We know everyone is desperate for news on Nintendo's next hardware, but an audio company that's creating the AI-enhanced successor to GameShark (yes, really) company claiming to be releasing a product alongside the Switch 2's launch was not on our bingo cards this morning.
As noted in a press release sent out earlier today, and spotted by DigitalTrends, audio electronics company Altec Lansing boldly claimed that it would be officially launching Ai Shark, which is purported to be an AI-based version of those old cheat cartridges we all had back in the day, alongside the Nintendo Switch 2's launch in September 2024. The product was announced at CES 2024.
Nintendo hasn't even announced a name for the Switch's successor — not even a code name — so the fact that Altec Lansing states both this name and the release date is more than a little surprising. Here's the section of the press release that got everyone talking:
"The innovative gaming software is set to mark a significant leap forward in the gaming experience, bringing enhanced gameplay for beginner-level users. The official launch is planned to coincide with the Nintendo Switch 2 in September 2024."
Of course, this sent the internet into a furore. Did Altec Lansing just leak the Switch 2's release date? Is the Switch 2 the official name? Multiple outlets, including DigitalTrends and IGN, reached out to Nintendo and Altec for clarity. And industry reporters such as Imran Khan and Jason Schreier state that these are just guesses — with an Ai Shark spokesperson reaching out to Schreier to say just that.
DigitalTrends' Giovanni Colantonio received two responses from the company behind Ai Shark following the publication of the piece. The first response stated that "Nintendo has not set an official date, but that it will launch Fall 2024." Which.. while not an extremely bold prediction, still isn't anything official. Plus the spokesperson stood firm on the new console's name, release plan, or existence.
However, just 30 minutes later, Colantonio received a further response — supposedly from AI Shark founder Todd Hays — saying that Nintendo "has not officially clarified launch", this time walking back the Fall 2024 window. So... it really is just a guess, then.
As we mentioned above, it's understandable that people are desperate for Switch 2 news, but announcing your AI version of GameShark while dropping a Switch 2 "bombshell" probably isn't the way to do it.
As a guess, it's probably not a million miles away from the truth. We're all hoping 2024 is the year of a new Nintendo console, but no one knows, and everyone wants a slice of the pie. So why not throw out a believable window then?
Anyway, as Imran Khan says in his tweet, "There is like zero chance a non-licensed company has any official insight into Nintendo’s launch plans". So this is just a whole lot of nothing.
What makes this even more interesting is that this is the second AI-focused story to come out of CES 2024. A few days ago, an AI hologram of Mario was making the rounds online after horrifying guests at the showcase. And earlier today, Proto Inc. reached out to us to clarify that "The AI hologram animation briefly seen today is an unfinished proof of concept" and that Nintendo wasn't involved.
We're sure Nintendo are big fans of AI after this Mario slip-up and the Switch 2 stuff... (Don't worry, we're being sarcastic here).
Are you surprised to see GameShark make a return in an AI format? Do you think September 2024 is a good guess for the Switch 2's launch? Let us know in the comments.
[source prweb.com, via digitaltrends.com, twitter.com]
Comments 52
So many switch 2 rumors and it's only January. It might not even release this year (although at this point it really should)
@NintendoLife:
@Nintendo Life:
PLEASE!
Please NO Super/Switch Pro/2 (whatever the heck it non-Nintendo people are calling it) "News/Leaks" UNTIL Nintendo actually reveals something about it!
Seeing all these useless article pop up in the headlines everyday is annoying!
Aiaiaiaiaiai, mamma mia…..
Saw this earlier on myself and, while it ended up being nothing more than a red herring, the fact that GAMESHARK of all companies did this is especially funny given their history with Nintendo XD
@Eagly_lmtd_xmasskin
It’s not that hard to guess around September 2024.
Probably a full announcement in March with games on release day.
Then 6 months of stuff until release in September 2024.
Hopefully pre-orders will be made available straight after the March reveal, so we don’t have to keep checking and don’t miss out.
It will be exhausting. My hope is for the February Direct to give us some real hard hints.
Along with gamers in the UK that want a Switch 2 the scalpers will be out.
So it wouldn’t surprise if pre-orders run out within a few hours of being available.
