Nintendo Reportedly Demoed Switch Successor To Devs At Gamescom

We’re more than six years into the Switch’s lifecycle. While the console has proven capable of providing great games still to this year – looking at you, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – you’d be hardpressed to find a player who isn’t ready for Nintendo’s next console. New reports have emerged from Nintendo that confirm the rumors about the successor to Switch and its release date. EurogamerThe following are some examples of how to get started: Video Games ChronicleThe company says it showed the prototype to developers in a closed-door setting at Gamescom, last month. 

Eurogamer Sources say that Nintendo gave partners demos to prove how the successor Switch runs. Specifically, one of the demos shown was reportedly a “souped-up version” of the Switch launch title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. EurogamerThis was a technical demo only and is not an indication of a new release for BOTW. 

VGCCorroborate Eurogamer’s story with its own sources, adding that Nintendo also showed developers Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 tech demo, The Matrix Awakens, released for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in 2021, “running on target specs for [Nintnedo’s] next console” as well. VGCAlso mentions BOTW’s demo, pointing out that Switch was able to run the game 2017 at higher resolution and framerate than its original release. 

VGC says The Matrix Awakens ran on the Switch successor using Nvidia’s DLSS technology, which upscales resolution and “advanced ray tracing.” The publication’s sources say the visuals were comparable to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S’ capabilities, although it notes this does not mean the Switch successor will be as powerful as these consoles. 

Nintendo hasn’t officially discussed their plans for the next console following the Switch. However, other reports indicate that it will also be portable and aims to release the new console in 2024. 

The news follows reports last February, when Nintendo stated that the Switch is in its middle lifecycle. This could mean that even if Nintendo releases a new console in the next 12 months, they will still continue to support Switch. The only way to know is by waiting. 

Nintendo’s Switch has been selling 111,000,000 units this summer, despite its old age. Nintendo has revealed four pastel Joy-Con Controllers, as well as a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle, two Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch Light consoles and the Mario Red Switch for Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

[Source: Eurogamer, Video Games Chronicle]

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