Analyst: Nintendo Could Release Switch Pro and Switch Lite in 2019 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 04 April 2019 / 5,098 Views
Kantan Games analyst Dr. Serkan Toto speaking with GamesIndustry has predicted Nintendo will release a Nintendo Switch Pro and a Switch Lite in 2019. The Switch Lite would be designed to offset the declining sales of the Nintendo 3DS.
"While the 2019 Switch Pro has been already reported to be in development by the Wall Street Journal, I also think Nintendo will offer a "Switch Lite" (or just keep the current version at a lower price) to cover the lower end of the spectrum and offset sinking 3DS sales," said Toto.
The analyst is expecting more third-party support on the Switch due to strong sales of the console and the release of the Pro and Lite models.
"In tandem with hardware revisions and an increasing install base, I am expecting a lot more games from third-party developers in 2019, starting in spring. At least one new game from the mega-franchises owned by EA, Activision or Take-Two will launch on Switch," he said.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
More Articles
Honestly there is no point in making a Pro.
Leave all that to Switch 2. The Pro* component should be the docking station, that way everyone can benefit from it if you chose to play on tv and also at least it be a significant boost in docked mode
I dunno, I think it might be nice to give people options. Maybe create a Pro docking station and a Pro console, where either upgrade will improve things equally, but the docking station would be cheaper and the console would allow for portability. People who want power on the go probably already were willing to spend a bit more on a console, whereas some people might only have a Nintendo console and need a cheap upgrade to play the latest multiplats.
Either upgrade option could be cheaper than having to buy a whole new console set in the form of a $300 dock and console bundle. They could release such a bundle as well for an ultimate experience, but then deliberately support the pro model with games that only require one or the other so you don't feel pressured to get both. Instead you feel free to choose the option that suits you best. Switch is all about multiple form factors and choosing how you want to play.
I doubt Nintendo will listen to me though, and they might not listen to this analyst either, but I think we'll definitely get some kind of Switch Lite. I think after their success with New 3DS, and Sony and Microsoft's success with Pro and X, there's no way we don't get some kind of mid-gen upgrade from Nintendo though.
The issue with making a pro dock for the current model is it wasn't designed to function that way.
The whole pro concept need to be thought of from day 1 design stage.
Also that is why I said next gen, because hopefully by then a portable will be as good as say a current PS4 Pro, therefore you can scale the game down with the way modern 3d engines work.
Pro makes sense. I don't think there will be a lite coming out at same time as Pro, because they can just drop the current Switch. I could see a redesigned Switch Lite in a couple years though. The current Switch will probably drop to $250 and a Pro will come out at $300 with bigger harddrive, more battery, fill in some of the dead space in the screen for bigger screen, upgraded chip so Switch games handle a little smoother on it - those are really the only things needed and that would make sense.
People fail hard when predicting market fluctuations, and I put 0 weight on these "predictions" of new models 'cause of reasons.
As I already know the rumour before, I seen it coming. This new models are nothing new considering the different models for portables gens before. Also as third parties struggle to port on Switch, a boost on power is a must for the device. It´s evident too that Nintendo is also cautious about the new Playstation and Xbox coming ahead.
The X of question is if these models actually arrive, who has the current model will be able to play future games, especially Pro. Will nintendo follow its style with new 3ds or will it follow sony and microsoft style?
How many exclusive games where there on the New3DS?
Pro and X run exactly the same games but improved, so if Switch Pro would be similar no one would really lose.
@Jranation Quite a few, but mostly eshop games. As far as I know, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D and Fire Emblem Warriors are the only big N3DS exclusive games. Personally, I hope that if Nintendo ever releases a Switch Pro, it doesn't have any exclusives, that would only split the fanbase.
@Jranation
If the Pro's exclusives only consisted of bigger 3rd party multiplats that the base model cannot run anyway, then it woild not be splitting anyone. They woild just be giving us more options for portable gaming as a whole.
I don't think 3rd parties would make port only for the Pro. But I agree that even if they did, NINTENDO fanbase wouldn't fracture.
The only way to fracture would be if most of the titles launched after Pro would be exclusive to it, and I find it a hard occurrence.
@DonFerrari
Exactly correct. 3rd parties would not cut the OG version unless they HAD TO (if they even go that route) and would try their best to maximize sales potential. And as far as 1st party goes, there is no way Nintendo would shoot themselves in the foot and cut OG Switch owners out of their exclusives.
Switch light? hahaha Switch is light enough as it is. Now, a Switch Pro would be awesome IF there´s no specific games for it.
What a con, let's see which first time buyers are happy to purchase again.
What do you mean?
How did PS4 gamers handle it?
Took several years for pro to launch, it doesn't fracture the userbase and only have 20-25% of sales of PS4.
Also I see no issue with Switch Pro, it only depends on how Nintendo do it and considering their midgen refreshes on HH I don't think they will make a bad decision on it.
Essay Pro