Nintendo reportedly releasing two new Switch models this year

[midian182]

Something to look forward to: Nintendo proved the doubters very wrong with the Switch. Many thought it would be a failure on the same level as the Wii U, but the hybrid console has been a massive success, which likely explains why two new versions may be launched this summer.

We heard rumors back in January that a cheaper, more portable Switch was in the works. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that in addition to that smaller device, an enhanced version aimed at more hardcore gamers will also be arriving.

Citing parts suppliers and software developers who have access to a prototype of the machine, the WSJ writes that while the more powerful Switch will be competing with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it still won’t be able to match the performance of those consoles.

The second, cheaper Switch model is aimed at casual gamers. Nintendo reportedly views this machine as a successor to the aging 3DS. It’s said that the company intends to lower the price by removing some little-used features, including the HD Rumble controller vibration.

Both new Switch models are expected to be announced at E3, which kicks off on June 11, with a release date set for a few months later. Nintendo is also thought to be launching new entries in its Animal Crossing and Pokémon franchises later this year.

While Nintendo lowered the Switch’s sales forecast in January, it was still the best-selling console last month and 2019 to date, giving Nintendo its best February in terms of money made from hardware since 2011. Following in the footsteps of Sony and Microsoft by releasing updated models will likely keep the momentum going until the next generation of consoles arrives.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/79340-nintendo-reportedly-releasing-two-new-switch-models-year.html

 

[Vulcanproject]

The original Switch chipset is simply a Tegra X1 but downclocked compared to other applications, even when plugged in. 1GHz was the GPU speed inside Nvidia Shield. Switch only runs 768MHz docked and 307MHz in portable mode. Built on a now pretty ancient 20nm TSMC process, it's long overdue an upgrade.

If Nintendo can get Nvidia to rework it for 7nm then there are massive power savings to be had if nothing else. Certainly big performance gains in addition that are possible.

They could probably run the exact same SoC much faster in both mobile and docked mode, extend the battery life and significantly upgrade the performance of every game on the system.

 

[yRaz]

The WiiU was only a failure because it didn't sell as well as the Wii, but it still sold VERY well

 

[DreamCore]

The WiiU was only a failure because it didn't sell as well as the Wii, but it still sold VERY well

I has NOT sold well at all. It sold about 12 million units which is nothing compared to say PS4 which has sold over 75 million units and Wii which sold about 100 million units. 12 million is EXTREMELY bad for a "modern" console. It's one of the lowest selling consoles of all time. Source: https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lista_över_mest_sålda_spelkonsoler

 

[yRaz]

I has NOT sold well at all. It sold about 12 million units which is nothing compared to say PS4 which has sold over 75 million units and Wii which sold about 100 million units. 12 million is EXTREMELY bad for a "modern" console. It's one of the lowest selling consoles of all time. Source: https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lista_över_mest_sålda_spelkonsoler

that is still billions of dollars in revenue. please,tell me, how is billions of dollars bad in any business?

 

[DreamCore]

Well if you consider the development, production and marketing costs the revenue isn't really that amazing. Also I would assume that they expected it to sell at least as well as the Wii, but in reality it sold 90% less units. This also meant that most game developers chose not to develop games for it because it simply wasn't worth it. This is also why they are porting so many Wii U games to the Switch because most people haven't played them.

 

[yRaz]

Well if you consider the development, production and marketing costs the revenue isn't really that amazing. Also I would assume that they expected it to sell at least as well as the Wii, but in reality it sold 90% less units. This also meant that most game developers chose not to develop games for it because it simply wasn't worth it. This is also why they are porting so many Wii U games to the Switch because most people haven't played them.

So billions of dollars is bad? And they're porting them because it's easy money since they both use similar architecture. They also ported Wii and game cube games to the WiiU.

It was not a failure, it was still extremely profitable. Just because it didn't make as many billions as the other main players DOES NOT make it a failure