'Switch Pro' Trends On Social Media After Massive Nvidia Leak Reignites Speculation

Imagine if the name is Switch U.

Please be fake. I'd much rather not have to collect hundreds of dollars in saved up money just so I can try to beat out a scalper in order to play games as intended.

More likely going to be a successor.

Can’t wait for nintendolife to write three articles a day on the switch pro /s

@Anti-Matter
We can only hope. It would be a guaranteed seller.

Here we go again. But we know Nintendo retains its partnership with Nvidia and has been working on the next gen almost since Switch's release like they typically (and quite self-admittedly) do. What would even be there to leak about it? As opposed, of course, to "leaking" more zany release windows and zanier specs.

@Anti-Matter Switch 2: Revenge of the U

Here we go again. People are going to take this leak and somehow come to believe that Nintendo's going to announce a successor to the Switch really soon, and then get all pissy when their unrealistic expectations aren't met.

how could it not be the Tegra X1 is from 2015.

Obviously we’re getting a more powerful Switch at some point. My concern is that Nintendo will try to re-sell us a $70 version of BOTW and justify it by giving us 1080p/60fps. At the very least we should get free patches for 1st party Switch titles. 1080p/60fps should be the NORM, not a privilege.

this is not a rumour anymore, the next Switch has DLSS, ray tracing & more and it's chipset is T239/Drake. when it releases is the only question.

when the leakers spill all the beans we could be looking at the full specs. there is already some interesting data on T239 so far - seems it will be significantly more powerful than previously thought.

Lol at this point, not interested. Tired of all the pro rumors. These rumors made me hungry for the steam deck lol.
But if its true amd the power is near the deck, i will buy both.

The Switch and Switch 2 should be a cross-compatible iterative platform similar to an iPad rather than a whole new console. I feel like market fragmentation in software isn’t the best idea moving forward, especially with both MS and Sony trying to be as backwards compatible as possible.

Drama, whining, angriness and lost time intensifies in the next 4 months more...

Quick, call Mario.
Need a plumber to fix all these leaks

sigh we all know how it’s gonna go.
People think this is real. People are gonna try and bring them back to earth. They insist that there’s gonna be a switch pro. It’s either not gonna exist or be a console that doesn’t change all that much from the regular switch. They whine that they been betrayed even though there was no proof that it would be a switch pro!

I thought someone found some info in Nintendo Sports that it will support ATi tech???
One source is this video from RGT 85
https://youtu.be/66yvIZMhWR8

There is no, and will never be a, Switch Pro.

I wish people would realize that Nintendo is always working on stuff. Just because they work on something doesn't mean it's happening NOW. They had GBAs with 3D screens and it took them multiple hardware generations to actually go anywhere with that. I 100% believe they are doing internal tests with DLSS, but there is always a chance of nothing coming from those tests for the near future. People hyping themselves up for a Switch Pro or Switch 2 are only setting themselves up for disappointment in the near term. It's well past time to wake up and realize that no amount of "leaks" or speculation is going to make it happen. We've been doing this for five years already. Predicting that the company who has said they are always working on the next thing is working on the next thing is like predicting that somewhere in the world a cat is going to lick itself today. Meaningless. It's better to have low expectations and get a pleasant surprise than to overly hype yourself up and get disappointment.

3DS(witch)!

Make it happen!

Unfortunately, I think this is as real as the Capcom leak. However, it must be stressed that it doesn't mean it's coming this year. Capcom's leak had a roadmap of years. Switch 2 could still be a couple of years away. Development takes time, dunnit. There is also the challenging logistics of chip shortages and lord knows what else right now.

if people don't believe there is new hardware after what is quite an obvious hardware leak i don't know what to say. T239 has it's own fork, graphics API, it's clearly something far in development and ties in with all previous 'rumours' regarding a Switch Pro. even the chip's codename T239 was spilled over a year ago. so this is the new Switch system, the only question is when it releases.

Did we all not learn from the last leak, it's not real until Nintendo confirms it. Right now just keep your salt low.

