Is it Possible to See a Nintendo Switch Mini or XL This Year?

It seems ever since the Nintendo Switch first hit retail store shelves, rumors and speculations around new models of the Switch, that of a Switch Mini or Switch XL. It seems these rumors have only grow louder and louder ever since Nintendo's latest investor call. Also rumors of a new Switch model, landing in some devs hands. What are the chances that Nintendo is actually working on a "new" Switch model. Which will land first Mini, XL. or both? Is it going to actually come out this year?

[TGG_overlord]

Hmm, that topic is worthy of a thought at least.

[kneon]

I don't know, making it larger seems stupid, it's already quite large. And making it smaller would make the controllers too tiny if they were still to be made removable.

[jaymacx]

I would rather them make a version that beefs up the performance like what the pro does for ps4 as long as their isn’t any exclusive games.

[badz149]

@jaymacx

just over a year after launch? are you high?

[Sono421]

I really hope they don't do anything like this. There is nothing more annoying.

[Elimin8]

I say just sell it without the dock for those who want to go portable with the option to buy the dock later for tv playtime.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I think that's very much going to happen in the future.

[GrubsterBeater]

That's a VERY good idea, actually. Not only would they sell a ton more consoles due to the price drop, but I guarantee a huge chunk of people don't even use the dock enough to even warrant including it. I still can't believe how expensive it is just to buy the dock... crazy.

[edeprez]

I only use the dock and the grip, they should sell a version without the tablet and joycons too. The picture is a little dark but it saves a ton on electricity and keeps the weight down.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I think that's very unlikely I think we're probably going to hear something about that maybe next year.

Maybe.

[admiralvic]

Not really, since the concept doesn't make a lot of sense when you think about it. For instance, people have been suggesting a smaller or larger one since it was announced and the problem is the controllers. Right now we have a nice rounded shape where they all fit together, there are no gaps and it looks sleek. If they introduced a different size model, they would need to increase or decrease the size of both the system and Joy-Cons. This makes things more tedious from a sales perspective.

While the same can be said about cases, something that can usually be countered by the fact there are going to be a bunch of them anyway, Nintendo will now need to produce and market multiple sizes of Joy-Cons, people will need to know which size they have, the sizing will likely be off (a Joy-Con goes across my hand with minimal space on each side) and much more.

It's a needless complication for something that will likely appeal to a niche, similar to how NA didn't get much in way of the New 3DS and there is just the New 2DS XL.

[PhoenixUp]

😑 Do you really think that’s a possibility so soon

[Poli_Games]

Not less than a year out. No next year maybe

[EddieNX]

I think there will be a + model with higher resolution screen and more power. It will play Switch games with better graphics like the pro or X does . Slight redesign in aesthetics but will be the same size

[Knushwood Butt]

Or the New Switch

Marginally better specs, higher price, and is launched with one first party exclusive that will only run on the New Switch.

[Highlife]

If they did that i would be done. Not buying every year just to keep up. But they won't that would be stupid.

[Officialxandr]

Don't think it will run exclusive games, but I do see a stronger, more beefed up version.

[Knushwood Butt]

They did it with the New 3DS and Xenoblade.

[edeprez]

That's not a smart idea, even if they've done it in the past. There's no reason Nintendo exclusives couldn't run on the old one too. There would be more pissed off people than happy ones.

[Radiozero]

I would be so upset if they did that.

[ZeekQuattro]

Giving history its unlikely a bigger or smaller model will be out this year.

[porkChop]

Anything can happen, eventually. But in only the second year? No, that's not likely. I could see a Plus/Pro model releasing in a few years, to extend the life cycle of the system. Similar to PS4 Pro and XBO X. But not right now. The Switch is selling very well, there's no need for a new model.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Difficult to say, but I doubt it will be this year even if it does happen.
Contrary to what some "fans" around here will tell you, the Switch is not just a portable or home console.
It's a Hybrid, playing both sides of the hardware field.

