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

[mariodk18]

I can't see any scenario where Drake gets canceled. One option that makes sense to me is that they found 8nm to be lacking and decided to go for a better node, pushing 8A78Cs, 12 SMs, etc. And thus we're getting it later. Maybe early Drake was Dane (like early-mid 2020, pre COVID) with 6 CPU cores and 8 SMs. Then the pandemic and chip situation quickly made them pivot to the current chip we know and they said, "Screw it, if we're not doing a mid-gen update, then let's go as balls to the wall as we can with Drake".

So 'late 2022-Q1 2023" (which to be fair, MZ only said late 2022 was "the earliest" Drake could release) was "shelved" in favor of something in May with Zelda (slightly less likely now) or a holiday 2023 release. That could be a scenario where 3rd parties said, "well if you're delaying it to make it even more powerful, then that's fine".

Who knows. Just trying to make sense of everything.

 

[Kazuyamishima]

I think the next Switch isn't really getting it's shell leaked mainly because it's using most of the parts of the OLED model just with different internals. That could also be how Bloomberg could have confused the OLED model with Drake imo.

I don't think Bloomberg got confused with Drake at all considering they were talking about a pro and not a successor

 

[ITSMILNER]

I wouldn’t put too much stock in the ‘no big games’ comments, just because people haven’t heard of games coming in 2023 doesn’t mean there’s no games. Nintendo will have stuff, possibly ports but they won’t not have anything to release Q4 2023.

 

[Link_enfant]

I haven’t read the last few pages yet, but I’d like to remind some facts about this OLED leak and the supposed Drake release timing, even though I can’t be really optimistic for H1 2023 anymore:

- Special OLED editions, and other special editions in general that don’t include the game are released earlier than the related game, that was too weeks for both Splatoon 3 and Pokémon so it’s reasonable to expect the same for Zelda, if not more considering how early we’re seeing a complete package of this new edition

- iirc, new consoles (full successors/generations like Drake I mean) never have a special editions at launch, actually it’s also the case for most if not all smaller revisions like the Lite or the OLED so that wouldn’t really overlap with the ZOLED

Considering those, I’m not sure Drake’s release would have anything to do with Zelda and the leaked OLED edition.
They could be completely separated stuff, as Drake wouldn’t be presented in a Direct anyway.
Nintendo have their own rules and are in a new, unprecedented situation.
They’ve done ‘baffling’ stuff before, they’ll do them again for the better or worse.
For some reason, for instance, we got a sSmash bros special edition of the standard 3DS in Europe (and US?), while Japan had the same edition but for a New 3DS XL.

Having a new generation announced and coming around Zelda while it also gets its own OLED edition wouldn’t really be the most baffling or even surprising thing from Nintendo imo.

 

[GamerJM]

Mario 25th Anniversary DSi XL 3 months prior to 3DS launch, annnounced and released after the 3DS was already announced for release in February 2011.

Limited edition hardware releases mean legit nothing, the sudden ascribing of meaning to such things is… odd.

I think Drake could launch holiday season next year, but I would literally bet like 2k USD (assuming 50/50 odds and payouts, probably even higher honestly) that Drake does not launch earlier than Fall 2023. That is the implication of the LE Switch OLED. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills reading everyone talk about how the leaking of it has no barring on the release date of the Drake. There's no way in hell Nintendo launches hardware that is markedly more powerful than current Switch like a month or two after they just launched a huge new Zelda game. Yes, it could happen, you and everyone else in this topic is right that there is historical precedent for Nintendo releasing some kind of special editions of their older consoles not too long before or even after the release of their new console. The reason for this is not historical precedent but just like, very basic business sense. Zelda historically drives early adopter hardware sales and has very good tie-in rates for said early adopters. If they're launching new seasonal hardware and a Zelda game around the same time they'd almost certainly want to launch them at the same time. And also, I would highly doubt Nintendo would release a special edition Switch and Drake at the same time. That'd be like if the release of BotW also corresponded with a special edition Zelda Wii U, or if the release of Majora's Mask 3D corresponded with the release of a 3DS XL (when MM3D came out the same time as the New 3DS XL).

