You are currently viewing Nintendo’s New Console: ‘Nintendo Switch’

Nintendo’s New Console: ‘Nintendo Switch’

Nintendo Switch Console

Nintendo announced their new console this morning! Previous codenamed “NX”, the ‘Nintendo Switch’ releases March 17, 2017.

As many of us predicted, the new system will be a combo handheld/traditional console. The Nintendo Switch features removable handles or “Joy-cons” which can connect to an optional Pro Controller (of sorts) for use during couch play.

 

When on the go, the handles of the Nintendo Switch disconnect and can slide onto to tablet resting in the “Nintendo Switch Dock”. This takes the entire system on the go.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/f5uik5fgIaI” width=”700″]

Players can use the “joy-cons” in many different ways: Connected onto the tablet for mobile play, on a Pro Controller, one in each hand akin to the wiimote and nunchuck, or split them apart for even further multiplayer

Nintendo is once again going the route of “different” over simply sticking with what has traditionally been … well… successful and fun. Looking at the joy-cons, and the system as a hole, it almost looks cheap. I haven’t held the Switch in my hands, but I don’t get a sense of quality from all these moving parts. I sincerely hope I am wrong.

Nintendo's New Console: Nintendo Switch

The graphics capabilities in the Nintendo Switch are powered by a custom NVIDIA Tegra processor.  “The high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards,” said NVIDIA when they made the announcement. Just how “based on” we’re talking here, or what that truly means in terms of power, remains to be seen.

I noticed no mention of a touch screen. I’m betting there isn’t one. I’m okay with that, though, as I felt like it would be one gimmick too many.

I like the idea of taking my little tablet-console-thing on-the-go to Graev’s house and playing local multiplayer with both consoles. I think there’s opportunity for expanded software growth beyond the Wii and Wii U now that motion and touch are likely out of the picture. Good old fashion gaming… with a mobile twist? Maybe?

I confess myself slightly disappointed by their lack of traditional console, but will keep an open mind.

  • i can do the same things with my tablet nvidia shield.
    the only difference are the nintendo’s games

    people is saying that is a hybrid but is just a handheld with hdmi.

  • Like Crow, I think the tablet market is a very formidable market to compete against. Hopefully Nintendo ensures the games are much deeper or more focused on connected multiplayer to stand out.

    Also think the parts look cheap but we’ll see.

    With all that said, I must compliment Nintendo for trying to come up with something fresh and better.

  • I thought it looked pretty convenient and neat but it will all depend on how good the games are.

  • 1. A “Tablet-looking” screen, but without touch-support? People would expect it to be a touchscreen. It looks like one. It’s gonna be weird if it’s not.

    2. What would the game media be like? A very “untraditional” cartridge again? Or optical disc of sort?

    All in all I guess it’s all about the third party game. I bought PS4 in April simply because I want to play Uncharted AND the new FFXV. Can’t get both of those on XBOX. That’s all the reasons I have.

  • It has a touchscreen (10 point like phones have). They don’t like to announce it that soon as it would raise the question how you operate it when its inside the dock.