Every few months, a report emerges that Apple is working on a Nintendo Switch competitor, aiming to take a foothold in the world of handheld gaming hardware.
The idea of a Nintendo Switch rival from Apple really gets the gaming tongues wagging, understandably. Apple's enormous resources, long-standing reputation for style, and recent developments in system hardware such as the Apple M1 chip and Neural Engine could deliver an amazing Switch alternative.
On paper, it's mouthwatering.
In reality, Apple's handheld console is pure rumor and conjecture. So, is Apple about to release a Nintendo Switch competitor?
Is Apple Launching a Nintendo Switch Competitor?
Let's take a look at what we do know about a potential Apple handheld gaming console.
Rumors of an Apple-built Nintendo Switch-style console first started circulating back in May 2021. A South Korean forum thread claimed that Apple is developing a hybrid gaming console that would work similarly to a Nintendo Switch, that is allowing the user to alternate between handheld mode, docking, and otherwise.
The rumor also claimed that Apple's handheld would not use the existing A-series or more powerful M-series chips but would be built using an entirely new architecture, presumably to deliver more power for resource-hungry games. On that, Apple was also allegedly negotiating "with Ubisoft among famous developers." If true, that could see top-tier games like Far Cry, Assassins Creed, and Watch Dogs all jump to an Apple handheld console.
3 Reasons Apple's Nintendo Switch Competitor Might Happen
So, right now, these are rumors. Apple has never mentioned a handheld gaming console. Furthermore, those readers of a certain vintage may remember Apple's last venture into gaming consoles, the Apple-Bandai Pippin, which was a massive flop.
However, the Pippin launched 25 years ago up against the original PlayStation, the Nintendo 64, and the ill-fated Sega Saturn. Going up against those legendary consoles was difficult back then, but this time out, Apple has a few more tricks up its sleeve, and there are a few reasons why an Apple handheld gaming console isn't as outlandish as you might think.
1. Apple's M1 Chip Is Really Good—But It's M1X Chip Will Be Even Better
Apple's M1 chip has already substantially changed gaming on a Mac. The increased power and much greater efficiency from Apple's SoC mean gaming through Parallels or CrossOver is better than ever before, with Mac gamers finally enjoying frame rates and an overall experience similar to Windows hardware.
Although nothing is confirmed at the time of writing, rumors strongly point to a new M1X chip launching with up to 10 processor cores and potentially 16 or 32 GPU cores. Whatever the case, the M1X will improve on the already impressive M1 chip, which in turn, could lead the way for Apple to develop a dedicated Nintendo Switch alternative.
2. Better Hardware Will Lure Big Developers to Apple
One of the other things that puts a question mark over the rumors of an Apple handheld gaming console is the lack of developer support. Even with the M1 chip, big-name developers like Ubisoft or Bethesda aren't rushing to develop games for the architecture. The market just isn't there currently.
With better hardware and the prospect of a proper gaming platform, the AAA developers may reconsider their current stance and begin updating existing AAA titles with Apple silicon compatibility.
Furthermore, there's a lot of speculation that Apple is working on a game controller in-house, rather than the third-party efforts seen in previous years or the fairly useless for gaming Siri Remote option (or even the Magic Mouse). A proper game controller would signal to developers that Apple is serious about gaming, encouraging more to develop on Apple hardware.
3. Apple Is Apparently Working on Big Games & Apple Arcade Receives Big Investment
Now, this positive note is also based upon a rumor, but it could be another good omen for Apple's Nintendo Switch competitor. In October 2020, well-known leaker Fudge announced that Apple was pouring "big money" into Apple Arcade and that the company was working on titles to rival the likes of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (one of the Switch's biggest hits).
Does Apple Need to Release a Nintendo Switch Competitor?
The idea of Apple entering the handheld gaming market is enticing, no doubt. With the exceptional hardware the company manufacturers and develops, half of the battle is done, right? I mean, an Apple handheld console would likely be streets ahead of the Nintendo Switch in terms of hardware.
But, another consideration is whether Apple really needs to develop and launch a handheld gaming console at all. Apple's relationship with gaming isn't brilliant, to say the least, with usually only cursory thought to what gamers might want and need. For example, while the App Store is packed with great games, that's not because Apple designed it that way or particularly fostered a gaming-first platform. They just happened to be first to the street with the best product, and the rest followed.
Furthermore, while Apple could undoubtedly pull in big developers, it doesn't have a natural base to work from, owning no gaming IPs to launch with proper. When a Nintendo product launches, you know you'll see Mario, Pokémon, Zelda, Wario, Animal Crossing, Super Smash Bros., and so on. There's a lot of leg-work to be done to get an Apple handheld on a similar standing to the Switch, even if the hardware is top-notch.
When Will Apple's Nintendo Switch Launch and How Much Will It Cost?
The final consideration for Apple's hypothetical handheld is the cost. Could Apple keep costs low enough to compete with the Nintendo Switch, or would it end up actually competing with the much-vaunted Steam Deck, due to launch in late 2021.
If it ends up competing with the Steam Deck, Steam's vastly superior offering of games would be an undoubted issue for Apple. However, you'd expect the Apple handheld to ship with a better screen than the Steam Deck's 720p offering and likely better hardware under the hood, too.
The Steam Deck will launch at three price points ($399, $529, and $649). If Apple's Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck competitor launched within that price range with decent game support and the previously mentioned hardware, there's little doubt it would be an instant hit.