Super Nintendo Switch
Might as well. Im sure some switch owners might grab the steamdeck. And if they do im sure they will grab third party games on there. Ie hades, hollow knight, disco elysium, etc. Also other games not available on the switch, natively, control, kingdom hearts, etc. Or not available on the switch at all, GoW, days gone, gta v.

We will see. Til then death's door(sw), elden ring(xb), sifu(ps).

@Anti-Matter it will be the

new Nintendo Switch

With the word "new" stylized like the new in new Nintendo 3DS

@Tendogamerxxx
switch pro would still be underpowered.

@The-Chosen-one
This isn’t a “rumour”. It’s a legitimate leak from Nintendo’s chip partner Nvidea. An enhanced Switch is likely happening, as Nintendo previously announced the Switch is only halfway through its lifespan or something. It’s just a matter of when.

Mark my words, this is the New Super Nintendo Switchboy Advance XL.

So excited!

Ugh, please let this be fake, we don’t need a new switch

@Scrubicius AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution is not something that requires AMD tech. It works on any GPU with a little bit of power, so yes, it would work on current Switch as well.

Whether it's a Pro or Switch 2 is a matter of semantics & ultimately marketing. Likely Nintendo go with Switch 4k or some variation as it's USP. This will still be a part of the Switch 'generation' if that even means anything and as for the hardware it's a giant leap. The finer spec details (eg we already knew it was based on Nvidia Orin) scoured from the leak are pretty beastly for a handheld. Exciting stuff!

Please let this be real, I want a new Switch

Nintendo: doesn't say or do anything

Leakers: "Switch Pro is confirmed coming out tomorrow as shown by this info the son of the brother of the janitor at the building across the street from Retro Studios drew on this napkin."

Nintendo: Unveils Nintendo Switch Liter

Leakers: "I wasn't wrong, they must have just delayed it."

It’s great this data miner is injecting opinion based purely on the obsession with “Switch Pro” because they won’t let that one go. If the Switch is in the middle of its life they need to be focusing on using it’s hardware to the best of its abilities using the years of experience they’ve had with it rather than needing new hardware for future games.
“ even more evidence it's a delayed Switch Pro and not a next gen platform, especially since the president said the Switch is in the middle of its life” These things are planned out much sooner than anyone would would expect for example PS5 development started in 2015 so it’s absolutely silly to think Nintendo wouldn’t have a next gen Switch in active development even if it’s years away

Even if we assume that the leak is real (which seems likely), it doesn't really tell us anything. Work on the next system usually starts immediately after the release of the current one. The SoC of the Switch was two years old on launch so even if they use this chip it the next system could be released in 6 months or 2 years. But they also could just use it for a prototype, decide they aren't happy with its performance and use something different in the final product.

And "Nintendo will release new hardware at some point" is as much a prediction as "there will be a sunrise in the next 24 hours".

@LOGICWINS "1080p/60fps should be the NORM, not a privilege."

How much are you willing to pay?

Not even the fancy Steam Deck offers it yet

@countzero some of the GPU details have already been found, as has the confirmed DLSS & ray tracing support. and this isn't even the full leak hackers are threatening which could contain the entire specs. when a customised chip is this far in development there's no going back, it's a huge investment. it's just a matter of when, though noteworthy that Orin (the chip T239 in based off) launches this Spring.

Watch the upgraded Switch get named........

"New Nintendo Switch"

A Switch Pro won't sell like the Switch. The Switch is killing it right now. A Switch Pro released today, would only sell to the hardcore ocd, tech fans. If, there were a massive list of AAA titles, then maybe, and it's backward compatible and it 2025....too many Switch units are selling right now. Oh, and it would need to tell side by side the Switch for sometime, and it would need the Wii style virtual console.

@TommyTendo really? I don't understand why. If it released today it would be dead in the waters in 6 minths. The Switch is doing really well and look at the line up of games we are getting Switch is too good right now. Enjoy it while we have it. I love it. I wouldn't buy a new Switch upgrade if released today or in the next 3 years.

