The Nintendo Switch Reveal: My Thoughts

On October 20^th 2016 Nintendo’s NX was finally revealed as Nintendo Switch and it’s an interesting direction indeed. I had been disappointed by Nintendo’s showings this year; most notably their refusal to unveil their latest system at E3 in July. The reveal trailer has come quite late, considering the system will be launched in March 2017, which may be down to Nintendo’s brightest sitting in their test labs trying to make a console that will bring the company back into the game after the Wii U’s disappointing performance. Just like many moves it has made over the past three decades, Nintendo is aiming to set itself apart from the rest of the pack. In this case it appears to have refined the Wii U somewhat, turning the tablet controller into a second display while making its control scheme more traditional and straightforward; its key selling point is a fully portable system that can be taken and used anywhere. In essence, it's being viewed as a hybrid of handheld and console gaming.

The console looks incredibly easy to use with an interchangeable controller shifting from a traditional game-pad to smaller bolt-on units at a moment’s notice. By default the system will allow for quick and easy two player gaming; it’s probable that having two Switches in close proximity will increase that number further. The display is also interchangeable; it can either be plugged into a standard HD television or become a display unit itself much like a tablet, the controllers connecting to the sides. Both components of the system make a strong step towards engaging the casual crowd who just want to plug in and play without worrying about lengthy setups or installation processes. Like other mobile devices, there’s sure to be a set of applications for the Switch, including Netflix which will fill the gap for a multimedia device.

However the portability of the system may also be its greatest weakness; can Nintendo deliver a step up in power that can deliver those key third party titles? According to NVIDIA the Switch will run on a Tegra processor, a component used in mobile technology. While these are the fastest mobile processors on the market, running high end software from third parties may be a challenge. If it can run games close to the level of its biggest competitors, the Switch and its “take anywhere” focus will be an easy sell for hard-core gamers. There was also little to do with online multiplayer and connectivity in the trailer other than the likely integration of the street pass feature seen on the 3DS handheld. Nintendo needs to get up to speed with its online networking service and offer more features to match those on both the PC and its fellow consoles or they won’t be able to hold the full attention of the hard-core for long. The advertising message also needs a bit of fine-tuning; it isn’t lacking clarity like the Wii U was in 2012 but showing games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and NBA 2K17 on the device when they haven’t been confirmed yet doesn’t bode well for marketing.

How can the Switch succeed when it launches next year? For starters Nintendo must break their long-standing stigma of being the “kiddie” system and to do that the Switch needs plenty of third party support that lasts all the way through its lifestyle, rather than drying up after the first year. EA, Bethesda and Activision have all apparently signed up to support the system (Though no specific announcements have been made as of yet) but they will not hesitate to pull their investments if the console doesn’t do well enough in its first year.

One of the final points in the trailer hints at a greater focus on e-sports for Nintendo; two teams are seen connecting the Switch on a grand stage to play a match of Splatoon. This could be another positive step in getting Nintendo up onto the same level as Sony and Microsoft. If the Japanese company pours more resources into games which can be played competitively then they would be able to give their Nintendo World Championship events much more prominence in an event landscape filled with the likes of MOBAs and other long established titles. Currently Nintendo’s three major multiplayer focused games are Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart and Splatoon alongside classics from older systems but they could definitely need to add a few more to the roster to make their competitive gaming ventures more diverse and engaging.

If the Switch doesn’t sell enough, Nintendo’s time in the hardware business will be over. Right now they aren’t too far from where Sega was with the Dreamcast at the turn of the millennium; a potentially solid and affordable console, but will it be enough to win over the crowd and continue to compete in the market? The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are both technical powerhouses which have firmly established themselves with a large library of games. Nintendo’s approach with the Switch is offering something different while also playing to its strength in local play. There’s certainly a hint of their portable success with the Switch as well and in the way the system can be unplugged and taken anywhere allows Nintendo to compete with mobile gaming. All eyes will be pointing to the eventual technical spec reveal, March 2017 launch and the launch titles (Most notably The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) to give the Nintendo Switch a solid start out of the gate.

(All images used for the purposes of review and criticism are the property of Nintendo and the respective EuroGamer YouTube channel)