Everything You Need to Know About the New Nintendo Switch
After months of rumors and speculation, Nintendo finally made an official announcement today for their highly anticipated next system, codenamed the NX.
As of today, we know it's called the Nintendo Switch, and based on the trailer released this morning, it'll be capable of a lot of brilliant things. Here's what I've seen so far!
(via Nintendo)
The video begins with something we all knew already—that the incredible-looking The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be a launch title for the console—but that doesn't make it any less exciting to see. We don't know how powerful the Switch will be just yet, but it looks gorgeous on a massive television screen.
(via Nintendo)
Next, we get a first glimpse of the much-anticipated controller for the new console. Not only does it look super cool, but the left and right segments of the controller slide right off…
(via Nintendo)
…and snap on perfectly to the tablet nestled in the console.
(via Nintendo)
Pull the tablet with the controller sticks out, and it transforms into a full-fledged portable gaming system.
(via Nintendo)
And when I say portable, I mean portable. Here's Breath of the Wild as it's meant to be played, in the great outdoors.
(via Nintendo)
Bye-bye, discs. The Nintendo Switch will use cartridges, which means faster load times (and more compact packaging).
(via Nintendo)
Local multiplayer play looks quick and simple.
(via Nintendo)
And the Switch has a handy kickstand, plus a headphone port, which can be a big deal these days.
(via Nintendo)
This airplane scene implies that no internet connectivity is necessary for single-player gaming on the Switch. And is that Skyrim? Plus, the little side controllers, called Joy-Con, can be detached and held in each hand and used independent of the screen. Fancy.
(via Nintendo)
But if using the special new controls while you're out and about isn't your thing, you can dock the tablet into the console at home and play with a more traditional controller.
(via Nintendo)
Plus, it looks like you can resume the game you were just playing on the handheld at home, on your giant TV if that's more your speed.
(via Nintendo)
The Nintendo Switch can even be used for two-player gaming in the car. Just slide it into a stand to steady it, and each Joy-Con stick can transform into its own controller.
(via Nintendo)
Here's a closer look at an individual Joy-Con. It's got a joystick and four face buttons, so it lacks some of the functionality of a full controller, but should be enough for basic one-on-one gameplay.
(via Nintendo)
Two Nintendo Switch systems can be played back-to-back for two-on-two gameplay utilizing the Joy-Con controllers.
(via Nintendo)
And back at home, the connected Nintendo Switch controller can be used to play a brand new Mario title hearkening back to the the Super Mario 64 and Sunshine days.
(via Nintendo)
It also appears that bigger groups can play together locally by bringing the Nintendo Switch systems together. Splatoon is the perfect game for this team play, and the next gen version of the game looks perfect.
(via Nintendo)
Those are all of the features and upcoming games I was able to scrub from the trailer, but if you dare to find out even more about the system, you can watch it yourself below.
The Nintendo Switch releases in March 2017, and believe me when I say I want to be one of the first to get my hands on it!
If you can't wait until next March for new gaming magic, maybe you'll be able to hold out until the Pokémon Sun and Moon release next month. Click HERE to read my reactions to playing the final game.