Let's talk about a "Switch 2 Max" Console

Celcius

Celcius

°Temp. member
The Switch 1 and 2 are hybrid consoles that can be used either handheld or docked, and this allowed Nintendo to combine their software teams to only make games for 1 system, unlike before where they had separate handheld and home consoles. This is a great thing and I don't see them moving away from this any time soon. However, 2.5 years after the original Switch, Nintendo released the Switch Lite which is a less expensive Switch 1 that can ONLY be used as a handheld system. The screen is smaller, it can't be docked, can't use joy-cons, and it's less expensive. However, it still plays all Switch 1 games just like a regular Switch. Doesn't it make sense for Nintendo to now also go in the opposite direction of the Lite and release a "Switch 2 Max" that can ONLY be used as a home console, but still plays all Switch 2 games?

The Switch 2 is only 0.55 inches thick. Imagine if they took the same SOC physical chip but put it in a console half the size of an Xbox Series X with a large heatsink and fan. Instead of joy-cons it comes with a Pro Controller. No flimsy dock and no built-in screen. I would imagine a big slab of metal and fan would be even cheaper than a 1080p screen and dock. This would allow Nintendo to ramp the clocks up even further, have no concerns about battery life, and allow for enhanced visuals.

If it uses the same Switch 2 chip and plays the same library of games as the regular Switch 2, is there any reason not to make it at this point? I wouldn't be surprised if they make a Switch 2 Lite down the line, so why not complete the line up with a 3rd console in the Switch 2 family? The Switch 2 Max.
 
they could double performance probably,
but I assume Nintendo wouldn't want another spec that needs support. they already have a system that needs essentially 2 modes minimum for every game.

also, they could only realistically double CPU performance, as I'm pretty sure the CPU on that chip is rated for ~2ghz.
the GPU would probably not be able to be doubled, as I think the GPU is only rated for up to 1ghz. at least the generic Tegra Orin variant is.


edit: also, I don't think to max out the chip that you'd need a bigger case or heatsink. I bet the current Switch 2 could run at 2ghz on the CPU and 1ghz on the GPU just fine. they just don't do that for both consistency reasons between docked and handheld, as well as longevity concerns.
an underclocked system that draws litttle power inherently runs for longer without issues than a system that is constantly pushed to its absolute limit.
 
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Celcius said:
Doesn't it make sense for Nintendo to now also go in the opposite direction of the Lite and release a "Switch 2 Max" that can ONLY be used as a home console, but still plays all Switch 2 games?
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No. We already have data from Switch 1, people want the full experience, not the half-baked one
 
Baemono said:
No. We already have data from Switch 1, people want the full experience, not the half-baked one
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But then why do they buy the Switch Lite? Can't be docked and an even smaller screen... I'd hardly call that the full experience.
 
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For me personally, I spend 99% of my time on the Switch in handheld mode, so I wouldn't want to give up the console's defining feature in favor of more graphical performance.

But speaking of graphics, the Switch 2 already isn't pushing most of its game library very hard as it is. They're releasing Switch 1 updates at what feels like a snails pace. Games like all the Xenoblade Chronicles titles look a bit shit on the nice new screen. Even if the Switch 2 were twice as powerful, they'd still look like shit. And this is true for a good majority of the system's tent pole exclusives.
 
Celcius said:
But then why do they buy the Switch Lite? Can't be docked and an even smaller screen... I'd hardly call that the full experience.
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The Switch Lite is the least selling model, the OG and even the OLED sold way more (25 million Switch lite over 150 million Switches). You can argue 25 million isn't nothing, but as a pure Nintendo handheld, it pales in comparison
 
I think this time we are going to get a 2-4 nm Switch 2 Pro Oled around the same time as the PS6 Switch is released, capable to use the maximum CPU and GPU frequencies and 16 Gb of ram (Also faster). That could almost double the TF in handheld and docked mode.
 
