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[Topher]

Saw the tweet below and wondered if a standalone Switch 2 equivalent would be a viable commercial product?



I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat especially if it were cheaper. The PS TV died for many of the same reasons the Vita did, but Switch doesn't have any of those problems.

Thoughts?

 

[kevboard]

if it is way cheaper, yes.
like at least 100€ cheaper, maybe more.

I bet some would even buy it as a secondary system. one Switch 2 for mobile play and maybe a second TV, and another one on the main livingroom TV


edit: also of note... Nintendo technically did that twice before.
the Super GameBoy and GameBoy Player.
both of these are Gameboys and GameBoy Advences respectively, that only worked on a TV. that was how I played GBA for example lol

 

[kat_on_the_roof]

I'm not entirely sure. In my opinion, the Switch was so successful because it's portable.
I can't imagine a traditional Switch console being in such high demand. I think gamer would demand more powerful graphics in a stationary switch console. Then Nintendo could face the same problem Microsoft did with the Series X and Series S.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Yeah why not? I barely ever took my Switch out so a cheaper, always-docked Switch 2 would be nice for me.

 

[Topher]

I'm not entirely sure. In my opinion, the Switch was so successful because it's portable.
I can't imagine a traditional Switch console being in such high demand. I think gamer would demand more powerful graphics in a stationary switch console. Then Nintendo could face the same problem Microsoft did with the Series X and Series S.

To be clear, I'm talking about a unit with the same insides and capabilities of the switch 2, just without a screen.

 

[protonion]

Still don't understand why they haven't done this since they made the handheld only Switch...

Remove the screen and battery and put a premium controller in the box. Maybe increase the specs a little like ps pro for 60fps for all games and keep the same price.

Wasted opportunity imo.

 

[Loomy]

hmm.....I think cost would be a huge factor. Less than half the cost of a Switch 2. I think PS TV was about $100USD at launch?

I much prefer playing the Switch docked, so it would be ideal for me, but I'm sure in the minority there.

Having a Switch attached to every TV for $100USD would be fun though.

 

[Clintizzle]

Day 1

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Totally. I still have my Vita TV.

 

[Woopah]

It would be commercial viable, but not as popular as the hybrid models. Kind of like the Lite. But a TV-only model doesn't givethe same advantages a handheld-only model does.

 

[The_hunter]

I barely use the portable mode, so I might get a device like that.

 

[CuteFaceJay]

We moved away from the box chained to the TV back in 2017 why go back? Even Valve saw the enlightenment of not being chained to the desk to play PC games after being stuck at a desk working the wage slave jobs, There is no need to go back when you have a device that can do both I see no reason making a device chaining back again.

 

[phant0m]

Saw the tweet below and wondered if a standalone Switch 2 equivalent would be a viable commercial product?



I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat especially if it were cheaper. The PS TV died for many of the same reasons the Vita did, but Switch doesn't have any of those problems.

Thoughts?

Would be viable, but need to be cheap. like $199 tops which I don't know if they could do - though I assume there's definite savings in getting rid of the screen, battery, speakers, etc.

Portability is a huge selling point for the Switch, but a big price gap like that would be compelling for someone that doesn't have need for it.

I also love my PSTV. Such a waste of potential too, they really needed to add streaming app support and it would have been an excellent STB for streaming apps + consuming PSX/PSP/Vita games from the store. Still have it along with my Vita OLED, though neither has been turned on in years at this point.

 

[blacktout]

It's possible, but it would have to be substantially cheaper than the standard Switch 2.

In theory you would think there would be a large market for a cheap entry level console, given the state of the economy, but the Series S never really took off the way I think Microsoft hoped it would (and I frankly thought it would) in spite of filling that niché, so I think there's some question about how big the hypothetical budget console market actually is, even though it makes a lot of sense on paper.

 

[Fess]

Same device but cheaper without the screen?

In theory, yes.

I know some people who haven't bought Switch 2 because of the price right now, and afaik they rarely play Switch 1 handheld.

But I think the price would have to be lower than the part price for the screen since such a big functionality goes poof. Can't go $349 without screen. And Nintendo wouldn't go lower.

So in reality, no.

