Sadly, I think you are right. I know it would never happen, but I wish Nintendo would go balls to the wall and put out a console equal or better than Sony or Microsoft's gaming systems. But they won't, I have accepted this years ago.

Yeah, that realization hit after the success of the Wii. Intentionally release an underpowered and cheap to produce console that goes on to rake in billions. They use all that revenue to produce... the WiiU?

You basically said it, and you're exactly right. That's what Nintendo does...they rely on their brand name and that's that...

Before the Switch, 4 of Nintendo’s top 5 selling platforms were handhelds. As much of a phenomenon as the Wii was, it’s still a distant third behind the DS and Game Boy. The Wii is their only dedicated console to have outsold the NES; aside from the Wii, every dedicated console Nintendo has released has sold worse than the one before it. (NES > SNES > N64 > GameCube > Wii U).

Nintendo is better off running their own race rather than going to the staggering expense of competing head-on with Sony and Microsoft, which history shows is doomed for failure.

A dual-purpose device like the Switch plays to their handheld-first strengths, it doesn’t divide their dev teams’ focus (Nintendo only really seems to be able to meaningfully support one device at a time), and sales would certainly seem to suggest this is a winning strategy.

My Switch is docked 99% of the time. I greatly prefer power over portability, and the tech behind the Switch is looking awfully long in the tooth. But I get why Nintendo is going down this path, and I can’t say I blame them. For that, anyway; I do think they’re being awfully greedy when it comes to pricing anymore, and it’s been a while since they put out a game I’ve been really excited about.

Another big aspect is they aren’t looking to create high-end resolution types of games. They’ve firmly stayed in the 1080p realm, and that’s worked very well so far. Although I did wonder why they opted to release an OLED version of the Switch. It’s not an overall improvement from the original release. Plus, I don’t think any of the games are mastered in 4K.

Which limits what third parties can produce.

Hasn’t hurt them in 30 years.

Sure, but if playing third-party games on high-end hardware is a priority, it’s not as if anyone is at a loss for options.

Hasn’t it become a thing with many gamers to own both the current Nintendo system and then one of the other brands too? Like their hardcore gaming on the Xbox or PlayStation and then something for Mario and Zelda.

Or like us and have all 3 (plus a pc for gaming).

Yeah, to me besides exclusives Xbox and PS5 are pretty much the same. Yeah you won't get, like the same version of Madden or COD on the Switch (well, I guess they can with cloud but still downgraded), but the switch would be my third option for those games anyway (especially with the nintendo software prices barely budging compared to other consoles). They do get all the indy/2d titles they can handle which usually run fine. And Nintendo themselves don't have to break the bank trying to develop their own titles.

If they did some voodoo to make the docked version of the Switch 2 run in a more superpowered mode AND made it easy for devs to use, I'd be ecstatic but the status quo is fine to me for now.

Heads up on BF deals for first-party games

Also there will be a Switch bundle with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and 3 months of Nintendo Online for free
https://www.nintendo.com/holiday/#deals

brickseek shows the OLED Switch popping up at various Targets, so hopefully I'll be able to track one down for myself before the holidays as a gift to myself.

Is the OLED really that big of a draw on a small screen like that?

I haven't bought one at this point, so I might as well pick it up. But I'm someone who bought a DSi and a Gameboy Micro, both ended up hardly used, so I'm not one to make rational decisions.

The first device I ever had with an OLED screen was a smartphone with a 4", 480x800 screen, and it made a difference. The Switch OLED is the same 720p resolution as the regular screen, but the image is going to look more colorful and vibrant.

https://www.imore.com/nintendo-switc...ide-comparison
Comparison pic, regular switch on top, OLED on bottom:

I’m not sure if you subscribe to Walmart’s Prime equivalent, but…!

Wow, that's actually an impressive upgrade. My wife usually has our main unit and I use my Lite and most times she's on one of the TVs (we bought an extra dock).
But if you're traveling a lot that would make the experience better.

What do you mean? You don't value this groundbreaking investigative journalism?

I have browser tabs open for Walmart and Target, and Walmart showed stock this morning when I got into work, but clicking the "add to cart" button gives me a "Please try again in a moment" pop-up, so it looks like I'm out of luck.

I thought you had to have Walmart + or whatever that paid shipping sub is to get in on the Walmart queues?
Best Buy is doing the same thing with their new program as well.

The Walmart+ thing was a 15 minute exclusive window after which it was shown out of stock. This morning it is showing in stock, but I'm not able to add it. It's not a big deal, it looks like supply is catching up to demand, but it's hard to say with the holiday shopping coming up in full swing soon.

Best Buy has Nintendo Gift cards at 10% off today. I picked up a $99 card to add to my account.

Nice deal. I might get one just to make sure I keep Elite status. Of course they're always that price for Costco members.

I believe it's a sale on Xbox points as well. Which are also available at Costco. But Playstation points aren't and aren't in this sale either, so has Sony just been cracking down on them?

Yeah, I bought it at Best Buy with the Target card since Target is giving 1% cash back plus $25 if you spend $500 outside of Target, plus the purchase goes towards Elite status. A lot of things to juggle right now.