That doesn't mean Drake can't come out in 2023. It could still make holiday season 2023. But I think the hopes of a H1 2023 Drake release went from unlikely to dead now.

 

[Concernt]

I haven’t read the last few pages yet, but I’d like to remind some facts about this OLED leak and the supposed Drake release timing, even though I can’t be really optimistic for H1 2023 anymore:

- Special OLED editions, and other special editions in general that don’t include the game are released earlier than the related game, that was too weeks for both Splatoon 3 and Pokémon so it’s reasonable to expect the same for Zelda, if not more considering how early we’re seeing a complete package of this new edition

- iirc, new consoles (full successors/generations like Drake I mean) never have a special editions at launch, actually it’s also the case for most if not all smaller revisions like the Lite or the OLED so that wouldn’t really overlap with the ZOLED

Considering those, I’m not sure Drake’s release would have anything to do with Zelda and the leaked OLED edition.
They could be completely separated stuff, as Drake wouldn’t be presented in a Direct anyway.
Nintendo have their own rules and are in a new, unprecedented situation.
They’ve done ‘baffling’ stuff before, they’ll do them again for the better or worse.
For some reason, for instance, we got a sSmash bros special edition of the standard 3DS in Europe (and US?), while Japan had the same edition but for a New 3DS XL.

Having a new generation announced and coming around Zelda while it also gets its own OLED edition wouldn’t really be the most baffling or even surprising thing from Nintendo imo.

And it's happened before. As @Terrell pointed out, special editions don't have any bearing on new hardware. Not even just Nintendo, the Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One X came out before the game, and the game came out after the Xbox Series X.

It just isn't relevant.

 

[Ojoloco]

Reddit Leaker Fun_Way_6592 who teased Tears of the Kingdom title, allegedly says "Do you think everyone is primed and ready?"

F-Zero's time will come in 2023. As for Metroid Prime 1... Retro completed development of the game in late summer of 2021 (for clarity: development finished then -- it still had to go through QA, any localization, and such). The game has been finished for some time now. Nintendo just opted to...

www.resetera.com

Looks like Fzero in 2023

 

[Z-Z0]

Ok, here's my hopium take:
They already have boxes of TotK OLEDs ready to be shipped half a year before release because they'll soon be restructuring part of Switch's manufacturing lines for Drake.

 

[Vash_the_Stampede]

Why is it that you chose to come out with that information only a few hours after DF uploads a video where they happen to express some views that are in line with your own expectations?

I cannot help but be under the impression that the only reason you're spilling the information right now is because DF's video has made you concerned that your 'information' might become common knowledge before you'd be able to take credit for it. Does that make it any more confirmed or any more reliable than it was 24 hours ago, when you were still reluctant to make it public? Certainly not.

I love you, stranger.

 

[Bobdapeach]

Ok I’m gonna read the last few pages on this thread but in case I’m dumb wtf is going on with the drake now. Saw people saying stuff in the Zelda OLED tbread

Is drake a switch 2 or switch pro? Are we still expecting mid 2023 release?? Gimme all info please abs god bless

 

[Skittzo]

Ok I’m gonna read the last few pages on this thread but in case I’m dumb wtf is going on with the drake now. Saw people saying stuff in the Zelda OLED tbread

Is drake a switch 2 or switch pro?

Who knows. At this point there's no difference, it'll be treated like a successor.

Are we still expecting mid 2023 release??

Who knows. I think the TotK model severely reduces the chances but it's still not a sure thing either way.

Gimme all info please abs god bless

I have the info but bad abs.

 

[Vash_the_Stampede]

All the tech stuff I reported was backed by the NVN2 leak -- meaning, the information I was being given back in 2021 was accurate in terms of features.

I guessed that the next Nintendo console would be an Nvidia-powered, higher resolution, DLSS-capable piece of hardware without talking to a single source.

I’m not an insider.

