Sep 30, 2021 - Technology

Nintendo denies rumors of new Switch pro model

Nintendo Switch

Photo: Stephen Totilo/Axios. Courtesy of Nintendo

A Bloomberg report claiming 11 game developers have access to Nintendo Switch 4K development kits is sparking confusion about the existence of the rumored Nintendo Switch Pro.

Driving the news: Bloomberg published a story yesterday in which it says that employees at the game companies, including Zynga, claim to have the dev kits.

  • That system wouldn't be out until at least late next year, Bloomberg reports.

What they're saying: Nintendo has disavowed the report on Twitter, saying that it has "no plans for any new model other than Nintendo Switch — OLED Model."

  • The report "falsely claims that Nintendo is supplying tools to drive game development for a Nintendo Switch with 4K support," Nintendo said. "To ensure correct understanding among our investors and customers, we want to clarify that this report is not true."
  • A Zynga spokesperson told Axios that the company "does not have a 4K developer kit from Nintendo."
  • "As a Switch developer for the upcoming 'Star Wars: Hunters' game that Zynga announced on a recent Nintendo Direct, we can confirm that none of the developer kits Zynga has or is in receipt of are 4K developer kits."

The big picture: Nintendo announced its new Switch OLED model in July with a higher price tag and a bigger screen.

  • But rumors about a "Switch Pro" model, which would include 4K, circulated for months ahead of its reveal, leaving many fans stumped.
  • Bloomberg reports the lack of 4K was because of component shortages, which have plagued the game industry and beyond due to COVID-19.

What's next: The Nintendo Switch OLED model launches Oct. 8.

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