Nintendo Switch.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

That is a pricey controller but it looks nice.

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Switch’s Bundled Joy-Con Grip Won’t Charge the Controllers

Another unfortunate blip in Nintendo Switch’s accessory nightmare, the bundle Joy-Con Grip will be different than the Joy-Con Charging Grip. The main difference is in the name — the standard Joy-Con Grip bundled with Nintendo Switch won’t be able to charge the Joy-Con controllers on the go.

Whether this is a problem depends on how you plan on using your console. According to the Joy-Con controller’s product description, battery life is expected to be around 20 hours (conceivably four times the battery life of the Nintendo Switch itself). Additionally, docking your Nintendo Switch to play it on the TV will require charged controllers. So if you see yourself going 20 hours in docked or tabletop mode without taking time to charge, investing in the Charging Grip is in your future.

However, if you want to be able to charge the Joy-Con controllers on the go, it requires sinking $29.99 into the premium accessory.

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Reggie Fils-Aime Answers Questions on the Nintendo Switch in New Interview

YouTube star ProJared has conducted an interview with Nintendo of America’s President Reggie Fils-Aime.

What was the subject of this interview, you ask? Why, none other than Nintendo’s revealed home console the Nintendo Switch. The interview yields some interesting talking points.

Reggie mentions that they weren’t able to emphasize during the console’s reveal presentation the volume of titles in development; 80 different titles spanning 50 development studios currently planned for the console.

He also mentions the titles that he’s most excited for, including the likes of Splatoon 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Project Octopath Traveler, though he understandably forgets the proper title of that last game.

He also details the expanded online service the console is bringing, stating that the service will offer a dedicated online subscription service with a range of benefits including matchmaking, lobbies with friends, virtual console content and much more.

There’s also some hilarious dialogue regarding all the snapping that took place during the presentation, just before Reggie slams Team Ninja’s Metroid: Other M and addresses concerns about fans repeatedly having to buy the same virtual console games for different Nintendo platforms.



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Nintendo Switch Will Sell Between 6 and 8 Million Units in 2017 According to Michael Pachter

With the Nintendo Switch finally revealed and ready to drop on the shelves in less than two months, Wedbush Securities Analyst Michael Pachter weighed in on the console’s present and future in an interview on Gamertag Radio.

www1.play.it/audio/gamertag-radio/episode-627-wedbush-morgan-analyst-michael-pachter-interview-about-the-nintendo-switch/

Pachter started on a positive note, mentioning that the Switch software lineup is much better than he expected, with much more first party content than he has ever seen from Nintendo at launch. On the other hand, it’s light on third party content, and the price point is higher than he expected, while the accessory price is much higher than he expected.

He thinks that “fanboys” are going to buy the devicebecause there is enough Nintendo content to support the purchase, but families that are looking for a console are going to consider the depth of the software offering that is pretty thin outside of the Nintendo first party content.

According to Pachter, the $299.99 price would have been right in 2013, in a world where PS4 costed $400 and Xbox One costed $500, but in 2017 it’s not the right price, as other consoles are cheaper. He doesn’t think that Nintendo can convince people that the Switch is a better first console in the house than a PS4 and Xbox One that have a couple of hundreds titles on them.

Perhaps more importantly, Pachter continued, most people that buy a console want to play big hitters like Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty, and those games aren’t available on the Switch.

Pachter feels that the decision to release in March was “super-smart,” as it allows Nintendo to satisfy the demand from core gamers that will buy the console at launch by taking the Christmas gift-giver out of the equation. Launching in March also prompts people to look at the games all the way up to the Holiday season, and they still feel like part of the launch lineup.

Pachter mentions that if the Switch had been a $200 device, it would have been a Wii situation all over again, with at least half of PS4 owners that would buy the console to play Nintendo games, since they can already play third party ones on the console they already own.

Unfortunately, competing consoles have come down too far in price to allow a $300 Switch to be successful. That said, Pachter believes that Nintendo will still sell six, seven, or maybe eight million units of the device. Due to the “great” Nintendo software lineup, it won’t sell as slowly as the Wii U did.

The question is, though, what will happen beyond 2017. If there won’t be any real meaningful third party support, it will be a problem, and there will be a repeat of the Wii U.

