Nintendo Switch OLED Dock Can Theoretically Support 4K

The Nintendo Switch OLED was not the 4K capable device that many thought it would be. The Japanese company also made the rare effort to shoot down notion that there will be one this year a couple of times. But it looks like while the device itself may not be able to, its dock sure looks like it has the capability.

Twitter user @KawlunDram opened up one such dock of the Nintendo Switch OLED, and shared that it contained a new Realtek chip. And it’s one that is advertised as “4K UHD multimedia SoC”. This chip was also reportedly referenced in a firmware update from January this year.

Further supporting this is the HDMI cable that came with the Nintendo Switch OLED. @KawlunDram plugged it into an Xbox One X to check that it supports 4K 60fps, and the results turn out positive, suggesting that it was a HDMI 2.0 cable.

But in the end, the chip may be used simply for the improved audio. The Switch itself should also be able to support 4K output, given that it uses the Nvidia Tegra X1 chip. But considering its graphical performance for most games, that’s probably not the best of ideas.

But if anyone still needs straws to grasp onto, then there’s the existence of an “update dock firmware” function for the dock of the Nintendo Switch OLED. There’s no description of what it does, so one can hope that it can, against all odds, add 4K support the way Bluetooth audio support got added.

Bake ‘N Switch Gets Played On Times Square, New York Billboard

Malaysian-made video game Bake ‘n Switch was put in quite the spotlight earlier this month when it was played on a billboard in Times Square, New York. This was done as part of a public test of a digital billboard and mobile gaming hybrid.

The two day test was held on 8 and 9 September, making use of the Mega Screen, and a custom version of the Bake ‘n Switch game by Streamline Games. Up to six visitors to the site were able to join in the game to support two other players competing against each other. All that needed to be done was scanning a QR code with their phone, and without having to download or install anything.

The test using the modified version of Bake ‘n Switch was dubbed Project Monarch, and served to highlight the potential of what’s called mobile crowd gaming. It was done using the Intel’s Smart Edge and Genvid’s interactive livestreaming tech, as well as a 5G-connected hotspot.

The idea is that, on a larger scale, the number of participants won’t be limited to just eight people. GamesBeat reports that up to 750000 concurrent users can be participants at a time with a larger-scale deployment. Though while it’s an impressive showing of the tech involved, one can imagine the actual chaos gameplay would be if that number of players had more active roles rather than just supporting with tap-mashing their screens.

4K Nintendo Switch Dev Kits Do Exist; Consumer Units Could Arrive On Store Shelves By 2022

Come 8 October, the Nintendo Switch OLED model will be available for purchase, first in the US. As its name implies, the new Switch will feature a new OLED display, but not one with the 4K resolution that many fans had initially expected. It’s a move by Nintendo that, frankly, surprised game developers and for a pretty damn good reason to boot: many of them say that they had developed their respective titles with Switch development kits that were capable of supporting 4K graphics.

According to Bloomberg, developers working at no less than 11 game companies confirmed that their teams were definitely in possession of 4K-capable Switch dev kits. The developers aren’t just small-time companies either; while they had asked not to be named, there is little doubt that several of them would be prominent studios and companies.

In light of the report, Nintendo responded to Bloomberg soon after, saying that its reports about the 4K Switch dev kits was merely “inaccurate” and did not elaborate on any of its statement any further. It also reiterated that it had no plans for any other Switch models beyond the OLED variant at the current moment.

Despite the refute, developers that claim that they are developing 4K titles for Switch, say that their games should be out sometime “during or after” the second half of 2022. If that is to be believed, then it is likely that a Nintendo Switch capable of 4K output would also be made available around the same time.

Nintendo Sues One Gary Bowser For Selling Switch Hacks

One mainstay villains in the many Nintendo franchises is the character Bowser. The company has picked a person with the same name to lead its US side of things. But now, the company is suing someone else with the same name for hacking a Nintendo Switch.

Polygon reports that Nintendo of America filed a suit against a Canadian called Gary Bowser. This Bowser leads Team Xecuter, a group of hack creators. The suit alleges that Bowser infringed on the company’s copyright in the creation of hacks and their sale. Bowser was arrested last year alongside another member of the group, Max Louarn.

The kinds of hacks sold are exactly the type that you’d expect, namely the pirating kind. The report states that Nintendo has filed many previous lawsuits against the sellers of the hacking tools. According to the lawsuit, Bowser has been making and selling hacks since 2013. Back then, the device getting hacked was the Nintendo 3DS.

While it’s definitely no fun for the parties involved, there’s a great sense of irony to all this. First, Nintendo, getting a leader with the same name as one of its own famous villains. Now, the company gets into a legal battle with an actual villainous person with the name Bowser.

Nintendo Has Plans For A Switch That Can Output 4K

Nintendo previously shut down rumours about a Pro variant of the Switch. The company said that no new model will be announced “anytime soon”. But now, a new report claims that one such device may indeed get announced sometime this year.

According to Bloomberg, this new Nintendo Switch model will sport a 7-inch 720p OLED screen. Samsung is expected to start producing these displays starting in June. Though not the 4K output people were expecting, the report states that it can still output UHD resolutions when connected to an external screen.

Unfortunately, the report does not come with other details about this new Nintendo Switch model. Being able to output 4K resolutions is basically the only meaningful upgrade the report mentions. It remains to be seen what kind of hardware change we will be seeing on the inside.

