Nintendo is on track to launch two new Switch consoles in the coming months as the company aims to maintain sales momentum ahead of the release of its rivals’ next-gen consoles.
Sources spoke with to the WSJ, stating that the devices may be revealed at E3 in June 2019.
One of the devices is reportedly a budget-friendly model with a greater focus on portability, which could be taken as a potential successor to the 3DS.
The second premium model is aimed at more serious gamers as a potential rival product to Sony’s PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One — with less of the power of those consoles.
First launched back in March 2017, the Switch has been instrumental in Nintendo’s recent success and accounts for more than 80% of the company’s total revenue.
Now entering its third year, coupled with the rise of cloud-gaming and subscription services, investors are no doubt curious how long it will remain a profit driver.
It is usual for console producers to release higher-end and cheaper versions of their flagship consoles to keep sales momentum going.
Sony and Microsoft are expected to release the next generations of their consoles in the near future, and both are currently more powerful than Nintendo.
This new refresh could give the Switch the boost it needs to stay afloat in the console-wars.
“You would be wrong to think the enhanced version is similar to what Sony did with PS4 Pro and the other is just a cheap alternative that looks very similar to some past hand-held machines, say, Sony’s PlayStation Vita,” said one source who used both devices to WSJ.
Prices for the new devices were not revealed, but many features — including vibration function on its controllers — may be cut to reduce costs.
WSJ is also reporting that Sharp, who previously failed to win the contract for the original Switch, may supply liquid-crystal displays for the new consoles.
2019 is also expected to see new game titles launch on the Switch, including two new Pokémon games in late 2019.
