Topic: The OFFICIAL Big N rumor thread *bring your own salt*

[Ian Sane]

If the rumours are true then the Switch 2 looks a lot like the 3DS in comparison to the DS, a successful concept tweaked and upgraded to keep up with changing tech.  Now the 3DS also had the 3D gimmick but Nintendo eventually de-emphasized that by the time the 2DS came along.  It became clear that the 3DS' success was largely due to building on what people already liked about the DS.

That's really what I want out of a Switch 2.  The Switch concept is so well done that it doesn't need much to upgrade it.  You can presumably do better specs now on a handheld so let's bump those up, but keep the hybrid concept largely in tact.  The fact that they're rumoured to be demoing Unreal Engine 5 is great because a big part of the concept was that the Switch often got current games, just scaled down a bit.  If the gap in hardware was too big we would probably stop seeing any of the "miracle" ports we got.  Third party support would take a huge dip if Switch 2 ports were too difficult to do.

The Switch experience really works for me.  I get Nintendo games and I get most of the third party games I'm interested in.  Maybe the framerate isn't as good or it shows up later but I get them and they're good enough that I'm satisfied.  So if the Switch 2 keeps that going I'll be content.  Though my Switch backlog is large enough I probably won't buy a Switch 2 until years into its life.  I've only had a Switch for about 2 years so I was late for this gen to begin with.

Though I would like backwards compatibility with both digital purchases and physical ones.  I'll keep my Switch 1 so it won't be like these games will disappear for me but I'd like to just keep one system docked that plays everything.  My DS was essentially retired once the 3DS came out but I played DS games on it as much as 3DS games.  I would love to be able to do that with the Switch.  Also if it's backwards compatible then the eShop will stick around longer.  Nintendo has been brutal with retiring their online stores so early but they'll have no reason to if digital Switch games can be purchased for the Switch 2.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Here's a rundown of all the latest rumors from the behind the scenes demo

-All of what they discussed is the rumor/chat that dominated Gamescom. The impressions of the demo are from second hand sources so they could be well off on how did The Matrix demo actually compared to PS5 and Xbox Series as 2 years passed between the 2 demos, or the “target hardware” may be not representative of what Nintendo/Nvidia actually manage to achieve in their final hardware (PS3 was only half as powerful as the “target hardware” that run many demo at E3).

-What Eurogamer and VGC reported is what everyone at Gamescom was hearing behind the scene.

-The reports seems to confirm the T239 Nvidia SoC being the actual Switch 2 intended hardware as the Nvidia leak indicated.

-BotW demo was running at 4K/60fps using DLSS.

-The Matrix demo has the benefit of Nvidia having much better ray tracing hardware than AMD.

-DLSS 3.5 (minus frame generation) is what they probably were using to run the demo and they think it’s reasonable to expect T239 to be able to handle DLSS 3.5 features (minus frame generation).

-Unreal Engine was 5 developed quite a lot in the past 2 years after the PS5/XBS demo released and it’s more scalable now that it was when the demo first debuted. The engine is getting “lighter”.

-It’s in Nvidia and Epic Games’ best interests to have Unreal Engine 5 be scalable down for Switch 2. Epic Games wouldn’t want to make Unreal Engine 5 hard to use on a platform potentially as successful as the original Switch was and Nvidia would desire this console to be a showcase of their impressive DLSS/ray tracing capabilities.

https://mynintendonews.com/2023/09/11/digital-foundry-discusses-vgc-eurogamer-switch-2-gamescom-rumors/

So far sounds great.

Also heard something about 12GB of RAM.
that also sounds great.

I hope Nintendo is able to make this thing as capable as it sounds.
Release at $399 and let's go!!! 

edit: I haven't watched this, but this is the DF video discussing some Switch 2 stuff that's being referenced above.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2bl_Jqti44

[Luigi Dude]

Though I would like backwards compatibility with both digital purchases and physical ones.  I'll keep my Switch 1 so it won't be like these games will disappear for me but I'd like to just keep one system docked that plays everything.  My DS was essentially retired once the 3DS came out but I played DS games on it as much as 3DS games.  I would love to be able to do that with the Switch.  Also if it's backwards compatible then the eShop will stick around longer.  Nintendo has been brutal with retiring their online stores so early but they'll have no reason to if digital Switch games can be purchased for the Switch 2.