It’s also unknown if the handheld console hybrid will increase in size to match the larger screen, or retain its size to keep compatibility with existing Joy-Cons. If it’s the former, then it would mean thinner bezels too.

If Samsung is indeed starting production of the screens for the new Nintendo Switch model in June, chances are the actual announcement will come a lot later. Though when exactly remains to be seen.

Nintendo Teases Switch Port Of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 released back in September last year to much fanfare. It has been successful on the platforms it launched on, namely the PS4, Xbox One, and the Epic Games Store on PC. Now, it looks like it may be heading to the Nintendo Switch as well.

It all starts with the verified Tony Hawk Twitter account commenting on Crash Bandicoot 4 heading to more platforms. This then leads to the skater asking the video game character to hook his game up. As part of the interaction, we see the Nintendo of America Twitter account chiming in.

Naturally, if Tony Hawk wanted his Pro Skater 1+2 game to be on more platforms, he’d talk to an Activision executive about it directly. Instead, he approaches the Twitter account of a video game character. It’s quite hard to see this as anything but a marketing stunt. And the fact that Nintendo of America is joining in suggests that it is also in on the marketing skit.

Of course, this is still just conjecture, but it’s enough to set the internet hype train going. Though Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 makes a lot of sense as a Nintendo Switch game. Either way, it’s probably better to wait for an official announcement by either party before celebrating.

Nintendo Switch Gets A List Of New Games And Ports

The recent Nintendo Direct was quite the substantial one, being over 50 minutes long. There were a fair number of games being announced, including a few Nintendo Switch exclusives and ports.

Project Triangle Strategy

One of the highlights from the Nintendo Direct is Project Triangle Strategy by Square Enix. It’s a working title, but it’s a tactical RPG reminiscent of games like XCOM and Fire Emblem. Graphics wise, it has gone for the Octopath Traveler kind of retro style.

The game is set to be released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch in 2022. That being said, the company said that a free demo is now available on the eShop.

Splatoon 3

Another title that’s coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2022 is Splatoon 3. Nothing much was revealed about the game, besides the year of release. Though the trailer does reveal a new badlands type of locale, as opposed to the more vibrant Inkopolis in previous games.

The trailer also shows a character customisation menu and a new bow-type weapon. As mentioned, the game will only be out in 2022, so Nintendo will likely have more to reveal in the interim.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

Nintendo is also remastering The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Switch. The remaster pushes the game’s framerates up to 60fps, and you can also make use of Joy-Con motion controls to play it.

This will be available on 16 July 2021, but pre-orders for it are already open. A special pair of Joy-Cons featuring prints from the game will also be made available on the same date. Though no pricing has been announced for either.

Neon White

Moving on to things that are not Nintendo Switch exclusives, we have Neon White. Made by Ben Esposito and published by Annapurna Interactive, it tells the story of an assassin from Hell, sent to deal with a demon invasion in Heaven. And you compete with others like you for a chance to stay in Heaven indefinitely.

The gameplay trailer shows a mix of cards and first-person shooter, the cards turn into limited use weapons that you use to dispatch foes. It’s an interesting twist, which makes it fortunate that the game isn’t locked to the Nintendo Switch. It will also be made available on Steam, and has a release window of Winter 2021.

Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection

Next in the list of non-exclusives is Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. It consists of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge. Alongside the games are most of their game modes and DLC constumes.

The collection is slated for a 10 June launch. It will not only be available for the Nintendo Switch, but also PC via Steam, PS4 and Xbox One. You can naturally also play them on the PS5 and Xbox Series X via backwards compatibility.

Samurai Warriors 5

And finally, we have Samurai Warriors 5. Beyond the staple beat ’em up gameplay, this entry looks to be quite different from its predecessors. For one, the art style looks different, and even the character designs, while still recognizable, look very distinct. And rather than rehashing the exact same Warring States plot and getting more historically inaccurate with each installment, this one looks to be a prequel of sorts, taking place at the very beginning of the Warring States period.

While obviously not mentioned during Nintendo Direct, the game will be available on PC via Steam as well as PS4 and Xbox One, in addition to the Switch. The release date is still a vague Summer 2021, but a more concrete date will be announced on 25 Feburary.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Ratings Spotted For PC, PS4, Switch

If you like the Ace Attorney series and wished more of its spinoffs were available on non-Nintendo platfroms, there’s good news. An upcoming compilation, called The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, will be making its way to PC and PS4. This is, of course, in addition to the Nintendo Switch.

The game appeared on the Taiwan Digital Game Rating Committee. It was listed alongside a Switch port of Tales from the Borderlands, and a PS5 version of Genshin Impact, among other things.

For fans of the Ace Attorney series, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is quite special, for two reasons. One is that the two games in the spinoff series were only released on the 3DS. The other reason is that they were never made available in English. While the games coming to Steam and PS4 doesn’t guarantee them being available in English, the hope is there.

The plot of The Great Ace Attorney series centres around Naruhodo Ryunosuke, an ancestor to Naruhodo Ryuichi, or Phoenix Wright. Set in the late 1800s, it sees Ryunosuke traveling to England, and meets up with Sherlock Holmes.

Hopefully, this leads to a localised version of Ace Attorney Investigations 2 as well. The sequel of the spinoff starring Miles Edgeworth is another game in the franchise that never left its home country, even when the first game did.