It doesn't have to be another dual screen with a bottom touch screen. Hell, bring back the Game Boy. I know I'm in the minority on this but I really like the dichotomy we've had in the Nintendo space for the past 30 years of console and handheld. I like having two Nintendo platforms on the market with discrete catalogues and experiences. Plus the Switch doesn't feel like a handheld to me and I believe Nintendo views it the same. Anyone else share what I at least get the sense is this unpopular opinion?
Nintendo definitely has stressed that they view it as a home console, that can also be taken with you places.
Its design definitely does not prioritize handheld play, or quick play sessions.
However, it's really hard to beat mobile phones in that space. So instead, we'll just keep getting more 3DS stuff for a while, rather than a successor.
If they every come out with a Switch that can fit easily in and out of pockets, I'll buy it in a heartbeat, though.
I keep using my 3DS and Vita daily because how great it is to have portable consoles that don't need to have a carrying case, or be put into a bag.
It's less conspicuous, especially if I'm just playing to kill time.
And with Vita particularly, the comfort of playing it and the battery life in sleep mode is significantly better than Switch.
So I feel you, OP, but it's just not a good idea to risk a new handheld when they can just keep selling the Switch and 3DS as their high and low end systems.
I like dual screen gameplay, and I like 3D. I also liked the Vita, and I just gotta acknowledge that the era of dedicated handhelds is over. The age of heroes is gone.