The only Nintendo system in over 20 years that hadn't been backward compatible was the Switch because it was basically the successor to both the Wii U and 3DS so it would have been impossible to allow the system to play both of those games.  I mean just putting in a disk drive to play Wii U games would have required the system to be much bigger and less handheld friendly, and more expensive.  And 3DS games since they require a dual screen would have made things an even bigger mess.

Since the Switch successor doesn't have to worry about dealing with that kind of crap, it'll be backwards compatible with the Switch like all previous handheld systems where, as well as the Wii and Wii U were.  I mean this is the company that gave the Wii, Gamecube backward compatibility even though the Gamecube unperformed.  With the Switch literally Nintendo most successful system of all time that's still selling software like crazy, there's a zero percent chance it's successor won't be able to play its games.

[King of Twitch]

The Switch 2 will be an absolute beast. By the end of it, it'll have a 12-14-year span of games library, including a Smash with all characters and a Mario Kart with 60-zillion courses and a Mario movie that will let you put your face into the action with an AI camera. PLUS they're building a real museum and hopefully some more amusement park add-ons.

It's like in Sim City when you hit 100,000 pop. and you get to add a bunch of new casinos and the music speeds up. Will Wright would be going out of his mind.

[Mop it up]

Rumor: It prints money.

[Evan_B]

And just think, they could have found such success so much earlier if they had only gotten rid of Reggie!

[BlackNMild2k1]

New rumors floating around.
Posting from phone. So keeping it brief....

- Developer codename NG
- 2 SKU's - digital only is the cheaper SKU
- large onboard storage compared to existing offerings
- Target price point of $400 for cheaper model
- Target release date of 9/24/2024 or 11/03/2024


As usual, take with grain of salt. Shared for conversations purposes.

Edit: update with more rumors from a different source.....
https://famiboards.com/threads/future-nintendo-hardware-technology-speculation-discussion-st-read-the-staff-posts-before-commenting.55/post-855132

Major devs like Activision and EA have had kits for months.
Nintendo including some AR abilities in the system and there's "evidence" of parts being shipped and kits being shipped to back both these claims.

And apparently mass production in some capacity has already begun.

And they think first half of 2024 releae, and that previous "rumor" at top of post is likely fake

[Evan_B]

400 for the cheaper model? Nintendo Switch, this new system ain’t. We haven’t inflated that much in the past 7 years, and if they’re aiming for making $70 games the norm this next gen hardware might be a bit too rich for my blood.

[Ian Sane]

That's the same pricing as the PS5 which is a little expensive for my tastes.  I'll be waiting for sales or price drops if it's $400 for the digital-only model, which wouldn't be the one I would get.

[Torchwick1234]

If that will be' the effective pricing, then I will do myself a further favor by quitting gaming as soon Switch ends its lifecycle.

I already talked about it enough in my own topic, but I want to bring it up again because it seems to be an overlooked problem: Things have gotten grim for gaming, as someone who is mainly a Nintendo fan. Sony fanboys have taken over the internet, they made their word "the law of gaming" and they destroyed the games of the competition, especially Nintendo's ones, by spreading a lot of deliberate hate and false informations. Because of all of that, I cannot express anymore appreciation over Nintendo games without being victim of online attacks. It's disgusting situation and as long I still get new games I will always be forced to face this crap... which is why I've decided to quit gaming for good as soon Switch ends its lifecycle next year. I'm still going to get most o the remaining major releases on the console, including the remakes (except Luigi's Mansion 2 HD), but as soon the new console is officially revealed, I will stop looking at gaming sites for good, as I will ignore what will come next.

Regardless my whole situation, it does seem that Switch's successor will not replicate the success of its predecessor, of these are the premises. And I have no intention of spending much more than I would. So if these are the rumors then it's yet another gops reason for me to quit gaming as soon Switch ends its course...

[RABicle]

Sony fanboys have taken over the internet, they made their word "the law of gaming" and they destroyed the games of the competition, especially Nintendo's ones, by spreading a lot of deliberate hate and false informations. Because of all of that, I cannot express anymore appreciation over Nintendo games without being victim of online attacks. It's disgusting situation and as long I still get new games I will always be forced to face this crap... which is why I've decided to quit gaming for good as soon Switch ends its lifecycle next year.

