When Nintendo Switch was first announced, Nintendo pitched it as a home console that players could take anywhere with them, rather than a portable console that just happened to be able to display content on a TV screen. While it's unlikely that the company is going to stop pushing the Switch as a home console any time soon, it seems that the company is willing to recognize that some players would prefer to just play it on the go. This is evident in the fact that Nintendo is now selling the Switch without a dock.
In Japan, the company has begun selling a Switch bundle called the Switch 2nd Unit Set that doesn't include the TV dock component included in other bundles of the console. The bundle costs approximately $226 and includes the Nintendo Switch tablet as well as two Joy-Con controllers and their strap attachments, but it does not include the Joy-Con Grip, the HDMI cable, or the AC adapter (though the console can be charged using a USB-C cable). This dock-less bundle retails for $45 less than the Switch bundle with all of that hardware included, making it a slightly more affordable version of the console.
Ever since the console was first released, people have wondered whether Nintendo would release a Nintendo Switch Mini. The Mini could be a much smaller and lightweight version of the console that sold without the dock. This would be ideal for budget players and those who would rather ditch the TV functionality in favor of a more affordable price. While it seems that Nintendo currently has no interest in releasing a Switch Mini, the dock-less Switch bundle could be the next best thing, giving players the barebones Switch experience and helping them save a small amount of money in the process.
This slight price cut could potentially help Nintendo to sell even more Switch units. While the company hasn't had any trouble in selling the Switch previously (the console has actually set sales records), the cheaper bundle could be an alluring prospect for cash-strapped gamers.
Moreover, by releasing a Switch with fewer components, Nintendo could also avoid some stock shortages. After all, it won't have to produce so many docks, AC adapters, and HDMI cables if it sells this slimmed down bundle. At this point, it's unclear whether Nintendo plans to sell the bundle outside of Japan, but watch this space.
Source: The Verge