For now, it appears that third party publishers are reluctant to spend money to port recent software from PS4 or Xbox One down to the switch, as it might be too expensive. Only Take-Two was surprising with the announcement of NBA 2K18. That said, Pachter promised that if Take-Two shows up at E3 and announces Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Switch, then he’ll change his tune about it. The same goes for EA announcing Star Wars Battlefront or Activision announcing Call of Duty.

Pachter also believes that Nintendo simply doesn’t understand online multiplayer and online in genral. That’s obvious from the design of the device, as it comes with small built-in storage.

He feels that one of Nintendo’s shortcoming is that they think that they need to change everything and that different is always better. For instance, the conventional game controller, that Nintendo invented, it simply works and makes sense. In the same way as they always try to change controllers, Nintendo seems to think that they have to change the way we enjoy multiplayer, online stores, chat and everything else, and Pachter thinks it’s a “terrible mistake.”

We also hear that while people might diss the 3DS because it has run its course, it’s making a lot of money for Nintendo and it’s still selling super-well. It’s too profitable to be discontinued. It might happen if sales drop to two-three million a year and the Switch sells fifteen million units, but at the current price points, it’ll keep selling.

Source: dualshockers

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Switch: Check Out Every Little Detail in Ultra-Close-up Pictures: Ports, Buttons and More

The Nintendo Switch will launch worldwide on march 3rd, and Nintendo is pushing the console fairly hard in Japan, not only placing it in the hands of fans during dedicated events, but also making display units available for gamers to look at and touch to their heart content.

Today I got my hands on one of such units at the Sofmap Amusement Store in Akihabara, Tokyo, and was able to grope and observe it for about twenty minutes. Even batter, I managed to take plenty of close-up pictures for your perusal.

The unit I manhandled was a display units with parts of its innards removed, which means that (obviously) it doesn’t function, and it isn’t representative of the final weight of the console, but everything else is the real thing.

In the gallery below, you’ll see a whole lot of pictures of the unit, taken as close as my camera allowed, including the ports, the slot for MicroSD memory cards hidden behind the kickstand, the game card slot (closed and opened), the ventilation holes hiding the fins of the cooling system, the headphone jack, the rails that allow the Joy-Con controllers to slide in place and extract, and every single button, from the ones dedicated to gameplay to the power and volume buttons.

Basically, it’s the full course.

Incidentally, despite the lack of internal components, the unit felt solidly built, a far cry from the toy-like construction of previous Nintendo consoles. It’s also fairly fetching to the sight (despite the tons of fingerprints on the screen, but this was open for everyone to touch, so that’s not really unsurprising).

On the other hand, it’s certainly very big for a portable. The only thing I had handy for the sake of comparison was a PS Vita game case, but it’s certainly large, and the difference in size with PS Vita and 3DS is easily felt.

This might certainly hinder those who would like to use it as their portable of choice for their regular commute, depending on how crowded the vehicle is. I can’t see many using this in Tokyo during rush hour, when you struggle to whip out your smartphone due to the crowd. Yet, if your train is not as packed, it might be more doable, even if less than ideal.

Of course, it’s definitely small enough for less regular portability, like traveling, and on the plus side, the additional finger estate makes it much more comfortable than a PS Vita to hold for those who have big hands like me.

But without further ado, you can check it for yourself below, with a second blue/red unit and Joy-Con charger as a bonus. Unfortunately this one was behind glass, but it’s still nice to see.














Source: dualshockers

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Switch Game Boxes Compared to Wii U, 3DS, PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, PS3 and PSP

There is still a little more than a month to the release of the Nintendo Switch, but you might already be thinking about planning your shelf space. If that’s the case, don’t worry, we’re here to help.

The biggest Japanese gaming stores are starting to display Nintendo Switch game boxes (empty for the moment), including the ultra-popular Yodobashi Camera mega-store in Akihabara, and I happened to be there today.

To give you a good idea of how big the game boxes are, I started taking comparison screenshots with a Wii U box, and since no one appeared to be interested in stopping the strange big gaijin carrying boxes from the various aisles to the Nintendo Switch one, I went all the way and compared the new cases against those for 3DS, PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, PS3, and PSP.

As you can see in the gallery at the bottom of the post, Nintendo Switch boxes are considerably smaller than Wii U ones, basically as tall as PS4 and Xbox One cases, but thinner and in both width and depth.

They’re exactly as wide as PS Vita cases, but taller and a bit thinner, and last but not least, their front face size is almost identical to PSP cases (just slightly shorter in height).

