The Nintendo NX is officially the Nintendo Switch
Last Thursday, Nintendo finally showed off their next home console.
It’s been under the code-name NX for the last 2 years and was revealed as the Nintendo Switch. As it looks, most of the recent rumors have been very accurate.
The reveal trailer doesn’t provide many details on specs but from that as well as a few announcements from partners, here’s what we know so far:
So what exactly is this thing anyways?
The Switch is a hybrid system between a home and handheld console. The main unit is a tablet of sorts that can be put into a dock when you want to use it at home and taken out and fitted with a pair of modular controllers called joycons on the side to be used like a handheld console.
Think a nicer version of the WiiU tablet controller that doesn’t have to be connected to an actual box hooked up to a TV. The trailer gives several scenarios where people are taking the Switch in and out of it’s dock to work around their lifestyles such as traveling and meeting up with friends.
The tablet is said to have a 7 inch display so while not tiny, it’s for sure not going to fit in anyone’s pockets (maybe if they bring back JNCO jeans). It has a kickstand built into the back of it and they also show off a car mount it can slide into so there seems to be many options for controlling games.
And while we’re on that subject…
Let’s talk about that controller
Probably the most eye-catching feature about the Switch is its controller/s a pair of Wii nun-chuck sized handles that each support a analogue stick, four main face buttons, a plus/minus button, a home button and a trigger and bumper button. No traditional d-pad which is weird but we’ll get to why in a second.
Like I mentioned earlier, the joycons slide on and off the sides of the tablet via a pair of rails. However, the operate independently from the system so they can be used while not connected to the screen. you cand just hold one in each hand or slip them into a special controller base which gives it a more controller like look.
A lot of people are saying is looks super uncomfortable but we haven’t really gotten a good look at it besides the top angle so I can’t really be sure. the joycons can also be turned sideways and used separately for 2 player support right out of the box (which is why the d-pad has become a set of buttons).
It’s a neat idea in theory, however I don’t really think it will get much use outside of a few first party titles and looking at the size of them, I can see prolonged use getting quite uncomfortable.
Besides the joycons, there was also a standard controller shown, reminiscent of the Wii and WiiU’s pro controllers. It looks much better for gaming at home than the joycon base. I will say though, it does look like a prototype. The plastic has a rough look to it like it just came off a belt sander.
Overall, the controllers look pretty good but that’s something Nintendo’s almost always been good at.
What else do we know about the hardware?
Well for starters, nVidia is making the components. The company has already commented after the reveal that they have made a custom tegra chipset that should be comparable to other modern consoles.
However, once the PS4 pro and Xbox One Scorpio arrive, the Switch will probably be a bit behind again. Not that it should be a big deal though. If the gameplay footage in the trailer is accurate, than it looks fantastic. There seems to be a lot being shoved into this thing and it feel that this is what nVidia has wanted the shield to be all this time.
There’s also a good deal of speculation about the dock whether it has its own set of hardware that will enhance the Switch when It’s plugged in or its just a passthrough for audio/video and power. It looks like there’s some room back there for something, but I don’t think Nintendo wants to have all their games down scaling and lowering their quality image when in mobile mode.
The last major hardware reveal was that the console will be using cartridges similar to the DS family. Makes sense though. if they want to keep the console mobile, discs are asking for trouble (I mean, look at the PSP). Nowadays SD cards can hold more information than blu-rays anyways and have little to no loading times.
What people are talking about in regards to that though is with backwards compatibility.
As far as I can see, the Switch isn’t going to be backwards compatible with any previous consoles.
With no disc drive, it won’t be able to play any Wii or WiiU games (but we’ll get back to that in a minute) and with only one working screen at a time as well as no indication that the tablet screen will even have touch functionality, I don’t really see how we could even run most DS/3DS games.
This is Nintendo’s way of distancing themselves from the Wii family.
Most people didn’t even realize that the WiiU was a new console and not just a Wii peripheral. It’s one of the bigger reasons the system didn’t do so hot. I can see what Nintendo wants to do. They want to merge their console and handheld divisions together, and why not? Nintendo has an incredible first party market and the 3DS is killing it in the handheld front (although seeing as there only like competition is the PS Vita, that’s not boasting much).
If the WiiU had the same kind of library as the 3DS, you wouldn’t be reading this now, would you?
And while we’re talking about awesome games…
What games are coming out on the Switch?
The only game that has been confirmed on the console is the Switch port of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but we did see a few games working on the console.
A decent surprise was the reveal of a new unnamed 3D Mario game (like, a real proper one this time). we also got to see that some of the more popular WiiU games may be getting ports/sequels on the Switch such as Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon. there have even been a few rumors that the latest Super Smash Bros may get ported over with all the DLC included.
Nintendo has also made a big announcement in regards to their 3rd party support. They’ve made some big claims before, but now their backing it up with a huge list of developers (check the picture below). There was also footage shown in the Switch trailer showing The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and NBA 2K17 running on the console.
Bethesda and 2K would later comment that while they are making games for the Switch, both those games are unconfirmed for it, which is a shame but doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not happening.
More than ever though, I think Nintendo finally understands the need for 3rd party support on their console and with a new president running the show, I feel that push is genuine.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Nintendo Switch
The 3 most important pieces: the launch games, battery and price are unknown, and with it’s launch date of March 2017 fast approaching, I expect we’ll be drowning in announcements in the next 2–3 months.
As the resident Nintendo sheep here at the Critical Hit, the console would have to give me radiation poisoning and murder my entire family before I would consider not picking it up at launch.
But to be honest, I don’t really feel I need to pick this up out of obligation to my favorite game franchises. This console looks so cool but more than that I’m excited for a revitalized Nintendo. There’s still a lot of things I’m desperate to see the company do such as getting a proper online service and to give youtubers a break when it comes to copyright and whatnot.
But hey, this seems to be a big step in the right direction.
