Nintendo Will Release Handheld-Only Switch Model In 2019;PS4,Xbox One To Receive Price Cuts:Pachter

Industry analyst Michael Pachter believes consoles will get their prices slashed this year to continue to drive sales.

[Jin_Sakai]

“Nintendo Will Release Handheld-Only Switch Model In 2019”

I want a Switch Pro! Bigger display, smaller bezels, better battery life, and possibly faster internals.

[Neonridr]

I would imagine that might come to coincide with the release of the PS5 and next Xbox. Who knows though.

[bouzebbal]

Switch actually needs games, not just ports..
Handheld only? Wtf again? I prefer a home console only with better processing power.

[Neonridr]

@bouzebbal - that's great what you want. There are many people in different parts of the world that would prefer a handheld only and aren't concerned with the dock. Japan for example. This is going to be a refresh, not a successor.

[BizarroUltraman]

Nintendo needs to release a proper console to go against Xbox/PS. The Switch sucks. Shame adults are using more than lil kids!

[mikeslemonade]

Haha that’s exactly the opposite what we want. We want a more powerful switch not handheld only. The screen is still trash at 720p.

[Neonridr]

@mikeslemonade - who's to say that you can't have a 1080p screen with a better battery though? I mean the reason why they went with 720p was because in handheld mode they needed to reduce the load on the battery otherwise it would die too fast. When it's docked it's not like the dock does anything special to the switch, it just supplies a constant source of power thus allowing the handheld to run in its unclocked form. A better battery would allow the Switch handheld to run at full capacity and thus having a higher res screen would allow the games to run at their TV resolutions.

[paintedgamer1984]

Nintendo can only hope by march 2020 they release a super switch or streaming device... because if not... they will be left behind... again 👋

The battery is only good enough until you slap a 1080 or 2k screen on it... than the switches battery is garbage.

You say nobody would spend that much $$$... im going to level with you... most people are already spending 300-1000 on cell phones. A 200$ cell phone in 2020 should have no issue what so ever doing 2k 60... forget the flagship galaxy... lol how close minded you are if you think people wouldnt like options. Lol. Your nintendos target audience. Keep taking what they give you and think it couldnt possibly be any different. My are you in for a rude awakening when gen 9 kicks off proper... all you nintendo dudes are

[TekoIie]

@PaintedGamer1984

"You say nobody would spend that much $$$... im going to level with you... most people are already spending 300-1000 on cell phones."

Sorry but one of the big pre-launch criticisms of the Switch was it's pricing. Not only that but one of the PS4's most praised advantages pre-launch was it's affordable pricing. And if we go to last gen the PS3 struggled because of how expensive It was early on.

The industry has moved towards an affordability > capability model. If you're looking for some incredible machine capable of high end performance stop looking at the console market because those days are gone.

[Neonridr]

@paintedgamer - so you are telling me that the community would be ok with spending double what you could on a PS4? It would be roasted alive. Look how bad the PS3 did with it's $699 pricing.

[mikeslemonade]

Well be personally I don't care about battery life. If you told me I can play in 4k screen 60 frames and it had zero battery life, I would take it. Then obviously the system will be tethered all the time, that's fine

And that's wishful thinking. They're not take one step back and one step forward. The handheld would be 720p as well, but they may update the quality of the screen.

[tehpees3]

@paintedgamer
They can't be "left behind" when they aren't directly competing in the console market anymore. Switch is more like PC whereby it aims at a certain type of player. They tried in consoles and failed so they are done with them.

I don't know how many times it must be shown. PC, consoles, dedicated handhelds and mobiles are all different markets with different audiences and can coexist with each other. Switch is not a direct competitor to PS4 and Xbox One regardless of how you try and scratch it. Sure it operates as a home console but we all know most people use it as their handheld.

[ABizzel1]

@bouzebbal

Nintendo has not been able to compete in that market in a long time outside of the Wii. The Switch success might reinvigorate some excite for another attempt at a home console, but it's can't be a powerhouse, because Nintendo devices are aimed at fun and accessibility, and a $400 console isn't accessible to the masses.

