When Nintendo first revealed the Switch OLED model a few months ago, it was hard not to be disappointed that it wasn’t the most significant update that many people were rumored to be expecting.
Since then, rumors about a potential 4K Switch have faded, at least until now. On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that several developers currently have Switch 4K dev kits and are actively working on games with them.
The publication’s report says that 11 developers are working with the 4K Switch dev kit, including studios large and small. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo quickly denied this claim, stating that it “has no plans for any new models other than Nintendo Switch – OLED Model …”
We also want to reaffirm that, as we announced in July, we have no plans for any new models other than the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, which will be released on October 8, 2021. (2/2)
– 任天堂 株式会社 （企業 広 報 ・ IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) September 30, 2021
Bloomberg says Nintendo planned to release a 4K Switch in October but was forced to change its plans due to “component shortages” related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Japanese gaming giant has already sent 4K development kits to developers before unveiling the Switch OLED model.
Developers working on 4K titles claim they expect to release their games sometime in 2022, indicating that we probably won’t see a 4K Switch launch until that time frame “at the earliest.”
Adding further fuel to the rumors, mobile game developer Zynga denied that it currently has a 4K development kit from Nintendo. BloombergThe report indicates that the Farm The developer is one of the studios that currently has a 4K Switch development kit. Zynga is working on Star Wars: Hunters for Nintendo Switch.
Previous rumors indicated that Nintendo plans to use Nvidia’s DLSS technology to generate 4K images when the console is docked.
Although it would make sense to assume BloombergThe report is wrong, this is probably not the case. If a rumor appears that frequently, there is usually at least some level of truth in it.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Nintendo deny the existence of a console either, only to reveal it a few months later. Also, it’s not surprising to see a developer working on a Switch 4K title denying that they have a dev kit given how secretive the gaming industry tends to be.
Nintendo’s Switch OLED model will launch on October 8 for $ 449 CAD.
Image Credit: Nintendo
Source: Bloomberg