New Nintendo Switch model announced

A new version of the base Nintendo Switch is coming later this year. This new model will start launching in Japan in late August 2019.

This new model isn’t a radical overhaul or a brand new version of Nintendo’s hit console. In fact, the main – and possibly only – selling point of the new model is that the battery life has been extended.

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However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth buying. The new battery life is quite impressive, lasting approximately between 4.5 and 9 hours of portable play time, based on what game you’re playing and how you’re using it.

In comparison, the current Nintendo Switch has only 2.5 to 6.5 hours of battery life. The new Nintendo Switch Lite sports around 3 to 7 hours, but sacrifices many of the features of the standard console, such as the ability to connect to a television, in favour of a more portable experience.

A Nintendo UK spokesperson told Eurogamer that this new model of the Switch should hit UK shelves this September, so you hopefully won’t have to wait too long to nab one for yourself.

The spokesperson said the following to Eurogamer:

“Consumers should start seeing the new packaging on store shelves starting from early September, but that will vary by individual stores and locations.”

You can check out the Japanese Nintendo page that lists the new versions of the Switch by following the link here.

That’s not all that Nintendo’s announced, however. There’s also two new colourful pairs of Joy-Cons being released later this year.