In a surprise turn of events, rumours have surfaced suggesting that Nintendo has quietly unveiled a successor to its wildly popular Switch console, tentatively dubbed the "Switch 2." These whispers began circulating following a private presentation held for a select group of game developers at the recent Gamescom event. Although Nintendo has kept this development tightly under wraps, reports suggest that the company showcased technical demonstrations for their upcoming next-generation console, which is reportedly set to hit the market **next year**.
The initial spark of speculation can be traced back to EuroGamer, who first hinted at the existence of the "Switch 2." While their account remains somewhat limited in detail, it has since prompted further investigation. VideoGameChronicles, for instance, reached out to their insider sources to corroborate the news. According to these sources, Nintendo is working on an enhanced edition of one of their flagship titles, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild." This updated version features improved frame rates and resolution, tailored to make the most of the rumoured Switch 2. Although exact resolution specifications remain undisclosed, there is a prevailing belief that the "Switch 2" will significantly improve the current model's 1200x720 pixel resolution.
Another source associated with VideoGameChronicles suggests that Nintendo showcased Epic Games' impressive "The Matrix Awakens" Unreal Engine 5 tech demo. This particular demo had previously captivated audiences on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, showcasing the capabilities of the enhanced engine. Interestingly, this demo was said to have been running using Nvidia's DLSS upscaling technology and advanced ray tracing capabilities, leading to visuals comparable to those seen on Sony's and Microsoft's current-gen consoles. This feature has long been the subject of speculation regarding the new Switch console. However, it's crucial to note that this does not necessarily indicate that the Switch successor will rival the raw power of the PS5 or Xbox Series X, as the latter are not portable devices.
Presently, the existing Switch relies on an NVIDIA System on a Chip (SoC) powered by the ageing Maxwell architecture. The latest reports align with earlier speculations regarding upscaling capabilities when the alleged new console is connected to its docking station. While the current model achieves full-HD resolution when docked, expectations are running high for 4K support in the upcoming console.
One intriguing aspect of this rumour is that Nintendo has already distributed development kits to select studios, implying that the new console is on track for a 2024 launch. Additionally, there are hints that the initial release of the "Switch 2" might opt for budget-friendly LCD technology over the highly acclaimed OLED displays seen in recent iterations of the Switch.
Although the specific details of the NVIDIA SoC are still shrouded in mystery, the potential support for DLSS Frame Generation is a substantial enhancement for this low-power console. Such a development could put the "Switch 2" in direct competition with more robust AMD Zen4/RDNA3-based systems, which are expected to evolve into Zen5/RDNA3.5 architecture in the coming year.
Nintendo has neither confirmed nor denied these speculations, leaving gamers and industry analysts eager for official announcements. If the "Switch 2" materialises as described in these reports, it could represent a significant leap forward for portable gaming and further solidify Nintendo's position as a leading force in the gaming industry. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting story continues to develop.
**Disclaimers**
[Talha Sonmez](https://twitter.com/roekaine) is the Founder and CEO of Stock Checker.
Images used in this article belong to Nintendo respectively.
The initial spark of speculation can be traced back to EuroGamer, who first hinted at the existence of the "Switch 2." While their account remains somewhat limited in detail, it has since prompted further investigation. VideoGameChronicles, for instance, reached out to their insider sources to corroborate the news. According to these sources, Nintendo is working on an enhanced edition of one of their flagship titles, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild." This updated version features improved frame rates and resolution, tailored to make the most of the rumoured Switch 2. Although exact resolution specifications remain undisclosed, there is a prevailing belief that the "Switch 2" will significantly improve the current model's 1200x720 pixel resolution.
Another source associated with VideoGameChronicles suggests that Nintendo showcased Epic Games' impressive "The Matrix Awakens" Unreal Engine 5 tech demo. This particular demo had previously captivated audiences on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, showcasing the capabilities of the enhanced engine. Interestingly, this demo was said to have been running using Nvidia's DLSS upscaling technology and advanced ray tracing capabilities, leading to visuals comparable to those seen on Sony's and Microsoft's current-gen consoles. This feature has long been the subject of speculation regarding the new Switch console. However, it's crucial to note that this does not necessarily indicate that the Switch successor will rival the raw power of the PS5 or Xbox Series X, as the latter are not portable devices.
Presently, the existing Switch relies on an NVIDIA System on a Chip (SoC) powered by the ageing Maxwell architecture. The latest reports align with earlier speculations regarding upscaling capabilities when the alleged new console is connected to its docking station. While the current model achieves full-HD resolution when docked, expectations are running high for 4K support in the upcoming console.
One intriguing aspect of this rumour is that Nintendo has already distributed development kits to select studios, implying that the new console is on track for a 2024 launch. Additionally, there are hints that the initial release of the "Switch 2" might opt for budget-friendly LCD technology over the highly acclaimed OLED displays seen in recent iterations of the Switch.
Although the specific details of the NVIDIA SoC are still shrouded in mystery, the potential support for DLSS Frame Generation is a substantial enhancement for this low-power console. Such a development could put the "Switch 2" in direct competition with more robust AMD Zen4/RDNA3-based systems, which are expected to evolve into Zen5/RDNA3.5 architecture in the coming year.
Nintendo has neither confirmed nor denied these speculations, leaving gamers and industry analysts eager for official announcements. If the "Switch 2" materialises as described in these reports, it could represent a significant leap forward for portable gaming and further solidify Nintendo's position as a leading force in the gaming industry. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting story continues to develop.
**Disclaimers**
[Talha Sonmez](https://twitter.com/roekaine) is the Founder and CEO of Stock Checker.
Images used in this article belong to Nintendo respectively.