Thanks to the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Nintendo Switch closed out 2018 with a bang. A bag of sales that is. And with lifetime Switch sales at 32.27 million units as of December 31, 2018 the console hit a few milestones. One being that its lifetime sales are now in the Nintendo 64 realm (surpassing the Wii U and GameCube) - but still a long way off from 3DS and Wii numbers.

Which is why it's rumoured that Nintendo are prepping a cheaper Nintendo Switch - ready to be released as early as 'sometime this year'. The report comes from Japanese business daily Nikkei, as translated by the fine folks at Nintendo Everything.

“They’re taking measures as for what is to come – one of those being a smaller version of the Switch. The company said that ‘couldn’t comment’ on their plans for the product, but has informed multiple suppliers and game development companies that they intend to release them as early as 2019. According to their affiliates, they are ‘miniaturizing the console with portability and playing outdoors in mind, as well as cutting features to reduce the price and expand the user-base.'”

Without details one can only speculate what this might entail. JoyCon controllers that aren't detachable? No cartridge slot so download only? Time will tell. The original Nikkei article also references changes coming to the Nintendo Switch Online service - with plans to strengthen it by expanding it with, err, stuff that people would find value in. Which for us would be more than NES emulation.

In other Nintendo Switch business news, Nintendo Japan has posted and updated worldwide sales list for Switch games -- which highlights just how popular Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is. These figues are also as of December 31.

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 15.02 million pcs.
  
• Super Mario Odyssey - 13.76 million pcs.
  
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - 12.08 million pcs.
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - 11.68 million pcs.
  
• Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!/Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! - 10.00 million pcs.
  
• Splatoon 2 - 8.27 million pcs.
  
• Super Mario Party - 5.30 million pcs.
  
• 1-2-Switch - 2.86 million pcs.
  
• Mario Tennis Aces - 2.53 million pcs.
  
• Kirby Star Allies - 2.42 million pcs.