Nintendo has a long history of revising its hardware, and so many feel it's just a matter of time until the Big N does the same with the Nintendo Switch. Even though the Switch hasn't even been out for two full years at the time of writing, many think that a Switch revision could come as early as this year, including video game industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities.

Pachter recently released his predictions on the gaming industry for 2019, including his belief that Nintendo will release a portable-only Switch at some point this year, for $199. "I expect the device to have the same screen, but with Joy Cons built into the body and no docking station," Pachter said. As for what Nintendo will call this Switch that can't actually "switch" between being a handheld machine and a home console, Pachter is not as sure, but jokingly suggested that the company calls it the Game Boy.

Out of all of Pachter's gaming predictions for 2019, a Nintendo Switch revision seems like one of the most likely. As previously stated, Nintendo has a long history of revising its hardware, especially its handheld devices. The Game Boy saw multiple revisions, as did the Game Boy Advance, DS, and 3DS. Nintendo clearly sees value in revising its hardware, so there's no reason why it would stop now.

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A cheaper, portable-only Switch has some obvious appeal, as gamers that prefer handheld devices and don't want to shell out the $300 for a Switch may be swayed by the hypothetical portable-only Switch's lower price point. The lower price point could very well convince some people that already own a Switch to pick it up as well, whether it be for other people in the house or just to have a back-up console.

Pachter isn't the only game industry analyst who expects a Nintendo Switch revision in 2019. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games has floated the idea of a "Switch Lite" device, as well as a more powerful version of the current Switch, which he calls the Switch Pro. The Switch Pro would presumably have increased storage, as has been rumored in the past.

The Switch Pro, if it exists, could also be the 4K Switch that has been rumored. According to the rumors, the 4K Switch would be Nintendo's answer to the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro in that it wouldn't be a full-fledged next-gen console, but rather, a mid-generation upgrade.

As for hard evidence that a Switch revision is on the way, datamining efforts of a firmware update from last year showed evidence that Nintendo is planning to release a new version of the console that would be less vulnerable to hacks. Whether or not this new console is portable-only or an upgraded version of the Switch remains to be seen, however.

Source: GamesIndustry