After months of speculation regarding the release of an upgraded Switch system, Nintendo finally revealed its latest gaming system — the Nintendo Switch OLED Model. The new Switch will release on October 8, costs $349.99, and offers a long list of new features for Nintendo gaming fans to enjoy.
Meet the newest entry to the #NintendoSwitch family! Nintendo Switch (OLED model) brings the versatility of the Nintendo Switch experience with a vibrant 7-inch OLED screen, a wide adjustable stand, and more. Nintendo Switch (OLED model) releases on 10/8.https://t.co/zRpGxakJDn pic.twitter.com/Tsc55r35ay
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 6, 2021
For months leading up to the announcement, Nintendo kept tight-lipped regarding the new system despite a bevy of rumors suggesting its arrival was imminent. Many of those rumors suggested that Nintendo would reveal the model this past June at E3. When that didn’t happen, many fans feared that talks of what was then referred to as the “Switch Pro” were nothing but unfounded speculation.
Only days prior to the announcement at an investors meeting, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa refused to answer why the model hadn’t been announced at E3.
“Our company uses Nintendo Direct to inform our customers about individual products at the appropriate time,” Furukawa said according to Kotaku.
“To achieve that,” he continued, “we are constantly developing hardware, software, dedicated peripherals, etc., but we refrain from making comments on specific products still in development.”
Apparently, the new system was only days away from finishing its development when Furukawa made his statement. It is certainly understandable why the Switch OLED model took so long in that development process, given the many new features it has to offer.
The OLED model’s hardware has been completely upgraded: while the original Switch model has a 6.2 inch LCD screen with an output of 1080p when docked, Nintendo’s new model boasts an impressive 1920×1080 resolution with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps, according to Nintendo’s website. And then there’s the OLED screen. For those unfamiliar with tech jargon, OLED screens are some of the highest quality screens to date, outperforming LCDs, LEDs, and CRTs. According to Tech Radar, “compared to competing display types, OLED TVs bring you better image quality (think blacker blacks and brighter whites), reduced power consumption, and much fast response times – that last point being a great addition for any console or gaming TV too.”
The Switch OLED model also features a wide adjustable stand for tabletop mode, a new dock with a wired LAN port, 64GB of storage, and enhanced audio for both its handheld and tabletop modes.
The OLED model’s October 8 release date makes the new Switch available to consumers just in time for the holiday season. Switch players will have a nice selection of new titles to play on the system as well. Coinciding with the systems launch day is the release of the highly anticipated Metroid Dread. For those lucky enough to score a system during 2021’s holiday season, the even more hotly anticipated Pokemon Legends: Arceus will be available for purchase shortly thereafter on January 28, 2022.