The Switch is here (almost)

So how did you like the presentation?
Overall I think it was good, not outstanding or perfect, but still very good. It gave a clear view of the vision they have with the Switch and even though there could have been more, it showed us some games to look forward to. And if you didn't expect crazy things it was hardly a disappointing event. So far Nintendo never has shared the hardware specifics of their consoles before launch, so I didn't expect them to do it now. Generally the biggest ''problem'' of the presentation was the rumors preceding it. I saw some reactions of disappointed people about the rumored RabbidsXMario RPG, which wasn't shown (and probably never was real). So people are disappointed that something that didn't actually exist wasn't shown. But I digress.

Another, albeit smaller, problem was the location. I know Japan is the home of Nintendo and with the concept of the Switch probably the most important market, but the Japenese are very reserved people. And it showed during the event. The audience hardly generated any Hype and Hype is what sells consoles these days. Just take a look at the PlayStation 4 and it's launch line-up.

But before I rumble on to long about this presentation, let us take a look a the information we got.

The Console:

The Nintendo Switch will launch on the 3^rd of March Worldwide for a suggested retail price of 299.99$. For us in europe this will most likely mean that it'll cost 299.99€. The purchase will include the Switch Console, a TV Docking station, the left and right Joy-Con Controller, an HDMI-Cable, and AC-Adapter to load and the Joy-Con Strips for better grip. It will also launch in two versions with different colored Joy-Cons.

The Vision for the Nintendo Switch is for it to be a Home Console Gaming System that gives you complete freedom of choice on how you want to play. You can play in TV-Mode or just take it with you as a handheld. Or us the build in stand to put in on a table and combine both worlds.

And while we didn't get any technical details we at least got the information that there will be no region lock and that the battery life will differ between two and a half and six and a half hours, depending on which game you play. For example while playing Breath of the Wild the Battery is expected to last three hours. Also we got the confirmation that you can load the Switch via the AC-Adapter while you play. Something that was a given honestly.

Now for the first damper of the presentation. The Nintendo Switch will be the console were free Online Gaming ends for Nintendo customers. Just like with the competition Online Services will cost you a fee for the Nintendo Switch. After a trial period this will start in Fall 2017. But of course it will also offer you several perks, which weren't shared during the presentation. Instead the unveiled them on their website.

• A new dedicated smart device app will allow you to connect your phone to the switch, set up lobbys and voice chat and invite your friends to play with you.
• You can download one NES or SNES game each month and they will have added Online Play.
• Special discounts and offers for digital games and content.

So all in all Nintendo will offer a similar package to the PS+ and X-Box Live services. Personally I would have preferred if the service would've been optional, but sadly it will be mandatory if you want to play online. Anyways so far the have stated nothing about the price, so hopefully it won't be too high.

Something that's going to be free however is local multiplayer. If you so desire, and have enough friends, you'll be able to connect up to eight Switch consoles for local matches.

Joy-Cons:

Now let us talk about the real star of the Show. The Joy-Con controllers. Everything they shown about them sounds amazing and has really sold me on the Switch. Even more so than the ''Main''- Concept of playing however and wherever you want. Being able to attach and detach the Joy-Cons to suit your gaming needs is awesome.

The Joy-Cons will come in two varieties with distinct features.

The Right Joy-Con will feature the well known Y/X/B/A set of buttons as well as a home button. Both Joy-Cons also will have a control stick, as well as two shoulder buttons. What differentiates the right from the left is the NFC Reader build into the right controller. So you'll still be able to use your Amiibo with the Switch.

The thing to get excited about, however, is the build in motion tracker camera. The right Joy-Con features a sensor, which can detect shapes and distances. For example it can differentiate between Rock/Paper/Scissors. This offers some cool new possibilities and hopefully, as opposed to the Wii-U Gamepad, they're going to use them.

The left Joy-Con isn't as exciting. It will also feature the same amount of buttons as the right, but instead of a Home - there will be a Share button.

