Nintendo Switch Ships March 3rd For $299 With 6.2-Inch 720p Screen, 1080p TV Mode, Here’s Where To Preorder
At long last, Nintendo provided some nitty-gritty details on its forthcoming hybrid console, giving fans a precise release date and price point. The Nintendo Switch will launch worldwide on March 3, 2017, with pricing in the United States set at $299.99. It will come with the main console, two Joy-Con controllers, a set of Joy-Con wrist straps, a dock for connecting the Switch to a TV, an HDMI cable, and an AC power adapter.
As seen in the picture of the retail packaging above, there will be second color option to the gray set that has already been showcased. Gamers who want a splash of color will be able to buy a version of the Nintendo Switch that comes with neon blue and neon red controllers. That is the only difference between the two versions, and both will carry the same suggested retail price.
Nintendo still is not willing to talk about the hardware inside the Switch, such as details surrounding the NVIDIA Tegra processor inside or how much RAM it has. However, it did touch on some other aspects of its hybrid console during a livestream event in Tokyo late last night (which you can view above—skip ahead to the 33min35sec mark).
The integrated 6.2-inch multi-touch display runs at a 1280x720 (720p) resolution. When the Switch is connected to its dock for playing games on a big screen TV, it can output at 1080p (1920x1080).
It also features 32GB of onboard storage, the same amount as the Wii U Deluxe bundle (the Wii U Basic came with 8GB of onboard storage). That feels a bit low in the modern era with competing consoles ranging in onboard storage from 500GB all the way up to 2TB. Be that as it may, there is a microSD card slot on the Nintendo Switch in case more storage is needed. It also helps that games will ship on GameCards, which lessens the need for copious onboard storage.
As we already knew, the Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console designed for gaming at home and on the go. Nintendo says battery life ranges from 2.5 hours to 6.5 hours, though it avoided saying whether the battery can swapped out for a new one. If battery life gets low, gamers can charge and play the console at the same time via USB-C, which also supports data transfers.
In addition to TV and handheld modes, Nintendo built a kickstand into the Switch's backside for tabletop gaming. This mode lets gamers detach the Joy-Con controllers to use in each hand, or give one to a friend.
The Nintendo Switch has built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi to support local multiplayer gaming. Up to eight consoles can be connected to one another at the same time. The Switch can also be connected to an Ethernet cable if using a USB LAN adapter with the dock.
Nintendo will also have a more robust online service for the Switch, one that will be free initially before transitioning to a paid model. The company will provide more details about this at a later date.
The integrated 6.2-inch multi-touch display runs at a 1280x720 (720p) resolution. When the Switch is connected to its dock for playing games on a big screen TV, it can output at 1080p (1920x1080).
It also features 32GB of onboard storage, the same amount as the Wii U Deluxe bundle (the Wii U Basic came with 8GB of onboard storage). That feels a bit low in the modern era with competing consoles ranging in onboard storage from 500GB all the way up to 2TB. Be that as it may, there is a microSD card slot on the Nintendo Switch in case more storage is needed. It also helps that games will ship on GameCards, which lessens the need for copious onboard storage.
As we already knew, the Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console designed for gaming at home and on the go. Nintendo says battery life ranges from 2.5 hours to 6.5 hours, though it avoided saying whether the battery can swapped out for a new one. If battery life gets low, gamers can charge and play the console at the same time via USB-C, which also supports data transfers.
In addition to TV and handheld modes, Nintendo built a kickstand into the Switch's backside for tabletop gaming. This mode lets gamers detach the Joy-Con controllers to use in each hand, or give one to a friend.
Nintendo will also have a more robust online service for the Switch, one that will be free initially before transitioning to a paid model. The company will provide more details about this at a later date.
The last thing to touch on are the Joy-Con controllers. Each one has an analog stick and A-B-X-Y buttons. The left controller also has a capture button so gamers can take screenshots of gameplay to share on social media, and the right controller boasts an IR motion camera that can detect distance, shape, and motion of nearby objects. Nintendo demonstrated this by pointing the controller at the other hand and making rock, paper, and scissor gestures.
Both controllers are equipped with "advanced HD rumble" to provide vibration during gameplay. Nintendo says its implementation is so detailed that a user can the feel the sensation of individual ice cubes colliding in a virtual glass when shaking the controller.
You can pre-order the Nintendo Switch right now direct from Nintendo, along with a wealth of accessories, such as extra controllers, a Joy-Con Wheel (set of two) for driving games, and more. Nintendo is planning a robust lineup of games for launch, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, 1-2-Switch, ARMS, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, and Snipperclips - Cut it out, together!
Both controllers are equipped with "advanced HD rumble" to provide vibration during gameplay. Nintendo says its implementation is so detailed that a user can the feel the sensation of individual ice cubes colliding in a virtual glass when shaking the controller.
You can pre-order the Nintendo Switch right now direct from Nintendo, along with a wealth of accessories, such as extra controllers, a Joy-Con Wheel (set of two) for driving games, and more. Nintendo is planning a robust lineup of games for launch, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, 1-2-Switch, ARMS, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, and Snipperclips - Cut it out, together!
