Nintendo Switch Pro – Insider Reveals Release Date

Over the years, there have been plenty of rumors about the Nintendo Switch Pro. Of course, these have been, and still are, just rumors. There’s no official word from Nintendo if they’re working on an upgraded Nintendo Switch, let alone a release date! However, that hasn’t stopped people from speculating and rumors emerging. When Nintendo announced the OLED Nintendo Switch model in July 2021, many people assumed it would be the Pro model of the handheld console. Sadly not! This version slightly improved on the original, as it had a larger display with a 7-inch OLED screen and better battery life.

However, recently the rumors have been hotting up about the Nintendo Switch Pro. In fact, a pretty reliable Nintendo insider stated that they believe the much-rumoured Switch pro is finally coming in 2023. According to this rumour, Nintendo will release the Pro version of the Nintendo Switch in Q1 to Q2 2023. Pretty much, this means they think it’s coming early in the year. This is great news for any Nintendo who thought we’d be stuck with the current console for much longer.

The insider’s name is Nate the Hate. Previously, Nate has proven themselves to be a reliable insider, as they’ve gotten quite a few guesses right. Most of their knowledge is about Nintendo of America, and they’ve teased plenty of details in the past. So, it makes sense that their suggestions about the Nintendo Switch Pro release date are true. A Twitter user asked Nate why they previously spoke about the Pro, despite Nintendo never releasing it. Nate said it “will be odd when this “scam” releases first half of next year…” That’s some pretty exciting news right there!

Nintendo Switch Pro Rumors

Image: Nintendo

Of course, this is just a rumor at the moment. However, it’s one that we think is worth entertaining! Supposedly, this Pro model will surpass the current model of the Nintendo Switch. Like the original, it will be a hybrid console because it will work as a handheld device and a regular console. However, it will have a larger display, faster response time, and improved battery life. It will also be a 4K-capable Switch and function as a “higher-end” Switch model. Many other form factors are still rumours at play with the Nintendo Switch.

If Nintendo does release the Nintendo Switch Pro, this will hopefully put the console in-line with other next-gen consoles. After all, the current model is almost at the end of its life cycle. Originally, Nintendo released the first switch in 2017. Since then, Sony and Microsoft have released a few new other consoles, including the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. So, it makes sense that Nintendo wants to release a Switch model to bring things up to speed with these.

Of course, it won’t be able to compete, as the Nintendo Switch hardware is far beneath that of an Xbox Series X or PS5. However, the Nintendo Switch Pro will help to update and modernize that hardware that is, quite frankly, becoming old. And hopefully, they’ll fix the Joy-Con drift issues, which have plagued the system since Nintendo launched it! Additionally, Nintendo may go the way of their previous upgrade with the “new” 3DS model. This handheld gaming console had a few exclusive games you could only play on the upgraded model, not the original 3DS. So, we could get an extended game library for the Nintendo Switch Pro.

Release Date

Image: Nintendo

Naturally, you might be wondering why it’s taken so long for Nintendo to release or even announce a new model. After all, the console’s lifetime sales have been pretty high, so why haven’t they capitalized on this by releasing a new one? One of the main reasons is the chip shortages that have emerged recently. This has caused delays for many tech companies like Microsoft and Sony. Maybe Nintendo was going to release the Nintendo Switch Pro but got held back because there’s a lack of chips. Now that this problem is sorted, they’re back on track for the console.

What are your thoughts? Are you looking forward to the Nintendo Switch Pro? What upgrades and new features would you like to see on this console? Do you believe these rumors? Let us know your thoughts below!

Hi! I'm Arvyn, and I'm an English teacher from the UK. I've been teaching English online for over 4 years to students from all across the world and all ages. Outside of work, I'm a huge fan of reading, video games, and playing with my adorable kitties. See ya!