Nintendo’s New Switch Consoles Are A Coup De Grâce For Their Indian Operations

Nintendo has long struggled to break into the Indian market for video gaming, finding moderate success with its 3DS and Wii models when they launched. Their latest offering, the Switch, has also found success in the subcontinent, with hardcore fans sticking to the philosophy of buying Nintendo products. The console has sold over 32 million units all over the world since its launch in March of 2017, making it one of the most successful consoles in the history of video games. Now, reports have emerged that the Japanese video game giant is gearing up to launch 2 new versions of the Switch, with one slated to be a smaller and cheaper one. This move could be one of the most integral in securing market share in a market that has largely been ignored by them for the past 3 decades. Join us as we take a look into how the state of the gaming market is set to change with the launch of the Switch, and how it can be used to facilitate a growth in the Indian market for Nintendo.

What Is The Switch?

Launched two years ago, the Nintendo Switch is the latest offering from Nintendo. It can be seen as a move to consolidate its console market share and handheld market share into a single product, as it functions in both these form factors. The Switch, at the hardware level, is a 6.3-inch touchscreen tablet powered by Nvidia's Tegra chip. It has a resolution of 720p and 4GB of RAM and comes with 32GB of memory. This might seem a bit lacking to the teraflops of power boasted by other current-gen consoles such as the Microsoft Xbox or Sony Playstation, it fulfils a very specific niche in the gaming market. It can either be used on the go like a gaming tablet with the included control sticks or docked in a USB-C powered TV hub to play on the big screen. This is the most novel feature of the console and allows for a seamless play experience. via GIPHY It also comes with a controller that can be slotted onto rails on either side of the tablet, with each side functioning independently, This can be used to play a game between two individuals, allowing for a co-operative playing experience with friends. This combination of features has cemented the Switch's place as a go-to console for on the go and at home gaming. This also contributed to the vast sales volume of the console, which was released at around the time of Nintendo's previous offering running out of steam.

What Do We Know About The New Switch(es)?

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Nintendo is planning to release 2 new versions of the console later this year. This is something that Nintendo has done on many occasions, such as seen by the Nintendo 3DS, 2DS, 2DSXL and 3DSXL, 4 similar products that were all selling at the same time. Reportedly, the launch will occur as early as the summer, with the two models servicing different parts of the market. One of the models will boast enhanced features that are targeted at more hardcore gamers, while the other is a cheaper option that casual gamers can opt for. The latter is set to take up market space left open by declining sales of the 3DS. The reveal of the newer consoles may occur at E3 later this year, which is the world's biggest gaming expo. The release of the product may occur later this year, according to sources. The refresh is a mid-generation re-release to increase sales, as new hardware tends to generate buzz. Costs will also be cut to increase profit margins, with unused features such as the HD rumble being removed. The release also comes at a time where Nintendo is set to release their strongest collection of games yet.

How Will It Impact the Indian Market?

The launch of a cheaper version of the Switch might be what Nintendo requires to make a break into the Indian market. Even as they have a lower number of distributors than their competitors in the space, their unique name-brand will carry them to recognition. Games such as Mario and Pokemon are well known among the Indian population, and a campaign focused around this will increase the recognition of the Switch. It is also priced lower than its competitors in the market, which is a big drawing point for Indian consumers. Currently, the Switch is priced at around ₹28,000 after import taxes, which when compared to the PS4's ₹35,000, is a reasonably low amount. The games are also priced cheaper on the Nintendo eShop, and there is no need for an expensive TV to hook it up to. Users can begin using it out of the box. The launch of the revamped version may be what Nintendo needs to break into the Indian market. It is left to see what their strategy will include.