Nintendo has just announced their next home console called the Nintendo Switch.
As rumours suggested the system is a home console that can be played at home on the TV, outside, or anywhere using controllers that detach from the side of the unit. The games played on the console are the same whether they are played at home or away. The detachable controllers allow you to chosose how you would like to play games on the console, by yourself or with friends.
When the system is at home and you don’t need the tablet like center the console rests in a dock that is connected to the TV and has USB ports as well. When you remove the console from the dock it will ‘switch’ into handheld mode and you can take the game with you. Nintendo says the Switch has a ‘bright high definition screen’ so you can enjoy the system anyway.
The detachable controls currently being dubbed as ‘Joy-Con’ controllers and are removed from each side of the console. ne player can use a Joy-Con controller in each hand; two players can each take one; or multiple Joy-Con controllers can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options.
The controllers are easily removed and put back on with just a click, you can also put the controllers into the Joy-Con grip accessory and the controllers act more like a traditional controller. If you prefer there is also a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller which is more like a traditional gaming controller. Also on the device are Plus and Minus buttons and each of the Joy-Con controllers has ABXY style buttons and no D-Pad. The first Nintendo console ever, not to have the D-Pad by default.
“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.”
In the preview trailer games like Splatoon and a enhanced version of Mario Kart 8 appeared. There was also a brand new Mario title shown briefly as well as third party games like Skyrim and NBA2K-something also shown.
The Switch appears like it will have a ton more third party support with the following companies and technology parters working on the system.
Nintendo says this video only provided a short glimpse of what was possible with the Switch and more will be shown before the system launches in March. This includes prices, launch window titles, the launch date and more specifics.
Are you ready to switch?
Press Release
In an introductory video released today at http://www.nintendo.co.uk/nintendoswitch, Nintendo provided the first glimpse of its new home gaming system and revealed that it is called Nintendo Switch. In addition to providing single-player and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose. The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system to enable unprecedented new video game play styles.
At home, Nintendo Switch rests in the Nintendo Switch dock that connects the console to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. By simply lifting the Nintendo Switch console from the dock, it will instantly transition to handheld mode, and the same great gaming experience that was being enjoyed at home now travels with you. The portability of Nintendo Switch is enhanced by its bright high-definition display. It brings the full home gaming system experience with you to the park, on a train, in a car, or to a friend’s apartment.
Gaming springs into action by removing detachable Joy-Con controllers from either side of the Nintendo Switch console. One player can use a Joy-Con controller in each hand; two players can each take one; or multiple Joy-Con controllers can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options. They can easily click back into place or be slipped into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, if preferred, the gamer can select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to use instead of the Joy-Con controllers. Furthermore, it is possible for numerous people to bring their Nintendo Switch consoles together to enjoy local multiplayer face-to-face competition.
“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.”
Developers can design their games supporting a variety of play styles which gives gamers the freedom to choose an experience that best suits them. Some of the publishers, developers and middleware partners announcing support for Nintendo Switch are as follows:
- 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.
Today’s video incorporated short glimpses of representative gameplay to demonstrate the liberating nature of the Nintendo Switch home gaming system. Full game demonstrations, the list of launch window titles, as well as launch date, product configuration and related specifics will be shown and announced prior to the March launch.
Please note: final terminology may differ.
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