The Switch seems to scream Nintendo
The Nintendo NX was originally announced in March 2015.
With little to go off except the name and a multitude of rumours, speculation on what Nintendo’s next foray into console gaming would feature was rabid.
On October 20, 2016, Nintendo finally unveiled their new console, with a new moniker the Nintendo Switch.
The device is a portable, tablet-like console which has the ability to connect two small controllers, known as ‘Joy-Cons’, to either side.
This setup can be used to play games on the go while also allowing for multiplayer, with each player using an individual Joy-Con controller.
The portable device can also be inserted into a dock. This dock connects to your TV like a traditional console would.
Using either the Joy-Con controllers or the newly announced Nintendo Switch Pro controller (which resembles a typical controller), you can then play the same games in a more traditional video game console setting.
Take a look at the trailer for the Nintendo Switch here:
Looking at the trailer, the switch between handheld and home console seems as easy as attaching or removing the screen portion from the dock, all without interrupting gameplay.
The overall physical design of the device is sleek and elegant, sticking to a sensible but somewhat safe black and grey colour palette. There also seems to be a built-in stand, allowing for the device to stand up freely while using it as a portable.
The Joy-Con controllers can also be detached from the device and then can be connected to one another, overall replicating a typical console setup.
During the reveal trailer, we get glimpses of potential upcoming games for the system. Firstly, the previously announced mainline Zelda title, The Legend of Zelda – Breath of the Wild, is shown running on the system, both on a TV via the dock and also on the portable portion of the device.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is also shown. Due to the upcoming release of a PS4/Xbox One remaster of the game, it’s safe to assume that it’s this enhanced version of the game that is shown running on the Switch.
As well as Zelda and Skyrim, we see what appear to be versions of previous Wii U games Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon. Finally, we get a quick glimpse at what seems to be a brand new unannounced Mario platformer.
The Switch seems to scream Nintendo.
Continuing with the company’s prioritisation of innovation, which in some cases has resulted in great successes and others in huge failures, the Nintendo Switch looks set to fall into the prior category.
