GRcade

Nintendo's successor to the Switch console is reported by VGC to be launching in the second half of 2024.

Eurogamer wrote: Eurogamer sources also expect a launch window in the latter half of 2024 for the next Switch console, which will remain playable in a handheld configuration.

VGC's report cites development sources which claim Nintendo is looking to debut its next console with an LCD screen rather than OLED in order to cut costs. The system will also reportedly continue to read physical media via cartridge.

There are questions, though, about backwards compatibility. Will Switch 2 support Switch games? Here, VGC states that "some" third-party publishers have suggested including the feature could cannibalise their ability to re-sell older games on Nintendo's new hardware.

It's called the Switch U.

SwIItch

I'll be gutted if they go back to LCD. The OLED is so much better.

I'd be so disappointed if the Super Switch Dodecahedron 720 launched with an LCD screen after being spoiled by the Switch OLED. The gloom effects and Ganondorf looked so strawberry floating vibrant on that screen.

Once again the Switch proving itself to be the spiritual successor to the Vita, this time in having people lament moving back to LCD from OLED.

My naming prediction is "Switch Up", but stylised really stupidly like "Sw↑tch"

Lines up with my sources (although plans can change).

I'm not sure about the screen. I like the Switch OLED version but it's not, for me, a deal-breaker; LCD quality is still improving (better back lighting) and, if push came to shove, I'd rather have a slightly larger screen - or a dual screen! - than an OLED.

I would be surprised if Switch+ uses carts. The format is an issue (space, cost) for Switch and the the new system is likely to (generally) have larger file sizes, which would make the cart challenge even greater. I think there will be a cart slot, but more for backwards compatibility rather than for new games.

Tomous wrote:I'll be gutted if they go back to LCD. The OLED is so much better.

I agree, going from the launch Switch to the OLED model felt like a significant upgrade, maybe they could release a basic model and upgraded one as long as they don't make it to confusing for people

Considering how much the OLED is meant to be an upgrade over the (very good in my opinion) LCD of the standard Switch, I can't see why they'd do that, although if it means we get a load more storage as standard instead I suppose it'll be a worthy compromise.

jawa_ wrote:I would be surprised if Switch+ uses carts. The format is an issue (space, cost) for Switch and the the new system is likely to (generally) have larger file sizes, which would make the cart challenge even greater.

You don't believe the report then?

I'd be incredibly surprised if the next Nintendo console doesn't support physical carts. A significant portion of the market is still physical, Nintendo games are always well optimised to fit, and plenty of smaller games end up with physical releases on Switch.

I'm not even convinced that games on the new console will have generally larger file sizes.

I fully expect backwards compatability and cartridges.

If they don't do BC expect hundreds of enhanced Switch ports

I’d be so pissed off as would the other millions of Switch owners if the next console was not BC

Also, sucks if it’s not an OLED

OrangeRKN wrote:

jawa_ wrote:I would be surprised if Switch+ uses carts. The format is an issue (space, cost) for Switch and the the new system is likely to (generally) have larger file sizes, which would make the cart challenge even greater.

You don't believe the report then?

I'd be incredibly surprised if the next Nintendo console doesn't support physical carts. A significant portion of the market is still physical, Nintendo games are always well optimised to fit, and plenty of smaller games end up with physical releases on Switch...

I do believe the report... but there isn't enough clarity to call it either way right now:

VGC wrote:Like its predecessor, the new Nintendo console will also accept physical games via a cartridge slot, the sources said.

This indicates that there will be a cartridge slot... but not how it will be used. I wouldn't be surprised to see the slot used purely for backwards compatibility with Switch; rather like when a GBA cart slot was included as part of the DS and DS Lite systems. Similarly, I could imagine a future console revision where that slot is removed to cut costs.

At the moment, my thinking is that large storage requirements for (many, but not all) third party "AAA" games are too much for a cart. I know that technically it's possible (indeed, Switch accepts micro SD cards up to 2 Tb) but I feel that the cost would be prohibitive.

Tomous wrote:...If they don't do BC expect hundreds of enhanced Switch ports

Super Mario Bros U Double Deluxe .

If it’s not OLED I might hold off until they release the OLED model two years down the line.

Victor Mildew wrote:Lines up with my sources (although plans can change).

Can confirm.

Christopher wrote:If it’s not OLED I might hold off until they release the OLED model two years down the line.

The screen burn on my phone has put me off OLED.

Probably the first Nintendo console I have no excitement for which I find depressing. I had a faulty console that kept corrupting my game saves and the Joycons are the most shoddily designed piece of gaming hardware of the 21st Century.

It would take a lot to pull me back in.