I think our best shot would be an entry $199 / $249 Nintendo home console (at best $299 if the hardware is right).

[EddieNX]

That's what we're more likely to get. Although some kind of minimalistic Switch isn't hard to imagine either.

[The 10th Rider]

Yeah. Plus IMO I don't see them dropping the detachable controllers so early in the console's life.

Make a Switch that's a bit more powerful and more efficient (for better power life), with a better kickstand and screen, around $300-350 and drop the price of the current one to $250.

[maximumspidey]

yes. strong gimmickless nintendo hardware for 2019

[gamer7804]

exactly, I want a better switch screen size and power, not something thats less functional...

[paintedgamer1984]

Exactly. They will give its consumers less, put it in a shiny new box, and slap new in front of it 😂 and charge the same damn price 😂😂 genius

[chris235]

nintendo couldn‘t care less what you or their other customers want. you are buying anyway.

[PrinceVegeta]

This.
But there is no way that is happening...

[n1kki6]

So you want to add features that drain battery faster but somehow want better battery life. It's not like they just have a dial to say turn of more battery. Thats like saying you want a ferrari with more power, more electronics and 60 miles per gallon.

I just want a proper d pad in handhel mode. Thats all. A fully featured joycon with a d pad.

[gamer7804]

there is already a cpu/gpu out there that will deliver more performance at the same battery life.

[PhoenixUp]

Handheld only Switch goes against the nature of the system. Plus they already sold a dockless SKU in Japan and nothing major came of it

I can see Sony and Microsoft dropping their prices since being $300 for 3 years would be too long.

[Fist4achin]

Yes. Strange that that would do another switch iteration to be handheld only.

I would be excited if both ps and Xbox went the route of a proper mobile device as well.

[paintedgamer1984]

They will in 2020

Sony is rumored to offer a streaming service to any device... tv, cell phone, tablet...

The dual shock 5 is rumored to break apart down the middle and double as psvr remotes. A controller will sync to your phone through the app. The great thing about this is your graphical fidelity wont be locked behind a set hardware. It will be dependant on your internet capability and cell phone.

[Nebaku]

Yeah well, no 3d goes against the nature of a system called the 3DS, and look what happened there.

[The 10th Rider]

Difference is there's actually some Switch games that you cannot play in handheld only mode, such as Super Mario Party. Every single 3DS game is playable without the 3D.

[paintedgamer1984]

Actually, when youre sony and for the last 3 years youve done between 18 and 21 million... 21 million being 2017 and a climbing number, it would be bad business to slash prices and your still selling millions more than the previous year... thats simple business ff dude

[kneon]

I've only ever seen a switch used in public once, and that was on a flight to Tokyo. I used to see people use their DS on the train all the time before mobile phones took over. Even in Japan I never saw one on the trains, everyone is either sleeping or staring at their phones.

But maybe if they make a switch that isn't so huge then people might use it on the go more.

[ocelot07]

I predicted a handheld Switch only back in 2017 it's not a hard prediction to make lol.

[ziggurcat]

"Nintendo Will Release Handheld-Only Switch Model In 2019"

Wrong move. They should be beefing up the dock to allow it to give people a true home console experience while maintaining its strength as a portable device.

[micdagoat19]

That would be a good idea. I wonder if they could add power to the dock instead of a "switch Pro". then the reg switch dock price could come down too.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

This is Fudge-Pachter we're talking about here; the guy who said the PSVita would crush Nintendo and the Wii would never sell.
Don't listen to him.
Don't expect something as nonsensical as a docking-incapable Switch. It wouldn't make sense to even CALL it a Switch if it couldn't play both on tv and handheld.

[gamer7804]

good point, the whole sellable aspect of the switch is you get to play the same games on the go or at home on your tv.

[paintedgamer1984]

Since when do you need a dock to hook it up to a tv... its called a hdmi cable. The dock is not needed. Its actually pointless like most other things nintendo does.

[porkChop]

Handheld-only wouldn't make sense. A cheaper SKU without a dock is fine, but selling one that can't be docked goes against the whole point of the system.