Especially if the software is there for release like a new Mario 3d open world platform game.
different leak each day until nintendo says anything i will not believe any leaks on switch 2..
Anyone else concerned that they're planning a launch that coincides with a product and date they now claim to have no knowledge of? So does that mean AI Shark is not launching in Sep 2024?
gameshark clearly was trying to get interest on their new device so they threw out switch 2 in the same sentence..
I also feel for "everyone desperate for news on Nintendo's next hardware" - it must be tough having already ploughed through the hundreds of available Switch games and dealing with the abstinence syndrome.😧
«We know everyone is desperate for news on Nintendo's next hardware...»
Nope. I'm not.
@Spider-Kev I don't know, I find these news about "Switch 2" kind of interesting, even if most of them are nonsense. Still, it's exciting to speculate.
I miss GameShark and Game Genie….. hope Ai Shark does what they were able to do! Curious as to why that all stopped anyways….. I know the originals intercepted data from the cart and modified it before reaching the cpu allowing you to cheat…. Harder to do with disc based and digital systems sure, but still possible I’d think? Still shoulda been possible on DS/3DS, but I don’t think a true Game Shark existed for those systems as it did for SNES/N64/GBA….
@Spider-Kev Indeed. So tired of the endless parade of shameless grifters and click farmers given a platform by traffic hungry websites like this one.
If anything, this story is even worse since the source admits it's guesswork, and it 'still' somehow qualifies as deserving of an article.
Some sites like Nintendo Everything usually have a higher standard, only posting "rumours" when there's some hard evidence behind them, but even they are joining the race to the bottom in the hopes of getting more eyes on their content.
This is gonna be a long year full of click bait.
In happy news rocket knight adventures resparked is heading to switch.
https://nintendoeverything.com/rocket-knight-adventures-re-sparked-announced-for-switch/
A Switch 2 rumor a day keeps the doctor away.
What a reputable and well-managed company they have going on there, putting out press releases with made up stuff on there.
They didn't announce it, they screwed up. This one is true, or at least they thought it was. Like when someone from EA? Activision? screwed up by saying they had transferred all of their switch development onto the new switch and basically gave it a this year release date. This is a solid piece of info to report, not just a rumor.
I think they spilled the beans at first, all that follow was damage control (or a pathetic attempt)
Here’s the genius marketing formula:
“Hey, I’m selling donuts and I will be at the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal party which is around November 2024.”
-Crazy person with donuts at catering event reveals Switch release date-
There… free advertising and everyone will be talking about my company’s donuts in social media.
Profit
And everyone can do it!
@Dm9982 Action Replay did it perfectly with disc based systems… so nothing to worry about.
I do wonder too why they stopped existing
God I'm so tired of these "leaks"
I haven’t been researching for very long but the only official information we have is that the console will release in 2026. People said that is unlikely but it’s really the only thing we have to go on. Maybe Nintendo meant 2025?
@Yoshif3 I thought I remembered AR for GameCube, but couldn’t remember if it functioned like GG/GS or was just a save editor/edited saves.
Wasn’t really a fan of edited saves, I like to gather the various stuff in games (however it does help when you’ve lost a save file, or you want to skip a Borderlands char to UVHM lol) but I always did love being able to activate God Mode or Inf Ammo for shenanigans post game, or super jumps.
I just want Nintendo to reveal the console already, I'm so tired of seeing these switch successor rumor articles, feels like it's been going on for ages...it will come when it comes people. Play some games in the meantime
Keep the speculation and guessing coming. It's not hurting anyone.
@Spider-Kev Maybe you should stop visiting Nintendo Life and just stick to press.nintendo.com. Many of us enjoy all the rumors and speculation surrounding the release of a new Nintendo system. You gotta grow up buddy.
The main story aside, the idea of an "AI" GameShark successor feels like such a grift, considering the GameShark and its contemporaries have been obsolete for a good while now.
Checking out the press release and supposed official site, it looks like they're just selling basic accessories (mouse, keyboard, controller, headset, and streaming device) while posturing on how their AI tech will help you become a better gamer.
The gimmick doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world, but it feels like such a blatant appeal to court investors, while also selling the idea that "You too can become just like your favorite athletes if you just consume these foods they TOTALLY eat on a regular basis!"
