Last night, Nintendo held a live presentation in Tokyo, Japan, in which the company finally announced details about their newest and game-changing console, the Nintendo Switch (“Switch”).
Here’s a list of what’s been confirmed for the Switch:
Release Date and Price
The Switch will launch worldwide on March 3, 2017 and will cost $299 in the United States and $469 in Australia.
The Switch Console
The Switch is a hybrid hand-held/ set-top gaming console that can be played either hooked up to a TV or while on the go.
The console can be purchased in one of two different versions: a Switch console with two grey Joy-Con controllers or a console with multi-coloured Joy-Con controllers.
The Switch’s dock allows for the Switch to be plugged in directly into the TV. Playing the Switch like an ordinary set-top console will require use of the included Joy-Con controllers or the Pro Controller which is sold separately.
The Switch can be removed from the dock at any time, allowing gamers to immediately resume playing. This concept currently sets the Switch apart from other consoles.
Nintendo’s Online Service
According to the live presentation, the Switch will launch with Nintendo’s new online service, which will be available for free for a month upon launch, after which gamers will need to pay a fee for its service. Subscribers will be benefit from being able to download and play classic NES and Super Nintendo games on the Switch.
Battery Life
Battery life on the Switch is said to last for approximately 6 hours, however this will be dependent on the software being used and the usage conditions. For those concerned about the battery life, the handheld Switch can be charged while playing using the included AC adapter, which goes into a USB-C plug on the hand-held unit.
Storage Capacity
The Switch will come with 32GB internal memory, which can be expanded using microSD cards. Thank goodness!
No Region Lock
Gamers may breathe a sigh of relief as the Switch will not constitute software region locking!
Games
The Switch will includes a number of mini-games such as 1 2 Switch, tennis, wild-west quick draw, sword fighting , magic casting and much more.
Arms, which will be a Switch exclusive, is a fighting game where players use the controllers to shoot huge, stretchy boxing gloves at one another.
Splatoon 2, the sequel to the popular Wii U multiplayer shooting game, will also be available, along with online multiplayer support and local competitive play with other Switch owners.
Super Mario Odyssey will see the beloved Nintendo character, Mario, leaving the Mushroom Kingdom for the real world, with cities and other real-world settings turning up as levels in the game. Nintendo describes it as a “sandbox-style” game. Get ready for a new 3D Mario game folks!
A number of JRPG like titles were shown off as Switch games at the presentation as well including Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Fire Emblem: Warriors, a new Shin Megami Tensei game, and a new Square Enix JRPG titled Octopath Traveler.
Here are some third party titles that will be playable:
- Skyrim
- Minecraft: Story Mode
- Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
- Has Been Heroes, Project Sonic 2017
- I Am Setsuna
- Skylanders Imaginators
- Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence
- Puyopuyo Tetris S
- Disgaea 5
- Minna de Waiwai! Spelunker
- Sangokushi 13 with Power Up Kit
- Dragonball Xenoverse 2 (temp title)
- Farming Simulator
And of course, the highly anticipated launch game for the Switch is none other than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild!
Other confirmed games include:
Shovel Knight, Minecraft, Just Dance 2017, Dragon Quest X, Dragon Quest XI, Dragon Quest Heroes 1 &2, FIFA, NBA 2K, Super Bomberman R, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, Steep, and Snipperclips: Cut it out, together!
Stay tuned for more on the Nintendo Switch!