Developers creating future titles for the Nintendo Switch console have reportedly been told to add a 4K option ahead of an upgraded version and increased demand.
A Bloomberg report suggests Nintendo is asking its production facilities to increase Switch stocks to over 30 million units over 2020, while telling developers to prepare their games for 4K resolutions.
Since the start of 2020, Nintendo has struggled with a Switch shortage amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand was also spurred by the worldwide interest of Animal Crossing: New Horizons which spurred Nintendo to boost production to 25 million units last month. But as main Switch units dwindled across retailers, the Lite became an option for consumers who used the system as an alternative to the hybrid console. It also featured a lower price without its dock and joy con features.
Interestingly, the two are also the company’s only consoles in development cycle. This breaks the tradition of a main console such as the Wii releasing games alongside handhelds like the Nintendo 3DS. Its recent Nintendo Directs have also been fully committed to updates for the Switch, while first-party titles were funneled directly into the console. Games including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Super Mario 3D All-Stars are some of the upcoming games which continue to expand the Switch library halfway into its life cycle.
Bloomberg also further suggested an upgraded 4K Switch is on the way, with a few anonymous developers stating they were asked to include the resolution in their games. This suggests the rumors for an improved Nintendo Switch are coming together. Along 2020, it also follows reports that a newer version would include 2140p upscaling, bigger battery and faster processors to give Switch games better performance.