Jakartalado
Member
As much as I love the mini mock up.... The Nintendo Switch environment needs games. Not a new platform.
Nintendo.... Zelda was amazing. Give me more.
Nintendo.... Zelda was amazing. Give me more.
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Speculating about a Nintendo Switch mini
- Thread starter jts
- Start date
family_guy
Member
New Nintendo 3DS has a slightly bigger screen than the original. I think around 0.5".
As THE feature to sell a Switch 2? I don't think so either. But as one of many? Probably. But I don't think they'll make the actual device any bigger, as it's pretty much the largest they could make it and keep it portable.
Such a model would be good to reignite main Switch line sales in a few years. But the purpose of a smaller variant would be to sell to kids and people looking for better portability. I think we'll see a cheaper, smaller variant first. And a Switch 2 with a larger screen replacing the old one later.
I'd say it should have just one detachable controller, connecting to the bottom of the main unit. Rail size could be the same, but the actual controller would be bigger (approaching square format) and feature both sides of two joycons.
I'm sure there'll be a hand full of good games by 2019.
Polygonal_Sprite
Gold Member
I always find statements like this strange. I mean if you bought a Switch for Nintendo games only then fair enough but I've already got a backlog on Switch between Shovel Knight, Graceful Explosion Machine, Lego City, Fast Racing Remix and Snake Pass (I'll be buying The Binding of Isaac as soon as it's available in the EU aswell). I'm also 70 hours into Zelda and about to start the fourth dungeon. Plenty of games for me tbh especially considering I own a PS4 Pro and Xbox One aswell. Switch is great for the types of games I would have never got around to on a dedicated home console.
On topic I don't think we'll see a Switch mini for a long time considering how well Switch is selling. Maybe the end of 2018. By that time Nintendo should be able to sell a smaller version of the Switch for a profit at $199.
They'll probably do exactly this (smaller screen, non-detachable controllers but compatible with all other controllers, charging cable, no dock but compatible with the existing docks) as soon as it's possible to make such a device profitable at sub-$199. Early 2019, maybe?
Drop the regular switch to $249 at the same time and throw in 1-2-Switch (which is a poor fit for the 'Mini' anyway) for free.
Drop the regular switch to $249 at the same time and throw in 1-2-Switch (which is a poor fit for the 'Mini' anyway) for free.
Nostremitus
Member
That's a lot of effort just to explain how you were taking his words out of context. Thanks, though, you have fully explained how you moved the entire field and used that to accuse someone else of moving goalposts. Context is important, I think you should reread his statement in context of his clarification (the thing you are incorrectly calling goalposts moving.)
Also, tilt controls and motion controls are not the same.
Council Pop
Member
Yeah, but it wasn't really a selling point of the N3DS though. Just a nice extra on top of the c-nub, face tracking, more power, faceplates etc.
Ah, but are you talking about a Switch 2, or an OG Switch redesign? It's the latter that I'm talking about. I'm not sure what other extra features could be added that doesn't change gameplay etc- I guess better battery life, slightly quicker processor. But by the nature of the Switch design, they really can't change how it looks, which makes a redesign a hard sell.
I can't really imagine this, I sort of know what you mean though. I think that this would be a better solution than creating a slightly bigger or small version of the Joy Cons, which would just be confusing. But also it sounds top heavy and difficult to hold maybe?
Graphics Horse
Member
Switch 2 should have a dual view screen like I was saying the Switch should have, so you'd see a different screen in tabletop mode depending on wether you're the player sitting on the left or right. Would be a nice bonus to sell the tabletop aspect that any other form factors don't use.
For a single detachable controller, if not a clamshell you could make the controller ergonomically chunky and have a slot underneath you can store the whole tablet inside. 😲
Then you can just use as an extra multiplayer controller for TV etc.
I don't understand why Nintendo should give up tabletop mode and local multiplayer with two included joycon in an eventual portable-only version of the Switch, especially when said machine will need full compatibility with the existing library. Price shouldn't be a concern if and when this device will become available, as the manufacturing cost will go down by then, so there's no point for Nintendo in releasing a portable console that isn't simply a Switch with no dock and HDMI
included in the package.
(and power adapter? Lol)
JoshuaJSlone
Member
Even if the situation is such that Regular Switch is $200, having Portable Switch for $100 would be a Good Thing. And your spoiler says it all--they've tossed out much more significant things from the default package in search of cost cuttings before.
For the people who want a handheld only Switch, there's just as many who want a console only version. I don't see why Nintendo would want to do either which is why they went with the concept of the Switch being a hybrid so they can appeal to as many people as possible, recapture some of the magic from the Wii, and make money off accessories versus making a dedicated console or handheld that caters to a specific market.
