It’s been a long, long time coming, but Nintendo have taken the wraps off the Nintendo Switch. Sure, last year’s aspirational video was nice, we got to learn of their general vision for their next generation of console, but there were so many questions left unanswered. Following this morning’s Nintendo Switch Presentation, we know everything from the launch date and price to the launch titles and whether or not Shigeru Miyamoto looked happy!
Not everything is completely cleared up though, so we’ll be updating this article as we learn more of the final details.
[27/01] – Far too many long overdue updates.
[5PM 15/01] – Clarified Dock capabilities and corrected error with bundled Joy-Con Grip.
[1PM 14/01] – Noted lack of Miiverse and StreetPass support.
[9PM 13/01] – Added UK accessory prices via Nintendo.co.uk.
[6PM 13/01] – Added games and clarified release dates.
Watch our Nintendo Switch unboxing
And also read our first impressions with the final console!
Watch the Nintendo Switch Presentation
In case you missed it and want to watch what happened, here’s the whole presentation for you to watch. I guess you could consider it spoiler territory after this point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyFCm0_UKjI
Price and Release Date
The two big ones, right out of the gate. The Nintendo Switch will cost $299.99/¥29,980, and it’s out on 3rd March 2017 worldwide. EU is determined by retailers, with Nintendo UK Store, Amazon and Game having settled on £279.99.
Stock is expected to be limited, and Amazon UK have opened their pre-orders as of 7AM GMT today with a restriction of one console per customer per address.
The Specs & Whats in the Box
In the box, you get a Nintendo Switch, two Joy-Con controllers (one left and one right), the Nintendo Switch Dock, a Joy-Con Grip (not of the charging variety), two Joy-Con Straps, an AC adapter and an HDMI cable. It’s available in two identically priced versions, one with black Joy-Con and one with a neon red and neon blue Joy-Con.
Nintendo kept very quiet about the nitty gritty console specs, but here’s what we do know:
- A 6.2″ capacitative multitouch screen at 720p
- 32GB built in storage – 25.9GB available to users – expandable with MicroSDXC up to 2TB
- 4310mAh batter with 2.5 to 6 hours play time, dependent on the game – Zelda runs for around 3 hours. This is not user serviceable.
- USB-C port for charging and data
- Game cartridge slot
- A 3.5mm headphone jack
- Kickstand
- Games are not region locked
The console is envisioned to work in three modes of play: TV Mode, which allows it to output to TV at 1080p, Tabletop mode, with the kickstand propping up the screen and Joy-Con controllers detached, and Handheld Mode, with the whole unit in your hands.
The Switch’s USB Type-C – USB-C for short – connection means that it can be charged with standard USB chargers and battery packs. Ideally you will want one that is capable of charging an iOS or Android tablet at full speed, but your existing USB chargers will also do the job simply with a USB Type-A to Type-C cable.
You can connect up to eight controllers to the console at once, while up to eight Switch can hook up for ad hoc multiplayer.
The Joy-Con Controllers
Though the Joy-Con controllers are not identical, they can both be used individually to play multiplayer. Both feature one analogue stick, four face buttons (either a D-pad or traditional ABXY), one shoulder button, one analogue trigger, and two system buttons (minus and Share on the left controller and plus and Start on the right).
The right Joy-Con contains an NFC sensor for amiibo support and an IR camera as well that can determine distance and basic shapes like rock, paper, scissors. They feature “HD rumble” that can convey the feeling of an ice cube rattling in a glass, more being added, and even the glass being filled with water.
The Joy-Con can charge when physically connected to the Switch when the console is docked or when in the Joy-Con Charging Grip, which has a built in battery of its own – the bundled Grip does not have a battery. Even so, the Joy-Con feature a 525 mAh battery, which is rated for an impressive 20 hours of wireless play, connecting to the Switch via Bluetooth 3.0.
Additional Joy-Con, the Joy-Con Charging Grip and the Switch Pro Controller can be bought separately.
The Switch Dock
The Dock is a fairly simple enclosure and break out box, with a hidden rear compartment. The Switch itself features just a simple USB-C port, which the Dock translates into the older rectangular USB-A form, with two USB 2.0 on the side and USB 3 alongside HDMI output and power input in the rear compartment.
