New Nintendo president Furukawa: “considering various possibilities” for 3DS successor

LewieP · Jun 30, 2018

Clefargle said:
That doesn't "switch" at all

Why call it that?

You can still switch the same game between the TV and on the go, if you get a handheld version and a hybrid version (or a hypothetical home console only version). It's rather telling that Nintendo are doing cloud saves as part of their subscription service imo, since it's most useful in scenarios where you are switching save data between different devices.

I think some vague confusion around branding for an already successful and established platform is far less of a concern than literally millions of customers that are holding back from buying a Switch right now, as evidenced by the 3DS's healthy hardware sales even today.

I'd also say that getting people used to the idea of a "Switch Go" or whatever that was a portable only Switch machine is easier than selling a device not called Switch that plays Switch games.

It's just a brand, it can mean whatever the brand needs.

TheMisterManGuy said:
I'd argue a dock-less Switch would do a better job achieving the results Nintendo wants. Removing the dock, grip, and HDMI cable (maybe charger). would save a lot, and get the Switch to a comfortable $199 price point. Nintendo's already toying around with this in Japan.

It wouldn't save anywhere near as much as a full redesign focused entirely on cutting costs.

Clefargle · Jun 30, 2018

Araujo said:
When you boot up the 2DS the screen flashes 'Nintendo 3DS" Nintendo don't give a damn.

If you get a bit creative with it, you can keep the Tilt, lose the rumble to save on battery, and by integrating the joycons in the shell of the console, you can shrink it wihtout much reduction of the screen size, just keeping a tighter shell. But just imagine a Switch that is overall 20% smaller, no Video output, no docking, no detachable joycons running for 100$ less.

That... sells.

The 2DS is still a "DS". It still has the core feature in the name. The Dual Screens.

The Switch's core feature is "switching"

LewieP said:
You can still switch the same game between the TV and on the go, if you get a handheld version and a hybrid version (or a hypothetical home console only version). It's rather telling that Nintendo are doing cloud saves as part of their subscription service imo, since it's most useful in scenarios where you are switching save data between different devices.

I think some vague confusion around branding for an already successful and established platform is far less of a concern than literally millions of customers that are holding back from buying a Switch right now, as evidenced by the 3DS's healthy hardware sales even today.

I'd also say that getting people used to the idea of a "Switch Go" or whatever that was a portable only Switch machine is easier than selling a device not called Switch that plays Switch games.

It's just a brand, it can mean whatever the brand needs.

How would you connect to the TV without a dock?

FiXalaS · Jun 30, 2018

Honestly I think if they released a new 3DS it will probably be large sized or same size as XL. and Weaker.

~Fake said:
WTF is this post? NS don't even get here in Brazil.

I don't understand

ArkhamFantasy · Jun 30, 2018

Clefargle said:
That doesn't "switch" at all

Why call it that?

Marketing does not discourage clever and common sense hardware designs that would undoubtedly be attract to millions of people, they aren't going to go to video game jail over this. As people have mentioned a dozen times in this thread, they made a 3DS with no 3D in it, nobody cared. If someone wants a normal switch they can buy one. Alot of people will never use the switch docked and would rather save the $50-$100 that a portable only switch would cost. Same with a console only switch.

TheAvatar · Jun 30, 2018

"various options" is a complete nothing answer

Clefargle · Jun 30, 2018

ArkhamFantasy said:
Marketing does not discourage clever and common sense hardware designs that would undoubtedly be attract to millions of people, they aren't going to go to video game jail over this. As people have mentioned a dozen times in this thread, they made a 3DS with no 3D in it, nobody cared. If someone wants a normal switch they can buy one. Alot of people will never use the switch docked and would rather save the $50-$100 that a portable only switch would cost. Same with a console only switch.

The 2DS was still a Dual Screen system. That's the core branding there. No one is arguing that Nintendo would go to "video game jail" or other silly nonsense. Some people think they are wise enough not to use confusing branding, split their user base again. They finally get a unified development pipeline and people think they're gonna shoot themselves in the foot again to make something that can fit in your pocket?