 

[Mango]

To reiterate on my last post, a full new console generation with new controllers, possibly a new OS, and so on, needs time to be announced, revealed, shown to the public, and garner the public's interest, which is the one thing this next console does not have. Ignoring the period in which the Switch was called the NX, and just counting from its reveal on October 20th 2016 to the release on March 3rd 2017, that was 134 days. Meanwhile from today we currently have 133 days till ToTK.

So personally I don't really get the insistence that it's coming with Zelda. Like I said earlier it's still very possible, but the turn around would be miniscule and frankly that doesn't match with all the talk about Nintendo being super serious about this next transition. Ultimately, assuming the OLED is real, which there's no reason to really assume it isn't, that coupled with it being rated, the NSO pamphlet, and just the lack of time, to me basically kills off the idea of it launching in May.

None of this means we won't see it in 2023, but I truly doubt we'll actually play the thing in 2023.

 

[LoneRanger]

2024/2025= switch OG same scenario.
At very least = Q1 of 2024 ie FY 2023

Q1 FY2024/25 (April/May at most) with a new Mario Kart as launch title. New 3D Mario + COD2024 + (big maybe) GTAVI as big fall titles

I know that you (+ some other insiders) know about who are the key partners that are developing titles for next HW, either exclusives or ports. I’m curious if some of those would just release their titles for OG Switch (like a long rumoured Resident Evil title) or delay its Switch 2 versions. IIRC, another one is RDR2, that a journalist say some time ago that was also in development for OG Switch. Wondering if they will just release Switch 1 version this year and next year Switch 2 one, or Switch 1 version is cancelled while Switch 2 one will just wait.

 

[Bobdapeach]

Who knows. At this point there's no difference, it'll be treated like a successor.

Who knows. I think the TotK model severely reduces the chances but it's still not a sure thing either way.

I have his info but bad abs.

Thanks cutie

I started reading but it was like 30+ pages LOL
I’m gonna try skim through tho!
Thank you for replying

 

[Vash_the_Stampede]

At least I'm glad we can put the iterative, iphone-like hardware notion to bed.

This was never anything but fanfic. I have been saying since 2020-ish that Nintendo explicitly said they don’t want to do this, and they proved it when we had no new, more powerful hardware in 200, 2021, and 2022.

 

[Bobdapeach]

Wait I just saw like 20 pages back that N were working on an switch pro but cancelled the project what

 

[mariodk18]

Wait I just saw like 20 pages back that N were working on an switch pro but cancelled the project what

Like Mochizuki said in his Sep 2021 article, there were plans for an earlier refresh that were canceled due to the chip shortage. Likely a model that instead of using the more efficient chip in the v2 model for battery life, would use it for increased power. It also is believable due to the OLED model having a 4K capable dock with an upgradable firmware. Now we're heading into the 7th year of Switch, so it makes sense that the next thing will be next gen.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Ask yourself, why would they even need to? They don't need a first party game for every month of the year. And releasing two brand new Mario games in one year doesn't make a lot of sense, imo.

Weirdness happens. New Super Mario Bros. 2 and New Super Mario Bros. U weren't on the same system, but only about 4 months apart. New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2 were announced at the same time and released about 6 months apart.

 

[mariodk18]

 

[Awena]

Reddit Leaker Fun_Way_6592 who teased Tears of the Kingdom title, allegedly says "Do you think everyone is primed and ready?"

F-Zero's time will come in 2023. As for Metroid Prime 1... Retro completed development of the game in late summer of 2021 (for clarity: development finished then -- it still had to go through QA, any localization, and such). The game has been finished for some time now. Nintendo just opted to...

www.resetera.com

Looks like Fzero in 2023

wait, what? I'll believe it when I'll see it

 

[Kingpin722]

If there is any truth to Nintendo being hesitant about how to succeed the Switch, I don’t think there’s been a time that consumers have been more vocal as to which direction they should go.

Switch 2 is the way to go. Current Switch owners clearly want more Switch, but I’ve also seen plenty people still holding off, despite 130m units sold, bc they simply want a stronger version. Nintendo has finally found their perfect balance with Switch, as they appeal to their traditional audience but also made themselves an attractive prospect for gamers from the other platforms who typically don’t gravitate to Nintendo.

