Nikkei rumor: Nintendo considering a smaller Switch model by end of Fiscal 2019

[BAD]

https://gearnuke.com/nintendo-planning-launching-smaller-cheaper-switch-end-of-fy2019-rumor/

Nintendo is apparently planning on introducing a smaller, cheaper Switch by the end of the 2019 Financial Year.

Although Nintendo had a very strong year, they didn't end on as strong of a note that they were expecting. The Japanese gaming giant was forced to reduced their yearly expected sales down to 17 million at the earnings release for the period between April 2018 and March 2019. They were previously hoping for 20 million units between the same time-frame.

Do note Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa mentioned late last year that their initial internal goal of 20 million was certainly "not easy".

To combat this Japanese publication Nikkei reports that Nintendo will be bringing a cheaper, smaller Switch variant to the market sometime in the 2019 Financial Year (April 2019 to March 2020). The report mentions this variant of the Switch will be more "portable" and "easy to carry around", probably something to replace the 3DS? Or maybe a Switch that's fully portable without the docking ability?

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It was also mentioned that this Switch will come at a cheaper price, something the shareholders have been requesting for a while. This will however have to be done without compromising on functionality.

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"The company said that 'couldn't comment' on their plans for the product, but has informed multiple suppliers and game development companies that they intend to release them as early as 2019. According to their affiliates, they are 'miniaturizing the console with portability and playing outdoors in mind, as well as cutting features to reduce the price and expand the userbase."

https://nintendoeverything.com/rumo...-nintendo-planning-new-service-for-this-year/

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[cw_sasuke]

There is your "3DS successor" - just in time for Gen 8 and Animal Crossing.

Switch Pro will be a 2020 release, probably launching with a BotW successor.

 

[Kouriozan]

Fit previous rumors of Switch lite this year and "Pro" the following one.

 

[Vito]

So no Pro version?

Good.

 

[Oregano]

This is exactly what they need, especially in Japan.

 

[Pokémon]

mild_shock.gif

 

[Zalman]

There is your "3DS successor" - just in time for Gen 8 and Animal Crossing.

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Yup. I've always assumed this would happen.

 

[chusetto]

Switch mini or lite... I think it would still be docked, but without detachable joycons (dock not included in the package)

 

[SageShinigami]

So no Pro version?

Good.

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Still time yet. We're on year 2. You wouldn't get a Pro version right now. Y4 or 5? Maybe.

 

[IzzyRX]

Well, it's ok. It will find it's market.
They'll likely make it more resistant for children. But I wonder how ergonomical it will be.

 

[Deleted member 32018]

It will be interesting to see how they go about making a smaller/cheaper model while still keeping the performance to run current and future games.

The hardware is quite tightly packed into the tablet.

 

[OnanieBomb]

I want a Pro, damn it.

 

[skullwaker]

I think this was pretty much inevitable, especially for Japan. Along with Pokemon and AC, it's going to help immensely there.

 

[Meg Cherry]

There is your "3DS successor" - just in time for Gen 8 and Animal Crossing.

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Yep. This is the year for Nintendo to strike hard with the 3DS/2DS market - and a smaller, portable-focused Switch is the right move.

 

[Glio]

I've always said, a Switch Lite makes more sense before a Switch Pro.

It is the same as they did One and PS4 and 3DS XL was also earlier than New 3DS. The triple dip possibilities are triggered in that order.

 

[Platy]

omiting functions ... like portable only ?

 

[Bizzquik]

There is your "3DS successor" - just in time for Gen 8 and Animal Crossing.

Switch Pro will be a 2020 release, probably launching with a BotW successor.

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That makes all the sense in the world, and it would please both crowds.
(I would absolutely buy a Switch Pro for a BotW successor, for instance.)

 

[Deleted member 9584]

Bring it on. I'd rather have a smaller and more portable Switch as opposed to one the same size but more powerful.

 

[MysticGon]

Makes sense.

 

[ccieag]

I would definitely buy a smaller one as well ... damnit

 

[Deleted member 4970]

A smaller one would be extremely nice if they dedicate themselves to reducing the bezel size! I'd consider upgrading to one if so!

 

[Rodjer]

So no Switch Pro X?

 

[entremet]

So no JoyCons or smaller JoyCons?

I'm guessing the latter.

 

[MoogleWizard]

A "Switch that's fully portable without the docking ability" is no longer a Switch, that doesn't make any sense given the name and marketing. Besides, aren't games that are only playable docked?

