After the first teaser trailer in October 2016, Nintendo held an event on Jan. 12 revealing everything about its new console, the Nintendo Switch. This new console has several revolutionary features and new games to explore, but will it be enough for Nintendo to make a comeback?
In recent years, Nintendo has struggled against its competitors. After its failed release of the Wii U and the successes of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Nintendo has lost some of its audience and revenue. The Nintendo Switch, however, might be enough to recover what was lost from the disasters of the Wii U.
“The Nintendo Switch has inherited the DNA from each of the many hardware systems that Nintendo has released to date,” Nintendo software development team leader Shinya Takahashi said.
The mobility and touch screen of the DS, the motion controls of the Wii and many other features from previous consoles converge into the new console.
The Nintendo Switch offers the power of console gaming in your home or on the go. The intuitive new Joy-Con controllers give players freedom in play style. Online services allow for online multiplayer, and up to eight individual consoles can connect for local multiplayer.
Although it has many new and innovative features, there may be some slight downfalls to the system. Nintendo claims that the console’s battery lasts between two-and-a-half hours to six-and-a-half hours depending on the game. Based on the original teaser trailer, I had speculations that the battery would run out very quickly, but it seems that the Switch beats this issue.
The issue that has most people talking is the online services. The online services allow players to game together and chat online.
“Users will be able to try out Nintendo Switch online services for free during a trial period after launch. Then, it will become a paid service beginning in the fall of 2017,” Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima stated.
Paid online services is not a new idea at all, as both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have their own paid online services. However, this idea may still draw fans away from the Switch depending on how much it will cost and which games use it.
Games will likely be the make-or-break deal for the Switch.
“The Nintendo Switch concept has resonated with many developers, and there are currently over 50 companies working on games, and there are already over 80 games in development,” Nintendo Switch General Producer Yoshiaki Koizumi said.
Some games in development by Nintendo include Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Many third-party developers are working on games such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Sonic Mania. There will definitely be no shortage of games, but Nintendo will not make any money if it does not have a strong release.
The Wii U failed for many reasons, and one of them was that Nintendo did not have a great game right at the launch. For this reason, Nintendo will release The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with the Switch. This game is one of the most anticipated games of 2017 and it will inevitably boost sales of the console.
Personally, I think that the Nintendo Switch will be a huge success. Although it could lose some of its audience from the online services pricing, it can be easily overlooked. The concept of home console on the go and the vast selection of games will be tremendous assets to the success of the Switch.
The Nintendo Switch will be released on March 3, 2017 at $299.99.