Tech wise it's much easier to take the Switch internals and make that into a console for $150 than to try and figure out how to shrink the Switch's already minuscule internals into a smaller handheld while keeping decent battery life and thermals.
A Switch mini would also need to make sense business wise. Making a smaller handheld version doesn't make up for the money they'd lose from people not buying accessories. At that point everyone would just choose the cheaper model.
People are also forgetting that Nintendo is a stubborn company and stuck in their ways. They wouldn't get rid of the tablet to make the Wii U cheaper and have discontinued the NES Classic which has been incredibly popular. Why would they do something as logical as make a cheap handheld only Switch?
Tech wise it's much easier to take the Switch internals and make that into a console for $150 than to try and figure out how to shrink the Switch's already minuscule internals into a smaller handheld while keeping decent battery life and thermals.
A Switch mini would also need to make sense business wise. Making a smaller handheld version doesn't make up for the money they'd lose from people not buying accessories. At that point everyone would just choose the cheaper model.
People are also forgetting that Nintendo is a stubborn company and stuck in their ways. They wouldn't get rid of the tablet to make the Wii U cheaper and have discontinued the NES Classic which has been incredibly popular. Why would they do something as logical as make a cheap handheld only Switch?
Skittzo0413
Member
But what makes you think a Switch mini would somehow cost $100 less? The only things it won't have are the dock and the joycon latch/rail mechanism, and I suppose a smaller screen. But I don't think those savings will add up to as much as people are thinking.
I agree with Rodin here, there just doesn't seem to be enough of a benefit to potentially split or confuse the user base like this.
jts
...hate me...
Don't forget the Joy-cons themselves. Making 2 dedicated bluetooth controllers each with its own battery, wireless system, IR camera in one of them, NFC, and gyroscopes isn't nearly as cheap as people may think it is, plus the added production complexity compared to build a single piece system.
Hence why they cost $80 a pair.
I can definitely see them producing a portable focused iteration of the Switch hardware for children, it's a no-brainer. It's harder to predict whether it would still support TV play, if it doesn't then the Switch branding would be awkward.
Skittzo0413
Member
I forgot about the dedicated batteries and bluetooth, though I don't believe bluetooth adds to much to the cost. But the batteries surely do. However, you'd still have to include the IR camera, NFC, motion control and HD rumble if you want feature parity with the OG Switch. Again, outside of batteries I don't see much cost savings there.
metalslimer
Member
If the Switch is supposed to be an ecosystem why wouldn't they eventually make a mini version?
Pandora012
Member
I'd be more likely to get a switch mini. Don't really care about playing it on the big screen as long as I can take the console games on the go.
ProtomanNeo
Member
Jumping into the thread a little late. I'd like to say that while the idea of a Switch mini seems obvious its presence poses some interesting questions. First and foremost for me is what happens to the DS line? Specifically, while I don't expect new games to be released the form factor of the Switch is not conducive to a Virtual Console that would support anything from this line. I can't imagine Nintendo (actually I can) throwing away all that potential money. I wonder could the release of a dedicated VC handheld also be on the horizon?
JoshuaJSlone
Member
I mean, if it's only $70 less, or even $50, that'd be a pretty big deal, too.Skittzo0413 said:
Minus dock, HDMI cable.
Minus grip.
Minus separate bluetooth/batteries/gyro on joycons. Minus the rails/connectors/general extra manufacturing hassle of producing three pieces rather than one.
Possibly less powerful AC adapter (if a dock-worthy one would be sold with the Mini version of the dock)
It adds up to a non-negligible difference. When 2DS was introduced its main difference from the original model was lack of a 3D filter on the top screen and hinge, and that was enough for them to make the MSRP something like $40 less at the time--and it removed one of the features that was in the name of 3DS in an even more permanent way, since you couldn't choose to add back in the 3D with an optional purchase.
DrROBschiz
Member
I love those mockups!!
if they do make them i hope they look and function like that
if they do make them i hope they look and function like that
Yeah, a Switch Mini is plausible down the line with a smaller overall size and built-in (non-detachable) controls, joycons and dock sold separately. Holiday 2018 is the earliest I'd expect to see it, and 2019 is more likely still.
But where's my GBA [Micro] Classic? That's the hardware I'd really like right now.
But where's my GBA [Micro] Classic? That's the hardware I'd really like right now.
throw in a game that the 'mini' can't play....?
We will see a powered Dock before we see the mini IMO. It will be The Switch's version of the mid-generational improvements but still retain full BC because you still have the original console..
You can play 1-2 Switch in tabletop mode.
MatrixMan.EXE
Member
Well, this isn't true at all.
