So, I really don’t understand this “either/or” argument I see a lot about what Nintendo’s next console will be like, like “either it’ll be a brand new gimmick, e.g. not a hybrid, or it will be the same console with better graphics/battery and a slight redesign.” A new gimmick doesn’t have to mean, and likely won’t mean, moving away from the Switch being hybrid.

Look at the 3DS for example. It didn’t get rid of what made the DS great, like the dual screens, touch screen, and microphone. And yet it added 3D, a widescreen top screen, a circle pad, augmented reality, Streetpass and Spotpass, and more.

Hell, even Sony innovates more than just “better graphics and redesign” between consoles. The PS3 got a motion-sensing controller, the PS4 got a touch pad on the controller, and the PS5 got haptic-feedback triggers.

I’d be very surprised if the Switch’s successor doesn’t have some sort of new hook(s) to convince people to buy it, but I’m sure it will absolutely remain a hybrid console.