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Celcius said:
The Switch 1 and 2 are hybrid consoles that can be used either handheld or docked, and this allowed Nintendo to combine their software teams to only make games for 1 system, unlike before where they had separate handheld and home consoles. This is a great thing and I don't see them moving away from this any time soon. However, 2.5 years after the original Switch, Nintendo released the Switch Lite which is a less expensive Switch 1 that can ONLY be used as a handheld system. The screen is smaller, it can't be docked, can't use joy-cons, and it's less expensive. However, it still plays all Switch 1 games just like a regular Switch. Doesn't it make sense for Nintendo to now also go in the opposite direction of the Lite and release a "Switch 2 Max" that can ONLY be used as a home console, but still plays all Switch 2 games?

The Switch 2 is only 0.55 inches thick. Imagine if they took the same SOC physical chip but put it in a console half the size of an Xbox Series X with a large heatsink and fan. Instead of joy-cons it comes with a Pro Controller. No flimsy dock and no built-in screen. I would imagine a big slab of metal and fan would be even cheaper than a 1080p screen and dock. This would allow Nintendo to ramp the clocks up even further, have no concerns about battery life, and allow for enhanced visuals.

If it uses the same Switch 2 chip and plays the same library of games as the regular Switch 2, is there any reason not to make it at this point? I wouldn't be surprised if they make a Switch 2 Lite down the line, so why not complete the line up with a 3rd console in the Switch 2 family? The Switch 2 Max.
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While I would personally like this as I always wanted Nintendo to do this with the original Switch I don't think it will ever happen simply due to the fact that they never did it with the original Switch especially after they released the Switch Lite which sort of goes against the concept of the "Switch" just as much as a home console only version would.

I rarely used the Switch in handheld mode, and I found the Lite to be a far superior handheld device so to me the combination of the Lite and "Max" would have been perfect (and still would be with the Switch 2 as I hate how big handhelds are now).

Now how much money it would save I don't know. You have:
+Battery
+Display
-Heatsink
-New motherboard design means new machining and manufacturing costs as well as packaging costs
~The difference in cost between JoyCons and the Pro Controller may be negligible. They both cost basically the same at retail and for all we know they may cost the same to make
~PSU vs Power Adapter. I would imagine a PSU would be cheaper but I honestly have no clue how much these things cost.
 
kevboard said:
they could double performance probably,
but I assume Nintendo wouldn't want another spec that needs support. they already have a system that needs essentially 2 modes minimum for every game.

also, they could only realistically double CPU performance, as I'm pretty sure the CPU on that chip is rated for ~2ghz.
the GPU would probably not be able to be doubled, as I think the GPU is only rated for up to 1ghz. at least the generic Tegra Orin variant is.
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Or the game can have unlocked FPS and DRS to fully utilize the hardware available without much input from the devs.
 
One point to consider why they haven't done this - currently every Switch 2 game has 2 profiles - handheld and docked. Adding a Max console for enhanced visuals would add a 3rd profile which would complicate QA and could add extra work.

edit: nevermind I see someone already mentioned this
 
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Lokaum D+ said:
Isnt Switch lite a half baked experience that sold over 20Million copies ?
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25 million over 150 million units, so like 17% of Switch owners are Switch Lite owners, and lowest selling Nintendo (pure) handheld ever, that should tell everything you need to know about it
 
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I don't see the point.

Couldn't play Drag x Drive and a lot of Welcome Tour and Jamboree expansion.

Couldn't punch the air and beat your chest in Bananza either.

😂

But what I mean is …there is probably too small a market for this for too much work on the part
of developers.

More likely to me they would make a low end
Tv only headless dockless Switch 2. And they could even do a bring your own controller version. Get the price way down.


Nintendo has all the data too on how much of the user base is strictly tv only.

And the problem with doing a generic console/gamepad is you then are nothing more than an Xbox Series X or Apple streaming box. You don't stand out.
 
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Baemono said:
25 million over 150 million units, so like 17% of Switch owners are Switch Lite owners, and lowest selling Nintendo (pure) handheld ever, that should tell everything you need to know about it
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Nintendo 3DS: 25.96 million
Nintendo 3DS XL: 19.64 million
Nintendo 2DS: 10.29 million
New Nintendo 3DS XL: 12.25 million
New Nintendo 3DS: 2.49 million
New Nintendo 2DS XL: 4.41 million

You can't separate the Switch Lite from the Switch and not separate stuff like the 2DS from the 3DS or the DSi from the DS.
 
hououinkyouma00 said:
Yeah, then your argument that it's the "lowest selling Nintendo (pure) handheld ever" is completely wrong then.
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No it's not.