Switch 2 is the perfect opportunity to build off that momentum to create a platform that more closely overlaps the crowds and invites software that has evaded them for so long.

 

[Ojoloco]

wait, what?

Oh i post this in the hardware treath

My confusion, the message was for the general treath

 

[RailWays]

I see it as Q2 2023 at the earliest for Drake and Q4 2024 at the latest. I doubt Nintendo could keep momentum going to 2025 without Switch 3rd party support drying out

 

[hologram]

I guessed that the next Nintendo console would be an Nvidia-powered, higher resolution, DLSS-capable prices of hardware without taking to a single source.

I’m not an insider.

Did you really need to @ a days-old post for a gotcha

 

[Comic Obsessed]

If F-Zero can make a comeback then there's no reason on Earth that prevents the return of Golden Sun.

 

[Dekuman]

Weirdness happens. New Super Mario Bros. 2 and New Super Mario Bros. U weren't on the same system, but only about 4 months apart. New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2 were announced at the same time and released about 6 months apart.

The impression i had was it was a mistake to launch them so close. Perhaps Nintendo had no other choice and felt like having those games out on each platform was better than no games, but they were in a bad spot in terms of software so they had to do it, but releasing two very similar titles so close to each other undercut sales and reception for both. I know personally those dual releases, weighed by the mediocre nature of NSMB2, burned me out completely on the franchise.

 

[mariodk18]

I see it as Q2 2023 at the earliest for Drake and Q4 2024 at the latest. I doubt Nintendo could keep momentum going to 2025 without Switch 3rd party support drying out

I'm curious what third party support will look like in 2023. Like what kind of miracle ports (if any) will we get? What about the "obvious" ones that have been requested for years, like Persona 5? Maybe we'll finally get something from Bandai Namco internal studios, like a Ace Combat or a Tekken. we won't

 

[Ojoloco]

I'm curious what third party support will look like in 2023. Like what kind of miracle ports (if any) will we get? What about the "obvious" ones that have been requested for years, like Persona 5? Maybe we'll finally get something from Bandai Namco internal studios, like a Ace Combat or a Tekken. we won't

We have confirmed Kingdom Come Deliverance, Marvel Midnights Sun, the Robocop game and Hogwarts Legacy.

In rumored we have Borderlands 3, Batman Arkham Collection, Remnant From the ashes,

 

[kirbyfan407]

With the talk that a mid-gen "pro" refresh has been abandoned and what's coming next is a successor, price is now the piece that puzzles me.

I think of a mid-gen pro refresh as a model that exists alongside other previous models and will lose support at the same time as those previous models, while I think of a successor as a system that is replacing the old system in Nintendo's focus and whose life cycle has a new starting point.

When I thought of a "pro" model coming, I thought that it would make sense for Nintendo to price it at a premium ($400-$500) while continuing to sell cheaper options starting at $200 that could still entice casual buyers. I believed an increase in price made sense for a "pro" model given the better specs, target audience, and realities of chip manufacturing and the supply chain in 2023.

Now that I'm expecting a successor and new generation, I don't know how to think about pricing. For this new console, I'm imagining that means better specs (Drake?), an updated controller, and possibly other enhancements to meet evolving customer expectations. I can't imagine any of that taken together could be cheaper to make than the OLED today, which is already priced at $350 in the US. I believe Nintendo has said the OLED model has worse margins than its other systems, so I can't see Nintendo having the financial wiggle room with a successor to comfortably sell it at $350.

So what does Nintendo price the successor at? Would they really go up to $400-$500 when Switch started at $300 and Series S and PS5 Digital Editions are sold at $300 and $400, respectively? Would Nintendo be willing to sell systems at a loss? If Nintendo waits to avoid such an outcome, at what point does a successor with a chip as advanced as Drake become cheap enough to sell at $300-$350? If waiting isn't a viable solution, what could Nintendo otherwise do to achieve this price? Am I wrong for thinking of this successor as inherently more expensive compared to the OLED model?

