We Is Docked We Know You Are Out There

It took us a long, long time to become hither, but we finally tin speak with conviction near the Nintendo Switch. The new home console is unique in that information technology'due south not just a abode panel: It's besides a handheld. The Switch can either sit in a dock and connect to a Telly for some traditional play, or players tin can take information technology on the go and employ the tablet-similar organization'south ain screen every bit their chief display.

Demand to take hold of up on all the Switch facts apace? Follow along for everything we now know well-nigh the console. Be sure to cheque out our review of the hardware for more than on what it's actually like to employ the Switch. From in that location, you can make an informed determination on whether information technology'south worth buying.

Nintendo Switch will launch on March 3

Nintendo revealed that the organization hits stores on March iii, 2017. That gives u.s.a. a little less than two months to prep for the adjacent generation of Nintendo games.

Nintendo Switch costs $299.99 and comes in 2 different bundles

For $299.99, you lot'll get a console with 32 GB of memory on board. Ane packet includes two gray Joy-Con controllers; the other comes with ane red and one blue controller. That set is referred to as "neon."

Nintendo Switch supports iii gameplay modes

The Switch tin can be played while in Telly way, which means it's seated in the dock and games are played while looking at the Television set. It also can exist played as a handheld, like a standard portable system. Finally, there's tabletop mode, where players tin can flip out the tablet's kickstand and rest it on a tabular array, detaching the controllers for some solo or even multiplayer activeness.

Launch titles include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, 1-2 Switch and Skylanders

The Fable of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will launch alongside the panel on March 3. That's a great thing, based on the rave reviews information technology'southward received across the lath.

Other launch titles include the minigame drove one-two-Switch, Only Dance 2 017 and Skylanders Imaginators. There's besides Super Bomberman R, as well equally a collection of all existing Shovel Knight content.

On the eShop forepart is Snipperclips, an adorable multiplayer game. World of Goo, which launched on Wii dorsum in 2008, will also be bachelor come March 3. Since the Switch is region-complimentary, it's possible to even buy some Japanese games digitally, farther expanding the launch lineup.

The next Mario game is Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey will be out this winter. It features Mario running around a sandbox-style world full of dissimilar landscapes — including a human-populated metropolis. While the settings may wait wildly different than those of past Mario games, look the goal to be saving Princess Peach every bit always.

The Switch will also get Mario Kart, Skyrim, FIFA and more

Versions of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Mario Kart 8, Shovel Knight and FIFA volition all striking the Switch later this yr. Likewise coming: NBA 2K xviii and I Am Setsuna.

This is a listing of many of the Switch games planned for this year.

There are new games in the works likewise, of course

Totally new games include Arms, a fighting game where the combatants have expanding limbs; Fire Emblem Warriors, a collaboration between Nintendo and Koei Tecmo, equally well as a completely new Fire Emblem game in 2018; a new Shin Megami Tensei game from Atlus; and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which is due later this twelvemonth.

For the first time, Nintendo is widely expanding its relationship with third-party developers. Large indie titles like Stardew Valley, Overcooked and 62 others are confirmed to launch on the Switch.

Also exciting is Splatoon 2, a sequel to the Wii U title, will also be available this summertime.

Nintendo Switch games volition cost $59.99

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild box art Nintendo Switch — Isn't that pretty?

Switch games, like The Legend of Zelda: Jiff of the Wild and Splatoon 2, will be sold for $59.99. That'due south the same toll that Wii U games are sold at right now. We besides got to come across the box art for some upcoming games, and we're pretty large fans so far.

Some titles, including 1-2-Switch and Super Bomberman R, will be sold at a cheaper price point: $49.99. Expect eShop exclusives to retail for much less.

Nintendo Switch has upwardly to 6 hours of battery life

The Switch can hook upward to a TV, merely it can besides exist played on the go. When it's not plugged in, players can wait betwixt two and a half and six hours of gameplay at the highest brightness setting. Games like Jiff of the Wild can run for about three hours on battery lone earlier needing a charge.

The Switch's dock charges the console

Although the dock serves as the main charging port, the console tin also exist charged over a USB-C connection. The whole process will have three hours.

