After months and months of rumors and scuttlebutt, Nintendo has revealed a new Switch model. Featuring a larger OLED screen and a few other updates, the literally titled Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) SKU is set for an October 8 launch and MSRP of $349.99.
From a press release, the new updates for the hybrid handheld/TV console were laid out. Many of the upgrades are focused on playing in Handheld mode, but one update in particular is crucial for online play while docked. This new model’s dock will include a LAN port, so players will be able to use an ethernet connection without an adapter.
Related: New Nintendo Switch Reportedly Using Nvidia Chip with DLSS Support
Other features include more internal storage (64GB), an adjustable stand that’s much wider than the thin kickstand on the previous model and “enhanced audio (no details on that yet).” The marquee feature, the OLED screen for the Handheld mode, increases the screen size to a full seven inches by utilizing a smaller bezel. So despite the hardware changes, the size is very similar to the original Nintendo Switch.
For consumers excited about the often-rumored Switch Pro, the OLED model isn’t quite that. While the hardware has some updates, it seems like the Switch’s internals haven’t changed in terms of power. So don’t expect Breath of the Wild to suddenly run at 60 fps at 4K if you pick one of these up.
October 8, 2021 is also the release date for Metroid Dread, a game that has been in the works in some form or another since the Gamecube era. The white colors on the OLED model even kind of resemble the “E.M.M.I.” robot featured in Dread.
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