There seems to be no end to the swirling rumors of a brand-new Nintendo Switch model on the horizon. If you believe the rumors, it seems likely that Nintendo will release a new console at some point in the very near future.
If Nintendo’s next console remains in the family of Switch systems, it will need certain features to convince enough people to buy it, especially if it ends up costing more money. Here are six features that the next Nintendo Switch needs for it to be worth the upgrade.
Faster Loading Times
One of the most important features that a future Nintendo Switch console needs would be hardware that allows for faster load times. This includes both when starting games up and during in-game transitions.
It can be really frustrating to turn on a game and have to wait a few minutes for it to start. Likewise, it can ruin immersion when you’re transitioning between areas or cutscenes in a game and have to stare at a painfully long loading screen. One game that comes to mind is Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as the start of each new day honestly feels like it’s loading in real-time.
Both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have extremely fast load times with most games, so this is something Nintendo should be ready to compete with for their next Nintendo Switch model.
Improved Battery Life
If Nintendo decides to stick with a hybrid portable/home console model for their next Nintendo Switch system, improved battery life is an absolute must-have. Both the minor Switch revision and the Switch Lite have improved battery life, so it isn’t too much to expect the next system to be even better.
Of course, the exact battery life duration can be drastically different depending on the particular game, screen brightness, and other factors. But overall, it would be nice to have something that lasts longer than what is available now. Ideally, that would mean expecting five or six hours at minimum.
This will keep fans playing for longer amounts of time while in handheld mode before needing to charge again, which is essential for an on-the-go console.
Better Graphics & Games That Utilize Them
Perhaps the most widely discussed topic when it comes to a new Nintendo Switch console is the possibility of much better graphics than the current one can support. If the next version can support a higher resolution, it would give users all the more reason to upgrade. With DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology, it could potentially output 4K visuals when docked by using AI to upscale lower-resolution images on the fly.
This only matters if there are games that utilize it, though. Of course, the promise for future Nintendo games such as Breath of the Wild’s sequel and Metroid Prime 4 running in 4K would be expected, but what would be even better is if older games could be updated and patched to support this.
Playing games like Breath of the Wild, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and even Doom in an upscaled resolution would incentivize upgrading sooner, rather than waiting for new games to release.
Bigger Screen
While the next Nintendo Switch system doesn’t need to be physically bigger (or at least not too much bigger) that doesn’t mean it can’t have a bigger screen. The addition of a larger screen would make playing games in handheld mode even better.
Increasing the screen size while preserving the size of the system itself can be done by simply removing the black bezels that are on the edges of the current console as you can see in the image above. Right now, the original Switch has a 6.2-inch screen, while the Lite’s has a 5.5-inch screen. A 7-inch screen with no bezels would be the sweet spot for a future system.
Better Joy-Con
Nintendo used to be known for making hardware that would survive decades of use, but their Joy-Con got a bad reputation. After the infamous control stick drift, the next Nintendo Switch could benefit from better controllers.
If Nintendo doesn’t stray too far from the original Joy-Con design, then they should at least receive a revision. They should be sturdier all around, especially the control sticks, in order to prevent those pesky drifting issues. Additionally, there is no doubt that everyone would love to see a true d-pad instead of four directional buttons, as they feel much better.
Bluetooth Support
The final feature that a future Nintendo Switch system would need to be worth the upgrade is native Bluetooth support. Right now, you can’t pair Bluetooth devices to the console without using an adapter.
This built-in capability would let players use wireless headsets without needing to buy extra accessories. Personally, I’d be really excited to use AirPods with the Switch instead of plugging in wired headphones.
Wireless headphones would probably be the most commonly used Bluetooth accessory with a future Switch system, but the capability would allow for other Bluetooth peripherals such as speakers and more to be paired with the console as well.
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