Nintendo is currently hard at work at developing two new models for their Nintendo Switch console and plan to release them sometime later this year, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal. The report released by the WSJ details that the two Nintendo Switch variants consist of an “enhanced features targeted at avid video gamers” and a cheaper one aimed at mobile-oriented video gamers. The former wasn't fully detailed in the report but was already mentioned in an earlier report last year by the same publication and is rumored to have an OLED screen as opposed to the regular LCD screen.

Both Nintendo models to be revealed at the E3 event

As for the cheaper model, the report claims that in terms of functionality, it won't have detachable Joy-Con controllers and it is meant to be a successor to the 3DS. It was also reported earlier this year by Japanese media outlet Nikkei. Given the supposed plans, the cheaper model could end up being priced pretty close to that of the handheld, though that is purely speculative and apart from the source.

Finally, WSJ claims that both models will be revealed at the upcoming E3 event later this year. However, it's too soon to tell what Nintendo's true plans are for the hybrid console and not everything WSJ has reported lately can be verified yet.

The validity is sound

Given the current climate of the gaming hardware market, the idea of two models such as those outlined in the WSJ report is quite plausible. As mentioned before, this isn't the first time a more capable variant to the Nintendo Switch had been rumored. And, given Nintendo's track record with their mobile products, a subtle revision or even an incremental upgrade for the Nintendo Switch could be in the pipeline.

Plus, the extra horsepower would attract even more third-party supporters--something that Nintendo has pushed for since the start of the console's life cycle.

The latter variation is a lot more plausible as its cheaper design would be considered a welcome downgrade to many consumers who simply prefer to game on the go as they would with a typical Nintendo handheld.

The caveat with the Joy-Con controllers especially further validates the model, considering it would fit the company's style of cost reduction with its hardware revisions.

Additionally, this cheaper Nintendo Switch model would also fit in with Nintendo's current strategy to place multiple units per household. This plan has already been put into motion as the company began rolling out dockless Switch units back in May 2018, though they are exclusive to markets in Japan.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED