That's the big question I have right now. What does the Nintendo Switch mean to Nintendo's handheld market? Is this meant to replace handhelds like 3DS also? And maybe not just the 3DS but future Nintendo Handhelds. I mean handheld gamers are different and don't really care about graphics or things like that, handheld gamers are their own breed and Nintendo pretty much owns that market and is very good. It seems Nintendo wants to help their console market by using their popularity in the handheld market or something. I don't know, it could be a bit risky to mess with their handheld base. It shows Nintendo might of been pretty desperate and didn't have anywhere else to go. It might work out great and put Nintendo console gaming back on the map, but it could also be risky. Just a thought, I don't know enough on the Nintendo Switch yet or if it's meant to replace their handhelds yet.

I think the question to ask is. "Would you give a Nintendo Switch to a child to go out and play with his/her friends?"

Or a better question to ask is. "Would you give a child a Sony Vita handheld or a Nintendo 3DS?" This assumes that the child is happy with the games on the particular console of choice. The question is related to hardware, not games, if it was related to games then obviously the Nintendo 3DS would be the winner.

That is like the only plus I can really think of right now. Even if they continue to use the same old engine for Monster Hunter it will finally look good, run good, and have proper controls for a change. Monster Hunter has always deserved so much more than the PSP & 3DS.

N64 didn't fail, it sold decently enough. But this is more about combining their home console and portable lines. They can release a smaller version of the switch later to go after the 3DS audience.
Edit in response to nitus10. Nintendo couldn't create enough games for both the Wii U and 3DS so it makes sense to unify them. 1. 2. 3. I Prefer PC gaming buy will play on consoles and handhelds, just depends on mood. 4. 20's. 5. Yes. 6. No. 7. Everyone else in my household doesn't play games, in fact only a small portion of the population plays video games (And if they do it's crappy mobile games). I see problems with the Nintendo Switch Right now but I could see them fixing these issues in the future. I could easily seeing them release an Apple TV/Amazon Fire TV style home console without the screen later. They could release smaller version of the Switch when the technology is there. As long as all the devices share the same game library, sky is the limit for Nintendo going this route and eliminating as many variables as possible (Such as Touch Screen/Camera/IR Camera/Special Controller). Nintendo Switch will live and die base on the Game Library which will now get 100% of Nintendo's attention. I'm not saying 100% this is a great idea but it's better than keep trying the Wii U and failing over and over. 3DS has actually sold more units than the PS4 so makes perfect sense for Nintendo to do this.

They're not. They're still making a new handheld. Those consoles you mentioned didn't fail, and only Wii underperformed.

Nintendo competes with Nintendo. Lesser companies compete in a different market.

It will sell well guaranteed. Nintendo is about to get it right this time. If there's anything you should be concerned about with Nintendo, it's their online service, that will make or break this system.

It might do well and it might do bad. From the failure of the wii's it may keep people away from it. Then again the success of there handheld device over the years it may do well since this is a handheld as well.

The new nintendo 3ds life hasn't even begun only game released for it has been xenoblade chronicles

Well, Nintendo may bring out the 3DSpro 😉

The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.

Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.

15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.

Let me be clear. This is sarcasm