Placing the Switch in the dock in nice and smooth, with a satisfying amount of resistance. You don’t need to be too careful either, with a guiding bolt and a spring-loaded piece of plastic helping to make sure that the USB-C connector goes in without any problem.
Paid Online Services
Nintendo are finally getting serious about online, with features common on other services like letting you invite friends to join you, setting play appointments and online chat. This will be accompanied by a smartphone app in the Summer.
It’s a paid service, but will initially be free before transitioning to paid in the autumn. One perk of this is that subscribers will get to download a NES or SNES game, though the wording suggests that this is not permanently added to a PS+ or Games with Gold-style game collection. This is now confirmed. You will not keep the free games after the end of the month.
Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but Nintendo’s President Tatsumi Kimishima has stated it will be between 2000 and 3000 Yen. That equates to £13.97 to £20.96 before taking VAT and sales tax into account.
You can now claim your new Nintendo Account User ID that will be used for Switch online play.
Nintendo of America have confirmed to VentureBeat that the Switch will not have StreetPass, as featured on the Nintendo 3DS, and that Miiverse will make way for support of third party social networks.
Launch Games
Surprisingly, the current launch line up is a little… sparse, though further Nintendo exclusives are spread throughout the year and we hope to find out about more games soon.
- 1-2-Switch – Out 3rd March for £39.99
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Out 3rd March for £59.99
- Super Bomberman R – Out on 3rd March
- Just Dance 2017 – Out on 3rd March
- Skylanders Imaginators – Out on 3rd March
- Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! – Out digitally on 3rd March
- Fast RMX (Fast Racing Neo) – Out on 3rd March
- I am Setsuna – Out on 3rd March
- Shovel Knight – Out on 3rd March
- Has-Been Heroes – Out in March
Later Games
Heading beyond the “Launch Window” and later this year, Nintendo and others have announced and shown off:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 28th April
- Arms – Spring 2017
- Puyo Puyo Tetris – Spring 2017
- Disgaea 5 – Spring 2017
- RIME – Spring 2017
- Splatoon 2 – Summer 2017
- Skyrim – Autumn 2017
- Super Mario Odyssey – Holiday 2017
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – 2017
- Fire Emblem Warriors
- Dragon Quest Heroes I & II
- Dragon Quest X – Japan only
- Dragon Quest XI – Japan only
- Shin Megami Tensei Brand New Title
- No More Heroes-related Suda51 project
- Project Octopath Traveler
- FIFA
- Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers
- Steep
- Rayman Legends Definitive Edition
- Project Sonic 2017
- Constructor
- Seasons of Heaven
- Farming Simulator
- Syberia 3
- NBA 2K
- Minecraft
- Sonic Mania
- Oceanhorn: Monster Of Uncharted Seas
Virtual Console
Aside from the NES and SNES downloads as part of the new online subscription service, we don’t know much about Virtual Console on the Nintendo Switch.
NeoGeo Virtual Console games have also been announced.
Nintendo have announced that
Accessories
- Individual Left or Right Joy-Con with Strap – $49.99/£39.99
- Joy-Con Strap – £4.99
- Paired Joy-Con with Straps – $79.99/£69.99
- Switch Pro Controller – $69.99/£59.99
- Joy-Con Charging Grip – $29.99/£24.99
- Switch Carrying Case and Screen Protector – £16.99
- Joy-Con Wheel (pair) – $14.99/£12.99
UK pricing via Nintendo.co.uk
Third parties will also have you covered for the likes of skins, cases and fight sticks, as reported on previously.
Did Shigeru Miyamoto Look Happy?
Yes. He was playing Zelda, of course he looked happy!
TSBonyman
Gosh. It’s great to see Skyrim confirmed but really quite a shock to see a new console launching with a remaster as the main launch game, even if it is a very popular game.
Tuffcub
Two remasters – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a essentially a remaster.
TSBonyman
I guess it can be included in the launch window but still it’s almost 2 months after the console launch.
Lyts1985
What a let down.
A high price point for a low spec machine hoping to sell off the back of another gimmick that nobody asked for… oh, and Zelda, they’re clearly hoping Zelda will pull all those preorders in.
32gb of flash storage? It’s 2017! Times that by 4 for about the cost of a Big Mac and it’s almost modern… and that launch lineup?! Good God. Why bother preordering a system that you can’t get any games for?
