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

[Paxie]

Finally-some-good-fucking-food.gif

 

[LiC]

It's an extra 1.5 inches in width and ~0.9 inches in height. That's a fairly big change.

If it's a 7.91'' screen, that's 0.8'' wider and 0.45'' taller than the OLED screen (some of which would just be filling bezel space). It's not that major.

 

[Ryuji]

Assuming it does have an 8 inch display, for it to have the same bezel size as OG switch would make it an absolutely massive device, so I suspect the bezel size will be much closer to if not equal to what it is on the OLED model.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Lineup Speculation: Let's say that Nintendo releases this system around September or early October. How heavy does the lineup get from a first party stand point for 2024?

Launch (September)- Mario 3D
November- Pokemon

Gotta figure that Nintendo has something else in there. Maybe a racing game like a new Diddy Kong Racing? Another launch title similar to Nintendo Land or 1,2 Switch? Maaaaaaybe a 2D Zelda? Late 2024 seems too soon for Splatoon. A new Donkey Kong Country game? Kirby feels like a Spring 2025 game for reasons I can't explain. A new Mario Party game? That would make sense.

Bottom line, I think we get another launch window title from Nintendo besides Mario and Pokemon.

For holiday 2024

A new IP as usual (could be multiplayer)
3D Mario
Pokemon

Idk if we get DK here or before. I really need to see this September Direct and same for Prime 4. One of them could be there or not. Mario Party is good too. Mario Kart for March 2025.

 

[Kingpin Rogers]

If the screen is 1080p I hope devs prioritise hitting native resolution on it. So many games being sub native on Switch 1 was annoying.

 

[ReddDreadtheLead]

If the screen is 1080p I hope devs prioritise hitting native resolution on it. So many games being sub native on Switch 1 was annoying.

Hate to break it to you but…

 

[Shoulder]

Announcing new hardware wont cannibalize sales at all. Its the same over and over again, it always depends on the current situation.


Switch has reached its height and it will not be affected by such an announcement.

People who are willing to buy the Switch will do so, because of the library, price etc.

People still bought RTX 30 cards besides RTX 40 and RX 6000 Series GPUs besides RX 7000.


If all people would be comparable to fami users, then yes, but reality looks different and to wait another whole year is a long time.

To be fair, the reason people still bought 30 series cards was less about not wanting to buy the latest, and more to do with cost. Compared to 40 series, and AMD 7000 series, the 30 series, and 6000 series, respectively got cheap.

In terms of Smith 2, I fully expect it to be more expensive than the Smith OLED.

I co-sign the eating of hats. Worst case scenario, I can, like, bake a brownie in the shape of a hat, right? Or eat a hat shaped chicken nugget?

As a Wisconsinite, I’ll thirdly sign off on eating hats, as long as my hat is made out of cheese.

 

[Instro]

Getting rid of the bezels isn't trivial, there are often reasons why bezels need to exist for certain screens. Either way this would be a large change in form factor from the original.

If they needed extra battery room or extra room for T239 then maybe this could make sense, but I do hope they don't add too much to the weight of the thing.

For sure, and in rechecking, I think I'm overestimating the bezel size on the OLED. There's room to squeeze out, but you'd still have to increase the device size.

 

[thegodsend]

Honestly a 1080p screen makes me quote hopeful about the performance, 1080p in handheld is a good spot for DLSS to 4k and could mean dock mode Switch 1 for backwards compatibility as the de facto standard. Sounds like a nice upgrade.

 

[MarcelRguez]

That's not even the right picture, I messed up. That's for 6.2" vs 7.8".

This one is 6.2" vs 8":

If the screen is 1080p I hope devs prioritise hitting native resolution on it. So many games being sub native on Switch 1 was annoying.

On the plus side, the Switch games that already hit 1080p when docked should look really good on that screen.

 

[Josh5890]

For holiday 2024

A new IP as usual (could be multiplayer)
3D Mario
Pokemon

Idk if we get DK here or before. I really need to see this September Direct and same for Prime 4. One of them could be there or not. Mario Party is good too. Mario Kart for March 2025.

Right now, I have Metroid Prime 4 as the real swan song for the OG Switch. Prime 2 in September, Prime 3 in Feb, Prime 4 early summer.

 

[Hosermess]

(def aging myself with these refs)

 

[Ojoloco]

Whats the diference between 3D nand and the actual switch cartridges?

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

So it's either always 720p or 1080p?

People sometimes suggest something like 1600x900, but I don't know why they'd choose an unusual in-between resolution like that that would make scaling old Switch games worse than it would be on 1080p.

