Nintendo announced the latest iteration of their line of Switch consoles, the Nintendo Switch OLED Model. As the name suggests, this new model features a larger and brighter OLED screen that offers more vibrant colors to new and existing Nintendo games. The OLED model also comes with some tech and design changes such as expanded storage, enhanced audio, a wider stand and a native ethernet port. The OLED model also comes in a new color, black and white, alongside the traditional red and blue.
As significant as these changes are, reactions to the announcement on Nintendo's Twitter page were mixed due to the fact that the OLED model isn't actually a proper hardware upgrade, similar to the Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro from last generation. Both of those consoles, as well as the current generation's PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, have the ability to play games in 4k. But just like the regular Switch and Switch Lite, the Switch OLED still plays games at 1080p on television and 720p while handheld. As disappointing as it might be to some that Nintendo isn't jumping on the 4k bandwagon like other console developers are, it's not surprising either.
Nintendo has always focused on the quality of their games rather than the power of their hardware. Nintendo tends to make consoles that stand out from their counterparts rather than directly compete with them, a gaming philosophy that has stuck with Nintendo for years and has still proven to be effective today. Despite not being as powerful as what Sony and Microsoft were producing at the time, consoles such as the Wii and 3DS sold extremely well while still producing several iconic titles from Nintendo's long list of IPs. This was aided by the fact that many of the games for these consoles, both first and third party, utilized each console's central gimmick well. Some of the best Wii games, like Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, benefited greatly from the console's motion controls. And some of the best 3DS games, like Kid Icarus Uprising and Super Mario 3D Land, looked very impressive in glasses-free 3-D.
The Switch has proven this strategy effective as well, as over 80 million Switch units have been sold as of this year. The Switch's main selling points, console gaming on the go with motion controls included, are aided by such strong titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. As great as it would be to play these games in 4K, enhanced resolution isn't needed in order to fully appreciate what these games have to offer.
Nintendo may very well embrace 4k gaming in the future, either with a new console or another new Switch iteration, but the current lineup of Switch consoles is fulfilling Nintendo's wishes just well. There's no reason for Nintendo to make that push for 4k just yet, as the current iteration of the Switch continues to be a hit with their audience and the updated Switch, which launches Oct 8, 2021, at a retail cost of $350.00, looks to be continuing that trend.