TheMisterManGuy · Jun 30, 2018

LewieP said:
It wouldn't save anywhere near as much as a full redesign focused entirely on cutting costs.

But it would save just enough to get it to impulse purchase status. Nintendo still wants the Switch to have a somewhat premium price, even with a dock-less or mini bundle. And Nintendo's not going to undermine software compatibility or the appeal of the Switch by taking away the Joy-Con. It'd make stuff like Labo and Super Mario Party unplayable, and it'd place arbitrary restrictions on developers who want to use the Joy-Con.

fiendcode · Jun 30, 2018

Araujo said:
If you get a bit creative with it, you can keep the Tilt, lose the rumble to save on battery, and by integrating the joycons in the shell of the console, you can shrink it wihtout much reduction of the screen size, just keeping a tighter shell. But just imagine a Switch that is overall 20% smaller, no Video output, no docking, no detachable joycons running for 100$ less.

That... sells.

Honestly I think they could get away with a smaller screen to reduce footprint too. Mariko might mean passive cooling is viable too, they really might be able to deliver a good more pocketable Switch design sooner than some expect.

texhnolyze · Jun 30, 2018

Oops. Wrong thread.

~Fake · Jun 30, 2018

FiXalaS said:
I don't understand

You don't understand either. NS its not 3DS sucessor... You seem insecure about your platform. Full mobile still play a good role in travel. If they put a proper BC on both consoles I don't see the problem.

Conkerkid11 · Jun 30, 2018

They already have one.

I don't get it.

~Fake said:
You don't understand either. NS its not 3DS sucessor... You seem insecure about your platform. Full mobile still play a good role in travel.

Just because you can dock the Switch, it's not "full mobile"?

Also, I dunno if your guys' posts go any deeper, but I literally think that poster doesn't understand what your post was saying about Brazil. I don't either.

~Fake · Jun 30, 2018

Conkerkid11 said:
They already have one.

I don't get it.

Just because you can dock the Switch, it's not "full mobile"?

When I say 'full mobile' I mean while charging they don't get any benefic unlike NS docked mode. 3DS/DS/GameboyAdv don't get any boost because they're full mobile. Most of smartphones act in the same way.

Conkerkid11 · Jun 30, 2018

~Fake said:
When I say 'full mobile' I mean while charging they don't get any benefic unlike NS docked mode. 3DS/DS/GameboyAdv don't get any boost because they're full mobile. Most of smartphones act in the same way.

How is that a bad thing?

Arthoneceron · Jun 30, 2018

The next DS installment and the Switch can't live together. One will cannibilize the sales potential from the other.

~Fake · Jun 30, 2018

Conkerkid11 said:
How is that a bad thing?

Bad thing is acting like create a 3DS successor its a 'bad thing'.

Thatonedice1 · Jun 30, 2018

If they make a successor to the 3DS I won't buy it out of pure spite. I give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt with alot of stuff but I can't get behind.

fiendcode · Jun 30, 2018

LewieP said:
It wouldn't save anywhere near as much as a full redesign focused entirely on cutting costs.

They can do both honestly. Passive cooling for example is something that could immediately benefit both a Switch internal revision as well as a handheld only redesign.

Big_Erk · Jun 30, 2018

Taka said:
I imagine that possibility would be something like a Switch Lite.

No detachable Joy-Cons, no HD rumble, no dock. Lower price, runs every Switch game. Hits the target market they're looking for, without splitting development resources.

Kind of like how the 2DS cut down on key features of the 3DS to lower the price and appeal to kids.

Do this and also have it still be compatible with all Switch accessories. Joycon would not be able to slot into the system but would still be supported as a controller option. The dock, even though not included with the lite system would still accept it and send the signal to a TV (of course you would have to invest in extra controllers and a dock for this). Bring this in under $200 and you have a winner.

Conkerkid11 · Jun 30, 2018

~Fake said:
Bad thing is acting like create a 3DS successor its a 'bad thing'.