Through the words of the creators themselves, who know more about what it's intended to be than a bunch of "B-b-but it's just a Handheld!" naysayers/downplayers, and through the very evenly-split way it is advertised, it's obvious that it is a home console that you can take with you, AKA, a Hybrid.

Official polls reflect this, and have shown that the majority of Switch owners don't stick to one method or the other; they split their time between the two modes, as well.

The Switch being a hybrid means in the long run, it could go either way.

[_-EDMIX-_]

... the device is still portable which actually means they're still going to do a redesign to make the screen brighter or to make the device lighter or to give a bigger screen or to even make it smaller or to give it longer battery life make the dock optional etc. So I definitely don't see that really happening this year but possibly next year.

I'm not really sure what most of your post really even has to do with this article...

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

It's a hybrid, not a pure portable, meaning it could also follow the convention of its console half by not getting any mid-life upgrades at all.
The last Nintendo home console to get a mid-life upgrade to its processing power was the N64, with the Power Pack that enabled games like DK64 to run.

The reason you can't understand what my post has to do with this, is because you're still in denial over its hybrid nature, entirely ignoring that it's Nintendo's newest home console, and the device meant to replace the Wii U.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@wonder-.... Those changes are still relevant because it's a portable a device.

"Pure portable" lol

The add-ons for this device did not negate its portability. The definition of portable literally has nothing to do with any of the optional add-ons.

Trying to hard bud. This is a portable device and to be honest nothing is wrong with that, but you have a hard time coming to grips with this fact.

You cannot brag another articles about the benefits of its portability and then come on here and then deny it portability. Contradicting yourself

[TheEnigma313]

I can see them doing a portable only switch at a cheaper price

[Knushwood Butt]

They would have to rename it.

The Itch ?

[Prince_TFK]

Realistically, I would expect them to call it something along the line of the Switch Lite or the Switch Portable.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@kun-I don't think they would rename it at all. I'm not even sure why you would even call the switch "switch portable" as that's sort of an oxymoron, the device by default is already portable.

I actually believe if they make it dock optional they're not going to rename it at all, it's simply going to be another sku.

I believe they're only going to specifically name the XL, slim, mini etc, I actually don't see them naming the separate bundles simply because it doesn't really make that much sense. You could already purchase a separate dock which would actually mean they wouldn't even be a point to rename the device something else if the individual can simply just purchase the HDMI device to Output it to the TV similar to the PSP.

To my understanding sony didn't just suddenly call the PSP some new name because it had a different cord as an option or something.

[Aenea]

Then they could also make one that doesn't have the portable part and is just a normal console...

They could then even beef up the specs of the device! And if they can find an easy way to save the state of a running game and transfer it over to the non-portable device they can make it look like another (bigger) docking station and be compatible with the regular Switch like that...

[TheEnigma313]

I think that would work. Some people may only use it in docked mode. I know I prefer docked mode.

[_-EDMIX-_]

So basically like PS TV.

[kevnb]

of course its possible, why wouldnt it be possible?

[LIGATURE]

Make it smaller like a vita.switch is big,like you cant really put it in your coat pocket and need a backpack to carry

[howiewowwee]

Of course it will...duh. This console will follow the same road the gameboy,gameboy advance, ds and 3ds have gone. History repeats itself with nintendo handhelds. oh wait..gameboy pocket, gameboy advance sp, gameboy micro, 3dsxl 2ds,2ds xl, gameboy color, ds lite.....i need a drink.

[Prince_TFK]

Too fast. I would expect next year however.

[PhantomS42]

Doubtful you'll get either. the Switch has a perfect size. Any bigger then portability is limited, smaller and the screen is too small

[zaherdab]

Article is not adding more info than the title ... anyway i dont think a change in size is viable as thry need to maintain accessories compatible ... unless thry reduce bezzels but keep the foem factor... i would expect smthin more in line of slightly more power efficient hardware allowing games to run on battery as if they are docked and maybe incrrasing the portable scrren resolution

[V10Elit3x]

I love my regular Nintendo Switch, but I want a XL version of Switch for sure. Make it happen Nintendo!

