The newest iteration of the Nintendo Switch console has just been revealed in the Switch OLED model. Coming behind countless rumors of a much more powerful Switch Pro, the announcement may have been a bit anti-climatic for some. However, the Switch OLED's existence does not mean a Switch Pro is not on the way necessarily, and moreover, Nintendo is certainly working on a brand-new console as well. The important question has to do with what Nintendo should really do with its next big console.
Nintendo has found something very special with the DNA of the Nintendo Switch. Although the company often thinks outside of the box, a "Switch 2" would be something that would make a lot of sense for Nintendo's next console. The Switch has been one of the most successful video game consoles ever, but there is always room for improvement.
A Return of The Hybrid Form Factor
Of the big three console manufacturers, Nintendo is the biggest risk-taker and the one that focuses on fun and creativity when making new consoles. This shows with the Switch, as Nintendo did not simply make a more powerful console than its last and call it a day. Instead, the Japanese company created a dual-screen touch handheld console as a follow-up to the best-selling on-the-go console of all time. A motion-based non-HD home console after the cult-classic GameCube was also made, and now a hybrid Switch that supplants both of its previous markets (handheld and home console) has been introduced. Nintendo is never afraid to shake things up. That being said, it struck gold with the hybrid form factor.
As of now, it seems like the Nintendo Switch may become the highest-selling console of all time. So much of that has to do with the system mixing the handheld and home console audiences into one, and finally being able to play console-level games on the go. It seems entirely possible for Nintendo to continue to sell future consoles that are handheld only - like the Nintendo Switch Lite - but it almost feels like Nintendo's identity has become hybrid. As such, it would be a shame for the next Nintendo console to forgo that.
There have been aspects of the Nintendo Switch that feel perhaps a bit gimmicky, or that they may not last through the next console. The detachable Joy-Cons may not be something that exists with the "Switch 2," and HD Rumble went from something that was very hyped to a bit of a sideshow. But what should last for the long haul now is the hybrid nature of the Switch. Nintendo has been a handheld company since 1980 with the Game & Watch, and it's been a staple in the home console world for decades; merging the two from here on out makes sense.
Switch Pro Rumors That Could Carry Over to Next Console
Theoretically, a Nintendo Switch Pro could still happen at some point. There were plenty of rumors leading up to the announcement of the Switch OLED, and the console answered some of them. The larger OLED screen, better kickstand, and integrated ethernet port were all leaks that came true with the Switch OLED. However, many fans were disappointed that other rumors did not materialize, including the console being more powerful, being able to play games at 4K while docked, etc.
Where there is smoke, there is often fire. The well-supported Switch Pro rumors pointed to the Pro having more powerful graphics when docked. This specifically did not happen with the OLED, but that does not mean that the leaks were false. It is possible that Nintendo was working on a Switch Pro, or that the more powerful technology was saved for a future device. The Switch OLED is a solid console, but it is obviously not in line with the competition in terms of graphically fidelity/power. The next console could have that potential. It is wonderful to play successful titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch. However, those same series (and new adventures) could play and look even better with stronger technology.
Based on the timeline of Nintendo console launches, the next console from Nintendo could release in two or three years. However, Nintendo has said that the Switch is only halfway through its cycle. With that in mind, the "Switch 2" would be behind the times again if it were to launch with only 4k functionality alone. By 2025, consoles will likely have 8k, ray-tracing, 120+ FPS, and more at the bare minimum. Nintendo may want to compete with Sony and Microsoft in the power department, and it could have the chance to do so with with a hybrid approach.
Competitive and Innovative Online Services
One of the biggest issues for Nintendo and its consoles is its outdated internet features and services. While Nintendo does tend to beat to its own drum - and that can be okay - in the area of online functionality, Nintendo is simply living in the dark ages. The next console could be the perfect opportunity for Nintendo to finally improve its online features.
The ethernet port for the Switch OLED only fixes one issue out of many for Nintendo consoles. It is a good start, and something that should be standard moving forward for Nintendo, but the problems run much deeper than that. As of now, Nintendo players can not send messages to friends on the Nintendo Switch, they can not conduct party chats with one another outside of specific games, and players cannot invite friends to join games with notifications of said invites. The functionality is extremely vanilla and outdated.
Recently, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa talked about enhancing Nintendo Switch Online, although specifics were not mentioned. The service is simply not up to par when it comes to PSN and Xbox Live. However, along with better features, improved matchmaking, and more, a new console could also introduce some sort of expanded subscription service like Xbox Game Pass. Currently, fans have access to over a hundred NES and SNES titles, and Nintendo could be testing the waters for something more.
The Return of Virtual Console
The Virtual Console of the Wii, Wii U, and 3DS is often considered by Nintendo fans as one of the best moves the company has made. The service allowed players to look over a seemingly endless library of games from consoles such as the NES, SNES, N64, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx-16, Sega Genesis, Neo Geo, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and more (depending on the platform). Players purchased each game individually on the Virtual Console, but with the Switch, this does not exist. Instead, players have a decent-sized library of games to play with via Nintendo Switch Online for "free" with the subscription.
Nintendo's history is so rich. The community adores the likes of Super Metroid, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario World. A new console could take advantage of this the way that the Wii did with the Virtual Console (and the way Nintendo carried that over with the Virtual Console for the Wii U and 3DS). The Virtual Console had hundreds of options on many different consoles, which meant that those consoles felt like a virtual time machine. In the case of the Nintendo Switch Online, which still has popular Super Nintendo Games that are missing, there are only NES and SNES titles. By the time a "Switch 2" were to be released, a new Virtual Console could have Nintendo games from the NES all the way through the Wii U.
Whether it be a true return of a Virtual console, where players can select, purchase, and download each game; or Nintendo keeps the Nintendo Switch Online subscription idea, adding games and consoles from all generations of Nintendo seems needed at this point. Not only would that include the home consoles, but the handhelds as well. Nintendo's classic library and beloved history is part of what sets it apart. Currently, countless games are trapped on consoles that are hard to find. Bringing all of that back on a new Nintendo Switch console in an easy-to-play way would be something fans would adore.