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What We Know About Nintendo Switch Launch, Games & Beyond (with sources)

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maxcriden

Member
Eurogamer, LPVG and Emily Rogers have proven themselves to be highly credible sources thanks to the massive Nintendo Switch leaks they've made that have already been proven.

There is a lot of information floating in various threads from these sources, regarding when games are releasing, and which games are coming. There is also information about launch bundles, pricing, release date, etc. I thought it would be worthwhile to have one consolidated location for this information. I will keep it updated with new and pertinent information. I will also compile what we know for a fact, below the rumored information. Accompanying threads will be linked underneath each item.

Unconfirmed Information

Mario Kart Switch: all Wii U + new tracks, characters, battle mode, will release within 3 months of launch

mario-kart-8-yoshi-circuit.gif


The Switch version of Mario Kart 8 will contain all of the previous Wii U content (tracks, characters) plus all of the Wii U DLC. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since the three minute Switch teaser showed two players racing through one of Mario Kart 8’s DLC tracks — GCN Yoshi Circuit. For those 3DS owners who skipped out on the Wii U, the Switch version of Mario Kart 8 should be a very tempting offer.

But why should Wii U owners care?

According to sources close to Nintendo, the Switch version of Mario Kart 8 will feature tons of exclusive content including brand new tracks, new playable characters, and a new-and-improved battle mode. That’s right, Nintendo listened to everyone’s criticisms about Mario Kart 8’s battle mode.

Mario Kart has completed development, and it’s planned to be released within the first three months of Switch’s launch.

https://arcadegirl64.wordpress.com/...-kart-for-switch-brings-a-mix-of-old-and-new/

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1315434

3D Mario & Skyrim Switch at Launch, Splatoon Pack-In, Zelda Several Months after Launch

Following recent reports that Zelda: Breath of the Wild would miss the Switch’s March launch, we have not only heard the same information independently, but also that the Wii U version is not going to hit the previously expected launch date either. We have heard that, even though the game will not launch until several months into the Switch’s lifespan, Nintendo still plans to release a Wii U version of the game.

In Switch-specific news, we have been told that the Mario game shown in the Switch reveal trailer is planned as Switch release day title in all territories. One source has told us a potential name, but we are currently unable to find any web domains or trademark registrations to back up the name suggestion and so we are choosing not to talk about that at this time.

The title will apparently feature a 3D open world hub from which different worlds can be selected, with multiple objectives to complete in each, much like Mario 64 or Mario Galaxy. This may seem obvious, but we share this information to specify that this will not be a Super Mario 3D World-style game where the action is in 3D, but each stage is a linear path designed to be completed a single time.

The multiplayer teased in the trailer will be a co-op version of the main game, with both players able to work together toward objectives, but with a form of tether to keep the players from going too far from each other. Player two’s gameplay will not hold player one back from progress, but player two can be the one to complete an objective and be shown as receiving the level end reward. A screen will then show how much of the progress toward that success was down to each player, like how many red coins each player collected in a red coin stage.

This Mario title has a demo in development ready for press to play in January 2017.

We have also heard that the current plan is for the more expensive Switch SKU (stock keeping unit) to come bundled with a new version of Splatoon. A big part of the push for this will be a 1 vs 1 mode where two players on separate Switches can fight over a map, switching their weapon of choice at will mid-game. Nintendo expects the short match nature of Splatoon to translate well to handheld multiplayer, in that players need only commit a few minutes to a full multiplayer match.

There are also plans to add additional single player content to the game, and for the Switch version of the game to have a similar free content output schedule to the one the Wii U version of the game enjoyed.

Also, that Skyrim port Bethesda refuse to confirm is real is totally happening. We’ve heard it’s planned to be a launch day release for the system, to mirror the recent remastered version of the game, and to allow mods at some time post-launch. Mod support for Skyrim will not be there from day one, and much like the PS4 will be limited to mods made using existing in-game assets.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1315410

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...launch-splatoon-pack-in-no-march-wii-u-zelda/

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will not release in March

Breath of the Wild is one of the largest games — if not the largest game — that Nintendo has ever developed. It’s probably larger than Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and Wind Waker combined.

In early September, I heard rumblings that the localization for the game was becoming more work than anyone had anticipated. They have to localize all of the game’s text, NPCs, quests, etc. Then, around October, I received another update that Zelda’s localization was still not going as smoothly as planned. “A very ambitious game, maybe even too much,” claimed one particular source.

