Lowering the price in year 3 is absolutely not something seen as a sign of weakness. Almost every system, handheld or console, has recieved a price cut by the 3rd year.

With that said, I'm not certain that a price cut will happen this year. I could see them start to release better value bundles, such as the $299 Mario Kart bundle we saw on Black Friday becoming the standard sku. Then there is the revision rumored to release sometime in the 2nd half of the year.

I could see it being an improved sku (like 3DS vs New 3DS) retailing for $299 or perhaps it will be a smaller, better battery sku (like DS to DS Lite) retailing for $249.

I'm almost positive there will be a price drop because I don't think any gaming platform has gone 3+ years without one; it's just a matter of how much of a drop it will be.  If they can sell a dock-less Switch nationwide (instead of just on their website where I think it's at around $245) in preparation for Pokemon and Animal Crossing then I think they can probably get to that $200 mark.

I knew using the word "sign of weakness" was a mistake, but i don't know right now a better word. I was trying to imply that if you make a price cut in your product, is because you don't have faith anymore your product can sustain the same sales. That's what i was trying to say really.

Those bundles are happening for sure.

That's another thing. People are expecting a revision for Switch....This could happen too, but if it happens, i don't expect a price cut then.

I gotta say the fact that Smash will likely become the Switch's best seller in Japan is probably my biggest surprise of 2018 as far as sales go. Both Ps4 and Switch can be happy with these sales.

Good point in the fact that the console will 3 years without one. But despite this, like zorg has said, i expect, intead of a full clean price cut, lots of bundles for the important games.

Talking about a dock less Switch for $200 by the end of the year..... that would a resounding success without a doubt. But i think (and that's the reason the version is limited to website) Nintendo is not interested in selling so low. They must get more profits from the $300 full version.

I do think too, that because Switch did not explode as fast in sales in Japan as DS, 3DS or Wii, there still a market in Japan that is going to buy the console when the games they want come, and that's why i feel there still a few millions more in sales at $300.

But your point are convincing too, it very well could happen.  

Nice to see Nintendo Switch start 2019 off strong, I think it's going to be a pleasant year for the system in Japan. Although may take a month or two to kick into gear with a steady stream of releases. 

With pkmn, animal crossing, luigis mansion, dq XI and Yokai Watch I expect at least 5M for Switch in Japan next year

I want to add too that 3DS went from 5'5M in 2012 to 5'0M in 2013 and you know what games came for 3DS that year in Japan?:

Pokemon X/Y
Monster Hunter 4
Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
Mario and Luigi Dream Team
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3DS
Yokai Watch
Zelda A Link Between Worlds
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Phoenix Wright
Dragon Ball Heroes

Edit: oh and Animal Crossing New Leaf..., that little and unsuccesful game....XD

Better and more games didn't tanslate into more sales for 3DS that year.

Next year already started

I mean besides “weakness” or thinking your product wont sell as well is maximizing your sales before the Next gen arrives and steals some of your thunder. It is key for Nintendo to maximize sales in 2019 and early/mid 2020.