Last night, Nintendo revealed all the details of its highly-anticipated console, the Nintendo Switch. For those who aren’t aware, the Nintendo switch is a hybrid console handheld device that allows consumers to take the console out of a special dock, to be able to take their games on the go, with a portable 720p screen and detachable controllers. After the initial reveal trailer (below) which was released in October we haven’t heard anything about the new console, until tonight. Here’s everything from last night’s event.
The Bullet Points
- Price: $299.99
- Release Date: March 3, 2017
- No Region Lock (Games from other countries can be played!)
- New Online Services
- Free until Fall ’17
- Linked into a mobile app
- Battery Life: 2.5-6 hours
- The Legend of Zelda can run for around 3 hours.
The Hardware
Currently the Switch is announced in two colors, Standard and Neon. Both colors are available for the same price on launch. The console comes with 32 gb of internal storage (the same as the Wii U) but it is expandable using MicroSDXC, so start looking for a good deal now if you have any plans to go digital. The Switch was announced with 3 modes, TV, Tabletop, and Handheld. The Switch connects to the TV through the included dock. which uses HDMI and USB Type C to power the setup. If you’re ready to take the Switch on the go, you can pop the Joycon controller into the system and take it out of the dock for on the go portability. Then once you find the perfect spot to play your new console, pop the controller back out, and use the integrated kickstand to setup the switch in Tabletop mode anywhere, making the switch a truly portable console.
Speaking of Nintendo’s new Joycon controllers, let’s talk about Nintendo’s most interesting aspect of the new console. The controllers, which can detach from both the console or various grips, can allow for a ton of versatility. It allows for motion control like what we saw for the Wii, as well as what Nintendo is calling HDRumble. According to Nintendo, HDRumble will allow for players to “Feel Ice Cubes in a glass” through this new technology. Finally, the joycons will also allow for multiplayer through half of the controller. If the controllers are split, they can be turned on their side and used as a control layout very similar to the 3DS that will act perfectly for quick splitscreen games like the newly announced port of Mario Kart 8.
The Games
Let’s be honest, this is why you’re here. Below are trailers to most of the games announced last night. I’m sure more have been added from the time of writing, so make sure to follow Nintendo’s YouTube channel to see more as they’re added!
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Super Mario Odyssey
Mario Kart 8
Splatoon 2
1 2 Switch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7p47TOmicQ
ARMS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7s3UB_8dFM
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Fire Emblem Warriors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POsTR5iy_TI
Dragon Quest Heroes 1+2
New Shin Megami Tensei
Octopath Traveler
Skyrim
Hype Trailer
So that’s about it. Starting today at 9:30 the Nintendo Treehouse will be doing an official stream throughout the day of new software and games. Stay tuned to that throughout the day to see what else Nintendo has up their sleeves! We only have a few weeks until March 3rd, let me know if you were able to get a switch down below!