StarTopic Future Nintendo Hardware & Technology Speculation & Discussion |ST| (Read the staff posts before commenting!)

[Dakhil]

ARM processors have actually been progressing nicely. You could replace the A78C cores with A715s. This would break Switch 1 backwards compat for what ARM advertises as a whopping 10% increase in performance. You could use A710s instead. This would keep BC, and ARM advertises the same 10% performance increase, but benchmarks suggest the opposite with an actual drop in performance.

Another caveat with the Cortex-A715 is that at lower watts, the Cortex-A715 is still not quite as good as the Cortex-A78, which is important since I imagine Nintendo still wants to have handheld mode run at <15 W, with the performance still being good, and with at the very least acceptable battery life.

---

I want to mention to the people hoping for TSMC's N3E process node to be used that TSMC's N3E process node isn't a panacea since the SRAM area for TSMC's N3E process node is exactly the same as the SRAM area for TSMC's N5 process node family (including TSMC's 4N process node). And considering SoCs are designed with 70% SRAM and 30% logic in mind, that means that any cost savings are going to be very miniscule in the best case scenario. (Also keep in mind that TSMC's numbers are assuming that chips are designed with 50% logic, 30% SRAM, and 20% analog, which is obviously not applicable to all chips.)

 

[Meelow]

If March 2025 does happen the earliest it could release is March 7th and that is three days before Mar10 Day so if 3D Mario is launching with it then they could do that type if advertising.

As for me? I may have to pull back just a bit. Just like you guys I have been on this forum every day since the Gamescom coverage and the lack of official news is draining.

Obviously, if plans didn't change for the reveal for next month than I won't pull away but if we have to wait until October again than I'll, "go out and touch some grass"

Thanks

Meelow

 

[D36]

We went from "WE'RE BACK" to "It's so over" in the span of like 10 minutes

"We"? What do you mean "We"? Nintendo Wii?

 

[TLZ]

It's q1 2025 now.

I would highly recommend going back to bed.

At least until 2025.

Huh?? Why? What? Who? Where? Nintendo said anything?

 

[Shish]

We're literally back in 2016, the February direct will be a partner showcase and Switch 2 comes out next year.

 

[CalmMind]

Answer me this:

If Nintendo was so short stocked/panicked on software and had to delay everything to accommodate, then why didn't they hold onto Super Mario Wonder? Switch didn't need Wonder last year with TotK, Fire Emblem Engage, Pikmin 4, SMRPG, Pokemon, Xenoblade Future Redeemed, Mario Kart DLC, Advance Wars, etc? Could have used that for Switch 2 as a cross-platform game if they're so desperate.

Or better yet, why are they clumping/releasing most of their first party lineup in the first 3 months of 2024 when software is already anemic? Another Code, Mario VS Donkey Kong, Princess Peach Showtime, Splatoon 3 Side Order. Then to have to resort to a partner direct when there's only 2 remasters left on your plate, no original games for the rest of 2024 and with no release dates on said games, sounds ingenious.

It doesn't make sense, I don't buy these rumors.

Brazil in shambles.

 

[chocolate_supra]

I find myself agreeing with SMD. I think I'm going to be sick.

Brazil (the person) already said that his info regarding the launch comes from multiple sources in multiple countries, and is not strictly about Brazil (the country's) launch timing. He said very clearly that his info has to do with the worldwide main launch.

So be free from the hell that is agreeing with SMD.

 

[NintendoMariah]

This is worse than a disappointing salad

 

[darthdiablo]

Huh?? Why? What? Who? Where? Nintendo said anything?

starting point:

Nintendo Switch 2 release date now Q1 2025 - reports

UPDATE 8.45pm UK: Eurogamer sources can now corroboate the earlier reports that the Switch 2, once destined for release…

www.eurogamer.net

then chaos broke out the entire day, with more and more confirming those reports.

 

[darthdiablo]

Answer me this:

If Nintendo was so short stocked/panicked on software and had to delay everything to accommodate, then why didn't they hold onto Super Mario Wonder? Switch didn't need Wonder last year with TotK, Fire Emblem Engage, Pikmin 4, SMRPG, Pokemon, Xenoblade Future Redeemed, Mario Kart DLC, Advance Wars, etc? Could have used that for Switch 2 as a cross-platform game if they're so desperate.

Or better yet, why are they clumping/releasing most of their first party lineup in the first 3 months of 2024 when software is already anemic? Another Code, Mario VS Donkey Kong, Princess Peach Showtime, Splatoon 3 Side Order. Then to have to resort to a partner direct when there's only 2 remasters left on your plate, no original games for the rest of 2024 and with no release dates on said games, sounds ingenious.

