Nintendo Acknowledges Switch Mini Rumours, Says It Is "Always" Developing New Hardware

I’m really interested to see if this Mini materializes. Out of all these rumors, i’ve yet to see someone report/predict a screen size. I really wonder just how “Mini” it will be? Also very curious about the price. Nintendo is still selling 3DS XLs for $199 new. Will this really be a $199 device or $249? Hopefully our questions will be answered soon.

As another theory, doesn't Nintendo always seem to announce new hardware shortly after they've denied it's very existence?

A pro would be nice soon, might open opportunities for other franchises to appear on switch - still amazed and so happy Witcher 3 is coming, can’t wait!

@Mogster "As another theory, doesn't Nintendo always seem to announce new hardware shortly after they've denied it's very existence?"
This is the best story so far once they start talking about it that usually means they been testing this for some time. But as to how the mini looks all those could be speculation til we see a actual mockup from Nintendo Patent filing. This would be the best indications for such a device.

Nintendo, MS and Sony are indeed always working on the next console. Development of the Switch started the day the Wii U was released.

So yeah, this doesn't confirm anything.

Let's hope they just release a pro version for better games to be developed.
A mini without tv connection is pointless.

Not really interested in new hardware. I'm satisfied with the current model. I'm more interested in new games.

There'd better be a Pro alongside that Mini...

For a Nintendo statement that's a bloody screaming "Yes, yes we are." from the rooftops.

If it's just a rumour you just say "No, we are not." b/c there are no surprises to spoil or investors to spook.

Translation - We aren't going to talk about it now b/c we have nothing to gain by announcing it now. If we say it's launching relatively soon then Switch sales will drop while consumers wait to buy the new one, and if we say it isn't coming out for awhile yet then investors will sell our stock now and buy it back cheaper later. But we are working on it, don't worry, it's coming or else we would just say no it isn't. Not that you would believe us anyway b/c we always lie.

I would love more power. I've got a GTX980M in my Surface Studio and I was surprised how well it ran. The improved graphics are tempting me away from Nintendo. I still think the Pro will be 2020 but hoping this year.

Hear that everybody? Treat new Switch games like their XBone games and do not buy anything more for the Switch until Switch 2! Mario Maker 2 will clearly be the last hurrah for this dead system. Totally.

Hopefully this fictional system is like a 3DS that can play Switch and 3DS games and not just some portable Switch without joycons. I'm sure a 3DS is totally possible on 1 screen, just not cost efficient.

A nudge is as good as a wink to a blind bat..

So basically, "yes, there are rumours. No, we don't comment on rumours". Which of this hasn't been in the news multiple times before? None, including the common knowledge that every industry mammoth keeps working on new consoles and revisions - this stuff takes YEARS by definition.

The point of contention is not the general probability of Switch revisions but the nature and value of "leaks and reports" surrounding them. As has been oft discussed, the former makes it below one's dignity to invest one's attention therein while the latter offers little but zany proofs that most folks fantasizing about "Switch Mini" and "Switch Pro" want a Mini and/or a Pro but not a Switch. We've seen the coverage of this stuff for month now - and name one "concept" leak of a Mini that didn't lose at least one of the console's signature modes or one of a Pro that didn't look likely to cost like a damn new iPhone, all despite the still fresh memories of fans and investors losing their **** over the console's $300 tag two years ago.

The aesop of the story remains the same - come what may, let it be announced and released IF AND WHEN it's announced and released. And THEN discuss and report the real stuff. There's never a shortage of other things to discuss and play until then - on Switch and in other gaming subdomains alike.

@harouhiko The most consistent parts of the rumors have been the compact size and built-in Joy-Cons. There hasn't been too much word on it completely lacking TV connection aside from some light speculation by a couple analysts, and frankly I don't see that being the case. It may likely require a separate purchase of a mini doc, but I definitely think it's more probable to expect it to still retain that capability.

I am honestly getting pretty tired of these rumors. Let it be. If it happens it happens but until Nintendo announced something, we're all wasting out time.

