After the rocky life of the Wii U, few could have predicted that Nintendo would bounce back in such a major way. Launching the Nintendo Switch in 2017 proved to be just what Nintendo needed to revitalize its console ecosystem. The versatility of the Nintendo Switch, and being able to "switch" up how people use the device, is part of the reason it has become so popular. As the Nintendo Switch continues to cross huge sales milestones, nearing 85 million units sold, some have wondered whether the gaming company would develop an upgraded model to extend its life.
In all honesty, this upgraded Switch has been Nintendo's worst kept secret recently. Rumors and leaks have swirled around the idea of an upgraded version of the Nintendo Switch, complete with better tech, a new screen, and even a new name. With the most recent reports insinuating Nintendo plans to launch this new system in the Fall, an official announcement is likely imminent. As news sites reported on the rumors, and as consumers and fans debated about the same, various names have popped up for this new console. Each of them comes with a naming convention precedent, too.
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When it comes to community discussion around the improved Switch, the Super Nintendo Switch seems to be a favorite choice for a new name. Some variations include the Nintendo Super Switch, or just Super Switch. For this name, Nintendo would already be familiar with adding the "Super" prefix to a console, as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990 came after the original NES.
The "Super" came around to describe the upgrade from the 8-bit NES system to the 16-bit SNES. With the upcoming upgrade to the Nintendo Switch expected to launch with Nvidia technology, it could make a lot of sense for this newer version of Nintendo's current console to be "Super" as well.
Another name that has made the rounds is New Nintendo Switch. While it's not a convention Nintendo has used with its home consoles, the company has already used it with its handheld devices. The 3DS family had plenty of upgrades, alternate versions, and more that would come to use the prefix "New." With the number of new games coming to the Switch over the next year, consumers might gravitate towards getting the newer model of a console, so a New Nintendo Switch wouldn't be too far-fetched.
Over the past few months, news sources have primarily been using the name Nintendo Switch Pro. Additionally, the name "Switch Pro" was used by an OLED display firm earlier this month. Universal Display Corp, the OLED display firm in question, mentions Nintendo choosing an OLED screen for its "Switch Pro" in an investor's call. While Nintendo hasn't ever been known for adding "Pro" to any of its names, it could want to take a page out of PlayStation's book, especially when looking at the PS4 Pro. With actual businesses and insiders using the name, it might be the most likely yet.
Within the last week, a listing for a "New Nintendo Switch Pro" appeared briefly on Amazon Mexico's website. This listing should obviously be taken with a grain of salt, since it probably is just a placeholder. Though a "New" prefix or a "Pro" suffix could likely be added, it doesn't make sense to have them both together.
Overall, there is no confirmation about the name for Nintendo planned Switch upgrade, but it can be fun to speculate nonetheless. Nintendo could also surprise everyone with a name that comes out-of-the-blue, or refers to a feature that hasn't been revealed yet. For example, the Game Boy Color referred to the new device's color screen, and the Game Boy Advance SP meant to place that version as one that was "Special." In any case, the next model of the Switch will get compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series, and while it still won't be as powerful, it should be a huge leap from what Switch owners have now.
The most recent Bloomberg report about a new Nintendo Switch claims that an official reveal for an upgraded version might be sometime before E3. With the huge gaming event only a few weeks away, fans should keep an eye out for some special news from Nintendo.
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