@Nintendude78 if you're serious, I agree 100%. Switch is doing so well with all types of gamers why ruin a good thing?

@Anti-Matter if released today it would sell like the Wii u

@Joe-b I am being serious, it would just alienate such a large portion of their audience

I think a detail a lot of people miss when Nintendo talks about the Switch's life span is that it also includes the time it co-exists with its follow up. The 3DS lived alongside the Switch for what 3 years, that'd be a out the third of its life

I also wouldn't be surprised if these aren't firm "years" but more life states like new console - prime - old console.

I really don't see the Switch existing as Nintendos main console once third party support for X1/Ps4 generation dries up, but I can see the lite, like the N3DSXL, living on for years after the next console hits.

Speculation =/= News... I'll patiently await word from the mouth of Nintendo themselves.

@Nintendude78 I agree 100%

I just bought an OLED ☹️

Hope this doesn’t happen for a while.

After recently getting a Xbox Series S I often find myself wishing Nintendo would finally bring out a 4K Switch. They should launch it at the end of this year alongside BOTW2 or Metroid.

Oh yeah, I forgot, it'll be another year of "The Switch Pro is TOTALLY going to be announced this year!"...until the year is almost over with and then everyone will be like "They're saving the Switch Pro announcement for next year."

@Anti-Matter Switch Yourself!

Sayings like "currently trending on social media platforms" and believing individuals are the scourge of media. You have to ask when the media will go back to reporting real news rather than ***** rumours all the time.
I mean they just blame somebody else within the article, as if to say it's not our fault and they constantly use a piece of information to over inflate a totally different story. I get that it's part of what journalism is but I come to Nintendolife as I trust this place and the writers, I would never go to these sources they often often quote because there opinion holds no weight with me. But if the writers here feel other things they see/hear are worthy of reporting then I want to hear about it. But stand up to the words you write and if you believe then maybe I will too. I have really enjoyed getting back Thomas and seeing more articles with his opinion on various gaming subjects, I don't always agree but that actually makes it better!

Anyway Pro Switch, woohoo great news!!!

The best thing about a Switch with DLSS would be Nintendo games finally having anti aliasing.

Even Xbox Series X and PS5 having trouble with Ray Tracing. We survived without it for so many years. All games running at least 1440p docked/60 fps is more important for me.

The biggest reason I want a new, upgraded Switch model is to add new stickers to it! I got some nifty ones in a drawer that’s been waitin’ for it! I want to decal a Pro like the travel stickers in Super Mario Odyssey. Yesiree.

@dimi 1440P/60FPS docked is probably gonna be out of Nintendo's reach as not even the Series S does that. 1080P/30FPS with last gen PS4/Xbox One era graphics is the most we can hope for.

The Series S is capable of 1440P/60FPS.

@jsty3105 I am pretty sure the fancy steam deck could run any of switches games at 1080p 60fps what the fancy steam deck cannot do is run ps5 and series games at 1080p 60fps. That’s a big piece of nuance missing in your post.

It’s going to be called the UltraSwitchy4 obviously

Actual hardware specs of the T239 chip's GPU have leaked:
> 12 × 128(?) Ampere-based CUDA cores
> 2.3MB of L1 Cache
> 4MB of L2 Cache
> 6 or 12 RT cores (for ray-tracing)
> 48 Tensor core (for DLSS)
Clock speeds are unknown

A faster processor would help to run many of the games currently on switch. Slowdown on Link's Awakening is shameful. That said, I would like to buy a switch that used better quality plastic and proper thumb sticks. This talk of raytracing is pie in the sky, Nintendo need to sort out the basics.

I’d rather have a switch lite XL… you know, a basic LCD screen, but in 7”, with no dock or detachable controllers, for $250. Some of us never hook these up to a TV and don’t need all the bulk, expense, and fragility of an OLED.

