I know some people are opposed to it, but personally I can definitely see that happening. I suspect it would still have optional compatibility with the dock as well, should people want it.

Still though, that's more like what a "New 3DS" or "2DS" was to the 3DS, than what a 3DS was to the Wii U. It's still a single device ecosystem as opposed to two, which is kind of what I meant by an end of an era.

They've always had distinct handhelds and home consoles, and now it really seems like - finally - 3DS support is winding down, and games that traditionally would've only been on handhelds will also be on Switch (including that possible - and imo plausible - mini Switch.  )

Personally I suspect they will want to hit that handheld price point sooner or later, so the rumors make sense to me. Especially if all the games are compatible between the two.

 

Yeah, I think end of an era for certain.

It's kind of risky. Whenever Nintendo had a bad console, they always had a strong handheld to still support them. If they come up with a flop of an idea, that is all their eggs in one basket.

 

I'd buy it for that if it turns out to be true and lets us play switch games.

 

I think it will be true. I just looked it up to see where I saw it, and CNET, Gizmado, EGadget and so forth all talk about it. It also comes from some Japanese company very familiar with Nintendo dealings.

But hey, who knows, maybe it'll be next year. They may be waiting to see what MS and Sony does.

 

I'm pretty skeptical of that. It reads like hardware revision wishlists I've been seeing since before release.

Also, how would they fit everything in a smaller system while simultaneously reducing the price? The main system is packed as it is with the battery taking up almost half the space. Everything else is either circuitboards or the cooling system. Similarly, the Joycons don't have much in the way of extra space either. And pretty much everything I know about technology miniaturization is that smaller and/or cooler-running parts cost more for the same performance. Nintendo have already dipped their toes into this by selling "2nd set" Switches with no cables or dock and that only took the price from 32,000 yen to 27,0000. That's more or less equivalent to only a $50 drop.

 

That would actually be somewhat affordable, and I would consider getting it.

 

I mean what I can say is that the tech there is 3 years old at this point at the very least. Not the switch itself, but the tech there within. Not to mention most system 2nd gen is usually smaller. So if they can do it, so could Nintendo. Having said that, who knows. It's all pretty much speculation.

But even with what your wrote, if they get rid of the dock, then they get a cheaper screen, they get rid of things on the Joy Cons that won't be needed (top buttons, the need for them to be wireless, etc.) I could see them getting to the $200 price point. $150 a bit more of a stretch there. But I could see how $200 is possible.

 

I'd rather have the opposite. Just a stationary device without display and pro controller.

 

That could maybe be done at $200, in theory. You don't need the screen, battery, joycons. What you would need is the Pro Controller and to build the dock tech into the switch itself.

 

I could somehow see them maybe offering both variants. If you either have the original or just one handheld device that cannot dock and a station that is no dock, you could still switch between devices. And maybe they get more money out of it, if people buy both types instead the one that can do both(depending on pricing)

 

The only issue is, Nintendo has these stats. Only 20% of players play their switch in docked mode only. So not sure how strong that market is. Having said that 30% play in Handheld. So that doesn't seem like a huge bump to me.

Having said all that, I think Nintendo also needs to do a good job (which they have not done in the past) of not confusing the consumers with all these skews. I could imagine a parent having no idea and getting the wrong switch for their kids. Imagine getting a docked only version vs a portable only version.

 

There's no good reason for them to make a static Switch, anyone that is actually serious about buying one without taking it anywhere is already buying them and leaving them in the dock and people who want that because of price will buy later anyway as that comes down.

 

Just saw the VR thing for the switch.

That is the worst thing to happen to VR. If this thing is going to be like Google Cardboard, it's going to set back VR for YEARS and YEARS to come. People will use it and think, oh this is so over rated. They won't have any clue what real VR is like.

 

And I know they're ridiculous, but I find his Nintendo theories hilarious personally, so...

 

As a general poll, who here is interested in picking up Dragon Quest XI that doesn't have it for PC of PS4?

 

Yeah, I’m picking up Dragon Quest XI on the Switch. I don’t own a PS4 or a computer that doesn’t struggle just to Internet.

 

I would consider it. Switch is my only current gen console and I don't do PC gaming.

 

Anyone want kingdom hearts remastered on the switch?