A new firmware update has recently dropped for the Nintendo Switch, bringing the version up to 10.0.0. Some new features include the ability to copy games to and from internal memory to an SD card, and the addition of button remapping allowing you to tweak your controller setup.
But the thing that’s really got gamers hyped is rumours of a new type of Nintendo Switch that a data miner has found in the updates code.
Vulnerability researcher Mike Heskin tweeted : “Firmware 10.0.0 adds preliminary support for a new hardware model: "nx-abcd".
"3 of the 5 new DRAM profiles are for this new hardware type and there's evidence of a secondary display of sorts being added exclusively on this model.“
The "NX" refers to the Switch and the "abc" refer to the specific model. The regular Switch is 'nx-abca' and the Switch Lite is 'nx-abcb - so the "nx-abcd" could be a whole new system.
There's a lot of speculation surrounding this, with people wondering if this means Nintendo are releasing another accessory, or a whole new console like the much-talked about Nintendo Switch Pro.
An upgraded model has been rumoured for some time due to the success of the Switch, and Nintendo not shying away from hardware revisions early on; last year’s Nintendo Switch Lite model sacrificed the ability to play on the TV for a lighter, sleeker design.
Some have theorised this could be a dual-screen model of Switch, similar to the now obsolete 3Ds and classic DS handheld dual-screen devices. A bolt-on extra screen attachment is also possible but unlikely due to how unwieldy it would be.
Others have claimed this could be a controller incorporating a screen much like the Nintendo Wii U's screen-based Gamepad, allowing games to display two separate things at the same time, such as inventory data on the smaller screen as the game continues on the larger one.
Some say it could be a more advanced version of the Nintendo VR headset, similar to 2019s Nintendo Labo VR Kit but upgraded and not made out of cardboard.
Another, more interesting, idea suggests the next Nintendo console will be a 'TV only' permanently docked switch system, where this new screen will work with that console - or even that your current Switch would act as a controller for the new device.
With the next console generation soon to begin with the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, Nintendo’s comparably weaker hardware will have to work twice as hard to keep up with scaled-down ports of newer games and much older games released on the Nintendo’s flagship console.
With this in mind people are expecting a beefed-up Switch with updated specs, but Nintendo has a habit of often doing the unexpected and finding markets no one thought possible; you only need look at the original Wii and it’s motion controls, the Gameboy and handheld gaming and more recently the Switch itself with the hybrid gaming system to see the long-standing trend.
However, fans may be jumping the gun a little as Nintendo themselves have said: “Please note that we have no plans to launch new Nintendo Switch model during 2020” in a Financial results briefing.
Various rumours have speculated over that hardware revisions a new Switch could have like a full HD screen, more RAM, improved internal storage, a longer-lasting battery and defiantly an upgrade from the current systems Nvidia Tegra X1 processor.
August 2019 saw a slight processor upgrade which improved battery life in the Switch.
Nintendo is also known for keeping info about new systems fiercely under wraps until they are ready to unveil. With this in mind and the new Sony and Microsoft systems on the horizon, Nintendo will have to work its creative magic to pull something special out of the hat to remain relevant in the next console generation - but they have done it before.
Let us know in the comments what you would like to see in an updated Nintendo Switch.