My sticking point isn't that I doubt Nintendo's ability to produce a $400-$500 device that's a good value to a customer like me. It's that Nintendo's products have historically been cheaper than other consoles and it seems to me like a gamble to significantly increase Switch 2's launch price compared to Switch's.

If anyone has ideas for how Nintendo could play this, I'd be happy to hear your perspective.

 

[Brofield]

If Drake really was cancelled, then Q1 2024 is an impossibility.

Either we get a Drake on 2023, or nothing is coming until 2026+ baybee

Three years of "why can't this be on better hardware??"

Can't wait to tune out of this thread for good; I know it's driving me insane but I just have to see this through to the end of this fiscal year.

 

[mjayer]

Wow. You guys are really with me on this one eh, lol? I'm just coming at this from a marketing standpoint. Trying to get into Nintendo's head as to why they are, after all these years, finally letting their IPs into the movie business. The obvious answer is to strengthen their IPs so they sale more consoles/software. It makes perfect sense to utilize it to the max by tying the movie to a new game/console in the most literal sense.

Odyssey was released over 5 years ago. They were hiring in fact in 2019 ( https://wccftech.com/new-super-mari...g-for-the-development-of-new-2d-and-3d-games/ ) It's not unreasonable to suggest they are near finished developing another major tentpole 3D Mario title. And even if it's still a ways out, they could still being the marketing cycle with this movie release.

This is by far the worst thing I have read on this thread

You're welcome.

this is so fucking based

You know, deep down I know it's probably impossible but.. theres-a-chance.gif and if they pull it off I'm going to slow-clap in the theater with my 3D glasses on.

We are not getting a 3D Mario game a month before Zelda. Very unlikely. It makes more sense to have a 3D Mario game later in the year during the holidays.

You might be right. Doesn't mean they can't have a 10 second "in-engine" look at the new game as a part of a Switch 2 hype trailer.

Universal wouldn't push back a movie for a game they don't have control over. That's not how it works.

Legal contracts, my friend, contracts! Nintendo is ultra protective of their IP. They probably came to the table with lots of demands before handing over the rights to make this movie.

Looks like Fzero in 2023

It seems like Miyamoto was alluding to a lack of new ideas to evolve the franchise as the reasoning why no new title had been released, or would be released in the future. A legit power-house console seems like a good reason to build a new stunning F-Zero. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[Vash_the_Stampede]

Did you really need to @ a days-old post for a gotcha

I’m still 10+ pages behind.

And I still think it’s a relevant point: using NVN2 as “corroborating” datapoint should be subject to scrutiny when the claim/evidence is so weak.

Let’s be clear: most of us have nothing to gain from this topic. Me personally, all I have is an entertaining 20:1 famicoin bet.

Nate is financially incentivized to be deemed an insider. I haven’t seen him break a meaningful story, instead he “reacts” to news broken by others and claims he has done independent work around those headlines.

 

[chocolate_supra]

It seems like Miyamoto was alluding to a lack of new ideas to evolve the franchise as the reasoning why no new title had been released, or would be released in the future. A legit power-house console seems like a good reason to build a new stunning F-Zero. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Miyamoto: But what new idea do you have that would justify another F-Zero?

Imamura: What if we could make it so shockingly beautiful that the graphics inspire players to flip their own tables?

Miyamoto:

 

[mariodk18]

If Drake really was cancelled, then Q1 2024 is an impossibility.

Either we get a Drake on 2023, or nothing is coming until 2026+ baybee

Three years of "why can't this be on better hardware??"

Can't wait to tune out of this thread for good; I know it's driving me insane but I just have to see this through to the end of this fiscal year.

Yeah, taking everything into account, it feels like it's either coming May 12 or at least a year out (Q1 2024). Would they drop a new system surrounded by, for example, GC remasters, Pikmin, and "not major releases"? It's more likely for Drake to be canceled than for it to receive a 1+ year delay.

It's weird that it feels like me simultaneously know so much and so little about this next piece of hardware.

