Report: New version of Nintendo Switch expected in 2019

Nintendo looks to be ready to give their latest console a bit of an upgrade next year.

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The Nintendo Switch has been a strong seller for Nintendo since it released in early 2017. However, it's looking like the latest Nintendo console is about to receive a major update. And by "update," we mean an entirely new version of the console.

According to a Wall Street Journal report posted late Wednesday evening, Nintendo plans to release a newer version of the Switch in order to maintain its sales momentum. What will make the new Switch differ from its predecessor is currently unknown and under discussion among the folks at Nintendo. Ideas being floated around include an improved display, albeit not one that includes OLED panels.

The new version of the Switch is not expected until the latter half of 2019. Such a move would likely be similar to Microsoft's leap into the Xbox One X and Sony's jump into the PlayStation 4 Pro, in the sense that it will be a higher-end version of the console that will remain compatible with its full gaming library.

Nintendo has yet to comment on these rumors. Shacknews will keep an eye out on any further developments.

Senior Editor

Ozzie has been playing video games since picking up his first NES controller at age 5. He has been into games ever since, only briefly stepping away during his college years. But he was pulled back in after spending years in QA circles for both THQ and Activision, mostly spending time helping to push forward the Guitar Hero series at its peak. Ozzie has become a big fan of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and RPGs, just to name a few genres, but he’s also a huge sucker for anything with a good, compelling narrative behind it. Because what are video games if you can't enjoy a good story with a fresh Cherry Coke?

From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 3, 2018 10:28 PM

    Ozzie Mejia posted a new article, Report: New version of Nintendo Switch expected in 2019

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      October 3, 2018 10:37 PM

      That would be stupid imo

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        October 4, 2018 1:39 AM

        Way too soon unless it's just a die shrink or a fix for the exploit. If they put a Tegra 2 in that thing I'll be pissed.

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          October 4, 2018 1:50 AM

          X2 wouldn't yield enough of an improvement in performance or battery life to be noteworthy at the clock frequencies these devices run at. Its why even Nvidia themselves passed on the X2 for their most recent Shield TV revision. Xavier only launched in June and I assume would be way too new for Nintendo to launch in a $300 device next year.

          If this is more than a minor revision with better battery life or plugging up more hardware vulnerabilities, I think its more likely that we see a cheaper Switch Mini to launch alongside Pokemon. It is common for Nintendo to launch cheaper hardware with Pokemon games (the 2DS came out on the same day as Pokemon X & Y) and I can see them do the same here, especially given how closely they've stuck to the 3DS playbook with the Switch so far.

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        October 4, 2018 2:46 AM

        Why? This has been speculated since the Switch came out, Nvidia has a more powerful Tegra they could use, it was obvious this would happen. Nintendo has been doing this with the DS as well.

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        October 4, 2018 7:59 AM

        [deleted]

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          October 4, 2018 8:01 AM

          Yep. They’re following their usual time table.

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          October 4, 2018 8:18 AM

          Treating the switch like Mobile hardware is stupid, imo.

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            October 4, 2018 9:21 AM

            [deleted]

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              October 4, 2018 9:25 AM

              It is about mobile hardware. Treating the switch like the DS is a bad idea. People expect some longevity out of a console.

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                October 4, 2018 9:26 AM

                [deleted]

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                  October 4, 2018 9:36 AM

                  [deleted]

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                    October 4, 2018 10:10 AM

                    i'd settle for the exact same performance specs if they just made hardware that was built for adults, with a higher quality screen and build quality (and joycons that aren't fucking terrible).

                    but that's just me.

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        October 4, 2018 9:51 AM

        Disagree here

        "You should always switch"

    • reply
      October 3, 2018 10:38 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 3, 2018 11:34 PM

      The Switch is already so expensive if they are planning on raising the price too I'm not sure it would sell that well. I guess if it dropped the price on the current model that would be OK.

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      October 4, 2018 1:08 AM

      [deleted]

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      October 4, 2018 4:52 AM

      Prediction: it will be like when they update the innards of the Game Boy Advance - so more like "extra piracy protection" and "slightly more efficient design so we can do a price drop" and less like "oh shit it's twice as fast now and we'll make games that only work with it!"

      I mean yes there's the New Nintendo 3DS but that was four years in. Two years is too soon even for Nintendo. But we'll see.

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      October 4, 2018 7:07 AM

      [deleted]

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      October 4, 2018 7:21 AM

      [deleted]

    • Ziz legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      October 4, 2018 8:06 AM

      iSwitch

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      October 4, 2018 8:15 AM

      [deleted]

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        October 4, 2018 8:36 AM

        And include a mic on the damn thing please.

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          October 4, 2018 9:25 AM

          I also say add a touchscreen so I can have meteos again but that's just me.

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            October 4, 2018 9:28 AM

            um, you do know the switch is a touchscreen already?

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              October 4, 2018 9:31 AM

              Precision touch screen. I just want more meteos god damn it.

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      October 4, 2018 8:56 AM

      I need to bug Nintendo support to fix my Switch. The screen has a little yellow line across it that drives me crazy. I assume they still don't associate purchases to your account?

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      October 4, 2018 8:59 AM

      [deleted]

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      October 4, 2018 9:46 AM

      I'll betting on a cheaper $199 sku to finally sunset the 3DS.

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      October 4, 2018 9:51 AM

      How about releasing come compelling original content on the system first. The Switch is so disappointing compared to the WiiU its kinda ridiculous.

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        October 4, 2018 10:15 AM

        0_o

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        October 4, 2018 11:49 AM

        [deleted]

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          October 4, 2018 12:12 PM

          Well Im not into jrpg games, played zelda on wii u, was hoping for some new dkc, 2d mario, pikmin, mario kart type games all seem to be absent unless you count the ports. Iv really not even touched the thing since mario odyssey came out. All the while i watch port after port of games come out that I either played on wii u or on better hardware. Im ok with being wrong but for me switch has been pretty damn weak.

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            October 4, 2018 12:59 PM

            you're not wrong, i'm willing to die on this hill too. i much prefer proper single player story driven games, and nintendo has never been good at that.

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              October 4, 2018 3:29 PM

              "i much prefer proper single player story driven games, and nintendo has never been good at that"

              Neither are other developers. The vast majority of story driven games (even lauded ones like Uncharted 4) have shit writing.

              Spicy take: The Witcher 3 is a corny-ass soap opera for nerds

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            October 4, 2018 2:28 PM

            Right there with ya buddy. Zelda and Mario Odyssey were really the only ones that were must haves IMO. After that, nothing else has interested me in the slightest that I couldn't get elsewhere.

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            October 4, 2018 2:30 PM

            If you owned a Wii U then yes, a lot of the big titles won't be new to you.

            The majority of Switch owners didn't own a Wii U (I believe), so stuff like Mario Kart and DKC are full, AAA new experiences for them.

          • gmd legacy 10 years legacy 20 years mercury mega
            reply
            October 4, 2018 2:59 PM

            Signed

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        October 4, 2018 11:55 AM

        [deleted]

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        October 4, 2018 12:42 PM

        you done fucked up now

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        October 4, 2018 2:17 PM

        I think it needs more big games. The only one I want and played was the new mario. The rest have been indie non-exclusives like hollow knight, celeste, sonic mania, shovel knight, etc.. Which are great games, but don't require a switch to play. All the best nintendo games I've played in the past years, other than Odyssey have been on the Wii U.

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      October 4, 2018 2:47 PM

      When this is out, will look for launch versions. This new version *should* drop the price in the used market, but it may be a little more difficult to find a launch unit with an old firmware.

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