Only if there's enough third party games to use that extra power. Nintendo don't seem to be interested in making cutting edge visuals. Even Wii U hardware is enough for them.
If a Switch Pro exists and launches without stuff like RDR2, FF15 or Cyberpunk (not exclusive), I'm not interested.
Small internal changes happen frequently without any public indications. As long as the functionality is the same, then there is no reason to really change the name just because you changed manufacturer for a part or your manufacturer swapped processes and the part is now made slightly differently.
The boosts aren't really significant enough to warrant a model change and the functionality will be essentially identical. Which is why I think the premise in the OP that this suddenly negates the need for a Switch Pro are a bit far-fetched.
Waiting for a new era to start plus 2011 years is a bit too long of a wait, though ;)
More on point, though: 2021 isn't going to see the Switch 2 most likely, Nintendo have said they want the Switch to be around a bit longer than typical systems (which they defined as 5 years), which would get us to 2023 or later I think.
4 more years on this system right now feels like a long time without a proper hardware update. But then why stick to the Switch 1 platform in the form of a Pro, if it's a serious update then you are bound to split the market somewhat with games becomming inaccessible to the original hardware.
Then again, Nintendo being Nintendo. 2016 was still the year of a 400 x 240 handheld.
It was never needed. A more portable version was always needed, and we are somewhat getting that, although the Lite still isnt all that portable either in the way that the DS/3DS were.
Right. I think if we're saying "Nintendo's planned improved revision to the Switch coming out in a year or so" then I still don't think we're getting much more than significantly better space and probably mostly improvements to battery life with some very minor performance gains. It is not something I would plan to replace my current model for.
If we're talking something beefier that gets the performance in handheld mode on the level of what docked mode looks like now or better than that, I'd be interested but even then I'm not sure that I'd be the first one in line to pick it up.
Is it needed? no, not really. even after 2 years what's the point? a small jump in power won't be enough for next gen games, and for this gen Switch already supports U4 and Unity.
I prefer they release a second generation Switch after some years down the road but probably they won't do that.
It was never needed. A more portable version was always needed, and we are somewhat getting that, although the Lite still isnt all that portable either in the way that the DS/3DS were.
Nah, save the big jump for the next gen console which will hopefully release in '22 or around then.
No one's going to make an exclusive library for a "Pro" so its a waste of good hardware.
If the next gen system is BC and plays the current games better, while having a full exclusive library dedicated to its higher specs; then everyone would be happy.
You want slightly improved hardware to run a launch game better? Sounds like a waste of money. They've got good hardware, they just need to improve the form factor.
What the Switch needs is an iterative release schedule that breaks the 5-6 year refresh rate that they kicked off in the 80's.
I had thought that was going to be straight iterative releases with new CPU, GPU, and memory every 2-3 years, but it's now looking to be more of a tick/tock time schedule with new Switch every 5-6 years and a die shrink and minor refresh in between those.
I think the biggest thing for them is to not let things wane by being stagnant.
My naming convention is:
Switch # Adjective
Switch Lite (# is assumed as 1)
Switch 2 (Adjective is assumed as the core system)
Switch 2 Lite
Switch 2 TV
Switch 7 XL
Switch 3 DX
I would choose next gen but Nintendo is so far behind in terms of gen power they will probably just stick to the Switch for another 2-3 years. If that's the case then definitely give us a Switch console-only version.
You want slightly improved hardware to run a launch game better? Sounds like a waste of money. They've got good hardware, they just need to improve the form factor.
Yes, as someone who plays docked basically all the time, I care more about getting better performance on 1st party Nintendo games than portability. Give me a Switch Pro!!
You want slightly improved hardware to run a launch game better? Sounds like a waste of money. They've got good hardware, they just need to improve the form factor.
Not everyone cares about portability. I honestly don't give a damn about the form factor, but I will say that the Switch is one amazing piece of hardware for how small it is.
I played Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for like 5 minutes in handheld mode, the game looked like a VHS. Shit looked blurry as fuck! I couldn't believe my eyes!
