Nintendo is rumored to be working on the sequel to its original Switch handheld gaming console. The Nintendo Switch was one of the best selling consoles of all time that managed to outperform Sony’s PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (individually). But can the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 rival the new PlayStation 5 Pro? Read on to find out.
1. Nintendo Switch 2 vs PS5 Pro: Performance
On the performance front, it is unfair to compare a handheld console to a full fledged gaming console. The original Switch launched with the NVIDIA Tegra X1 chipset and was quite underpowered even for its time. From the PS4 and PS5, the Nintendo Switch can’t compete in terms of gaming performance.
However, the Switch 2 is rumored to get a significant hardware upgrade, which might see it rival the PS4. If this is true, then it could be one of the most powerful handheld consoles in the market. Once again, the strength of the handheld consoles is their portability rather than performance, so let’s move to the aspect where they shine.
2. The Switch’s design is getting even better
One of the reasons why the Nintendo Switch was so successful was its form factor. Not only was it portable, but you could even dock it for a typical console gaming experience. Pair this with the removable JoyCon controllers and suddenly you have a party trick for gaming with friends, versatility in the way you play, and more. So it is no surprise that Nintendo is expected to improve this design with Magnetic JoyCons. That’s not all, the upgrades also extend to the display as well, with the Switch 2 reportedly featuring a taller 8-inch screen.
3. Exclusives sells consoles
If you’re a console gamer, you’d often hear that exclusives are what helps in selling consoles. Sony’s PlayStation beat Microsoft’s Xbox thanks to its wide variety of first party exclusive titles like God of War, Uncharted, and much more. However, recently these have started arriving on PC. This is great news for PC gamers, but this reduces the incentives for someone to opt for the PlayStation.
On the other hand, Nintendo has an iron grip on all of its exclusives. The company has developed legendary and iconic series like Mario, Legend of Zelda, and many others. It is easily one of the most recognizable and popular brands in the gaming industry.
4. What can we expect?
Sony is expected to have sold around 62 million copies of the PS5, with the PS5 Pro bringing this figure up slightly since it is a relatively new launch. But the first Switch has sold over 140 million units worldwide. So with the Switch 2, Nintendo just needs to refine the already successful formula and release next gen games that complement it. The handheld isn’t taking on the PS5 Pro in raw performance, but it can definitely rival it in gaming experience, exclusive titles, and sales numbers a couple of years down the road. Till then you can click here to check out our comparison with the Steam Deck.
