soon as it was revealed that another ‘pro’ version was still in the works.
During the Microsoft v FTC hearing, Bobby Kotick stated that the Switch follow-up would be on par with a PlayStation 4, though closer to a PlayStation 4 Pro. This is still a far cry from the rumored 4k, but it is a much-needed tech improvement over its predecessor.
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