@rjejr In fairness, they're actually quite good at avoiding directly lying. What they do instead is use extemely ambiguous language. In the rare instances that they say something clear and direct, it ought to be believed.

Still really really hoping for a "deluxe" model instead of a "mini" model.

Both would be an acceptable solution as well. ^^

@harouhiko you’re missing the point of the Mini. Should one be released, it’ll be marketed fairly and squarely as a replacement for the 3DS, at a similar price point, I’d guess.

As for a Pro, if Nintendo do release one, and have any sense ( not always the case with Nintendo, admittedly ), it’ll be handled like a PS4 Pro; games have to support the base console, whilst providing additional features for those with a Pro.

The Mini will come first, as it has a bigger potential market....

@Supadav03 $250 and slightly smaller if you cross reference most reports.

The Switch Mini has been an idea even before the Switch was released. The entire point of the Switch is to consolidate the gaming market to avoid direct competition with specific sections.

@harouhiko It's not happening. Nintendo don't do pro versions. They do updates only, or form iterations. They don't want to fragment and confuse the public.

i would still love a switch without the screen dock or battery, that just connects to a display. it would be so small you could embed it into a TV and sell a new type of smart TV with a switch inside. nintendo is very focused on portability though so i don’t see this ever happening with the switch

@HalBailman this is the first generation any console developer did a pro version. the reasoning was always the same with the other companies but now that’s no longer an issue

I have no interest in a Switch Mini, and to be honest, I don’t understand why anyone else would either. But I never saw the need of a 2DS either, so you never know.

“We know there are rumours; we cannot comment on rumours; we develop hardware”.

Not a denial. Not even a “we cannot comment at this time”.

That’s pretty much a confirmation that next week they will release to shops the Uber Switch Mini, a smaller, more powerful console that reads your mind and plays the games without even a controller.

@tekknik Nintendo have done pro versions several times, including the Game Boy Advance SP 101, the Nintendo DSi and the New Nintendo 3DS.

@NintendoFan4Lyf
By "gap between dedicated hardware" do you mean the traditional five-year console cycle, or do you mean the power-gap separating Nintendo systems from the competition?

@gaga64 careful it might actually transport you into the game.

@gaga64
Dang, even reads which game you'd want to play, and how you'd have played, and just tells you if you've won or lost.

Eurgh... There is only one thing more frustrating than Nintendo being silent, and that's Nintendo speaking unnecessarily.

It's a sure sign that all is not going to plan.

Metroid Prime 4. Congratulations, you told us all you messed up the first 18 months of the game. And as a byproduct, less than 6 months later, pretty much confirmed that Retro Studios had 1 if not 2 failed projects between 2014 and present day. Again.. stay silent? Not until release... how about just until Retro have something to show of MP4?!

Luigi's Mansion 3 release date - why did they even mention waiting for the Developer to say a date? Just stay silent. Announce the date when you have it.

And again, with the Switch Lite.

Something isn't right if you ask me... and seriously, if there is no Lite edition of the Switch Hardware ready on the shelves when Pokemon releases in November (assuming no delay with that game, too) then they are losing out on a huge amount of money that will surely have some consequences.

@tekknik ...and they got it wrong. Nintendo not only have a staunch history against fragmenting the market, it's stated policy, and now they have two failed examples. Correct me if I'm wrong, the vast majority of sales, like 90%, of PS and XB models are the base version.

There's a great piece by Digital Foundry which suggests that a mini is almost inevitable as a new chip has been supported by Switch firmware for over a year. Those hoping for a Pro may be disappointed as it suggests that it would be a modest increase in performance at best but would have better battery life and run cooler meaning a smaller form factor is probably the way to go

@HalBailman erm New 3DS, it even had exclusive games, you could even argue that the memory expansion on the N64 did something similar

@Sinton Correct, I should've wrote "any other console developer".