 

[analog_future]

A TV-only Switch 2 w/ no screen, no speakers, no dock, etc... with a Pro Controller included for $399 would be amazing.

 

[BennyBlanco]

I voted no but on the other hand I am always buying dumb shit I don't need. Just spent $300 + tip on an Ayn Thor this morning.

 

[Mr Moose]

Switchless 2 TV.

 

[spookyfish]

Possible. I'm betting Nintendo doesn't want to split the brand, tho. (I don't know why this is different than Switch Lite, but it is, in my mind.)

 

[Rockondevil]

I wanted this with Switch 1, and I still do with 2.

 

[LordOcidax]

As viable as the Vita TV.

 

[jshackles]

I personally don't think it'd sell too well, because a Switch 2 without a screen / battery (and therefore not portable) but with the same specs would be a downgrade no matter how you look at it. I guess if it were significantly less expensive, it might have a chance. Like, half the price for half the functionality.

 

[Lupin3]

I'd buy it. Most likely.

 

[kevboard]

Possible. I'm betting Nintendo doesn't want to split the brand, tho. (I don't know why this is different than Switch Lite, but it is, in my mind.)

it would be slightly different than the Switch Lite on a functional level, but not on a practical level imo.

what I mean by that is that, while the Switch Lite can play and has access to every game and game mode the Switch 1 had on a technical level, as in it won't block you from playing anything... it was impractical for many games due to its size. like playing Ring Fit on Switch Lite is technically possible, but not really a good way to play it.

a docked only Switch 1 (let's use the switch 1 as an example because it has more games out) on the other hand would actually be locked out of some game modes, like that tabletop mini game stuff Super Madio Party did only works in handheld mode on a technical level. and I think there's at least 1 rhythm game that only works in handheld mode because it's entirely based on touch inputs.

so the Switch Lite is a bad system for some modes and games while it doesn't technically prevent you from playing them,
but a docked only system would actually lock you out on a technical level for some games and modes.


I still think that wouldn't be a deal-breaker tho, as it's a really small minority of titles that are like that. and I bet on Switch 2 it's gonna be even less games that do that.

 

[cireza]

I don't really see how it could hurt for Nintendo to have this offer on top of the existing Switch 2. It could be a lot less expensive.

 

[asdasdasdbb]

Don't think it would be cheaper enough.

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

More choices for customers, less expensive means wider potential audience, and the best of all: you can still sell the damn thing at a profit, and produce only as much units as you need IMAGINE THAT. There's your commercial viability. This company has it's head so far up it's own ass it'll never do this, though.

 

[Chittagong]

I would buy one if it solved the HDMI handshake issues of the Switch 2 dock.

 

[asdasdasdbb]

More choices for customers, less expensive means wider potential audience, and the best of all: you can still sell the damn thing at a profit, and produce only as much units as you need IMAGINE THAT. There's your commercial viability. This company has it's head so far up it's own ass it'll never do this, though.

That's what the Lite model is for.

 

[nial]

It would obviously be, but I recently had the theory that Nintendo didn't do it with the Switch 1 (and as result, the Switch 2) because they don't know how to properly position it on the market and still make hefty profit for the company.
Let's say, they were only willing to sell it at $200 ($250 now), but that's also what they're only willing to sell the Switch Lite at. While they're completely different products in terms of form factor, they didn't really find a way to position one as a good value proposition over the other, essentially having two different models of the same console competing at the same price point. And of course, they don't want to offer either at $150 ($200 now) with lower margins.
If they had to choose one, it was obviously the Switch Lite, as they were the only manufacturer in the handheld video game console market. A TV Switch would, more directly, compete with PlayStation and Xbox.

 

[Chukhopops]

The fact that Nintendo made the Switch Lite and not the always docked version makes me think there isn't that much of a market for a fully stationary version.

They have full telemetry data and know exactly how much it's used in each mode.

I've used the Switch Lite a lot but I don't think I'd use a stationy version.

 

[Baemono]

It would've only make sense if it was sold for like 350$ or even less. And we know from the sales of the Switch Lite and the OLED Switch that people are willing to pay the slight price difference if it means having the full experience.

