A 4K dongle promising to upgrade Nintendo Switch resolution with no lag is coming to Kickstarter. Resolution issues with the Switch console have remained a problem since its original release, creating frustration for those playing the system docked. While there could be potential 4K capabilities coming for the OLED Switch in the future, the opportunity to upgrade resolution with other hardware could be a good solution for gamers using older consoles.
Despite the Nintendo Switch's popularity, having outsold PS1 and Wii in lifetime sales, the Switch has yet to offer support for 4K resolution, with a current maximum resolution of 1080p when docked. 4K has become commonplace with modern TVs, and consoles have offered support for the higher resolution since the days of the Xbox One S and PS4 Pro, making the Nintendo Switch's omission more noticeable. However, because the Nintendo Switch is also a handheld device, 4K inclusion could compromise battery life or other features, something seen with the recently released Steam Deck's battery life.
The 4K Gamer Pro, which comes to Kickstarter in April, promises to offer Nintendo Switch users 4K resolution, (via NintendoLife). The dongle will plug into the Nintendo Switch's dock for easy use, which could be a plus for users wanting a small footprint for extra hardware attached to the Switch dock. Created by PhotoFast, the developer states that the 4K Gamer Pro offers "a 20% increase in sharpness, coloring, and depth of field" compared to a previous model, and claims that "months of researching and testing" have enabled it to drastically improve on the 2021 4K Gamer+.
Although the latest version of the Nintendo Switch came with an enhanced OLED screen, increased internal storage, and an improved kickstand, it wasn't the Switch Pro that many were hoping for. However, Nintendo Switch Pro rumors have resurfaced recently after patents for new console controllers were potentially discovered. A new Pro console could address many issues outside of low resolution, including Joy-Con drift, which has consistently required some users to purchase or replace the Joy-Con controllers due to analog stick failure.
Until Nintendo announces 4K support for the Switch OLED or releases a Nintendo Switch Pro, the 4K Gamer Pro may be a good way to upscale the graphics on current consoles without lag. The Kickstarter has yet to go live, but more information on how to back the project will likely become available in the coming weeks or months. Despite the resolution struggles, the Nintendo Switch console remains a fun and versatile way to enjoy gaming, and hopefully, further hardware will keep improving user experiences.
Source: 4K Gamer Pro (via Nintendo Life,)