You suggested that the Switch allowing games to perform and look better visually while the system is docked was a negative, and a reason for another 3DS successor to exist, because a 3DS successor wouldn't have that feature. That doesn't make sense to me. And you're ignoring what you said, and are going on a tangent that has already been responded to numerous times throughout this thread.

Creating a 3DS successor creates another platform Nintendo has to make games for, and that third party devs have to make games for. Which device do the devs choose? The console/handheld hybrid that has better specs, or the 3DS successor that is only a handheld and has worse specs? Does the 3DS successor just end up with a bunch of low resolution, low framerate downgrades of Switch games? What's the appeal of that?

The opinion people currently have about Nintendo continuing support for the 3DS makes sense. It has a massive install-base. A 3DS successor wouldn't. They would need to build up to that once again, and why do that when they're already doing that with the Switch?

chrisPjelly · Jun 30, 2018

~Fake said:
When I say 'full mobile' I mean while charging they don't get any benefic unlike NS docked mode. 3DS/DS/GameboyAdv don't get any boost because they're full mobile. Most of smartphones act in the same way.

They can always create a smaller portable only Switch and just call that their "proper" 3DS successor. People here just don't want Nintendo to split their game library between two systems again. And they kinda need to create a steady stream of 1st party titles since they aren't exactly flowing with much 3rd party support.

ArchedThunder · Jun 30, 2018

Clefargle said:
The 2DS was still a Dual Screen system. That's the core branding there. No one is arguing that Nintendo would go to "video game jail" or other silly nonsense. Some people think they are wise enough not to use confusing branding, split their user base again. They finally get a unified development pipeline and people think they're gonna shoot themselves in the foot again to make something that can fit in your pocket?

The difference is that the "switching" isn't integral to the games, it's just an option, just like 3D in the 3DS.
Also a portable only Switch wouldn't hurt their development pipeline or split users up, it'd still be a Switch.

~Fake said:
You don't understand either. NS its not 3DS sucessor... You seem insecure about your platform. Full mobile still play a good role in travel. If they put a proper BC on both consoles I don't see the problem.

If the Switch wasn't the successor to the 3DS it wouldn't be getting Pokemon.

Deleted member 5535 · Jun 30, 2018

Jonneh said:
Sounds like they're only referring to a system to take the "ease of purchase" spot of 3DS, not an actual 3DS successor. This could just be a cheaper Switch.

Yeah, I agree. Seems the same to me, not exactly a 3DS successor but something similar which could be a cheaper switch, for example.

~Fake · Jun 30, 2018

chrisPjelly said:
They can always create a smaller portable only Switch and just call that their "proper" 3DS successor. People here just don't want Nintendo to split their game library between two systems again. And they kinda need to create a steady stream of 1st party titles since they aren't exactly flowing with much 3rd party support.

Nintendo never called NS a 3DS successor (if I remmember) so thats 'why' I don't see any problem making a 3DS a bad deal. I understand that dev 'split', but this already happen with NS (CoD, BF, etc) when others games don't came to NS. Nintendo need to pursuit what they can make profit. 3DS still selling games so thats a good sign at this point.

ArchedThunder said:
The difference is that the "switching" isn't integral to the games, it's just an option, just like 3D in the 3DS.
Also a portable only Switch wouldn't hurt their development pipeline or split users up, it'd still be a Switch.

If the Switch wasn't the successor to the 3DS it wouldn't be getting Pokemon.

wat? Thats its your answer for being a successor? Get a pokemon game? If Wii U had caught a pokemon game?

billysea · Jun 30, 2018

Reminds me of what they said about the Game Boy brand around the time the DS got popular.

DS brand is over with great accomplishment. It's time to retire.

Conkerkid11 · Jun 30, 2018

~Fake said:
Nintendo never called NS a 3DS successor (if I remmember) so thats 'why' I don't see any problem making a 3DS a bad deal. I understand that dev 'split', but this already happen with NS (CoD, BF, etc) when others games don't came to NS. Nintendo need to pursuit what they can make profit. 3DS still selling games so thats a good sign at this point.

