Hmm... is it possible Nintendo is considering launching Switch 2 Lite early this gen in response to the current economic situation? To combat rising costs and avoid shutting out too many consumers.

Which, if that is what's going on, then... uhm. That's not good. Does not bode well for system sales figures unless it's a DS Lite-like revision, where the price is lower and the system features enough QoL enhancements to be an acceptable substitute for the OG model.

EDIT— There has been a new development to the OSM “leak”…

A revision in two years isn't really cause for concern; Switch Lite released about 2.5 years into Switch's life for instance.

The reason for my concern is unrelated to how soon the model is releasing during the gen, but more to do with idea of Nintendo releasing the model while simultaneously raising the price of the OG model. This is the only reason I could think as to why Nintendo would consider releasing the Lite model during 2026. This would be a problem since, as we have seen time and time again (e.g. Wii Mini & Wii Family, Wii U Standard Edition, PS5 Digital, Xbox Series S (post-shortage), etc.), a more affordable SKU substantially helps keep hardware figures afloat if and only if it features as little cuts as possible.

also, random, but wow it is hurting my head thinking that we're already midway through January. Oomphf... well, I guess that just means we're getting a whole lot closer to all the exciting releases and reveals from Nintendo in February lol.

Switch Lite was quite substantially cut down but sold reasonably well. I'd wait and see how things pan out, I don't think there's a need to worry just yet.

Also, on the topic of anxiety surrounding Nintendo Switch 2's commercial success, VGChartz estimates (according to Famitsu) that NS2 saw the second strongest JP holiday quarter (October through December) of the entire Switch generation, second only to 2020.

For a system in its first year, those are some impressive results! Especially for a system with nearly double the price tag.

The tweet was clarified but the main purpose of a Lite model is to get multiple Switch/2 units into a single household much like you'd see with the GBA, 3DS etc...

Well, Donkey Kong Bananza certainly helped.

New TV finally arrived and holy moly Switch 2 looks phenomenal on it. Also supports 120fps so I finally got to try that out with Hades II; it's definitely diminishing returns from 60 to my eye, but it did feel amazing.

Also bought the Star Crossed Worlds expansion to Kirby and the Forgotten Land; haven't finished yet but so far it's brilliant, every bit as good as the terrific base game.

Alright, I’m placing my bet: 3D Mario will be given a teaser (or small reveal) at the end of Nintendo’s February Direct this year. Launch will be in late-October 2026. In addition to this, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be given NS2 Edition treatment and a remake for Ocarina of Time will be slated for H1’27 (but the latter won’t be revealed until the June or September Direct. The launch will be planned so as to best compliment the release of the Zelda movie next year).

If no OoT remake, then WW/TP will be shadow-dropped during the February Direct. Nintendo is known to listen to their loudest base of consumers (Tomodachi Life, Mario Strikers, Metroid Prime 4, PM:TTYD Remake, etc.), and I suspect this to be no different.