Nintendo reveals the Nintendo Switch. Details recap + preview video

After many months of speculations, Nintendo finally revealed its new gaming platform today. Previously know as NX (a codename), Nintendo’s new console is called the Nintendo Switch. A nice, simple and straightforward name that ushers a new era for Nintendo.

Without further ado, here’s the official preview video for the Nintendo Switch:

Nintendo Switch: the console

The Nintendo NX is a home console unlike any other before. Not only can you play at home, but you can also take it away with you like you would a handheld. It’s as if Nintendo took the concept of the GamePad and went one several steps further: instead of being limited to a few meters from the console, you can play wherever you want… even in the plane.

Here’s how it works:

• at home, the console itself is docked in the aptly named Nintendo Switch Dock, which is connected to your TV.
• when you take it off the dock, the console switches to portable mode. What changes? Nothing: you can play the exact same games where you want, on the “bright high-definition display”.

To play games on the Nintendo Switch, you use the detachable Joy-Con controllers (found on either side of the console). There are multiplay ways to use those unique controller:

• one player can have a Joy-Con controller in each hand
• two players can each take one;
• you can click them back into place on the side of the portable screen
• you can slide them into a Joy-Con Grip accessory, for those looking for a more traditional controller;
• you can slide them into the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

The best part? Since it’s so portable, players can bring the Nintendo Switch itself with them, in order to enjoy local multiplayer games with their friends, family, etc.

Nintendo Switch: additional details

Here’s some additional details for the Nintendo Switches:

• the console uses cartridges similar to those on Nintendo 3DS
• there is a jack port
• there’s what seems to be 2 USB ports on the side of the console
• there’s a little stand at the back, allowing you to place the console on a flat surface while away from home
• you can play in local multiplayer with up to 8 players (each player with their own console)

Nintendo Switch: the partners

This generation, one of the main issues Nintendo encountered with its platforms was third-party support: non-existent outside Japan for the Nintendo 3DS, and non-existent period on the Wii U. It looks like Nintendo has learned their lesson, and is bringing a lot of partners on board this time around.

Game development

• 505 Games
• Activision Publishing, Inc.
• ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co., Ltd.
• ATLUS CO., LTD.
• BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
• Bethesda
• CAPCOM CO., LTD.
• Codemasters®
• Electronic Arts
• Epic Games Inc.
• 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.
• 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
• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Middleware/Other

• Audiokinetic Inc.
• Autodesk, Inc.
• CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.
• DeNA Co., Ltd.
• Firelight Technologies
• RAD Game Tools, Inc.
• RecoChoku Co., Ltd.
• Silicon Studio Corporation
• Ubitus Inc.
• Unity Technologies, Inc.
• Web Technology Corp

Nintendo Switch: Powered by Tegra

Nintendo has been sticking with AMD for a while now, but for the Nintendo Switch, the company chose to go with NVIDIA. On its official website, NVIDIA reveals that it’s a custom Tegra processor that powers the console. According to the company, it’s a “high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards.”

NVIDIA also explains that the Nintendo Switch is powered by “fully custom software”, including:

• revamped physics engine
• new libraries
• advanced game tools and libraries
• new gaming APIs
• The newest API, NVN, “built specifically to bring lightweight, fast gaming to the masses”

Finally, the company also mentions hardware-accelerated video playback and custom software for audio effects and rendering.

Nintendo Switch: release details

As announced previously, the Nintendo Switch will be released in March. The list of launch windows titles, the price, product configuration, and other details details will be revealed at a later date. Full game demonstrations are also coming at a later date.

Nintendo Switch: list of games

Here’s a tentative list of games for the Nintendo Switch, as seen in the preview trailer above:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• The Elders Scrolls V: Skyrim
• an unnamed Mario Kart game, with a double item slot (like in Mario Kart: Double Dash). You can play in split screen on the portable screen, up to 2 players (most likely up to 4 on a TV screen). King Boo is one of the playable characters;
• NBA 2K17 (?)
• an unnamed Mario game, with a western-themed level. It looks like you can play in multiplayer (though it’s never shown on-screen)
• an unnamed Splatoon game, possibly a port. Features new hairstyles.

NB: those titles are not 100% confirmed (especially those from third-party publishers).