That brings us to the month of November. More sources have now come forward and corroborated my information. They’ve told me that localization for Breath of the Wild might not be finished until the end of December. After localization is completed, this game will require between (at least) four-to-six months of testing. As I mentioned earlier, this is one of Nintendo’s largest and most ambitious games ever. The amount of testing required for a huge open-world game like this is enormous. Nintendo’s intention is to have the game as bug free as possible.

Based on what I’ve heard, I have no reason to believe that Breath of the Wild will be a March title. There’s a much higher chance of Breath of the Wild being a summer 2017 game.

On an unrelated note, I’ve also heard whispers of the Switch version of BoTW running more smoothly than the Wii U version. Furthermore, I hear the final version of the game is a bit harder than what the press and media played at E3. Actually, I hear they toned down the E3 demo’s difficulty a tiny bit because they wanted journalists and press members to have fun exploring.

http://neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297125

https://arcadegirl64.wordpress.com/...th-of-the-wild-will-not-be-released-in-march/

Remaining Smash Amiibo Delayed until 2017 Smash Bros. Switch Port Arrives, Smash Port targeting release ~6 mos after launch

We have learned that the Bayonetta and Cloud Amiibo, both previously slated for 2016 release, are now being held back to launch alongside an upcoming Switch port of Smash Bros.

According to our information, the port will not be a launch day release for the Switch, but is targetting a release in the first six months after the Switch hits shelves. We have not heard any confirmation that the port will contain any new content, but we have been told it will contain all DLC from the Wii U version of the game.

We have not heard anything regarding Gamecube Controller support for the port.

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...ed-until-2017-smash-bros-switch-port-arrives/

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1310709

UK Retailer GAME to Price Nintendo Switch from £199.99, Switch close to direct conversion price comparable across regions, separate SKU will have more storage and a pack-in game

UK specialist gaming retail chain GAME has been informed of the Nintendo Switch’s wholesale price to retailers, and is planning on selling their basic SKU (stock keeping unit) of the system in stores for £199.99.

It is important to note this is not a Nintendo set RRP (recommended retail price), as Nintendo do not set UK RRP prices for consoles. However, it is safe to assume this gives us a solid indication of the price the system will sell at nationwide.

We have also learned that a separate SKU featuring more internal storage and a packed in game is planned to sell at £249.99. We have heard rumours as to what this pack in game is, but we currently have only one source on this information so we are unwilling to talk about that pack in title at this time.

Both our sources have told us that additional Switch Pro Controllers are expected to sell at launch for £39.99 at GAME.

Lastly, we have been told that Nintendo is planning for the Switch to be close to direct conversion price comparable across regions, which we have been told is tied into their push for the system to be region free. This would in theory put the USA price of the system at approximately $249.99 and $299.99 (This is based off conversions, not any insider information).

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1314048

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/11/report-uk-retailer-game-to-price-nintendo-switch-from-199-99/

Switch will release March 17th, 2017 in EU

https://twitter.com/LaurakBuzz/status/793947481574780928

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1306243

Nintendo Switch Dock Doesn’t Support External USB Drives

A source at Nintendo has confirmed to Let’s Play Video Games that the company doesn’t have any plans to support USB Hard Drives being connected to the Nintendo Switch Dock to expand system storage.

Nintendo’s concern internally is that allowing consumers to attach large external drives to the Dock will cause players to see the system as less inherently portable, harming their core branding for the system as a portable home console.

Additionally, Nintendo want to ensure that players can at any time disconnect the handheld from the dock without having to wait for games, save data or other information to sync first. Nintendo’s solution to this is to only allow data to be stored on the handheld, so that any time you disconnect the handheld all the same data is available to the player.

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...itch-dock-doesnt-support-external-usb-drives/

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1301183

Switch Prototype Powered by USB-C

According to our source at Nintendo, as well as a source close to the production of the reveal trailer for the Switch, the hardware model shown in the reveal featured a USB-C port for power, situated in the centre of the bottom edge of the tablet. This port will be able to be used to charge the handheld while away from the Switch Dock.

Additionally, both sources have made it clear that the position of the USB-C port on the handheld means you will not be able to charge it while the system is propped up on its kickstand.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1301623

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...by-usb-c-cannot-be-charged-in-kickstand-mode/

Nintendo Switch to support Micro SD cards up to 128GB

Where the New 3DS supported Micro SD up to 2GB and Micro SDHC up to 32GB, the Nintendo Switch development hardware supports Micro SDXC cards up to 128 GB in size. It is currently unclear if this upper limit will be reduced on the retail model, but the development model of the Switch does support running software directly off the Micro SD card as you would off the internal memory or a game cart.

