Nintendo’s Switch Pro never arrived in 2020 despite a flurry of rumors. Still, that didn’t dampen analysts’ expectations that a new Nintendo console was on the way.

2020 was a banner year for Nintendo. The Switch dominated sales throughout the year, sending the company’s stock price up 60 percent by year’s end. But Nintendo’s superstar console is approaching its fourth birthday and is starting to show its age.

“At this point in the Switch’s lifecycle, almost 4 years after launch, we are reaching peak sales and it’s a good time to consider releasing an enhanced version to keep the momentum going,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, Head of Game Research at Ampere Analysis, in a Twitter DM with Lifewire.

Kantan Games CEO Dr. Serkan Toto agreed, saying via LinkedIn: "I think now, four years after the launch of the original model, it's indeed time for a refresh." He added: "According to the Nintendo president himself, the Switch is now in the middle of its life cycle, so a new model coming out soon would make sense from that perspective."