Nintendo released the Switch way back when in 2017, now five years ago. In 2017, Microsoft launched the Xbox One X, and in 2020 Sony and Microsoft both launched their next-gen consoles, the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It's been a while since Nintendo released a major new piece of hardware. And with the fairly anemic 2021 refresh of the Switch that more or less just added in an OLED display, Nintendo fans are wondering what's next.
In this article, we'll explain everything we know about the Nintendo Switch Pro & Nintendo Switch 2, including release date, games, and more.
Nintendo Switch Pro, Switch 2, or Something Else?
Nintendo hasn't officially announced what's next for Switch or for the company in general, so we don't, technically, know what's coming. We could see a Switch Pro, a Switch 2, or something totally new. What are we expecting? That's a different story.
As a gaming company, Nintendo has not, really, ever released a true sequel to a home console outside of (arguably) the SNES or the Wii U. And these cases, themselves, were especially rare occurrences for the company. In general, Nintendo doesn't really like to iterate when it comes to home consoles.
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Accordingly, a Switch 2 is probably less likely than a refresh of the Switch line with more powerful hardware, but it's entirely possible. For a Switch 2, we could likely look to Valve's Steam Deck as a benchmark for what's possible in the space. In those terms, a new Switch could have significantly more power than the original console, making it more powerful than a PS4 in your pocket.
With a Switch 2, naturally, games will be locked to that particular platform, so we would enjoy a true generational leap in terms of Nintendo games. Right now, games on Switch have around the graphical fidelity of an advanced PS3 game or a particularly simple-looking Xbox One game, at best. With a full-fat Switch sequel, we could have Nintendo games offering the fidelity of PS4 games and beyond.
If Nintendo decides to release a Switch Pro, even with the same class of hardware we might see in a Switch 2, games will have to run on both Switch and Switch Pro, so we may see as much of a generational leap. The situation would be a lot more like the PS4 and PS4 Pro or Xbox One and Xbox One X with games offering new rendering modes and features on the Switch Pro as compared to the Switch.
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Naturally, if Nintendo decides to go in a completely different direction, all bets are off. However, this is, at the least, pretty unlikely as this is what Nintendo did when going from the Wii to the Wii U, the most spectacular failure of a home console launch that Nintendo has ever overseen. Accordingly, it's probably going to be hard to convince Nintendo to abandon the enormously popular Switch line for a totally new line of devices.
Nintendo Switch Pro and Switch 2 Release Date
Regardless of what, exactly, Nintendo decides to move forward with in terms of its next console, it's been 5 years since the company's last big release, and we know that Nintendo will want to have a reasonable space between announcing a major new device and actually releasing it. This adds up to a likely release date, at the earliest, of early 2024.
Now, it's possible Nintendo could be targeting Holiday 2023, but that would be particularly aggressive considering the biggest title coming to Switch is Breath of the Wild 2, and that's scheduled for a 2023 release. Likely, Nintendo will want Switch to enjoy the boost in sales that accompanies a Zelda release.
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Though, it is possible that Breath of the Wild 2 mimics the launch of Breath of the Wild in the sense that the first game actually was primarily intended to come to Wii U but, in fact, came to both Wii U and to Switch as a launch title. Perhaps Nintendo will launch a Switch refresh alongside Breath of the Wild 2's release to try and capitalize on this beloved franchise by encouraging folks to buy a new console to experience the game best on.
Nonetheless, by all accounts, it's more likely to expect a new console from Nintendo in early 2024 or beyond.
Nintendo Switch Pro or Switch 2 Games Explained
If a new Switch is to come out within a year or even two of Breath of the Wild 2's release, we can almost certainly expect the game to be ported to Nintendo's latest console. If Nintendo does release a Switch Pro-style device, then it's safe to say we'll probably see a slew of Switch games updated to take advantage of the new, more powerful hardware on offer in a Switch Pro.
However, if Nintendo releases a totally new console that doesn't support or play Switch games, this will be a completely different situation. In this case, we should expect all the traditional Nintendo franchises to, in time get new releases on the new console, but that will take time.
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Traditionally, Nintendo doesn't really worry about stacking their launch lineups with a slew of huge exclusives and rather focuses on a few select games to launch with a totally new platform, so we could likely expect something similar with a Switch 2. This would likely mean maybe one huge launch title, like a Zelda, and then maybe a few other smaller ones, and that'll be about it.
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