New Nintendo president Furukawa: “considering various possibilities” for 3DS successor

TwoDelay · Jun 30, 2018

Nintendo should 100% not remove the joycons in a switch lite model. Many people make the comparison to the 2ds but unlike the 3d on the 3ds -which was optional and not required for any games- the joycons are needed for many games. Additionaly many of the games that are aimed at kids (the potential audience for a switch lite/3ds successor) require joycons, such as 12 switch and labo. To add to this, playing multiplayer games anywhere, anytime is one of the biggest selling points of the switch to this audience. Removing the joycons in a switch lite would get rid of convientt out of box multiplayer for family friendly casual games like Mario kart, snipperclips, smash Bros, Odyssey, Kirby, DK, Tennis, Mario party, Yoshi, 2d Mario and Pokemon let's go.

While getting rid of the joycons from the switch makes as much sense as removing the dual screens on the DS/3DS, removing the dock does make sense (but keep it still compatible with the dock to encourage family's to buy multiple switches). No games require docked mode in fact many games require or benifit from being played in handheld mode. A switch lite would likely come after a price drop / pro revision and then dropping the dock would allow the price to be less than or equal to $199. To further more appeal to the 3ds crowd I imagine it will become more durable. For example a revamped kick stand (think surface pro). I also imagine if this comes after a revision and is based of the original switch the battery would be improved.

Tl;dr a lite type revision remove the joycons makes no sense becauses the joycons functionality appeal towards kids but a non dock revision with improved durabilty/ maybe improved battery life does.

Jessmo24 · Jul 1, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
What Drought?

The only Kirby, and Mario tennis drought we are currently in. Cutsie Mario games are not for everyone. A Zelda skyward sword, or oot remake would have been recieved sell.
Some guys bought the system, with epic RPGs in mind after BOTW. Nintendo needs to follia up.

TheMisterManGuy · Jul 1, 2018

Jessmo24 said:
The only Kirby, and Mario tennis drought we are currently in. Cutsie Mario games are not for everyone. A Zelda skyward sword, or oot remake would have been recieved sell.
Some guys bought the system, with epic RPGs in mind after BOTW. Nintendo needs to follia up.

What about the Wii U ports, Labo, and Sushi Striker, plus some big third party ports as well? Just because you can ignore major releases doesn't mean the Switch has a drought.

Mechaplum · Jul 1, 2018

I'll switch mine with a smaller dockless version in a heartbeat, after I'm done with Taiko :p.

Terraforce · Jul 1, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
What about the Wii U ports, Labo, and Sushi Striker, plus some big third party ports as well? Just because you can ignore major releases doesn't mean the Switch has a drought.

Even if not a drought, when you put it like that, old ports and a cardboard game targeted at children clearly doesn't sound all that appealing.

TheMisterManGuy · Jul 1, 2018

Terraforce said:
Even if not a drought, when you put it like that, old ports and a cardboard game targeted at children clearly doesn't sound all that appealing.

Not to the average ERA member who owned a Wii U, but for an audience who didn't give a shit about the Wii U, that looks attractive.

Terraforce · Jul 1, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
Not to the average ERA member who owned a Wii U, but for an audience who didn't give a shit about the Wii U, that looks attractive.

Even then it still depends, and in most cases isn't completely true. The ports have been doing fine, but other than Mario Kart and Pokken it's not like they've been selling tons of copies. And I doubt Captain Toad will fare any better.

Hieroph · Jul 1, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
A 2DS is $80 with a free games, and the best games retailing for $20. That's about as impulse buy friendly as you can get. Which proves my point that the 3DS as a platform only exists at the moment as a budget alternative.

You're ignoring the reality of the sales data. OG 2DS isn't doing most of the selling any more despite the price point, it's New 2DS XL that people are buying. It's also New 2DS XL that Nintendo is pushing with new bundles and new ads. At the same time they're providing a constant stream of new $40 game releases like Wario Ware Gold and Sushi Striker.

