Why a Joy-Con-less Switch model is a terrible idea

[Clank]

Miyamotoo said:

TheMisterManGuy said:

1. This is different from the 2 games that required the GBA slot on the DS. The Joy-Con are THE image of the Switch whether you like it or not. They're the Dual Screen and Wii Remote of the system. You can't take them away because they're part of the console's identity in every fashion.

2. Except it is an issue because it stiffles what kinds of games developers can make. There's already several games on Switch that don't use handheld mode, and those numbers will only grow further along the system's life.

3. Then what would be the point of this model in the first place if people will inevitably just get the "real" Switch?

 

The Switch is selling well BECAUSE it's not your typical mobile device. I don't get this obsession with trying to turn the Switch into something its not, or trying to suck all the originality out of it just for the sake of cynical profits. I get Nintendo is a business, but they're also notoriously stubborn. They're not going to undermine the entire point of the console just to appease a minority, not when the concept has already caught on and people are using it in the way the company intended. 

3DS is obviously a lower priced product, but Nintendo can still always offer a cheaper Switch by just waiting out a price cut and/or introducing newer, better models every so often (2-3 years), as they drive the cost of the previous models down further and further. That, or sell a dock-less Switch bundle, but still keep the Joy-Con. I know what you're going to say "Doesn't the dock also kill the point of the Switch?" Not really. At it's core, TV mode is essentially Tabletop mode outputted to a larger screen. Taking away the dock doesn't take away the gameplay and control possibilities of the Switch because that's what the Joy-Con are for, and all of those can still be used undocked. Tabletop mode exists for this very reason. 

A Joy-Con-less Switch is just a stupid idea, no matter how much money you think it'll save, it's not happening, at least not this early in the Switch's life. I could maybe see this being a silly novelty towards the end of its life like the Game Boy Micro was, but that's the only scenario I could see this existing in any fashion. 

1. First point was about games, and fact that you could play 99% of games with built in controls. Its not point about identity, its point about offering different type of revisions and price points of same platform.

2. Its not issue at all, we literally talking about few games (4-5 games from over 1.000 games) that cant be used in handheld mode. DSi and 3DS revisions also have games that couldnt be played on every DSi or 3DS revision.

3. What? I very clear said what would be point of that model, again, "this would be just one low price point revision and one offer of "Switch family" for people who want cheap device that they would play only in handheld mode". And no, not every person would choose more price "real Switch" instead low price point only handheld Switch.

 

I mean you overcomplicate things too much, point would be to offer different type of revisions and price points, you would still have standard Switch model on market in any case, so Switch like platform will not loose anything it will have broader appealing with different type of revisions and price points. You talking about originality, but you forgetting that Nintendo with 2DS ditch 3D and clamshell Dual Screen design in order to have low price offer of 3DS family, they will most likely do something similar with 3DS also.

3DS is dying and it will be dead next year, Nintendo will want low price point Switch next year or year after latest, and they cant have soon enough Switch for $150-200 with just normal revisions and costs save buy time. They will want broad apealing on market, so you will have low price point Switch, normal version and more expansive, similar like 3DS family.

No, low price point Switch with built in controls focused on handheld play is great idea, it would effectively be replacement for price point on market that 3DS currently covers. Imagine something like this in one point:

-Switch Mini/Pocket (smaller form factor, smaller screen, built in controls, without dock...) - $150

-Switch TV (something similar like Vita TV, just for home console use, comes with Switch Pro controler but supports Joy Cons) - $150

-New Switch (revision of current Switch and it will replace current Switch on market similar like New 3DS replaced OG 3DS) - around $250

-Switch Pro (improved Switch in some way) - $300

So we basically talking about Switch family, so offer of different type of revisions and price points of same platform, 99% games would run in any mode and thats more important.

 

Switch will probably be much bigger than just single device with one concept, Switch will most likely be platform with different type of revisions and price points, something similar to 3DS with difference that Switch like hybrid has much more potential for different type of revisions than 3DS.

I think its a really good idea but will say 200$ instead of 150 for the first two, cant see nintendo dropping its pricr that much if it sells well