That's disheartening. Shelved though? Are they waiting until the userbase expands? It's surprising they wouldn't be outright cancelled.
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New Switch model coming in second half of 2019, reports Japanese WSJ
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While I understand your logic, imagine the backlash Sony would have gotten if the PS4 Pro came out and it got exclusive games "because they couldn't be done on the OG PS4".
There is a reason why Sony emphasized from the very start (when the Pro was announced) and demanded from developers that there won't be exclusive Pro games and all games could be played on the OG PS4. The additional sales the Pro would have gotten would not have compensated for the loss of sales of OG PS4, not to mention the outrage from more than a few gamers. Think of what happened to the Xbox brand due to the initial One features announcement - it was so bad MS had to renege on these features, yet still suffered serious damage in sales. And in this case with Nintendo, they won't be able to renege due to developers having already committed.
Power can be a concern but still not take priority over the other two issues. A Pro is a companion to the current Switch -- a high-end/premium model. You'll get increased performance on currently available software and those that crave new tech will buy into a Pro. It can yield higher profit margins. If people think games like Anthem that cannot come to Switch will suddenly arrive on a Switch Pro is the reality ahead of us, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. That's not going to happen, in my view.
It could be a wait and see approach or the games have actually been cancelled.
What's the point of the PS5 and XBnext then? why release new hardware? it's not a concern developers are having. That new Elder Scrolls 6 game? yeah that isn't coming to the Switch because of Cart size. Cyberpunk 2077? cart size... RDR2 it's just too big of a game guys, no one is willing to pay $80 for a physical version of a game. (I am) also a pro version could have more internal storage, 64GB or 128GB could be just part of that model, which would allow developers to put their games digitally and tell current owners to buy a SD card. This is what happened with the 360 not launching with a hard drive.
I think a Pro model that has that internal storage is the only way to address this issue.
Wouldn't the battery die in like 20 minutes if you had a beefed up pro trying to run something like Anthem?
But would still require a secondary memory solution. A 400GB MicroSD could be had for $100 last week. Nintendo isn't going to equip a Switch revision with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. The costs would be insane. 64GB or maybe 128GB? That's more realistic, but we still end up needing a micro-SD card anyways. Nintendo either cuts costs and keeps internal storage low like current Switch, or they increase it for a small bit of peace of mind.
But the PS5 and XBNext, that will get games that can't be played on their predecessors, did not come out 2.5 years or so after the OG PS4 and XB1...
Base level XB1 fidelity can be achieved (my speculation is 90% of the way there) on a 12nm chip and Maxwell GPU, and have a longer battery life than the current Switch model.
Yeah, I am suggesting a 64GB or 128GB solution, games on disc are no bigger than 50GB (PS4 discs have a 50GB capacity) and this issue was resolved on the 360, so I don't see why it would stay an issue when flash memory has halved in price every 2 years.
A Switch Pro/Slim or whatever the revision is also isn't going to be Nintendo's next-gen hardware. It's a companion to the current Switch. It's an Xbox One S/X to the Xbox One, the PS4 Pro to the PS4.
No matter how it is marketed or called, if it can play all these games that can't be played on the OG Switch (which his what z0m3le envisions/thinks should happen, and perhaps you as well), then for all purposes as far as the mass market is concerned it IS Nintendo's next-gen hardware, coming out only 2.5 years after they bought their Switch (if they bought it at launch).
This could be a win with some developers/publishers, but most likely a marketing disaster
Yeah, the method Iwata talked about was a cycle where every other refresh would start to fade out older models, and if they are doing performance refresh models every 3 years (except this first one, because of establishing the platform, next gen competition, X1 being a test, Switch being delayed a few months) They would simply put out another Switch upgrade in 2022, 2 years into next gen, this new switch we are getting next year would still be compatible with new games until 2025, and they just keep phasing it out like that. HOWEVER, any developer can come along with something like Bomberman R or any other example of an AA game, and release it on the entire family of Switch devices, even in 2026.
This is at least what I got out what Iwata was talking about with an Android or iOS platform and releasing more gaming devices going forward.
That isn't what I am saying, I'm saying that every 6 years, a new device would be released with games that can't be played on that 6 year old device you own. Not every game, but definitely the bigger ones. Now should Nintendo force compatibility with current Switch games? expect a lot of poorly running games then.
Developers already know what the PS5 and XBnext are, there are games in development for those right now, this comes next year, so I don't see why they wouldn't know.
My expectation is a premium Switch that plays the same games as the current Switch, but better -- exactly like a PS4/PS4 Pro type scenario. The current model becomes the base and affordable version for children, meanwhile the Pro is for the enthusiast.