I want to play Nintendo games at 1080p/60fps, with PS4 level quality. That's all I'm asking for, 10 years after the PS4 released. I hope this releases this fall with Xenoblade and Zelda! I've stopped playing Nintendo until then. I just prefer the new PS5 and Xbox and PC much more, can't go back to horrible performance anymore.

Give me a home console that plays the same games as the Switch if necessary. Nintendo knows a lot of fans are unhappy with the poor performance.

@Johnny44 I love the Series S, would make a perfect system for Nintendo. $300 and 10x powerful versus Switch.

@Kiyata
I understand expense, but I am not sure what you mean by fragility and especially bulk.
OLED screens not being nearly as bulky as LCD is one of its strengths and the system over all couldn't be much smaller either, if you still want an XL with 7" screen.

@MarsOne Me too so far although not played much on it yet. But for that price it’s a great little performer!

@blindsquarel the articles are already written. They just need to publish them.

@westman98 it seems amazingly powered. i think there's a possibility this could be a TV-only version of the Switch, given these specs and it's on 8nm. at least for the initial launch. something doesn't quite add up.

Hope it's fake, if only because I enjoy watching those rabid animals on Twitter lose their minds. The whole issue of power is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. Power isn't Nintendo's deal anymore. If the Switch is still selling, then ride the wave. You want technically and graphically superior gaming experiences? Go buy a PlayStation, homie. If those things are important to you but you can only afford one console, then why did you buy a Switch in the first place? You knew what you were getting into.

The chip is not for Switch, it's for Sony's new portable - PS Dolce Vita.

@Synecdoche it'll be a while. Even if did come out soon, unless you preorder it, it'll get scalped like the PS5 and XSX.

@moodycat either they're working on new hardware, which their R&D department is constantly testing out, or this is the Switch Pro rumored to have been abandoned due to the components shortage. While I'd like a newer Switch, more than a quarter of the newly purchased units would rot away on a scalper's listing... along with the manufacturer's warranty.

Or it could be Nintendo R&D department testing super scaling tech.
I mean, Switch Sports seems to be using AMD Fidelity FX kit, it would not be surprising to see them also testing Nvidia's kit, especially DLSS and NIS.

@HaNks
The fact that this device supposedly has 12 streaming multiprocessors with 128 CUDA cores per SM makes me think the device must be quite a bit larger than the current Switch. It seems highly unlikely that Nintendo will go back to creating standard home consoles, so I think a TV-only device can be written off.

For comparison's sake, the current Switch has 2 streaming multiprocessors with 128 CUDA cores per SM.

I hope it is true. The Switch has been my favorite console since the DS. I'm up for more Switch not less.

With Sony/MS's supply constraints they'd be fools to do anything besides turn the knife.

Sell Switch's like hotcakes while Sony figures out how to get boxes in hands > do that for three years > as the PS gains some traction release something else putting them on their heels again.

The other two consoles this generation have been unmitigated disasters. Capitalize on that and destroy them. Business.

The fact that Nvidia is working on a new chip isn't surprising, but it doesn't really tell us anything about the release window of the system. It could be any time in the next five years.

Not this BS again!

Of course there's work happening on Nintendo's next system.
But not even Nvidia know what it will be called. Might not even know when it'll be out. So let's all take this with a grain of salt.

I'm at my limit

Switch Pro is NOT happening. Simple!

@Synecdoche so technology should halt just because you bought in late?

Nintendo is known for releasing small refreshes before a new one too, new 3DS was basically a waste of time.

I don't understand why people say "tired of rumours". If you're tired of them, don't look for them, it's that simple, it's your own damn fault. Either way, buying the Switch Pro/2 when it drops day 1. It's only a matter of when, not if, and anyone that doesn't understand this has single digit IQ. I mean, what do you think, that Nintendo will close down shop, or drop the hybrid system? Not gonna happen.

@VoidofLight It's a successor, Nintendo will release a new console in the next 3 years, no less.

This is most likely for a future console, so, keep calm.

