Nintendo Switch console unveiled

Nintendo has unveiled its brand new console which it hopes can take on the PS4 and Xbox One machines! The codename NX has gone and we now know that the new console will be called the Nintendo Switch!

The name is appropriate given the fact that the Nintendo Switch can be used a hybrid portable device and as a console for your home. This is the Japanese company's attempt to revitalise its fortunes given the poor sales of the Wii U console.

The Switch is the first console to try and bride the gap between home consoles, like the PS4, and handheld devices such as the Nintendo DS and PSP. Here's what we know so far about the Nintendo Switch...

Nintendo Switch - How it Works

The Nintendo Switch has been designed to be the console that you can not only play on your widescreen TV, but one that you can also take with you when you are using public transport or going for a walk.

The device is made up of a tablet-sized screen with detachable controllers on either side. You then have a docking station for when you return to your home. Simply place the LCD tablet screen into the docking station and your game will connect through to your TV.

You can either use the two detachable controllers as your home controller - via a connecting accessory - or you can purchase the Pro Controller which is basically your standard home console controller.

You can also use your Nintendo Switch multiple ways whilst on the move. You can either have the mini controllers attached to each side of the screen and use the Switch as a regular handheld device, or you can prop the LCD screen up via its stand and use the detachable controllers to play - one in each hand!

The Nintendo Switch brings back cartridges (cards) to the home console device - rather than using discs. This is the first 'home' console with discs since the Nintendo 64.

The new consoles can also be linked together. Two can connect with four people playing two-to-a-screen or four can be connected with each person playing on their own device! Just think of all the Mario Kart fun you are going to have!

Appearance

The Nintendo Switch looks quite cool in his black and dark grey appearance! The docking station is grey with the new Switch logo engraved on each side. The screen itself has a glossy black finish, whilst the clip-on Joy-Con controllers are a lighter grey with black buttons.

The Joy-Con controllers both have analogue sticks and four buttons arranged in a diamond. The right-hand-side controller has the analogue stick at the bottom, with the left-side analogue located at the top of the controller.

The Switch Pro controller looks quite similar to its Xbox counterpart - when it comes to button layout at least. The main body of the controller is black, including the buttons, whilst the hand grips are grey.

The dark colours could be considered to be a little bit dull by some but I personally think it makes the Nintendo Switch look cool and stylish! It will be interesting to see if Nintendo release any new colours after launch - I'm thinking a red and black edition for Mario Kart....

In the trailer, which you can watch above, there are plenty of games being played on the new console. You had a range of Nintendo regulars such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart and Super Mario - but there were also some exciting additions to the Nintendo collection.

The main addition was a version of the hugely-successful Skyrim. The Remastered version of the game is due for release on PS4 and Xbox One before the end of the year but this is still a huge cue for Nintendo.

The trailer also showed people playing Splatoon and an NBA. Nintendo also announced that a number of top publishers and games studios have signed up to produce software for the Switch. Top companies include Activision, Bethesda, EA Games and Ubisoft.

Take-Two Interactive, parent publisher of Rockstar Games, have also signed up - anybody up for Red Dead Redemption 2 on the Nintendo Switch?

Release Date & Price

The new console is due to be released in March 2017. At this moment no official date or price has been provided by Nintendo. Rumours are circulating that the console could retail for around $349 in the United States.

Nintendo tend to sell their consoles cheaper than Microsoft and Sony so it will be interesting to see if they stick to this tactic.

Keep checking the Zatu Games blog for all the latest news surrounding the Nintendo Switch.  *All Image and video rights go to Nintendo.