It’s been 4 years since the newest main {hardware} announcement from a console producer, however Nintendo has promised to disclose the Nintendo Change successor throughout the fiscal yr. Whereas incremental {hardware} variations are thrilling, nothing compares to the excitement surrounding new consoles. The fantastical hopes, and the generally much more fantastical realities, of a brand new era.
Nintendo is in a scenario it has been in earlier than: the present console era has confirmed to be excessively fruitful for them. Nonetheless, if historical past has confirmed something, when Nintendo may simply do the identical once more, they at all times discover some approach to combine issues up!
As such, with that loopy creativity in thoughts, Nintendo followers have allowed their minds to run wild with hypothesis and rumors. From the reintegration of long-dead applied sciences to leaping into new spheres of gaming; listed below are Twinfinite’s favourite fan hopes for the Nintendo Change successor.
10. Digital/Augmented Actuality Focus
Sony has positioned an intensive give attention to its PSVR line of digital actuality headsets lately, and that has mirrored in avid gamers’ expectations of the opposite two console producers. It’s no shock that avid gamers need to see Nintendo put its distinctive artistic spin on the burgeoning expertise – particularly contemplating the upcoming reveal of Nintendo’s next-generation Nintendo Change successor and the continued success of the VR area on PC.
Nintendo has confirmed that it’s conscious and excited by digital and augmented actuality gaming, with its gimmick-like Nintendo LABO cardboard VR headset and 3DS AR playing cards. Nonetheless, Reddit consumer borrowedlight wrote an intensive checklist detailing their help of a VR/AR future for the Nintendo Change successor.
They defined how Nintendo’s adaptation of the VR format would outline itself as one thing totally different from the headsets of its rivals. They imagine a digital actuality focus from Nintendo may leverage the Nintendo Change successor’s anticipated hybrid type issue to permit for a very transportable VR expertise.
“The twist on this one is that it’s going to totally help “switching” to blended actuality (i.e. largely VR) … they’ll use the ability of their console {hardware} for “go anyplace” VR fashion video games”.
‘borrowedlight’, r/nintendo
The concept of Nintendo supporting the brand new digital actuality medium extra readily within the coming era just isn’t nonsensical. Nonetheless, as a lot as seeing VR help for Metroid Prime 4: Past could be dream-like, Nintendo is extraordinarily unlikely to wholly decide to digital actuality – particularly contemplating its conservative nature and reviews of the enterprise failings of PlayStation’s newest VR headset.
9. Energy Parity with Xbox Sequence X & PlayStation 5
Avid gamers love cutting-edge graphics, and there’s nothing fallacious with that! There are numerous occasions when, upon seeing Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II or God of Warfare: Ragnarok’s 4K presentation, you’d be forgiven for pondering you have been watching a live-action Hollywood blockbuster.
Nonetheless, BourneEnemy01 disclosed their want for Nintendo to forgo its low-cost, low-power philosophy. This may enable for extra multiplatform titles and the extra aggressive {hardware} specs may place them toe-to-toe with Sony and Microsoft.
“They need to make it that while you dock the system it turns into a full blown subsequent gen console on the extent of [PS5] professional and when [you’re] in handheld mode it turns into equal of a Xbox [S]eries S stage sort of console. So it’s nonetheless each a handheld and a house console like we are able to play [GTA] 6 on this docked at residence and fewer demanding titles on handheld”
‘BourneEnemy01’, r/nintendo
Nintendo has lengthy forgone the pursuit of uncooked graphical energy, with their final foray into that battle being the GameCube’s colossal defeat by the hands of the PlayStation 2. The PS2 went on to change into the best-selling console of all time, even with the extra highly effective {hardware} of the Xbox and GameCube preventing in opposition to it.
The Nintendo Change’s gangbuster gross sales numbers on the again of much less highly effective tech are the truth is approaching these of the PlayStation 2 itself. As such, Nintendo could be understandably cautious of positing the Nintendo Change successor as a comparably highly effective piece of {hardware} to the present era Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
8. A Touchpad/Controller Display on Professional Controller
Whereas there are some notable gripes avid gamers have with the present Nintendo Change Professional Controller – most notably the shortage of analog triggers – many have discovered it to be one of the crucial purposeful and ergonomic controllers Nintendo has produced in generations.
As such, although many followers are clamoring for extra options to be added to the Nintendo Change successor’s console {hardware}, Reddit consumer FlynnTastico2000 has flown the opposite means. They proclaimed how their subsequent needs for the Nintendo Change successor targeted extra on the controller peripheral itself.
This fan is hoping to see one thing akin to the TouchPad launched within the PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4 controller, or a better decision Dreamcast VMU display screen. These features would seemingly be constructed into the central physique of the controller and would act as a second display screen just like that of the Wii U gamepad.
“A professional controller may have a TouchPad or mini show to simulate the 2nd display screen.”
‘FlynnTastico2000’, r/nintendo
The prospects of viewing a secondary display screen throughout gameplay, or a touchpad layer being positioned on the controller, are joyous. Nonetheless, each functionalities have been examined by each Sony and Nintendo themselves and haven’t bore fruit as they’d have hoped.