My narrative as you said was that people don't want the lesser experience, as we can see from the Switch Lite sales. Or the PS5 Digital for example. So a Switch home console wouldn't be a success either
 
Baemono said:
No it's not.

My narrative as you said was that people don't want the lesser experience, as we can see from the Switch Lite sales. Or the PS5 Digital for example. So a Switch home console wouldn't be a success either
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Can you read? You said it was the lowest selling Nintendo handheld ever which is clearly is not. Has nothing to do with whether or not it's a lesser experience.
 
Baemono said:
Can you read all my posts ? You jumped to an answer I made to someone commenting to my below comment
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Reading all your posts doesn't fix the fact that you tried to state something as fact that is factually wrong and are now just going around in circles not even acknowledging it.

I'm done here.
 
Baemono said:
No it's not.

My narrative as you said was that people don't want the lesser experience, as we can see from the Switch Lite sales. Or the PS5 Digital for example. So a Switch home console wouldn't be a success either
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Can we agree that without those 25million Lites sales Switch overall Sales would be 25million units less than It is ?Also Switch lite is part of Switch identity so its sucsseful since its a Switch system.

And a Switch Max would sell really well imo, Its all i want from Nintendo since GameCube, a powerfull console that has no gimmick.
 
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Lite helped them with the low end and to maintain connection with their diehard traditional handheld customers. It let them say Switch available starting at $200.

And Lite may have helped sell more Switches. Especially when MK8 was bundled. Made people really see the value in the Switch. You get tv play and joycon flexibility and a game when MK was bundled. For $100 more.
 
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ShadyAcshuns said:
That's like going to Burger King and asking for a pizza. No comprende.
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Lokaum D+ said:
Can we agree that without those 25million Lites sales Switch overall Sales would be 25million units less than It is ?Also Switch lite is part of Switch identity so its sucsseful since its a Switch system.

And a Switch Max would sell really well imo, Its all i want from Nintendo since GameCube, a powerfull console that has no gimmick.
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I don't necessarily disagree with you, but from what I could see, most people are willing to pay more for the full experience.

Like you want to play Just Dance on your Lite, but you can't, you need a joycon to even access the songs, so you need to buy a pair of joycons, and all of a sudden your 199€ bargain becomes a 270€ and you end up paying as much as for a regular Switch with lesser options
 
They have data on usage and we know from what they've presented in the past (for Switch (1)) that (divided by TV-only usage, handheld-only usage, and hybrid-usage) TV-only usage is the least popular mode.

Iirc it was roughly 30% handheld-only, >50% hybrid, and <20% TV.

The Switch Lite is, by far, the worst selling Switch (1) SKU and it would probably be expected that a TV-only version would sell even worse.
 
A home-only variant would be cool especially if it could "dock" with the Switch 1 and Switch 2 for increased performance at home. Just as long as it doesn't have exclusive software that can't run on the main unit, I'm all for it.

Honestly though, I'd be more interested in a Mini, Slim, or Lite, though they've got to stop this non-docking BS with their more portable revisions.
 
What about games that requires you use joycons?

Also this "pro" systems always pointless because devs always have to make sure able to run on original system, so they will never going to take advantage of its full power.
 
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Danjin44 said:
What about games that requires you use joycons?

Also this "pro" systems always pointless because devs always have to make sure to always able run on original system, so they will never going ever take advantage of its full power.
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Realistically how many titles require the usage of joy cons though? As far as I'm aware there was less then 10 Switch games that straight up didn't work on Lite.

I think other companies have proven that devs absolutely will take advantage of power, and while I think the type of games/devs that are common on Nintendo consoles would be less likely to take advantage it wouldn't go unused. I don't think something like this would be in the same vein as a PS5 Pro anyway and more of an unlocked Switch 2 that devs can take advantage of higher DRS or unlocked frame rates since they don't have to worry about form factor.

