As spotted by VGC, a new Nintendo console patent which was filed back in July 2023, has been published on December 31. The patent details new machine learning technology that, similar to DLSS technology or Sony’s PSSR technology, converts low resolution images to higher resolution images. This allows games to have higher frame rates and better resolution on weaker hardware. VGC’s article also cites journalist Laura Kate Dale who claims that the patent mentions using this technology to reduce game sizes and allow it to fit “smaller capacity physical media”.“The example given is that a game with native 4K textures might need a 60GB download, but a 1080 native version might only need 20GB (which would allow it to fit on a 32GB Switch Cart, the current max size Nintendo produces for Switch 1). The idea being to do a 4X upscale on the device in realtime.”
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa announced back in November last year, that Nintendo’s next console will be backwards compatible. This means it will be able to play Nintendo Switch games as well as newer titles. According to the full announcement, the introduction of Nintendo Account “made it possible to tie consumers’ history to their personal account, enabling Nintendo to maintain a continuous relationship with the consumers across platform generations.”
Details on the console from a past corporate management policy briefing:
- “Until Nintendo Switch, there was no easy way to have consumers’ purchase and gameplay histories carry over across platform generations. As a result, our relationship with the consumers was interrupted when a new system was purchased.”
- “The introduction of Nintendo Account made it possible to tie consumers’ history to their personal account, enabling Nintendo to maintain a continuous relationship with the consumers across platform generations.”
- “We have communicated that we plan on making an announcement regarding the successor to Nintendo Switch during this fiscal year. We believe that it is important for Nintendo’s future to make use of Nintendo Account and carry over the good relationship that we have built with the over 100 million annual playing users on Nintendo Switch to its successor.”
- “Thus, we will make Nintendo Switch Online, a service based on Nintendo Account, available on the successor to Nintendo Switch.”
- “Furthermore, Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch.”
- “In addition to being able to play Nintendo Switch software they currently own, consumers will be able to choose their next purchase from a broad selection of titles released for Nintendo Switch.”
- “Further information about the successor to Nintendo Switch, including its compatibility with Nintendo Switch I explained today, will be announced at a later date.”
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