Would you buy a cheaper non-portable Switch?

[GSG]

I was reading the "What's your preferred Switch play mode: Docked? Or Portable?" thread and was surprised to see that a lot of people play their Switch primarily or exclusively in docked mode.

Personally, to me, the portability of the console is the biggest draw of the console. The fact that I can play a game like Mario Odyssey on the go when I'm on a roadtrip or on a plane, or even when I'm relaxing in bed, is crazy. If not for the portability, I would most likely have waited much longer(atleast a year or two) before biting on the Switch.

That said, clearly different people have different priorities and a lot of people only play their Switch docked. If there was an option for a cheaper non-portable Switch, would you go for that over the portable one?

 

[808s & Villainy]

No, and I don't think it's worth Nintendo pursuing if the data shows that people generally use both configurations

 

[Minako]

Nope, the whole reason I bought it is that it's a hybrid.

 

[super-famicom]

I like how I can either play docked or switch to portable mode in an instant. I wouldn't want a cheaper portable model.

 

[shepcommandr]

Personally I wouldn't buy a Switch that was either a dedicated home console, or a dedicated portable. The flexibility of being about to play it how I want, when I want, where I want is really the entire draw of the system. More than willing to trade extra money, and/or power for that.

 

[Deleted member 249]

No, the flexibility and versatility of the system is the entire point.

 

[Krakatoa]

I would as long as it was cheap enough.

 

[Deleted member 1413]

I don't see Nintendo axing the joycon anytime soon.
I do see revisions like most of Nintendo's hardware, but probably for for awhile when they can't handle the supply


Maybe at the end of the generation when we're close to a Switch successor Nintendo can put something like the PSTV or the 2DS as a cheap alternative

 

[Bunkles]

The system is called "Switch." At it's core it is a hybrid console. I highly doubt they change this any time soon.

 

[OrangeNova]

I already have a switch, but given the option I'd probably take the non-portable one over the portable one.

I think I've used it undocked for all of 10 hours.

 

[Kill3r7]

No.

 

[Ciccione]

No.

 

[Finale Fireworker]

I know I would buy a cheaper non-DOCKABLE Switch, that's for sure. I can't use the Switch as a handheld. It's too big.

 

[Pagey81]

The best thing about the Switch is the portable side of it. I love the fact I can use it to take anywhere I want

 

[Currynation]

I think they need to improve the bezels on the screen before they do anything else.

 

[LewieP]

I think given that around 50% of current Switch owners have a primary mode of use, there's clear indication that there's a reason for Nintendo to develop devices more specifically tuned to those usage modes.

Something more like the form factor and size of a regular 3DS for cheaper would probably be very popular, allow them to offer a cheaper device, and there would be no need to splinter the software market.

I think they've got enough momentum right now that they won't be in any hurry to get those kind of devices on the market any time soon. Especially with the 3DS still doing well on hardware/software fronts.

 

[Deleted member 10726]

Yes, I don't need portability when I only play games at home.

 

[Poutine Runner 2049]

No

 

[whiskas_fanatic]

Yes! That's exactly what I want. Small box, pro controller, maybe Zelda bundle. I'm not interested in portability at all.

 

[Jimnymebob]

The system is called "Switch." At it's core it is a hybrid console. I highly doubt they change this any time soon.

Click to shrink...

The 2DS shows they're not afraid of removing the key feature of their system in a cheaper revision.

Personally, I don't see any problem with providing the option. I wouldn't want one without being able to use it both ways, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who just want to play the games on a home console.

The main problem is how would you decide between supporting those who just want a home console, and those who just want a handheld?

 

[Deleted member 9486]

I would have if it was available at launch as I really don't care about portability, but moot now since I already own one.

It's just me and the fiance and we have two 55" TVs. If we hang out we're doing something together, neither of us have any interest in me playing games next to her while she watches TV or whatever like some do as we're both introverts and need lots of alone time. I don't take public transit to work, travel only a few times a year etc.

That said, I don't think it makes sense for them to split skus as it muddles the "Switch marketing." Plus it's selling well so they're making more money from people like me paying for screen, JoyCons etc. we don't/rarely use and the portable people paying for the overpriced dock they don't/rarely use. So there's really no reason for them to change it.

I just hope the successor down the road takes advantage of their supplemental computing device patent and we can pay more for more powerful docks to get more of a boost in docked mode, 4K for people who want it etc.

 

[statham]

launch one for $199, I'll buy it right now.

 

[alexi52]

No , but I'd buy a cheaper portable only switch

 

[Chaosblade]

I would have, but I have a Switch already. Maybe if I could sell my current one at cost and buy the cheaper home console unit, but otherwise the time has passed for me.

And a portable only version wouldn't make a lot of sense because there aren't as many places to shave costs, unlike a home console cutting the screen, battery, etc.

