Report: Nintendo Demoed “Next-Generation” Hardware Behind Closed Doors at Gamescom 2023
Posted on September 07 2023 by Rod Lloyd
Nintendo reportedly presented “next-generation” hardware privately to developers at the Gamescom trade show in Cologne, Germany last month. According to a new report by Eurogamer (later corroborated by VGC), Nintendo showed “specially prepared tech demos” to an unspecified number of “invited developers,” with said demos reportedly running on hardware “targeting [Nintendo’s] new console’s specs.”
Nintendo has not revealed any information about upcoming hardware releases or plans for a successor to its Switch system. Nintendo declined to comment on Eurogamer’s reporting.
Both Eurogamer and VGC reported that one tech demo shown to developers during this behind-closed-doors presentation was an “improved version” of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, “running at a higher framerate [sic] and resolution.” Both outlets were quick to point out that this version of Breath of the Wild was merely a tech demo and that there was no suggestion at the presentation that the game would receive a re-release.
Another tech demo shown, according to VGC, was Epic Games’ The Matrix Awakens, an Unreal Engine 5 tech demo originally released in 2021 to demonstrate the power of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. VGC’s sources in particular claimed that this demo was utilizing Nvidia’s DLSS (deep learning super sampling) up-scaling technology, “with advanced ray tracing enabled and visuals comparable to Sony’s and Microsoft’s current-gen consoles.” This claim, however, has not been corroborated by any other source or press outlet.
All discussions regarding specific technological features of this “next-generation” hardware should be treated with skepticism, especially as Nintendo has not announced anything officially. If certain features were shown, as VGC’s sources claim, at this private presentation, that should not be seen as an indication of features planned for Nintendo’s next console, whatever that console may be. Back in 2021, for example, early reports about the then-unannounced Nintendo Switch – OLED Model described technological features that were not represented in the released system.
All discussions in these reports regarding the targeted release date for Nintendo’s new console and the nature of this console as a successor to the Switch are presented as speculation and should be read as such. The claims made by these outlets’ sources do not indicate a release date or the official name of this supposed console.
What do you think of these reports? What would want to see from a new Nintendo console, if they are indeed working on one? Share your thoughts below.
Rod Lloyd is the Editor-In-Chief at Zelda Dungeon, overseeing the news and feature content for the site. Rod is considered the veteran of the writing team, having started writing for Zelda Informer in 2014 as a Junior Editor. After ZD and ZI officially merged in 2017, he stepped into the Managing Editor role and has helped steer the ship ever since. He stepped up to lead the writing team as Editor-In-Chief in 2023.
You can reach Rod at: rod.lloyd@zeldadungeon.net
