A new model of the Nintendo Switch will reportedly be released this year, and is rumoured to be smaller and have less features so it can be sold cheaper.
Japanese publication Nikkei, translated by Nintendo Everything, reports Nintendo is “miniaturising the console with portability and playing outdoors in mind, as well as cutting features to reduce the price and expand the userbase.”
We don’t know what features may be reduced; however, reading between the lines, it could be a much cheaper handheld-only version of the Switch to replace the 3DS at a more child-friendly price; meanwhile the fullsize version would remain as the premium full feature product.
While Nintendo has rarely revised home consoles, it has regularly updated handhelds in previous generations, including almost annual revisions of the 3DS during its primary lifespan — sometimes enhancing it (New 3DS and the bigger 3DS XL), and sometimes making it cheaper and more accessible (2DS and New 2DS).
The report also claims Nintendo is planning to release a new online service aimed at gamers willing to pay more than AUD $30 per year in 2019.
Nintendo’s current online service delivers online play, cloud saves and a small selection of NES games. Could a second service be similar to Xbox Game Pass, perhaps with more from Nintendo’s vault to replace the Virtual Console?
This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we could earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. Stevivor is an independent outlet and our journalism is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.