Both Joy-Cons can be used as a fully functional controller separately. The Joy Con Strap helps with that because it increases the size a little, as well as gives them prominent shoulder buttons.

Now for the last exciting Joy Con feature. Rumble HD and Motion Control. Yes Motion Controls are back with a vengeance. As someone, who quite enjoyed them on the Wii, I don't have a problem with that. But I also acknowledge that it could be a hassle. Luckily with the Joy-Cons you don't have to use it. You can use them as regular controllers, but some games will be designed elusively with Motion Controls in mind. But it doesn't have to be forced into each and every game.

The new Rumble HD feature allows for much more precise feelings. In the presentation the explained it as such. The Joy-Cons can emulate the feeling of a Glass filled with ice cubes. You can even feel how many ice cubes are in the glass or if water is poured into it.

And lastly there will be different colors of Joy-Cons available.

Games:

Now let us head to the most exciting, and for some most disappointing part of the presentation. Games. There weren't a ton of exclusive games shown and the launch window is still pretty much without confirmed launch, but Nintendo stated that there are already 80+ Games in development for the Switch. And it seems at least the Japanese Deves are fully behind the console. But first let us take a look at Nintendos own games.

First up we have the Wii Sports of the Switch, which is called 1,2 Switch. This game will launch alongside the console and I wouldn't be surprised if it is included with every console.

It is a two player dueling game utilizing the Joy-Cons. Judging on the trailer there will be several ways to duel. From a classic Wild West Shootout to Fencing to Magic Duels all the way to a Rock Out.

One thing they put a lot of emphasis on was the fact that for this game you don't have to look at the screen. Instead you're focused on your opponent. This could (and should) increase the social component.

This game gives me the vibe of a Warior Ware style experience focused on multiplayer. Lots of quick and easy to grasp minigames, which don't take longer than a couple of seconds to play. I think tht game has some potential to be a Party Hit. At least you can use it to quickly get smashed if the loser always has to take a shot.

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The next game was described with having depth, challenge and replayability. Arms.

Arms is a fighting sports game, which provides a unique mix between boxing and shooting. Your characters have extensible Arms. So it's a boxing match with a lot more reach.

Arms is controlled with one Joy-Con in each hand. It works similar to boxing in Wii-Sports, but the Joy-Cons are much more precise, so it allows for more varied Gameplay. Also your character is truly mobile. You can use Dashs and Jumps for unique maneuvers.

Arms will feature local and online multiplayer battles against friends and strangers.

Playing more will unlock higher level techniques, so you'll have some long term goals.

I'm not sure if Arms will truly take off, but it looks like a quick an fun multiplayer game and it will launch in Spring 2017.

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Now let's start with the big ones. Like I speculated (and hoped after the initial Switch trailer) the game shown there wasn't an enhanced Splatoon Port, but instead Splatoon 2. It was pretty clear that after the huge success of the first one Nintendo would quickly want to develop a second installment.

Judging from the trailer and the News we got so far it seems to be a consequent Sequel.

Turf War is still the number One sport in Inkopolis and as such will be the center piece of the game once more. It will feature new Stages, Weapons, Special Weapons and Clothes. Also the Inkling customization has been extended as well.

There is a new set of weapons, which you can Dual wield, increasing your mobility, but most likely decreasing your accuracy.

You can connect up to eight Switches for local multiplayer or play online from the comfort of your own home.

Just like with the first Splatoon after its release in Summer 2017 Splatoon 2 will get free Weapon and Stage Updates as well as online events. Yes Splatfests return (most likely).

Expect a Trailer watch over the course of the Weekend.

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And now for the even bigger one. It looks strange and it proves that Mario truly has no limits. Super Mario Odyssey takes the worlds most well known Plumber on a Journey to unknown Worlds. While the Sprixie Kingdom in Super Mario 3D World was far away from the Mushroom Kingdom, but still recognizable, some of these truly look outlandish in a Mario Game. Who would have every thought of seeing Mario in a big, somewhat realistic looking city?