In that location's a capacitive, multitouch touchscreen

Nintendo Switch has a touchscreen, although it tin can do more than the Wii U and 3DS' touchscreens could. The Switch has a capacitive brandish, which allows for multitouch input, like nearly modern smartphone and tablet screens. Don't expect any Nintendo games to brand smashing use of information technology at launch, though.

Switch games run at a lower resolution undocked

In handheld or tabletop mode, the Switch is capable of outputting games at 720p resolution. When docked, games run at up to 1080p resolution. Not all games hitting 1080p when docked, however. Nintendo confirmed that The Fable of Zelda: Breath of the Wild runs at 900p when information technology's connected to a TV.

Nintendo eShop arrives in a patch

In guild to access the Nintendo eShop, where owners can download demoes and digital copies of games, the Switch requires all owners to update the organization on launch day. The patch brings online features like linking Nintendo Accounts, online multiplayer, sharing images to social networks and more. Thankfully, it doesn't have too long to download; it also adds in all other online functionality — or, that is, what lilliputian of it the Switch has on day 1. If you're looking for that tricky Wii shop music though, you might be disappointed with the sounds of silence in the eShop.

Online features come at a toll

Nintendo is catching upward to Sony and Microsoft with its new online service. In guild to play multiplayer games online, users will have to pay a fee. While online gaming will initially be gratis, Nintendo will start charging for that service onetime this fall. Nintendo's online service volition include features like vocalisation chat, discounts and a free monthly classic game download. Nintendo plans to release a dedicated app for smart devices that will handle features like voice chat and multiplayer game invites.

At this point, in that location are so many Nintendo account logins you lot'll need to remember that it'due south all-time to revisit all the unlike types of Nintendo accounts the Switch might require.

A table of the features bachelor on the free and paid tiers of Nintendo'south new online service

Virtual Console won't exist available at launch

While the Nintendo eShop volition arrive on launch 24-hour interval as part of a solar day-one patch, the Virtual Console will not. No discussion on whether or not it'll fifty-fifty come to the Switch or if existing Virtual Console purchases will acquit over.

That costless archetype game download is but playable for a calendar month

Here's a big catch most the paid online service: Those monthly game downloads don't piece of work like the free games for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold members. Nintendo confirmed that players will only be able to try them out for one month, making them for similar rentals than total downloads to continue.

The Switch doesn't have Miiverse or StreetPass

Nintendo first launched Miiverse on the Wii U, simply the platform is now bachelor on both that console and 3DS also. The online community won popularity with fans as a identify to chat about different games, inquire for tips and hash out other topics. The awarding'southward best feature, though, was that it allowed users to create and upload original artwork based on whatsoever they wanted, leading to some creative illustrations and fanart for the biggest Nintendo franchises.

StreetPass, on the other hand, remains a 3DS-exclusive feature. The social app works when players take their system on the go with them in rest mode. As they laissez passer other 3DS owners forth their travels, each user volition collect the other's StreetPass data, which includes proper name, location and almost recently played game. Other than that, users tin can play minigames and commutation puzzle pieces with the Miis of the 3DS owners they've passed by while each one had their systems tucked abroad.

All of this is to say that the Switch won't have either of these applications. Nintendo seems to be pushing for the Switch as predominantly a home panel, even if it has a portable mode. That may explain why StreetPass is going past the wayside. Information technology'due south unclear as to why Nintendo isn't continuing its popular Miiverse feature, however.

The Switch does use friend codes, though

In that location are several ways to connect with friends on the Switch. One option is to draw from Nintendo's recent mobile games, namely Super Mario Run and Miitomo ... but more than disturbing is that the Switch preserves the dreaded friend code arrangement. Despite the new Nintendo Account ID and the pre-existing Nintendo Network ID system, the Switch is going with 12-digit numerical codes equally one of the principal means to add together friends on launch twenty-four hours.

The Joy-Con controllers have motility sensors, precision feedback and more

Nintendo detailed what the detachable Joy-Con controllers can do during the presentation. These include motion, an infrared sensor on the right controller and "Hd rumble" for some precise force feedback.