As such, as artistic as it will be to have a minimap or character’s well being on the controller’s physique, it’s not one thing that – on the face of it – Nintendo may be anticipated to current to avid gamers.
7. Simultaneous, Wi-fi Change-to-TV Streaming
The Nintendo Change was first revealed to avid gamers in 2016 and instantly blew everybody away. The idea of having the ability to instantaneously place the Change system into the Dock and resume taking part in in your tv appeared like technical wizardry.
We commented ourselves, on the showcasing of the Nintendo Change’s hybrid nature: “Then comes the actually cool half although, when the particular person taking part in clicks two small controllers into the aspect of the tablet-like console, picks it up, and heads exterior.”
Nonetheless, within the eight years since that day, the magic has worn off for some and has created a need for much more seamless ‘switching’ of gameplay screens.
Reddit consumer sleepyzane relived the Wii U days by itemizing how they hoped the Nintendo Change successor would be capable to stream its image to the tv wirelessly. Whereas the expertise of the Wii U was undoubtedly artistic, the stagnant gross sales of the console are proof sufficient that the idea of multi-screen gaming on console was a tough promote.
“a sort of reside handheld docking mode over bluetooth could be cool. so you’ll be able to have it wirelessly speaking with the dock (and thus sending image to the television) whereas additionally supplying you with a second handheld display screen for second display screen expertise”
‘sleepyzane’, r/nintendo
The idea of wi-fi streaming of shows has come a good distance because the Wii U’s launch in 2012. Nonetheless, with the success of the Nintendo Change’s confirmed dock system, I see no motive for the Nintendo Change successor to cut price with its success by implementing (albeit artistic) concepts from the disastrous Wii U days.
6. A Nintendo Change Micro
With the launch of the Nintendo Change system, Nintendo has clearly pivoted away from the segregated residence console and handheld console market.
As such, we’ve discovered that the Nintendo Change has loved three most important {hardware} SKUs throughout its lifetime. The unique Nintendo Change with an LCD display screen, the dearer OLED mannequin with its titular OLED display screen, and the low cost handheld-only Nintendo Change Lite.
Reddit consumer Double-Seaweed7760 hopes that the creation of the Nintendo Change successor will ultimately drive down manufacturing costs of the mandatory {hardware}. Down so low the truth is, {that a} variation of the Nintendo Change successor’s {hardware} could possibly be created to additional refine the compact nature previous that of the Nintendo Change Lite – to a ‘PSP-sized’ type issue.
“I simply need a thick (it helps with ergo and you’ll really feel it with battery, vibration motors and a fan) [PSP] sized, backwards suitable [S]witch 2 micro … I simply need a most portability console that may play my superior [S]witch library alongside my eventual superior [S]witch 2 library with out struggling to hold it with no bag and with out bulging about to tear pockets”
‘Double-Seaweed7760’, r/nintendo
The concept of an extremely form-focused Nintendo handheld is one thing that I think about could be very a lot hoped for by many Change followers. Nonetheless, it’s unlikely we’d see such a redesign.
If one have been to come back about, then – just like Nintendo’s personal Sport Boy Micro, which got here out after the discharge of the DS – it will almost certainly come out within the subsequent few years. Past that, I might anticipate it to be constructed from the prevailing Nintendo Change {hardware} as a substitute of that from the Nintendo Change successor.
5. A DS-like Clamshell Design
For 2 generations of handheld consoles, Nintendo was (nearly) religious of their use of a foldable, clamshell design of their DS and 3DS households of techniques. With DS titles being pined for by Nintendo Change On-line followers, the return to a clamshell design will surely be handy on this respect.
Maybe as one in all these hopeful avid gamers, Reddit consumer Enrichus is pinning their hopes on the Nintendo Change successor partaking with that foldable body. Claiming Nintendo’s penchant for continuous console creativity, they need for a extra radical {hardware} departure within the Nintendo Change successor than some predict.
“Maybe a approach to pull up the display screen so it may be performed like a DS. Keep in mind, that is Nintendo we’re speaking about. They need the Change successor to have the ability to do issues the Change can’t.”
‘Enrichus’, r/nintendo
The clamshell design of the Nintendo DS and 3DS household of techniques was purposeful in addition to artistic, that means your handheld’s display screen didn’t get banged up continually. Nonetheless, the incorporation of a clamshell design necessitates the implementation of a second display screen, and Nintendo has at all times sought to maintain the worth of its {hardware} as little as potential. As nostalgic and helpful as it will be to implement that foldable design; the ramifications on the price of the system could be astronomical.
4. A Return to the 3DS’ 3D Show
There are numerous facets of Nintendo’s 3DS household of techniques which have aged gracefully. The software program lineup is exemplary, the shape issue is intelligently designed, and the customization choices of its consumer interface are nonetheless being requested for the Nintendo Change techniques.
