Except the Switch IS the 3DS' successor.

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@Topic

I highly doubt the Switch would have failed in the first place, because NIntendos handhelds never fail.

But even if it would have, Nintendo would still be making Hardware. Just what kind of hardware is the question.

Nintendo would still be Nintendo and therefore not be willing to "copy" the competition, yet at the same time their style of hardware (aka gimmick focused)

would cease to exist in the way we know it.

To be honest, without a massive change in the way Nintendo operates (creativly, ideologicaly, ...) it's impossible to guess, what Nintendo

would do in that case, except sitting it out.

This is a very interesting point. Let's say the Switch failed, and sold between N64 and Gamecube numbers;around  30 million lifetime, which would be a disaster. (No matter how bad it went, the Switch was always going to outsell the Wii U)

If Nintendo can still make a profit on their hardware division who is to say they will not just keep with "business as usual"?

Even if Nintendo's consoles flop what matters in the end is whether they make a profit or no. If the Switch manages to be profitable even with bad sales I expect Nintendo to just behave like they are doing now, just with lower sales.

The only question here would be if Nintendo going third party would mean more overall profits but I think if a bad selling Switch is profitable the answer is no.

Good answer.

I think they would've made another low-cost handheld and signed a massive, massive deal with Microsoft to put a select number of home console titles on XBox + PC. Maybe even given the greenlight from MS to distribute the XBox in Japan under the Nintendo brand. And continued with smartphone games.