 

[Deleted member 15428]

There is your "3DS successor" - just in time for Gen 8 and Animal Crossing.

Switch Pro will be a 2020 release, probably launching with a BotW successor.

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Source?

 

[WhtR88t]

If it is smaller, I hope they do something to make text legible on the smaller display.

It's already difficult to read in some games on the existing display. Can't inagine it getting any smaller.

 

[Skittzo]

A $200 mini Switch will probably start a DS Lite style boom in sales.

I think it would be silly to make something unable to dock, since all that you need to dock is a USB port.

 

[Simba1]

I expected something like that, and totally make sense.

 

[Oreiller]

That would make a lot of sense tbh. It would be great for kids.

 

[Inuhanyou]

I was figuring this to be the case...the fact that even Patcher could predict it shows how much of a no brainer it was. Yet you still had people saying "2DS doesnt mean they'd take away the switch functions of the switch!"

I mean, is it really so hard to believe?

 

[FantaSoda]

 

[Lant_War]

If it's cheaper I might finally get one. I hope it has a 5 inch screen.

 

[Deleted member 4970]

Get rid of the joycon and make a personal pizza esque Switch!

Mhmmmmmm

 

[Maple]

I woould guess something like a $199 Switch, smaller screen, no detachable Joycons, can be docked. It will probably be released a month or so before Gen 8 is released.

 

[Falconbox]

I'd rather have a Pro.

I have no use for a Switch without a dock since I play 100% of the time on my TV.

 

[Neoxon]

Bring it on. I'd rather have a smaller and more portable Switch as opposed to one the same size but more powerful.

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I'm of the opposite opinion. With next-gen on the horizon, the Switch is gonna need an option with more horsepower if it doesn't want to be left further behind than it already is regarding third party ports. The Switch is already missing out on games like RDR2, RE2 Remake, & DMC5. It's only gonna get worse in the coming years.

With that said, a smaller & cheaper Switch is a smart move, especially with Pokémon Gen 8 coming later this year.

 

[Deleted member 5491]

So a Switchless Switch or one with no compatibility to excisting hardware.
Sound horrible to me.

Just make a revision with a smaller screen frame, smaller fabricated chip, more batterlylife and
no dock.

Spoiler

And don't start to compare a feature like Switch between TV and playing handheld, something that people actually use to such a gimmick like 3D, that was useless in 99% of the case

 

[Oregano]

So no JoyCons or smaller JoyCons?

I'm guessing the latter.

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Personally I would go with none built in, to further drive down the price due to no need for multiple batteries and gyros. It would of course be able to sync with Joycons.

Nintendo might go with smaller ones.

 

[Slayven]

I would buy a smaller Switch, maybe with increased internal storage

 

[Nathan.exe]

If it is smaller, I hope they do something to make text legible on the smaller display.

It's already difficult to read in some games on the existing display. Can't inagine it getting any smaller.

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This too.

 

[manchego obfuscator]

hmm, I'd thought a home-only Switch microconsole would be more likely first, since they could keep the same internals without a screen or battery, but I guess we'll see

 

[Deleted member 59]

My bet is a somewhat smaller switch, no removable joycons, hdmi out to plug into TV (but limited to 720p handheld out put).

Mantains "switch" nature.

 

[MegaXZero]

I was originally on the Pro train but the more I think about it, the more I realize that Lite is the route to go this year.

 

[mute]

handheld only no joycon switch in Vita form factor would be amazing.

if they can fix the dpad and sticks while they are at it I would buy one in a heartbeat.

 

[LiK]

For even smaller hands

 

[Deleted member 5764]

This option always made the most sense. Nintendo can't depend on the 3DS for forever, and it'd be silly to do a direct successor. There are a number of things they could do to make a smaller and cheaper Switch model alongside the normal unit.

 

[entremet]

I would buy a smaller Switch, maybe with increased internal storage

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If they are looking to make it cheaper that's not happening lol.

Good thing that removeable card storage is getting cheaper every year.

 

[Kthulhu]

A portable only Switch seems like a total contradiction if the whole point of the system.

 

[Gobias-Ind]

Interested to find out how they'll go about shrinking the thing down while simultaneously making it cheaper and not compromising battery life.

 

[Deleted member 11008]

2020 is too late. If anything, it should be ready when the newer Pokémon are releasing.