The Ultimate Next-Gen Nintendo Console
For their last console, the Switch, Nintendo opted to wait for a couple of years after the release of the PS4 and Xbox One, to source out some areas they can gain an advantage over their two main console competitors. With the recent Nintendo Switch OLED console coming out on October 8th 2021, that fixed some problems of the original switch, it seems like a next-gen Nintendo console is still a couple of years off. This period we can only speculate on what the ultimate next-gen Nintendo competition may be. For me, it is a “Switch Refined”
(Cover Photo: Screen Rant)
1. Storage/sound system/Bluetooth improvements The original Switch came with a standard 32GB of internal memory, which is unacceptably low. Fortunately, there has been the option to use an SD card to expand the memory. With the Nintendo Switch OLED, they increased the storage to 64GB, definitely a step in the right direction. However, now that most games are graphically evolving and become increasingly resource demanding, an option for a 128GB configuration is needed. The sound system in handheld mode has not been ideal. An improvement with the Switch OLED has taken place, but further work can be done with the new console. Bluetooth can also be improved as well, giving more options and connectivity.
2. Internal advanced ARM chips A problem with the Nintendo Switch is the relative lack of processing power. The OLED version is claimed to be able to reach 60FPS at a 1080p resolution. If Nintendo used the future ARM chips by AMD, then they would have all the performance they need in handheld mode to reach 4K 30 FPS, possibly with Ray Tracing, but it may still lack in TV mode.
3. Powerful CPU and GPU in the dock The magic should happen when the console is put in the dock. A strong CPU and GPU, by AMD or NVIDIA, that support 4K 60 FPS Ray Tracing, or even 120 FPS that the console will start using automatically once connected to the dock. This will open up an endless world of possibilities, that can be utilized by various game studios.
4. Cross-platform gaming At the end of the day, a console’s success is determined by its game library. Nintendo has had some excellent games on the Switch, that are really enjoyable to play. However, there has been an increasing decline of “casual gaming” as I call it, and a switch to first-person shooters, FPS and Battle Royal games, and certainly the changes above will go a long way towards attracting more game studios to collaborate with Nintendo to bring support to popular games like Call of Duty on the new console.
5. Full Joy-Con support by non-Nintendo games A feature that the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo in general have mastered are motion controls. The famous Joy-Cons have been a game-changer for many, including myself. Imagine how much better the gaming experience would be if you had the benefit of motion controls in a fast-paced FPS game, first-person shooter or Battle Royale!
6. Joy-Con drifting solution Speaking of the Joy-Cons, the Nintendo Switch has had terrible analog stick reliability, that can affect even the most careful and delicate users. This has happened to me twice, and you can be rest assured that it is quite infuriating.
6. Keyboard and mouse support on the dock But for the really competitive gamers out there, that cannot go without a keyboard, the final step would be to add keyboard and mouse support on the dock when in TV mode in the pre-mentioned games, the preferred input method is keyboard and mouse, and adding support for it seems the right thing to do.
Ultimately, such a console would absolutely dominate the gaming market, because there would not be a single reason not to buy it. It would satisfy not only the casual gamers, but the competitive players as well. It may as well could be the most popular next-gen console if this comes to fruition.