Rumor: Analysts Are Talking About a Nintendo Mini
According to a group of analysts, it is rumored that the Nintendo Switch will launch a newer, smaller version called the Switch Mini in 2019! This prediction comes just a day after Nintendo revealed just how well the Switch was selling, and after it outsold both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One.
Analysts from Citigroup Incorporated, including Minami Munakata, Kota Ezawa and Alicia Yap, suggest that a smaller version of the highly popular console is needed if Nintendo wishes to truly appeal to each and every gamer. In a report released yesterday, they stated that “Although the Nintendo Switch can be used as a handheld device, we think smaller children could struggle to use it comfortably in that format due to its size and weight.” Because of this, they believe that Nintendo will launch a “lighter, dedicated handheld version” possibly named the Nintendo Switch Mini, in 2019. This group of analysts also predicts that this new Mini version will sell 6.7 million units through March 2019, although they did not suggest a price at which Nintendo would sell it.
Obviously, many Nintendo fans will be quick to dismiss these predictions, because it doesn’t make much sense for Nintendo to change or ‘fix’ something that is selling really well. On top of that, if a mini version did come out in 2019, it will be released relatively quickly following the release of the original Nintendo Switch. Nintendo has also said that it wants players to think of the Switch as a home console first, rather than a handheld that can be used at home, but this prediction suggests an intention for the exact opposite. Lastly, there are concerns that the current Joy-Cons would not work with the mini version, meaning that a large portion of accessories would not work with the newest version as well.
With this being said, hardware upgrades do happen, and Nintendo has been known to get rid of key features from its consoles to make cheaper versions that appeal to a different audience. An example of this is the Nintendo 2DS, which plays 3DS games, but lacks the 3D technology, therefore making it a cheaper alternative. Along the same lines, they also released the 3DS XL, which is a larger version that lacks the compact design of the original 3DS, but had a bigger screen for those that wanted that as a main feature when playing their games. Nintendo has not commented on these predictions, and it is unlikely to officially announce a different version right now, as the Switch is selling like hotcakes.
Do you think that these predictions will become a reality? Let us know in the comments below.