MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Nintendo is planning to release an updated version of its Switch console/handheld hybrid, with the second half of 2019 said to be its launch date – possibly as early as the summer.
The news comes via the Wall Street Journal (warning: paywall), which quotes suppliers with knowledge of Nintendo’s plans to keep the Switch riding its wave of popularity.
According to the piece, the ins and outs of the upgrade haven’t yet been decided on, with specific features still being debated over in Kyoto. An updated LCD screen is one option touted – and would make sense – though Nintendo is unlikely to go down the route of Apple’s iPhone XL (and the original PS Vita) by using OLED technology.
A move to introduce refreshed hardware is par for the course when it comes to Nintendo, with the company bringing out updated versions of almost all of its devices since the original NES. We’re still waiting on the mini Gamecube and N64, mind. Just don’t mention the Wii U.
Nintendo has been doing well according to its latest financials, but the Switch has been starting to slow down with regards to sales. A move to introduce a revamped version while interest in the machine is still high could boost its popularity for a while longer.
The Japanese platform holder is also opening up the Switch to new, experimental (at least for the system) features, such as making titles way too technically complex for the device available via streaming.
