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Nintendo reveals new details on Switch launch date, games and price

The Nintendo Switch arrives in Australia on March 8 this year.

The Nintendo Switch arrives in Australia on March 8 this year. Photo: Getty

Nintendo’s new gaming console, the Switch, will be available March 3 and will come with a host of new and classic games along with some handy accessories to keep you gaming on the go.

Speaking from the company’s headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima said on Friday: “Nintendo Switch is a brand new kind of gaming system that offers a wide diversity of play styles.”

An homage to the company’s gaming fans across history, the Switch combines the power of a living room console with the portability of a handheld device.

The power to switch

Players can use the Switch at home while the unit is docked in a dedicated caddy that connects to your HD TV.

Alternatively, you can remove the tablet unit and use the Switch in a tabletop stand or attach controllers to either side and enjoy gaming on-the-go, just as you would a regular handheld device. It’s the ultimate console transformer.

The Switch is controlled using Nintendo’s new Joy-Con controller – a multipurpose device that can be used like a conventional controller in solo mode, attached to either side of the tablet or split into two separate paddles for handheld use with a friend.

Each Joy-Con features accelerometers and gyroscopes for motion control, a Motion IR camera to detect movement and objects, and NFC capabilities to interact with other devices.

Nintendo has also developed new controller HD rumble technology, which offers improved vibration feedback. The Joy-Con will be available in Neon Blue and Neon Red colurs.

The price is set at AUD$469.95.

nintendo switch

The Switch console can be customised and refigured to suit any situation. Photo: Getty

The convenience of multi-play

Up to eight Switch tablets can be wirelessly connected for local gaming, with battery life yielding between 2.5 hours to 6.5 hours of game play, depending on the game. Luckily, you can play while charging as well.

Players will also enjoy online mulitplayer features, which can be scheduled and connected from any smart mobile device, presumably via a dedicated app. This will be a paid service from Q3 2017.

A surprise announcement came this week when Mr Kimishima announced Switch software would not be region locked, which means users can presumably use software from anywhere in the world.

No doubt we’ll also see a variety of third-party hardware, accessories and skins to give you ultimate power to personalise your rig.

nintendo switch

Up to eight controllers can connect wirelessly to the console, allowing for groups to play together. Photo: Getty

It’s all about the games!

It’s well known that the game titles available upon the launch of a new gaming console can make or break the device. The Switch will be no different.

With that in mind, Nintendo and partners have developed a variety of crowd pleasers to accompany the launch of the Switch, along with a few new titles. Here’s a list of our top games coming to the Switch:

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

In this next chapter in the Zelda saga, Link goes on another hero’s journey to defeat a growing evil and save the world.

1-2-Switch

Compete with friends using the Joy-Con controllers in this unique collection of face-to-face games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7p47TOmicQ

EA Sports FIFA

The FIFA experience you know and love that you can take anywhere you like.

Arms

A sports game where players chose from a variety of extendable arms to fight with – super addictive!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7s3UB_8dFM

Splatoon

A hugely popular game on the Wii U, this quirky take on the third-person shooter genre now finds a second life on the Switch.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Say goodbye to your weekends as one of the most popular open-world RPG games comes to Switch.

Super Mario Odyssey

You never forget your first game of Mario – relive all your favourite moments with the new Switch edition!

Just Dance 2017

It ain’t a party until you bust out your best dance moves. Now you can take Just Dance everywhere you go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyTmEpHrdVc

Nintendo Switch will be released on 3 March. Australian price TBA.

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