The Nintendo Switch OLED is falling out of the blue, and it feels like it could be a victim of high expectations (not that it won’t perform well). But if my personal reaction is shared with others, I’m sure many existing Switch owners don’t see much reason to upgrade.
In the months (and years) leading up to this announcement, we’ve heard of the Nintendo Switch Pro and Nintendo Switch 2, consoles that will dramatically improve Nintendo’s hugely popular handheld gaming device. 4K rendering and a new faster chip are rumored to be improved by Nintendo. And then, we got the OLED Switch, a very different system.
Nintendo Switch OLED is not for TV
I can think of one, and only one, example of current Nintendo Switch owners who should consider an OLED Switch. People who play it separately and not locked. That includes Switch Lite owners like my friend Kate Kozuch, who explains that the OLED Switch is a long-awaited thing.
People who often drop their Switch will see a 7-inch OLED display that might be nice. I’m sure it will be fine, but over the last few years I’ve rarely seen LCD panels on my Switch, as I use them primarily plugged into my TV. Maybe in about a year or two, after I travel more often, I will consider choosing an OLED model.
So is the nice new kickstand. I’m so happy to see Nintendo stop using the very annoying and hard -to -open kickstand that has so far relied on the Nintendo Switch. I spent so much time unlocking the code, scratching it with my fingernails (and at least one credit card) that I was still pleasantly surprised to be able to get quality assurance at Nintendo.
Now, you have a full -width kickstand that resembles one that opens from the back - much like the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. But, again, this kickstand is useless if my Switch is still alive in its enclosure.
Other OLED Switch upgrades don’t do much
Then there’s the upgrade in the OLED Switch, which requires its storage from 32GB to 64GB. That might be great for people who are new to the platform and haven’t developed a library of games that require an SD memory card.
Nintendo also stated that the OLED Switch will have better sound. The details are the most vague, because “enhanced audio” is all they say. The specific sheet lists the stereo speakers. If Nintendo really wants to enhance the audio on the Switch, it can give the OLED Switch some Bluetooth headphone support, which it doesn’t have.
Oh, and there’s also a special Ethernet / LAN port on the Nintendo Switch’s OLED dock. That’s great for people who have a TV away from their Wi-Fi router, but that’s not me. You can also add that port with a $ 28 wired LAN adapter from Hori (officially licensed by Nintendo).
I’m not the game type while watching something on TV, and if I do, I’d rather open the Spectrum app on my iPad and watch a show there, while I play a game on my TV. The 7 -inch screen, though OLED and larger than the current 6.2 -inch Switch screen, isn’t that great for gaming if you ask me. The game has too many menus for that.
Why am I waiting for the Nintendo Switch Pro
I wouldn’t spend $ 350 on a Switch that doesn’t give much that I would use. Instead, I guess I’ll wait for the actual Nintendo Switch Pro, or whatever Nintendo calls the Switch that makes changes that I can see and feel when the Switch is installed. Notably, it’s the Switch that produces (at least enhances) in 4K.
Hopefully, it also becomes a Switch with a faster processor. The Switch is as great as it is now, but is already four years old, and started out as a graphic on the back of the pack.
While the Nintendo Switch runs games like the re -launched Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 right now, the console may need to do something to keep the next generation of games running smoothly. The global chip shortage may be part of why the OLED Switch isn’t as complete as an improvement, as Nintendo may encounter some problems in getting a new CPU.
There are also other changes that I would like, but that are not necessarily related to the Switch Pro. We love the Nintendo Switch, but are still distracted by the Joy-Con drift, where the analog joystick (over time) starts sending a signal to the Switch indicating that the user is physically moving it even if it’s not.
Nintendo has never officially admitted the actual fault with the controller, only issuing a statement “We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers regarding Joy-Con … We will do our best to ensure that our customers can use our services and products safely mind. “
And while we don’t know if the OLED Switch will improve Joy-Con’s drift, we have no reason to believe it. This is because it has the same Joy-Cons as before, as confirmed by Polygon.
I’m sure Nintendo would like to solve this problem, to avoid more class action lawsuits as already filed, but it’s definitely time consuming sweet.
How long will I wait for the Nintendo Switch Pro?
I’m not the only one who doesn’t need a Nintendo Switch OLED. Per Mat Piscatella from market research firm NPD Group, the Nintendo Switch is “the best-selling hardware platform in both units and dollars in May” 2021, “as well as 2021 from year to year.” This extends the popularity of the Switch, which has been a top seller for 30 months now.
Since I’m happy with the current Switch (at least when compared to the OLED), I can only wait for Nintendo to come out. Nintendo clearly loves updating the Switch, as evidenced by the other three models (improved battery life, Lite and OLED), so it will eventually show up.
Just like fun retail therapy, it’s a good idea to think twice before buying that shiny new thing - especially when you realize it’s not meant to you specifically. Saving that money to spend on games for your Nintendo Switch is a smarter game.