Reddit consumer hejj clearly loves their Nintendo handhelds, and needs to see that {hardware} lineage handed onto the Nintendo Change successor. Nonetheless, they want to revisit essentially the most reviled facet of the 3DS techniques – the 3D shows themselves. When the subject of the Nintendo Change successor’s {hardware} arose, they have been religious in merely stating that they hoped to see:
“A 3d show”
‘hejj’, r/nintendo
Once they obtained cautious backlash for his or her brazen alternative, they dedicated to their alternative and held their floor. They said plainly that “OP requested what I would really like. I had a 3ds and I favored it”.
I’m greater than supportive of their love of the Nintendo 3DS – and could be actually to see how Nintendo would deal with a 3D show with the expertise of 2024 out there to them. Nonetheless, I simply don’t see it taking place within the Nintendo Change’s successor.
Whereas the glasses-free 3D shows of the 3DS system have been distinctive, they floundered to search out steady footing. Finally, the titular expertise of the handhelds was lower from alternate SKUs of the product – just like the understandably named 2DS line of consoles.
3. Foldable Screens to Increase Display on Demand
Foldable screens have been out there to the lots for simply over half a decade now. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless a expertise that simply inherently feels futuristic.
The sturdiness of such a display screen could possibly be the chief concern levied at a Nintendo Change successor bearing one. Nonetheless, the excessive worth level of such a display screen would additionally run immediately against Nintendo’s low price-point {hardware} mannequin.
Though, Reddit consumer chaddiescakes hoped to see the trendy developments in foldable-screen expertise be integrated into the design of the Nintendo Change’s successor.
“I actually want they’d have taken benefit of the foldable screens the place it will flip open into an enormous 13/14 inch display screen to sport on in HD”
‘chaddiescakes’, r/nintendo
They even offered the console producer with a potential identify for the {hardware} – that being the “Nintendo Flip”. When lambasted for his or her need for a foldable display screen, with different customers petitioning that the machine could be referred to as the ‘Nintendo Flop’ if the system failed, they strengthened their resolve:
“However that wouldn’t occur would it not? Trigger it’s an incredible thought ;)”
‘chaddiescakes’, r/nintendo
And an incredible thought it’s. But, with the aforementioned issues relating to the degradation of the screens themselves – and the pricey expenditure of putting one in each console – the Nintendo Change successor could be very unlikely to deal with a foldable display screen.
2. Vertically Attachable Magnetic Pleasure-Cons
The Pleasure-Con controllers have change into synonymous with the Nintendo Change’s design and advertising and marketing ever since their reveal together with the console. Nonetheless, the controllers themselves have been plagued with points.
Reddit consumer zoozika channeled some beforehand reported rumors relating to the Nintendo Change successor into their very own hopes for the console. They need that the Nintendo Change successor would nonetheless retain Pleasure-Cons, but they could possibly be hooked up by way of magnets to any aspect of the console – even with the console display screen in a ‘portrait’ format.
“if the rumors of magnetically hooked up JoyCons are true, I think about we may connect them to the highest and backside and use the console in portrait orientation. That might make DS/3DS video games playable with out sacrificing display screen actual property or utilizing bizarre facet ratio.”
‘zoozika’, r/nintendo
Whereas the magnetic attachment of the Pleasure-Con controllers is up for debate, the specific connection to the vertical orientation of the console is much less anticipated. Whereas the Nintendo Change has been required to be held in such a means – akin to for Dr Kawashima’s Mind Coaching and Tremendous Mario Get together – this has at all times been the exception.
1. Display Streaming to Non-Proprietary Gadgets
Native multiplayer goes the best way of the ghost. Nonetheless, Nintendo is the one one of many large three console producers to be constantly supporting sofa co-op play. As such, it’s no shock that Nintendo followers are hoping to see the Nintendo Change successor lean additional in on the collaborative facet of native multiplayer.
Reddit consumer Chilly-Drop8446 bases their hopes for the Nintendo Change successor on beforehand unveiled Nintendo patents. They hope that the Change successor will be capable to stream parts of its gameplay to a number of non-proprietary screens, to be used in conditions akin to social gathering video games.
“They’ve an fascinating patent about utilizing a central machine to forged gameplay to a number of gadgets that turns into a controller, like a cellphone or pill … I believe it will be an fascinating addition to the console so long as it’s not shoved in all places. I believe it will work rather well for social gathering video games, card video games, puzzles, that sort of factor. “
‘Chilly-Drop8446’, r/nintendo
Whereas the central thought of streaming Nintendo gameplay to a number of non-proprietary gadgets is a novel one, its performance is one other factor. The usage of a number of screens to play a central sport just isn’t remarkable: the Jackbox sequence of video games has been touting this tech for years now.
Nonetheless, to base the whole thing of the Nintendo Change successor’s {hardware} on the concept is a bit off-kilter for Nintendo, which is so valuable of its gameplay experiences staying on Nintendo {hardware}. As such, immediately incorporating an unknowable quantity of gadgets into the fray, runs immediately in opposition to Nintendo’s closed-off ecosystem.