[Aenea]

There are surely going to be newer models if the 3DS is any indication....

Hopefully with the same specs tho, otherwise I will want to buy a new one :)

[FernDiggidy]

I'd prefer a switch pro, with a much more powerful Tegra chip.

[Kosic]

Tbh, I'd love to see a Nintendo switch Pro, slightly larger display, or thicker body with a upgraded GPU and battery to run dock mode quality performance on the go.

[Doughhead]

No.

[ApexWolf22]

No...

[chris235]

sounds like the typical nintendo move. rather put out nonsense than upping their game to industry standards. which they completely keep ignoring.

neither one makes any sense. do you really need or can handle a bigger one on the go? or wouldn‘t you rather put it into stationary mode. a smaller one only makes sense if their main target was 4-8 year olds. but this is already their main target group.

so really. why not for once check what the others are doing just to get the glimpse of an idea what industry standard means. but no. we nindendo. we lead. not follow.

uh huh. my money is really better spent elsewhere.

[Fist4achin]

Interesting. I can't see making a portable much bigger than a switch. Maybe they will release a home console for crossplay with higher resolutions and all those 4k modifications. It is 2018 after all.

[_LarZen_]

I would like a Super Switch! Better display and full 4K support when in docked mode.

[PurpHerbison]

I don't know about this year but you will most definitely see a new Switch at some point. Anybody that isn't quite sure if they want a Switch should hold out on an announcement. I can see it going exactly like the 3DS where you get the best model if you want the best performance. Basically a mid console upgrade.

[UnHoly_One]

How about they make one without the screen that I would never use, and just have it come with a pro controller.

I would buy one in a heartbeat.

The only thing keeping me away at this point is all the bull**** that I don't need.

Just make a "home console only" version, please.

[link2Dpast]

I still haven't made the jump to the switch yet and yet a upgraded system with a little mOre power can definitely convince me. I've seen places where Nintendo says the switch could have a 6 year life span. I would love to get a great 4k tv and hope the switch eventually is compatible with 4k because 6 years is a lot

[Tross]

Why make it bigger? It would be harder to carry then and it's already bigger than any handheld Nintendo's ever had. If you make it smaller, it won't function well as a screen for multiplayer titles, especially ones with splitscreen. I think the current Switch size is about the only size that works.

[Silly gameAr]

So soon?

[yomfweeee]

I'd take a regular console version with a Pro controller. No screen, no dock, no JoyCons. $200, I'd probably buy it.

[Psytrix]

I'd be interested in purely a console only version. Feel free to add a little power bump as well.

[3-4-5]

Not this year but almost for sure in 2019-20.

There will be a Switch Plus or Switch Pro that has increased specs, like the New 3DS XL had. This will help it run some games that will be on the PS5 & next Xbox. Won't be nearly as powerful as those, but a step up from Switch. Like a Mega Switch.

[Chinkyinc18]

Bring out a Switch Portable version aka sell it without the dock for cheaper. Would buy one immediately as I don't care for it as a console, so I'm not gonna buy the bundle with a dock I'll never use.

[jojo319]

This year? No way. Next? Absolutely.

[KIRTology]

I'll be dirty if it's an xl ....

[Godmars290]

Wonder if they'll make a unit that just hooks up to a TV. No screen and excessive memory.

[Miacosa]

I could see a cheaper Apple TV / Nvidia Shield like device that is just a home console.

[zugdar]

I'd bet on one new model change to make it cheaper or appeal to more users. A console and/or handheld only version for $200.

[Firebird360]

I gurantee well get a sleeker model with a larger screen and better battery life. Also native 1080p docked or undocked.
But it won't come anytime soon.

[DarkZane]

I think they will do a version without any dock that can only be played portable and another version that is only playable on TV and can't be played portable. Both of those options would reduce the cost and would also reach even more people.

[The_Jackel]

Maybe updated internals but stupid to do a mini/xl version after not being out too long.