4K compatibility is the standard with current-gen and next-gen consoles, except for the Nintendo Switch.
Despite a lack of 4K capabilities, it’s been reported that many developers have been working on 4K Switch games in response to a software toolkit Nintendo gave them. Does that mean the Nintendo Switch with 4K is coming sooner than fans once thought?
Games with 4K graphics are reportedly being made for Nintendo Switch
11 game companies are in possession development kits for the Nintendo Switch with 4K graphics compatibility, according to
Bloomberg. This includes small indie publishers and some larger publishers. The companies are located all over the world, with Zynga, Inc. being the only developer named in the report. Zynga is best known for Facebook game FarmVille but the company has made a long list of titles including ones for the Nintendo Switch.
This report led to a surprisingly direct response from Nintendo. On Twitter, the company stated that the reports were “false” that the company was providing 4K support tools to game developers.
“We also want to restate that, as we announced in July, we have no plans for any new model other than Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, which will launch on October 8, 2021,” Nintendo said in a statement.
Yes, a new console is coming out. On October 8, Nintendo is launching a new Switch that has a larger screen, uses OLED technology, and is a bit more costly than the previous models. The console will not support 4K graphics.
It was initially reported that this new console would include 4K graphics thanks to a faster chip but this did not come to fruition. While it’s unclear why the upcoming Nintendo Switch console does not have 4K capabilities and Nintendo has said it has “no plans for launching any other model at this time.” It does hearken back to the Nintendo Wii, which infamously didn’t support HD graphics despite launching in 2006 when HDTVs were becoming common.
While this new Switch will likely be a success, it’s definitely strange that Nintendo is resisting this change. Nintendo stock prices are down in 2021, compared to Sony and Microsoft who have both climbed. The poorly received OLED Switch likely played some part in this.
Will a new Nintendo Switch console with 4K be released?
According to reports that Nintendo has denied, Nintendo Switch games with 4K graphics support are set to be released in the second half of 2022.
This has the game industry speculating that the Nintendo Switch with 4K will come out before or around that time. Nintendo may very well have a new console planned, although it would be going head to head with the Xbox Series X/S and and PlayStation 5 systems which have already gained traction.
Still, this wouldn’t be the first time Nintendo willfully stayed behind the times.
Olivia Richman
About Olivia Richman
Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.
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