I feel like Sony has already been trying to do this with the Vita as you mentioned Skyblade and I thought (though I could be totally mistaken) that Microsoft was teasing this idea with that Glass thing they were super excited about years ago that never seemed to go anywhere. So I agree the Switch isn't new as a concept, but I feel like Nintendo went the extra step to actually make the tech one thing, instead of trying to introduce a new piece of hardware on an established software/hardware platform that will always have compatibility issues because LOL, technology! Hell, technically Nintendo just built the switch based on the one good idea the WiiU had that was still too small fry on that console.

I can see both companies jumping at the chance since they've been trying to make their brand an all-in-one media outlet since the previous console cycle. Whether this is going to actually be a thing is another story. I feel like it can go either way, but considering Nintendo is kind of a niche outlet for developers, not to mention it will be interesting to see the ramifications of the Switch versus a dedicated handheld system and how this will work out for the future of both industries will be interesting to watch unfold.

If Sony and Microsoft do follow suit, I feel they either need to shelve the idea for next console cycle, especially to learn from the mistakes Nintendo will have to deal with as the system gets more usage. Besides, it's bad enough that both companies are giving us 1.5 editions of their current consoles despite neither being terribly old, so I doubt trying to release a third model with a handheld peripheral will go over well either. On the other end, it would be a tough sale to simply build a peripheral model like a successor to the Vita and simply hope it will take off since most consumers will assume the system is a standalone item as opposed to a simple peripheral to utilize the on-the-go function. I feel the biggest question one should be asking is whether next-gen gaming on the go is something the market truly wants, or is the handheld market it's own unique market with different needs and wants that differ from the console market.

Frankly, I'm the type to bet on the markets being radically different. I also believe Nintendo is aware of this as well and I'm sure a successor to the 3DS is on the horizon. Course I've been wrong before.