Topic: Possible upgraded Switch?

I just thought about how most Nintendo consoles have successors or an upgraded versions of themselves, such the SNES to the NES, the 3DS XL to the 3DS, and the Wii U to the Wii, so could Nintendo make something such as the Super Switch? Just a thought.

The original isn't out yet, I think we can wait a bit before we start considering hardware revisions.

The SNES and Wii U weren't upgrades they were entirely new systems. But yes, I do think that eventually we will get revisions of the Switch. Whether they're different form factors, sizes or with upgraded specs. I think this is going to be the system that Nintendo sticks with for a while. But it won't happen this year and probably not next year either.

With that said, when they do it? It'll probably be more of a 3DSXL/New 3DS style thing. As opposed to an actual successor. At least to start with. 5 years down the road who knows what they, or anyone else, will do

I definitley think there'll be an upgrade in future,possibly several .The system is set up perfectly for this.Those that buy the first model will already have the Joy-cons and dock so when the Switch + arrives,upgraders might be able to buy the tablet on its own.I can't imagine they'll force everyone to buy the full model again.Sure it's a sneaky way of getting more money out of us,and perhaps selling us extra Joy-cons isn't too bad but 2 docks?Maybe they'll upgrade the dock as well but I don't see any reason why they would,it is what it is,everything is in the tablet.They can just upgrade the power of the tablet,put a bigger battery in,increase the internal storage to 64gb and have a 1080p screen,offer the tablet separately for $179 and the full console for $299 like they are now.With this model,the Switch can be around for years to come.They could just keep upgrading the tablet every 2 years,and every 3 or 4 years upgrade the Joy-cons and Pro controllers if needed.There's no need for a new generation of console anymore.In 10 years from now,owners of the original humble Switch will still be able to play all the same games as those of us with the Switch + Turbo Extra.Just we'll have 8k 120 fps and headset free VR.

The system is quite modular so there are opportunities to upgrade each component as time goes by. Upgraded tablet, upgraded dock, upgraded joycon. This is a great business model as it keeps a constant revenue stream and allows consumers to update there system bit by bit.

Not really. The dock itself is using DisplayPort and converting it to HDMI, that's all it does. From what has been rumoured it's doing HDMI 1.4 which technically means the dock can pass through 4K @ 30Hz or 1080p @ 120Hz. More than enough for the current Switch.

The Joycons are in a similar boat. They might not have the specific config people are after but there is a lot in there. I can see them making novelty, game specific and limited edition versions maybe. But upgrades? Other than having a D-Pad and analogue trigger version I can't see it.

The tablet for sure, 100% they can release an upgraded tablet. Or even some kind of different form factor like a smaller one designed to be more cost effective and more portable. But the other stuff I can't see changing anytime soon. It's modular but I don't think they'll upgrade the Switch bit by bit....

@skywake Don't get me wrong I'm hyped for the system and I'm counting down the days till march 3rd. All I'm saying is with the joycon any added features would constitute an upgrade. You mention a dpad and analogue triggers which would be cool. The tablet could be improved as the technology gets better (faster processor, better battery, higher resolution etc). The dock I'm not sure what else they could do with that but maybe cooling so the higher powered tablet doesn't overheat. I feel like I haven't added anything to this debate but I've typed to much to stop now. So what the hell. Let's chuck a disk drive so it's backwards compatible with older games. Maybe a hard drive option. Maybe little propellers on the top of the tablet so when you want to go handheld it'll just fly up and over to you. Maybe super hot elements in the dock that will make toast when not in use. And before anyone doubts my ideas let me tell you I am an MIT lecturer who also advises Trump on current executive policies.

I think we are more likely to get a downgrade first - that is a 3DS replacement which comes without the dock,

I wouldn't be so sure of a revision - the home consoles have a lot of special editions, and cheaper skus like the Wii Mini, but I don't remember a revision for a home console.

The Switch by definition is not a traditional console, I too can see a revision to the tablet in around 2 - 3 years time.

An Optional tablet portion that outputs 1080p video would be pretty awesome

Neither was the Playstation, Wii or Wii U

Um, why? That would be so pointless with its size.

Shrug. It'd be better for the vr they say they wanna do.

From a Time interview with Takahashi and Koizumi:

“It is Nintendo Switch, so maybe we’ll switch it up. Certainly, we’ve designed Nintendo Switch in a way that it can be used by consumers in the way that best suits them. I think we may see that people who have bought a Nintendo home console in the past traditionally, they may treat Switch like a home console and buy it and use it for a long period of time.” – Takahashi

“Whereas people who have been traditionally Nintendo handheld gamers, they may buy Nintendo Switch and then for example, if a new version were to come out later, then maybe they would decide to upgrade to that. Or, for example, because you can take the Joy-Con off the system, then I guess that leaves open the possibility of something else that might get attached. There’s obviously a lot of different developments that we could look at from that perspective as well.” – Takahashi

Seeing as how the Switch isn't your standard console and is a lot more akin to tablets and other smart devices, I was wondering if we might see yearly or bi-yearly iterations of the console, not unlike an Apple or Samsung device.

But my main concern really is if early adopters of the switch might be shafted down the road when we find out that future games might not run on the first version of the Switch.. And basically force consumers to upgrade or get left behind.

If AAA support gets really serious I'm wondering if this might be a legitimate concern..

@DaNiC700 that's nothing to worry about. It wouldn't be any different from the current situation where you have to go from a PS3 to PS4 to play certain games.

@DaNiC700 Like I mentioned above,I think they'll take that approach too.I doubt it would be yearly but every 2 years is a possibility.Providing they just keep upgrading the tablet and not force everyone to buy new upgraded docks and Joy-cons each time I think it could work out great.If they do take this approach I'd imagine all games will be compatible for at least 3 generations of updates so that gives each model at least 6 years of full software compatibility with less demanding games begin compatible for far longer.I think the plan is for the Switch to be Nintendo's permanent console from here on.Nvidia already said they're looking forward to the next 20 years with Nintendo,or something along those lines.That quote from Takahashi in Jaxons comment above makes it seem even more likely

You mean like with the Gameboy Color, DSi, New 3DS, PS4 Pro, Project Scorpio and every PC ever built? Or like with every new console ever made including the Switch, Wii U, 3DS, PS4, XBOne.....

I don't see how this thing that has always happened is suddenly a concern

Yeah, I would argue the contrary actually. The chances of you still being able to play some of the same games has never been bigger.