The Switch brings new life to Nintendo
Nintendo fans are jumping for joy [literally] with the announcement and imminent release of their latest console, the Nintendo Switch. With so much popularity soaring around the inter-webs, I decided to compile an everything-you-need-to-know article pertaining to the Nintendo Switch.
For starters, this bad boy will launch on March 3. If you were planning on preordering yours before the release date, you may run into some roadblocks. It appears that all major retailers in the U.S are completely sold out of preorders, especially GameStop, who publicly announced that they have reached their allotted limit. Even though Nintendo tried to avoid this situation, it appears the switch will suffer the same fate as the Wii and the NES Classic Edition regarding availability.
If you happen to be one of the many who did not get the opportunity to preorder, don't get discouraged just yet. GameStop has also stated that there is a possibility for more preorders to become available before launch, saying "We’re working closely with Nintendo to get additional Nintendo Switch units, and will let our customers know when they become available."
As for the announed price, who can argue with the $299.99 price tag? Beats the hefty price of VR.
This is a very smart move for Nintendo as they phase out of the Wii U. I believe the price will set a competitive standard for the other video game juggernauts Sony and Microsoft, especially since the Switch seems to be introducing more adult-friendly games into Nintendo's catalog to attract a bigger pool of gamers.
The Switch will essentially come with everything you need to begin playing right out of the box. It comes with the console itself, the Nintendo Switch dock, two Joy-Con controllers (available in either gray or one neon blue and one neon red), the Joy-Con Grip, Joy-Con wrist straps, an HDMI cable and a Nintendo Switch AC adapter. It is, I believe, a perfect launch setup without forcing consumers to buy a lot of extra accessories.
You can either play the Nintendo Switch as a home console on your TV or take it with you, like a portable system. Its battery life will range between 2.5 and 6.5 hours depending on the game and the settings applied to it.
The Switch has a full touchscreen monitor, motion controls and HD rumble. There will also be a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, available separately for $69.99.
Nintendo's goal to bring people together is still at the heart of the company's drive. This is why the Switch will be able to link up to eight consoles at once for an amazing local multiplayer experience.
Online multiplayer gaming will also be available through a service that will be at no cost initially, but will transition to a paid service a few months down the line. This service will also include an online lobby and voice chat, exclusive deals and a monthly NES or SNES game, playable for free that month.
Nintendo Switch games will come in cartridges, rather than discs, and SD cards will be used for enhanced storage purposes. Digital games will be available through the Nintendo eShop.