I feel this is just the online spaces you’re hanging out in. Anyone who is a Sony fan in 2023 is an imbecile, or doing it ironically. Their machine is overpriced, has less features than its Xbox competitor. It has no exclusive games and every other year hackers steal all your information.

Anyway as for Nintendo rumours, guess you gotta jsut swallow a $500 price or whatever it’ll be in AUD. We’re stuck on this train for life, even if I stop gaming I’ll have to maintain a subscription for my children. Imagine not raising your kids right and one day they come home and ask for a PlayStation?!

[ThePerm]

As a Sony fan it's just the PS4. I never moved onto the ps5. I don't have money.  I've been broke since 2017.

[Stratos]

While I have converted to digital for all future purchases and been that way for a while, I would never buy a digital-only console if I had the choice. My nephew loaned me a copy of Pokemon Arceus and that couldn't happen if I was exclusively digital.

I'm glad it is late next year, my job situation has been rough and may finally be settling down so that will buy enough time to save and plan for a big purchase like that.

[nickmitch]

I already talked about it enough in my own topic, but I want to bring it up again because it seems to be an overlooked problem: Things have gotten grim for gaming, as someone who is mainly a Nintendo fan. Sony fanboys have taken over the internet, they made their word "the law of gaming" and they destroyed the games of the competition, especially Nintendo's ones, by spreading a lot of deliberate hate and false informations. Because of all of that, I cannot express anymore appreciation over Nintendo games without being victim of online attacks. It's disgusting situation and as long I still get new games I will always be forced to face this crap... which is why I've decided to quit gaming for good as soon Switch ends its lifecycle next year. I'm still going to get most o the remaining major releases on the console, including the remakes (except Luigi's Mansion 2 HD), but as soon the new console is officially revealed, I will stop looking at gaming sites for good, as I will ignore what will come next.

I think you just have currate your spaces more actively. A lot of fan boys are still out there fighting the console wars, but you just have to use your blocks and mutes to filter them out. It sucks, but you can make a nicer space online for yourself.

Personally, since I'm primarily a Nintendo player, I alternate which competitor to keep up with. I had a 360, and only got a PS3 towards the end to play the PS2 remakes/collections. I got an Xbox One S that I woke up one day and realized I barely played. I now have a PS5 and a PS+ subscription for those exclusives.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I saw an article over the weekend about some company releasing some tech, that stated they were gonna make the drop along side the release of the Switch 2 in September of 2024.

I was on my phone, and away from home, so I kinda lost the page it was on as I was browsing through stuff, but I'll see if I can find it again and share it here.

but until I find it.... here is an updated article of all you we know so far from Polygon https://www.polygon.com/nintendo/23899504/nintendo-switch-2-release-date-power-name-games

edit: It was a press release by Altec Lansing (this 1 of several sources citiing the bolded quote below)
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/nintendo-switch-2-might-hit-175852743.html#:~:text=The%20press%20release%20from%20Altec,Switch%202%20in%20September%202024.%22

Original Press release: (must've been altered as it doesn't mention the bolded quote below)
https://www.prweb.com/releases/altec-lansing-ventures-into-new-territory-as-the-inaugural-licensee-of-ai-sharks-original-gaming-software-302032707.html

Altec Lansing, the leading global audio electronics company, today announces its role as the first licensee of Ai Shark’s cutting-edge gaming software. Formerly known as GameShark, Ai Shark is set to redefine the gaming landscape with its revolutionary AI-enhanced technology. The innovative gaming software is set to mark a significant leap forward in the gaming experience, bringing enhanced gameplay for beginner-level users. The official launch is planned to coincide with the Nintendo Switch 2 in September 2024.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Rumor has it that Switch 2 reveal could be next month.

I haven't watched the video, but I guess that's what's rumbling out of the rumor mill right now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1KjvYTv8LA

[BlackNMild2k1]

This says that Switch 2 will have physical and digital backwards compatibility
and that Devs can "enhance" Switch 1 games on the Switch 2
https://universonintendo.com/rumor-proximo-hardware-da-nintendo-tera-retrocompatibilidade-fisica-e-digital-com-jogos-do-switch/

I'm assuming that will be higher frame rates, cleaner textures, higher rez output?

