Nintendo are Selling Nintendo Switch System Without Dock in Japan

Just as the title suggests, Nintendo have started to sell Nintendo Switch systems in Japan without a docking station, power cable, Joy-Con Grip and HDMI cable included. This new package comes with the Nintendo Switch, Joy-Con and Joy-con strap.

The purpose of this new package, according to the website, is an option for households to purchase a second Switch for cheaper without requiring a docking station. Translating content on the page, the slogan:

"2台目用セット" translates (possibly inaccurately thanks to Google Translate) to "Set for 2nd set".

Keep in mind that this package does not come with any means of charging the Nintendo Switch by not providing a USB-C charging cable in the box. For those who want a hand-held only purchasing option, this will not provide everything you need to keep your Switch recharged. Instead, it seems this package really is designed simply for households to get a second Switch.

Source

With this new package, can you imagine new sets in the future? Possibly a budget system that comes with only the Switch tablet, or maybe a hand-held set that comes with a charging cable or even extended battery. I think it would be a good idea to sell a budget version of the platform, or a handheld only version. The Switch can accommodate many different preferences and play-styles, and it makes sense to sell Switch's in different packages to accommodate those preferences.

@alan_cartridge: May as well. :P

Most of the internals of the dock is hollow.

It uses a standard USB C-cable, so a lot of people probably have one and Nintendo sold the New 3DS without a charger too, and that's a unique plug so it was more of a problem but not for Switch. Nintendo should do this in other regions, making it cheaper entry point with the option of buying the dock later if they want to.

Makes sense, the Switch can be both their console and handheld going forward. Less droughts for both types of Nintendo gamer, hopefully.

@davillain-:That's right! I forgot that Nintendo sold certain models of the 3DS without a charger. I guess the logic there was that the system was an upgrade model for existing 3DS owners, but there is no way of knowing. All the same, the USB-C charging cable is not propitiatory and so any cable can be used with the Switch. That being said, I understand that it's not the marketing scheme Nintendo appear to be going for; This seems to exist as an option to sell a second Switch, rather than being advertised as someone's first platform but it's technically still possible if first-time buyers want a cheaper option.

I basically only use my dock to charge....

@TheEroica: I divide my time over the two. I have a pro-controller which I like to use more than the Joy-Con so I use the dock most of the time when I am at home, but not all the time. Sometimes I like to play in bed, at my computer desk or in the chill-out room we have.

I've been telling people that the Switch is the successor of the 3DS, and now we have it: Switch total mobile edition.

Not forcing people to pay for something they don't need is cool in my book.

I play my Switch about 50/50 handheld/docked, personally.

Lately though, it has actually been more like 100% docked, since I leave my Switch at home. My gf is obsessed with Binding of Isaac right now, so I can't bring the Switch with me to work. :P And since I'm home, I might as well play on the big screen with my Pro controller.

Interesting option and it does make sense. I recall Nintendo having said something about how they wanted each person in a household to have their own Switch.

That happened much sooner than I thought it would. I guess as long as they keep it in Japan, it's no big deal. I was counting on them making this move when sales slowed down at some lower price point but I guess they are trying to hedge off the mobile market early on, instead.

@Archangel3371:You're right. I believe they did say that.

Source - From our very own Charizard

I guess this is just moving closer to that idea. Translating more of the page, there is a line that reads:

"すでにNintendo Switchをお持ちのお客様向けのお買い求めいただきやすいセットです。

上記の3点のみを購入いただけます."

which translates to:

"It is easy to purchase for customers who already have Nintendo Switch.

Only three points above can be purchased."

It seems they're hoping to achieve the goal of having more than one Switch system in a household and are starting to make moves that they hope will get them there.

@ShewgenjaHow do you mean? The campaign and bundle was thought up in order to sell a second Switch to a household. I don't think the idea is to replace the basic Switch bundle.

Pretty much the same here.