DrROBschiz
Member
Mock up concept is really well thought out
Still dockable and works will all controls schemes
Would need a kick stand even though tabletop mode usage would be rare
really cool but needs significant die shrikage as well as maintaining a sizable battery
Still dockable and works will all controls schemes
Would need a kick stand even though tabletop mode usage would be rare
really cool but needs significant die shrikage as well as maintaining a sizable battery
JoshuaJSlone
Member
Wii U already had DS VC games it was possible to view on one screen, and the same should hold true for Switches of all sizes. Games that used the two in a combined vertical way would be significantly hurt, but most would come across pretty well I think.
I say early 2019. 1) Nintendo has talked about how 3DS has stuff coming even through 2018. 2) Introducing a new model at the big holiday time would just exacerbate supply/demand issues. GBASP and DS Lite were both early year launches worldwide, DSi and New 3DS were in the NA/EU regions. 3) Much sooner starts to seem implausible for making significant size improvements.emag said:
but we're talking about a mini who controls are fixed to the console. You're going to get a game that you need controllers from another system to play.
I'm confused about a possible Switch Mini or Switch Go supporting a dock and Table Top mode. I though a hypothetical Switch Mini or Switch Go would solely support handheld mode only. By supporting handheld mode only would lead to games that require motion controls via the Joy-Con exclusively useless, I don't see this as a big deal because a handheld gamer most likely will be using the handheld only Switch in places where Table Top mode would be very inconvenient anyway. Also, by only supporting handheld mode only, a Tegra X1 with a die shrinkage, from my limited understanding, should be able to passively cooled along with removing the Dock, HDMI cable, Joy Cons, Joy Con Grip, manufacturing wise Nintendo should be able to remove fans and the other parts use in actively cooling the Switch.
jts
...hate me...
Honestly, dock mode is a stretch goal, and I can see it being axed (name be damned) OR...
...locked to portable clocks on this particular Switch device.
Parapraxis
Member
I could be down for a SwitchMINI, I'd also wish Nintendo would consider a Swicth "core" system, that has no screen and is a more traditional home console.
I doubt the latter will ever happen sadly.
I doubt the latter will ever happen sadly.
Jakartalado
Member
I just got a new job and don't have time to play my PS4 anymore.
So I bought the Switch to play while in public transport.
But there's no game available after Zelda (80 hours - 120 shrines, 4 stars on lots of equipment and I grabbed every clothing available). At least for me. Already played Shovel Knight, Binding of Issac, and I Am Setsuna on PS4.
I'll grab Mario Kart day one.... But after that.... Only Splatoon in July. I'm screwed.
You're right about one thing, I already spent too much effort replying to you. Your low effort post above won't change the facts though.
Did you vote Trump?
In my mind, Switch 2 would be like iPhone 2, or a PS4Pro or Xbox Scorpio in console terms. A redesign, but also beefed up version.
Graphics Horse
Member
I really like the mock up and I can see Nintendo make something very similar once they officially end support for 3DS or around 2019. I know plenty of people that have been using it strictly as a handheld. I'm also sure theres someone thats crafty enough to make this right now.
MythicReclaimer
Member
For my interests I'd rather see an option in the complete opposite direction as in lose the portability option and just give me a traditional home console for use on a TV with the Pro controller included.
I get that it will never happen as it's called the "Switch" after all but that's really all I want in order to play the Nintendo classic franchises.
That said, the Switch will be re-acquired for Mario Odyssey.
I get that it will never happen as it's called the "Switch" after all but that's really all I want in order to play the Nintendo classic franchises.
That said, the Switch will be re-acquired for Mario Odyssey.
Grampa Simpson
Banned
My initial guess was Holiday 2018.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1334943
I'm thinking that Holiday 2019 is also possible.
Depends on whether they're still selling as fast as they can manufacture them and if they're able to get the damn thing prototyped and built in time for holiday.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1334943
I'm thinking that Holiday 2019 is also possible.
Depends on whether they're still selling as fast as they can manufacture them and if they're able to get the damn thing prototyped and built in time for holiday.
It wouldn't need it if in the revision Nvidia made the Tegra XI on an 16nm node. Nintendo would be free to reduce the battery size by a third and still have at minimum 20% more battery life than the current Switch.
As for the mockup the screen will never be that big. It costs money to go bezelless. You can save money by making the screen smaller. They will definitely shrink the screen and potentially even have more bezel. At that point I hope it's 540p if possible. Otherwise they will still make it 720p in order to maintain the aspect ratio.
Your confusion stems from the assumption Nintendo would agree with you that there wouldn't be confusion over making an integrated controller device.
I assure you that when Nintendo conceived of the 2DS they definitely of the same mindset that they have to make a distinct brand name for such a revision and would never call it a Switch mini. Any Switch at all times needs to be able to have a portable and TV out mode.