It looks like you have trouble understanding that buyers looking for the latest and the greatest and budget conscious buyers can exist on the same platform.

Cygnus X-1 · Jul 1, 2018

Considering how popular the NES and SNES Mini were, why not doing a new, modern Gameboy?

Deleted member 2791 · Jul 1, 2018

Terraforce said:
Even then it still depends, and in most cases isn't completely true. The ports have been doing fine, but other than Mario Kart and Pokken it's not like they've been selling tons of copies. And I doubt Captain Toad will fare any better.

Every Wii U port that released sold well and better than the original release for almost all of them.

Pablo Mesa · Jul 1, 2018

Terraforce said:
Even then it still depends, and in most cases isn't completely true. The ports have been doing fine, but other than Mario Kart and Pokken it's not like they've been selling tons of copies. And I doubt Captain Toad will fare any better.

every single Switch version has already outsell the LTS of their WiiU counterpart.

Shengar · Jul 1, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
Wii U was the result of Nintendo being out of touch with how much the market has changed, and created a product with a premise that nobody asked for and nobody wanted. Of course, these feats are hard to pull off. My point though is that Nintendo doesn't just stumble upon success by slapping shit together. When they want to, they put a ton of research and analysis into market demands, opportunities, and supported facts and evidence to create products that people never knew they wanted. That's what they did with the Wii, DS, Famicom, Game Boy, and of course, Switch.

TheMisterManGuy said:
Market shifting had a lot to do with the Wii U's failure. By the time the console came out, it was running an incredibly outdated CPU and GPU set that wasn't being supported anymore, and one that developers were quickly moving on from, on top of lacking support for a ton of middle-ware used by most developers. And that was just one of its problems, the Wii U Gamepad was an overly designed solution to an imaginary problem that didn't exist, and abandoned the simplicity that defined its predecessor, in favor of an obtuse, outdated, and overly designed mess. Wii U was the result of Nintendo trying to make what they think consumers want, rather than doing their homework and studying what they actually want.

While I don't know what happened behind the door, I could suggest that all Wii U failure in market research is the result of group think within Nintendo uppermost executives.

TheMisterManGuy said:
What Drought?

No mainline Mario or Zelda title :^)

Also you guys are nuts if you really believe Nintendo going to make any hardware that potentially could be a competitor to their own Switch.

Barrel Cannon · Jul 1, 2018

Jeez OP. U went ham. Throw in some BC ds titles too while ur at it

Terraforce · Jul 1, 2018

LordKano said:
Every Wii U port that released sold well and better than the original release for almost all of them.

Which doesn't say a lot since the Wii U was a complete flop. Other than a few exceptions, the ports rarely sell as well as new releases, so clearly it's not just "ERA Frequenters" who aren't as interested in them as brand new games.

Pablo Mesa said:
every single Switch version has already outsell the LTS of their WiiU counterpart.

This is false. We don't know this to be true about Donkey Kong, Hyrule Warriors, or Bayonetta. But this is also besides the point completely.

Christo750 · Jul 1, 2018

Terraforce said:
Which doesn't say a lot since the Wii U was a complete flop. Other than a few exceptions, the ports rarely sell as well as new releases, so clearly it's not just "ERA Frequenters" who aren't as interested in them as brand new games.

This is false. We don't know this to be true about Donkey Kong, Hyrule Warriors, or Bayonetta. But this is also besides the point completely.

We know this for Bayonetta. It's outsold the Wii U version already.

To be fair we don't know the numbers for Donkey Kong or Hyrule Warriors, but DK will easily be surpassed and HW reached.

tyfon · Jul 1, 2018

Christo750 said:
We know this for Bayonetta. It's outsold the Wii U version already.

To be fair we don't know the numbers for Donkey Kong or Hyrule Warriors, but DK will easily be surpassed and HW reached.

I've bought all of these, but I never had a Wii U. I think they will sell well to "new" customers at least. Full price for old ports is a bit bad though but it's Nintendo.