Azati arousal intensifies

It's a Handheld, the dock was just another "N" gimmick. :P

@jumpaction: Ah, ok. That’s what I thought they said.

In other news, Sony will bundle the PS4 with its own BOY. Relive GOW with your very own boy so you can yell out "BOY" and remember Kratos' journey to toss some dust over a hill.

@Bread_or_Decide: ... I don't get it. :(

@xantufrog: Technically his prediction hasn't been disproved just yet. His prediction is:

"Switch after its 3rd to 4th year, because of next-gen consoles releases ( 2020 +) will be promoted, advertised like a handheld above everything else because it wont be able to compete at all as a console, and this might lead to another life support"

So while this is being advertised as a second purchase for existing Switch owners, it's still possible that in 2020, Nintendo completely abandons the namesake of the Nintendo Switch and advertises the device as a handheld device without TV sets or docking stations in sight.

@SecretPolice: a Very good gimmick to me, indeed, I'd rather play on the TV.

This is great!

And who cares about not coming with a charger? Apple did it, or still does it and no one cares.

Azati's also doesn't think Nintendo would have something ready after 2 years of the next consoles. Nintendo still follows the 5 year rule

@FireEmblem_Man: How do you mean?

While Playstation and Xbox chase 4K, Nintendo offers a flexibility to gaming that I find refreshing. I don't think it matters if the Switch is a console, handheld or whatever you want to call it. The point is you can play Nintendo's 1st party titles and a decent chunk of 3rd party titles however you see fit.

I mean, I get the sentiment. I do. But on the other hand. Is a wire for charging really that much of a burden on the unit costs for Nintendo (or Apple, if what you say is true) that it justifies not including it?

Wii U was released in 2012, Switch is released in 2017. The year 2022 would be a speculation on what Nintendo may release. So they'll be prepared for whats to come for the gen 9 consoles while nintendo moves to Gen 10

@FireEmblem_Man: Oh okay. I don't know when they'll start working on their new platform.

From what I understand, the concept of the Switch was in talks as far back as 2012.

What do Apple sell that doesn't come with a charger?

While I'm not sure why, I'm remembering the days when Nintendo said we'd eventually be able to purchase a Wii U gamepad separately.

@shellcase86: my new ds4 came without a charger cable. I was pissed. What a cheap copout

@jumpaction: or a replacement switch

It would be cool if they passed on those savings.

But I believe with the 3DS they removed the charger from the package and still charged the same amount. So if you actually needed the original 3DS charger to go with it, it was a de-facto price hike.

I don't see the price mentioned in the OP, but Nintendo charges $89 for the dock separately. So you think without the dock and cable they sell this for $199 instead of $299? LOLNINTENDO. They probably sell it for $279.

@2Chalupas: I didn't mention the prices but it's in the link I provided in the OP. Currency is yen. :)

I think it's $249.99?

They probably already are, since they are partners with Nvidia and I won't be surprise if they already started to work on a custom Tegra for next gen hardware since we are moving towards 7 nm size chipsets.

LOL.........but it’s not a handheld.

So its moving away from the TV space?

@Pedro: I don't think so?

The motivation behind this is to encourage people to buy a second Switch by cutting costs on elements like the dock that first time-buyers will already have. At least, according to the web page, that's what the goal is.

No, if one wants to buy Switch as a super handheld gaming system and not bother with playing it at home, it's where this with "no Dock" comes into to play and making it cheaper. Everyone in the planet has a basic USB c-cable, no point in using the dock if you're always out of the house.

It's just me saying more option is always good for the consumers.

Damn, for a moment I thought Ninty ran out of money to manufacture the dock n’stuff, having all that investment in cardboard stored in the warehouses must have been a heavy blow.

Blasphemy!

Nintendo is a billion dollar company.

Nintendo can buy Nintendo.

Agreed. Just 2nd switch. I will "buy" it. :-)

...And Nintendo said they're not bringing the dockless Switch to the west.

https://wccftech.com/nintendo-switch-dockless-bundle/