KEY POINTS

  • Nintendo has not yet confirmed that it is working on a new gaming console
  • Nintendo has an E3 2021 Direct show on June 15
  • Fans think that a GameStop listing may have leaked the Nintendo Switch Pro

Many fans think the existence of the heavily rumored Nintendo Switch Pro has been confirmed by a new listing made by a popular American video game retailer.

Nintendo is scheduled to hold its E3 2021 on Tuesday and just days before that GameStop leaked a material that may have confirmed the official name and existence of an upgraded Nintendo Switch model. On Sunday, the American video game retailer announced a new trade-in promotion, which runs from June 13 until June 19. The promotion lists the consoles owners can trade and the corresponding credit they would receive for trading-in.

The GameStop promotion reads, "$50 Extra Credit when you trade select systems toward purchase of a New Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite or Xbox Series X/S." It also says, "Offer valid on systems traded toward purchase of New Nintendo Switch/Nintendo Switch Lite or Xbox Series X/S." While a lot of names have been given to the rumored upgraded version of the Switch, this is the first time that it is called New Nintendo Switch.

In the past, Nintendo's new console sales have tended to peak in the third year after release, and then taper off
In the past, Nintendo's new console sales have tended to peak in the third year after release, and then taper off AFP / Philip FONG

And it looks like GameStop is the first to spill the official name of the rumored hybrid console, if it is indeed referring to the rumored Switch Pro. Interestingly, the timing of the promotion with Nintendo hosting its E3 2021 Direct also adds more weight to the rumor that it might have been strategically scheduled for the rumored console's launch at the company's upcoming showcase. However, Forbes pointed out that the promotion started June 13, and the Japanese gaming giant has not yet announced or revealed the New Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch Pro.

The site believes that for the rumor linking the new console to the promotion to make sense, Nintendo should have already revealed the New Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch Pro before or at the start of GameStop's promotion. For months, fans have been hearing reports that the Japanese gaming giant is working on an upgraded version of the Switch. Apparently, the said console would feature a 4K OLED screen.

Despite the rumors and leaks surrounding the Switch Pro, Nintendo has not yet confirmed that an upgraded version of its 2017's hybrid console is in the works.

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