TheNintendo Switch’s successor will soon be upon fans, and breadcrumbs about its true nature continue to leak. Recently, a codename has surfaced for the sequel to theSwitch, which might just be the key to finding out what it’ll bring to the table.
With the Switch 2 confirmed to be in development earlier this year, many have been expecting an official reveal to occur sooner rather than later. However, with the Switch nearing its 8th birthday, fans are getting antsy about said reveal. Rumors have been flying overwhether the Switch 2’s unveiling was postponed, while others are digging up whatever hardware leaks they can muster. Given that the Switch was brought in to rescue Nintendo from the Wii U’s failing sales numbers, the company has been stuck in the previous generation for almost 12 years—leaving both fans and analysts curious as to when Nintendo will bite the bullet and move on.
What The Codename ‘Ounce’ Could Mean For The Switch 2
Despite a seemingly endless development cycle, the Switch 2 is very real and will eventually make its way to the market. Before it does, though, a smorgasbord of leaks have flooded the internet regarding what the console could look like—with everything from a DS-style dual screen to magnetic Joy-Cons being suggested. However, one of the biggest leaks to spill forth about theSwitch 2 is its purported codename, ‘Ounce’. While Nintendo hasn’t spoken out on this codename, its potential for speculation is worth inspecting.
Codenames are typical for Nintendo, and they can give fans a basis for what to expect. A good example of this is theN64, which went under the codename ‘Project Reality’. Though some may find this codename to be more fitting for something like the Virtual Boy, as the alias is certainly evocative of virtual reality, it’s a good demarcation for the transition into 3D. Though the low-poly graphics of the N64 could hardly be called ‘realistic’, the breach into a new dimension is certainly a move worth the title.
On the other hand, some Nintendo codenames seem totally out of left field.The cult-classic Gamecube systemwas codenamed ‘Dolphin’, which sounds rather ill-fitting for a machine that lacks aquatic capabilities. It’s possible that ‘Dolphin’ could refer toSuper Mario Sunshine; though not a launch title, its water-related gameplay (as well as the dolphin-nosed inhabitants of Isle Delfino) make this plausible. Nonetheless, this association requires far more mental gymnastics than the N64 to Project Reality.
‘Ounce’ Is More Clear Than Other Nintendo Codenames, But Could Be A Red Herring
The Switch 2’s ‘Ounce’ moniker is probably the least vague of any Nintendo codename, as weight is very much an important factor for a likelyportable Switch successor. On the other hand, this could still be a misnomer. Just as ‘Ounce’ implies a special connection to weight, the DS codename ‘Nitro’ implied power, but the DS has scarcely had the reputation of being an especially powerful console.
Regardless, weight is certainly relevant to a portable console. Many have expressed the idea of the Switch 2 possibly being a lightweight machine, though the opposite could also be true. ‘Ounce’ could suggest added weight, which would line up with the demand fora more powerful Nintendo console.
Nintendo has always lagged behind in terms of graphical and processing power, something that’s become all the more evident with the Switch’s extended lifespan. Many have equated the Switch’s hardware to being on par with the Xbox 360, meaning the Switch 2 has its work cut out if it wants to catch up. Therefore, it’s more than a tad plausible that ‘Ounce’ could be referencing a helping of hardware bulk.