Unfortunately, I couldn’t make a good comparison with Xbox 360 boxes, because in the whole store there wasn’t one outside of anti-theft cases (as if anyone would steal an Xbox 360 game… in Japan).

As a bonus, you can also see the front, back and interior of the boxes for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of influence, Romance of the Three Kingdom XIII, 1-2-Switch, Super Bomberman R, Disgaea 5, Puyo Puyo Tetris, I Am Setsuna, and Dragon Quest Heroes I-II for Nintendo Switch.

Interesting, Puyo Puyo Tetris doesn’t have a printed interior, while not all games warn how many megabytes of internal storage are required (presumably for save games). I Am Setsuna requires 50, while Dragon Quest Heroes I-II for Nintendo Switch requires only 11 megabytes.









Source: dualshockers

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Switch Super Bowl LI Trailer

Nintendo had their first-ever Super Bowl advertisement on Sunday, February 5th, during Super Bowl LI.

The 30-second spot will notably feature The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a new song by Imagine Dragons called “Believer,” which premiered worldwide on January 31st.

In addition to the new 30-second spot, Nintendo has also revealed it will release an extended 90-second version that will be available online. According to Nintendo, this extended cut of the ad will demonstrate the versatility of the Switch by showcasing the system in a variety of locations where home video games are not traditionally played, from a classroom to a kitchen, to a laundromat. It also will showcase the following games: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (March 3), 1-2-Switch (March 3), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (April), ARMS (spring), Splatoon 2 (summer), Just Dance 2017 from Ubisoft (March 3) and Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers from Capcom (May 26).

Nicolas Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Marketing accompanied the announcement with the following statement:

“The most anticipated video game system and video game of the year will be seen on the biggest stage of the year,” said Nicolas Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Marketing. “Nintendo Switch will change how, when and where people play games. It’s only fitting that we’re changing how, when and where we advertise those games.”





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Nintendo Switch Trailer Gives an Overview on the Hardware and Features

Nintendo released a trailer dedicated to the Nintendo Switch, and it’s a fairly interesting one, as it puts most of the information abpout the console In a single, easily accessible package.

While it’s called “hardware overview,” though, don’t expect it to include information about the guts of the hardware, as Nintendo isn’t spilling the beans on chips and silicon just yet.

On the other hand, the trailer illustrates the features of the console and what each piece of the package can do, from the joy-con controllers to the portable unit.



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Nintendo Switch Will Launch Without an Internet Browser

It looks like Nintendo Switch won’t just be missing out on media apps like Netflix at launch, the fledgling gaming console will also be missing an Internet browser. According to an interview of Nintendo’s President Tatsumi Kimishima (conducted by TIME), Nintendo is less focused about extra features like media and internet right at launch.

When asked if Miiverse, Mii Maker and Wii U Chat will make an appearance on Nintendo Switch, Kimishima replied:

n terms of the Internet browser, since all of our efforts have gone toward making Switch an amazing dedicated video game platform, it will not support it, at least at launch.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that the Nintendo Switch will never get these features — just not at launch.

Nintendo Switch has been getting some flack since Nintendo Switch’s Tokyo Livestream over moving online features to smartphones as well as failing to discuss other important features like Virtual Console, eShop and more.

Source: dualshockers

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Switch Survey: 24 Japanese Developers Answer on Price, Games in Development, Features, More

The Japanese magazine Weekly Famitsu conducted a survey among 24 Japanese game developers, asking questions on the upcoming Nintendo Switch, publishing the answers in today’s issue.

Representatives of local game companies were asked to respond on several elements including prices, games in development or planned, which features sparked interest, paid online services and more. Below you can read the questions and how they were answered.

Are you developing games for Nintendo Switch?

Yes: 54%
It’s being considered: 25%
No: 17%
Declined to answer: 4%

Do you plan to release games for Nintendo Switch in the future?

Yes: 46%
It’s being considered: 46%
Not at the moment: 4%
Declined to answer: 4%

Do you feel expectations from customers after the announcement of the Nintendo Switch?

Yes: 50%
I can’t say either way: 38%
No: 8%
Declined to answer: 4%

What was your impression about the price?

It’s appropriate: 67%
It’s cheap: 25%
It’s high: 4%
Declined to answer: 4%

What are your thoughts on paid online services?

