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Nintendo Reveal All In Switch Livestream

Holding a press event in Japan earlier today, Nintendo revealed additional details about its new Nintendo Switch games console and the software library that will accompany its launch on March 3rd.

Over 400,000 people tuned in to watch the online stream of the conference

The company’s conference began with Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima walking on stage and talking up the “quite positive” reaction that the company got to its initial Nintedo Switch announcement

He calls the Switch “a brand new kind of home gaming system.”

He got straight to business, confirming the global launch date of March 3rd and US pricing of $299.

Touching on the technical specs of the console, he revealed that it’ll come with a HDMI output built into the docking station and charge using a USB-C cable.

When docked, the Switch will output to full HD 1080p. When undocked, the unit’s display touts 720p quality.

A full charge will net players between two and a half to six and a half hours of play, depending on the game.

He also confirmed earlier rumors that the Switch would feature a touch screen.

When it comes to local play, he says up to eight Switches can be connected for a local gaming while a Wi-Fi connection will be needed for online play.

Kimishima went on to touch on Nintendo’s plans for an online multiplayer service for the console, which will be available for free at launch but become a paid service later down the line.

Reports say this paid service will also see subscribers gain access to remastered NES and SNES titles each month.

In another break from Nintendo tradition, he revealed the Switch won’t be region locked.

A number of technical details were also revealed about the Joy-Con controllers.

They’ll come with an NFC chip used to interact with Nintendo’s Amiibo figures and an wrist-similar to that of the original Wii.

Like the Wii, the Joy-Con controllers will be motion sensitive and feature rumble technology.

However, they say that the Joy Con’s HD Rumble will allow for more nuanced feedback than its predecessor.

In a surprisingly modern addition, the left Joy-Con will also allow users to take screenshots.

Nintendo say that the ability to capture video and share it on social media will be added at a later date.

The focus of the (pun-filled) presentation then turned to the software library for the console.

First up was Nintendo’s 1-2-Switch, a accessible multiplayer party game in the vein of Wii Sports.

“It’s a new kind of game that mixed up new kinds of play you haven’t seen before,” a Nintendo spokesperson said.

The game, which will be available at the Switch’s launch, touts a unique form of augmented reality gameplay that doesn’t even require players to look at the screen to play.

The next game shown was a 3D fighting game called ARMS.

Making use of the Joy-Cons improved motion control tech, it’ll sees players engaging in a exaggerated punch-out in both local and online multiplayer.

ARMS is due for release within 6 months of launch.

Continuing the trend of multiplayer-foccused titles, Nintendo announced a follow-up to their  critically acclaimed Wii-U game Splatoon.

The appropriately-titled, Splatoon 2 will launch around the same time as ARMS and like the first game will feature extensive post-release downloadable content.

Next up was Nintendo’s new Mario title, Super Mario Odyssey.

A trailer for the game was shown, revealing that it’ll offer large open environments for the company’s mascot to explore such as a modern city, expansive desert and thicket-rich forest.

It’s expected to release in time for the 2017 holiday season.

With its biggest reveals out of the way, the company confirmed that new installments in the Fire Emblem and Xenoblade franchises would also be coming to the Switch.

They say that over fifty companies are currently developing games for the Switch and that there are approximately eighty games in development.

Those briefly shown via short video teasers at the conference included Dragon Quest 10, Dragon Quest 11, Dragon Quest: Heroes 1&2, an untitled installment in the Shin Megami Tensei series, Project Octopath Traveller, EA Sports: FIFA, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and a follow up to cult-classic Wii game No More Heroes.

Nintendo closed out the press conference by showing off new footage of the Switch’s most-anticipated title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which they confirmed will arrive the same day as the portable console launches.

The Nintendo Switch will hit store globally on March 3rd, though EB Games and JB Hi-Fi have yet to confirm local pricing.

Two variants will be available at launch – one featuring red and blue Joy Cons and the black one shown in earlier promotional material.

Some have speculated that the silence around the  Australian price indicates that it’ll be higher than expected.

Update: Nintendo Australia have now confirmed local RRP for the Switch is $469.95.



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