The Nintendo Switch has seen several years of great success already. Some of Nintendo's most successful titles ever have been Switch titles, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. The Switch definitely still has a few good years ahead of it before Nintendo needs to come up with a new console to replace it; however, rumors of an upgraded version of the Switch have been circulating for a long time now. A Switch Pro would be a big deal for Nintendo, despite the fact the Switch is known for accessibility and convenience, not processing power.
Nintendo is being coy with its fans for now. It has yet to confirm a new Switch, and says that there isn't a new model of the console coming out anytime soon. However, what does "soon" mean exactly? What if the Switch Pro or the Super Switch appears in early 2022, about a year from now? That's not exactly around the corner, and seems far enough away that Nintendo could get a strong console like that together and ready for release. Considering the games that Nintendo has on its docket right now, there's a lot of good reasons that the Switch Pro could crop up in early 2022.
Possible Switch Pro Launch Titles
The most obvious possible jewel in the Switch Pro's crown is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. Fans have been expecting an update on this game for nearly two years now, but just when Nintendo finally did another Nintendo Direct, the company didn't have anything new to share on Breath of the Wild 2. That makes it seem like this sequel isn't coming out until the tail end of 2021 at the earliest, yet that also raises the possibility of a 2022 release. Maybe Breath of the Wild 2's development is moving at a casual pace, so it can release concurrently with a new console.
There's a couple newer announcements that seem like prime Switch Pro launch titles too. For example, Splatoon fans have been waiting for a new game for a couple years now. Nintendo has finally confirmed that Splatoon 3 is in development, and the game will come out in 2022. That's about a year away, so it wouldn't be unimaginable if the game is ready for release by next January or February. It could pair nicely with a Switch Pro, delivering ink-filled action with upgraded hardware.
Part of Pokemon's recent 25th anniversary celebration was the announcement of Pokemon Legends: Arceus. This open world Pokemon experience is also set to release in early 2022, and could be destined for a new version of the Switch. A stronger version of the console might be helpful in rendering the rolling hills of the ancient Sinnoh region. It'd also be a good symbolic gesture by Nintendo to put this bold new spinoff of the Pokemon franchise on a bold spinoff of Nintendo's highly successful console. Pokemon Legends: Arceus would draw a lot of Nintendo's audience to the Switch Pro, as would Splatoon 3 and Breath of the Wild 2.
Strong Starts Make Strong Futures
These games would definitely kick off the Switch Pro strong. They would be invaluable in keeping fans entertained as they wait for other titles that'll hopefully release by 2022, even if information on them is scarcer. For instance, Bayonetta 3 is currently being advertised as a Switch exclusive, but if Nintendo is cooking up a Switch Pro, then it could surprise fans by announcing Bayonetta 3 for Switch Pro at the same time as the console itself gets revealed. There's also the enigmatic Metroid Prime 4, which fans hope will be ready to go by 2022 in spite of its development setbacks. If fans are really lucky, then maybe these games will even be Switch Pro launch titles.
If the Switch Pro is real, then it's clearly not hurting for feature games. There's lots that Nintendo has in development that would really shine on a stronger version of the Switch. Nintendo is being oddly secretive about a lot of its biggest projects, but maybe that's just because it's setting up for an even bigger announcement. Fans have certainly made it clear that there's a market for a Switch Pro or a Super Switch, and that same community is sure to eat up launch titles like Splatoon 3 and Pokemon Legends: Arceus too.