I'm sure I can't picture what 720p on the 8-inch screen will look like, and it's probably worse than I'm picturing, but I'd also really hate to sacrifice the IQ in portable mode of the entire Switch 1 library. All those 720p or lower games on up to a potentially 1080p screen would be a bummer.

720p->1080p works pretty well. Though it would be nice if, even if Switch games can't be patched to truly use more power, they could be patched to change how their internal scaling is done so instead of something like "600p image scaled to 720p, 720p UI slapped on, new machine then scales to 1080p", it could straight do "600p image scaled to 1080p, 1080p UI slapped on".

Not a perfect example but why get something like Ace Attorney trilogy 2 on Switch 2 when Switch 1 is gonna offer the better handheld experience.

Even if the Switch 2 version uses more than twice the pixels per image, and has twice the frames per second?

 

[Advator]

No, it won’t in the slightest.

I've read a lot of comments that oled is awesome and they would definitely not want to go back to lcd for switch 1.
You could be right still, we have to see. But even then the black border is a big issue with 8' and it doesn't make sense to turn back to lcd. It's a big step down

 

[Josh5890]

Getting rid of the bezels isn't trivial, there are often reasons why bezels need to exist for certain screens. Either way this would be a large change in form factor from the original.

If they needed extra battery room or extra room for T239 then maybe this could make sense, but I do hope they don't add too much to the weight of the thing.

Makes you wonder how quickly Nintendo will try to push out a "lite" version. Early/Mid 2026?

 

[Instro]

Hate to break it to you but…

Seems like you would just output at 1080p via DLSS, and fluctuate internal res or DLSS mode to hit it.

 

[YolkFolk]

Will we get a trailer like this for Switch 2 early next year before a blowout in like June or whatever?



“From the moment we met you could see I was filled with desire…”

 

[Dark Cloud]

Right now, I have Metroid Prime 4 as the real swan song for the OG Switch. Prime 2 in September, Prime 3 in Feb, Prime 4 early summer.

Right and I could see that too. For me though I’ll need to see it at the September Direct. I think if it’s not there and they’re waiting until at least next year to reveal it, then it’s cross gen and I don’t know where it will fall in the lineup.

 

[Ryuji]

Would developers with prototype dev kits not be briefed on whether or not the system will support DLSS?

 

[Sol]

That's not even the right picture, I messed up. That's for 6.2" vs 7.8".

This one is 6.2" vs 8":

It's a big increase, and even if the bezels were completely eliminated, it still wouldn't fit within the footprint of the current Switch.

If this pans out, the device will be bigger than the current Switch - which means Joy-Cons wouldn't be compatible with the new device (at least in terms of being physically attached).

 

[Teal'c]

It means I have about a year to clear my backlog on Switch

Impossible things aside... glad to see new pieces being added to the puzzle.
I wonder if this screen was made specifically for Switch 2 or not.

 

[Herb Alpert]

Will we get a trailer like this for Switch 2 early next year before a blowout in like June or whatever?



“From the moment we met you could see I was filled with desire…”

And a thread on era where people will say it's DOA LOL NO WAY, IT'S GONNA BOMB LMFAO

 

[Lugia667]

Can I just say I’m just soooo tired of the whole “hurrrr it won’t be bc because they wanna sell you the same games over again hurrrrr” shtick I keep seeing?

 

[Thraktor]

Honestly a 1080p screen makes me quote hopeful about the performance, 1080p in handheld is a good spot for DLSS to 4k and could mean dock mode Switch 1 for backwards compatibility as the de facto standard. Sounds like a nice upgrade.

I doubt they'll automatically run Switch games in docked mode. Some games make changes other than graphics between the modes, such as changes to the control options, so it could break functionality in some games to force them into docked mode when using the Switch NG in handheld. For instance almost any game which supports touch screen inputs would likely lose that functionality if you forced it to run in docked mode. It could be an option for developers, though, a quick flag that they can set which says "just run in docked mode" and gives them a boost to portable performance without having to submit a patch.

There is one game that would definitely benefit, though, Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition. It renders at a full 1080p in portable mode (at unsurprisingly bad frame rates), so should actually look really good in portable mode without any changes on Switch NG if they do use a 1080p screen.

 

[Dark Cloud]

It's a big increase, and even if the bezels were completely eliminated, it still wouldn't fit within the footprint of the current Switch.

If this pans out, the device will be bigger than the current Switch - which means Joy-Cons wouldn't be compatible with the new device (at least in terms of being physically attached).

