Nintendo says it is ‘focusing’ on existing Switch models, rather than potential Switch Pro

by

Nintendo is focusing on existing Switch models rather than the heavily rumored Switch Pro, said Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America In a new interview with Polygon, Bowser addressed the rumors about a Switch Pro and whether a refreshed Switch with more powerful hardware along the line. He said the success of the current models, the Switch and the Switch Lite, allows the company to view life cycles differently and that Nintendo’s focus is on the momentum of those models at the moment.

The best Nintendo Exclusives of 2020

“It allows us to manage the lifecycle differently, I would say,” Bowser told Polygon when asked about the Switch’s success and whether or not the company has time to refresh the model if necessary. “I think that’s the easiest way to put it. Right now, with the momentum we have, we’ll be focusing on the existing form factors.”

Bowser also spoke of the rumors that Nintendo is holding back certain upcoming titles for a rumored Switch Pro model and, according to the president of Nintendo of America, the company is currently leaning on what it sees as a “very strong lineup for this holiday.” He also said Nintendo will continue to release content at a “normal cadence year round” and that there will be a lot more to be released when it’s ready.

When Polygon pushed further about a future hardware refresh, Bowser said Nintendo is changing the console’s life cycle trajectory with the Switch.“But we also see now […] that’s momentum on Nintendo Switch

and Nintendo Switch Lite in its fourth year is strong, “he said.” And we think we’re changing the trajectory of another typical console lifecycle. And we’ll continue to really lean on both platforms and their content for the foreseeable future, because it’s the symbiotic relationship that makes the real difference. And that’s why the Nintendo Switch is so differentiated. “

Bowser also said the company is always looking at technology and whether it can “enhance and improve the gameplay experience”. Whether that can be done on a current platform or a future platform, Nintendo is always looking for it, he said.

Rumors about a Switch Pro started in 2019, where some believed it the Pro could arrive in 2020, but Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said in January that the company wouldn’t release a new Switch model in 2020. Then, in August, a new report claimed that a new Switch model – presumably the Pro – would start in 2021. Bowser’s comments seem to contradict that report, so we’ll have to wait and see what 2021 brings.

Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him Twitter @LeBlancWes.

Source