Nintendo Switch Release Date, Price, Game Line-Up Announced

We’re right on the heels of the Nintendo Switch’s full reveal, and already waiting for that March 3 Nintendo Switch Release date.

The Nintendo Switch has taken the next step, from tangibility to playability.  Nintendo’s Press Conference has brought us all the details we asked for.  The Switch is launching on March 3 for an MSRP of $299.99.  But that’s not all we know.  Get ready for some rapid fire details:

The Nintendo Switch comes bundled with the appropriate pieces: the Switch, the Dock, the Joycon Controllers (right and left), the Wrist Straps, an HDMI cord, the controller charging adapter, and the controller grip.  The Joycon controllers will also come in multiple color options (the standard grey, Neon Red, and Neon Blue).  The Switch can be purchased in the standard grey version, or with the Neon Red and Blue controller colors.  The console has an audio jack and takes MicroSD cards, and is confirmed to have 32 Gigabytes of internal memory.  The battery life, depending on the game, will be anywhere from 2.5 to 6 hours.  The controller screen has a resolution 1280×720.  The joycons have “HD Rumble,” an IR pointer that can read distance and more, and gyroscopic motion controls in both hands.  They also have an NFC reader for amiibo.  Eight consoles can connect together for local play.

Game Line-Up

First Party

While launch announcements were scarce (confirmed: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and 1-2-Switch, the console’s party game that shows off the console’s HD Rumble and focuses on games that can be played without even looking at the screen), game announcements were not.  The Switch will see a brand new 3D Mario in Super Mario Odyssey, complete with huge HUB world, brand new locations, and all new abilities this holiday.  Splatoon 2 brings all new maps, customization, weapons, and supers, including dual pistols that grant a swift-dodging ability, and is launching this summer (with promised post launch content, a la the original).  Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (which will finally have a Battle Mode with its own stages!) will come to the console with new characters including Inkling Boy and Girl, Bowser Jr, King Boo, and Dry Bones.  Xenoblade 2 was announced, from Monolith Soft, to come at a later date.  Koei Tecmo is making a Fire Emblem Warriors.  A new combat versus game Arms will also come later this year, as an evolution of boxing.

Third Party

Atlus is bringing something to the console to celebrate SMT’s 25th anniversary.  Square Enix is bringing Dragon Quest X, XI, and Heroes I and II, as well as a brand new RPG, project “Octopath Traveler,” which features beautiful sprite work displayed in a stunning 3D style.  Skyrim is on the way, as is Fifa, and several developers promised their support.  Most notable: Suda51 is bringing Travis Touchdown to the console in some form.  Also shown in the compilation trailer: Sonic Mania, Minecraft, Skylanders, LEGO City Undercover, DragonBall, Disgaea 5 Complete, I am Setsuna, Just Dance, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Super Bomberman R, Rime, Steep, Fast RMX (from the Fast Racing Neo crew), NBA 2K 18, among others.  For the full list: here.

Nintendo also announced that online will require a subscription, beginning in the fall, letting everyone have the trial period for free.  “Subscribers will get to download and play a NES or SNES game (with newly added online play) for free for a month.”  This will be part of a “Monthly Game Download” available to subscribers.  Also available: exclusive discounts on eShop purchases.  All voice chat is done via a Smart Device.

 

And More

Watch the Switch’s full reveal right here, and check in with Nintendo tomorrow to see hands-on with the Switch and its new games with the Nintendo Treehouse at 9:30AM EST.  In the meantime, see even more details, screens, and videos, on Nintendo’s YouTube channel and official site.

We’ll have more here on Brutalgamer.com, including thoughts and opinions, in the coming days, as well as more details as we discover them.