Which is something that was only happening because those were games that were in development for the 3DS before the devs probably even knew about the Switch.

Now the Switch is getting Pokemon and Fire Emblem. What exclusives are left for the 3DS? They're clearly retiring it. If they're doing a 3DS successor, like others have said, it'll just be a different version of the Switch with the same exact library, which means the Switch is already the 3DS successor, as another version of it is still a Switch.

Oswen · Jun 30, 2018

Nintendo needs a cheap (under 200 $/€) entry device for children and casual gamers, they know that and that's why the 3DS is still alive.

Now what could this device be? A Switch mini could be a good solution to avoid splitting developers again.
The fact Switch will now get mainline Pokémon, Monster Hunter and the likes also makes it hard to justify a new platform with a totally different architecture.
I guess we'll see in the future, 3DS can't keep going forever.

Clefargle · Jun 30, 2018

Big_Erk said:
Do this and also have it still be compatible with all Switch accessories. Joycon would not be able to slot into the system but would still be supported as a controller option. The dock, even though not included with the lite system would still accept it and send the signal to a TV (of course you would have to invest in extra controllers and a dock for this). Bring this in under $200 and you have a winner.

It won't fit in the dock if it is a different thickness or width + built in sticks

ArchedThunder · Jun 30, 2018

A ~$200 handheld only Switch with a smaller screen and no HD rumble would be doable for Holiday 2019, to coincide with the 8th Generation Pokemon games. I think the worries about confusion are overblown, people would get it just fine. They could even sell a mini dock separately for people that want to upgrade, however the docked performance would depend on if the full Switch internals are there or if they actually cut it back to only what's need for handheld instead of just down clocking. If they actually cut back on the hardware then maybe they'd just sell a cable to plug it directly into the TV, without a dock.

By holiday 2019 we should also hopefully have a price drop for the main Switch bringing it down to $250.

ArkhamFantasy · Jun 30, 2018

~Fake said:
Nintendo never called NS a 3DS successor (if I remmember) so thats 'why' I don't see any problem making a 3DS a bad deal. I understand that dev 'split', but this already happen with NS (CoD, BF, etc) when others games don't came to NS. Nintendo need to pursuit what they can make profit. 3DS still selling games so thats a good sign at this point.

They didn't call the DS the successor to the GBA either, they always come up with the "3rd pillar" marketing ploy, don't believe their words, believe their actions. Pokemon, Fire Emblem, Yokai Watch are all coming to Switch and Capcom is building a MH game from the ground up specifically for Switch. 1st and 3rd party developers are treating it as a 3DS successor.

jroc74 · Jun 30, 2018

*Guaraná said:
Nintendo should focus on making the Switch 2 the closest as possible to PS5/XboxTwo so we can start having a real alternative to play AAA games on the go.

A Switch that can do this that's portable? They would be better targeting the Pro or One X IMO.

Brannon said:
Just make it so that you can use the joy cons on the 3ds naturally. BAM.

dreams...

If they do a Switch lite we know that's going to happen. I think it's time to just say bye bye to the 3DS.

Advance.Wars.Sgt. said:
See, this is the narrative that doesn't make sense to me.

So, the part of Nintendo's business that has been far more lucrative and consistent, is the one in need of being replaced.....yet the one that's seen decreasing sales/mindshare in 5 out of 6 tries and has hamstrung the company's overall growth, is the one that's being kept around?

Why is it so impossible to believe Nintendo just simply decided to not see the point in funding yet another sunken cost home console? Other companies have shuffled failing aspects of their business before in order to promote growth, so what makes Nintendo any different in this instance?

They already did this, it's called the Switch.

ZeoVGM · Jun 30, 2018

Mystic said:
I don't care how well the Wii sold. It went through some major droughts when it came to big games. I want to play games, don't care about executives and their wallets.

Ah yes, droughts in the Wii lineup were due to the DS existing.

