A new Nintendo Switch prototype has leaked online, which Nintendo fans can see on the console early. On Twitter, Nintendo enthusiast Forest of Illusion recently revealed that they had secured an early Nintendo Switch system from a Hong Kong vendor dating back to April 2016, almost a year before the Nintendo Switch was released and not long after production. And as Forest of Illusion points out, this is the earliest Nintendo Switch model ever found.
As you can see in the photos below, there is not much difference between the final product and this prototype, although it does contain different volume knobs and different screws.
“We have secured a development Nintendo Switch system (EDEV) from a vendor in Hong Kong,” reads the Twitter report revealing the discovery. “The unit is around April 2016, which is the earliest switch found so far. It preceded the retail release by almost a full year. The data (factory test files) could not be released because it is too recent, “but all the files were safely backed up and the system was sent to someone for safekeeping. Some other comments are the various screws, volume knobs, and it’s called DPRD.”
The data (factory test files) could not be released as it is too recent, but all the files were securely backed up and the system was sent to someone for safekeeping. Some other remarks are the different screws, volume knobs, and this is called DPRD. pic.twitter.com/SqdB75npbu
– Forest of Illusion (@forestillusion) 15 February 2021
At the time of publication it is unclear how much the prototype costs and it is unclear whether games can be played on it. That said, at the moment, Nintendo has not recognized the machine in any capacity, and at this point it probably will not be.
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