It would be stupid not to expect a revision. But i’ll wait until Nintendo announces it. As for a so-called “pro” model, I seriously doubt that will happen. Nintendo doesn’t play that game, and they’re hardly going to make one to pacify a few thousand neckbeards.

@rjejr Bingo. If this is real, it will probably be announced about a month before launch. Ideally in the leadup to the Holiday season to bundle with the new Pokémon games, so they can sit back and watch the cash roll in. There's no reason to announce it early and cannibalize possible sales of the existing model.

@carlos82 It was an update, replacing the old 3DS. Other than one or two games, fully compatible with all software and same experience.

Well they won't do a more powerful system with games exclusive to that more powerful system at least, if they did it would split the user base in a negative way. I think they will be smart and wait until a year into the next gen to release the 2nd Switch to compete. 5 years of Switch is enough before a new one as long as games keep coming out until then.

@HalBailman I wouldn't necessarily say they got it wrong, they're at least backwards compatible. the sales are definitely lower but this can be attributed to less time on the market and a cheaper alternative available (the non pro variant of the respective console). most of my gamer friends are ps4 fans, and none of them own a pro but have owned a ps4 since launch. their reasoning is just cost related. so i think they failed in that the market didn't seem to really want it, but the execution i don't think failed

@tekknik Yeah, usually it went the other way, with the new version getting fewer features (Sega Master System II, Sega Mega Drive 2, Amiga 500+ etc.).

The lack of an outright denial is telling, as it has been for the last several months.

It’ll happen eventually! And I hope it does! Because I’m definitely buying a 2nd Nintendo Switch!

I won't buy a Mini, but I welcome anything that increases Nintendo's fanbase and helps the company become more popular and profitable. That only helps us all as it encourages more devs to make more games.

What I WOULD be interested in would be a "Switch Pro" (or whatever). Nintendo has to be careful with the Mini or the Pro not to fragment the games or accessories, but there are things that could safely be done on the Pro:

• OLED display
• More built-in storage
• Increased performance that allows handheld mode to perform as well as docked mode
• Improved battery life

Pull that off, and I'd happily upgrade.

@Pod heh, on the one hand that would save some time. On the other, I think it would motivate me to try and prove the system wrong, this inventing a whole new meta game.

Announce it (the Pro version) already! Been waiting so I can go buy one. Hope it's before Link's Awakening

@HalBailman so it was a pro version then, a more powerful variant which even had added controls, also after its release many newly developed games ran poorly on the standard 3ds. Exactly the same concept as a PS4 Pro or an Xbox One X.

A new Switch variant is inevitable and the firmware already supports the new chip, now whether this replaces the current Switch or sits alongside is up for debate for the time being

@thatawesomedude "extemely ambiguous language"

Sounds like a book sequel.

@tzahn If only you could have found a way to boldface the word is instead of "if".

Maybe I’ve been tracking Nintendo’s timeline too long but I’m genuinely surprised people on a blog like this can’t tell that some rumor sources are beyond the usual forum mystery poster variety, so to know that something has a higher likelihood. Nikkei’s report was corroborated by Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Eurogamer according to each’s own information. With that cadre of outlets saying it, you’d have to look for the precedent of them all confirming a bad report. I’ve not seen it yet. Nikkei and WSJ also confirmed correctly the 3DS XL and 3DS and Wii U before reveal. So there’s that precedent leading up, as well, their intended audience isnt anxious Nintendo fans like most other rumor sources.

@sanderev Switch development began in 2015

What evidence?? There has been "news" about a "mini" revision one month after the Switch launched. If you take whatever info a random guy invents in the internet, you have to check your sources better.

@thatawesomedude
I wouldn’t be surprised if the switch mini connected to the TV via a Cable vs a traditional dock.
This would allow you to still use the system as a controller if needed, or of course you can use additional controllers you may own like pro controllers or additional JoyCon sets.

They'd be crazy to directly confirm anything before it's ready. They don't want to hurt the momentum for the current Switch model after all.

