The Nintendo Switch Pro may release next year, with one respected leaker- NateDrake - commenting that they believe the launch will be delayed to 2022 (via Wffctech).
Writing on the ResetEra forums, NateDrake said: "I do believe it'll be announced the coming FY [Financial Year]. The plan was to release this year, but I suspect it'll be delayed into 2022. Delays can, and will, continue to be an ever-changing variable in figuring out when we'll hear about it and see it."
This comes after Bloomberg'sreport on the Switch Pro's alleged 7-inch OLED screen indicated production would begin in July, leading to suggestions of a late-2021 release.
Here's the latest on the Switch Pro's release date.
Nintendo Switch release date
The comments by NateDrake suggest that the Nintendo Switch Pro may initially have been slated for a late-2021 release, which would make sense given the highly profitable Christmas period for new products.
A delay into 2022 could, however, give Nintendo valuable time to further prepare itself for another huge console release. Following the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X in November, both consoles have suffered from stock problems stemming from semiconductor shortages.
The timeframe for this semiconductor issue - used in several tech products - to end varies depending on the manufacturer, with estimates ranging from mid-2021 to 2022.
As for the reveal of the Switch Pro, NateDrake commented that they still expect this to be in the upcoming financial year. With E3 and the wider games reveal season coming in a few months, it could be that Nintendo releases a special Switch Pro Direct around June/July.
Latest Nintendo Switch Pro rumours
Aside from the release date, NateDrake also recently gave further insight into the Switch Pro's alleged DLSS capabilities. NVIDIA DLSS - or Deep Lying Super Sampling - allows for image upscaling, with rumours suggesting the Switch Pro could utilise DLSS for 4K resolutions when docked.
However, NateDrake said the basis of DLSS may be in the Switch Pro console itself, rather than in the dock, which could mean that the Switch supports DLSS when in handheld mode. If true, this would be sure to quash any criticisms of the alleged 720p OLED screen.
As with most Nintendo rumours, Nintendo has yet to comment on the Switch Pro, its manufacturing, or its release date. While the leaker is considered a reliable source in the industry, we'd recommend waiting until official confirmation from Nintendo before you go selling your base Nintendo Switch.
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