After much speculation over the past few months, we finally know that Nintendo‘s next console will be called the Nintendo Switch. This new hardware, was previously codenamed “The NX” will be a home console/handheld hybrid just as many had been predicting. It looks like the console will include a super thin tablet that can be snapped onto the home console dock for a more traditional experience or taken on the go as a handheld once removed from the dock. Take a gander at the glorious three-minute clip above.
The tablet itself looks like a PlayStation Vita when it has the controller modules snapped on (Joy-Con controllers), but also appears to be usable as a portable screen for gaming when you’re traveling. When the Joy-Con controller is snapped off the tablet, it can still be used by one person with both sides removed, or each side going to different people. The tablet also supports cartridges, so there’s a possibility that it might work with all your DS games, but we won’t know for certain until Nintendo reveals more information. We also don’t know if all the Nintendo Switch games will be on cartridges, but I highly doubt that since third-party developers may not want to deal with that. Battery life was another thing that wasn’t mentioned. Considering the push for portability, hopefully they put a lot of thought into that department.
The Nintendo Switch, at least as a concept, looks fantastic. If it can support most third-party games (the commercial does show the console playing NBA 2K and Skyrim), include some sort of trophy/achievement system, and support robust online features, then Nintendo may have a hit on their hands. The tablet aspect looks incredibly versatile because it can be used like a handheld or a portable screen. The above clip also seems to reveal a brand new Mario and Splatoon game, so expect news on those. Hopefully they’ll be launch titles.
Expect more news about the Nintendo Switch to trickle out over the next few months as we approach its March 2017 launch.
What do you think about Nintendo’s upcoming console? Is this what you expected the NX to be? What sort of features are you hoping this new hardware will support? Are you planning on being a day one buyer? What does Nintendo need to show you in order to get you excited about this machine? Drop your thoughts into the comments section below!
Image: Nintendo