I wonder if that’s a big deal though? If the joy cons can connect without clicking them into the Switch 2 I’m sure that’s good enough. The Switch 2 can have its own bigger joycons (lord I need them lol).

 

[ZachyCatGames]

* Hidden text: cannot be quoted. *

 

[NateDrake]

Only to add my tidbit to the Nate podcast

• The info regarding devkit that I have points to 8 inch too
• Even being a devkit, still a LCD panel as speculated, but the person told me that is very better in comparison to early Switch model
• Oh, and 1080p, of course

Thanks for the podcast Nate, nice ep.

I have other bits of information, as well; but didn't want to present too many "informed speculation" bits beyond what VGC has conservatively covered, haha. I'd prefer to get a more firm grasp on these yet to be shared details and craft them into a report. But nice to see you have heard similar in regards to display size and type.

 

[Mr.Gamerson]

8 inch screen also means bigger size, which may mean bigger battery? I think 8inches and 1080p are a good compromise for lack of Oled, but i hope the bezels aren't too big. Also, hopefully this leads more credence to the system being as powerful as we may have hoped and the leaks seem to indicate.

 

[Dark Cloud]

I have other bits of information, as well; but didn't want to present too many "informed speculation" buts beyond what VGC has conservatively covered, haha. I'd prefer to get a more firm grasp on these yet to be shared details and craft them into a report. But nice to see you have heard similar in regards to display size and type.

Are you able to say if the other bits of information you have would be considered positive information by everyone?

 

[ShaunSwitch]

Nintendo won't do digital only BC, I'm assuming they will drop some patches for evergreens to pad out the early lineup, physical purchases still make up the majority.

Its also a easy problem for Nintendo to solve I imagine, they can change the cartridges but still support the old cartridges by being clever with the dimensions and pin layouts like they did with the DS to 3DS transition.

Plus it's the one thing that would be a bit of a PR s&%t show.

 

[YolkFolk]

Right now, I have Metroid Prime 4 as the real swan song for the OG Switch. Prime 2 in September, Prime 3 in Feb, Prime 4 early summer.

They’d be mad to release Prime 4 that soon before Switch 2.

It’s a title which could be used to showcase the new hardware more than anything else in their library. If it isn’t confirmed for spring in the September Direct then I fully expect it will launch on Switch 2 and be revealed at the coming out party in full next gen glory.

 

[Deleted member 887]

* Hidden text: cannot be quoted. *

 

[Skittzo]

8 inch screen also means bigger size, which may mean bigger battery? I think 8inches and 1080p are a good compromise for lack of Oled, but i hope the bezels aren't too big. Also, hopefully this leads more credence to the system being as powerful as we may have hoped and the leaks seem to indicate.

Well bigger screen also comes with bigger power draw so yeah, a bigger battery could be necessary just to get it back to that baseline battery life.

 

[hologram]

8" feels too big to me, ngl

 

[Dark Cloud]

Can I just say I’m just soooo tired of the whole “hurrrr it won’t be bc because they wanna sell you the same games over again hurrrrr” shtick I keep seeing?

It’s a little odd to me when Nintendo ALWAYS does BC for their handhelds. Switch was obviously very different because it was more in line with the big changes you see from Nintendo’s consoles. Sony and MS got this stuff down. Why would Nintendo of all companies be odd man out?

 

[NateDrake]

Are you able to say if the other bits of information you have would be considered positive information by everyone?

Some are positive. Others I don't have full context & I cannot make a determination at this time.

 

[Νεφέλωμα]

Will we get a trailer like this for Switch 2 early next year before a blowout in like June or whatever?



“From the moment we met you could see I was filled with desire…”

I bet we will get a still image in Gamescom. A Nintendo higher up will say they are developing the new console and that we will hear more about it in 2024

 

[Ojoloco]

Some are positive. Others I don't have full context & I cannot make a determination at this time.

Do you know if cool thirds party games are coming to the console?

 

[lexony]

I'm already looking forward when people get angry when the console dosen't get announced at Gamescom as supposedly promised

 

[Hosermess]

Hey Nate would you eat cornbread muffins from Subway? (or was this already asked in another thread?)

 

[pelusilla6]

I would take OLED first than 512gb

 

[eye0h]

I mean, this is a hell of a clarification lol I suppose they did make it "very clear" in the very last paragraph what they thought their source meant, after they had tossed around multiple other interpretations of it. Which made it not that clear at all, to me anyway.