In addition, a source close to the production of the Switch reveal trailer has informed us that the Micro SD slot on the Switch can be located underneath the handheld’s kickstand on the model shown in the reveal trailer.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1301171

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/10/report-nintendo-switch-to-support-micro-sd-up-to-128gb/

No Nintendo Switch Handheld-Only Package at Launch

According to our source, Nintendo wants to launch the Switch with a clear focus on the hybrid nature of the device core to marketing. While a handheld-only package may come down the line, at launch all bundles of the system will include a dock as to not confuse branding around the name. Nintendo considered internally the idea of selling the handheld portion separately, but had concerns that consumers who purchased the handheld without the dock may still think they could connect it to the TV.

There are no plans for the Switch handheld to be able to connect to your TV without the use of the dock.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1299804

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/10/report-no-nintendo-switch-handheld-only-package-at-launch/

Nintendo Switch’s Right Joy-Con Offers IR Pointer Functionality

Joycon-IR.jpg


Touch screen games will be playable on your TV by use of an IR pointer located in the bottom of the right Joy-Con.

Having spoken to sources within Ubisoft, we believe that games which support touch functionality on the handheld will use IR functionality to replicate that ability on the TV.

We believe the handheld, when docked, will switch on two small IR lights similar to the Wii Sensor Bar at the top of the handheld screen, peeking out above the top of the dock. The IR sensor in the right Joy-Con can then be used in much the same way as a Wii Remote pointer. This is designed to be used for touch screen replication, rather than the camera turning and aiming functions Wii Remotes were often used for.

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...ight-joy-con-offers-ir-pointer-functionality/
http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/...rs-support-motion-control-and-force-feedback/

Switch has Multi-Touch Screen, Dock has some additional processing power, mediocre battery life

I am VERY confident in saying that the Nintendo Switch screen is a touch screen, but that is not core to most gameplay.

— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) October 20, 2016

I’ll be there for menus, for drawing, for certain games like Mario Maker port etc.

— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) October 20, 2016

I’m confident in saying that the Nintendo Switch’s screen is a multi-touch screen.

— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) October 20, 2016

As all Nintendo Switch games need to be playable with the handheld in the console dock, all Switch games will be playable without touch.

— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) October 20, 2016

RE: dock, what I’ve heard is additional processing (lacking specifics atm) for when docked. However, would expect a few secs to switch.

— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) October 20, 2016

If there is additional processing in the dock, I would expect at least a few seconds to swap handheld to console etc.

— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) October 20, 2016

To those asking about battery life on Nintendo Switch, I’m hearing “mediocre” battery life.

— Laura Kate Dale (@LaurakBuzz) October 20, 2016

Source A (Nintendo) described the Switch as having a “mediocre” battery life. Source B (Ubisoft) has said a maximum battery life of three hours.

http://letsplayvideogames.com/2016/10/a-deep-dive-on-lpvgs-nintendo-switch-reports-and-info/

What we can expect from Nintendo Switch at launch

Here is what you can expect from the final retail product:
•Custom Nvidia GPU chip
•Region Free (No region lock)
•Six inch (6.2 inch?) multi-touch screen (Heard nothing about a stylus)
•The touchscreen has 720p resolution.
•32GB of built-in internal storage
•SD card support
•Supports USB 2.0 and 3.0
•The dock has two 2.0 usb ports and one 3.0 usb port.
•The portable device is around 14 – 15 mm in thickness.
•The right analogue stick (or circle pad?) will be below the face buttons.
•Camera and microphone are not built into/inside the NX portable device.
•Cooling is still a little noisy
•Detachable controllers (motion controls and next-gen vibration technology) <– Everything Laura Kate Dale said in her article was correct.
•Share / Social button that Laura Kate Dale posted is true.
•There are *at least* two shoulder buttons.
•Battery Life — Ehhh not great. I haven’t heard an exact number of hours, but it doesn’t sound great.
•Below PS4 and XB1 in raw power.
•Supports Unreal Engine 4 and Unity Engine.

Note: I am not saying that NX won’t have a mic or camera. I am saying that the camera and mic aren’t built inside of the NX portable device.