@NintendoFan4Lyf
I think it's the right way to go as well. The issue with mobile phones so far on their own has mostly been conflict of interest between too many hardware and software developers, and much too short hardware cycles, with no torchbearers to call the shots on new standards.

For twelve years now, smartphones have stuck with the same standards for input/output, despite experiencing a thousand-fold increase in processing power. People are bored with it, and disruption was bound to happen.

I personally believe local/personal computation will increase in power much too fast for services like Stadia to hold much merit. It didn't catch on with OnLive, and the returns have diminished considerably since then.

@harouhiko I respectfully disagree. A typical handheld fits in your pocket. My old GBA SP fit in my pocket, my 3DS fits in my pocket, my Switch can fit in my pocket... provided the joycon are detached and I'm wearing cargo pants. A Switch mini would be a nice cheaper alternative for those who want it as a handheld rather than a home console.

i would prefer a switch pro. So more third party games could run on it and actually not end up blurry and ugly.

@HalBailman The New 3DS was practically a precursor to Pro Consoles and it even had a couple of exclusive games though.

Like many comments here already, I too don't care about a Switch Mini. The Switch is already small enough for a handheld. I'd rather see a spec boost that would benefit the docked play & I would also like Nintendo to add a firmware update to all Switch models that would enable StreetPass functionality to be brought back. StreetPass requires absolutely no new hardware, it's all firmware and it would be nice to have that come back, especially for large gatherings like Comic Con. I was at my local Comic Con back in the spring and while I saw many people in line still playing their 3DS', I saw even more people playing Switch. Seems like Nintendo should have kept that functionality & the good news is, it really is a matter of Nintendo flipping a switch and releasing a new app for a StreetPass Mii Plaza 2.

Gamers who are daydreaming about CONTROL and CyberPunk maxed-out or RayTracing or VR and have $300. Are waiting for Ryzen 3000 benchmarks on July 7th, $100 price drop on RTX-SUPER or partly done saving for PS5/Scarlett.

That is what they will buy "First"... Whatever Nintendo can do to sell them a 2nd device. They should do it.

A bit of an offtopic question, but I'll try:
If there's a 2nd Nintendo console and I'd buy it: Would I be able to play my games on both of them since the console is account-bound?
If I would have to decide between Switch Mini OR (normal) Switch I would have exactly NO reason to buy a Mini...

That's just screaming that it's real, isn't it?

I've been waiting to buy a Switch. But what I wanted was the price of the switch to go down. In where I am living the price is near $400 still. I've been waiting for the price to go down. Or if they are releasing a better version of the switch then I also might buy it. I bought the 3ds when it first came out, but then the new 3ds came out. That did not feel good. That's why I wanna wait till they either upgrade it or lower the MSRP price.

I dunno, man. Nintendo always gives a version of that answer whenever asked about new hardware. Sometimes they'll turn around and reveal it later, other times nothing materializes from it. But I guess that's why the hopes keep holding strong, it's a quintessential intermittent reinforcement schedule.

@carlos82 If new games cannot be palyed on the older switch and it isn't a full generational leap a ton of people are going to be livid. There is a reason Sony and MS didn't have exclusive X or Pro games, they just are not that stupid.

In other words: We cant lie to the consumer but we dont want to reveal our plans...take the shot

“we do not comment on rumours and speculation”

Except that’s exactly what they’ve done here...

@Jokerwolf at no point have I ever suggested that they should go down that route

@carlos82 No but the New 3DS exclusive games was a lesson Nintendo learned hard from.

I think the revisions to the hardware are coming soon. I am doubting there is a "Pro" version coming soon. I bet it's a slight revision to the current hardware with some minor upgrades and it will replace the current Switch. The mini version seems incredibly likely, though.

Since Japan is having Switch shortages right now, I'm guessing the revisions are coming soon.

@sanderev Technically, seeing as how the Switch is essentially a combination of the technologies of all of Nintendo's systems thus far, development on the Switch started way back in the 80's with the development of the NES. From a system standpoint, I wouldn't be surprised if development of the Switch itself started even before Wii was released.

