Late last night Nintendo finally revealed specifics about its forthcoming Switch games console. Now it's up to you to decide if the Switch is a must-have gadget.
Nintendo confirmed the launch date as March 3 for Japan, US, Canada, Europe, and Hong Kong, and everyone will be happy to learn there is no region locking. The price is set at $299.99, which is higher than many expected, but Nintendo certainly isn't skimping when it comes to what is included in the box.
In return for your $300 you'll get the Switch Console, Switch Dock, Joy-Con (L) and Joy-Con (R) controllers, two Joy-Con Wrist Straps, Joy-Con Grip, HDMI cable, and an AC power adapter. Nintendo is also keen to point out that the Switch is effectively shipping with two controllers as standard due to how the Joy-Cons work.
The core component of the Switch is the handheld, which Nintendo refers to as the Switch Console. This console consists of a 6.2-inch capacitive multitouch 720p (1280-by-720) display with Joy-Con controllers mounted either side. The Switch is powered by a custom Nvidia Tegra chipset with games running from cartridges, mirroring how 3DS games work.
The battery inside the Switch will last between two-and-a-half and six hours depending on which games are being played. Nintendo gives the example of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which will drain the battery in three hours. You can play while charging as well as extend your playtime away from a power outlet by plugging in a USB battery pack.
As well as limited battery life, there's very limited internal memory at just 32GB. However, game data will remain on the carts so that storage shouldn't fill up with installation files like a PS4 or Xbox One does. It's possible to expand the storage by adding a Micro SD card, which will be particularly useful if you intend on downloading all your games.
The Switch can be used in three different configurations. TV Mode sees the Switch console inserted into the dock and games are played on your TV at 1080p. Tabletop Mode turns the Switch into a mini TV by using the kickstand on the back of the console to position it on a flat surface while you, or you and a friend, use the detached Joy-Con controllers to play. Finally, Handheld Mode is simply the Switch console being used as a portable gaming unit with the Joy-Con controllers attached to either side of the display.
The Joy-Cons are actually one of the most interesting aspects of the hardware due to how much functionality they have crammed in. Each one has a giro and accelerometer built in for motion control, and the Joy-Con (R) also includes an IR Motion Camera and an NFC reader for Amiibo compatibility.
On the front, as well as the main buttons there's a square "Capture Button" on the Joy-Con (L) which allows screenshot captures initially, but will also support video capture in the future. On the side you'll see the little nubs allowing the Joy-Cons to be attached to the Switch console, but they also double as L and R shoulder buttons to be used when playing in Tabletop Mode. Those shoulder buttons are made easier to use when the Joy-Con Wrist Strap is attached as it makes them larger. Finally, Nintendo integrated "HD Rumble," which it says is sensitive enough to allow players to feel ice falling into a glass and liquid being poured over the cubes. I'll believe that when I feel it!
Nintendo will offer a Switch Online Service for free until the fall before it turns into a subscription service similar to PSN Plus or Xbox Live Gold. Nintendo is going to announce more details as to what you get in return for the subscription cost closer to launch, but just know that it will be free for a few months initially. It also apparently relies on a mobile app, which seems like a strange decision, but we'll know more soon.
One of the major complaints about the Wii U was a total lack of support for using multiple GamePads to play multiplayer games. The Switch certainly tries to make up for that by supporting up to eight Switch consoles linked together wirelessly. That's sure to be the perfect excuse for Nintendo to create yet another Mario Party game.
At launch, there will be two models of the Switch offered, both of which cost $299.99. The only difference between the two is the color of the Joy-Cons. One will ship with gray Joy-Cons, while the other has one Neon Blue and one Neon Red. Quite frankly, the blue and red Joy-Con version looks horrendous, and I'm sure the gray will be much more popular.
Buying accessories and replacement parts is not going to be cheap. The Switch Pro Controller is $69.99, a new pair of Joy-Cons is $79.99, where as a single Joy-Con is $49.99. The Joy-Con Charging Grip is $29.99, and if you want a second dock for your Switch console that's going to cost $89.99. And of course, Nintendo is offering a steering wheel accessory to mount a Joy-Con into, which costs $14.99.
As for games, Zelda: Breath of the Wild was indeed announced as a launch title just like the Hori accessories leak suggested. Beyond a novel Joy-Con game called 1-2 Switch, Zelda is the only Nintendo launch game it seems. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, and Splatoon 2 are all listed as "launch window" titles, which extends as far as "Holiday 2017" in the case of Odyssey. So let's hope Zelda is a long game that can hold our interest for months.
Other games mentioned in the presentation to keep an eye out for include Xenoblade 2, Dragon Quest X and XI, Dragon Quest Heroes I & II, a new Shin Megami Tensei title, I Am Setsuna, Fire Emblem Warriors, Skyrim, and a new Square Enix RPG called Project: Octopath Traveler.
After digesting all the details I have mixed feelings about the Switch. It certainly has a lot of potential and could be great, but the price is higher than expected, the battery life is going to be poor, and the launch games line-up is lacking. However, this is a far more positive start than the Wii U had, and the combination of home console and portable gaming is certainly intriguing.
Below is the full Nintendo Switch presentation, and don't forget you can now pre-order the Switch.
Source: pcmag.com
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