I suspect this may be the start of such a cycle, but Switch X1 won't be phased out from software compatibility until the third iteration is introduced in 2022 or so. And then in 2025 the Switch Pro is phased out, and so on as the cycle goes about. Same as mobile devices. Eventually software evolves beyond the capabilities of the prior hardware.
At this point they have no reason to phase out the current Switch because they need an affordable Switch for next yr when Pokemon RPG 2019 releases.
There are no Switch revision kits out in the wild as of this moment. If there were, we would have had a report on them like we saw with the PS5 PC work stations earlier in the year.
This cycle you describe here makes total sense. What I'm saying is that if the model that comes out next year will be able to play games the OG Switch can't, this won't be a 6 year cycle (yet) and it will most likely be a marketing disaster. Something like this is unprecedented in the console world, and a a result quite a lot of gamers, at least those that are not Nintendo diehards, will pass on the Switch 2 due to lack of confidence in its longevity, and the cycle will be stillborn...
Yep, and this article specifically mentions that the Switch coming in 2019 is a new "Flagship" model. I also think exactly what you said above, I just don't know if Nintendo would limit 3rd parties like that, but you would be more knowledgeable than me on that topic.
IMO people that thinking/hoping that this first revision will be more powerful Switch will be very disappointed,
from Nintendo standpoint there is much more sense to release first more affordable version of Switch and more aggressively going after kids, families and casuals market and start going for their goal of one device per person, espacily when next year we getting games like Pokemon gen 8 and Animal Crossing that are perfect for such a crowd and when 3DS that actually covers low price point currently for Nintendo, is dying.
I think we will get more stronger model also eventually, but that simple currently is not on list of Nintendo priorities, while getting more affordable Switch soonest is possible is probably number 1 priority for them.
from Nintendo standpoint there is much more sense to release first more affordable version of Switch and more aggressively going after kids, families and casuals market and start going for their goal of one device per person, espacily when next year we getting games like Pokemon gen 8 and Animal Crossing that are perfect for such a crowd and when 3DS that actually covers low price point currently for Nintendo, is dying.
I think we will get more stronger model also eventually, but that simple currently is not on list of Nintendo priorities, while getting more affordable Switch soonest is possible is probably number 1 priority for them.
Exactly what I'd expect out of an upgraded revision.
Switch Plus for $300, OG Switch for $250 and eventually $200.
Like I said, I don't know if Nintendo would tell 3rd parties "No, you can't do that" remember the New 3DS did get a few exclusives, and DSi had a ton via DSiware. New 3DS also had access to SNES emulation too.
I hope it's a Pro. I was already worried that games like Metroid Prime 4 would look underwhelming on the Switch, a Pro version would help with that.
I think third parties wouldn't want to do that in the first place.
Sales potential wouldn't be great.
A "Pro" is intended to extend an aging system's shelf life. You can't do that only 2 years in. It will just piss existing consumers off and create a separation of the customer base. I'm of the opinion that this is going to simply be a cheaper to produce version of the Switch. Either simply to boost profits or to maybe introduce a cheaper SKU with less functionality (no dock or detachable joycons?). Kind of like how they took the 3D out of the 3DS to make it cheaper. Not every revision is an "improvement." I do believe a Pro / more powerful Switch will indeed happen, but this would simply be too early and would hurt customer confidence going forward.
This is how I see it too, but that is the barrier I think they will go with, if a 3rd party comes along and wants to do it, I just don't know if Nintendo says "no, you can't support the Switch Pro" or whatever.
It will be only slightly earlier than PS4Pro if it releases in November of 2019.
NO Chance of extra power, I feel sorry for all you disappointed people who are just so on the fence when we all us Switch owners are playing BOTW, Splatoon2, Arms, Chroniclesx2, Mario Party today! and so much more available and coming for Switch.
Sorry but I think Nintendo know where the *bread is buttered* this would upset a hell of a lot of existing switch owners and kill the momentum of selling switches for the holidays so I think you will be eating humble pies soon.
Sorry but I think Nintendo know where the *bread is buttered* this would upset a hell of a lot of existing switch owners and kill the momentum of selling switches for the holidays so I think you will be eating humble pies soon.
It can go either way; and if a Slim leads off, that doesn't mean a Pro won't or can't be far behind. People are speculating outcomes based on an article that is solely focused on the possibility of new hardware due to a new screen in a revision. Anything is possible at this point as we have literally no information.
Why?
Metroid Prime don't use realistic graphic, and Pro will most lily just effect on little higher resolution.
calm down, no one is dying on a hill over this. We are just discussing the article and speculating on what a new "Flagship" model means.
The New 3DS had some exclusive games. I can't remember this was a "marketing disaster".
Anyway if there is a new Switch revision next year it will be probably nothing big anyway. Perhaps a new screen and slightly changed form.
