Launching on the 3rd of March 2017, the Nintendo Switch has a price point sitting at $299.99, which is about £250. The launch console will contain left and right Joycon pads and a main grip to attach them too, as well as wrist straps to make sure they don't fly off anywhere while using them, A dock for the Switch to sit in with an HDMI cable and AC adapter.
Two other version of the Joycon controller will be released to add some style to the Switch; A grey Joycon for you Boeing people out there, and a version with one neon blue and one neon red Joycon for the fans of Mario and Sonic at the Olympics.
The battery life is said to last for more then six hours but does depend on the software and usage conditions, EG: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can run for about three hours on a single charge. Fear not as the Switch can be charged away from home using the AC adapter plugged into the console's USB type C connector.
As you may already know, the Joycon pads can be used independently for playing with friends. They also come with some additional features like accelerometer and gyro sensor, to creator left and right independent motion control possible. It doesn't stop there however, the left Joycon contains a capture button so you can show off the those screenshots to your friends on social media. The right Joycon contains two things, an NFC (Near field communication) touch point for Amiibo figure interaction, and an IR (Infrared) motion camera with the ability to make out the distance, shape and motion of an object. Both Joycon pads also include advanced HD Rumble so detailed that the player could feel the sensation of individual ice cubes colliding inside a glass when shaking the Joycon.
To the Switch's connectivity and, all jokes aside, it sounds pretty good. Up to eight systems can be connected for local wireless multiplayer play, or of course placing the Switch screen on its built in stand and splitter the Joycon pad to play two player games with a friend. The system will support wifi online multiplayer gaming and Nintendo have unveiled a new subscription service with the Switch that begins with a free trial at launch. This will allow players to invite and chat to one another while playing games and set gaming appointments, all of this is included with a smart-device application available in summer 2017.
As you may have seen, the Switch has a lot of third party support behind it including Bethesda, EA, Activision and Warner Bro's, but what's even better than that? The fact that all that lovely software won't be region locked.
Lastly, a little bit about some launch titles.
Zelda has been a big Nintendo franchise for a long time now and Breath of the Wild looks to be capitalising in that. A big, expansive open world scenario that I'm sure will use every part of the Switch's processing power to being you an unforgettable experience.
1-2-Switch, a core Switch feature-based game, wherein you stare the other player, rather than the screen, to imitate them. From Wild West gunslinging to dance moves, 1-2-Switch makes use of the Switch's features to create a fun party game.
ARMS looks very interesting. A mix of boxing and first person shooters, players use both pads of the Joycon, holding one in each hand, to throw punches at your opponents with your left or right hands. You can jump and dash out of the way of an oncoming punch or bend your punches by twisting your hands as you swing.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, not much different from MK8 except the ease of connectivity allows for a bigger party of gaming.
Snipperclips, an action-puzzle game where you and your fellow players communicate to cut shapes out of paper to progress. May not sound like much, but the challenge of organising yourselves as a team and not griefing each other is the hard part, as tempting as it can be to ruin your fellow players day as the latest Super Mario Bro's U platform placement mechanic taught us.
Super Mario Odyssey is an open world Mario game which may sound weird but, is the trailer is anything to go on looks like it will play in the Sonic 2006 mould. Not as bad as Sonic 2006's gameplay but a hub town where you can pick up side missions and collectibles, while you travel to different worlds that all look Mario inspired as opposed to rip off 3D versions of Mario 2 levels. The advantage Mario has over Sonia is that he moves at regular speed, thus moving along a 3D plane works, although from the look of the NPCs in the hub town, they look like they've been taken straight out of Sonic 2006 hopefully without the stupid Charlie Brown-esc mumble speech thing.
So that concludes my look at the Switch press release, hopefully this has given you a bit more information on the new console or maybe even the desire to buy one. Mark the date of the 3rd of March for the release but until then keep checking Game Changers for more news and updates.
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