[kevnb]

many people only want to use it handheld only, it would be cheaper not make it have video out.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

"Many people"?
Explain why the dock-less equivalent in Japan sold pitifully, then.
It makes no sense to get rid of its docking capability.
Not even in terms of lowering its price, which tbh it is very affordable right now anyways.

[kevnb]

how do you know how the dock-less switch sold in Japan? Only numbers I can find are total hardware units sold. Im sure the model with the dock outsells the one without, but there are people looking for a second switch for the family or even people who only play handheld.

[Gamist2dot0]

PS4 price cut. Yup, definitely on target to beat PS2 sales by the mid-end of 2020.

[porkChop]

It would have to sell another 70 million units in the next two years. That isn't happening. It'll outsell the PS1 for sure, but outselling PS2 is unlikely.

[InTheZoneAC]

This is the complete opposite of what is needed.

[yomfweeee]

I'd rather have non-mobile version only instead. Cut the screen out and save those costs, take out the joy cons and give the Pro controller only.

[TheEnigma313]

That's actually not a bad idea.

[Akarogg]

Then it's no longer a Switch

[yomfweeee]

Its no longer a switch if they make it mobile only either...

[opc]

okay, call it something else?

switched. there I solved your "problem"

[Father__Merrin]

I wants a cheap Dock only switch

[Ninte]

I hope Nintendo don't go full handheld. I have nephews and neices that plays my switch and its good for all three of them to play together and they have mostly been playing minecraft lately.

[namEuser]

FIX THE DAM DRIFTING JOYCONS!!!!!! Before i even think about getting a hanheld only design...no way in hell will i be getting a handheld only version with the same dam Joycon setep or inards...

[porkChop]

The drifting is pretty rare, and even then you can fix it yourself.

[EpicFruityPie]

Drifting?

[paintedgamer1984]

And sony will release cell phone gaming at 4k 60 as early as march 2020... go figure

[zodiac909]

People still listen to this idiot? He's either always 100% wrong, or stating the obvious.

[meganick]

A handheld-only Switch would make some games unplayable, like the ones that require motion controls. So I don’t think that’ll happen. I do think an improved Switch will be revealed relatively soon, like this year or next.

[kevnb]

it wouldnt be ideal, but not impossible to play either.

[plmkoh]

Before this, the Switch needs a 4K output mode (I am not talking about native 4K games) ASAP. Outputting to 1080p to a 4K TV introduces way too much latency, it is simply not acceptable especially since 4K is now the dominant TV in stores and 8K is out in a matter of weeks.

I can't believe no one is discussing this issue.

[jznrpg]

I guess that’s cool if battery is better because I don’t use mine away from him often because I need to pack a bunch of battery packs or plug in to frequently . I’d rather have a beefier Switch but as long as they bring some good games I like it’s fine for now

[jznrpg]

It will be called No-Switch4-U

[Playbey0nd]

Switch handheld model? This guy keeps pulling things from thin air. PS4 price cut - yeah I could see that being realistic. Xbox should too if they can maybe attract a few more adopters. The PRO needs a cut- loving mine!

[bumbleforce]

For as much as people put down xbox switch has a crappy exclusive situation. Its good for last gen games and really crappy ports of this gens games

[Casepb]

The 3DS is pretty much on the way out, so the Switch replacing it makes sense.

[Fantasticzig]

No way in hell will it be handheld-only; defeats the entire premise/hook of the unit. However, I could see these kinds of rumors misinterpreting their sources insofar as the new Switch model is intended to succeed 3DS...I wonder if a dual screen version with backwards compatibility with 3DS might come out? And it would be cool if they could come out with a “pro” version of the dock, to boost visuals and facilitate 3rd party support.

[Thomaticus]

Handheld only?! So then will there be a Switch non-handheld version made available as a "Switch pro?"

[Imortus_san]

So Acording to Pachter Nintendo is going to Kill the Hybrid Switch a 2in1 console in favor of splitting it's base with two diferente Switch's, and killing the porpuse why the Switch even exists! OK.

[howiewowwee]

this was inevitable.

[Artemidorus]

Why are people acknowledging this fool??