The Nintendo Switch Lite has only been out for just over a week, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo from looking to the future. New information has come to light indicating that yet another version of the Nintendo Switch is under development.
While most players are still trying out their Nintendo Switch Lite handhelds, Nintendo has already gone ahead and filed its plans to develop a new version with the FCC.
The new documents specifically indicate that Nintendo is working on a new model of the Nintendo Switch Lite, not the original hybrid handheld/console system. Unfortunately, the documents don't make it clear what exactly will differentiate the new model from the one that just released.
Nintendo fans will likely recall that the 3DS saw multiple versions released, including a 2D variant, XL version, and the New Nintendo 3DS that provided a boost in power to the handheld. It's possible that Nintendo could be looking to do something similar here, though it's unclear why the company has only filed for the handheld version and not the original as well.
Alternatively, Nintendo may finally be addressing the ongoing issue that gamers have experienced dubbed the Joy-Con Drift. Gamers have reported having their characters or cursor moving around without touching the Joy-Con, and unfortunately, that problem continued on the Nintendo Switch Lite. Players began to report the same problem happening with the Switch Lite's analog stick just days after the system's release.
A Nintendo Switch Lite teardown revealed that it uses similar - if not identical - internal components to the original Nintendo Switch for its analog sticks. Given that it appears to be a hardware problem, a new model could potentially make these problems a thing of the past. However, even if that's the case, it still leaves gamers who bought the original versions of the system in the dark.
At this time, Nintendo has refrained from commenting on the new FCC fillings. Any announcement regarding a new version of the Switch is likely still a ways out, as the company will more likely than not focus on selling its current models for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
Source: FCC (via Digital Trends)