Regarding the topic at hand, this Switch Mini idea is just terrible. It would be better from a business standpoint to lower the price of the current version and release a "Pro" version so all Joy-Con compatibility is retained. Releasing a system without the Joy-Con option is just stupid and goes against everything the Switch stands for.

@rjejr Hah! So true. If if's and but's were candy and nuts we'd all have a Merry Christmas!

Obligatory comment about wishing for a clamshell Switch Mini. Small and DURABLE would be the two most important factors for a Mini, and a clamshell design would enhance the dust resistance and form factor.

The second important thing for a Mini is to increase the charm. 2DS has a lot of charm to its design, so I hope they make a potential Mini look much more charming than just a Switch But Smaller.

I'll be honest, I'm terrified of using my Joycons because they're so fragile, so I really want a Pro model to launch a redesigned Joycon 2 with better durability. I personally believe one major reason why Switches currently overheat and melt is from overclocking the CPU in docked mode. I really hope they circumvent this in the next model.

I believe that's a mistranslation and the actual translation says "$199.99 Nov 20 2019".

I hope they would release a pro version rather than a cheaper one. I need nintendo to run Final Fantasy VII Remake, FFXV, The upcoming Tales of Arise games, the possibilities are endless!

Maybe they'll announce once hardware sales directly because of Mario Maker 2 settle down.

This mini is soooo frigging stupid!
Making a product that’s already mobile even smaller!?
Selling half of it also dissuades people from buying the full package!!
Not too mention the price won’t be that far from a full docked switch anyway!!
If anything give us a pro, something that can run games better then what the switch is currently doing, I mean playing Xenoblade 2 docked is so ugly in parts that it makes me think that it would be so much more enjoyable and immersive if it looked as good as it’s supposed too. I so hope Nintendo aren’t stupid enough to shoot themselves in the foot with a “mini”!

@Ulysses dude you must have some dodgy joycons as I use mine all the time, take it too work with friends, and my little nephews and nieces play with it and they don’t have a scratch, don’t be terrified to use them, they are not glass!

@carlos82 No it wasn't. It was an update to an existing version and REPLACED it, not sold next to it for customers to choose. Much of the update was cosmetic or features, not performance as in an actual pro version. Geez. Wake up to yourself and save your petty arguing for something else.

@NIN10DOXD No it wasn't. It was a traditional Nintendo type of update to REPLACE an older version. There was nothing pro about it and something Nintendo has been doing since the NES top loader.

@tekknik Your friends are not the typical game public. Mainstream act very differently. I researched and the best indication is 80% of new sales are the base model. That's an epic fail in my book.

@HalBailman It had a faster processor and had exclusive games. It very much was like a PS4 Pro and nothing like the NES Top Loader.

People are going to be disappointed when the eventual pro upgraded Switch will be much more utilitarian in its efficiency boost than the 4K busting PS4 pro

This will time perfectly alongside Pokemon Sword/Shield. I know I'd buy one with the new games for my household. I'm betting they announce it closer to the Pokemon release.

@Dellybelly except it already is slowing down in Japan. That's why they released a dock-less version of it, so there's still a good chance they're going to have to remodel it soon in their native land- go ahead look up weekly sales, they're tracking BEHIND last year's for Japan.

Nintendo is famous for never saying anything until they are ready to make their announcement.

@HalBailman much of the update was cosmetic? It had a massive CPU upgrade which drastically improved performance. Also you can still buy the STANDARD 2DS to this very day, giving customers a choice between that and the NEW 3DS/2DS, you're the one arguing when you are clearly wrong. If anything Nintendo's way was worse as those who had supported the 3DS now found that games were being developed with the NEW version in mind and ran poorly on the standard version. With the new variant gaining 22 exclusive games, rising to 55 if you include the SNES virtual console which needed the much quicker CPU to run the emulator.