It doesn't make sense, I don't buy these rumors.

True. This still makes no fucking sense.

 

[Individualised]

Yeah, you're right. It just seems that running there OS always have some hardware limitations

Right now, I think it is just best to wait until March.

The main issue with Nintendo OSes tends to be RAM usage. Obviously Wii U is the most infamous example but the 3DS was also pretty bad; but at least on the 3DS they gave developers different memory profiles that allowed the OS to enter into a cut-down state for games that needed more RAM. Smash 4 for example runs in "Mode 3" which I believe disables things like the on-screen keyboard and a lot of non-essential system services and this is why your system has to reboot when you exit the game.

 

[nitroplum]

True. This still makes no fucking sense.

Nah man. Furukawa just forget we needed games.

 

[Sol]

Anyway, before anyone thinks T239's automatically outdated, I highly suggest reading @necrolipe's post below.

Then how was the Xbox Series X able to be released in 2020 with an RDNA 2 based GPU (RDNA 2 GPUs released same time as Series X) and Zen 2 CPU cores (which were only a year old)?

That graph just maps out the timeline of development - work can be done on SoC design and engineering that runs in paralell to the design of the future architectural components themselves at AMD that have yet to be released. This was the case for the Series X and PS5 which launched with very new components that had just been made available for consumers to buy separately.

The Switch 2 will release with components that were available to consumers 5 years prior to its release date.

 

[Hermii]

Answer me this:

If Nintendo was so short stocked/panicked on software and had to delay everything to accommodate, then why didn't they hold onto Super Mario Wonder? Switch didn't need Wonder last year with TotK, Fire Emblem Engage, Pikmin 4, SMRPG, Pokemon, Xenoblade Future Redeemed, Mario Kart DLC, Advance Wars, etc? Could have used that for Switch 2 as a cross-platform game if they're so desperate.

Or better yet, why are they clumping/releasing most of their first party lineup in the first 3 months of 2024 when software is already anemic? Another Code, Mario VS Donkey Kong, Princess Peach Showtime, Splatoon 3 Side Order. Then to have to resort to a partner direct when there's only 2 remasters left on your plate, no original games for the rest of 2024 and with no release dates on said games, sounds ingenious.

It doesn't make sense, I don't buy these rumors.

My theory is that it isn't about software as a general thing, it's about one specific game.

3D Mario needs more time, so they delay the entire console.

Still haven't fully convinced myself of this theory, but it's the only way I can make sense of it.

 

[Lancelot]

Right now, I think it is just best to wait until March.

I agree, let's wait until March. Best case scenario with the reports being legit, we get our next gen blowout one year ahead of release... I don't think it's realistic, but one can dream.

 

[Ghostsonplanets]

I find myself agreeing with SMD. I think I'm going to be sick.

His point doesn't make sense. Brazil has said his sources are from 3 different regions. Besides, Switch only officially released in Brazil (The country) in 2020 because Nintendo had retired themselves from the country in 2013 and only came back in 2020.

 

[Ghostsonplanets]

Then how was the Xbox Series X able to be released in 2020 with an RDNA 2 based GPU (RDNA 2 GPUs released same time as Series X) and Zen 2 CPU cores (which were only a year old)?

That graph just maps out the timeline of development - work can be done on SoC design and engineering that runs in paralell to the design of the future architectural components themselves at AMD that have yet to be released. This was the case for the Series X and PS5 which launched with very new components that had just been made available for consumers to buy separately.

The Switch 2 will release with components that were available to consumers 5 years prior to its release date.

AMD designs custom SoCs out of roadmaps that their partners pick and choose. Nvidia does customizations of existing products.

 

[NintendoMariah]

March? If this is true, March is never gonna happen ever ever!

 

[Individualised]

Sorry but this is unbelievable to me. We wouldn't be getting confirmation from publications like Eurogamer or VGC if this was a region specific thing.

 

[Danny]

My theory is that it isn't about software as a general thing, it's about one specific game.

3D Mario needs more time, so they delay the entire console.

Still haven't fully convinced myself of this theory, but it's the only way I can make sense of it.

Could very well be true, especially if the rumours are true about this being the biggest 3D Mario game ever with an open world map. Making a Mario game on that scale with newer tech have probably been a major challenge for EPD Tokyo, a challenge they recently told higher ups at Nintendo they could no longer achieve during their original timeline.

 

[Gerald]

Then how was the Xbox Series X able to be released in 2020 with an RDNA 2 based GPU (RDNA 2 GPUs released same time as Series X) and Zen 2 CPU cores (which were only a year old)?

