NVidia Shield Portable did cost 299$ at launch

NVidia Shield Android TV costs 199$ to 299$ (pro). hardware-wise the only difference is that the 16GB Flash gets exchanged through a 500GB HDD. And they both only come with 3GB of RAM

Well nevermind about being able to play Witcher 3 on the shield. Streaming =/= actually running the game.

Didn't mean to imply that carts were a gimmick. I just know disks, and disk readers are cheaper to produce
so I added it in the list.

GameCube didn't play DVDs, and didn't have backwards compatibility. They failed to use Rare to full effect to flesh out their library, selling it to MS halfway through the generation. Like someone else said, Windwaker, and Sunshine were weird.

BTW I'm still getting a Switch asap. I love Nintendo's games, but their hardware has just been expensive since the Wii U came out.

That doesn't make any sense, as the Switch is technically a handheld console that can dock to the TV, which is the actual "gimmick" ;) I don't care how Nintendo advertises this console, it remains a handheld; all the horsepower and hardware is enshrined in that receptacle. Consequently, how is the concept of portability supposed to be obsoleted? Also, it's not a "gimmick", as it lasts 3 hours. Just because Zelda lasts 3-4 hours doesn't mean every other game will perpetuate this longevity. Nintendo clearly stated 3-6 hours, so I envision a game like Shovel Knight would last around 5-6 hours. If it doesn't, welp.

Anyway, take away the joy cons, add a fixated handheld controller peripheral and it's probably no more than $200. The Joy cons are already $80, they include shit like NFC, IR, motion controls, HD rumble...so making them redundant would really depreciate the price, along with Nintendo deciding not to sell at profit.

If this was really a "home console", it should be receiving the current third party AAA titles that are being released for other home consoles...meaning it's not powerful enough. Why is that? It's restricted to the handheld compartment. So, please, refrain from this "portability is a gimmick" nonsense, and accept that the Switch is a handheld.

How much shorter would the OPs post be without negativism towards Nintendo?

The same as the Snes with only 2 front buttons and no shoulder buttons. Or the same as the N64 without a joystick, Z button, cartridges and 3D polygons.

Or about the same as a DS without a second touchscreen.

none of the things you listed can mainly be refered to as gimmicks

Cart slots are cheaper than disc drives and reduces the size of the console which saves on other costs. Individual carts are more expensive than a disc to produce.

HD rumble actually saves you money.

If it was only SD rumble, Switch could vibrate itself off the table and onto the floor.

None of the things you mentioned are gimmicks besides hd-rumble...

The console will be cheaper by some margin but I doubt Nintendo will still be in business.

The last "normal" console Nintendo released was the GC and that came last. I believe if Nintendo had released another "normal" console after GC it would have done a WiiU.... flop.

Nintendo understand where they stand and I don't believe a "normal" Nintendo console will sell well.

Gimmicks are hit or miss but I think they don't have a choice but to take this route.