What type of console form factor could evolve beyond the Switch?

Been thinking about it recently, and I honestly feel that the Switch is probably the perfect console form factor. Obviously, physical specifications can be improved (faster processor, more battery life), but in terms of the form factor itself, it's so balanced in the way you can play it on a big screen and handheld

I don't think Nintendo would ever move away from this model, but thinking ahead (even after a potential Switch 2), how could Nintendo evolve beyond this type of form factor? Or is this perhaps the peak of this type of design and we're just getting improved specs/minor ergonomic changes from here on out (which I'd be totally fine with)?

Wussy,

I don’t think they should reinvent the wheel this time around. I’d say, upgrade the tech, upgrade the ergonomics and make a dock that actually improves the graphics when connected to a tv.

I dunno. Is that enough?

Wussy,

I don’t think they should reinvent the wheel this time around. I’d say, upgrade the tech, upgrade the ergonomics and make a dock that actually improves the graphics when connected to a tv.

I dunno. Is that enough?

Mekboy_nutkrakka,

Something like a mix of the Switch and Wii U where the console can wirelessly connect to the tv in some way but the problem is that might require both the handheld and the dock to be a console so that’ll make it the price of two consoles.

The odd idea would be a Nintendo TV specifically built for this console so that the tv is a dock so the console and wired controls are connected to the tv and it can connect wirelessly to the console for a Wii U like experience

kaseijin,

Give me a Nintendo Phone. I already pay big bucks for a phone every few years; what if I pay big bucks instead for a Nintendo Phone that can also play Nintendo games?

I’d love to just whip out my Nintendo Phone and play a quick match or two of Splatoon or solve a few shrines in Zelda wherever I am. I can already imagine the increased netcode lag over cellular data in Splatoon already… maybe it isn’t a good idea…

not_woody_shaw,

Thicker first party joy cons suitable for adult hands. Hall effect. DLSS 4k upscaling in the dock.

not_woody_shaw,

Thicker first party joy cons suitable for adult hands. Hall effect. DLSS 4k upscaling in the dock.

sebinspace,

Steam Deck and ROG Ally are both dockable, but don’t have removable controllers. I feel like they should go that route, and provide something that’s Pro Controller-ish in the box. Will that make it more expensive? Sure, but both of those other consoles are much more expensive, depending on the configuration.

incognito_15,

I like this approach. I bought a gaming laptop after Stadia died because I wanted the powerful portability. What I found, however, was that it really wasn’t that portable. I ended up snagging the ROG Ally and been growing my Steam library and really enjoying the experience. I have 2 Xbox controllers and an Xbox wireless dongle that I used with my gaming laptop, and just tried the “docked” experience this morning playing Kingdom Hearts and it worked great. I’m a bit fan of this form factor.

JickleMithers,

Nintendo likes to come out of left field with some weird shit sometimes. Unfortunately they're also usually not on par with current consoles even when released. They like to play it safe in respect to specifications while coming up with wild ideas. I do kinda like that they don't try to go hardcore on the latest and greatest as it does make for a more stable platform that people know how to work with.

Ace_Addams,

I've never had this much trouble from a Nintendo console. Don't get me wrong I love the switch, but the controllers are broken. I know Nintendo fixes them for free but doesn't change the fact they are super broken. Playing TOTK with drift is garbage.

sebinspace,

This is why you should support Right to Repair!

At our shop, I replaced the sticks in quite a few sets of joycons, and they’re also not difficult to replace yourself.

IIRC we sources replacements from iFixit, but we also sourced a lot of parts from MobileDefenders and MobileSentrix.

Dark3stWhite,

I picked up some hall effect joysticks replacements and they are lovely. Would highly recommend them to anyone to elimite drift once and for all

Dark3stWhite,

I picked up some hall effect joysticks replacements and they are lovely. Would highly recommend them to anyone to elimite drift once and for all

Grangle1,

True, the Joy-Cons do have the notorious drift issue, but that’s not really a form factor issue. Improvements in form factor can help fix the issue, most importantly an increase in size to fit all the components in comfortably, but the source of the issue wasn’t the form factor of the Joy-Cons.

Though yeah, I would look at primarily making the Joy-Cons, or at least the grip they come with, bigger to actually account for the hands of a person above the age of 8. We know, Nintendo, you mainly think of video games as children’s toys, but you may want to look at gamer demographics, even on your own consoles, again. They don’t need to make them too much bigger, but at least big enough to not cramp a person’s fingers trying to use a single Joy-Con turned on its side.