@SalvorHardin “ even more evidence it's a delayed Switch Pro and not a next gen platform, especially since the president said the Switch is in the middle of its life” These things are planned out much sooner than anyone would would expect for example PS5 development started in 2015 so it’s absolutely silly to think Nintendo wouldn’t have a next gen Switch in active development even if it’s years away

This is what NintenDoomed and Nintendo haters can't wrap their head around. I even know developments don't just suddenly one day say let's do this-this long time planning as some found in the leak it's been in works chipset development since 2019 or earlier so that gives some context they were tight lipped about something. Also like to remind people half-life production is PR created and there is nothing to compared what that defined as others are then just PR marketing.

As long as its backwards compatibility with games. Then its cool.

I just buy Mortal Kombat for switch as i had a few gold points from past purchases... what a let down in the gráfics department...
Nintendo: whatever you do i just hope try to maie current games look and run better

@EDWARD4444 that's literally one of my absolute top hopes, otherwise I might be looking more closely at steam deck or whatever is around at that point. Being honest, I'm still totally loving my switch and I'm in no rush at all. I started on a zx spectrum so I've literally played games that looked proper dog rough from the off

I really would hope the Switch Pro to be a reality soon enough, maybe by 2023 or something. I will be realistic with my expectations, and will also take into consideration Nintendo’s philosophy with their hardware. But one of my biggest hopes is at least a decent RAM upgrade; 6 or 8 GB of RAM would be sufficient to port many other 3rd party titles to the Switch. The support for DLSS 2.2 especially will really save the Switch and it won’t even require any necessarily beefier CPU/GPU; just some which have dedicated machine learning/AI sections for the upscaling and whatnot. Overall, I’m super excited!

Switch Advance. Not "Switch Pro".

@jsty3105 And then the update to that update to be called New Nintendo Switch XL or something like that.

Nintendo wants to keep the experience relatively consistent across all Switch models. There are some exceptions, but they all involve compatibility issues rather than hardware limitations. I really believe they don't want to repeat the same process that they did with the 3DS, especially looking at how they manage to to continue being Nvidia's lead customer in the old Tegra X1 chip, which becomes increasingly cheaper to produce because of tech advancements.

That is why I believe this DLSS leak involves the successor to the Switch, rather than a revision. The time Nvidia discontinues the Tegra X1 is when Nintendo stops buying them, not the other way around.

Sittin here waiting for this to be true for once.

Gimme a more powerful tv-only console! I don't ride the subway, man!

I predict the Switch 2 will be successful, but won’t come close to the sales of the Switch. Maybe 20 million units behind at best.

That’s because when the Switch came out it was brand new, and many people were ready to not only give the new hybrid product a try, but give Nintendo as a brand another try, after being away for some time. Now that so many people already have a Switch, and the concept isn’t new, there will be WAY less hype surrounding a new model. Sure the real gamers and Nintendo fanboys will be into it, but the Switch, similar to the Wii, is reaching people well outside the core audience, and I just don’t think those people will be back in equal numbers. The transition will be much better than Wii to Wii U, but… there’s almost nothing Nintendo can do to counteract a certain amount of “hype fatigue.” Don’t get me wrong, Switch 2 will fly off the shelves (if done right), and we could easily see 80-90 million lifetime sales, a big success, but the Switch is gunning for crazy numbers… 130-40 million plus, who knows.

Just some thoughts

Is this the part wehre we get more Switch pro leaks from months to years on end with nothing to back them up and is just pure speculation like last time?

@sixrings it can't show 1080p full stop. The Steam Deck screen is 720p

@jsty3105 doesn’t the deck dock? I assumed when people wanted a switch pro they wanted the docked resolution to be 1080p 60fps.

@sixrings the deck docks (hah!). When people want the Switch Pro, nearly all the comments I read talk about having 1080p on the go

Here we go again. “Reliable” leakers wanting the internet fame. Guess some people here didn’t learn the last time they were wrong. Or the last few years it has been “predicted” it would come.

Switch 2 makes more sense at this point then a Switch Pro.

