There have been lots of rumors about a potential follow-up to the Nintendo Switch. Purely for speculation's sake, a new model somewhat makes sense.
For one, releasing an updated version of its handheld isn't new for the company, as the DS promptly received a DS Lite upgrade just two years after the original model came out. The Nintendo Switch, it's worth noting, will turn two this March.
There's also the fact that the Switch's underlying chip architecture is somewhat inferior to its contemporaries, which means some games are bound to skip the system entirely — something that's already happening — because of its lower-tier specifications. Granted, it's still a handheld device, so gamers really can't expect it to run graphics-intensive AAA titles. That being said, a higher-end chip is something Nintendo fans would probably enjoy, and would ascertain the console's longevity in the years to come.
New Nintendo Switch On The Way?
All the above-mentioned tidbits are, again, purely speculation. Nintendo has yet to confirm whether it's indeed planning to revamp the Switch. However, according to an analyst, if a new model does come, it would likely only support handheld mode.
That's according to Michael Pachter, known for his sometimes-correct and sometimes-highly-incorrect predictions on Nintendo's initiatives. This time, he believes the company is working on a much cheaper version of the Switch that would only cost less than $199.
"I expect the device to have the same screen, but with Joy Cons built into the body and no docking station," says Pachter. "Since it can't 'switch' from handheld to console, it's hard to guess what they will call it, but let's assume Game Boy (kidding)."
To be fair to Pachter, his prediction sits within the range of possibility. After all, Nintendo did release a 3DS without 3D — aptly called the 2DS — so a Switch without docking capabilities doesn't seem too insane an idea. However, doing so would contradict the very concept of being able to take the Switch on-the-go and docking it on the TV with very little delays in-between. Nintendo is infamous for marketing debacles, though.
Nintendo Switch Pro?
If Nintendo releases a "Lite" version of the Switch, it could also come out with a "Pro" model, says Serkan Toto of Kantan Games. Furthermore, he believes that third-party software will ramp up to boost sales even more.
"In tandem with hardware revisions and an increasing install base, I am expecting a lot more games from third-party developers in 2019, starting in spring," says Toto.
