The Nintendo Switch is approaching fast! With Nintendo’s Latest announcements we finally have the answers to many of the questions we’ve been asking about Nintendo’s newest system!
Over the past few days, Nintendo gave us almost all the information we’ve been waiting for on their newest system during their Switch Presentation event. Not everything has been revealed and some new questions have even been added, but in the mean time let’s take a streamlined look at the highlights of whats to come and sort through some of the remaining rumors. Sort of a which is which, on the Nintendo Switch.
Header Image Courtesy of Nintendo
How Much Power Are We Playing With?
Image Courtesy of Nintendo
First off, let’s talk about the Nintendo Switch while it’s in its docked position aka, playing on the big screen. The system will thankfully be outputting 1080p ensuring that we will be getting some stunning visuals in it’s upcoming game titles. On the flip side though, once the screen is removed and you switch to Table Top mode (a stand pops out of the back of the removable screen) or Handheld mode, the visuals will only be displayed at 720p, which is still technically HD. The Switch will be utilizing a custom NVIDIA Tegra Processor but the details on it are still unknown to the public.
Storage
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The Nintendo Switch boasts around 32 GB of internal memory with part of that being taken for system use. This is fairly small compared to other current Gen systems on the market, but Nintendo has taken a page from their own book to offset the size! Similar in a way to the Nintendo 3DS, The Nintendo Switch will have the option of removable storage through MicroSD cards. This will limit your storage not by the console, but by how big of an SD card you purchase. This is a sort of liberating feature that I’m glad to finally see on a modern Nintendo home console. It’s even a little reminiscent of the Nintendo 64’s controller based memory cards in a way.
Controller(s)
Image Courtesy of Nintendo
As with Nintendo tradition for each new console, the controller for the Nintendo Switch is definitely something new and different, yet it incorporates many elements that we’re all used to seeing in a Nintendo controller. I present the Joy-Cons! Basically there are two separate parts to a controller, attached to a Grip, that can detach and be used individually for some games. For handheld mode, these parts will attach to the sides of the removable screen, forming a WiiU controller-like apparatus.
For Table Top mode, they can be held similarly to the way the Wii remote and Nunchuck were. These new Joy-con controllers will also boast HD Rumble, an advanced vibration experience designed to provide incredibly realistic feeling while playing certain games. In addition to this, the Joy-Con’s will also utilize motion controls carrying on the Nintendo Wii’s legacy.
If all this innovation seems a bit convoluted though, a Pro-Controller will also be offered, providing the opportunity for players to enjoy a more traditional gaming experience. It’s also worth mentioning that the Joy-cons will have the capability to read and write Amiibo data, so don’t get rid of those little guys just yet!
A New Approach to Online Gaming
Here’s where I would argue that Nintendo has truly mixed things up the most. After a free trial period after the Nintendo Switch’s launch, online gameplay will start to come with a monthly fee. That’s right, subscription based online services have finally struck the home Nintendo console. Off the bat, this seems a bit disappointing considering we as Nintendo fans have avoided it for so long, but I don’t think this is the end of the world by any means.
The service, like I mentioned, will be free for players through Fall of 2017, and though no price has been announced yet, I have a feeling it will likely be quite reasonable. It will include voice chat, through a mobile app, online gameplay, and a monthly download of a predetermined Nintendo Entertainment System game, or a Super Nintendo Entertainment System game. As long as the price point is decent, this has the potential to be as good as any other subscription based service on the gaming market. Sometimes innovation has its price, I suppose. Check out the handy infographic below for some clarifications.
Image Courtesy of Nintendo
Multiplayer
Image Courtesy of Nintendo
Aside from the online services and split-screen multiplayer, the Nintendo Switch will offer local wireless play with other nearby Switch’s. Really playing on the portability aspect of the system. It’s a strange thought that a group of people would all bring their home console with them and play together with it, but with the Nintendo Switch, the reality is that this will likely be a preferable method of playing with nearby friends.
Games
Now for the portion we’ve all been waiting for. What new and exciting games await us on the Nintendo Switch? Well, take a look and see for yourself!
Video Courtesy of Nintendo
Super Mario Odyssey is just one of many games announced during Nintendo’s Treehouse event. The Switch looks to promise a new and exciting experience, utilizing the systems new technology and features (especially in ARMS), while staying true to the fun and quality Nintendo is known for. They will also be partnering with various third party companies to give us new games not yet seen on a Nintendo system, like Bethesda for Skyrim, and old collaborations like Sega, for a new Sonic game as well!
How many coins will it cost me?
Image Courtesy of Nintendo
All in all, I’m very excited for what’s to come from the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo is giving us something new and exciting, but something that feels ever so familiar. Sure there will be some uncertainty, it’s a brand new system and a complete departure from the Wii, but it’s all part of the experience. Pick yours up on March 3rd 2017 for $299!
Will you be pre-ordering a Nintendo Switch? Or will you be waiting to see what new games will be coming soon? Let me know in a comment below.
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