OT though, a backward compatible 3ds 2 with dual analogue sticks and 720p screen would be appealing to me.
Or a 3ds emulator for the switch with full access to the 3ds eshop :)

Pablo Mesa · Jul 1, 2018

Terraforce said:
Which doesn't say a lot since the Wii U was a complete flop. Other than a few exceptions, the ports rarely sell as well as new releases, so clearly it's not just "ERA Frequenters" who aren't as interested in them as brand new games.

This is false. We don't know this to be true about Donkey Kong, Hyrule Warriors, or Bayonetta. But this is also besides the point completely.

Ill double check later but bayonetta 2 we do had a chart during the last IR, link it when get out of work

TheMisterManGuy · Jul 1, 2018

Let's be honest, most of the people who think the 3DS is getting a successor are likely the same people who believed in the ridiculous notion that the GBA was getting a successor back in 2005.

ArchedThunder · Jul 1, 2018

Hieroph said:
You're ignoring the reality of the sales data. OG 2DS isn't doing most of the selling any more despite the price point, it's New 2DS XL that people are buying. It's also New 2DS XL that Nintendo is pushing with new bundles and new ads. At the same time they're providing a constant stream of new $40 game releases like Wario Ware Gold and Sushi Striker.

It looks like you have trouble understanding that buyers looking for the latest and the greatest and budget conscious buyers can exist on the same platform.

I wouldn't call the 3DS's current support a "constant stream".

Terraforce · Jul 1, 2018

Pablo Mesa said:
Ill double check later but bayonetta 2 we do had a chart during the last IR, link it when get out of work

The chart wasn't Lifetime sales, it was comparing nine weeks in for each of them.
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/20...tta_2_has_outsold_its_sister_version_on_wii_u
Says it right there in the article.

But again, that's entirely besides the point here.

Quo Vadis · Jul 2, 2018

So this is from the same person that was teasing Pokemon Let's Go months before it was revealed and was spot on.

Didn't find a thread about it and wasn't sure if it's worth one.

Justin Iacobellis · Jul 2, 2018

Quo Vadis said:
So this is from the same person that was teasing Pokemon Let's Go months before it was revealed and was spot on.

Didn't find a thread about it and wasn't sure if it's worth one.

I'm putting stock into it.

pokéfan · Jul 2, 2018

Quo Vadis said:
So this is from the same person that was teasing Pokemon Let's Go months before it was revealed and was spot on.

Didn't find a thread about it and wasn't sure if it's worth one.

Pixelpar!!! Who has the balls to doubt him now after Pokemon Let's Go. :P

We have a 3DS successor :O

Delio · Jul 2, 2018

Quo Vadis said:
So this is from the same person that was teasing Pokemon Let's Go months before it was revealed and was spot on.

Didn't find a thread about it and wasn't sure if it's worth one.

Man him being right about Let's go will suddenly make everyone trust him.

Theorymon · Jul 2, 2018

My dream Switch iteration would be a handheld Switch that could also play 3DS games, and eumlate all the other Nintendo handhelds. IDK how feasible it'd be to put 3DS inards into a smaller Switch formfactor, so maybe it'd make more sense for 3DS games to be emulated too.

ArchedThunder · Jul 2, 2018

Quo Vadis said:
So this is from the same person that was teasing Pokemon Let's Go months before it was revealed and was spot on.

Didn't find a thread about it and wasn't sure if it's worth one.

He was right about Let's Go, but I doubt he's right about this.
Pokemon is the biggest sign that there is no 3DS successor. Though I guess he says he doesn't know if it's just another kind of Switch, so if what he's heard is true it could still just be a handheld only Switch.

Delio · Jul 2, 2018

ArchedThunder said:
He was right about Let's Go, but I doubt he's right about this.
Pokemon is the biggest sign that there is no 3DS successor.

That's my thing. Like Pokémon is already moving to Switch do people think gamefreak will start doing Pokémon on both?