No, it's because when a console relies more on first party than third party, you're going to have droughts. And this will continue on Switch. You are not seeing some massive increase of games on Switch because focus has been taken away from 3DS. Your logic is faulty.

Both Wii and DS had great lineups. That's all that matters. You said they can't support two consoles and you were wrong.

Big_Erk · Jun 30, 2018

Clefargle said:
It won't fit in the dock if it is a different thickness or width + built in sticks

It will fit in the dock regardless of width and as long as it isn't any thicker than the current unit.

ArchedThunder · Jun 30, 2018

ZeoVGM said:
Ah yes, droughts in the Wii lineup were due to the DS existing.

No, it's because when a console relies more on first party than third party, you're going to have droughts. And this will continue on Switch. You are not seeing some massive increase of games on Switch because focus has been taken away from 3DS. Your logic is faulty.

Both Wii and DS had great lineups. That's all that matters. You said they can't support two consoles and you were wrong.

Nintendo is medium to large scale games much more frequently on the Switch than they did for 3DS or Wii U. Consolidating to one console has greatly helped their pipeline.

RPGamer · Jun 30, 2018

Takahashi, the developer of Switch already said that there probably will be a new Switch. Nintendo isn't going to develop different games for 2 consoles anymore. They develop for a platform, but that doesn't mean there can't be different formfactors.

.. I think we may see that people who have bought a Nintendo home console in the past traditionally, they may treat Switch like a home console and buy it and use it for a long period of time." – Takahashi

"Whereas people who have been traditionally Nintendo handheld gamers, they may buy Nintendo Switch and then for example, if a new version were to come out later, then maybe they would decide to upgrade to that.

Cipherr · Jun 30, 2018

Meelow said:
They want to keep options open, but that doesn't mean a 3DS successor will happen, I think most people agree that Nintendo focusing on one platform is the best.

Nah. Two platforms are fine. And with the way the 3DS was supposed to really be done like 2 years ago, but has refused and consistently gotten new games and held up saleswise. It's going to get a new entry for certain.

TheMisterManGuy · Jun 30, 2018

RPGamer said:
Takahashi, the developer of Switch already said that there probably will be a new Switch that will cater to the handheld audience. Nintendo isn't going to develop different games for 2 consoles anymore. They develop for a platform, but that doesn't mean there can't be different formfactors.

Koizumi even said something similar last year.

Yoshiaki Koizumi said:
We're hoping that Nintendo Switch will be a system that will be the constant in your gaming life. Whereas previously, you would play certain things on your home system and certain things on your handheld. Our hope is that Nintendo Switch can be the system that bridges both of those and becomes the constant system that you're always using.

Certainly, I'm sure you're very busy and I'm very busy and maybe we don't have as much time to play games as we would like. But my hope is that with Nintendo Switch being a system that you can play at home and bring with you, we're going to be able to find more of those moments where we're able to play the games that we all enjoy and be able to enjoy them that much more.

So making a separate handheld platform from the Switch completely defeats the entire point.

CesareNorrez · Jun 30, 2018

Big_Erk said:
Do this and also have it still be compatible with all Switch accessories. Joycon would not be able to slot into the system but would still be supported as a controller option. The dock, even though not included with the lite system would still accept it and send the signal to a TV (of course you would have to invest in extra controllers and a dock for this). Bring this in under $200 and you have a winner.

Switch is already a winner. The 3DS struggled for years, and it's still going to end up selling half as much as its predecessor. It's a success for sure, but it needed a few revisions to be considered one. Switch won't.

Clefargle · Jun 30, 2018

Big_Erk said:
It will fit in the dock regardless of width and as long as it isn't any thicker than the current unit.

People here are calling for a poket sized switch. Look at the switch dock and where the Joycons detach. If you have a pocket sized device in there, it would barely reach the edges of the switch dock and the sticks would be between the front and back panels. If you make the device thinner, it would not fit snugly into the dock either.

Advance.Wars.Sgt. · Jun 30, 2018

jroc74 said:
A Switch that can do this that's portable? They would be better targeting the Pro or One X IMO.

