Four years have passed since Nintendo Switch hit retail and took the gaming market by storm, though it would seem as though the console's creator is finally ready to improve what's already considered by many to be an impressive piece of hardware. Multiple rumors suggesting that Nintendo is gearing up to make an announcement regarding a mid-generation upgrade for its flagship product have been flying around online for several months now, of course, and this latest addition to the saga lends even more weight to that eventuality.
A hybrid device that allows users to play games either portably or on a television screen/monitor by 'docking' the core unit, the Switch's unique qualities and exclusive access to various IPs (Mario, Metroid, Smash Bros., Kirby; the usual) remain its biggest system-selling properties. This is despite its hardware being markedly inferior to Sony and Microsoft's PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S respectively and continues to perform remarkably well at retail.
With that said, however, the Japanese company seems to be well aware of how important iteration is in the tech industry and is certainly no stranger to the concept, having released multiple versions of its now largely defunct line of DS handhelds. It's with little surprise, then, that talk of a Nintendo Switch Pro, the unofficial name given to what's supposedly a faster, sleeker version of the existing console, has become widespread online. The plot thickens further today, as a listing for exactly that (spotted by Twitter user Alphabeat) recently appeared on Amazon Mexico.
This finding was subsequently independently verified by known industry insider Wario64 though the page in question has since been taken down. Whether this action was taken by the retailer without prompt or as a result of Nintendo requesting its removal isn't clear but considering legal actions taken previously in an effort to protect brands like Super Mario, it wouldn't at all be surprising to learn that the latter was true. Likewise, it's always feasible that leaks like these have been doctored in some form or fashion, so take everything with a pinch of salt.
Nintendo Switch Pro is rumored to launch this fall likely following a proceeding reveal event. The obvious choice of venue for this would be during E3 2021 though an independent digital showcase similar to Direct Presentations for Pokemon and other big-name franchises definitely shouldn't be crossed off the list of possibilities either. With any luck, gamers will get a clearer picture of Nintendo plans within the next few weeks.