All that said, it’s Nintendo, and in spite of my protests I’ll no doubt buy one in a year or so when there’s some games out for it and we’ve got a better idea of the long term third party support. I’d be extremely surprised if Nintendo release another home console after this one though – they aren’t helping themselves at all :-(
Starman
This is so clearly going to end up like the wii u it’s hard to see why they’re bothering. The ps4’s success has shown that all gamers want is a powerful console and a good selection of games free from gimmicks like wavy sticks & meccano controllers.
They’re being different just because it’s what they’ve done recently, despite all market factors showing it won’t work.
Eldave0
Seems I’m one of the few people out there who liked what I saw and am excited for the Switch…
The presentation itself really wasn’t great but, overall, I’m happy. The price seems fair (£300 was my maximum), Zelda looks phenomenal, Splat2 makes me happy, Mario looks great and the hardware itself looks awesome. Plus no region locking :D
I can see the limited launch line up being a real issue for some people but, as someone who only buys a few games a year, Zelda and Splat2 will easily keep me busy until Mario launches at the end of the year.
Dominic Leighton
My argument is that I always buy too many games at the launch of a console and never play everything properly.
This time it’ll be Zelda and Bomberman and I’ll actually get my money’s worth out of them!
Admittedly it’s still very slim pickings, even if one of those games is likely to be one of the games of the year.
Eldave0
Yep, I’ve been guilty of that in the past too. With console launches these days I tend to pick up one single player and one multiplayer, so the Zelda/Bomberman combo is what I’ll probably opt for as well.
colmshan1990
A portable console with this kind of power is unmissable for me.
It’s an excellent price for what it offers.
The launch lineup is pretty weak, even if it seems ludicrous to say that when it’s launching with a genuine game of the year contender in Zelda.
I’m in. Portable gaming needs to be more than what phones offer. Docking this to TV is just a bonus.
Foxhound_Solid
PS4 takes up and fulfils my gaining needs so a second console needs to be an absolute banger to get me interested.
The cartridge idea is ace, but I’ll sit it out for now. Only time will tell.
I did buy a WiiU and enjoyed playing Street Fighter 2 Turbo on the controller but it was traded days afterwards as it wasn’t enough to warrant the investment.
Truth is, it pains me that we can’t play Mario and Zelda on the PS4. That’s how it’ll end up exclusively if you ask me. Which is a great stance to take. I do genuinely hope it does well :-)
Matthijs
Drop the screen, drop the price, pair it with a pro controller and it’s an instant buy for me.
so… not buying this
Tuffcub
It’s been confirmed that the network thingy will include a free game each month and yes, it will vanish after than month unless you buy it. It’s not the same as PS+ where you keep them while you still subscribe.
That sounds very stingy, especially when they are giving away NES games that are what, 25 years old??
ron_mcphatty
I suppose it they market these monthly games as a month long full-game trial and give a hefty discount then it’s not so bad but they’ve got to get us on board and start selling these old emulated games cheap and in volume, like Steam do. This year the Switch could shift some units on nostalgia factor and the third parties will see a level of ownership worth taking an interest in, Nintendo really need some sort of plan other than ‘sell Zelda a lot’.
Kennykazey
High price. But I know I’ll enjoy it. And it effectively comes with two controllers, a dock and an accessory grip.
Low storage capacity. But it keeps the price from being even worse, and I can expand upon it however much I like myself. Using standard, reasonably priced SD cards.
Low battery-life. But there’s no getting around this with todays tech without making it huge, heavy and very expensive. Unless you reduce it’s processing-power…
Weak processing-power. But it’ll still run circles around the Wii U all day. And once again. Price, battery-life, heat, cost.
Expensive accessories. No excuse. Nintendo-tax? Hopefully they’ll drop in price.
I for one, am sold. But it’s more about the games than the hardware tbh. Very exited for Zelda, MK Battle Mode, Splatoon 2, Xenoblade 2 and Super Mario Odyssey! And we know there’s more to be announced. Retro’s new game for one.
Andrewww
Consider me extremely surprised if this piece of hardware will not turn out to be a commercial failure. It’ll probably be their last, at least in terms of hardware.
But would they be more clever going multi-platform with their games, they could strive for a different fate than Atari. I hope they manage to keep in the business, but I’m increasingly worried.