That graph just maps out the timeline of development - work can be done on SoC design and engineering that runs in paralell to the design of the future architectural components themselves at AMD that have yet to be released. This was the case for the Series X and PS5 which launched with very new components that had just been made available for consumers to buy separately.

The Switch 2 will release with components that were available to consumers 5 years prior to its release date.

Yeah and roadmap is outdated, Next Xbox is apparently Late 2026 with Zen5/RDNA5

 

[omniryu]

The main issue with Nintendo OSes tends to be RAM usage. Obviously Wii U is the most infamous example but the 3DS was also pretty bad; but at least on the 3DS they gave developers different memory profiles that allowed the OS to enter into a cut-down state for games that needed more RAM. Smash 4 for example runs in "Mode 3" which I believe disables things like the on-screen keyboard and a lot of non-essential system services and this is why your system has to reboot when you exit the game.

Which made me feels like that 8 GB was out of the question.

True. This still makes no fucking sense.

My thing is that the rumored excuse is that they need a strong lineup. But the switch had two hyped games MONTHS apart. Then the next big Mario was likely been in development for several years. Not to mention MP4. I am not trying to discredit this rumor. It just a weird excuse.

 

[P4bl0]

It’s all cap

In Jesus name

No more cap


Switch 2 coming soon

 

[Meelow]

I do remember when even Emily Rogers was told that Breath of the Wild was not going to be a Switch launch title and that it needed more time.

Even she was given wrong information and we know she was/is very reliable.

I'm personally hoping it's one of those fake outs because it's going to get announced soon. I guess we shall see.

 

[Hermii]

The Switch 2 will release with components that were available to consumers 5 years prior to its release date.

Not entirely true, unless you believe its 8nm.

And it has certain features back ported from Lovelace, I believe Clock Gating is the big one. It's solely a feature for power efficiency, not a graphic feature.

So I guess Nintendo chose that power efficiency was more important than having Nvidia's latest graphical features, so they made a 4nm ampere chip, with extra power saving features.

 

[lattjeful]

I would highly recommend going back to bed.

At least until 2025.

They'll wake up and find out that the system was pushed back to 2026 then.

 

[Herb Alpert]

The thing is that it's probably just a few months delay, from sept/oct/ nov who knows to maybe march if they want to make the fiscal year. It seems worse than it is because of the change of the year's number.

What's infuriating is that it means we won't get announcement and presentation until long. I can't see them showing anything in March, a whole year before launch.

So this will be a long, boring, dry and empty year of late ports and remasters and probably Pokemon spin off or remake as the big holiday game, with usual non comments from Nintendo.

 

[boodream]

My theory is that it isn't about software as a general thing, it's about one specific game.

3D Mario needs more time, so they delay the entire console.

Still haven't fully convinced myself of this theory, but it's the only way I can make sense of it.

If that's how long it takes for the game to be stunning, then it would make me proud, rather than depressed, to see Nintendo continue to care more about its quality standards than people's impatience.

 

[Hugo Hufflepuff]

Guess Nintendo is really making the OG Switch the best selling console of all time if we’re getting a whole other year of it being their main console.

 

[Meelow]

Could very well be true, especially if the rumours are true about this being the biggest 3D Mario game ever with an open world map. Making a Mario game on that scale with newer tech have probably been a major challenge for EPD Tokyo, a challenge they recently told higher ups at Nintendo they could no longer achieve during their original timeline.

I think seeing it alone would help the blow. If the Switch 2 does release in March 2025 we are going to be in a more crazy state than we were during the NX 2016 Era.

 

[Lancelot]

My theory is that it isn't about software as a general thing, it's about one specific game.

3D Mario needs more time, so they delay the entire console.

Still haven't fully convinced myself of this theory, but it's the only way I can make sense of it.

There's no way it's a single game, if these reports are to be believed. They got an entire next gen slate and most of it is simply not ready, the fact certain ones (3D Mario, Mario Kart, etc) are still not ready could only mean these projects are much more ambitious than anyone here is expecting... Nintendo is embracing a next gen, modern development with today's standards takes time.

 

[VagrantValmar]

You guys are being played by Nintendo like a damn fiddle.

It's obviously all a PsyOp to weed out leakers and generate discussion before March.

It's 4D chess.

2024 gang #TheDreamWillNeverDie

 

[Hocot8]

Answer me this:

If Nintendo was so short stocked/panicked on software and had to delay everything to accommodate, then why didn't they hold onto Super Mario Wonder? Switch didn't need Wonder last year with TotK, Fire Emblem Engage, Pikmin 4, SMRPG, Pokemon, Xenoblade Future Redeemed, Mario Kart DLC, Advance Wars, etc? Could have used that for Switch 2 as a cross-platform game if they're so desperate.

