Custom video game hardware designs have proven popular among gamers. After all, the ability to give a video game accessory or console a nice coat of paint inspired by a piece of media is true eye candy. This can be seen with custom controllers like Xbox's collaboration with Space Jam. However, a lot of creative and cool designs are seen when fans come up with custom consoles. One fan decided to create a new design for the Nintendo Switch OLED, basing it off of Metroid Dread, the newest game in the franchise.
The latest addition to the family of Switch consoles, the Nintendo Switch OLED is a new model that contains some improvements over the original. These upgrades include a new OLED screen, more internal storage, and an Ethernet port. With Nintendo's ever-popular console releasing a new model on the exact same day as Metroid Dread, one fan decided to create a hypothetical Special Edition of the console with a design based on Samus' upcoming adventure.
Posted on Reddit by user willierthanyou, the design most notably takes cues from Samus's new nemesis EMMI. The mechanical white and red color scheme combined with the stencil of the EMMI on the dock carves a terrifying image, with its claw hovering above the Switch logo. The mechanical nature of the EMMI is reflected further with the design of the joy-con controllers, maintaining the white and red color scheme. The control sticks of the controllers are colored red, while the body of the controllers are white with a cross-pattern where the sticks are.
Fans on the subreddit commended the unique design of the Switch, noting that it could be passed off as an official design from Nintendo. Others said that the design itself would make them buy the OLED model immediately. Compliments were directed at the brilliantly designed dock, with praise centered on the color scheme and clever use of EMMI. Other fans noted that it was a missed opportunity that Nintendo themselves didn't create a Special Edition Nintendo Switch for Metroid Dread, considering the hype behind it and that the new model is releasing the same day.
Considering some of the new features that the updated model offers, Metroid Dread should benefit from the Switch OLED's capabilities. The excitement behind this game was felt when it was first revealed at E3, and designs like this show how hyped fans are for Samus' next adventure. With the conclusion to the current arc of the Metroid series right around the corner, many are curious to see what happens when EMMI and Samus go head-to-head.
Metroid Dread launches October 8, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.