 

[Stratostar]

Switch 2 mini.
TV-only. Plays Switch and Switch 2 games. VRR. Pro controller included. $399.

 

[poppabk]

I voted no but on the other hand I am always buying dumb shit I don't need. Just spent $300 + tip on an Ayn Thor this morning.

Tip? Thought this was gonna be an only fans model from the wording of your post but googled it and it's one of those gaming handhelds.

 

[Trogdor1123]

That's the one I would want. Don't use my switch as a portable at all

 

[Topher]

That's what the Lite model is for.

Lite model won't output to TV

 

[Dacvak]

I don't think so. I think that defeats the whole purpose of the Switch.

That being said, they made the Switch Lite, which I also felt like defeated the whole purpose of the Switch, so what the hell do I know.

I wouldn't buy one, though. There's no way Nintendo could make it seamless enough to swap between console and handheld as two different devices.

The only way I'd get one is if it had some hardware improvements, like VRR. But this is Nintendo we're talking about, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Yes, but I'd like it to enhance the graphics beyond docked Switch 2.

As Switch 2 already has 2 modes for developers, it would likely need to employ some cool upscaling techniques.

 

[existensmaximum]

If it would, they would have done it already.

 

[Horseganador]

For me, since I'm not interested in the portable part at all, it would be a good option; just a small machine and a pro controller for $299.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Being too basic could be a mistake for switch and Nintendo

 

[reinking]

I will buy one.

 

[Chittagong]

Switch 2 mini.
TV-only. Plays Switch and Switch 2 games. VRR. Pro controller included. $399.

Even in a world where the 2DS exists, with its single display masked by plastic to look like two screens, Wii Mini is the most ghetto thing Nintendo ever put out. Terrible plastic, 80s C-cassette player tier lid, video output gimped to composite, 480i only, internet connectivity just altogether removed, but still has the UI for adding channels.

Look at that Temu-tier detailing of those ports with the split lines:

 

[HYDE]

Saw the tweet below and wondered if a standalone Switch 2 equivalent would be a viable commercial product?



I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat especially if it were cheaper. The PS TV died for many of the same reasons the Vita did, but Switch doesn't have any of those problems.

Thoughts?

It would outsell nexXBox

 

[DarkShadowXI]

Knowing Nintendo, they would release a standalone Switch console for TVs next year.

For the Switch 1.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

Saw the tweet below and wondered if a standalone Switch 2 equivalent would be a viable commercial product?



I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat especially if it were cheaper. The PS TV died for many of the same reasons the Vita did, but Switch doesn't have any of those problems.

Thoughts?

...and prayers

That being said, I don't think that this is a dumb idea. Actually this could be a great secondary $250-300 SKU with Pro controller for people who hate the guts of portable Switch 2 (I find the screen and the size unappealing) but still want to play Nintendo games at home or on their secondary screens.

But due to variety of reasons, mainly Nintendo Online payed Discord-tripe, I don't think that Nintendio will even consider this route.

 

[Nydius]

Give me the option of a stand alone box and I'd be first in line to buy it. I've had an OG Switch since launch and the only times I used it in portable mode was when I was quasi-homeless in 2020 and moving cross country. The rest of the time, it has been/is currently docked. I have no use for the portable function of it the vast majority of the time. With Switch 2 being even larger, I'd be even less inclined to want to tote it around.

 

[Beechos]

Im sure their bean counters did the math and determined it wasn't viable otherwise they would've done this during switch 1. Im sure they have some data that tracks playtime undocked vs. docked, and I wouldnt be surprised is 80/20 or 90/10 which is why they released a switch without the dock instead.

 

[ReBurn]

With as small as the Switch 2 internals are this could make a super small console that would be easy to pack for travel. I would probably buy one.

 

[Beechos]

Even in a world where the 2DS exists, with its single display masked by plastic to look like two screens, Wii Mini is the most ghetto thing Nintendo ever put out. Terrible plastic, 80s C-cassette player tier lid, video output gimped to composite, 480i only, internet connectivity just altogether removed, but still has the UI for adding channels.

Look at that Temu-tier detailing of those ports with the split lines:

Wow I never even knew such a thing existed. The original wii was already plenty small.