Or better yet, why are they clumping/releasing most of their first party lineup in the first 3 months of 2024 when software is already anemic? Another Code, Mario VS Donkey Kong, Princess Peach Showtime, Splatoon 3 Side Order. Then to have to resort to a partner direct when there's only 2 remasters left on your plate, no original games for the rest of 2024 and with no release dates on said games, sounds ingenious.

It doesn't make sense, I don't buy these rumors.

because the conversations they had and then the decision happened after wonder.

 

[boodream]

Guess Nintendo is really making the OG Switch the best selling console of all time if we’re getting a whole other year of it being their main console.

Not necessarily, because who's going to want to buy a Switch 1, especially one with no great new games? Nintendo is doomed.

 

[Dakhil]

Then how was the Xbox Series X able to be released in 2020 with an RDNA 2 based GPU (RDNA 2 GPUs released same time as Series X) and Zen 2 CPU cores (which were only a year old)?

Both Microsoft and Sony used the RDNA IP as the foundation for the GPUs on the PlayStation 5's and Xbox Series X|S's APUs, and then added RDNA 2 features on top (e.g. ray tracing) (here and here).

Microsoft added more RDNA 2 features than Sony (here), but that came at the cost of Microsoft sending out Xbox Series X|S devkits out really late to third party developers, which definitely cost Microsoft. (I don't know if that really paid out for Microsoft at the end.)

 

[Gerald]

AMD designs custom SoCs out of roadmaps that their partners pick and choose. Nvidia does customizations of existing products.

So far when T239 Drake was in development Yes it was by Tegra Team, but a few days was report that Nvidia Semi Custom Unit Division was create also consoles in mind, to offer very customize SoC for different things

 

[redmutineer75]

It’s all cap

In Jesus name

No more cap


Switch 2 coming soon

Easter is March 31 this year. On that day, when all hope seems lost, Jesus Chist himself will descend from the heavens to reveal it.

 

[nitroplum]

You guys are being played by Nintendo like a damn fiddle.

It's obviously all a PsyOp to weed out leakers and generate discussion before March.

It's 4D chess.

2024 gang #TheDreamWillNeverDie

I refuse to be tricked by the smokescreen!

 

[Wilmore]

Just keep in mind, He gives predictions as well as “reports” or “inside information”. The two very often get confused.

(Please correct me if I’m wrong)
No detachable Joycons - Prediction
Switch 2 with DLSS 3.5 - Report
Switch 2 reveal in March - Report
2nd half 2024 launch - Prediction

Predictions should not “count against him” for those concerned with his hit percentages

I was right.

 

[Kise Ryota]

2024 gang #TheDreamWillNeverDie

I never thought I would see this type of post associating a 2024 switch 2 release with it being a dream...

Can everything stop spinning

 

[carbvan]

I'm now #Team2026 seeing as both 2023 and 2024 have gone by. What's just 1 more year?

 

[Lugia667]

Honestly in an era where broken releases are so common. Taking a hit to make your games are polished as you can is commendable

 

[nitroplum]

Honestly in an era where broken releases are so common. Taking a hit to make your games are polished as you can is commendable

Yes but that won't happen lol. Furukawa JUST said they can't delay consoles due to the years of planning. I don't think there are any software issues or delays.

 

[seyfeselassie]

I was right.

About what? Nate specifies which info is predictions or rumours, and how likely they are. The most latest rumour about the Switch date reveals that the console was supposed to be released in the 2nd half of 2024, but was pushed because Nintendo wanted to be cautious of a weak 1st party lineup. So Nate wasn't off, he was just blindsided.

Honestly in an era where broken releases are so common. Taking a hit to make your games are polished as you can is commendable

Nintendo definitely wants to have a strong jump, partly out of desire to avoid a Wii U like failure, and maybe bc of how the PS5 originally was launched, with few titles available.

 

[carbvan]

Fuck it. 8nm, 8gb RAM, 2026, gimme the works. I can take the punches. I lived through the Wii U, I can survive anything.

 

[eye0h]

this news day made me so tired

 

[omniryu]

I was right.

Of course, but the point still stand they will take his prediction as gospel even though it is just his opinion.

 

[PatrykPrime]

Random thought. Nintendo and Microsoft made that deal to bring Cod to Switch for 10 years. If the console is delayed, will that 10 year of support need to be delayed too or will Switch 1 get something Cod related this year?

 

[YugamiSekai]

As someone who's believed in a release date every year since 2021, this doesn't phase me one bit, to be frank.

 

[gnetc]

I’m not gonna lie this makes things a bit more exciting, really curious how this is going to play out now. If this ends up being fake too that would be absolutely insane.