Topic: An upgraded Switch dock as a cheaper 'Switch Pro' alternative?

So here's something that has been swirling around in my head lately: a Switch Dock upgrade. One that would give the console the same capabilities as the heavily rumoured 'Switch Pro'; some extra power and 4K support when docked.

While many people are hoping for a 'Switch Pro' to come as quickly as possible, I do not. Why? Because I fear that the console will have exclusive games. I don't want to miss out on potentially awesome new games just because I don't have the money to upgrade. That's where my upgraded Switch Dock idea comes in. It would be a cheaper option for current Switch owners to still get some extra power and acces to exclusive games. You wouldn't get the other improvements the 'Switch Pro', like the rumoured better screen and thinner bezzel nor would you be able to play an exclusive games on the go but it's a trade-off I'd be willing to make.

It could also lessen a potential divide in the player-base the 'Switch Pro' could bring along with it. I know that multiple people have pointed to the New Nintendo 3DS and that its exclusive library of games is nearly non-existent and telling me my worry is unfounded, but the past is holds no garantuees for the future.

So what do you guys and gals think? Do you think an upgraded dock could be a good middle step for people who might not be able to afford/don't want to buy the very expensive "Switch Pro"? Would it even be technologically possible?
Please, let me know!

Its a good idea, but it would also penalise those people who bought the Lite as there would be no way for them to "upgrade", effectively turning it into a separate system instead of a portable only version.

The only way I could accept this idea is if it were to release alongside a proper Switch Pro as a cheaper alternative for those who only play docked. It'd be a bad move to completely exclude those of us who prefer to play handheld mode if there are going to be exclusive games.

@Mr-Fuggles777
True, but I feel that the penality wouldn't be that severe. The Switch Lite is in a similair boat as the 2DS. It's a cheaper option that is most appealing to young kids and people who are only interested in playing a few select games. I don't think that, if the Switch does get a large library, there will be a lot of overlap.

@BenAV
Perhaps I should make it more clear, but yes, this is something that would be released alongside a 'Switch Pro' and not instead of one.

@F_T_Wolf The issue I've had with the Switch is missing out on modern games that the Switch is too underpowered to run. I don't disagree with your reasoning, but I'd rather have one console, rather than having to buy two consoles just so I can play Nintendo games & play modern games. It seems ridiculous that I need to buy a second console on top of my Switch for another $400-500 just to play modern games.

edit: Forgive me if it sounds like I dodged your points above. This is just the dilemma I've had while owning a Switch. I like Nintendo games and modern games.

@F_T_Wolf Right. That'd probably be fine then, from a consumer's point of view at least.

Hard to say whether or not it'd be a good business decision from Nintendo's point of view. It'd increase the potential software sales for any 'Pro' exclusive game but at the expense of hardware sales for the 'Pro' itself. If they were to do something like that, it wouldn't surprise me to see them release the 'Pro' by itself first then announce the upgraded dock like 6-12 months later.

That sounds like a likely scenario if everything we´ve talked about turns out to be true.

@Mr-Fuggles777 If you bought a lite, you already effectively penalized yourself. No tv mode, no tabletop mode, can’t change out joycons if they start drifting, and the smaller screen.

The main reason I don't want a pro dock is that I felt a same strength as vanilla switch dock will cost less and be less likely to divide the userbase with exclusives . At this point I just hope we get a standalone dock that has a slot for catridges. Not something to look at as a brand new console just a dock with options. Really great options.

I like the idea of a pro or semi pro dock being a middle ground for those who aren't interested in upgrading fully getting an option to semi upgrade via a dock plus if it could also serve as a standalone switch that would be its biggest perk for me.

Such a compromise imitates the switch mantra of play your way. I would also like if they could keep the pro dock not too big or draw too much power if that was was even possible.

@F_T_Wolf You wouldnt happen to be Techno 🐺 from Unity would you?

I think a Switch Pro (and can I just say how much I hate that name) with the occassional exclusive that couldn't come to the og Switch is just win no matter how you look at it. Dividing players is something every next geneation does. Granted, we don't know if it is a Switch 2 or a revision and my money is on it being both (much like folk argue if it's a handheld or a home console, people will be arguing this!) If you can't afford it now, then that's nothing to worry about. Buy one later (if the exclusives are what you want) but predominantly, it's going to be frame rate improvements and higher resolutions. I just don't see that being a bad thing. It most certainly won't divide folk (because pretty much everyone will want one lmao!)

@VoidofLight Plus lower battery life, no rumble, can't use a flip grip, can't use the touch screen with no Joy-Con attached, etc. I never dock my Switch these days but even so the Lite just doesn't seem like a feasible option to me when it makes so many compromises and very few benefits.

No, I'm not Techno 🐺 from Unity. I never even heard of them.

@VoidofLight @BenAV
And no built-in multiplayer options as you can't share half a joy-con with a friend.
Small potatoes, I know, but I played Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate during long breaks with classmates before all of... [waves his hands in the air] This happened.

@VoidofLight @BenAV I never docked the switch as I prefer to use the xbox or PlayStation if I'm playing on the big TV and as I have arthritis in my knuckles I couldn't play the switch in handheld mode for long without it causingme pain . After the joycons started drifting I ended up getting rid of it - traded it for a PSVR.

A few months later I ended up picking up a Lite as an impulse buy and its an amazing handheld, feels really comfortable in the hands and I can play for longer without joint pain.
The only downside for me was I had to buy a second one for the Mrs and we need 2 copies of games so we can play together.

I also made sure I took out an extended warranty on both Lites to cover us if (when) the stick starts to drift and I can just replace it for a new console.

@GrailUK
I agree, the 'Switch Pro' is a silly name. One I used simply for its recognizability. I prefer Switch+. Sounds much more Nintendo-y.

Personally, I think exclusive games would be much better served for a Switch 2 then a 'Switch Pro' which I hope is what will happen. There will always be pushback, sure, but at the very least, people will go into it with a different mentality for the simple reason that it's a 'brand new' next-gen console.

If the 'Switch Pro' only has improvements such as higher resolution, better frame rate better screen etc. I do indeed think that it'll go over without much issue. Also gives the Switch 2 more merit early on: it will have those exclusive games.

@Mr-Fuggles777 I do have to ask, Mr Fuggles, what is your Avatar from. It's so creepy cute!

@Mr-Fuggles777
I almost never play the Switch in handheld. I used to bring it along twice a week during studies and a decent amount of my train rides to my graduation internship but that's really the extent of it. It's 95% a home console for me, which is fine. It's not like I own a PlayStation or Xbox and I just feel that games are better served on the big screen.

@GrailUK He's a Fuggler, they are little collectable plushies.

@F_T_Wolf that's the beauty of the switch, it suits so many different play styles.

@F_T_Wolf My understanding is that the (very non-standard) USB-C connection on the underside of the Switch tablet will not support the data rates required for a "smart" or "heavy" dock. I think the next Nintendo hybrid console (which I expect will appear in about... 3 years or so, not 3 months as many people here wishfully think) may have this capability, as it would be a logical evolution of the current concept. In addition, after the immense success of the first Switch, third-party developers will be probably be more comfortable with the extra work involved in making a game that can dramatically shift down from 4K to handheld modes.

@Mr-Fuggles777 Fugglers are one of the best reasons to survive this pandemic. I so wish I could hunt in person for my very own!