I know this isn't the shining example of the Switch's graphical output because I've played tons of hours of Breath of the Wild.
I'm jumping in again if we get like a 50% power boost to the GPU in all games. Ideally I would like most games to run as close as possible to 720p in handheld mode as that's how I mostly used my Switch when I had it before I sold it to a friend.
What the Switch needs is an iterative release schedule that breaks the 5-6 year refresh rate that they kicked off in the 80's.
I had thought that was going to be straight iterative releases with new CPU, GPU, and memory every 2-3 years, but it's now looking to be more of a tick/tock time schedule with new Switch every 5-6 years and a die shrink and minor refresh in between those.
I think the biggest thing for them is to not let things wane by being stagnant.
My naming convention is:
Switch # Adjective
Switch Lite (# is assumed as 1)
Switch 2 (Adjective is assumed as the core system)
Switch 2 Lite
Switch 2 TV
Switch 7 XL
Switch 3 DX
For nintendo? No, for people here yes probably. It's an gaming forum in which people are really willing to spend a lot of money on getting the image sharper and better framerates with console upgrades.
Yes, as someone who plays docked basically all the time, I care more about getting better performance on 1st party Nintendo games than portability. Give me a Switch Pro!!
Not everyone cares about portability. I honestly don't give a damn about the form factor, but I will say that the Switch is one amazing piece of hardware for how small it is.
Nintendo knows a ton of people care about portability. With the 3DS being all but dead, Nintendo needs a new truly portable device to satisfy those customers. That market will always be much larger than the market that wants more power.
I don't think its needed and I really hope the half-step upgrades (PS4 Pro, XBX) don't become the norm going forward. I'm personally fine waiting for the Switch 2 in 2022 or whenever it comes.
People care about power for nintendo all of a sudden? its never going to happen. They decided that many years ago with the wii, and doubling down on a handheld formfactor has confirmed that.
Nintendo doing their own thing has always been their strength.
Whether it's needed or not, Nintendo will release one for sure. But I wouldn't hold my breath on "It will be a PS4/X1 portable!!!" statement. It probably will be a modest upgrade that might includes bigger screen, better battery, and playing games in higher resolution and framerate.
Is it needed? no, not really. even after 2 years what's the point? a small jump in power won't be enough for next gen games, and for this gen Switch already supports U4 and Unity.
I prefer they release a second generation Switch after some years down the road but probably they won't do that.
Even if Nintendo managed to make a "Pro" revision that's capable of playing next gen games with some black sorcery, binding the law of physics or anything else. People needs to remember that 1st and 3rd party games should be also playable on the other Switch models. Doing something like "New 3DS exclusives" will piss off the majority of the established fanbase.
I'd buy a Switch Pro only if it was an actual console and not a hybrid. The handheld design limits the potential of a "Pro" revision. The Lite is already covering the handheld market, the regular Switch is both, so the Pro would fit perfectly into the dock-only section.
Make it seamless to transfer my saves between two devices and boom, perfect.
I want one and I think it would be good for players and Nintendo to refresh the Switch with more powerful hardware at some point during its life cycle.
The innard change isn't going to result in any meaningful improvement.
A real Switch Pro would end subnative content in handheld and boost performance in docked. I'd be happy to have it. Even Nintendo's titles could use a boost in res and FPS.
Absolutely 0 interest, give me a much more powerful Switch 2 in 2021 instead. Don't really care for these mid Gen refreshes, I would rather have a next gen part sooner.
Not really. As long as Nintendo's games run well its fine. Frankly, the most I would want is a resolution bump or maybe some real nice upscaling tech actually built into the dock? I'm just saying that it would be nice if Switch games didn't look so rough on my 4k OLED LG TV. I know, first world problems :/
I used to think so, but given the giant asterisks sitting next to the Switch Lite that has the potential to confuse buyers, it probably makes sense to just replace the current Switch completely than add a third SKU. I'd rather not see too much fragmentation.
