What I Think a Hypothetical Switch Successor Should Have

The Nintendo Switch is officially six years old. It is definitely in its twilight years. I feel like I hear rumors at least once a week about a Switch successor. Some rumors are saying that it will be released later this year or early next while others state we will be waiting until the end of 2024 for Nintendo’s next console. I thought it might be fun to share some of the things I want to see from a Switch successor.

Some of these ideas are plausible, others are pure fantasy. Before we get into it though I want to make it very clear that I do not know when or if Nintendo will release a new console and I do not know if it will be like the Switch or if Nintendo will pull a Nintendo and really change things up. However, for this list, I’ll be working on the assumption that Nintendo is releasing a new console that is a console/handheld hybrid like the Switch. Let me know in the comments what you would like to see from a Switch successor. Any theories for what it might be if it’s not a similar console/handheld hybrid? I’d love to hear them.

Improved Power

This is the top of everyone’s list. I know many want crisp 4K graphics, but I personally don’t care for that. I would be happy with solid 1080p performance with consistent framerates. Granted, a good chunk of my reasoning is that my TV is only 1080p and so I feel like caring about 4K is a bit overkill. If we need to push graphics beyond, I would say let’s shoot for 1440p.

Make OLED Standard

I think this one has a shot of happening. Nintendo released the Switch OLED and it’s really changed the game for some. The OLED screen has a smaller bezel and the screen is gorgeous. I’m saving up to get one as my second Switch because of how pretty it has been when seeing a friend play on it. OLED should be the standard for the new console and I’ll even be bold and say we don’t need a bigger screen than the current one. In theory, this could help production as they don’t have to source brand new screens (I think 720p in handheld is just fine).

Upgrade Storage to SSD

The Nintendo Switch uses eMMC which is essentially a built-in SD card. This storage convention isn’t awful and typically beats out mechanical hard drives, but SSDs are growing in popularity, declining in price, and substantially better for performance. Plus, we need more than a paltry 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage. Games are getting bigger and a more powerful machine will mean bigger games. Let’s go with at least 256GB.

Innovate the Joy-Con/Controllers

Joy-Con are a good idea for a controller, but they could definitely be improved upon. For starters, let’s find a joystick that impervious (or at least more resistant) to the dreaded drift. We can also look at improving the trigger experience. I’ve heard wonderful things about the DualSense’s haptic feedback in the triggers and would love to hear Nintendo is adding something similar. In addition, what if Nintendo followed third parties and played with the shape and/or size of the Joy-Con to make them feel more comfortable in larger hands? That could be something.

Make the GUI Exciting

Ever since launch, fans have been waiting for Nintendo to release fun themes for the Switch. We got White and Black at the start and the last has grown by exactly zero. The 3DS had themes based on various characters that helped gamers throw more personality on their device. Something like that would be great. I’d also love a more general redesign to get rid of the very bland row of recent games/apps used. Allow folders on the front, let us do more of a grid, something!

Change the Approach to Online Play

I know that this isn’t something that necessarily requires a new console, but a new console would be a great time to do so. Nintendo needs to change how online is used and instead of using peer-to-peer connections, they need to establish dedicated servers. They also need to ditch the mobile app and just integrate that functionality onto the console. There also needs to be a messaging system and make it easier to invite friends to play games with you.

Ultimate Backwards Compatibility

This is my big pipedream wish that I know will not happen. I would love it if they released an optional dock that let you plug in your old cartridge games and insert your disc games for Nintendo consoles past. Got an NES game you want to play again? Plug it in! Want to play Pokémon Ruby on your TV? You got it! Maybe you just want to bust out Super Smash Bros. Melee from the GameCube era. I would be extremely shocked if Nintendo did something like this, but I would love it. I think the most likely option is that there could be backwards compatibility with Switch games and that’s it.