I know you don't care about this stuff really and may not see a point in it (which I respect and actually envy) but I think it could be popular. It would never be as popular as the main console but could easily live in the same vein as the Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, and PS5 Pro.
 
hououinkyouma00 said:
I know you don't care about this stuff really and may not see a point in it (which I respect and actually envy) but I think it could be popular. It would never be as popular as the main console but could easily live in the same vein as the Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, and PS5 Pro.
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I don't know about that. People already lost their mind with Switch 2's price but you want even more expensive system with slightly more power? I don't think Nintendo will ever do that.
 
Danjin44 said:
I don't know about that. People already lost their mind with Switch 2's price but you want even more expensive system with slightly more power? I don't think Nintendo will ever do that.
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Yeah, people "lost their minds" and then went out and bought it in such great numbers that it became the fastest selling console of all time.
Internet outrage is almost always bullshit. Reminds me of the "Boycott MW3" stuff where the vast majority of the members of that group were playing the game Day 1.

Plus, the system wouldn't be more expensive unless Nintendo really wanted to make it be so. There would be no screen, no battery, and no dock/grip/etc.
 
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hououinkyouma00 said:
Yeah, people "lost their minds" and then went out and bought it in such great numbers that it became the fastest selling console of all time.
Internet outrage is almost always bullshit. Reminds me of the "Boycott MW3" stuff where the vast majority of the members of that group were playing the game Day 1.

Plus, the system wouldn't be more expensive unless Nintendo really wanted to make it be so. There would be no screen, no battery, and no dock/grip/etc.
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They want, even If has no screen, battery, dock or whatever, there is no doubt they would charge more for it.

Also imo It dosent even need to be a more powerfull system, make a Switch 2 base system but home console cheaper and ll sell great.
 
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Lokaum D+ said:
They want, even If has no screen, battery, dock or whatever, there is no doubt they would charge more for it.

Also imo It dosent even need to be a more powerfull system, make a Switch 2 base system but home console cheaper and ll sell great.
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I think they would 100% want to, but would never be able to get away with it even being Nintendo.

I agree with you though. I think simply taking the Switch 2 and putting it inside of a M4 Mac Mini sized enclosure (I'm sure it would be bigger simply as they would put less engineering into the cooling and board size) and bundling it with the pro controller would be awesome and I'd be in Day 1.

I could see them honestly just taking the board as-is and putting in on it's side in a rectangular enclosure and keeping the external power supply. It would be a very cheap Nintendo way of doing it versus redesigning the board to make a customer enclosure.
 
hououinkyouma00 said:
I think other companies have proven that devs absolutely will take advantage of power, and while I think the type of games/devs that are common on Nintendo consoles would be less likely to take advantage it wouldn't go unused. I don't think something like this would be in the same vein as a PS5 Pro anyway and more of an unlocked Switch 2 that devs can take advantage of higher DRS or unlocked frame rates since they don't have to worry about form factor.

I know you don't care about this stuff really and may not see a point in it (which I respect and actually envy) but I think it could be popular. It would never be as popular as the main console but could easily live in the same vein as the Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, and PS5 Pro.
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It would be exactly like PS5 Pro but 'more lamer' since the hardware is the same just overclocked.

Developers aren't going to target their games for a Max Switch. AT best you get some rez/texture/frame bump. With many not doing anything or dragging feet.

The Nintendo market doesn't care about unlocked frames and higher drs.
 
Celcius said:
Doesn't it make sense for Nintendo to now also go in the opposite direction of the Lite and release a "Switch 2 Max" that can ONLY be used as a home console, but still plays all Switch 2 games?
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No the Lite let them say the Switch starts at $200. Handhelds (like the Lite) are the market Nintendo has had way more success in.

Switch 2 Max would compare worse to PS/Xbox.

And does Switch 2 Max gain them any customers? I don't think so.

IF anything they make a cheaper tv only version. They literally could just make the box with no controller and let the customer use an old controller or buy the controller of their choice.

They could even let the customer use their phone to at least set it up and control some simple game.
 
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