Ever since the Nintendo Switch launched and its specs were revealed, the conversations surrounding an upgraded version were as much of a dominating topic as its market success. Using modified Tegra X1 chips, it may have been clear that the Nintendo Switch would not be able to pack the punch of the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4.

Since the aforementioned competition received mid-generation upgrades to close the gaps on their shortcomings, it was widely expected from gaming journalists, tech pundits, and publications that Nintendo would manufacture one of their own. A "Switch Pro", as commonly referred to. But it never happened.

According to the most recent episode of the Digital Foundry's podcast DF Direct Weekly, John Linneman had word from developers in the industry that Nintendo at one point considered considered the option, but the plans were eventually scrapped.

“So I think at one point internally from what I can understand from talking to different developers", Linneman speaks, "is that there was some sort of mid-generation Switch update planned at one point and that seems to be no longer happening. And thus it’s pretty clear that whatever they do next is going to be the actual next-generation hardware. I don’t think it’s going to be 2023.”

It's safe to assume that the Switch's mainstream success had an effect on the company's decision to halt those plans. In its stead was the Nintendo Switch OLED, which had more quality of life changes rather than increasing the internal horsepower of the hybrid console. The question now remains; with the Nintendo Switch still selling very well after six years, at what point can fans anticipate an announcement about the next console? 

SOURCE: Digital Foundry