Nintendo Publicly Unveils the Nintendo Switch

Nintendo this morning showed the public the new home console former President Satoru Iwata announced last year. Formally known as the NX, we now know this system as the Nintendo Switch. https://youtu.be/f5uik5fgIaI According to Nintendo, “At home, Nintendo Switch rests in the Nintendo Switch dock that connects the console to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. By simply lifting the Nintendo Switch console from the dock, it will instantly transition to handheld mode, and the same great gaming experience that was being enjoyed at home now travels with you.” The Nintendo Switch also has detachable “Joy-Con” controllers, which connect onto the sides of the system or to each other, creating a traditional controller (or keep them separate like the dude playing Skyrim below). It also seems Nintendo is going for a GameCube/Xbox-style stick layout. The Joy-Con controllers can also be used separately as two tinier controllers, so 2-player Mario Kart matches can be done without any other purchases. There’s also an optional Pro Controller for those wanting a solid controller. The handheld has a HD screen and a kickstand, so when you want to play Zelda on a plane, park, café or hotel can stand the system up and connect the Joy-Cons together. The system uses 3DS-looking cartridges too. We don’t know specific specs yet. Game-wise, Nintendo is looking for third-party support, and it seems they’re getting more than they ever had. They wisely used third-party games in addition to their own to demo the system. Skyrim and NBA 2K17 were shown off on the go, with Skyrim using both halves of the Joy-Pad like Zelda, and NBA using only one half for two people. Nintendo also showed off a new 3D Mario briefly, a new Mario Kart (Mario Kart 9 I’m guessing), Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Splatoon. Splatoon showed off new hairstyles and a unknown stage, so this might be a new installment. Below are the partners Nintendo got on board with the Switch. Many of these we haven't seen on Nintendo systems for some time if at all, like From Software, Bethesda, Take-Two (Rockstar and 2K), EA, and Starbreeze. We already know Project Sonic 2017 and Just Dance 2017 are hitting the system as well. So far, it’s all positive looking. The Nintendo Switch is looking to replace the Wii U when it launched in March 2017. It may be even also replacing the Nintendo 3DS down the line too. This means there will only be one Nintendo system out, allowing developers to only choose one system for their Nintendo (and their third parties) gaming needs. Bayonetta can be on the same system as Pokémon and Fire Emblem can be played alongside Splatoon. No multiple versions of Smash needed, nor do they need to make Zeldas on two machines. Plus games like Skyrim, NBA, EA Sports and more?