I am still waiting for Koss to come out with that nanotech Game Genie they were hyping.
Yeah, September seems like reasonable punt.
Of course, it's Nintendo and there is a non-0% chance they stealth-drop the thing in May.
Initially I'm thinking March 2025 since the Switch also launched in March, but I have a feeling it may launch this year along side Metroid Prime 4 and a new Pokémon game.
My guesses are at the end of the February Nintendo Direct they will announce another Direct for March showcasing what's next console wise.
Good luck with AI Shark, Nintendo will probably not let that one swim through though. Likely the Switch 2 will be patch several weeks after that thing launch so to prevent cheaters from cracking their games.
In all seriousness, you should probably add the feature to hide new articles of a certain tag like “Rumours” for people who don’t wanna see them
@DTFaux
It’s absolutely a grift, they’re riding on the AI bandwagon and name dropped Switch 2 and a made up release date to generate attention and gullible investors..
It'd be cool if everyone just collectively started ignoring these obvious attempts to generate ad revenue & clout. Let these predictions die on the vine and we won't spend 2024 inundated with them.
it was a publicity stunt to get noticed..
They don't own the IP for GameShark as well. Sounds like alot of wishful thinking or for ClickBaiting reporting.
I still use my Altec Lansing computer speakers every day which I bought in the 90's. They make good stuff. Although perhaps they shouldn't let AI write their tweets.
First Mark, now Switch 2… AI knows what it’s talking about, for sure. /sarc
Reading this article (that's very poorly written, by the way), made me laugh, because, all the game media swallow this "announcement" like official news, when it was clearly, a BS announcement. And, the calling out the company that made this claim, for using Nintendo's unannounced next gen console as marketing bait, is totally hypocritical from your part, because, every media outlet, including yours, and YouTubers and the sort, always use that as clickbait, when the console doesn't even have a codename yet, like you gently wrote on the article. The donkey talking about ears.
This is the fundamental problem with AI. It doesn’t predict things, it algorithmically synthesizes a prediction by studying other peoples predictions.
This article will feed that algorithm
@Yoshif3
They stopped existing because cosmetic stuff is now purchasable instead of unlockable!
"AI enhanced GameShark"
You guys know you could just put in codes you found off the internet, right? You don't need expensive tech to do that LOL. In reality it's just a meaningless buzzword. Like how everyone was obsessed with "the blockchain."
"audio electronics company Altec Lansing bolding claimed that". That doesn't make sense.
@Spider-Kev You're suggesting that a Nintendo-focused site doesn't report on Switch 2 news and rumours until it's officially announced...?
I get that a constant barrage of whispers is tiring — we feel it and, believe me, every week there are dozens we don't touch! — but this story's wide reporting coupled with its sus-ness (which we wanted to highlight) made this one worth covering. The article is labelled 'Random' and sets up the dubious nature of the claim in the headline itself — we're not shouting SWITCH 2 RELEASE DATE LEAK!!! and then keeping the "Well, actually..." for the click.
We'll continue doing our very best to avoid the pap, but we'll also continue covering 'Switch 2' news and rumours that arise before any official announcement. We're Nintendo Life!
@mctony Zapped, thanks.
News? Fine, report on it. Nothing wrong with that at all.
Rumors and random articles just to fill your website just because...? No, it's ridiculous. Especially when the month just started and there's already been like 10 articles. It's overkill for something that doesn't exist yet. And it will not exist until Nintendo actually announces it themselves.
I still can't believe how long it has actually been since the Switch launched. I have such a backlog that I don't think I'll ever be ready for Switch 2.
@Eagly_lmtd_xmasskin No Game No Life fans have been experiencing "real season 2 leaks" for years, you'll get used to it
People at Nintendo are just sitting on their chairs, sipping that sakè. Looking at the comments and the free mouth to mouth commercial for their new device.
The chairman is like, i am a genius and everyone will know about this. So we dont have to explain the device anymore.
Next direct we get 5 seconds of the switch 2. And the rumors will go crazy again lol.
Nintendo doesn’t license cheat devices so do you really think a cheat device would be available for Switch 2 at launch
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