Switch 2 Thoughts
After looking around a bit, I'm sticking to my earlier guns. I think a Switch 2 is at least a year away. And probably 2 or more. While NVidia seems to have released it's Xavier SoC, it isn't exactly a perfect fit for the Switch. While a custom chip isn't out of the question, especially given the success of the gen 1 Switch, there is still the timing problem.
Also, a Switch 2 would very likely need backwards compatibility and the same sort of hybrid functionality of the original Switch. Also, it would be unlike Nintendo to not try and change things up in one way or another.
This creates two simultaneous problems in my mind. Firstly, Nintendo needs to do something about their portable gaming ecosystem. And the rumoured new console makes perfect sense. A smaller Switch with no docking and permanently affixed controllers. It allows them to keep milking the current technology and breathing new life into the platform.
But, it would be a terrible idea to also release a Switch 2 around the same time. The original Switch would have the lions share of the games still, combine that with flashy new hardware and a lot of sales for the new system would be lost to the cheaper one.
The other problem lies with the Xavier chipset. It certainly has the power. But, it isn't designed with this application in mind. It is actually too powerful, or too power hungry depending on your perspective. A custom chipset might pare down some of these specs. But, that would also drive up costs.
Basically, maintaining form factor means keeping a battery. And the current Switch is no shining beacon of battery life already. Throw in a chipset with 3x the power draw, higher res displays and more powerful active cooling and you have a system which would crater the current gen battery in no time at all.
But, if you scale back the benefits of the Xavier chipset, you also scale back the power. And if they go with something non-ARM based it likely won't be backwards compatible.
All of this points to a proper Switch 2 being pretty far out. Even if they could secure the chips today, if they are planning a more portable Switch, they would still want to delay on a new gen console. This would also buy them time to hope for improvements in battery tech, SoC tech, or at the least to allow for the cost of parts to go down. The Switch is also a younger console than its competition. And the XBox and PS4 haven't actually released new gen consoles yet.
If I were betting man, (I would probably be broke) but I would also put my money on a new Switch 2+ years out.
Also, a Switch 2 would very likely need backwards compatibility and the same sort of hybrid functionality of the original Switch. Also, it would be unlike Nintendo to not try and change things up in one way or another.
This creates two simultaneous problems in my mind. Firstly, Nintendo needs to do something about their portable gaming ecosystem. And the rumoured new console makes perfect sense. A smaller Switch with no docking and permanently affixed controllers. It allows them to keep milking the current technology and breathing new life into the platform.
But, it would be a terrible idea to also release a Switch 2 around the same time. The original Switch would have the lions share of the games still, combine that with flashy new hardware and a lot of sales for the new system would be lost to the cheaper one.
The other problem lies with the Xavier chipset. It certainly has the power. But, it isn't designed with this application in mind. It is actually too powerful, or too power hungry depending on your perspective. A custom chipset might pare down some of these specs. But, that would also drive up costs.
Basically, maintaining form factor means keeping a battery. And the current Switch is no shining beacon of battery life already. Throw in a chipset with 3x the power draw, higher res displays and more powerful active cooling and you have a system which would crater the current gen battery in no time at all.
But, if you scale back the benefits of the Xavier chipset, you also scale back the power. And if they go with something non-ARM based it likely won't be backwards compatible.
All of this points to a proper Switch 2 being pretty far out. Even if they could secure the chips today, if they are planning a more portable Switch, they would still want to delay on a new gen console. This would also buy them time to hope for improvements in battery tech, SoC tech, or at the least to allow for the cost of parts to go down. The Switch is also a younger console than its competition. And the XBox and PS4 haven't actually released new gen consoles yet.
If I were betting man, (I would probably be broke) but I would also put my money on a new Switch 2+ years out.
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