Nintendo revealed the Switch and its versatility for a while now and the console is a success. The new Switch Lite however strays away from the original meaning of the console’s name. So what can we expect from a Pro version?
The original Switch, a gaming chameleon changing its play modes from TV mode, docked for extra power, to handheld, the liberty of playing anywhere, anytime. Of even te social Tabletop mode where you can share detached Joy-Con and let your buds join in on the fun. It was perfect and it was good, hence the appeal and widespread success of the console hybrid.
Fast forward to july 2019 for the second coming: The Switch Lite!
With the 3DS dying out (stop pretending it is not!) and the anniversary of the GameBoy Nintendo decided to switch things up and to announce a smaller, handheld only version of the console. Did I expect a smaller version with integrated Joy-Con? Yes I did. Did I expect it to be handheld only? No…Absolutely not. I would’ve though it to be a smaller version that would be shipped without the dock but I expected Nintendo to still give us the option to play it on the TV as well. A Nintendo Switch Dock Lite, an adapter to fit the Lite into an original dock or a Chromecast-wise peripheral to link it to your TV. The brand name itself relies on the different play modes and those are now gone.
Since the Switch name doesn’t stand for its versatility any longer we can think outside of the box for a Nintendo Switch Pro, Plus, Max or whatever you want to call it. I believe we are going to get one of 3 options for the rumored “PRO”:
A superduper maxed out Switch
I see a powerhouse that will make even the PS4 shiver in its last cycle. A console hybrid with a larger screen and better battery to at least rival the performance in battery life of the OG Switch. Better textures (through texture pack downloads), better performance. It would still retain the Switch’s original concept, a real hybrid.
Ni
The SwitchU
Of course the name would have to change but imagine a stronger version of the Switch capable of running PS4 spec games but as a trade limiting the handheld mode to your own Wifi/dock environment. Thus having everything running inside the new supercharged dock. You can play it either on the TV or in the couch on a screen but not outside of the dock’s reach since that’s where the game itself will be running.
The Super Switch
A screenless dock that takes away the screen and everything handheld. The core gamers would be the audience and so only the pro controller would be packed with the dock. A line of Switch Pro only games could be added to the roster and Joy-Con support for playing other original games on it.
Personally I would like to see the first option so we can retain the original idea while getting more power and better performance to get more 3rd party support. Let’s be honest this has always be Nintendo’s “problem”. I know there are a lot of great and even superb first party titles on the Switch and maybe we shouldn’t see Nintendo in the same way we look at Xbox and Playstation 3rd party games. Nintendo is kind of in a league of its own. The Super Switch I mentioned above might seem to far fetched but it is at the other extremity of the spectrum of where the Switch Mini’s at. Full handheld and full home console.
What do you think the Switch “Pro” might add or cut away from the original idea?
