Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been a massively popular console thanks to its hybrid functionality that combines the power of a home console and a handheld device's portability. Nearly four years after the Switch's launch, Nintendo was able to move 80 million units and is on its way to surpassing the lifetime sales of the Wii.
Now, with the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X last November, Switch fans have been wondering what's next for the console. Of course, now that Sony and Microsoft have since transitioned to the next-generation, rumors about Nintendo releasing a pro version of the Switch has been more vital than ever. Unfortunately, it appears that the next iteration of the hybrid console won't be launching anytime soon.
Nintendo's Stance on the Switch Pro
Although rumors about the Switch Pro are nothing new, the possibility of it just got closer to reality now that dataminers found evidence in a firmware update. As discovered by the dataminer SciresM, the latest update on the Switch revealed an updated Switch console hidden by the codename Aula. Additionally, the firmware update includes an OLED screen, improved battery life, a better cooling system, and support for 4K graphics via a Realtek chip. Since then, industry analysts predicted that the Switch Pro could release sometime this year to rival the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Unfortunately, reports revealed that Nintendo isn't planning on releasing the Switch's rumored Pro version anytime soon. In an investor meeting, the company reviewed its financial standing, and unsurprisingly, it has had its best quarterly earnings since 2008. The majority of that income came from sales of the Switch and Switch Lite. Given that the performance of both consoles is still increasing, Nintendo is not planning to release a new model "anytime soon," especially since the company is also releasing Super Mario 3D World +Bowser's Fury with a limited edition Switch console in February and Monster Hunter Rise will also get a special edition console in March.
When Will Nintendo Release the Switch Pro?
The big question now is, will Nintendo release a Switch Pro? From a historical standpoint, Nintendo would likely release an improved version of the Switch similar to its approach with the New Nintendo 3DS. On the question of when players should expect to see a new Switch console, it appears that it all depends on the performance of the current model. As mentioned during the company's recent investor call, it is evident that Nintendo is holding off the release of a new Switch model, especially since the current ones are still performing well in the market. From a strategic standpoint, this makes sense given that Nintendo wouldn't want to cannibalize the Switch's sales with a new model.
Of course, given that Sony and Microsoft have since transitioned to new hardware, it would also make sense for Nintendo to release a new model of the Switch now to compete with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Although Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are often seen as direct competitors, Nintendo's core appeal is vastly different from the other two. PlayStation and Xbox consoles mostly attract players who are into high-performance games with cutting-edge graphics. On the other hand, Nintendo's hardware sales are mostly driven by its first-party titles such as Super Mario, Animal Crossing, and Pokemon, all of which can never be played outside a Nintendo console. This is why it is not uncommon for some players to have a PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, and also have a Nintendo console as an additional platform.
This is not to say that there is no competition between Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Although the reasons why players buy a Nintendo console are different compared to PlayStation and Xbox, not all are willing to spend money on two gaming platforms at the same time. Given that the demand for the PS5 and Xbox Series X is still at an all-time high, it is also possible that aside from not wanting to cannibalize the current sales of the Switch, Nintendo is waiting for the hype for Sony and Microsoft's latest hardware to die down before releasing a new Switch console. All things considered, it is likely that players won't see the Switch Pro until next year at the very least.