Technically it can still be called Switch Pro or Super Switch that will differentiated it still from the Standard Switch. And I doubt they want to loose a winning cart Physical Slot but increasing more then on sd card expansion. Also those leaks are far more concrete =/= rumors/speculation let's get those facts straight this is direct development leaks with documentation to backup.

@Anti-Matter Feel the BUUUUURN! Best comment ever!! Thank you!

@Unit_DTH Troll alert...

GameBoy Atlantis!

@SwitchForce In what way am I being a troll? I genuinely laughed at the comment that I replied to. It was the best comment I've seen on here in a while. The Wii U, which I just happed to develop and release a game on, was a mess and the naming convention destroyed any and all chances of it's success. So, please, elaborate on my Troll-ness.

@Anti-Matter a switch U is exactly what needs to happen. A switch that operates like the WiiU but keeps the portability. Even using the WiiU layout would be nice as that had a nice layout and you could have folders etc. some games on the Wii U worked great with the dual screen and if implemented you wouldn’t actually need to use a dual screen ( windwaker is a great example here) so the games could be portable. The only other thing right off the top of my head would be to be 4K (or upscaled like the Xbox one did) while playing in Tv and 1080p in handheld which is highly doable given the age of all that tech.

@Dirty0814 That's never going to happen. The Switch is already that Hybrid Portability-so what is one really getting at here. Dual screen isn't coming back and that is tech restriction(in limited package size) and price has insured that will not happen. They already have a winning hardware factor. They can build a 4K/DLSS 60fps Docked Switch it's when can they release it. As the tech leak has shown or indicated something like this was in the works as of 2019 in the leaked paper for hardware design.

@jsty3105 well that’s a bit much. I expect 720p 60fps on the go. 1080p 60fps botw type games and with DLSS upscaled to 4K.

@sixrings You are a bit more reasonable than others ...

I constantly read demands (including snarky comments) for a 1080p screen for portable gaming. None of them believe/consider that the battery life would be measured in minutes, rather than hours with that kind of screen (I'm exaggerating slightly for effect)

@Dirty0814 I enjoyed the asymmetric gaming experiences but it's not coming back. The Wii U failed hard enough to 'prove' that it's not a great selling factor.

@moodycat It's worth keeping in mind that the Switch being halfway through it's life cycle doesn't mean we're waiting 5 years for a successor. Generally consoles continue to be supported for a few years after a successor comes out, unless it's a flop - then they drop it ASAP of course.

As an example, Sony claimed they had a 10 year plan for PS3. That didn't mean they were waiting until 2016 to release PS4, but that they would support PS3 for 10 years. It was discontinued in 2017, so the 10 year life cycle was actually slightly exceeded.

It's perfectly reasonable to expect that the Switch will be around until 2027, but with a Switch 2 coming out around 2024. It makes more sense than the 3DS sticking around until 2019, since the two consoles will have much more in common and probably will get a number of games released for both like we see on the new Sony and Microsoft systems.

@HaNks Indeed, a lot of the naysayers who are calling this a fake rumour haven't looked into this at all and are just reflexively reacting to the article. The full leak includes a whole lot more about a range of things Nvidia are involved in, this Switch successor aspect is just a small portion of the pie.

@jsty3105 the WiiU failed because of marketing not because of the system itself. The system itself was literally cutting edge for what it did. Nintendo failed hard at marketing it.

@SwitchForce dual screen can come back and for tech restricted it wouldn’t have to be utilized but could be. Games like windwaker used it for your maps and item back which other games could do also but even though you could you didn’t have to do it is very plausible in fact. As for the switch being that hybrid portable it isn’t really considering I could use my Wii U pad and change from portable to tv with a push of a button. That would allow many people ease of access instead of having to dock it to switch over. As for the 4K yea I agree but then again it’s not when they can but when they will. Nintendo hasn’t been hit as hard as others by the chip factor because what they use isn’t as loved among crypto miners which is what’s causing the shortage and why they were able to keep producing systems. Nintendo is definitely making a power play here by running with what they have and getting what they can until sales start slowing. Maybe when sales hit 10-15 million instead of 18+ a year they may release it who knows.

