Unimpressed with the previous Nintendo Wii U console? You’re not alone, the gaming community as well as the family unit that craves family gaming were uniformly underwhelmed. Nintendo took a huge gamble and stepped away from the console wars cycle of updating their hardware. For the last couple years, Nintendo has been teasing the public with a promise of a new console named “Project NX.” Last week they finally unveiled their masterpiece. They call it the Nintendo Switch and it is definitely a game changer.
Nintendo has effectively combined the at home gaming console with the mobile handheld gaming console. It looks like a small tablet most likely 8 inches or so that can be placed in a dock and connected to a television. But wait, if you have somewhere to go you can also pull the tablet out which is the primary unit, not the dock, and use the screen on the go separately. The included controller that looks like a large rectangle with buttons on the side can disassemble and be attached to the tablet unit. Then it functions much like their very own 3DS. No word yet on whether the tablet unit has a touch screen or not but it is more than likely considering Nintendo has included a touch screen on their last console the Wii U. What we’re really looking forward to is whether or not it’s a multitouch screen like on a smartphone. Current iterations of touch screens on Nintendo devices require the use of a stylus like the 3DS.
If you’re more of a hardcore gamer, the release trailer also included a section for pro gaming. There will be a pro controller that does not disassemble like the standard Nintendo Switch controller. It looks very much like the supplemental (non-nunchuk) controller that you’d find for a Nintendo Wii or Wii U. It also looks like Nintendo is promoting multi play. Based on the trailer it looks like Nintendo Switch will support local wireless connection like the 3DS which means you don’t need an internet source in order to play a game with someone right next to you. Another step up will be the fact that the Switch will be using the Unreal Engine 4 which is a graphics and texture gaming engine that is already the standard for the PS4 and XBOX ONE. Games like Skyrim have not been confirmed for the new console despite being part of the trailer but can theoretically be played since they’re using the Unreal Engine 4..
A lot of information outside the trailer hasn’t been released but they ensured everyone that there are many more surprises in store before it’s official release in March of next year. The burning questions that the gaming community now has are practical ones. For instance, what is the battery life like on the tablet/console? Based on the dimensions it wouldn’t be unfeasible for the battery life to fall in a 3-5 hour continuous play time range. Another big topic is price. Many experts are torn but the general consensus will be that for the base bundle it’ll probably fall around $250 give or take. Some conservative estimates are around the $300 range which is what the Wii U was released at. Some experts think it might fall to about $200 which is more in line with the 3DS handheld systems.
Nintendo has also confirmed that Amiibo figures will be compatible with the system but physical Wii U or 3DS games will not be compatible. Looks like stockholders weren’t overly impressed with the Switch release either. Nintendo stock prices are holding relatively steady which means investors don’t think this will be an overnight sensation but neither do they think it’ll tank instantly. For now people are taking the wait and see approach until they have more juicy details. Whether or not the new console will be a family favorite or the next competitive pro console only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on the system as they come out.
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