Deleted member 15538 · Jul 2, 2018

Switch is not a good handheld but it's fine for short sessions. Portable gaming doesn't fit my lifestyle apart from flying so I really don't care as I have some mobile shit like RCT classic and some Kairosoft stuff. I guess a 3DS feels even worse? Had a GBA at launch but didn't really play it that much as it couldn't be used outside.

Deleted member 9584 · Jul 2, 2018

I would actually love for them to continue and evolve their handheld division and continue dual screen gaming. I'm all in for a dedicated handheld. Just please make it backwards compatible with DS and 3DS.

MaitreWakou · Jul 2, 2018

That Pixelpar tweet is wild af.

ArchedThunder said:
He was right about Let's Go, but I doubt he's right about this.
Pokemon is the biggest sign that there is no 3DS successor. Though I guess he says he doesn't know if it's just another kind of Switch, so if what he's heard is true it could still just be a handheld only Switch.

Yeah he does say it could be a Switch iteration, he doesn't know much about it. Some people have been predicting a mini Switch with no dock or a low spec Switch in the last few days, like Jon from GameXplain for instance.
(And if it can make PixelPar a little bit more reliable to your eyes, he also teased multiple times that a Mario Party was coming this year)

7upguy · Jul 2, 2018

Please Nintendo, give me a New 2DS Micro. There is currently no pocketable handheld on the market right now. The 3DS XL and even the small New 3DS are too large.

RedSwirl · Jul 2, 2018

I think Nintendo learned during the Wii U era it no longer makes sense for them to split their game development pipelines. Their Wii U and 3DS games were becoming ever more similar until they started basically just being ports of one another. Non-AAA Japanese games have been in this state ever since the PSP. For them, the distinction between handheld and console is disappearing. It almost doesn't make sense to do console-exclusive gaming anymore unless it's gonna be top-of-the-line PlayStation and Xbox-style stuff.

Etrian Darkness · Jul 2, 2018

I have mixed feelings on this. Why split resources when you can go all in on the Switch. But I still play my 3DS even with a Switch. An even more portable console? Still sub-HD?

TheMisterManGuy · Jul 2, 2018

Didn't Pixelpar also get a lot of stuff wrong about the March Direct? I'm not denying his credibility, but even credible sources can get stuff wrong.

Deleted member 17630 · Jul 2, 2018

A Switch Micro would be insane. Give it the screen size of the 3DS XL with no dock, make it $199, and bundle it with MK8D and you won't be able to keep it on shelves.

Vagabond · Jul 2, 2018

No Switch Mini?

I'm sort of intrigued, even if this is annoyingly unnecessary. The jury is still out whether or not the Switch can replicate the 3DS' success, but I'd like to at least have seen Nintendo try a little harder.

sph3re · Jul 2, 2018

The DS (and 3DS, by extension) line of handhelds sell gangbusters, I'm not surprised they're considering continuing it. I don't know how, considering the Switch is a thing, but it will be interesting to see.

Jraphics Horse · Jul 2, 2018

Delio said:
That's my thing. Like Pokémon is already moving to Switch do people think gamefreak will start doing Pokémon on both?

Don't see why not tbh. It's either going to be a type of Switch that plays Switch games, or something with very similar architecture to a Switch that doesn't require much work to port games to.

TheMisterManGuy · Jul 2, 2018

Also, keep in mind, Nintendo said they want to sell a Switch to every person in the house. So unless they walk back on that idea, it'd be illogical for them to expect people to carry 3 devices with them at anytime.

Delio · Jul 2, 2018

Jraphics Horse said:
Don't see why not tbh. It's either going to be a type of Switch that plays Switch games, or something with very similar architecture to a Switch that doesn't require much work to port games to.

I mean I expect a "mini" Switch but I don't expect something that will play its own games.

Mysterio79 · Jul 2, 2018

Pixelpar flat out says in his tweet that he's not sure if it's another iteration of Switch.

I don't find it that unbelievable considering that's what most of us have been expecting.