Switch Pro, Switch 2... aren't both the same thing at this point? I mean, really what would the difference between them be anyway? This is something different from previous rumours though. This is actual pausible proof and the best part? It totally makes sense!

See? DLSS, new chipset, Ampere, backwards compatible... I knew before that was the PERFECT idea of a next-gen Switch (one that shouldn't neccessarily replace it immediately).
This may also go explain last year's constant rumours, I guess they were "delayed" in favor of just physical changes to the console. Besides, remember the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer? It'll definitely need much more power to look more polished. It's a bit unfortunate that it had to came this way though, it could've leaked months ago and I wonder if it would have mean something.

Anyway, I won't believe any more wording unless a new report like this comes along:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-nintendo-nx-mobile-games-machine-powered-by-nvidia-tegra

@Dirty0814 I agree. I LOVED the concept and the system. I think Nintendo's hands have been well burnt by the reception - and, crucially, the tech crowd never warmed to asymmetric gaming or the other good parts of the Wii U. A revisit to the same dual screen concept would need something majorly good to avoid significant bad press.

I preferred playing Mass Effect 3 on the Wii U because the gamepad offered tactical options that was not possible anywhere else including the PC. I could direct flanking manoeuvres! Pikmin 3 was a delight to play as an RTS with the gamepad set as a second screen and using the Wii remote + nunchuck as the primary control setup.

It's fairly obvious a Switch 2 will come, just like a new Zelda, Mario Bros and Mario Kart. I'm also betting we'll see a PS6 in future!

@kalosn Switch 2 and Switch Pro aren't the same, and it's sad the word "Pro" got hijacked into describing the previous Switch rumours. Think "Pro" as the PS4 Pro - a mid-cycle, beefed up premium system sold at a premium price to a niche market alongside a base model. A Switch 2 is like PS5 - next generation that replaces the old system, and typically sold at the same original RRP.

There's actually a third concept, a revision, iteration or update (whatever you want to call it), and these were the two rumours falsely described as a "Pro" that we eventually saw: Switch OLED and Switch redbox version. Like New 3DS did to 3DS, these revisions replace the old system and retail at the same price. The OLED is a slight difference, costing a little more, mostly because Nintendo can get away with it. Not too soon it will probably become the standard Switch and sold at the standard price, with the old model discounted or put on sale to clear stock, as was original Switch and 3DS.

Given that we've only seen one "Pro" concept in the history of console gaming (PS4 and XBO, and that was largely driven by the sudden emergence of 4K and HDR in their cycles), the "Pro" language and Pro fantasy needs to stop, especially by the media. Their pride is so hurt by being so gullible that clearly they can't. Nintendo won't do a Pro model... ever. It's not their style to split the market with super expensive, niche options. Personally, I doubt we'll ever see the concept again from anyone. Now with the Switch 5 years old, it's too late to offer a high end, high priced model. Next console will almost certainly be the Switch successor, probably early 2024, or late 2023 at the earliest.

A Pro makes sense imo, just for better performance in Nintendo first party games. I believe it's happening, though knowing Nintendo, it won't be for another 10 years.

I think Nintendo will price it at $399.99, drop the OLED to $299.99, and keep the Switch Lite at $199.99.

I think Nintendo will treat the Switch like Apple does the iPhones, new models frequently. Little updates/upgrades, but the subscription model being a key from model to model, and the online is here to stay and the future for Nintendo on the financial side, along with the new games and hardware, as unfortunate as that might be for consumers.

Every publicly traded company is pushing some sort of "membership" it seems. Fast food restaurants with their apps/purchases, grocery stores, to even retail stores.
Subscription models and "memberships" are what they want, and Nintendo has it going now with the Switch.

