Nintendo reveals its next console – called the Nintendo Switch

Nintendo has revealed its concept for their next console, and its called the Nintendo Switch.

The Switch is a tablet-esque device — much like the Wii U Gamepad — which functions as a hybrid between a traditional home console and a handheld. As several reports indicated throughout the year, the tablet features detachable controllers — called Joy-Con controllers — on the side and a center screen unit which can be connected to a TV via a docking station. The Joy-Con controllers can be used by multiple players (one side per player), can be attached to the Switch’s core screen unit for on-the-go play, or may be used as a traditional controller when slipped into the Joy-Con Grip. Nintendo also revealed the Switch Pro Controller, a separate controller with a standard button/stick layout.

The console also features a kickstand for on-the-go play, and the games seem to be on cartridges — two features which have been rumored for quite some time now.

The trailer featured a number of games already announced as well as several games never seen before. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8, Splatoon, and even non-Nintendo game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim made appearances on the console footage. Additionally, footage of a 3D Mario game we’ve yet to identify also appeared on the console. While this could be either a nameless demo (much like the untitled Zelda demo seen on Wii U prior to the console’s launch) or a pre-existing Mario game we’ve failed to recognize (unlikely; we know our Marios), reports of a Mario game around the NX’s were circulating the web a few months ago.

In a press release following the trailer’s air time, Nintendo revealed a list of publishers, developers, and middleware partners that have announced support for the Switch. Included in the list were companies like Activision, Atlus, Bandai Namco, Bethesda, Capcom, EA, From Software, Konami, Level-5, Sega, Square Enix, Take-Two, Telltale, and Ubisoft. Here’s the full list:

• LEVEL-5 Inc.
• Activision Publishing, Inc.
• Marvelous Inc.
• ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co., Ltd.
• Maximum Games, LLC
• ATLUS CO., LTD.
• Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
• Audiokinetic Inc.
• Parity Bit Inc.
• Autodesk, Inc.
• PlatinumGames Inc.
• BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
• RAD Game Tools, Inc.
• Bethesda
• RecoChoku Co., Ltd.
• CAPCOM CO., LTD.
• SEGA Games Co., Ltd.
• Codemasters®
• Silicon Studio Corporation
• CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.
• Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
• DeNA Co., Ltd.
• SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
• Electronic Arts
• Starbreeze Studios
• Epic Games Inc.
• Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
• Firelight Technologies
• Telltale Games
• FromSoftware, Inc.
• THQ Nordic
• Frozenbyte
• Tokyo RPG Factory Co., Ltd.
• GameTrust
• TT Games
• GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC.

• UBISOFT
• Gungho Online Entertainment, Inc.
• Ubitus Inc.
• HAMSTER Corporation
• Unity Technologies, Inc.
• Havok
• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• INTI CREATES CO., LTD.
• Web Technology Corp
• KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.

• Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.

Nintendo Switch is scheduled for release March 2017.

See below for our list of partners and affiliates: