Nintendo Switch Revealed
The official title is "Nintendo Switch". It is re-confirmed for a March 2017 release. It's a combination home console and portable device with detachable controllers, standard controllers, and a detachable screen. It has a home dock and a openable stand to allow the console's detachable screen to stand on its own while the controllers are used separately. The detachable controllers can be used individually without being attached to the screen or the detachable controller dock controller. The Nintendo Switch appears to use memory cartridges (a la the 3DS) for storing games. Many of the rumors were spot-on. Games shown playable on the system include:
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- What appears to be Bethesda's Skyrim
- A New Mario Kart
- A Basketball game
- A 3D Mario platformer (looks similar to Super Mario 3D World's platforming)
- Splatoon (probably a port from the Wii U)
Update
According to PR Emails (GoNintendo posts: 1, 2), the detachable controllers are each called a "Joy-Con". The controller dock for the Joy-Con controllers to make them like a traditional controller is called a "Joy-Con Grip". The traditional controller with non-detachable parts is called a "Nintendo Switch Pro Controller". The portable display is described as "bright" (presumably suitable for outdoor usage) and that it is "high-definition", which means 720p (1280×720 pixels per frame) at minimum. The focus (or gimmick, if you will) of the console is to allow many different modes of gameplay, from traditional couch-surfing to outside groupings.
The partners listed supporting the Nintendo Switch with software support include:
- 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
Update 2
The Nintendo Switch is powered by a custom Nvidia Tegra chip, providing powerful graphics performance at low power. Not much in the way of specific specs are given, but they talk about how much this is a custom chip specifically for the Nintendo Switch, rather than this being a generic portable graphics chip (as is the standard Tegra and Tegra 2). Even the low level software, physics accelerators, streaming, and audio processing software for this chip is custom-made. More at Nvidia's blog.
Comments
Regarding Splatoon it’s already been shown to have new content. So not sure if it’s a sequel or just with added content.
The console looks a lot of fun. Hoping to see multiplayer Star Fox game like Assault and an open world Star Fox Adventures game. I doubt I will get either.
So much hype… this thing looks absolutely amazing (design wise)… the hybrid idea is perfect… also… the splatoon and mark kart look like simple ports to me
Definitely getting this when it launches
This will have to be the most convent video game console ever! I would like to get one if they still use some form of a motion-controller. Without one, I’ll never be able to play Splatoon again!
I plan on getting a playstation tv hopefully next month. After that i’ll plan on saving for the Nintendo Switch. I’m happy it’s launching next year since it gives me a lot of time to save up for it.
woke up just a few minutes after 10 and scrambled to get on my computer to see it, good news is that it has two USB ports in the charging base which is excellent news for gamecube controllers, we’ll probably be able to use our existing adaptors for smash, which brings me to another point. With all this third-party collaboration going, it makes me start to question krystal chances. I guess it’s all about how they decide to use the smash ballot versus promotional techniques, she’s still got good chances atleast
after seeing everything about the nintendo “switch”, i like my wii u more in a way. hopefully it’s internet browser is more updated and could handle html5 and other video codec better. the main thing i didn’t like was the standard controller on the “switch”, i prefer the joysticks on top like the wii u’s controller and have a actual d-pad on the bottom left, didn’t seen the l, zl, r, zr good enough, maybe when the demo kit comes to any electronic store that lets people try it, that is some customer doesn’t brake it, i’ll give it a try. overall design, i felt wii u design is much better than the “switch” and it’s controller too, but it may work well for smash players with the “switch” pro controller, that is one comes with it in the box.
@Falemirous
There’s not going to be a Smash 5. If Nintendo Switch gets a smash game they will no doubt port it from the Wii U. They might add some content from the 3ds version but other than that is out of the picture. All we can do is hope that a brand new Star Fox game comes to the Nintendo Switch which I think is quite possible since they’re making a new Zelda and Mario game with open world capabilities, we can assume Star Fox will get the same treatment. Except we might have to wait another 3 to 5 years again.
i forgot one thing, i’m happy that nintendo is using nvidia’s tech., hopefully the “switch” is a power as the ps4 pro.
@LucasJG1994
Starfox is on the lower-end of their IP, don’t expect it to be up with their number 1 and number 3 IP, if they don’t add new fighters it will NOT sell, people migrate to nintendo consoles based on big hitters like Smash, the port theory is still possible as it wouldn’t be hard to make more characters and simply box them with the port or even sell them as DLC later, Smash 4 carried the wii u and they know how important it is, being lazy with it is a poor business decision
5 months and counting….
Is better than I imagine. I also heard a rumor about that you can
daisy-chain “switch’s” in a SLI/Crossfire configuration. Then you’ll get a “switch” sandwich and you can enjoy MOAR POWAR!!!
Still, they’re so much developers and I believe we will have a good launch.
the Switch looks great and all those cool games and features.
@Falemirous
Well it’s quite funny they didn’t show Smash as one of the playable games. And to add to that, even if they were to bring smash to the Nintendo Switch you must realize that Sakari is busy with projects as it is. That’s why he announced the closure of Smash. But for wishful thinking let’s hope he has enough time to add more characters if he intends to have Smash on the NS. Unless he passes the job to a different developer.
I’ll be graduating by spring 2017, so I want this as my graduation present! I was hyped last night and I’m even more hyped than I did on the Wii and Wii U
@LucasJG1994
Sakurai isn’t the only person who develops smash, even if he stops they’ll just pass it to someone else, the fact that they haven’t shown anything means nothing, the port may not be finished or they’re not going to make one and plan to make a true sequel. I don’t know why you’re making it out to be hopeless for more fighters
Really looking forward to the Nintendo Switch. As for a new Starfox game on the Switch, I can see it happening down the road in the future but not now. Especially with the fact of the Switch bring a hybrid console, this would be for every single Nintendo IP that are established.
@Falemirous
Hay now take a deep breath. You did read the part where I said “Unless he passes it to a different developer” did you?
I’m not throwing it out the window but which would you prefer. A true Star Fox open world game? Or Krystal in Smash? Cause to be honest unless they make original characters for smash that aren’t from any game but from original concepts then I would be interested. Along with story mode. But if we get something like Smash 4 again, then I won’t buy it. Plain and simple.
Now this is my opinion. And i know you have your own.
@Falemirous
Ok I admit I was a bit negative and grim. But I mean what do you expect. I bought Smash for 3ds and Wii U. If the Nintendo Switch version of Smash is going to be the same thing then I just don’t think I’d want to waste money. However! If they were to add a story mode to it and maybe have Krystal in the game. Then I’m all for it.
In that way it’s not just another fighting game since it will have story. You get where I’m coming from?