Massive Nvidia leak reignites Nintendo Switch Pro speculation

News
By published

The code includes references to DLSS and ray tracing

Nintendo Switch OLED hands-on
(Image credit: Nintendo / HikakinTV)

A massive Nvidia leak has once again reignited speculation around a potential Nintendo Switch Pro, which Nintendo has yet to confirm.

The folks at Tech Power Up shared the details of what they describe as "the mother of all cyber attacks," and Nintendo sleuth @NWPlayer123 dissected what appears to be references to a Nintendo Switch successor in the leaked code.

Per NWPlayer123's translation of the files, the leaked code suggests that Nintendo is still running with the NX codename (and NVN API) from way back before the original Switch was announced. That, combined with the fact that Nintendo has repeatedly said the Switch is still in the "middle of its life cycle," seems to be evidence that the hardware referenced in the leak isn't a full-blown successor, i.e. a Switch 2, but rather an upgraded console like a Nintendo Switch Pro or perhaps Super Nintendo Switch (for the cool kids out there).

Article continues below

That said, if the leaked code is indicative of a new console in the works at Nintendo, it would seem to support DLSS, Nvidia's latest supersampling tech. There are also references to ray tracing, which would be a huge step up in the visuals department from the OG Switch, which is nearing its fifth birthday. Basically, if this really is the Switch Pro we're looking at here, it sounds like it could be a much more powerful console.

Back in May 2021, a detailed report from Bloomberg claimed a 4K-enabled Switch with an OLED screen was on the way for last year's holiday season. Of course, what we got instead was a new Switch with an OLED screen but the same ol' guts inside. There's a fair chance that Bloomberg's reporting was sound and that Nintendo simply changed its plans or delayed the console while releasing the Switch OLED as a stopgap, but that's pure speculation. 

We've reached out to Nintendo for clarification and we'll update this article if we hear back.

Best Nintendo Switch games | Upcoming Switch games | Best Nintendo Switch bundle | Best Nintendo Switch accessories

Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick
Staff Writer

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.