Topic: The Nintendo Switch Thread

@Therad I think you might be right on this, especially with the Direct that came out at the second half of 2018 heavily relying on Smash & the Let's Go entries. Admittedly, that paid of handsomely, going by the incredible sales numbers, but I'd wager they could have done a bit more, if there would have been an additional title to bolster the range of available games.

I really hope they come out guns blazin' in the next direct and I wager that is the reason why they did not show one as of now, especially after the MP4 blunder they probably want to nail down some release dates.

Another pretty good reason that a switch handheld could happen: rumors and leaks going around that Apple will release both a new iPad Mini and a new iPod Touch this year.

...Switch is already handheld.

@JackEatsSparrows yes but still kinda bulky for one. Its beem successful but has not really caught on with kids. Plus 3ds is performing below projections as confirmed today. Nintendo had to slash thier 3ds forecast in half today. Its time for a proper replacement.

@WebHead but without the joycons it’s still smaller than the iPad mini plus Its not really a dedicated games console it caters to different needs

The Switch is actually built on 20 nm technology. The latest iPhone is on 7 nm. The latest iPhone to use 20 nm is the iPhone 6. In other words, there is a lot of room to make a smaller Switch. If they use a 10 nm process, then it would generate a significantly amount less heat, requiring a smaller fan. And the power consumption would be less, requiring a smaller battery. A Switch with the size and form factor of the PS Vita would probably be possible.

The only thing I would be concerned about is game compatibility if it doesn't have joycons.

@WebHead So the proper replacement should be a unit that's smaller? That would mean less battery life, too. And it would have to have no additional or removed features in order to not fracture the install base and hurt sales of the current Switch.
Either way, an iPad and iPod wouldn't exactly warrant this because they're not competing on the same things or market share.
I think Switch is doing just fine the way it is, but that's my two cents

I think a new handheld will happen. And I don't think it will be 100% compatible with switch. But I think it will be super-easy to port between them.

@JackEatsSparrows there'll be a die shrink for the soc to be more power efficient and a smaller switch would have a less power hungry screen. So no battwry life would not be a problem.

@Therad an HDS would be kinda dope. Regardless a proper replacement for 3DS has to come at some point.

MK8DX and SMO have outsold the Wii U:
Wii U: 13.56 million
SMO: 13.76 million
MK8DX: 15.02 million

I can't really agree with you:
A supossed Tegra X1 chip built with 10 nm technology would in fact generate less heat and consume less power, but:
-The difference would not be enough for allowing to reduce the size of the batery in a noticeable amount. Remember that there are several other components consuming power, for example the screens are always responsable fro a high percentage of portable devices power consumption. Nintendo could look for a less power hungry screen, OLED technology for example, but it would be more expensive.
-The fan is already quite small, the limiting factor here is that you need to leave free space for the air to move out of the device.
-And last but not least: as far as I know, Tegra X1 is currently only available on 20 nm technology. It is a SOC that already is some years old, and I wouldn't expect Nvidia to do again all the layout and screening process and spend all the money that would be needed for manufacturing the SOC under a new technology. Even if they do, the result would be a more expensive SOC, as 10 nm manufactuing process is more expensive than 20 nm.

So, although I agree with you on the idea that Nintendo is going to release a new version of the Switch, that will be handheld only, I don't think that the main factor regarding size reduction of the device will be the manufacturing technology of the SOC.

Game copies sold between September 30th-December 31st:
Kirby Star Allies: .32 million (2.1 million →2.42 million)
Mario Tennis Aces: .37 million (2.16 million→2.53 million)
1 2 Switch: .22 million (2.64 million→2.86 million)
Super Mario Party: 5.30 million (0→5.30 million)
Splatoon 2: .80 million (7.47 million→ 8.27)
PLG: 10 million (0→10 million)
TLOZ: BOTW: 1.4 million (10.28 million →11.68 million)
Smash Ultimate: 12.08 million (0→12.08 million)
Super Mario Odyssey: 1.59 million (12.17 million→13.76 million)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 3.31 million (11.71 million→15.02 million)

@cambotero this is my thinking. If they want to significantly reduce cost for an handheld, it should use another chipset. Which probably won't make it hardware compatible.

Mobile is their entry point for young kids. Switch and Mobile are their two pillars.

Most likely scenario is that they release what's essentially their own version of an iPod Touch that will play microtransaction-free versions of their mobile titles. It will also have an app that plays GB/GBC games and that Game Boy grip that they patented will come with it. A Switch version of the GB/GBC app will launch later in the year for NSO subscribers.

They're not launching a completely new dedicated handheld.

@IceClimbers I thought so as well before, but I have changed my mind. I have nothing to back it up though.

I highly doubt Nintendo would release a handheld that isn't an actual handheld console. I see a 3DS successor or a Switch revision, but definitely not some Nintendo-app-only phone thing

Nintendo's mobile games are more meant to make people wish they were playing on actual Nintendo hardware, so while I can see them pushing out a slow and steady stream of mobile content, I wouldn't bet on them doing more than that.

But then again, those millions of dollars Pokemon Go makes every month are hard to ignore.

Nintendo Switch Mini and another service for switch is coming mid 2019 according to Nikkei.
https://nintendoeverything.com/rumor-nikkei-claims-smaller-sw...

@Aozz101x Forget Nikkei. We predicted that here in 2017!

Edit: Interesting about "service for those willing to pay more." Am I to assume this means SNES and above games will be a "premium" service? I can't imagine it's much more than that.