Tiny Update #1 — September 20th, 2016
•Toshiba, Megachips, and Macronix are all involved with the Nintendo NX.
•Toshiba is the world’s second-largest NAND chip maker after Samsung. They also manufactured the flash memory chips for the Nintendo 3DS.
•NX hardware is finalized. Don’t expect any drastic changes.
•NX is now entering a very early stage of production.
•Zero percent chance of NX being delayed from its March launch.

https://arcadegirl64.wordpress.com/2016/09/02/rumor-what-should-we-expect-from-the-final-nx-product/
 
now that we have a general switch thread, do we still need another thread consider this one most likely become a generic switch talk thread anyway?
 

maxcriden

Member
Confirmed Information

Nintendo Switch Presentation: January 12, 2017

Nintendo News: Nintendo Reveals Plans for Nintendo Switch Presentation

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In a presentation to financial analysts today in Tokyo, Nintendo Co., Ltd. president Tatsumi Kimishima announced that major details regarding the company’s new Nintendo Switch home gaming system will be shared at the Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017. This will be an event for invited media, financial analysts and trade partners in Tokyo that will be globally livestreamed on Jan. 12, U.S. time. The presentation will include the launch date and pricing for Nintendo Switch, as well as a look at the lineup of games currently in development.

Kimishima also announced that Nintendo Switch sampling events for invited media, partners, and consumers will take place in the U.S. and Europe after the presentation at later dates. There will be opportunities for the public to participate in other hands-on events around the same time, details of which will be announced later.

The exact time of the Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 will be announced through Nintendo’s social media channels in the coming weeks. Last week, Nintendo Switch was first revealed in a video, available at http://www.nintendo.com/switch.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1300987

Details on Nintendo Joy-Con Controllers & Official PR for Switch Video

fn1ivMB.jpg


Gaming springs into action by removing detachable Joy-Con controllers from either side of Nintendo Switch. One player can use a Joy-Con controller in each hand; two players can each take one; or multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options. They can easily click back into place or be slipped into a Joy-Con Grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, if preferred, the gamer can select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to use instead of the Joy-Con controllers. Furthermore, it is possible for numerous people to bring their Nintendo Switch systems together to enjoy local multiplayer face-to-face competition.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297108

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297120

fn1ivMB.jpg


New 3D Mario game shown in Switch trailer with Triple Jump and South of the Border theme

tumblr_ofcou2M1Jy1qb0wv3o2_540.gif


3145621-mario002.gif


1476972689671.png


1476972438879.png


http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297129

Splatoon Switch shown in Switch Trailer with new Outfits

IBGr4dx.png


kECbSyx.png


MIs20P5.png


http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297121

Mario Kart Switch shown in Switch Trailer with King Boo, Wii U DLC track, ability to hold multiple items

K7LJkPG.png


http://neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297125

Nintendo Switch: Powered by Custom Nvidia Tegra Chip

The first thing to know about the new Nintendo Switch home gaming system: it’s really fun to play. With great graphics, loads of game titles and incredible performance, the Nintendo Switch will provide people with many hours of engaging and interactive gaming entertainment.

But creating a device so fun required some serious engineering. The development encompassed 500 man-years of effort across every facet of creating a new gaming platform: algorithms, computer architecture, system design, system software, APIs, game engines and peripherals. They all had to be rethought and redesigned for Nintendo to deliver the best experience for gamers, whether they’re in the living room or on the move.

A Console Architecture for the Living Room and Beyond

Nintendo Switch is powered by the performance of the custom Tegra processor. The high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards.

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch’s gaming experience 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. The newest API, NVN, was built specifically to bring lightweight, fast gaming to the masses.

Gameplay is further enhanced by hardware-accelerated video playback and custom software for audio effects and rendering.

We’ve optimized the full suite of hardware and software for gaming and mobile use cases. This includes custom operating system integration with the GPU to increase both performance and efficiency.

NVIDIA gaming technology is integrated into all aspects of the new Nintendo Switch home gaming system, which promises to deliver a great experience to gamers.

The Nintendo Switch will be available in March 2017. More information is available at https://www.nintendo.com/switch.

The high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297136

https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/10/20/nintendo-switch/

Nintendo Switch uses Cartridges

oMzcsNM.jpg


http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297164

Nintendo Switch Partners

CvN2pUIWIAAcxQ-.jpg:large


http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1297117

EA on their Switch title

At the UBS Global Technology Conference, EA CFO Blake Jorgensen teased:

“In terms of Nintendo, in their announcement they announced that we’ll be supporting with a game or two on that new platform. We haven’t yet announced what game, but you should assume that it’s one of our bigger games we’ve been involved with.”

