The Nintendo Switch "Pro" has been the white whale of the Nintendo fanbase for quite some time now. Rumors on an upgraded Nintendo Switch have been floating around all over the internet, with varying degrees of credibility. Speculation has said that the console will boast faster processing power, 4K graphics, and a longer-lasting battery in handheld mode, so the excitement of some fans certainly isn't unwarranted. With how successful the current Switch has been, an upgraded model would only boost the system's already astronomical popularity.
In addition to the reports of 4K graphics and better performance, many rumors surrounding the Nintendo Switch Pro have said the console is going to release sometime in 2021. If the newest generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles are any indication, it would make the most sense if the Nintendo Switch Pro released around the holiday season. This begs the question however, when will the Switch Pro be revealed? It's already spring, and in most cases a lot of time is needed to properly prepare for a new console launch.
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Nintendo usually gives itself a lot of time to prepare for any impending console releases. The Nintendo Switch was revealed in October of 2016, a full six months before the system came out, and the incredibly popular Nintendo Wii was revealed more than a year before its launch. This strategy has served Nintendo pretty well, as it allows plenty of time to build hype and make sure that the system's launch goes off without a hitch. There's a reason why Nintendo has remained so successful for so long, and the initial launches of its consoles are a big part of that.
Unfortunately for Nintendo, if the Switch Pro really is coming out this year, this kind of approach is nearly impossible as of right now. An announcement would have to come very soon, ideally a month ago, so the clock is ticking for Nintendo to have some kind of reveal that would mimic the original Switch. If the console were to be revealed some time before the summer, it would line itself up pretty nicely for an October or November release. Fans would have a lot of time through the summer and fall to put in their pre-orders, and it would give Nintendo time to make sure plenty of consoles are available.
The summer months aren't usually known for big game releases, but they are known for big game announcements. The previously mentioned Nintendo Wii was revealed at E3 in 2005, and the GameCube was announced at E3 in 2001. Although events like E3 have been dwindling in popularity in recent years, video game companies have taken it upon themselves to put on their own presentations to build hype for games. Nintendo has seen particular success with its Nintendo Direct format, where the company provides periodic updates on specific games or announce future releases. These kinds of summer presentations are also a prime time to show off new hardware.
A summer reveal for the Nintendo Switch Pro is a possibility, but it would likely push back the potential release to December at the earliest. Nintendo is known for a high standard of quality, something fans were reminded of when the development of Metroid Prime 4 was reportedly rebooted due to Nintendo's feedback. Pushing the release of the Switch Pro directly before the holidays would likely be the safest decision in the hypothetical scenario. If the most recent console generation is any indication, a summer reveal is enough time to build hype, but having enough Switch Pros available might get tricky.
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If the Nintendo Switch Pro needs more production time before an announcement can be made, a reveal that is mere months away from the holidays is a possibility. This would likely be the worst case scenario for Nintendo, as it could likely result in the same early issues that plagued the Playstation and Xbox Series X|S release. Although consoles were announced months before each's release, the release dates were made official only a couple of months before their respective launches. This made pre-orders an absolute mess, and getting a hold of a new system is still an arduous task close to six months after release.
With how much good faith Nintendo has built up through the Nintendo Switch, it likely wouldn't want to tarnish that with a botched Switch Pro release. The latest that the company could possibly reveal the console could be August or early September, and even then the release would probably be pushed to the very end of December to meet the 2021 expectations. If Nintendo was going to release the Switch Pro in 2021, revealing it before the summer is over would be its last possible option. Many gamers have become somewhat adjusted to the lack of available next-gen hardware, so adding one more system to the mix probably wouldn't be much of a surprise.
The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular video game consoles of the last ten years, and a Switch Pro would only bolster that reputation. The portability of the system, combined with its suite of exclusive games, makes it a must-have for players. For the time being, Nintendo has seemed pretty focused on the 25th anniversary of Pokemon, and they have yet to announce any big celebrations for the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda. Hopefully in the coming months Nintendo will finally confirm whether or not the Switch Pro officially exists or not.
The Nintendo Switch Pro is rumored to be in development.
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