With the release of the Nintendo Switch in 2017, Nintendo crowned itself the king of gaming once more.
The portable Nintendo Switch’s ability for gamers to enjoy it at home or on-the-go has made the system a worldwide phenomenon. And since Nintendo’s never been one to rest on its laurels, there are new announcements for this system and its games just about every day!
Wondering what the future of the Nintendo Switch holds? Here are just a few pieces of Nintendo Switch news we’ve already learned.
1. The Future Is Portable
Nintendo has a long history of releasing different versions of the same system. Just ask any fan of the Nintendo DS! And it looks like this tradition is continuing with the Switch.
Some fans were hoping for a “new and improved” Switch in the same vein as the Xbox One X and the PS4 Pro. However, Nintendo surprised us all by announcing the Nintendo Switch Lite.
This will be a portable only version of the Nintendo Switch that plays all the same games and has most of the same features (except for detachable Joy-con controllers). This will boast a lower price to lure in new buyers (more on this in a minute). Of course, Nintendo is certainly hoping megafans “double dip” and buy multiple systems.
The Nintendo Switch Lite will be released on September 20, 2019.
2. More Affordable
Were you waiting to pull the trigger on a Switch until it was a better price? Depending on your gaming needs, Nintendo has you covered. The Nintendo Switch Lite will initially cost $199.99. This is a full hundred dollars cheaper than the original version.
While it has the drawbacks we mentioned before (you cannot play it on a TV or detach the Joy-cons), this version helps make the Nintendo Switch more affordable than ever before.
3. No Holiday Upgrade
Every day brings us closer to the holidays. And fans are always curious whether the holidays are going to bring a better version of their favorite system.
Despite the announcement of the Switch Lite, many people were still hoping to get some kind of enhanced Switch before Christmas. Unfortunately, Nintendo crushed that dream in a definitive way.
The Nintendo President with the best possible name, Doug Bowser (no, really), confirmed in July that the Switch Lite is the only new Switch fans are getting this year.
4. Better Battery Life
While the original Switch can be played on your TV or as a portable system, a surprising number of fans treat it as a “portable-only” game system. And they all come to a simple conclusion. Simply put, the battery life could be a lot better.
Depending on the game, the original Switch battery could die in less than 3 hours. That’s not an ideal battery life if you are hoping to enjoy it on a long commute or a lengthy road trip.
To fix this, Nintendo has quietly announced they are releasing a version of the original Switch with a better battery life. Everything else is still the same with this system in terms of hardware and features, but the new battery will allegedly last at least 4.5 hours. And depending on the game or activities you are enjoying, it may last as long as 9!
The Nintendo Switch with the new-and-improved longer battery life comes with Model number: HAC-001(-01) and a red background on the box, so check the box carefully before you buy. It is set to be released in August.
5. Joy-Con Scandal
Not all news for Nintendo Switch is good news. A number of fans have experienced a “drift” with their Joy-Con controllers. This is when the controller thinks it is moving and fans aren’t even touching it.
While some people found creative workarounds and others replaced their system, some zealous buyers have now launched a class-action lawsuit. Nintendo has yet to make a statement about the lawsuit. But its very existence may signal big problems for the company.
6. SNES Games Are Rumored
While it’s fun to enjoy new Switch games, many of us enjoy playing Nintendo’s retro library. And the one thing that the Wii and Wii U had that the Switch does not is a proper Virtual Console.
Nintendo’s answer to the fans was simple: for anyone paying for Nintendo Switch Online every month, you get free access to a growing library of NES games. However, it looks like fans will soon get even more.
When a hardcore fan datamined this NES game feature in January, they found code that included an SNES emulator. Nintendo has not made any official announcements, but this code seems to indicate you will soon be able to enjoy SNES games on the go.
7. More Exclusives
Part of the “kiss of death” for the Wii U was that Nintendo had difficulty attracting third-party publishers. Everyone knows that Nintendo’s own games (like the Mario and Zelda series) will be great. However, the longevity of a system is often determined by having third-party games to truly expand the library.
It looks like Nintendo’s third-party future will continue to be very bright. In addition to getting continuous ports of other systems’ awesome games (like Witcher 3), Nintendo has started getting exciting exclusives like the recently released Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.
Whatever you want to play, Nintendo is insuring you can play it on the Switch.
8. More Xbox Live Goodness
One of the wildest bits of Nintendo news this is their cooperation with Microsoft. When Nintendo got a version of Cuphead, its gamers got something more. Some of the Xbox Live functionality that came with this former Microsoft exclusive came to the Switch.
That integration of Xbox Live on the Switch is allegedly only the beginning. In addition to allowing cross-platform play, Microsoft is hoping to bring additional XBL games and functionality to Nintendo’s system.
Of course, this is a sure sign of Nintendo’s success: even their competition wants in on the game!
Are you going to buy a Nintendo Switch Lite? Which piece of Nintendo Switch news are you most excited about? Sound off in the comments!
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