This is exactly as I've been saying.

What makes a home vs portable console? It's a lot more than the actual portability of the console.

We can all agree that since Gameboy, Nintendo has defined portable consoles. All, have paled in comparison as measured by sales, game libraries, etc.

Portables have always been significantly weaker in power to that of home consoles.
- Switch has the tech partners and Nvidia confirmations to argue that it will be comparable with other home consoles and capable to support any of the 3rd party games.

Portables have always have vastly different game libraries and exclusives as compared to home consoles.
- Nintendo's entire library will be on this console as well other traditionally portable games such as Monster Hunter, etc. A truly unified library and experience. This will be proven as Nintendo announces the launch lineup and first year games over the next week or so.

Portables have always been far cheaper, 1/2 the cost of home consoles.
- Switch is surely to be in the same $300 range as other consoles.

But it has a tablet like form factor? So did WiiU's gamepad.

This is a 'home' console with decent portability. Home console games, power, features, etc. In fact, its portability is likely to be less than that of actual portable consoles. Its larger and rumored to have mediocre battery life. This is a home console that offers the functionality of taking that home experience with you.

This actually has me worried a little. I want Nintendo to get rid of the "Home" and "Handheld" and just do one that serves both. This sounds like they want a distinction still. Of course they probably just dont want to shit on 3DS before Switch gets its stride.

^ this.

Also imagine if they did a 3DS II, or something.... people would be like? why? our Switch is mobile.

And then the unified games library thingy could fall flat on its face... ect.

It would be a insane risk to do a replacement to the 3ds now.

They gotta go all in on the switch, and sell it as a handheld as well as a home console.

This is a marketing mistake I hope...

Meanwhile in Japan: "It will be a handheld first and foremost"

Anyway I am pretty sure they are just trying to spin it so that it doesn't seem like they are getting out of the console race. For better or for worse.

I agree, this is bad communication by Nintendo.

They obviously should point the fact that it's both equally, a hybrid.

Both handheld and home equally. This is the path to success.

Somehow I feel this was the reason why nvidia canned the shield 2 tablet.  Competing product with similar hardware.. but A shield 2 tablet running on a proprietary os plus the software and hardware backing of Ninty?? That's what it looks like.

Ps.. I own a shield tablet and shield tv.. looks like a combo of both.

I would say it's more of a handheld, they showed more of its portable functionality in the tralier.

This is good news because I really want another Nintendo Handheld after my 3DS and the switch isn't it, so they might release a new handheld after the switch :) well at least thats how i am reading it

that would be amazing!

^ this.

Its simple and elegant "its both", consumers will get it instantly and remember it fast.

And theres really nothing to be gain to be gained by going "its firstly a console, we might still do a 3ds replacement".

Im not sure if its because they are worried about 3DS sales if they go "its both", but thats obviously what they should have done.

This is a marketing mistake on their part, or a communcation issue.

sure it is, Nintendo. Sure it is