After months and months of rumors and speculation, early this morning Nintendo has finally revealed the NX, now renamed as Switch, in a trailer. Let’s take a quick look first at the trailer before we get into more details and afterthoughts:
And here is what Nintendo has to say in a press release that was also released along side the trailer:
“In an introductory video released today, Nintendo provided the first glimpse of its new home gaming system and revealed that it is called Nintendo Switch. In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose. The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system to enable unprecedented new video game play styles.
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.
Gaming springs into action by removing detachable Joy-Con controllers from either side of Nintendo Switch. One player can use a Joy-Con controller in each hand; two players can each take one; or multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options. They can easily click back into place or be slipped into a Joy-Con Grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, if preferred, the gamer can select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to use instead of the Joy-Con controllers. Furthermore, it is possible for numerous people to bring their Nintendo Switch systems together to enjoy local multiplayer face-to-face competition.
“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.”
Developers can design their games supporting a variety of play styles, which gives gamers the freedom to choose an experience that best suits them. Some of the publishers, developers and middleware partners announcing support for Nintendo Switch:
Today’s video incorporated short glimpses of representative gameplay to demonstrate the liberating nature of the Nintendo Switch home gaming system. Full game demonstrations, the list of launch window titles, as well as launch date, price, product configuration and related specifics, will be shown and announced prior to the March launch.”
So it seems that the rumors of Nintendo developing a hybrid console that is part home and part handheld/portable was true. The console and controllers are modular, meaning that you can play the Switch at home like normal, but if you want to take the game on the road, like a traditional portable console, you can take apart the controller, separate the console from its base and combine them into a tablet like device that has controllers, like the Razer Edge. You can also slide off the controller parts to use them separate from the tablet, Wii Nunchuck style or use a new wireless version of the Wii U Pro controller. With the ability to go anywhere, Nintendo is also pushing a social aspect on Switch since it has the ability to connect with other Switches for local multiplayer.
What I find weird is that instead of an E3 reveal and Holiday 2017 launch, Nintendo has opted for a Spring 2017 release. I also noticed that the system uses SD carts. much like the 3DS and DS. So does this mean that the end is near for the 3DS? By having a system that is both a home and portable console, won’t this cannibalize the dominance that Nintendo has in the portable market with the 3DS? Wel’ll jus have to wait and see what marketing plans the Big N has. Personally I think the concept is great, but I still need more convincing, more reasons to buy a Switch other than its a new Nintendo console. Hopefully between now and March 2017, Nintendo will have demo events like they have done in the past to show off and convince gamers that they still are a player in the industry.
