Rumor: Multiple studios in possession of 4K dev kit for Switch
Update: Nintendo has issued a statement about Bloomberg’s report. Read the company’s response below.
A news report on Sept. 30, 2021(JST) falsely claims that Nintendo is supplying tools to drive game development for a Nintendo Switch with 4K support. To ensure correct understanding among our investors and customers, we want to clarify that this report is not true.
We also want to restate that, as we announced in July, we have no plans for any new model other than Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, which will launch on October 8, 2021.
Original: Rumors of a 4K-compatibile Switch console aren’t dying down, despite the announcement of the OLED model announced a few months ago that will be releasing in less than two weeks.
Given the amount of reports that have previously surfaced, some had expected Nintendo to unveil an upgraded Switch that would provide additional power and support 4K resolution. However, that did not end up happening. The Switch OLED comes with a bigger and improved screen as well as upgrades like a sturdier kickstand, but the actual internals haven’t changed.
Now, however, Bloomberg claims to have spoken with 11 game companies that are in possession of a 4K development kit for Switch. The site says they range “from large publishers to small studios and include at least one that has never made a console game before, Zynga Inc.” Bloomberg adds that there are likely more companies that currently have the new dev kit.
As for when a 4K-compatibile Switch could launch, Bloomberg notes that such a device “isn’t expected to be released until late next year at the earliest” based on talks with those familiar with plans. Developers aren’t speculating on what Nintendo is cooking up for the future, but noted that they expect to ship their 4K Switch games during or after the second half of next year.
Bloomberg also elaborated on its previous reports, stating that Nintendo’s original plans supposedly changed amid component shortages. However, as of July, “the company had already handed out the 4K kits to outside developers and asked them to design software to support the higher resolution.”
Bloomberg does also say that Nintendo could ultimately end up shelving a new Switch for any number of reasons. When presented with a series of questions, the Big N said that Bloomberg’s reporting is “inaccurate”, though it did specify which parts are off the mark.
