So here it is, at long last. Nintendo have unveiled their next games console, the Nintendo Switch. Previously codenamed NX, it’s a modular portable tablet device, coming out in March of next year.
The short 3 minute video reveals plenty about the console, showing how the portable Nintendo Switch tablet console slots into a docking station that connects to your TV, while the two Joy-Con controllers can attach to a gamepad frame, the side of the tablet console, or simply be held independently. They can work as a pair to make one traditional console gamepad or can be used separately for playing on the go or as individual controllers during multiplayer – the console can be propped up by its kickstand for just these situations. The combined Joy-Con controller does look pretty bulky – Dreamcast controller bulky – so there’s also the Switch Pro Controller that has a traditional form.
“With this first look at Nintendo Switch, I hope fans are already imagining the possibilities of having the freedom to play when, where, and how they want to,” said Satoru Shibata, president of Nintendo of Europe. “Our teams at Nintendo, and many other developers, are all working hard to create new and unique experiences, and we look forward to showing you more.”
The tablet console itself is powered by Nvidia, who announced separately that they had worked on a custom Tegra design for Nintendo – though don’t say what Tegra generation it’s closest to in design, but they write that it’s “based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards,” which implies Tegra X2 – features a high-definition display, though the actual resolution is still unclear, and features game cartridges for better portability over disc-based media.
Games seen during the demo included The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a Mario game, Mario Kart, Splatoon, and there were also appearances of Skyrim and NBA 2K17. There’s also a long list of publishers and technology providers who are going to be actively supporting the console, including Activision, EA and Ubisoft.
- 505 Games
- Activision Publishing, Inc.
- ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co.,Ltd.
- ATLUS CO.,LTD.
- Audiokinetic Inc.
- Autodesk, Inc
- BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
- Bethesda
- CAPCOM CO., LTD.
- Codemasters®
- CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.
- DeNA Co., Ltd.
- Electronic Arts
- Epic Games Inc.
- Firelight Technologies
- FromSoftware, Inc.
- Frozenbyte
- GameTrust
- GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC．
- Gungho Online Entertainment,Inc
- HAMSTER Corporation
- Havok
- INTI CREATES CO., LTD.
- KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
- Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
- LEVEL-5 Inc.
- Marvelous Inc.
- Maximum Games, LLC
- Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
- Parity Bit Inc.
- PlatinumGames Inc.
- RAD Game Tools, Inc.
- RecoChoku Co.,Ltd.
- SEGA Games Co., Ltd.
- Silicon Studio Corporation
- Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
- SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
- Starbreeze Studios
- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
- Telltale Games
- THQ Nordic
- Tokyo RPG Factory Co., Ltd.
- TT Games
- UBISOFT
- Ubitus Inc.
- Unity Technologies, Inc.
- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Web Technology Corp.
So! What do you think?
UPDATE: “Today’s video incorporated short glimpses of representative gameplay” explains a press release, so the footage of Skyrim may not be running on the console.
The Lone Steven
Oh my god, what an ugly controller! It looks like one of those cheap controllers for PS and Xbox but the awfully cheap kind where it has a life expectancy of less then 6 months.
If it is as powerful as a PS3(which, i think once the developers figured out how to code for the bloody thing due to the layout, it was regarded as the powerful one out of the bunch of the last gen), I don’t really see any PS3 games being ported over apart from the ones mentioned in the article. Same with X360 ones. No real incentive beyond well, just a small boost of sales and most may have discarded the code they used.
However, it does seem to be Nintendo finally deciding consoles aren’t for them anymore due to the Wii U failing and people being confused by the tablet controller thus focusing on their first proper tablet. But going up against the mobile gaming market? Erm…. Apple and Android kinda have that market cornered.
Analog sticks looks uncomfortable to use. What’s wrong with ones that are levelled? E.g. The dualshock approach.
Nintendo may be repeating their mistake with the Wii U. This won’t be harmed by the PS4 and X1 because it isn’t trying to be that but the tablet and mobile gaming market is rather huge and that tech seems to get better every year.
Also, I doubt it is the remastered version of Skyrim due to the tech of this being the same as PS3/X360. Probably just a port from one of those versions thus none of the remastered stuff. I mean, the Remastered Skyrim is literally something they did just to see if they could use their engine on the X1 thus it being released years later because of a demand for it.
I kinda hope this is successful for Nintendo but at the same time, not successful enough for MS and SOny to do what they did when the Wii outsold both their consoles. Heck, they are trying to be PCs and that is already starting to make me wonder if a PS4 is even worth it.
Does this mean there is no succesor to the 3DS then? Or is this it?
Avenger
I’m already in love with it. Looks clever and innovative, and exactly what I want from Nintendo whilst Microsoft and Sony do the usual jazz with conventional approaches to consoles.
Having used and loved the controllers from the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast eras, I can’t say I’m put off by the controller frame, although the apparent lack of the rather outdated D-Pad is strangely wacky and going to take some time to get used to.
Form factor is brilliant of course. I do love my portable gaming and being able to take games wherever I want, yet use them on the big screen appeals to me.
The only question mark is the specs, but they could be impressive. That hint mentioned in the article does imply Tegra 2, or something like it with Denver cores, which could produce graphics not too far off the current generation, especially with all of the custom software/APIs that Nvidia are incorporating. Speculation is that when docked it will run full power for 1080p on a TV, but un-docked it will run at a lower power range at maybe 720p for the smaller display.
I’m very interested anyway. With some good third-party support, there’s lots of potential there. DICE will probably still bitch with it, but, meh.
Sad Panda
I travel a lot for work, this looks perfect for me
Matthijs
I’ll pick one up when they release a “non mobile” version as I have 0 interest in this portable nonsense and 100% interest in Mario Kart. Why pay for a screen and all when i won’t use it
I will pick one up if someone gets me a Tesla with autopilot. Without that I simply have no need for portable.
TSBonyman
A tablet plus tv docking/charging station plus clip-on buttons. Seems almost shockingly mundane from Nintendo.
Kennykazey
Can it play Mario Kart? Yes? I’m sold.