Today’s launch of the Nintendo Switch video game system means that console-quality gaming is no longer tethered exclusively to the living room TV. Nintendo Switch lets people play their favorite games anytime, anywhere and with anyone. The system launches today at a suggested retail price of $299.99. It comes in two color options: a version with a set of gray Joy-Con controllers, and a version with one neon blue and one neon red Joy-Con controller.
“Nintendo Switch makes it easy for anyone to enjoy their games in the living room and then quickly take them on the go,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “This versatile system allows people to play in unexpected places. It’s the kind of twist in gaming that Nintendo is known for.”
Nintendo Switch comes with the main console, Joy-Con (L) and Joy-Con (R) controllers, a Joy-Con grip (to which two Joy-Con are attached and used as one controller), a set of Joy-Con straps, a Nintendo Switch dock (which holds the main console and connects it to a TV), an HDMI cable and an AC adapter.
Nintendo Switch connects to a TV at home and can instantly transform into an on-the-go handheld using its 6.2-inch high-definition screen. The screen includes capacitive multi-touch capabilities for compatible games. The left Joy-Con has a Capture Button that players can press to take instant screen shots of gameplay to share with friends on their social media pages. The right Joy-Con includes an NFC touchpoint for interaction with amiibo figures, as well as an IR Motion Camera that can approximate the distance, shape and motion of nearby objects in specially designed games. Both Joy-Con include motion controls and an advanced HD Rumble feature. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, sold separately at a suggested retail price of $69.99, includes all the same features (minus the IR Motion Camera) and comes in a more traditional form factor.
Today also marks the launch of the first epic Nintendo Switch game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which breaks new boundaries while honoring the origins of the acclaimed series. The game is available for both Nintendo Switch and Wii U at a suggested retail price of $59.99. New compatible amiibo launching today for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild include Link (Rider), Link (Archer), Zelda and a Bokoblin amiibo at a suggested retail price of $15.99 each. A massive new Guardian amiibo is also available at a suggested retail price of $19.99.
Also launching today is the face-to-face party game 1-2-Switch. From Wild West gunslinging to safecracking to competitive cow milking, the 28 games in 1-2-Switch make creative use of a broad variety of Nintendo Switch features, such as motion controls and HD Rumble. In a video game twist, the game asks players to stare at one another instead of at the TV, creating a fun atmosphere that will liven up any party. Third-party games such as Skylanders Imaginators from Activision Publishing Inc., Just Dance 2017 from Ubisoft and Super Bomberman Rfrom Konami Digital Entertainment round out a launch-day lineup that has something for everyone.
But today is just the start. A steady supply of games will arrive for Nintendo Switch throughout the rest of the year. Other first-party Nintendo Switch games on the horizon include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (April 28), ARMS (spring), Splatoon 2 (summer), Fire Emblem Warriors (fall), Super Mario Odyssey (the 2017 holiday season) and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2017).
Nintendo eShop, Nintendo’s online storefront for downloadable games, is ready to go on Nintendo Switch. The shop is the destination for people who prefer the ease of downloading their games. Both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and 1-2-Switch are available for purchase and download today. Additionally, for $19.99, people can purchase the Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! game, which is exclusive to Nintendo eShop. In this game, two players cut paper characters into new shapes to solve dynamic puzzles in a wonderfully creative and imaginative world. It is even possible for four players to solve puzzles as a team or compete against each other in various activities. Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! exemplifies the fun and ease of playing anywhere with anyone on Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo eShop also provides access to a constantly updated library of great games from independent developers and publishers. Some of the digital games available for purchase today from third-party partners include FAST RMX from Shin’en Multimedia, which is console-exclusive to Nintendo Switch, I Am Setsuna from SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD., and both Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment from Yacht Club Games, which are timed exclusives. More than 60 quality indie games are confirmed for this year, including Blaster Master Zero from INTI CREATES CO., LTD., Pocket Rumble from Chucklefish Games, Yooka-Laylee from Team 17, SteamWorld Dig 2 from Image & Form Games and Runner3 from Choice Provisions.
Nintendo Switch is supported by world-class third-party publishers, including Activision Publishing Inc., Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and major Japanese publishers. Some publishers, such as Bethesda Softworks, are joining Nintendo for the first time. Players can look forward to major franchises on Nintendo Switch such as EA SPORTS FIFA, The Elder Scrolls, NBA 2K, Minecraft, Street Fighter and Sonic the Hedgehog.
With Friend Codes…… again!
Actually… Why don’t you look at one of the articles before this.
There is no reason for Nintendo to launch without a working system for usernames. There is no reason for the company to return to one of its most-hated “innovations” for its latest system. And even if Nintendo has a good excuse, why state that friend codes wouldn’t be involved with the system before, you know, adding friend codes?
thats one way to add friends. again read news before this one
Why are you talking about working system. This is the day that people get there switches.