PS4Pro did jackshit to PS4's momentum.
Do not worry.
It's like I'm reading those Neo rumor threads all over again.
It would kill the switch sales if it was true people would be waiting for the next switch to drop before getting the one available. Thankfully its not!
This is my guess as well, only that I expect the standard current model to be redisigned as well. Probably we'll see a situation like fall 2016 for PS4 where the Slim replaced the FAT version as the standard model and Pro was released alongside it.
No it wouldn't.
We already have examples and it doesn't happen.
Thank God we got terry clarke here to set people straight. You heard him folks, don't expect a revision any time soon!
Yep, there is a rumor right now about a January reveal, I think it would be Nintendo's Switch "mini" or whatever they call the cheaper Switch, and then E3 rolls or even July/August like with the 3DS XL announcement, they drop the "Pro" then.
And they have 2 big games to launch these alongside. Animal Crossing is suppose to be Early 2019, so launch this cheaper model with that, and then Pokemon or Metroid Prime 4, launch the more powerful Switch around then.
Do you have a link to the rumored January reveal of the Switch "mini"?
Well, my 3P expectations are officially in check. I don't blame them. 1P will always be given priority and Nintendo is going to release a ton of software even without continuing the port program. Even the more dedicated fans may have trouble keeping up. It's a tough bet when so much of the userbase already owns a platform to play your software and those that don't may be more casual players unlikely to move beyond 1P, F2P, and cheaper indies.
I still hope the easy ports will come. Hopefully the Switch won't get passed up for back catalog ports from western publishers anymore. They're low effort and publishers can sell them at low cost. Since there aren't many equivalent experiences on the system, the ports can still stand out. A younger player might play Origins or Odyssey with a parent on the PS4 and then decide to buy the Ezio Collection on Switch because the loss in quality isn't as noticeable as it would be for a AAA title and the hardware is more personal to them vs the family PS4. Parent plays Odyssey on the TV while the kid plays on older title next to him on Switch. I thought collections were a no-brainer, but only Japanese pubs seem to have gotten the memo.
I know people want newer titles, and I definitely think a select few locked 60fps PS4/XBO titles should come over ala Doom (fighters and racers + COD), but back catalog ports are good.
Too bad we didn't even get cod 4 remastered this year. That would have been definitely doable. Would be interesting to see how it compares to 360 and ps4 base versions.
It was in one of the many Youtube videos I watched on this, It's really not an important rumor, someone probably just attached the big Q4 direct Nintendo does every year, to this news... or it could be more, that is the problem with rumors like this, it's best to wait for more reports, because if everyone starts saying this, then you can start to put a bit more value into it, or if a trusted source comes along and says it. This is what usually happens with things like Simon/Castlevania coming to Smash, you'd hear people pull out it being their pick because they really wanted it, then you'd start to hear that it's coming from various sources, then someone who has been leaking Smash characters comes out and says Simon is in the next Smash. That is exactly how it happened btw, I remember watching big Youtube sites like IGN's podcast, Kinda Funny, Easy allies, ect... and these sort of things start popping up. Omnimusha was another one of these, there was even a colab with easy allies' Huber, and kinda funny's Tim, where Huber just starts diving into how he wants a new Omnimusha game and literally less than half a year later, the remaster is announced.
I strongly advise you not to jump right away on a potential new Switch pro, because I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo releases a new hardware in the following years.
Yet both developers and people in the knowing seem to agree that the number one bottleneck is the cart size. So who to believe? These guys, or a random forum participant on resetera?
I find it particularly frustrating that cart size would be the main limiting factor, and I really hope that Nintendo will do something about.
Out of every comment in this thread this is my absolute fav :)
Totally agree.
Switch is doing fine as it is, if they're indeed going for a more powerful model it absolutely needs to run the very same games, just with better performance... let's say, 1080p@60fps locked where the current one has to dynamically scale down the resolution to keep the frame rate. Or even a full double fps (30 --> 60) if there's enough horsepower.
But splitting the userbase would be a nightmare that Nintendo cannot handle, especially if next gen hardware from Sony/MS is arriving in the next 18/24 months: it would basically void whatever closer gap SwitchPro manages to achieve compared to PS4/XB1, and they perfectly know the audience would choose PS5/XB2 anyway for the kind of games that cannot run due to lack of power on current X1-powered Switch.
There's a reason we got Xenoblade and not a Mario or Zelda as exclusive games for the NN3DS and I expect that's the absolute best case scenario I can imagine. Actually, again, I expect Nintendo to avoid splitting the userbase completely.
It does matter. Nintendo isn't going to release a switch that doesn't switch any more than they would release a DS without Dual Screens. The 3DS was a DS first and foremost.
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