Charging is unavoidable: 41%
Free was a better option if possible: 38%
I can’t say either way: 17%
Declined to answer: 4%

Please tell us know about a feature that is particularly interesting (multiple answers accepted).

Three play modes: 14 developers.
HD Rumble: 10 developers.
Joy-Con: 9 developers.
Two-player local multiplater using Joy-Con: 8 developers.
IR motion camera: 5 developers.
Online services (interaction with smart devices): 4 developers.
Local multiplayer (with multiple consoles): 2 developers.
Ability to capture screenshots with one button press: 1 developer.
Declined to answer: 1 developer.

What genre do you think is suitable for the Nintendo Switch? (multiple answers accepted)

RPG: 18 developers.
Action: 18 developers.
Simulation: 14 developers.
Puzzle: 14 developers.
Racing: 14 developers.
Adventure: 11 developers.
Quiz: 11 developers.
Simulator: 10 developers.
FPS/TPS: 10 developers.
Shooting: 7 developers.
Declined to answer: 1 developer.

What do you think is the most crucial element for Nintendo Switch to be successful?

Enriching the software: 34%
The launch of a killer application: 34%
Other:20%
Marketing: 8%
Declined to answer: 4%

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This Japanese Gamer Likes the Nintendo Switch so Much that He Included it in His Prayers

Nintendo Switch Pre-orders are mostly sold-out in Japan, and I definitely wasn’t able to find any availability in Tokyo. While we don’t know the numbers, it’s doubtless that many Japanese gamers definitely want Nintendo’s new console.

One specific gamer cares for the Switch enough to include it in his prayers. Today, exploring the popular Kanda Miyojin shrine in Tokyo, I found something quite interesting.

At the bottom of the post, you can see an “Ema,” which is a wooden plaque on which Shinto worshipers write their prayers and wishes, before leaving them hanging at a dedicated area at a shrine.

The Ema, which was hanged on new year’s day (which is a quite traditional thing to do) not only includes Nintendo’s new console, but also a lovely 3D sculpture of an inkling from Splatoon. And that’s definitely not traditional at all.

To be fair, Kanda Miyojin is very popular between otaku, anime fans and nerds in general, not only due to the fact that it’s very close to Akihabara, but also because it’s one of the settings of the first season of the Love Live anime. One of the protagonists, Nozomi Tojo, works at the shrine as a shrine maiden, and Kanda Miyojin actually adopted her as the shrine’s mascot, which is why many of the Ema hanging there depict Love Live characters. They also come with delightfully nerdy prayers, and a whole lot of wishes for a girlfriend.

That said, video game-themed Ema are much rarer, and especially ones crafted in 3D like this one are nearly unique.

Will Daikokuten, Ebisu, and Taira no Masakado (the three major Kami enshrined at Kanda Miyojin) grant this worshiper and gamer’s wish for a Switch? We’ll most probably never know. But we certainly have to applaud the effort and creativity.



Source: dualshockers

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Releases Official Nintendo Switch Unboxing Video

Nintendo released an official unboxing video for the Switch.

As is common with these type of videos, the video shows you everything you will get when you pick up a Nintendo Switch. This particular video features the Switch with the grey Joycon, opposed to the one with the neon red and blue.



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Nintendo Switch Will Have No Virtual Console at Launch

The news comes via a press release, where Nintendo says the following:

“Virtual Console games will not be available on Nintendo Switch at launch. We will share more information in the future.”
Additionally, Nintendo also provided insight into how the eShop will work on the console. First, players will need to download a system update, at launch, in order to even access it. According to Nintendo, the system update downloads quickly, and in the background, and is designed to not disturb gameplay.

The eShop also comes packing some new features that will inform people about about the latest additions to the storefront, as well as provide details and information about upcoming games and other updates from Nintendo.

Nintendo also revealed that people can buy digital Nintendo Switch games through Nintendo.com. From here, the games will download at home or on the go, as long as there is a Wifi connection.

Lastly, Nintendo shed some light on how users can share funds across multiple Nintendo devices.

“People who already have funds in their accounts on other Nintendo devices can access them using a shared wallet that works on Nintendo Switch as well. Once they link their Nintendo Network ID and Nintendo Account and then their Nintendo Account to their Nintendo Switch system, this functionality becomes possible.”

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New Nintendo Switch Trailer Shows UI, “News” Feature and eShop Interface

Nintendo released a brand new trailer of the upcoming Nintendo Switch console.

