Nintendo Switch Successor May Not Be Fully Backwards Compatible
Many of us have just naturally assumed that the next console from Nintendo will be backwards compatible. The Nintendo Switch has been a massive success for the company, so it would be incredibly foolish for Nintendo to potentially throw away all of that hard work by making a brand new console without backwards compatibility. However, a new video by YouTuber Modern Vintage Gamer, a well respected expert in video game hardware and developer for NightDive Studios, has suggested the company could have a mountain to climb in regards to its rumored next-gen console.
According to Modern Vintage Gamer (thanks VGC), modern Switch titles may be incompatible with any improved chips that Nintendo may use for its beefed up Switch console. The Nintendo Switch currently uses the Tegra X1 developed by Nvidia, a fairly outdated chip that many strongly believe Nintendo plans to replace. It's not confirmed, but if Nintendo were to move on from the Tegra X1 to a different chip, current Switch games wouldn't be able to run on new hardware "without recompiling the games to target that hardware."
Related: The Minish Cap Is Still The Best Looking 2D Zelda
It's not all doom and gloom though, as MVG outlines several solutions that Nintendo could go for, although none of them come without issues. Nintendo could go for emulation as seen with the Xbox Series X, though keeping the Switch a managable size would be difficult considering it's primarily a handheld device. It's also suggested that Nintendo and Nvidia make the Tegra X1 compatible with their next chip, although MVG points out this could mean a lot more work for both parties.
He then suggests that Nintendo could include the Tegra X1 in a new Switch system alongside the new chip, similar to
Read more on thegamer.com
