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Would lower than expected Switch 2 sales make Nintendo consider offering a cheaper TV-only model?

GoldenEye98

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I think it could be done for cheaper than a Lite model right now because it wouldn't require a die shrink. Yeah it would need a Pro Controller.... but no joycons, screen, battery....
 
The screen is Chinese ewaste they found in a 10 year old garbage bin in Shenzhen and the battery is smaller than your Grandma's $20 Tracfone from Wallgreens, how much do you think removing them is actually going to save?
 
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Season 4 No GIF
 
No. Everyone (except blind Nintendo zealots) know that Switch 2 lacks a TRUE system selller, so it's just a matter of releasing a GOOD Zelda or 3D Mario game, if we are being honest (ill DARE to say that Mario Kar world wasn't the smash hit Nintendo expected).
 
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They don't need more hardware. Hardware is fine for the price. They need more games. It's bonkers that we have no Mario, no Zelda, no smash announced or shown at this point
 
I think it could be done for cheaper than a Lite model right now because it wouldn't require a die shrink. Yeah it would need a Pro Controller.... but no joycons, screen, battery....

I doubt Nintendo would ever consider a TV only Switch 2. The main selling point of the Switch is its portability. A Lite 2 is probably on the cards with how successful the OG lite was.

I think a bigger issue for Nintendo is the cost of their software and their dumb variable pricing model. That's putting people off. The console is priced fine as it is.

They also need a big "system seller" game this year.
 
I doubt Nintendo would ever consider a TV only Switch 2. The main selling point of the Switch is its portability. A Lite 2 is probably on the cards with how successful the OG lite was.

I think a bigger issue for Nintendo is the cost of their software and their dumb variable pricing model. That's putting people off. The console is priced fine as it is.

They also need a big "system seller" game this year.
I agree that the main marketing point is the portability but I also know that there is a certain segment of people only use these things docked anyway.

If they are able to offer it a lower entry point it may boost sales(espically outside Japan). It's not like they would be abandoning the Switch 2 platform. Just offering a different device.
 
I agree that the main marketing point is the portability but I also know that there is a certain segment of people only use these things docked anyway.

If they are able to offer it a lower entry point it may boost sales(espically outside Japan). It's not like they would be abandoning the Switch 2 platform. Just offering a different device.

Understood, but from Nintendo's point of view that might mean ditching the Lite 2. I doubt they would make the normal Switch 2, the Lite 2 and a dock only version, and to be honest I think the Lite 2 would be more of a money maker than a dock only version.
 
Nah. Think they stick with the same MO.

I think a Switch 2 Lite at ÂŁ299/$349 sells gang busters considering what every other gaming machine is going for.
 
So a Switch 2 TV? Well, they do need a system at a lower price point, especially if they have to raise the price of the main system further. And such a version will probably be the one that they can price the lowest.
 
I think it makes a lot of sense to offer cheaper models (TV or Lite) alongside the standard hybrid model. I think Switch 2 is worth $450 but not everyone can afford $450. Options are good.

TV-only model would make a fantastic micro console. Nintendo could even do a Famicom-like design where the joycons rest/charge on the top of the unit.

500px-Nintendo-Famicom-Console-Set-FL.png
 
Understood, but from Nintendo's point of view that might mean ditching the Lite 2. I doubt they would make the normal Switch 2, the Lite 2 and a dock only version, and to be honest I think the Lite 2 would be more of a money maker than a dock only version.
Lite model is gonna require a more advanced chip node. TV model wouldn't...
 
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I think it could be done for cheaper than a Lite model right now because it wouldn't require a die shrink. Yeah it would need a Pro Controller.... but no joycons, screen, battery....
My take on this:
Not really, legacy portables could be plugged into a TV too. The Switch Lite (no TV support) accounts for 25M switch sales aswell. People just have a hard time admitting that Switch attracted the majority of the 3DS audience and merged the two, and Nintendo lost the home console race with Wii U. If Nintendo wanted to enter the home market they could offer a cheaper Switch without a screen but even they know that it wouldn't be that popular as a home console. They relied on that 3DS audience moving on to the next portable and merged development cost because it was over for them in the home console space.
 
They need to have a Lite model that parents will buy for their kids, so something smaller and less expensive. That's the next thing I see them doing. Bundle it with whatever Pokemon game releases next.
 
Why? If you want just play on TV then you can do that with Switch 2.

Do you think the "power" is going stronger if it was TV only? You guys know if by a chance they do make "tv only" mode its still going same power as Switch on dock, the only difference would be you lose the portability option.
 
How about instead of getting rid of battery and screen, how about everything*?
Do a Stadia style Nintendo Switch 2 streaming service. Pay 90$ for a Pro Controller & Dongle. Rent and buy games in the online store.

*not actually everything.
 
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I guess my point is just about how much they would actually be able to get the price down using more advanced chip node...

Sure. They could in theory sell it for a lot cheaper than a Lite 2. But if the sales aren't there and it means sacrificing the Lite 2, which would likely be more successful, then there wouldn't actually be much point making it.
 
Why? If you want just play on TV then you can do that with Switch 2.

Do you think the "power" is going stronger if it was TV only? You guys know if by a chance they do make "tv only" mode its still going same power as Switch on dock, the only difference would be you lose the portability option.
A theoretical Switch TV model could lose the battery, screen, and dock. That's a lot of components that Nintendo no longer has to include in the box price. A lot of people never use their switch portably. More choice is always better right, that's what people love to say? So why is that not true here? Nintendo is no stranger to making a portable ONLY version, a version that completely loses native joycon functionality. But the benefit of that was it was cheaper, right? Otherwise, you'd just get the regular switch because it's a more capable device. But... price is often the most important factor in someone making a purchase.

If someone could get a >NEW< Nintendo Switch 2 TV for, idk, 300 or 350, I think that would push a lot of people into buying one. I think in the 300 range people tend to round down, but getting close to 500, people tend to round up. Psychologically, it's a big difference, even if numerically it's only $100 or so. It might also encourage someone to know they don't have to spend money on a case, screen protectors, etc. The sort of stuff you normally associate with purchasing a delicate portable device.
 
This comes up all the time - but why don't you turkeys just buy a Switch 2, set it in the dock, and never undock it? Boom - TV-only Switch 2.

If you want or expect ANYTHING new to be cheaper than the previous iteration in 2026, you're going to be disappointed.
 
Probably not although it would be cool.

However it should make them consider offering some compelling games for the Switch 2. Their announced future slate is more miserable than anything since Virtual Boy.

Full list of announced first-party games for Switch 2:

1. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (Spring)
2. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave (2026)
3. Splatoon Raiders (TBA)

This is absolutely pathetic.
 
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calm down, it not doom and gloom for Switch 2 yet. doubt it gonna happen either. not suprise the sales jump back later with proper strong flagship title.
 
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I think that'd be a really good strategy. For example, I have almost zero interest in playing handheld and barely ever used the portable mode on my Switch 1.
 
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