The video showcases one of the features of the Switch UI, focused on news from Nintendo itself. We also get the first look on the eShop interface for the console.



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Nintendo Switch Gets New First Time Setup Video

Nintendo released a new Switch video that serves as a first time setup video.

The video runs at 1 minute and 41 seconds and is pretty standard in terms of how these type of videos usually go. If you plan on picking up Nintendo’s upcoming console, you may want to bookmark this page for future use.



Source: dualshockers

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Switch Projected to Sell Five Million Units in 2017, According to SuperData Analysis

The Nintendo Switch is available around the world and while the system’s success remains to seen in the long term, new analysis from the SuperData group puts the system’s initial debut this year at sales of five million units.

According to a new report from SuperData (via GameSpot) – a marketing and research firm for products in the video games industry – the group puts the sales for Nintendo Switch at five million units being sold in 2017, which it says has Nintendo “gearing up for a slow-and-steady release of its new console.”

Specifically, SuperData added that the system is “launching much earlier in the year than its predecessors,” and predicted that the Switch will “initially appeal mostly to the loyal fanbase, before a broader, more mainstream audience adopts it.” SuperData put the sales distribution of the system around the world at 45% in North America, with Europe taking 35% and Japan at 12%.

SuperData noted in its report that “the biggest challenge for Nintendo is to convince console gamers to purchase the Switch as second device,” explaining that many gamers have “already committed” to a PS4 or Xbox One, with both systems sitting at 53.4 million units and 26 million units, respectively.

Two other factors that SuperData addressed in its report were the system’s “high starting price and the absence of strong launch titles,” especially with the system not being bundled with a game when both of its competitors, the PS4 and Xbox One, “are already discounted and come with a free game.”

Source: dualshockers

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

I think they are smart to start early, but this is pretty pricey.

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Fun fact: Nintendo Switch games taste really, really bad... Nerdist explains why

Kids, don't eat your Nintendo Switch games. You'd think this goes without saying, but, well... here we are.

Nintendo's latest console has been officially released to the masses now, and with the arrival of the new hardware comes an interesting point of discussion that has been spreading fast across the internet. That point, of course, is the Switch cartridges' taste.

The foul taste isn't just because the cartridges are made of plastic and are not manufactured for consumption. There's actually a reason behind it.

Luckily, Kyle Hill from Nerdist was able to shed some light on the matter. What it boils down to is chemistry.

Nintendo has coated the Switch cartridges with a chemical called denatonium benzoate -- the most bitter chemical in existence. As Hill explains, the eight bitter taste receptors in the human mouth react when only one part of the chemical is detected in 10 million parts of other things.

This is the stuff put into anti-freeze so that people won't drink it, and Nintendo has gone the same route with their Switch cartridges so that children won't eat them.

The more you know.

I haven't gotten my hands on the Nintendo Switch just yet, so I can't speak personally on the games' taste. But if you're a Switch owner and want to find out for yourself, well, knock yourself out.

Source: eventhubs

[Nyu Nozomi Hyuga]

Nintendo Switch Launches Today; Gets Two New Commercials Highlighting the Console’s Versatility and Portability

intendo’s latest piece of hardware, the Switch, launches to the masses. And to celebrate, Nintendo has released two new trailers/commercials that highlight the console’s ability to play on the go or at home.

Both trailers/commercials are 30 seconds long and showcase the Switch’s portability, as well as its versatility in regards to all the different places it can be played away from home. One trailer features footage from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and shows that you can race anywhere, anytime with the Switch.

The other trailer also features footage of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, as well as footage from ARMS. This trailer essentially drives home the same message.

As mentioned above, the Switch is out today: it costs $299.99 USD. The following games are available at launch:

1–2–Switch
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Skylanders Imaginators
Just Dance 2017
Super Bomberman R
I Am Setsuna
World of Goo
Little Inferno
Human Resource Machine
Snipperclips – Cut it out, together!
Fast RMX
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove





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John Cena Lends His Muscle to the Nintendo Switch in New Trailer

Nintendo launched the Switch, and they just released a new trailer of the console starring wrestling superstar John Cena.

The trailer showcases Cena playing the Switch in “unexpected places,” namely a “remote location in California.”

After a while, he’s joined by a bunch of smiling and laughing people, because this is a Nintendo commercial after all.



Source: dualshockers

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Can John Cena be a kids hero after hooking up with a porn star? Lol.