Nintendo Switch follow-up potentially shown off at Gamescom, rumours claim (updated)

Odds are if you’re a Nintendo fan, you’re looking forward to the possibility of getting your hands on some new hardware from the Japanese company, which recently revealed that Charles Martinet will no longer be voicing Mario, at some point.

Since a report from VGC, which was corroborated by Eurogamer, claimed that a 2024 release could be being targeted for Nintendo’s next-gen console, it’s been the subject of plenty of conjecture.

The latest batch of rumours surrounding the follow-up to the Switch are claiming that it might have been shown off or discussed with a select group of individuals during Gamescom.

Are you looking forward to seeing what Nintendo’s next console looks like whenever it’s revealed?

Update: Eurogamer has now reported that Nintendo quietly demoed the Switch 2 to developers at Gamescom 2023, in order to demonstrate how well the system will run.

According to the report, which has been corroborated by VGC, one demo included a "souped up" version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though Eurogamer makes it clear that this is unlikely to indicate that the game will be re-released for the new hardware.

Original story follows:

This most recent round of speculation about potential plans for the console has stemmed from a tweet from Windows Central Managing Editor Jez Corden, which saw the author claim to have “heard some rumours” about the console potentially being involved in a “behind closed doors” event or events during Gamescom.

Corden alleged that this potentially involved “select press/devs” being shown or given the chance to discuss the console with Nintendo and claimed that an official reveal or some leaks “may be relatively imminent.”

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Prior to Gamescom, a report from Startmenu claimed that “Nintendo could be planning to confirm the existence of its next console” at the show. It also suggested that “the company has not been booking any behind-closed-doors appointments with press,” which doesn’t mirror what Corden has claimed.

In the latest episode of Game Mess, Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb expressed doubt at the idea that the alleged meeting or meetings, if any actually occurred, would have involved any members of the press.

On the other hand, regarding the idea of developers possibly attending such a get together, Grubb said: “This seems like an opportunity to [potentially] do that behind closed doors, I could see Nintendo doing something like that.”

Grubb’s co-host Mike Minotti added that, assuming the new console is revealed in 2024 as reported:

[Developers] have got to have some understanding of what to expect with games that they are making right now, if your game is going to be able to run on [the next Switch] and your game’s coming out in like a year or two years, then you need to start thinking about that version of the game now.

For now, we'll just have to wait for Nintendo to provide official word on its next console.

Regardless of how much you’re looking forward to the idea of getting your hands on some new Nintendo hardware, make sure to follow us for updates on games ranging from Super Mario Bros. Wonder to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.