“We’re excited for Nintendo, it’s an interesting device, but I can’t yet predict how broad it’s going to be, and will people be interested in a portable device alongside their regular portable device that they have.”

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1314990
 

maxcriden

Member
now that we have a general switch thread, do we still need another thread consider this one most likely become a generic switch talk thread anyway?

I hope so and think so, yes. We have a general Switch community thread that does not have any information about unconfirmed but reliable info compiled in one place, nor information about confirmed info compiled in one place. I think this serves a purpose. Hopefully mods agree.
 

vareon

Member
Feels just like a few days ago this was about "what we know about NX". A wild ride it was. Now at least we have a date to look forward to!
 

cw_sasuke

If all DLC came tied to $13 figurines, I'd consider all DLC to be free
Great thread !!

Seems like we will be getting many established IPs in the first 12 months - which will open up Nintendo devs teams to work on new IPs for the system down the line. Exciting.

Splatoon must have had quite the impact, so im looking forward to their new IPs once the most important boxes are checked (Pokemon, Zelda, Mario, Smash, Mario Kart. Splatoon, Animal Crossing).
 

GlamFM

Banned
Awesome thread is awesome.

Thanks for all the hard work.

Getting more and more excited for the Switch.
 

Broritos

Member
Mostly ports and two new games with one not even making it for launch.

Extra content for the ports is cool but overall...fuckin whatever.
 

maxcriden

Member
Thanks for the kind words, all. Please let me know what I left out.

Great thread !!

Seems like we will be getting many established IPs in the first 12 months - which will open up Nintendo devs teams to work on new IPs for the system down the line. Exciting.

Splatoon must have had quite the impact, so im looking forward to their new IPs once the most important boxes are checked (Pokemon, Zelda, Mario, Smash, Mario Kart. Splatoon, Animal Crossing).

Thank you, cw! I wonder if we won't see at least some new or revitalized IPs in 2017. Now that Splatoon is seemingly the pack-in title, that would mean there isn't a proof of concept pack-in as we saw with Wii (Wii Sports) and Wii U (Nintendo Land). Both were developed by the same team, right? I assume that and several other Nintendo teams must have projects ready for 2017, that launch may have more games than just Mario and Splatoon, and that more non-Wii U port games are coming throughout 2017.
 
it's certainly growing on me, esp a sub 300$ price point, really is a tempting impulse buy...

but i cant get over how uncomfortable those controllers look. even when split apart and you use just one joy-con, the right one's joystick is in the middle of the controller. that picture is showing the guy holding it so uncomfortably.

ill def get the pro "normal" controller....


it comes across with a low cost of entry but lots of hidden costs / peripherals.

still excited though - thing i'm not looking forward to most is Nintendo's false supply shortage. at least a march release wont have holiday fever for consumers, which may temper the craze
 
Mostly ports and two new games with one not even making it for launch.

Extra content for the ports is cool but overall...fuckin whatever.
I agree. It sucks the Switch is only ports and two new games. I'm glad Nintendo confirmed it all for us. They screwed up.
 

Servbot24

Banned
3D Mario and Splatoon at launch seems good to me. Fuck Skyrim.

If they can get Mario Kart, Zelda, and maybe 3 other good original 1st party games such as Pikmin 4 and a new IP out the rest of the year I think that would put them on the right track.
 
At this point, I guess the only way to get people to stop panicking and fear mongering is for Nintendo to just come out now and reveal every single new game that they're working on for Switch, as well as saying they're making new games for every single series they have.
 

maxcriden

Member
Mostly ports and two new games with one not even making it for launch.

Extra content for the ports is cool but overall...fuckin whatever.

We are getting many more non-port games, I'm sure. This is just what we have information on so far. January 12th is the day to learn about new games for Switch. I am confident Mario is not the only non-port game to be shown. It's also entirely possible even at launch there will be more than Mario and Splatoon, first party-wise.
 

TheMoon

Member
Mostly ports and two new games with one not even making it for launch.

Extra content for the ports is cool but overall...fuckin whatever.

Remember that this is what we know before ANY game has actually been announced for real other than Zelda. There's no point in whining right now.
 

Broritos

Member
We are getting many more non-port games, I'm sure. This is just what we have information on so far. January 12th is the day to learn about new games for Switch. I am confident Mario is not the only non-port game to be shown.

I don't doubt that at all. I'm just concerned about the launch line up. I mean, I don't have to get one at launch but its been a while since I've gotten my Nintendo fix. And this is from someone who loves Star Fox Zero which came out in April.
 
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