RiceKirby,

I don't think it will happen in the near future, but something similar to a Chromecast could eventually become a new form factor. Think something like the current Switch, but it would be split into 3 parts: the Joycons, the tablet screen and the tablet processor unit (the Chromecast-like thing). By default they all come attached to each other (but not hanging like Chromecast, more like an cartridge-like thing that is inserted into the tablet), but you can detach them all, leave the screen at your home and bring only the processor and Joycons with you, then connect the processor to your phone or some other screen to play it.

j4k3,
@j4k3@lemmy.world avatar

You must consider the overall situation. They need to avoid the perception that this is just another cell phone with less utility. They will always stay away from going back to anything smaller that could compare to a phone.

They will likely keep a controller size and shape that is only barely okay for everyone because of the most broad target user demographic. Improving the controller ergonomics for any demographic sub set will take away from another.

The biggest thing Nintendo can offer is the SDK for developers. They can't really offer much in the way of hardware performance. Really, due to the life of the platform, the hardware performance will always be sub par during the product's lifespan as far as traditional processor and graphics specifications.

I think the main market space that could be explored to give an edge is integrating AI/ML in a device that is isolated from our phones. I think most people do not really want AI/ML executing intrusively on their phones. As people become more self aware about privacy, the need to firewall this type of tech from one's person will become obvious. A console like the switch could easily explore this type of space without intruding on the privacy of individuals as much. If Nintendo can integrate advanced AI tools into the next console and make them very easy for developers to implement, they could lead the market into the future while still staying relevant between the PC and phone spaces. I think people will be just as hesitant to have many advanced AI systems on their PC too. Personally, I'd much rather have a single device I can place on its own isolated guest network and not worry so much about the insane amount of intrusive data collection the device is doing during use, and capable of doing when not in use.

I could be wrong, but I think this is the only real path forward.

If they are crazy smart, they would also add a small FPGA that could allow the device to natively run all past titles without emulation, but I really doubt such a thing would ever make it past the accounting department.

imnapr,
@imnapr@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

Dual screen, also get rid of or HEAVILY improve on joycons. Also it’s too big. I miss having the 3ds which actually fit into your pocket without looking like a c4 bomb. Honestly ideally I’d like handheld and home console to be separate again, but they’d never do that.

PenguinTD,

No it’s not, I really don’t like the flimsy joycon slide locking mechanism. Every time I played handheld mode I have to wiggle or take it out then in again to get past the controller check.

I wish they have a non-lite version that can also dock and play games like ring fit with extra pair of joycons. Basically steam deck ish but from Nintendo.

Goronmon,

Given the universal issues with stick drift these days, I would be extremely frustrated if a $300+ console came with a set of irreplaceable controllers.

imnapr,
@imnapr@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

idk why you’re getting downvoted, it’s true. The joycon are awful and the slide locking mechanism is super fragile. I have to slide and unslide my joycon a lot while playing in bed.

Thavron,
@Thavron@lemmy.ca avatar

It’ll probably involve some form of AR/VR.

SophismaCognoscente,

The handheld/console hybrid has been Nintendo’s dream for a long time. They even merged their handheld and console development teams a few years back, so I can’t see them abandoning the formula.

The only way I can see iterating on the Switch design is by dropping the dock in favor of a tv dongle to connect and stream wirelessly. This could allow for asymmetrical gameplay much like the WiiU (and would open the door to WiiU ports).

sosodev,

Wireless dock is a great idea.

OmegaMouse,
@OmegaMouse@feddit.uk avatar

I hadn’t considered a wireless dock, but that would actually be amazing. Either allowing the Switch to connect to a screen alone, or act like the Wii U gamepad. I’d even go a step further in that case and suggest that they remove the joycon element and focus more on an ergonomic all-in-one gamepad. Basically the Wii U but with the ability to play fully handheld if you want.

Rynelan,

Battery would be an issue of you mainly play on TV. I liked the WiiU but hated that I needed to separately wire the gamepad on longer sessions

straF,

The WiiU was a huge failure, why try again?

The Nintendo Switch sold 3.25 million units last quarter, bringing the console’s total sales to over 114.33 million. In terms of lifetime sales, the Wii U sold 13.54 million units and the standard Wii hit a total of 101.6 million consoles sold.

Aka, ~100 million customers bought something else that generation.

OmegaMouse,
@OmegaMouse@feddit.uk avatar

There are a ton of reasons why the Wii U failed. But I’m suggesting something closer to the Switch. Basically a beefier Switch lite with an option to remotely dock. It would do exactly what the Switch currently does but in a more convenient way. What makes you think that would fail?

straF,

My main gripe and reason to not purchase would be the lack of removable components. And a fatter switch without removable components sounds like a WiiU without the optical drive or offloaded processor unit.

I think the sales numbers of Switch units for 2022 are compelling. It demonstrates how others feel about an integrated device from Nintendo.

2.6 million lites sold vs 15.3 million joycon enabled switches (6.1 standard, 9.2 oled)

(Also the dock is great for charging)

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