Ogodei · Jul 2, 2018

The Switch will be the 3DS successor when they introduce the Super Switch at a point when it's economical to mark the Switch down to $150 or less. Slight rebrand of the Switch, maybe repackaging it, have some games be clearly marked as Super Switch only.

Mysterio79 · Jul 2, 2018

Ogodei said:
The Switch will be the 3DS successor when they introduce the Super Switch at a point when it's economical to mark the Switch down to $150 or less. Slight rebrand of the Switch, maybe repackaging it, have some games be clearly marked as Super Switch only.

Nah they'll make a cheaper, lower end portable only Switch long before they drop a successor and the Switch sees a price cut like that. That's crazy talk.

zoukka · Jul 2, 2018

TheMisterManGuy said:
What about the Wii U ports, Labo, and Sushi Striker, plus some big third party ports as well? Just because you can ignore major releases doesn't mean the Switch has a drought.

If people feel it has a drought then that's how it is. Mario Tennis and Sushi Strikers might be polished games, but they really are game types that fly under the radar for many people. For me the only exciting exclusive game is Pokemon for the rest of the year and even that is leagues below games like BotW, Odyssey and XC2 in terms of how strong it seems as a title.

Jraphics Horse · Jul 2, 2018

Delio said:
I mean I expect a "mini" Switch but I don't expect something that will play its own games.

I think most people would hope the same, I'm just a bit apprehensive as they've never been that clear on wanting a single ecosystem over having multiple similar ones that can be targeted for quick ports. Any Wii U ports would be fine running on a system with half the RAM, for example, and arguably a 480p screen!

Deleted member 37739 · Jul 2, 2018

Hieroph said:
You're ignoring the reality of the sales data. OG 2DS isn't doing most of the selling any more despite the price point, it's New 2DS XL that people are buying. It's also New 2DS XL that Nintendo is pushing with new bundles and new ads. At the same time they're providing a constant stream of new $40 game releases like Wario Ware Gold and Sushi Striker.

It looks like you have trouble understanding that buyers looking for the latest and the greatest and budget conscious buyers can exist on the same platform.

I've been eyeing that 2DSXL for a while. It looks really sleek and there's so much catalogue I missed on there. I'm not a big portable player, but it's got appeal.

Deleted member 9584 · Jul 2, 2018

RunesmithCaryll said:
I've been eyeing that 2DSXL for a while. It looks really sleek and there's so much catalogue I missed on there. I'm not a big portable player, but it's got appeal.

I just bought the new Hylian Shield 2DS XL that came out today. I traded in my older n3DS XL. I'm VERY impressed with how it looks and feels.

KilgoreTrout696 · Jul 2, 2018

Oh damn hadn't seen that Pixelpar tweet. A cheaper kid proof version of the Switch is what I would imagine that to be.

ArchedThunder · Jul 2, 2018

momshotdad said:
A Switch Micro would be insane. Give it the screen size of the 3DS XL with no dock, make it $199, and bundle it with MK8D and you won't be able to keep it on shelves.

Get it out before Pokemon Gen 8 hits and next holiday will be massive for Nintendo.
There's a lot they can do to make it cheaper too, smaller node, controls built into the system, no need for 3 accelerometers and gyros, remove HD rumble and the IR camera, a smaller screen that could also be a basic LCD instead of a high quality IPS display, they could cut down on the SOC so there there is only enough there that is needed for runing games in handheld, no dock so they don't need a USB 3.0 hub.
That's off the top of my head.

Shoichi · Jul 2, 2018

At this point I don't think it would make sense for Nintendo to release a successor to the 3DS that doesn't incorporate the Switch software ecosystem in some way.

It allows the system to have hundreds of games already developed when the system releases. Also it wouldn't make sense to have to split development between two platforms again after they decided to merge their portable and console development teams a few years ago to prevent game droughts.

smaller size 480p screen, no dock, un-removable joycons (losing wireless/battery/IR), smaller battery, no included joycon grip, no included charger, etc. could probably knock at least $100-$150 off the price.

New Nintendo president Furukawa: “considering various possibilities” for 3DS successor

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