Nintendo will Release a Mini-Size Switch, Citigroup Predicts

[Cloudman]

Conina said:

Cloudman said:
Perhaps they'll do dedicated portable and console versions of the system at a cheaper price, but they would need to have different names, since calling them 'Switch' wouldn't make sense.

"Switch" is the brand name now, not obligatory a description of its features. It doesn't matter if some Switch models lack of some "switching features" as long as they are compatible to Switch games.

The "PlayStation Portable" wasn't stationary either.

And of course Nintendo could offer (profitable) accessories for the Switch handheld in an unibody to get the lacking features back: a handheld-fitted docking station should do the trick. The normal joy-cons and the Pro controller would be compatible and override the internal controls, so TV-mode and kickstand-mode would still be possible.

So buyers who want a compact and lighter handheld in the first place, could buy that version with lower entry costs. If they later get interested in TV-mode or motion controls, they can buy the necessary accessories to do that later (and probably pay a bit more in total, but keep the size and weight advantages for "normal" handheld gaming).

"Switch" is also only one syllable, that is a good setup for name extensions describing the different models of the platform family.

They could call the handheld version "Switch lite", "Switch mini", "Switch Pocket", "Switch XS", "Switchy" or "Switch U" (for unibody)... okay, I doubt that they use the last name ;)

A home console version they could name "Switch Home", "SwitchStation", "Switch Base" or "Switch TV".

A faster hybrid version with a bigger display (the device wouldn't necessary be bigger) and better battery life they could name "Switch Advance", "Switch Endurance", "Switch Pro", "Switch Premium" or "Switch XL".

The thing is though, the Switch's name is the main concept of the system. That's why the name works and is the main selling point. I always thought of the name 'Playstation' as a station to play, and why it works as the name of their line of systems.

I think a better example would be the Vita systems. The official name of the console version is 'Playstation TV' and not something like 'Vita Home'

Which is why attaching a core console of portable version of the Switch with that name wouldn't make sense. It's not a hybrid anymore. You're not going to be doing any 'Switch'ing on those systems. Sure, they could release accessories to make them like the original concept, but that wouldn't be the purpose of those systems anyways.

And if they made a smaller or larger version of the Switch, then that would just require more accessories, which would just make more of a mess and overall confusion. Just imagine regular joy cons, XL cons, lite cons, XL dock, lite dock. That would just be too much I feel.