Super Mario Odyssey will the first time sine Mario 64 and Mario Sunshine that you'll be able to explore big, open courses in a Mario game. And it looks really awesome.

Also it seems your side kick this time will be your own hat, which comes to live. In the trailer we already see some unique use of it, and I'm sure there is a lot more to come.

Super Mario Odyssey will launch during Holiday Season 2017.

And I hope I'll get the trailer Watch for this ready by today.

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Xenoblade Chronicles 2 seems to be a direct successor to the original Xenoblade Chronicles. As much as it pains me that we most likely will never get the answers to Xenoblade Chronicles Xs cliffhanger, I can't help but to get excited for this game. The strong anime style of the characters may need some time getting used to however.

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Just like many speculated, and was the logical choice, we'll get a Fire Emblem Warriors on the Switch. Nothing so far information wise, but the Fire Emblem Series offers enough characters and possibilities for this, so I'm looking forward to it.

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And now for a quick overview of the third parties. Like I said the Japanese developers seem to be fully on board with the Switch. Square Enix will be bringing Dragon Quest 10 and 11 to the console. As well as Dragon Quest Heroes 1 and 2. There will also be a new IP called Project Octopath Traveler, which sports a pretty unique presentation and has me quite intrigued.

No word so far on Final Fantasy However.

Atlus will be bringing a new Shin Megami Tensai to the Switch, but development has just begun, so it may take a while. Also we in the Wet will have to wait even longer for localization I'm sure.

Sega will support Switch and the new Sonic game will be coming to it.

Suda 51 announced that Travis Touchdown, the protagonist of the No More Heroes series, will return on the Switch. This got me pretty excited because the two No More Heroes games rank among my favorites on the Wii. Also the translator during this part of the presentation was hilariously overwhelmed.

On the western side we finally got the confirmation that The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim is going to launch on the Nintendo Switch. Also EA is supporting the console (for now) and the next Fifa will launch on the Switch.

Overall there seem to be many ports and new games in the works for the Switch, as illustrated by the overview video during the presentation. Altough we don't have definitive release dates for all of those yet. 

Now the last to games are Nintendo exclusives again. First let us start with a game that wasn't shown during the initial presentation, but got a trailer afterward. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an enhanced port of the excellent Wii-U Game. It features new Characters and a completely overhauled battle mode with new Items. I'm a little bit surprised that it won't be available at release but instead launch on the 28^th of April, but it seems Nintendo wants to stretch out its game releases across the year.

However or me, who already owns the game on the Wii-U, they have to show some new course if they want me to buy it again.

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And now finally we can talk about Zelda. Albeit very briefly. The game will launch on the 3^rd of March as a Nintendo Switch launch title. Als Nintendo confirmed that the Wii-U version will launch at the same day. We also got a new, absolutely breathtaking trailer, which I will of course produce a Trailer Watch for, so I hope you'll look forward to it.

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The Verdict:

As I initially said the Nintendo Switch presentation was good. Not overwhelmingly great, but not bad either. It gave us a overlook of the console and if you took a look back of other console unveils by Nintendo, you also weren’t disappointed. So far they have never shared information about the power of their products, and there was no indication that this time would be any different.

But the online reactions did show the problems of Rumors, which I talked about in last weeks Thoughtpiece. People had expectations of something that wasn't real to begin with, and now because Nintendo didn't show off those imaginary things, they are disappointed.

But even though it was a good presentation and we got a lot of information, it was still lacking in some departments. Only providing information about the paid online services on their homepage is a stupid move and the launch looks pretty lackluster right now. It's Nintendos job now to give us more information about the launch games in the coming days because as of now we only have 1,2 Switch and Breath of the Wild confirmed.

Still I'm very much looking forward to the Switch and hopefully my financial situation will allow me to buy it on Day 1.

What are your thoughts about the Nintendo Switch and it's games? Were you satisfied with the presentation or did you find it lacking?

Let me know your opinion in the comments.

And as always

thanks for reading.

Sources: Nintendo Switch Presentation

Nintendo Switch Homepage