I remember before the switch oled the media kept reporting on a switch pro as if it definitely was a sure thing. It was always reported as coming "from a credible source"

@Dirty0814 Wishful thinking will never happen again as to WiiU take outside the home away from the main console and see how far you go before no connections. That's where you got it wrong WiiU isn't a portable console it requires the base console to work and let alone you need to insert the CD to play and that doesn't move let alone have power to run outside a wall outlet. Dual screens will never happen only because the DS family was small and portable to travel. And again if DS was what you want why don't you just play on the DS only platform.

Subtitle: Not again!

NintendoLife (and all gaming blogs) actually: We love to see it! Bring on the clicks!

@HalBailman So, should a 'Switch 2' eventually replace the current Switch? Not a great idea in my mind.

When I think more about it, I realize Nintendo actually needs to release the next generation Switch as soon as possible, before Switch's sales really begin to slump.
When Sony released the PS2 in 2000, its predecessor was still selling a lot in many countries, yet everyone who knew its existence was excited for the PS2 at the same time. The PS1 still managed to sell over 100 units at the end of its lifespan, while the PS2 eventually took it further and became the best selling console of all time. PS3 couldn't achieve that, but that was definitely because of the many mistakes it made during its first years.
I think the next console after the Switch should maintain the Switch name (in other words, a hybrid) and be promoted as a new console related to the Switch you have, but with new capabilities and ideas which come with a higher price. And it shouldn't replace the current Switch yet, only when the time is right to reduce the price to the same as Switch. The first thing, they need to REALLY avoid, is outright leaving the current Switch to disappear and move on to the next console. Otherwise, we will be looking at another Wii U situation.

I think the 'Pro' idea is actually an interesting way to be more flexible and "counter" the predictable pattern of console generations. PlayStation doesn't seem to mind that, but Xbox on the other hand...

About OLED becoming the standard for the current Switch, that's a perfect idea considering how much it improves over the first Switch. But the main reason it costs more is because of the OLED screen, a smart price cut would do the right job.

That's the reality, new consoles replace old ones. While there is an overlap for a year or two, ultimately the old one is retired. Switch did it to WU and even to the 3DS, and Switch 2 will do it to Switch. Right now, it's difficult to find a PS4 and it soon fade away. Given the huge success of the hybrid model, I can't see any deviation from this format.

The Pro concept was a flop for the most part. The base console still sold almost 5 to 1. The huge cost puts off casual buyers, which is most people. Like I said, there were unique circumstances that led to these premium models.

Ordinarily the OLED might have been the regular revision, with the old one phased out. With component shortages and Switch selling like crazy, Nintendo could exploit demand. I see in the Switch's final year the OLED becomes the default model and price reduced to capture stragglers. Not any great prophecy there; just looking at Nintendo's historical pattern.

People are overhyping themselves. The GameCube/GBA had a 3D screen which we only got with the 3DS, 20 years later.

The glorious Steam-Deck doesn't do 2k let alone 4k.

People don't understand the difference philosophy involved with Nintendo and third party hardware/software.

Sony and Microsoft are marketing off-the-self hardware which are ran at PC speeds so that it can do 4k. They also generally depend on a lot of technology they either have, built, buy or get from others to do backwards compatibility...

This is why PS3 emulation by Sony themselves is so difficult.

Nintendo sells hardware that is generally in some way modified (usually to base it off the first version they release) for backwards compatibility reasons. That means the next Switch will most likely be some modified Tegra ("X1") but more powerful and with technologies from the newer Tegra lines.

Nintendo also focuses on hardware that are about efficiency and not about putting the chip to a theoretical max threshold. That's why they seem "underpowered" from a specs perspective but then surprise us with amazing graphical fidelity that seem to somehow make Nintendo like magicians.

If you think of it like RPGs, everyone gets the same stats but some stats are better in some areas then others whilst others work better overall. Like if you put 20 stats in luck, it probably doesn't seem as good as 20 stats in stamina or speed or strength etc in an average DnD game.

Hardware works kinda like in the sense that its not all about the pure specs but how the game employ the specs to make the game fun.

At the end of the day, take these leaks and rumours with a gain of salt.