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New Nintendo Switch Model Needs an Overhaul to Combat PS5 and Xbox

Last Updated September 23, 2020 1:28 PM
William Worrall
Last Updated September 23, 2020 1:28 PM
  • The next generation of video game consoles is thought to be on its way later this year.
  • An inside source has suggested that Nintendo will release a new version of the Switch later this year.
  • The new model will need to have some serious hardware revisions if it wants to stay competitive.

The next generation of video game consoles is almost here. As Microsoft and Sony get ready to unleash a wave of hot tech all over our faces, Nintendo has started making plans. It’s not all that shocking. Realistically, Nintendo knows they need to do something with the Switch to try and contend.

DigiTimes reports that a new model of the Nintendo Switch will enter production in Q1 2020 . This will almost certainly be the purported Switch Pro that was rumored last year. The question is: will it be enough to combat PS5 and Xbox?

Nintendo Switch Lite - Product Shot
The Switch Lite was a great idea, but it didn’t fix nearly enough of the issues that the original console had. | Source: Nintendo 

The Switch Pro Will Need Some Massive Changes

Nintendo Switch is a great console. It’s basically like a portable home console and will always have its niche. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t also have its fair share of problems. If Nintendo really wants to remain competitive in the next generation, they’ll need to sort these issues out.

First, the joy-con drift. Say what you want about how they handled the issue (terribly), it needs addressing. It was bad enough when we found out that the Switch Lite still has the issue . But can you imagine what it would be like to discover that even a ‘more advanced’ hardware revision suffered from the same old problem?

On top of that, the kickstand needs improvements. It’s a great addition, but it is flimsy as all hell. It would also be nice to see some performance fixes. Maybe more graphical power in the dock to allow for consistent 1080 performance? While we’re at it, they really need more battery life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59yuBFRSZdg

Software Could Also Do With an Upgrade

As well as numerous hardware improvements, some software upgrades would be nice. The current Switch UI is…acceptable. It would be nice to see certain menu options more easily accessible. It also wouldn’t kill anyone to have access to Netflix and more advanced account features on the system either.

Even if you don’t like things like leaderboards or achievements, you have to admit that without them the Switch’s accounts menu is barren. While in a certain way it’s nice that Switch remains purely about playing games with your friends, it would be nice to be able to do more with the machine.

The truth is that the Nintendo Switch has a lot to stand up to. With genuine next-gen gaming just around the corner, Nintendo’s machine is looking a bit shaky. The only thing that the Switch has over the Xbox or PS5 is the ability to play advanced games on the go. With xCloud and other streaming services on the way, that’s not an advantage Nintendo will have for long. I suppose they’ll have to fall back on milking their famous franchises dry like always.