Clarification = I lied LOL

I have other bits of information, as well; but didn't want to present too many "informed speculation" bits beyond what VGC has conservatively covered, haha. I'd prefer to get a more firm grasp on these yet to be shared details and craft them into a report. But nice to see you have heard similar in regards to display size and type.

woah woah woah we like bits we reaaaally like other bits

 

[NateDrake]

Hey Nate would you eat cornbread muffins from Subway? (or was this already asked in another thread?)

Never knew they offered those.

 

[Magic-Man]

Lineup Speculation: Let's say that Nintendo releases this system around September or early October. How heavy does the lineup get from a first party stand point for 2024?

Launch (September)- Mario 3D
November- Pokemon

Gotta figure that Nintendo has something else in there. Maybe a racing game like a new Diddy Kong Racing? Another launch title similar to Nintendo Land or 1,2 Switch? Maaaaaaybe a 2D Zelda? Late 2024 seems too soon for Splatoon. A new Donkey Kong Country game? Kirby feels like a Spring 2025 game for reasons I can't explain. A new Mario Party game? That would make sense.

Bottom line, I think we get another launch window title from Nintendo besides Mario and Pokemon.

September (launch): 3D Mario, EPD4 gimmick game

October: Animal Crossing, Tears of the Kingdom GOTY Edition

November: Pokemon remakes

Big single player graphical showcase title (3D Mario), big local multiplayer title (Animal Crossing), normal gimmick title (EPD 4), enhanced port with all content including DLC (TOTK).

The only one I'm unsure about is Pokemon, because I can see Gamefreak putting that in early 2025 instead. If this happens, Animal Crossing would release in November.

Mario Kart, Mario Party, Xenoblade Chronicles 4, 3D Kirby, Metroid 6 in 2025. Prime 4 releases before Switch 2, gets an enhanced port in 2025.

 

[Josh5890]

They’d be mad to release Prime 4 that soon before Switch 2.

It’s a title which could be used to showcase the new hardware more than anything else in their library. If it isn’t confirmed for spring in the September Direct then I fully expect it will launch on Switch 2 and be revealed at the coming out party in full next gen glory.

Counterpoint: It has been in development since the restart in early 2019. Prime 4 has likely been developed for the OG Switch for a long time. I don't think they will have moved it to the next system exclusively.

 

[lexony]

Clarification = I lied LOL

More a case of 'I wasn't careful with my wording.' The bad thing is that like always the clarification will never reach the majority of people because other entities like clickbait news sites or Youtubers who spread this stuff don't care about that. 90% of misinformation in media happens like this, regardless of the topic.

 

[Shoulder]

If the screen is 1080p I hope devs prioritise hitting native resolution on it. So many games being sub native on Switch 1 was annoying.

If the screen is in fact 1080p, what you’d end up seeing is likely a 540p internal resolution with DLSS upscaling, which would actually look cleaner than say a native 720p screen at the same size.

There would be edge cases of games using a native 1080p while handheld, but if DLSS is in the picture, you bet developers will use it to get better fidelity out of it.

I mentioned this weeks ago, but my thought is with a 1080p screen, 540p would be the target internal resolution in handheld for most AAA 3rd party titles, and for docked mode, a 1080p internal.

In both instances, that’s a 4x difference in resolution, and not unreasonable to upscale to native with DLSS.

 

[Josh5890]

September (launch): 3D Mario, EPD4 gimmick game

October: Animal Crossing, Tears of the Kingdom GOTY Edition

November: Pokemon remakes

Big single player graphical showcase title (3D Mario), big local multiplayer title (Animal Crossing), normal gimmick title (EPD 4), enhanced port with all content including DLC (TOTK).

The only one I'm unsure about is Pokemon, because I can see Gamefreak putting that in early 2025 instead. If this happens, Animal Crossing would release in November.

Animal Crossing would be a big, but would they have a new one ready so soon after Splatoon 3?

 

[Pokemaniac]

I doubt they'll automatically run Switch games in docked mode. Some games make changes other than graphics between the modes, such as changes to the control options, so it could break functionality in some games to force them into docked mode when using the Switch NG in handheld. For instance almost any game which supports touch screen inputs would likely lose that functionality if you forced it to run in docked mode. It could be an option for developers, though, a quick flag that they can set which says "just run in docked mode" and gives them a boost to portable performance without having to submit a patch.

There is one game that would definitely benefit, though, Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition. It renders at a full 1080p in portable mode (at unsurprisingly bad frame rates), so should actually look really good in portable mode without any changes on Switch NG if they do use a 1080p screen.

There are other confirmed cases of games rendering at 1080p in handheld mode, mostly for simpler stuff that can afford the extra overhead to not have to worry about resolution changing.

To my understanding, the resolution of the compositor windows that games render to is completely arbitrary.