Nintendo has just put a new and improved Nintendo Switch model up for purchase, the first new Switch model since the handheld ‘Lite’ model was released in 2019. We expected this new and improved ‘Switch’ to possibly be titled ‘Switch Pro’ or the ‘Super Nintendo Switch’ (far more in-keeping), however, instead, we have got the OLED Switch. This new console is very much a quality-of-life improvement over an all-new and improved console. Now in a way, that’s fine, but it might also be a bit concerning for Nintendo fans.
The Nintendo Switch has continued to blow people and players away since it was launched in early 2017, I have had one sat under my TV since 2018 and have full-heartedly fallen in love with it. The Switch, whilst not providing the most jaw-dropping of visuals or revolutionary graphics and builds, is the definition of a fun console designed to play amazing games, for everyone, anywhere. The genius of making a console both handheld and TV ‘plug-in-able’ was awesome, and with the console launching with the now iconic and epic ‘Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (BOTW) it was cemented pretty quickly as a huge Nintendo success, in fact, it has been the best selling console for the last 33 months. It provided a huge range of fun and light-hearted games, such as Lego and a huge swathe of Marios, whilst being a handheld that could run ‘Skyrim’ and ‘The Witcher 3’, as well as being the medium for new ‘top games of all-time’, such as BOTW and Mario Odyssey. It has had a pretty good few years, but are the true tests now starting to arrive for the Switch?
Yes, it has been the best selling console for the last 33 months but has now been overtaken for the first time by the PS5. Whilst the Switch is 4.5 years old, the PS5 is a year old, whilst the Switch isn’t revolutionary when it comes to hardware (outside of the handheld and dockable ability of it) the PS5 is, and whilst the Nintendo doesn’t burn your retinas with outstanding graphics, the PS5 does. Now, this doesn’t mean the Switch is being left in the dust, far from it with a new BOTW sequel on the way and the recent Metroid: Dread receiving many accolades, but it is being slightly and quietly overtaken.
Or it was beginning too until Nintendo last month revealed the new and improved OLED Switch model. This has brought big improvements to the handhelds screen, sound and a new stand. But all these improvements are based on the handheld model and don’t really improve the gaming experience when plugged into a TV. So whilst the console has had a bit of an upgrade, it’s a bit of a ’10% better here, 10% lighter there’ scenario instead of an overall new model. Now yes, in a way this is good news, we have an improved console with some useful additions, but it is not the ‘Super Nintendo Switch’ or ‘Switch Pro’ we expected. We have no new and massively overclocked Nvidia chip, no new cooling tech or higher frame rate and no ability to target 4K resolution, handheld or when plugged in.
The ‘Super Nintendo Switch’ could have been a huge leap that could have kept the Switch in the same leagues as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. We could have had a whole new range of games that could be hitting 60FPS in 4K, and imagine if we could do that when handheld?! It would have kept the lovable nature of the Switch and upped it for a new load of games. Now just because we haven’t seen this completely new model, does not mean it does not exist, there are many reports that the Super Switch may still be on its way but has been delayed due to the global chip shortage. However, it does leave the Switch in catch up mode whilst the latest PlayStations and Xboxes present new games and new ways to play games. For me, I just do not want to see another Wii U situation, a console that slightly upped what its predecessor did, adding some large and unwieldy improvements *cough giant screen controller cough*. I want the Switch to be super-seeded by a supped up version to keep Nintendo where it deserves to be, on top and not forgotten by any gamer.
No Comments