The Nintendo Switch is selling phenomenally well at the moment and it's only natural that many fans of the console will be wondering what Nintendo has planned for its future. Could Nintendo improve the console's hardware, perhaps by releasing differently sized versions of the Switch in the same way that it has released the original Nintendo 3DS, the New Nintendo 3DS, the 2DS, and the 3DS XL?

According to a new report, fans should not expect to see any grand iterations of the Nintendo Switch anytime soon. The Wall Street Journal cites sources familiar with Nintendo's plans, saying that the company isn't currently working on a Nintendo Switch 2.0 and that Nintendo will instead focus on peripheral sales and network features in order to improve the console.

The peripherals will reportedly make use of the console's USB Type-C port. Although it's unclear what these network features may look like, it should be noted that Nintendo is already planning to expand the Switch's online, networking capabilities with the Nintendo Switch Online Service which is set to launch this year.

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The WSJ's sources say that such changes to the Switch itself are "unlikely" this year because Nintendo wants to focus on "better manufacturing and shipping of the current model." There have been rumors of a Nintendo Switch Mini to rest and some analysts had suggested that a smaller version of the console could be released in 2019. This smaller console would help Nintendo to further appeal to children who have smaller hands and therefore would want a smaller console that feels less unwieldy to hold. The report does not totally dismiss those rumors, given that the sources only say that a new console won't be released in 2018 (rather than 2019) but it certainly puts things into perspective.

The report also notes that Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima has already publicly stated his plans to expand the Nintendo Switch's life cycle past the usual five to six years. One source claims that the decision to push back any major console iterations is part of that plan.

That information may be disappointing to fans who were eager to purchase a miniature version of the console, but Nintendo's decision to focus on the existing model does make business sense. Prospective Nintendo Switch players have already complained about stock shortages with the high demand for the console complete outstripping the supply and Nintendo will want to do its best to address those frustrations.

Nintendo may also argue that it doesn't need a Switch Mini in order to appeal to a younger audience given that it is launching the DIY playset kit, the Nintendo Labo, next month. This info does not completely rule out a new version of the Nintendo Switch in future, but for now, the standard model is all that will be available.

Source: Wall Street Journal