Games similar Arms and 1-ii-Switch volition brand ample employ of these features to bear witness off just what these unique controllers tin can practice. Arms has players tilting the Joy-Con controllers to move fighters and throwing punches to, well, throw punches, while 1-ii-Switch relies heavily on the rumble sensations.

Bank check out all the buttons for a sense of the breadth of these niggling gamepads:

The Joy-Con runs for up to 20 hours

The Joy-Con controllers won't need to be plugged dorsum in as often equally the panel does. The detachable peripherals volition run for upwards of 20 hours. The controllers need 3 and a half hours to charge fully. There are a couple of different methods for charging the Joy-Con — only note that the charging grip Nintendo showed off, which allows players to continue using them unplugged, is sold separately.

Joy-Con controllers and other accessories can be purchased separately

The new, unique Joy-Con controllers will be available to buy separately. These come in several different color configurations: grey, red, blue or both scarlet and blue in one packet. They'll toll $49.99 individually or $79.99 for a parcel, which also has straps thrown in. But be careful how yous put those on — they can exist easily jammed if you're not paying attending.

Too going on sale are other peripherals and accessories, like the Pro Controller ($59.99), a charging grip ($29.99) and an extra dock for the Switch unit of measurement ($89.99). There's even a Joy-Con wheel bachelor for racing games, similar the palatial Mario Kart 8. The plastic beat comes in a ready of two for $14.99.

The hefty toll of some of these peripherals, especially the controllers, has many customers already upward in arms. That'south not even taking into consideration the various other accessories on sale for the Switch, like carrying cases and microSDHC cards.

Another note: Some accessories but don't work, like wireless bluetooth headsets.

The Joy-Con has some other issues

Alongside the wrist strap problem, at that place are reports that the controller often has problem syncing to the panel. The left Joy-Con in detail has given reviewers problems during gameplay, and it's not nevertheless clear if launch solar day updates volition fix the problem.

Wiimotes won't piece of work on the Switch

You can ditch your old Wii and Wii U controllers. None of them will work with the Switch, according to Nintendo.

The Switch has expandable storage

The Switch supports microSDHC and microSDXC cards to supplement the 32 GB of system storage it has available. These cards can go all the style upwards to 512 GB in volume. That's practiced to know, considering games like Breath of the Wild use 13.four GB of space alone.

The Switch doesn't support external hard drives quite yet, withal, Nintendo confirmed to Polygon.

You tin all the same utilize your amiibos

The Switch supports amiibos, those collectible figures based on Nintendo characters. The correct Joy-Con has a sensor directly under its thumbstick that tin read amiibo. Players just need to press the bottom of the effigy to the top of the thumbstick to scan them into their games.

The Switch is region-free

Nintendo Switch will be region-free, unlike the Wii U and other by Nintendo domicile consoles. That means players can import games from other territories and play the to their liking; no more than having to buy games from the aforementioned state that your console came from! You tin can change your system language settings at any fourth dimension; nosotros tested this with Breath of the Wild and the changes really carry over to in-game audio and captions.

Nintendo Switch will allow players to take and share screenshots

A share button on the left Joy-Con controller is used to capture screens from games. Nintendo says players will also exist able to salvage and share gameplay video in the time to come.

The Switch has a pretty svelte UI

We've taken a look at the user interface of the home menu very, very briefly. Information technology'southward sleek! It comes in at least 2 themes! Take a look:

The Switch won't have Netflix or other streaming services at launch

That's non to say the console volition never have Netflix, simply Nintendo confirmed that it won't accept streaming platforms available when the Switch launches. That'southward because the system is meant to be a gaming platform outset, according to Nintendo reps.

The Switch is available to pre-club now

Target, GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart and other retailers have limited stock, so if you want the console on launch day, you lot'd better run out and put your money downwardly to pre-club the Switch now. If y'all missed out on the pre-guild window though, here are your options for purchasing one on launch day and beyond.

We all the same don't know everything about the Switch

Nintendo answered a lot of our biggest Switch questions, only there are enough more we have now that the presentation has wrapped. For example: What'southward the deal with Virtual Console? How much will online cost? Nosotros'll exist sure to continue finding equally many answers to our lingering inquiries every bit possible.

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Source: https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/13/14241898/nintendo-switch-details