Posted Thu Oct 20, 2016 at 07:00 AM PDT by Brian Hoss
It begins.
As promised yesterday, Nintendo has shared the very first look at the NX, which is now called the Nintendo Switch.
The system is a portable/home console hybrid, which uses both a cradle and detachable controls. The cartridge-bases system is promised for March 2017.
The Nintendo Switch is, as was long teased, a home console that is also a portable platform. The system uses cartridge-based games and features both traditional wirless controllers and detachable/attached controls.
The Nintendo Switch uses a custom Tegra processor from Nvidia. Nvidia has stated that developing this processor and adapting it for this use, required a lot of "custom" software and API development.
The system sits in a cradle when at home attached to a display, (showcased running the new 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'). When removed from its cradle for portable use, controller bits are attached to each side to make it a proper handheld console. The Nintendo Switch uses a single display. The logo for the switch, which does not use the classic Nintendo lettering, shows an outline of the controls that slide off their controller base and attach to the system itself. As shown in the logo, there are two analog sticks- the left is at the top, but the right is in the middle below the right side buttons.
The Switch has a built-in stand and is shown along with a headphone jack in a special plane-table-friendly mode. The system stand is extended while the controller bits are detached and held. This way, the tray table holds the system while the player has two portable controllers to use. (This is different from the home mode shown with 'The Legend of Zelda: Breathe of the Wild.')
The two controllers bits can be used by one player, or in some situations, like with 'Mario Kart,' they can be used for two different players. The Switch also supports a versus system option which works locally.
To be clear, there is also a more conventional wireless controller shown being used with the system, which has a d-pad in addtion to the two analog sticks, leaving the Switch controllers attached with the system in its cradle which is attached to a display. All hardware shown is in matte black/dark grey color.
Nintendo clearly believes that this form factor will make the system easier to share and to showcase. (PAX will never be the same with so many Switch players on the floor.)
In addition to the new 'The Legend of Zelda' and a new 'Mario Kart,' the Switch was also shown running 'Skyrim,' and a 'NBA' game.
Here is a sampling splash of the other companies that Nintendo is showing as being involved with the Switch:
Nintendo has shared some of the names of the different bits. There is the aptly named Nintendo Switch Dock, the less savory Joy-Con controllers (the detachable bits), the Joy-Con Grip accessory (for turning the detachable bits back into a single controller at home), and the optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
The Nintendo Switch is promised for March 2017.
Source: Nintendo
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