Nintendo Switch OLED Model
(Image credit: Nintendo)
After months of rumors and speculations, Nintendo has just announced the next installment to their console lineup: the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model). When the device finally hits store shelves on October 8th, it will not live up to some of the hype. The Load Screen covers the updated console and some of its issues that gamers may miss. The full Nintendo Switch OLED Model news release does not list the exact specifications of the new Switch but highlights some benefits when it releases the same day as the much anticipated 2D platformer Metroid Dread from developer Mercury Steam.
The OLED model will have several updates over the original, including a 7.0-inch OLED screen and a better adjustable stand. The new Switch also has double the internal memory at 64 GB for additional gameplay and better sound for immersion from the larger built-in speakers. The dock got a redesign with a LAN port for faster downloads and better online gaming experiences. Also, the unit is compatible with all Switch accessories and Joy-cons, which means that older equipment will function on the new model.
The Nintendo release does not stipulate if the OLED Model will have 4K capability, and since there are no set specifications for the dock, it is unknown if it will have an HDMI 1.4b port or better, which is the lowest required port type that supports some 4K resolution at 30 Hz according to the HDMI.org HDMI 1.4B page. If the dock does have one of these ports, then expanding 4K gaming capabilities is possible via software scaling on the Switch (OLED Model) in the future.
Within the press release is subtle news about the drawbacks of the slight 7.0-inch size increase. Game experiences may differ on the new edition, as noted in the OLED Model press release in a footnote or more prominently in the Game Compatibility section of the Nintendo Switch compare page. The warning specifies that the design parameters for the Nintendo Labo series will not fit well. This issue could affect screen overlays such as health bars and specific screen locations for touch-enabled games. Most of these issues have resolutions with software updates but require that developers perform additional programming for problematic games.
The new Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) will come in two colors: white and black. The color scheme applies to the handheld unit and the base, so look for some limited-edition versions around the corner. Metroid: Dread releases the same day on October 8th, so will it come with its own limited edition OLED Model? Or will Skyward Sword get a version just in time for Christmas 2021 since it already has its own Jon-cons? While there are still some questions, one thing for certain is that the new OLED Model has the same playtime as the original Switch.