[Evan_B]

This says that Switch 2 will have physical and digital backwards compatibility
and that Devs can "enhance" Switch 1 games on the Switch 2
https://universonintendo.com/rumor-proximo-hardware-da-nintendo-tera-retrocompatibilidade-fisica-e-digital-com-jogos-do-switch/

I'm assuming that will be higher frame rates, cleaner textures, higher rez output?

The backwards compatibility would be lovely, if true. But I find the backwards enhancements a bit suspect. It has to be a dev-side thing, right? Like, the system can’t possibly perform such actions itself.

[Stratos]

I seem to recall PS2 had that ability to "upgrade" PS1 games. It was just something like extra anti-aliasing or some other form of pixel smoothing you could toggle on or off in the menu.

[Khushrenada]

This says that Switch 2 will have physical and digital backwards compatibility
and that Devs can "enhance" Switch 1 games on the Switch 2
https://universonintendo.com/rumor-proximo-hardware-da-nintendo-tera-retrocompatibilidade-fisica-e-digital-com-jogos-do-switch/

I'm assuming that will be higher frame rates, cleaner textures, higher rez output?

I've been wondering myself if there might be something like that with the Super Switch. When the PS5 released, the big thing that many early adopters talked about was just enjoying the improvement to PS4 games they were playing on it. It enabled them to run better and the impression was that was a big selling point since it had pretty unremarkable software during that first year. With recent games on the Switch like Batman: Arkham Knight or Mortal Kombat 1 which had videos highlighting the drops in framerate or downgrade in graphics. Thus, it has made me ponder if some of those game might get updates that allow them to run a bit better on the next Switch or if the Switch 2 would just run them better on its own.

[Adrock]

This says that Switch 2 will have physical and digital backwards compatibility
and that Devs can "enhance" Switch 1 games on the Switch 2
https://universonintendo.com/rumor-proximo-hardware-da-nintendo-tera-retrocompatibilidade-fisica-e-digital-com-jogos-do-switch/

I'm assuming that will be higher frame rates, cleaner textures, higher rez output?

Probably some DLSS/AI upscaling wizardry.

[Stratos]

With recent games on the Switch like Batman: Arkham Knight or Mortal Kombat 1 which had videos highlighting the drops in framerate or downgrade in graphics. Thus, it has made me ponder if some of those game might get updates that allow them to run a bit better on the next Switch or if the Switch 2 would just run them better on its own.

The problem will be if it is developer/update dependent, which will actually take the time to make the change? If a game sold poorly they may not get the clearance to work on an update. And even better selling games may not get the greenlight to update either if they are more than a year or two old unless they are still getting updates.

[ThePerm]

As far as I know. As long as they're using the same type of vendor for their GPU, upgrading existing games shouldn't be much of an issue. From a market capitalization perspective, Nintendo should stick with Nvidia.

[Luigi Dude]

I wouldn't be surprised if the option to upgrade Switch games will be there on the Switch successor, but as Stratos said, it'll be developer dependent.  So some of the more recent titles might get patches if the developers are still working on them, but how many older titles will have devs willing to create a new patch for them?

So it'll be a nice feature to have, but I wouldn't hold my breath and act like all the Switch games that had frame rate and graphical issues will magically be getting fixes.  Like I've seen a lot of people online talking about how Xenoblade 2 will suddenly be improved, when it's like, really guys, Monolith Soft is busy on whatever new Xenoblade game for the Switch Successor, I doubt anyone at Monolith Soft or Nintendo really cares about patching an almost 7 year old game by the time the Switch Successor comes out.

[Dinar87]

I wouldn't be surprised if the option to upgrade Switch games will be there on the Switch successor, but as Stratos said, it'll be developer dependent.  So some of the more recent titles might get patches if the developers are still working on them, but how many older titles will have devs willing to create a new patch for them?

So it'll be a nice feature to have, but I wouldn't hold my breath and act like all the Switch games that had frame rate and graphical issues will magically be getting fixes.  Like I've seen a lot of people online talking about how Xenoblade 2 will suddenly be improved, when it's like, really guys, Monolith Soft is busy on whatever new Xenoblade game for the Switch Successor, I doubt anyone at Monolith Soft or Nintendo really cares about patching an almost 7 year old game by the time the Switch Successor comes out.

Yeah it seems very unlikely nintendo would go beyond their usual backwards compatibility approaches.

Also speaking of Xenoblade 2, I'm currently replaying it again  it's such a good game!