 

[ILikeFeet]

if there's a new F-Zero, I foresee a lot of complaining about how it's not like "their" f-zero

 

[Derachi]

tbh I’m gonna buy an OLED tomorrow I think

My current switch is in rough shape and I kinda need to replace it, I mostly play handheld so the new screen is gonna be nice

 

[Dark Cloud]

if there's a new F-Zero, I foresee a lot of complaining about how it's not like "their" f-zero

It’s not new

 

[kvetcha]

tbh I’m gonna buy an OLED tomorrow I think

My current switch is in rough shape and I kinda need to replace it, I mostly play handheld so the new screen is gonna be nice

The OLED is a tremendous upgrade for handheld play, you’ll love it.

 

[Derachi]

The OLED is a tremendous upgrade for handheld play, you’ll love it.

Tbh I think if I can get a year out of it, as I’m the next thing is holiday 2023 at the earliest, it’ll be a worthwhile purchase.

 

[Corim]

I've spent a decent amount of time lurking in this thread for the past few days. The Zelda OLED image was a surprise, and it could be real, but there's no guarantee. I keep thinking back to 2018 and the whole Grinch debacle with Smash Ultimate. Just because something looks incredibly convincing doesn't mean it's legit. There are plenty of incredibly talented artists who will make whatever they want. I saw a fan animation based on the upcoming Pixar film Elemental that had people scrambling because of how it matched the movie's art style.

 

[iNess]

I found an image of Tears of the Kingdom with different color tones on FORBES and it is listed as provided by NINTENDO.

Something I read in one day is that the color palette in SWITCH is not wide, which is why many would like Nintendo to make use of HDR technology in the future.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikka...art-reveals-a-skyward-breath-of-the-wild/amp/

 

[Raccoon]

tbh I’m gonna buy an OLED tomorrow I think

My current switch is in rough shape and I kinda need to replace it, I mostly play handheld so the new screen is gonna be nice

despite my pro hoping I am a passionate advocate of the OLED model

it just feels so nice, and the little things added up much sooner for me than I expected.

I'd advise that, if you care about such things, you get the kit with the black dock because the white dock looks terrible with any joy-con but white

 

[ILikeFeet]

It’s not new

F-Zero Climax HD confirmed!

 

[Derachi]

despite my pro hoping I am a passionate advocate of the OLED model

it just feels so nice, and the little things added up much sooner for me than I expected.

I'd advise that, if you care about such things, you get the kit with the black dock because the white dock looks terrible with any joy-con but white

I appreciate the input but tbh the white dock is gonna match our furniture real good

But thanks for the OLED advocacy! Yeah tbh I’m kinda stoked to get it. It looks very premium.

 

[Raccoon]

I appreciate the input but tbh the white dock is gonna match our furniture real good

I totally feel this. if you have a white console (furniture) and white console (ps5) it'll look gorg

 

[C_Ali]

I appreciate the input but tbh the white dock is gonna match our furniture real good

But thanks for the OLED advocacy! Yeah tbh I’m kinda stoked to get it. It looks very premium.

Oled is premium. Switch 2 is dreamium.

 

[Corim]

tbh I’m gonna buy an OLED tomorrow I think

My current switch is in rough shape and I kinda need to replace it, I mostly play handheld so the new screen is gonna be nice

My launch switch is starting to show its age as well. I haven't been too tempted to pick up an OLED yet, but I might get one a while after the Switch's successor eventually releases for the sake of ensuring that I can play the massive library of Switch games that I've picked up over the last six years for archival purposes. Whenever next gen kicks off, I'm going purely digital. I don't think I can handle a second console's worth of physical media.

 

[bloopland33]

What a wild couple days. Big disappointing. Be very curious to hear Nate’s thoughts after today’s TOTK news.

 

[Hidden04]

Tears of the Kingdom OLED doesn't impact new hardware releasing next year, it's a special edition for collectors and it's weeks, perhaps months before the game, it has no bearing on Drake, as Drake is aimed at hardcore Nintendo fans first who will pay 400+ dollars day one.