The Nintendo Switch isn’t even released as of yet and we’re already getting word that there could be an upgraded version in development.
Although it is to be expected, console refreshes are nothing new, hearing these rumors so soon is a bit more intriguing. WWG have reported on a couple of potential rumors that are currently circulating which indicate Nintendo could be working on an upgraded version of the Nintendo Switch. WWG comment that this could come in a couple of forms; a new hardware unit, such as the PS4 Pro or upcoming Xbox Scorpio, via an upgrade that can be added to the current hardware that will be made available come March 3rd.
The latter of these options seem much more Nintendo. If you cast your mind back to the Nintendo 64, you may remember the ‘Expansion Pak’ which was an add-on for the Nintendo 64 that doubled the amount of RAM the console had. This allowed for greater resolution, longer draw-distance, and more detailed graphics. This rumored device for the Switch is being referred to as a supplemental computing device (SCD) which could plug into the Switch as it currently stands (metaphorically and literally). This extra power could let developers deliver consoles in higher resolutions (maybe up to 4K) or deliver a whole rang of new advancements for upcoming titles.
WWG details the origin of these rumors, which have come from an industry insider at Foxconn ( a Chinese company that have worked on the Nintendo Switch). There were a number of specifications on the upcoming console leaked to Reddit, including information about the controllers for the Switch, battery life and some specifications from a console. It appears that this console that was detailed is not the same console that has been announced currently by Nintendo.
WWG go onto detail that a dev kit could with double the current specification of the Switch was leaked and could easily be referring to the SDC mentioned earlier. Of course this is all speculation and this could well just be a kit that Nintendo was playing around with to see what they could come up with. It may well not have been financially viable, or it could just trash the battery life of the tablet, making it moot in that mode; potentially cheapening the message from the Switch. Though that would easily be resolved via a power management option.
I like the idea of an add-on, it is definitely cheaper than buying a whole new console, providing it is affordable. Though, as we saw back in the days of the N64, it may become the case (as I am anticipating with the Scorpio) that we will see games that are only compatible with Switch if the SDC is in play.
Very early days at this point mind, so it is all speculation at this point. I cannot imagine Nintendo announcing anything such as this six weeks before the launch of its new console.
