Nintendo Switch: All You Need to Know
Have Fun Looking into the Past!
Launching March 3rd, 2017.
I hate to start off with a large negative, but the Switch will have a paid online system. Multiplayer will be free up until the fall of 2017. After that? Monthly subscription fees kick in for those who want to play their beloved games online with friends.
Said service will act like their competitor’s with the addition of voice chat, the choice of one SNES or NES title with online functions per month and discounts on other products. More details to come.
The console will have anywhere from 2.5 to 6.5 hours of battery life depending on what it’s being used for. Not unexpected, but better than what I had predicted. (3-4 Hours.)
Region locking has been removed. This is a plus. Now one won’t have to purchase a whole new console from another region in order to play an unlocalized game.
The Joy-Cons have NFC for amiibo, a Capture Button, two internal triggers for use when disconnected, “HD Rumble” or a haptic feedback system to simulate real-life actions. Color variations will exist, and a wrist strap connection will be shipped as well. Also, an IR camera is on the front of the right Joy-Con. This thing can detect shapes and distance, although nothing showed it being used in a game. These could be used in rather interesting ways, but may fall by the wayside if not utilized well.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be releasing on 3/3/17 alongside the console on both Wii U and Switch.
Several new games were announced.
1! 2! Switch! seems to be this console’s Wii Sports. Acting as a game using the Joy-Con’s haptic feedback to simulate actions. It’s a local Player-vs-player title, however the screen is optional. Launch Day Release.
Arms (Which I hope is a working title.) An Arena-boxing title except everyone has spring-loaded arms… Personally it reminds me of Punch Out!! This is a completely new Nintendo IP. “Spring” Launch. No pun intended, I hope.
Splatoon 2. New maps, weapons and possibly gamemodes. Other gameplay mechanics have been added, such as rolling. Summer, with additional updates as with the original.
Super Mario Odyssey is the next 3D Mario title, taking place in a fully explorable 3-D environment heavily inspired by some real-world locations while still having the bizarre Mario worlds we all know. Also Bowser’s attempting to Marry Peach. Yep. Things got weird again. Launch during the upcoming Holiday Season.
Mario Kart 8 is getting a “Deluxe” edition. An actual battle mode will be added, along with new characters such as Splatoon’s Inklings. Launching April 28th.
Several teasers were shown for other games, such as Xenoblade 2, Square-Enix’s “Octopath Traveller” alongside Fire Emblem Warriors and another Shin Megami Tensei title. One title was completely lost on the English audience as the translator got lost. Details will come in time.
Skyrim, as shown in the teaser will be coming to the console.
EA Sports is promising a FIFA title as well.
80+ more titles are noted to be in development.
Final words
Now to the nitty-gritty. Miis are shown for a brief moment in one of the end trailers. The console will ship with the console, (duh) two Joy-Cons, a Dock, HDMI Cable, Joy-Con Grip, Wrist Straps and a single A/C Adapter. One can purchase the console with colored Joy-Cons or with the standard Grey Joy-Cons.
Apps are being released to have additional control/additions to the system. The only one that currently seems to be out is a Parental Control app, which is a severe improvement over past systems.
Comments? Questions? Opinions? The Comment Section Awaits! -Ian “The iKim” Kim