What’s the Nintendo Switch? Everything You Need to Know

Price and What’s in the Box

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

The Nintendo Switch will run you $300 (USD) plus tax when it releases on Mar. 3, which is a relatively low price for a brand-new video game console. Included in the box are:

• Console (the tablet is the actual console)
• Dock
• Left and Right Joy-Con Controllers
• Joy-Con Wrist Straps (safety first)
• The Joy-Con Grip
• HDMI Cable
• A/D Adaptor

All of the usual suspects are there, providing everything you need to get the hardware up and running once you open the box (or tear it open if you’re one of those types). You will notice that there’s no pack-in game, not even mention of a demo disc/code. So that $300 at launch isn’t entirely accurate of what you can expect to pay on day one if you hope to play something. You’re going to have to shell out a bit of extra cash for a game separate from the console itself. 

Nintendo Switch Launch Lineup

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

When it comes time to choose what game you will be picking up on day one alongside your shiny new console, your options are somewhat limited, as there are only nine releasing at launch. They do offer a bit of variety though with RPGs, interesting party games, some indies, and the standout title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The PS4 and Xbox One didn’t have titles from their biggest franchises ready immediately, so we can all be a little thankful Breath of the Wild will be here sooner rather than later.

Here’s the full list of Nintendo Switch launch games:

• 1-2-Switch
• Human Resource Machine
• I Am Setsuna
• Just Dance 2017
• Little Inferno
• Skylanders Imaginators
• Super Bomberman R
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• World of Goo
• FAST RMX
• Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
• Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

If nothing here is of interest to you, there are plenty of games due throughout 2017 that you can look forward to. 

What’s on the Digital Marketplace?

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

The Nintendo Switch will have its digital marketplace up and running on day one, but you’ll have to update your console first. Once that’s done, you’ll find all of the launch games available to download instantly. Unfortunately, a Virtual Console (where you would normally find all of the cool retro games) will not be available immediately.

Hopefully you’ll be able to jump back into some retro action soon after launch. It’s not clear when we can expect it, nor is it clear if your Virtual Console purchases from the Wii U or Wii will be compatible. 

Can the Switch Hold All of Those Games?

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

Well, that depends on how you’re getting your games to your Switch. There is currently only one SKU for the upcoming Nintendo Console, and it only has 32 GB of memory. Of that 32 GB, only 25.9 is free for your games and files. If you plan on going physical for your games purchases, then you don’t have much to worry about as those 25.9 GB should be enough for any updates, DLCs, and saves for some time. However, if you’re hoping to adopt the current digital trend with Nintendo’s new console, things become a bit problematic. The download sizes for some of their games are:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 13.4 GB
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 7 GB
• Disgaaea 5 – 5.92 GB
• Dragon Quest Heroes I & II – 32 GB

You may have noticed that the last game we noted there is a full 32GB, the exact same amount that the Switch comes with out of the box. The thing is, you can’t use the full memory thanks to the 6.1 GB utilized for the OS and other background software. That means it’s 100% impossible to download at least one game out the gate. Granted, that game has yet to be confirmed for the West, but since Dragon Quest Heroes did come to the West on the PS4, there’s a decent possibility that the Switch will get some love as well. 

Can I Upgrade the Memory?

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

Thankfully, you can indeed upgrade the memory of your Nintendo Switch with the use of SD cards. The console will support Micro SD, Micro SDHC, and Micro SDXC (after an update) to allow owners to increase the memory of the console by up to 2 TB. Nintendo is also looking into USB storage, though has not confirmed this as a definite addition down the line.

You should be aware, though, that the biggest SD cards on the market right now are only 256 GB. There is a 2TB SDXC option, though this won’t be available until compatibility for these cards is added.

You can settle for something smaller and cheaper in the meantime, though. On the plus side, while there are branded versions of these cards, you can buy any that you want, and they aren’t ridiculously expensive. 

Are There Other Peripherals I Can Buy?

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

Yes, if you’re trying to pick up some more hardware for your Nintendo Switch such as extra controllers, wires, or even a spare dock, you can. The options available are:

• Joy-Con Set (Left and Right): $79.99
• Joy-Con L: $49.99
• Joy-Con R: $49.99
• Pro Controller: $69.99
• Joy-Con Wheel (Set of 2): $19.99
• Joy-Con Charging Grip: $49.99
• Dock: $89.99

As you can see, accessories and peripherals for the console are pricey, but they may prove necessary. For instance, the Joy-Con controllers don’t charge on the grip that comes in the box, meaning you can’t charge and play at the same time if you’re playing on your television. So you may want to invest in a Pro Controller or a Charging Grip. You can also get extra Docs so that you can move your Nintendo Switch from room to room without having to lug around all of the hardware. 

How Many Consoles Can I Have My Games On?

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

You must be logged into your account to play your digital games on the Nintendo Switch. There’s no limit to how many different consoles you can log onto, but you can only be logged into one of them at any given moment in time. This means that you can’t share your games across consoles if you perhaps had multiple Switches in your home, or wanted to share your library with a sibling or friend.

Digital games can only be played by the account that owns them right now. Hopefully there is a system put in place that works similarly to how things run on the PS4, where you can have two consoles with your games, and one of them can share with other accounts.

Battery Life

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

Battery Life is not something you normally think about when buying a new home video game console, but thanks to the Nintendo Switch being a home console/handheld hybrid, it’s an important part of the conversation. Outside of the doc, the Switch has a life ranging from about 2 1/2 to 6 hours. The length is determined by what game you’re playing.

For instance, a graphically intensive game such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be played for approximately three hours before you need to plug the console in. Something smaller such as Bomberman will provide you with playtime much closer to the full six hours, and possibly even a little longer. 

Online Capabilities and Multiplayer

Everything You Need to Know About the Switch

Nintendo is moving into the premium online service trend that both Sony and Microsoft utilize for their consoles. It will be free at launch but will become a paid subscription sometime during the fall. It’s expected to cost around $30 a year, half the price of the competitors, and will be required for:

• Online Gameplay
• Online Lobby &  Voice Chat app
• Monthly Game Download
• Exclusive Deals

All other features such as using social media and sharing screenshots, adding friends, and accessing the eShop will be available to everyone as long as they have an internet connection. It should be noted that the monthly game download works very differently from Sony’s Instant Game Collection or Microsoft’s Games With Gold programs. These games will only be available for the month that they’re offered. After the month ends, you will no longer have access to the game whether you have an active subscription or not. Also, while the details still aren’t fully clear, chat and lobbies won’t be handled on the console itself, but rather through an app on your mobile device.

There’s also been no word on whether or not we’ll be seeing a trophy or achievement system.

As for multiplayer, up to eight Nintendo Switches will be able to link up for local co-op action. Online multiplayer will require the service outlined above.