The NEW 3DS was very much a PRO console with better specs and enhanced gameplay performance, as I said they did it over 20 years ago with the N64's memory expansion which offered higher resolutions for compatible games which in turn was the same concept. Sony and Microsoft have had great success with theirs in what will always be the smaller part of the market but Nintendo invented the concept of a pro console

@Edu23XWiiU well the Switch's own firmware added support for a yet unreleased upgrade to the Tegra X1, which will be a smaller and more power efficient chip thus cooler. Meaning Nintendo are in a position to manufacture a smaller and cheaper version of the console

@carlos82 Wrong. Barely any performance improvements AND it replaced the previous version. That's the key. Nintendo did not sell a regular version next to a "pro" version, did they? No.

@NIN10DOXD Wrong. It was an upgrade and REPLACED the old version. Nintendo did not sell a regular version next to a "pro" version, did they? No.

@HalBailman barely any performance improvements? Go play Hyrule Warriors on a standard 3DS and tell me that. They doubled the core count of the CPU and tripled its speed and it had a 66% increase in VRAM. It had games specifically enhanced for it, exclusive features and gave better loading times for all other games.

Look on the Nintendo store today, you can still buy the standard version of the 2DS with the original controller layout and components in it. Whether it ultimately replaced the other variants is largely irrelevant and many people did upgrade to take advantage of its enhancements, the same way they have for the Pro/X

@carlos82 It's still not a pro version that sits besides a base model for sale. It's an update to REPLACE the old version. How you can't see this is down to petty stubbornness. Nintendo don't do pro versions. They never have, and won't be starting with the Switch. End of story.

@HalBailman you definitely misunderstood my comment. to recap what i said, new buyers don’t want to spend the extra and exiting users don’t see a need to upgrade. there’s also different degrees of fail. if the pro variants were garbage then that’s one fail, and not selling in the market is another fail. both of the pro consoles were talking about here are not garbage, just that the market doesn’t want them. you also have to take into consideration the platforms age. who would buy a pro variant when a new console is right around the corner. so again, they failed in the market but the unit itself was not a failure

While the rest of the gaming world looks forward to Switch revisions, I'll be eating my popcorn reading about those individuals who express their displeasure at not getting exactly what they want in loud and whiny tones.

@carlos82 You must mean the MARIKO, the one DF talked 17 minutes. That "upgraded" Tegra X1 is already on Switch's consoles since 2018, to prevent hacking.

@Edu23XWiiU my interpretation is that Mariko has merely been supported since then, likely for testing and development purposes. A revision was brought in to stop the hacks but it wasn't Mariko as far as I'm aware and from my understanding this new t210b01 is indeed Mariko for the Switch.

@HalBailman It is effectively the same thing. Just because it replaced it doesn't mean it doesn't serve a similar purpose to the Pro Consoles. It is still an iterative upgrade and it goes further by having select games exclusive to it instead of the base model.

@carlos82 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E39Ez9lUXH4
It's in Spanish, but you'll see many more. Mariko is only the Tegra X1 patched in order to prevent hacking, and because if it, even the console updates are more effective.

@NIN10DOXD No it's not. Repeatedly trying to asset it as the same won't make it so either.

@tekknik Your comment is irrelevant and won't change the fact. Nintendo don't do pro versions to sit beside a base model, only upgrades to replace them.

@Heavyarms55

@HalBailman what exactly are you talking about? it seems like you got too many trolls going on at once and got some wires crossed. my comment is completely relevant to the conversation WE were having.

@tekknik The only relevance is do Nintendo do pro versions? No they don't, even they you agreed with @Sinton they do. Nintendo do updates and replacements, which includes NES Top Loader, GB Color, GBA SP, DS Lite and DSi and New 3DS. All these replaced the old version, not sat beside them and sold as "pro" versions to appeal to "pro" gamers. The Switch will be similar, especially now that the whole "pro concept" idea pushed by PS and XB with this current generation has failed.

@HalBailman that’s not the only relevant question. we were taking about the failure of the current pro systems until you switched to this relevance rant.