News Nintendo reveals their new Switch console

There's been a lot of speculation over Nintendo's upcoming new console successor to the underperforming Wii U. Is it a home console? Is it a handheld? Well, it turns out it's actually a hybrid of both.

Previously known as the NX, today Nintendo revealed their new console called the Switch, a console that combines the portability of a handheld console with the power of a home console. As shown in the promotional trailer released which you can watch below, the Switch can be played as a home console with detachable controllers that can then be used as a handheld with no compromises.

The main unit acts as a dock to your TV, with two detachable pieces which can be used as individual controllers known as "Joy-cons" for local multiplayer gaming or as a handheld console. A more traditional Switch Pro Controller will also be available, similar to the Wii U's Pro Controller.  

https://youtube.com/watch?v=f5uik5fgIaI%3Frel%3D0

"Introducing Nintendo Switch! In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose," says Nintendo. "The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system to enable unprecedented new video game play styles."

Games shown in the footage include what appears to be new versions of 3D Mario, Splatoon, Mario Kart, Zelda Breath of the Wild, NBA and Skyrim. Confirmed third party publishing partners include Ubisoft, Sega and, notably, Codemasters – could their new racing IP be coming to the Nintendo Switch?

The Switch is powered by a custom Tegra processor. According to Nvidia, its "high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards" and is "also supported by fully custom software, including a revamped physics engine, new libraries, advanced game tools and libraries. Nvidia additionally created new gaming APIs to fully harness this performance."

There are no pricing details for the Nintendo Switch yet, but Nintendo has confirmed a March 2017 release window. 

The Switch seems like a typically quirky console from Nintendo that plays to their strengths in the handheld market whilst satisfying console users. While the trailer was a tad corny, the message was clearer compared to the announcement of the ill-fated Wii U. Whether it can repliate the same success as the original Wii remains to be seen, but it's certainly one of the most innovative-looking consoles I've seen in a long time.   

Has the unveiling of the Nintendo Switch piqued your interest?

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