Don’t bother. We know fanboys will make any excuse to defend Nintendo’s bullshit. “But that other stuff is coming later! Hurr durr!” As if that’s supposed to make us feel better we’ll probably be using bullshit friend codes til paid online starts.
ok now I want to hear about metroid prime 4, pikmin 4 and pokemon 4th gen remake :o)
Looks like nintendo learned nothing from their nes mini mishap. this freakin system isn’t available anywhere and won’t be for at least the next month. thanks a lot nintendo
That should be just enough time for me to save up enough money!
I already feel the surge of power flowing through my essence.
This era is the dawn of the domination by Nintendo. And the First Order will always be on the front lines.
Quadraxis sock acount confirmed..
It amuses me to the point of laughter every time you say that Sasori, because it shows how little you realize.
Best Buy totally LIED to my mom. She called them last night, and they told her that they would be selling the Switch at midnight, and that there was already some people forming a line outside. They told her they were giving people numbers, so those people would have first choice (something like that). But my brother (who was already in town) went to Best Buy just before midnight, and the place was closed. Not a single car in the parking lot. NOTHING! He stayed until 12:20 or longer, and still no sign of life. WHAT THE HECK!?
Then he went to one of our local Wal-Mart stores, and they told him they sold out at midnight. GRRRRR!!!!! Now I’m going to have to go down to my OTHER Wal-Mart store when they open at 6 a.m. (In a truck that keeps stalling). Probably only to hear some other bull crap story….on NO SLEEP. This is going to be a hard day to get through.
They were handing out “tickets”*
Not numbers.
depends on time zone. march 2 930pm they sold
Well then, the woman really truly did lie to my mom on the phone. She told my mom they were selling it at midnight. Not 9:30. Everybody where I live seems to be a liar.
Yeah, the hardware sales at Best Buy are supposed to be local time apparently. But with a twist:
So, I got to Best Buy at Jordan Creek in West Des Moines at just after 4pm last night. I was third in line. At sometime between 11:00 and 11:15, they came outside to us with numbered tickets. They had numbered tickets for gray Switch and a separate, much smaller stack of numbered tickets for neon. Then they went down the line asking if we wanted gray or neon, and handed us the appropriate ticket based on our response and moved on. Then they let us into the store to begin transactions about 11:30, but we couldn’t leave the store til 12:01 since that’s when the systems were finally authorized to go out the doors. So by 12:15, or maybe even 12:05, everybody was gone.
As for your store, is it possible they went early and weren’t supposed to? Like they thought it was based on Eastern Time? There was a little confusion about that among the people at the JC store as well. Or was it maybe a last second managerial decision to do it early because the line had already gotten too long to have accommodated everyone and they decided not to waste the people’s time? Obviously, I don’t know. But I know at JC it went really smoothly, except of course for sitting out in the 20 degree, high wind winter weather for 8 hours. Yuck!
I’m so sorry things went so crappy where you are. Wishing you all the best on finding one!
Thanks! I actually found a neon Switch at Target. I was SO shocked (and happy). I’m sure glad I drove there first thing in the morning. The sun wasn’t even up yet when I left the house. A much better day than it looked like it was going to be. : )
Outstanding! I’m very glad to hear you got one! My brother lives in a suburb of Minneapolis and he spent all day driving around the metro trying to find one. He finally did fine one at the very last place he checked. He’s just happy to have the system, though!
Anyway, welcome to “club Switch”! I’d say “WELCO METOT HENEX TLEVEL”, but both the Nintendo AND Sega die-hards would get me for that! :-) How are you getting on with yours? How do you like it so far?
I’m picking up mine today. I can’t wait to try out that console. I can’t wait to see the results of the sells.
You’ll love it, the system is so quick and easy to set up.
The Updates barely took a minute to do which is awesome!
Awesome :-)
I wish everyone who’s getting the Switch a good journey! If a Metroid or another interesting title pops up in the future, I’ll join the party.
Don’t forget F-zero.
That would be a given. But I don’t have my hopes up.
Oh
I got my Switch last night and the queues were very quick :D
The manager at the Local Game store I usually go to actually order me and my brother 2 Limited Edition Zelda: Breath of the Wild and I managed to snag myself a Zelda and Guardian Amiibo (They only had one of each).
So far, I’m very pleased with the Switch, but I hope they come out with a password screen for it so I can stop people from getting into my Switch. Also, Fast RMX, Legend of Zelda and Bomberman R are really awesome!
[‘|.] hype!
Will. I. Be. Able. To. Get. Mine. In. June.
I have one! A Neon one! Waited out in windy, cold 20 degree winter in front of one of the West Des Moines Best Buy stores for 8hrs, but did succeed in getting one! Haven’t unboxed it, but that’s the plan for tonight! Also, there was a tremendous sense of comaraderie and festivity there so everyone was sort of instant friends, which made the wait much easier – though even in seven layers and three blankets, I was still shivering.
Best wishes to everyone out there seeking one!
Yeah $600-800 in Brazil, I’m gonna wait more, ;(
Well, here we go… I do hope this console turns out well. There’s no telling when I’ll have one. Or if I’ll ever have one. By the time I can even get around to it, there might be a decent amount to play. But we’ll see how it turns out.
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