New Nintendo Switch hardware and controller options have just been announced. Nintendo of Japan confirmed that a new standard model with a longer battery life will be released in August 2019. In addition, Nintendo of America tweeted out two new Joy-Con color schemes. These will be available on October 4, 2019.
The new Nintendo Switch models will be identical in price to the current ones. However, the battery life is substantially longer. On the page comparing the battery life, it shows what the current duration is for all models. Existing Nintendo Switch models last between 2.5 and 6.5 hours, depending on the game. It notes The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be played for about three hours. The Nintendo Switch Lite has a supposed 4-7 hour life, with Breath of the Wild being able to be played for around four hours. The new Nintendo Switch model’s battery will last between 4.5 and 9 hours, with Breath of the Wild being able to be played for about five and a half hours on it.
The new Nintendo Switch models will have different box art, to help people pick them out. Also, the Dragon Quest XI S Nintendo Switch limited edition system in Japan will be this new model.
As for the new Joy-Cons announced for North America, there are two sets. One is called Blue and Neon Yellow. This has a yellow right Joy-Con that appears to be the same color as the one that launched alongside ARMS and a blue left Joy-Con. The other set is Neon Purple and Neon Orange. It has a purple left Joy-Con and orange right one. Each set will be $79.99, as usual.
The Nintendo Switch is available worldwide. The new Nintendo Switch model has not yet been given a worldwide release window, but will appear in Japan in August 2019.
