First Look at the Nintendo Switch

Now that I've calmed down and cleaned up the pee, let's talk about what we saw in the trailer.

First up, the Switch is being played on the TV, with a controller that is similar in shape to the Wii U Gamepad.  The sides of the controller, the parts with the sticks and buttons, detach, then attach to the sides of the system, then it really looks like the Gamepad.  Then the guy takes it out with him to the park.  So, it is, indeed, a home console/handheld hybrid system!

Then, we see a guy taking the system to the airport, and inserting a cartridge into the system!  Looks like that was true as well.  That means no discs, which is perfect for a handheld, but that also means no backwards comparability with Wii U games. There also isn't any touch screen functionality shown, so that only adds to that.  That is kind of a disappointing thought.  Hopefully, that isn't the case.  There is also their new version of their Pro Controller, which looks nice.

We see that the controller parts can be used individually, meaning games can be played by two players without any extra parts.  That's kind of nice.  They also show off some four person multiplayer with two units switched to portable mode. 

Glimpses are shown of Skyrim (presumably the HD remaster), NBA (Live or 2K, can't really tell, but since EA is making games for it...), a new Mario, and what looks to be Splatoon 2 (more likely "Spla2n").

Nintendo has also released a list of company currently working on games for the system.

That list is a welcome sight after the lack of third party support on the Wii U.  Now we just need Rockstar to join up.

There are two huge questions we are still waiting on: 1) How much? and 2) What is the battery life like?

Hopefully we get answers soon.

Until then, here is the official press release:

Nintendo Switch World Premiere Demonstrates New Entertainment Experiences from a Home Gaming System

Detachable Controllers Reinvent Gaming

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 20, 2016 – In an introductory video released today (http://www.nintendo.com/switch), Nintendo provided the first glimpse of its new home gaming system and revealed that it is called Nintendo Switch. In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose. The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system to enable unprecedented new video game play styles.

At home, Nintendo Switch rests in the Nintendo Switch Dock that connects the system to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. By simply lifting Nintendo Switch from the dock, the system will instantly transition to portable mode, and the same great gaming experience that was being enjoyed at home now travels with you. The portability of Nintendo Switch is enhanced by its bright high-definition display. It brings the full home gaming system experience with you to the park, on an airplane, in a car, or to a friend’s apartment.

Gaming springs into action by removing detachable Joy-Con controllers from either side of Nintendo Switch. One player can use a Joy-Con controller in each hand; two players can each take one; or multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options. They can easily click back into place or be slipped into a Joy-Con Grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, if preferred, the gamer can select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to use instead of the Joy-Con controllers. Furthermore, it is possible for numerous people to bring their Nintendo Switch systems together to enjoy local multiplayer face-to-face competition.

“Nintendo Switch allows gamers the freedom to play however they like,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, President and COO, Nintendo of America. “It gives game developers new abilities to bring their creative visions to life by opening up the concept of gaming without boundaries.”

Developers can design their games supporting a variety of play styles, which gives gamers the freedom to choose an experience that best suits them. Some of the publishers, developers and middleware partners announcing support for Nintendo Switch are as follows:

    505 Games
    Activision Publishing, Inc.
    ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co., Ltd.
    ATLUS CO., LTD.
    Audiokinetic Inc.
    Autodesk, Inc.
    BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
    Bethesda
    CAPCOM CO., LTD.
    Codemasters®
    CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.
    DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Electronic Arts
    Epic Games Inc.
    Firelight Technologies
    FromSoftware, Inc.
    Frozenbyte
    GameTrust
    GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC．
    Gungho Online Entertainment, Inc.
    HAMSTER Corporation
    Havok
    INTI CREATES CO., LTD.
    KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
    Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    LEVEL-5 Inc.
    Marvelous Inc.
    Maximum Games, LLC
    Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
    Parity Bit Inc.
    PlatinumGames Inc.
    RAD Game Tools, Inc.
    RecoChoku Co., Ltd.
    SEGA Games Co., Ltd.
    Silicon Studio Corporation
    Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
    SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
    Starbreeze Studios
    Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
    Telltale Games
    THQ Nordic
    Tokyo RPG Factory Co., Ltd.
    TT Games
    UBISOFT
    Ubitus Inc.
    Unity Technologies, Inc.
    Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
    Web Technology Corp

Today’s video incorporated short glimpses of representative gameplay to demonstrate the liberating nature of the Nintendo Switch home gaming system. Full game demonstrations, the list of launch window titles, as well as launch date, price, product configuration and related specifics, will be shown and announced prior to the March launch.