If they do a Switch lite we know that's going to happen. I think it's time to just say bye bye to the 3DS.

They already did this, it's called the Switch.

Yes - I already know why and exactly what led Nintendo to consolidate. Others seem to believe differently, which is where my contention lies.

RPGamer · Jun 30, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
Koizumi even said something similar last year.

So making a separate handheld platform from the Switch completely defeats the entire point.

Exactly.

Secretofmateria · Jun 30, 2018

Not shocked tbh making games in hd is pretty expensive and nintendo can probably pump out more games on a way lower budget between big 1st party switch releases to sustain revenue

Clefargle · Jun 30, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
So making a separate handheld platform from the Switch completely defeats the entire point.

Deleted member 4413 · Jun 30, 2018

ZeoVGM said:
Ah yes, droughts in the Wii lineup were due to the DS existing.

No, it's because when a console relies more on first party than third party, you're going to have droughts. And this will continue on Switch. You are not seeing some massive increase of games on Switch because focus has been taken away from 3DS. Your logic is faulty.

Both Wii and DS had great lineups. That's all that matters. You said they can't support two consoles and you were wrong.

Their home consoles do rely on first party, which equals droughts because their internal studios and close partners are split between two systems. Thus they cannot keep enough new content coming out without lulls in the release schedule, as we have seen over the years with Nintendo.

Some math here. You have 2 studios.
1) With two systems. This allows one studio to make a game on one system, the other studio for the other system. Perhaps both focus on one system while not releasing anything on the other.

2) With one system. Both studios make games full time for one system. They are not split up in any way.

There are many possible combinations here but logic dictates that having one system is preferable since that system will get more games faster than a two system setup, which divides the studios. Not to mention the development costs saved having a unified platform, plus the money we save as consumers, only having to buy one system.

Nintendo should do a combo home/portable system permanently.

Edit: I also never said the Wii had a weak lineup, I said it had release droughts between big games.

Dr. Collins · Jun 30, 2018

The 3DS successor is already on the market. It's called the Switch. It replaced both 3DS and Wii U. Any future hardware from them in the next few years ought to just be different iterations of the Switch, so there's no seperate ecosystem barrier between portable and home console, since both are the same now.

jroc74 · Jun 30, 2018

Advance.Wars.Sgt. said:
Yes - I already know why and exactly what led Nintendo to consolidate. Others seem to believe differently, which is where my contention lies.

My mistake.

Yeah, those that think otherwise, I don't know what to say.

John Konstantin · Jun 30, 2018

How about releasing a new revision of 3DS than runs all the catalogue at 720p. They could even add some streaming function to use a TV as a second screen. Price it at 200$ and discount the rest of the 3DS family. That way Nintendo can continue to leverage the huge 3DS/DS ammount of games and I can finally play a lot of them without my eyes bleeding. And it wouldn't affect Switch support, it's a win-win-win.

Deleted member 4247 · Jun 30, 2018

No thanks. Every game on Switch please. But if they can somehow make a cheaper Switch to fill that space price-wise, sure.

Boiled Goose · Jun 30, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
After making mostly good decisions regarding marketing, design, and third party strategy with the Switch? Sure, you can criticize them for online, but this isn't the incompetent Nintendo of the Wii U era.

Nintendo's scuccesse seem sometimes stumbled upon rather than a genuine insightful understanding of their audience.

That's why they never build on their success.

Saint-14 · Jun 30, 2018

SieteBlanco said:
I just want a Switch revision that's actually portable.

How would that be different for you if you already have a Switch though? I can understand about people still not having one since it will be cheaper for sure.

SieteBlanco · Jun 30, 2018

Saint-14 said:
How would that be different for you if you already have a Switch though? I can understand about people still not having one since it will be cheaper for sure.

I'd Switch for the portable version in a heartbeat. I want to be able to carry it with me without having a backpack for it.

New Nintendo president Furukawa: “considering various possibilities” for 3DS successor

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