Gamers unite! Today, Nintendo finally unveiled their new gaming console known as the Nintendo Switch. This device is built as a hybrid between a mobile and home console that allows users to switch between the modes via detachable controls and a dock that plugs into your television or monitor, respectively. Nintendo describes this flexibility of the Switch in their press release which you can view a snippet of below.
At home, Nintendo Switch rests in the Nintendo Switch Dock that connects the system to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. By simply lifting Nintendo Switch from the dock, the system will instantly transition to portable mode, and the same great gaming experience that was being enjoyed at home now travels with you. The portability of Nintendo Switch is enhanced by its bright high-definition display. It brings the full home gaming system experience with you to the park, on an airplane, in a car, or to a friend’s apartment.
The display that’s used for mobile game play on the Switch is around 7 inches in size, however other than the fact that Nintendo says it’s a “high-definition display,” we don’t know the resolution or overall quality. On the flip side, we do know that to control your game play, the company provides detachable controls known as “Joy-Cons.” These Joy-Cons can be used by one player (one in each hand), two players (one per player), or be connected to other sets by multiple players for “a variety of gameplay options.” In addition, a Joy-Con Grip accessory will be offered by the company which will allow you to connect the two controllers to a single shell for a more traditional game play feel. As of now, we have yet to determine whether this will be included in the box or not, but I’d assume it would be because I’m not sure how comfortable using two sides of a controller totally separated is.
It’s worth noting that Nintendo says a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller will also be operational with the Switch console, but information on this accessory is pretty obsolete for the time being.
Game wise, 48 developers have already pledged supported for the Switch and will begin making games that’ll eventually hit the market. These games will come in DS card-like form factors and can be inserted into the slot at the top of the console (this is also the location of the headphone jack, in case anyone was wondering). All games developed for the Switch will work in mobile and home states either when docked to your TV or connected to the Joy-Cones. Here’s a list of the publishers already making titles for the Switch:
• 505 Games
• Activision Publishing, Inc.
• ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co., Ltd.
• ATLUS CO., LTD.
• Audiokinetic Inc.
• Autodesk, Inc.
• BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
• Bethesda
• CAPCOM CO., LTD.
• Codemasters®
• CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.
• DeNA Co., Ltd.
• Electronic Arts
• Epic Games Inc.
• Firelight Technologies
• FromSoftware, Inc.
• Frozenbyte
• GameTrust
• GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC．
• Gungho Online Entertainment, Inc.
• HAMSTER Corporation
• Havok
• INTI CREATES CO., LTD.
• KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
• Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
• LEVEL-5 Inc.
• Marvelous Inc.
• Maximum Games, LLC
• Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
• Parity Bit Inc.
• PlatinumGames Inc.
• RAD Game Tools, Inc.
• RecoChoku Co., Ltd.
• SEGA Games Co., Ltd.
• Silicon Studio Corporation
• Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
• SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
• Starbreeze Studios
• Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
• Telltale Games
• THQ Nordic
• Tokyo RPG Factory Co., Ltd.
• TT Games
• UBISOFT
• Ubitus Inc.
• Unity Technologies, Inc.
• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• Web Technology Corp
In addition, we’re already aware that a new Super Mario game, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, Splatoon, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, and some type of NBA title will all become available for the Switch some time when it launches.
Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO of Nintendo of America, had the following to say about the new Nintendo Switch console.
“Nintendo Switch allows gamers the freedom to play however they like,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, President and COO, Nintendo of America. “It gives game developers new abilities to bring their creative visions to life by opening up the concept of gaming without boundaries.”
March 2017 is the launch date of the Nintendo Switch, so mark your calendars. Pricing isn’t known at this time or where you’ll be able to buy the console, but I’m sure this information will make its way online soon.
In the mean time, check out the below video for more on the Nintendo Switch. Be sure to leave a comment below if you’d like to share your thoughts on Nintendo’s latest gaming platform.
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