 

[SpottieO]

The ability to switch between docked and undocked is a guiding principle of the console, I don't think we will ever see any sort of docked or un-docked only version. Kind of defeats the purpose of the name of the console.

 

[Seahawk64]

Depends on the price difference. If it was $50 cheaper then No. $100? I would consider it.

 

[Wislizeni]

I'm honestly interested in the opposite. Personally, I'll be holding off on grabbing a Switch, just in case Ninty releases a smaller, more ergonomic version of it. No detachable joycons, no docking, just something close to a traditional handheld. They're not strangers to strange hardware revisions, so who knows?

 

[Aizen-S-Kennedy]

Yes!! I haven't gamed on a handheld in a decade. I'm waiting on a switch price drop anyway since I know It'll only me a Zelda/Mario box for me. So that would be perfect.

 

[JustSomeone]

Yeah, i don't give a damn about portability.

 

[_Rob_]

Yes! I don't care for the portability and I doubt I'd ever use it. Shave off the extra £80, £200 would be the sweet spot for me!

 

[Scaught]

Most of my time on Switch has been handheld, actually. Just more fun to search for those fucking Korok seeds while watching TV

 

[TheZodiacAge]

Half the price and im directly in
Don't need the portability at all - If im not at home im at places i can't play anyway or want to play.
My girlfriend owns a switch and if she's here she plays it mostly on my 2nd TV cause she doesn't care for portability either.
I myself don't see it being worth that much if one half which keeps the price high is completely useless to me so i won't get one before its at the price i want it to be.

 

[MisterR]

Yes, I couldn't care less about the portability. Mine has been out of the dock once. I bought it because I want to play Nintendo games.

 

[ΑGITΩ]

I like the option to have it be portable. I play mainly docked, especially at home, but if my TV is preoccupied or I want to go to a friends place or kill some time during break at work, then there's nothing else like that out there.
I first saw myself as just being a Docked only kind of guy, but after getting it, I just can't not have that option to take it on the go.

 

[Thornton Reed]

I'm the total opposite. If i could buy a switch for £80 less without the dock (current price of the dock in the UK) i would be one today.

 

[LossAversion]

It would have to be significantly cheaper. If it's only $50 less than the original version, I'd rather spend the extra money and have access to a portable mode. If it's much cheaper than that though, I'm not sure Nintendo would stand to gain much from producing it.

 

[BennyWhatever]

I'd rather a smaller portable one. I think it works fine as-is when docked, but because of the size it's less portable. I'd love something a little smaller and more pocket-able, but could still play BotW.

 

[Atheerios]

No. And according to Nintendo's analytics most people neither.

 

[mystic headlock]

I spend most of my time playing handheld so no I would not. In fact I recently docked my Switch while playing BOTW and was blown away by all the details that don't show up in handheld mode. That's a sure sign I need to put it in the dock more often.

 

[Haze]

No way, I thought this before I owned a switch but now that I've had one for a few weeks I actually play it in undocked mode ore.

 

[Derrick01]

Well I already have one so no I guess. What would intrigue me is if you made it docked only but used the savings to make the system more powerful. In that case I'd sell this switch as fast as I could, portables are worthless to me.

 

[tilomite]

I'm gonna buy a Switch this year, but I don't plan on using it as a portable, so I'd be happy with a cheaper non-portable version.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

I think you may have missed that most people use it both docked and undocked. You can primarily use it in either configuration but the nice thing is you have the ability and option of playing it either way depending on the situation.

 

[Raijinto]

What would the system even be at that point? A console instead of a tablet? No dock? No Joy-Cons?

That wouldn't be worth it IMO.

 

[Nikpls]

No. I'd definitely buy a fancier eGPU style dock though.

 

[Nemesis_]

I don't use portability much. I appreciate the option though.

I'd only buy TV only Switch if it's specs were more powerful. Like a Pro or X.

 

[Bashful Trey]

If it were the only option, then yes, of course.

If there was both on the market I'd go for the dual functionality.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I'm the total opposite. If i could buy a switch for £80 less without the dock (current price of the dock in the UK) i would be one today.

Click to shrink...

That'd probably be the ideal solution, as it allows you to purchase the duck at a later date to get the full experience. With a dedicated home console, you're stuck with that unless you upgrade to an actual main Switch model.

 

[StallionDan]

Yes. If I go out it not to play videogames, only ever played portables indoors aside the odd very rare occasion.

 

[emb]

As long as they don't over do it with too many versions, or do anything stupid (like a system with no cart slot), I'll probably try to (eventually) get one of each Switch version.

I feel like there are pretty good odds that they'll eventually do handheld only and console only versions. That kinda kills the gimmick though, so they might only do different form factors.